Early the next morning, Leonard woke before the sun could fully rise. Just like yesterday, after washing his face with cold water, he stepped outside and went through his daily training routine.
His muscles burned from all of the workouts he needed to do. Throughout, sweat dripped down his face. Every movement reminded him how important being disciplined was.
By the time he was done, he was panting heavily with his hands resting on his knees. Then, as always, the faint sound from the system chimed inside his head.
[Ding!]
[Daily Training – Day 4 Completed.]
[+1 Gold Coin Gained.]
"At least that part never disappoints." A small grin tugged at Leonard's lips. That notification was like the sound of achievement every time after his training.
After freshening up, he joined Anika at the food stall where they usually ate. She was already waiting on their usual table. She waved her hand when she saw him approach.
"You're early today, huh?" Leonard muttered at her.
"I know, right?" Anika just playfully smiled. She was still in a good mood from the events that happened yesterday.
After ordering, they had a quick breakfast. They just ate some warm bread with a small plate of meat and beans on the side before heading straight to the market.
As always, the market was filled with chaos and people. Even if it was just the morning, the merchants were already filled with energy. They shouted over each other and asked people to come to their stalls.
Leonard and Anika took their usual spot and worked for a few hours, entertaining the crowd and earning coins. Anika was lively as ever, pulling people in with her cheerful voice, while Leonard managed the flow and kept things in order.
However, by the afternoon, they had already packed up, even if it was against the crowd's wishes. It was because the two of them had a much better place to go.
"So are you ready?" After dropping their things at the inn, Leonard and Anika saw each other again at the entrance of the inn.
Leonard exchanged half of their silver coins for gold coins so they could bring it better. It has less weight, and also was not that noticeable compared to the sea of silver coins they had.
"Yep! Alder Street, right?" Anika replied eagerly after a few seconds. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and fixed the way she looked.
Anika was wearing a long white dress that complemented her skin. Her black hair was neatly combed, and she wore a light tint of red on her cheeks and lips.
Yesterday, she wasn't that put-together.
'She must have used the money to buy her own things,' Leonard thought.
Still, he couldn't help but honestly say that Anika looked better with it. She was already pretty, but those things just enhance how she looked overall.
After a while, they set out together. They passed by the market and walked further. The walk wasn't that long, but in total, they spent almost 30 minutes on the street.
"Woah…"
"This is what I expected…"
As they arrived, they immediately noticed the difference. Alder Street was lively, but not suffocating like the crowded market.
The road was definitely cleaner. The side of the street was lined with inns, big food stalls, and neatly maintained restaurants. The air smelled like fresh bread and roasted meat instead of dirt.
"This place feels so much better than the market… It's not too crowded, but there are still so many people passing through." Anika's eyes widened as she looked around, her lips curling into a smile.
In this part of the town, people moved at more quieter pace. Some were chatting casual pace, others were just minding their business. It was unlike the chaotic energy of the market.
"I know…" Leonard nodded at her words.
"But do you know what's better?" However, a second after and there was already a grin playing on his lips.
"What?" Anika curiously asked.
"We'll be the ones to create chaos in this street." Leonard's grin widened as he said those words
Anika turned her head at him, blinking once before letting out a small laugh. She thought that there was something serious behind his words. But there wasn't.
"You're impossible," she muttered before shaking her head.
The two of them continued walking side by side, looking at their surroundings carefully.
Leonard's eyes moved from the inns with their sturdy signs to the stalls with roasted meat and bread wafting their scent onto the road. Every corner had its own kind of business. Everything… except for what he has.
Then, as they reached the middle of the street, Leonard's steps slowed down a little. His gaze shifted toward an unoccupied place. It wasn't small, but it wasn't overly large either. It was just decent enough.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host!]
[Perfect Location Spotted.]
[Please talk to the owner and see the details of the place.]
'It's this?' Leonard stopped in front of the open space, quietly taking in the sight.
'This is not bad at all…' Despite being unoccupied, it didn't look like it was abandoned. If anything, it almost looked like someone had been keeping it in good condition.
"It's… empty. Do you think no one's using it?" Anika tilted her head.
"Yup. Looks like it." Leonard crossed his arms.
"But, maybe it's owned by someone. It looks too clean to be just left here," Anika took a cautious step forward, glancing around.
"Yeah, I know," Leonard muttered, scanning the nearby stalls. The bakery next door was busy with customers, while the inn had people stepping in and out. However, no one looked like they were keeping an eye on this spot.
"Maybe we should ask around, Leonard…" Anika suggested.
Leonard nodded. However, just before they could turn around, a sudden loud and prideful voice called out.
"Hey! What are you two looking at in my property?"