Chapter 1 – Part 5: The Bitter Reality of This World
Yes! I finally did it.
As I walked toward the church, I kept shouting "Hey!" and "Joy!"
The sun was setting, and just as I picked up the coin, the scene turned almost cinematic.
Finally, the first money I earned in this world wasn't copper.
Not silver.
Gold. Gold. Gold!
Gold was ten times more valuable than silver.
A hundred copper coins made one silver.
Ten silver coins made one gold.
I knocked on the back door of the church—the one used by the clergy.
Sister Mary opened it.
Sister Mary: Hello, how are you?
Me: Do you know what happened?!
Sister Mary: What Is it?
I shouted with joy that I had finally earned a gold coin.
I ran into the church, yelling, "I got one! A gold coin!"
I kept shouting, "I got one! I got one!"
…Which led to:
Me: Ow, ow! That hurt. I messed up. I won't shout again, Grandpa.
Grandpa: My son, I don't know what to say.
Sister Eva was healing a patient, and you broke her concentration.
Me: Ah, yes. I understand. I made a mistake.
Eventually, he gave up.
Me: Okay, I really get it. You've said It a thousand times.
Grandpa: What did you say?
Me: Nothing important. You know what?
Grandpa: What?
I managed to escape.
And well… with that, I probably bought myself another punishment in this life.
That night, as I lay in bed, I thought:
I'd never been this excited in my entire life.
Not even when everyone praised my painting skills.
Not even when everyone barely passed math and I got a perfect score.
They were excited—but me? Not really.
I was used to praise.
But what could I do?
Better sleep now… I've got a lot to do tomorrow.
…The next day…
"I've got fresh fish! Fresh meat! Come and get it!"
"I brought noble cloth! Come and get it!"
Everyone was busy with their own work.
Meanwhile, I was resisting the urge to buy food.
Temptation was strong.
Eventually, I found a stall selling painting supplies.
Me: Hello, sir.
Vendor: Hello, boy. Do you need something? Want to buy?
Me: Yes. I listed all the items—paints, boards…
It cost me four silver coins.
But they didn't have an easel, so I had to go to the carpenter.
It was hard to find, and It cost me three silver coins.
I looked at the two silver coins left in my hand.
Temptation hit again—food was calling.
But I shook my head.
No. I need to save enough to leave the church in a few years and live somewhere safe…
So I won't get killed by a hero.
But when I saw those delicious cookies at the stall, I couldn't resist.
My mouth watered.
Just as I stepped forward to order, a loud shout pulled me out of my trance.
A large man was beating a much thinner man.
What caught my attention was the noble-looking man standing behind them.
The thin man, his face bloody, kept apologizing.
The nobleman smirked and stepped forward.
Nobleman: I'll treat you like this so others like you know not to challenge us.
I was furious.
But there was nothing I could do.
The strange part?
No one did anything.
Even the two knights nearby just watched.
I looked at a little girl—only one eye visible through her long hair.
She wore a tattered white cloak and clutched a doll, watching the scene unfold.
She must've been his daughter.
How sad, to see a father's pride shattered in front of his child.
I returned to the church, deeply upset.
I had forgotten how cruel this world was.
How terrifying.
And how alone I was—reincarnated into this world with no help at all.
End of Part 5
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