After seeing the system, I muttered to myself,
*"I thought I'd get some powerful system to increase my strength and rule the world… but vegetables, meat, and fruits? How am I supposed to rule the world with this? On top of that, I'm a beggar."*
With a frustrated sigh, I exhaled.
"…Fuuu."
"Hey! Hey! Loid! Loid!"
Mac was calling me. I looked at him in surprise.
"Huh? Yeah, Mac?"
Inside my mind, I thought, *"I still haven't fully accepted the name 'Loid.' Seeing the system got me so excited that I completely zoned out. Well… old habits need to change."*
Mac spoke with concern.
"If your body doesn't feel well, you should lie down and rest for a while. I'll stay with you."
Nearby, a small piece of dirty cloth lay on the ground.
*"I really do feel weak… let's lie down for now."*
I accepted his offer and lay down. Mac sat right beside me. He was the caring type. Even though he looked thin and poor, there was a calm, gentle kindness on his face. Because of that, I felt a little more at ease.
I asked, "Mac… what is this place called?"
He looked at me worriedly.
"Don't you know?"
I put on a fake sad expression.
"After waking up, I forgot many things. We're friends, right? Won't you help me?"
Inside my mind, *"Will this fake act even work?"*
Mac's expression immediately brightened.
"Well, I don't know if you're joking or not, but as your friend, I'll help you."
From Mac, I learned many things.
The city we were in was called **Abik**, a poor territory ruled by **Count Ribary de Abik**.
The name of the country was **Canvas**.
My name—no, the original owner of this body—was **Loid**.
Loid's father had been a beggar who died two years ago. He had also taken care of Mac. After that, Mac began talking nonstop about how we grew up together—how we survived day by day.
He didn't stop for a long time.
After listening for ages, I said with an exhausted expression,
"Alright, alright… you've told me everything. If I forget again, I'll ask."
"I won't forget," I added.
I was extremely tired, but when I looked at Mac, his face was glowing with pride. For some reason, that made me feel a little guilty.
I asked, "Mac, where can we get money and food?"
He replied without hesitation,
"The beggar alley."
He helped me up and led the way.
On the way, we passed through **Abik Street Market**. It was crowded.
Stone-paved roads stretched ahead. Brick houses stood beside wooden ones, and shops varied in quality. People hurried past, busy with their own lives.
Stalls sold fruits, vegetables, meat, weapons, and clothes.
Mac took me into the beggar alley. There were at least twenty to twenty-five beggars—men, women, and children.
The woman who had given me bread earlier was sitting near the front. She noticed me and stood up. Her name was **Hasami**.
Mac called her *Aunt Hasami*.
"Oh my, Loid! Why are you here? Are you feeling better now?" she asked kindly.
I smiled faintly.
"Yeah… I am."
She nodded and said,
"Sit at the right corner of the alley. It's a good spot for begging."
She herself went to the left side.
Mac pointed.
"Let's sit there. No one's taken it yet."
But before we could move, **the same three boys from earlier arrived and took the spot for themselves.**
One of them, **Arim**, spoke rudely,
"This place is already taken by us."
He looked about the same age as Mac, just taller.
Mac protested angrily,
"We were about to sit here! You just came and took it!"
Another boy, **Ahin**, sneered.
"First come, first serve. Don't you know that? Go somewhere else."
The third boy, **Jelin**, didn't say anything—he only laughed arrogantly.
Mac's childish face burned with rage. He clenched his teeth and let out a low growl.
"Hmmmm…"
I grabbed his sleeve.
"Let's go."
I turned and walked away. Mac followed behind me.
Behind us, mocking laughter echoed.
"Losers!"
"Yeah, losers!"
I didn't turn back.
After leaving the beggar alley, Mac asked quietly,
"Where are we going?"
"To the street market," I replied.
"Why?"
"To earn money."
Mac stopped walking and stared at me.
"How are we supposed to do that?"
"Just follow me," I said calmly. "And please stop asking questions."
Mac sighed.
"…Okay. Whatever."
As we walked, my thoughts moved quickly.
*"The system has already shown its nature. It has nothing to do with combat. If I want to do anything in this world… I need money first."*
My system still showed **zero points**.
When I tried to top up, only one message appeared:
**[Insert Coin]**
*I need capital.*
As we entered the street market, we met the old beggar from before. His face was expressionless. Mac had told me his name was **Roberto**, and everyone called him *Grandpa Roberto*. He had once worked for a noble family.
He looked at us and asked flatly,
"What are you two doing here?"
Before Mac could answer, I smiled and said,
"We came here to beg."
His expression hardened.
"Don't beg here. If the guards see you, they'll beat you. Come with me."
Mac whispered fearfully,
"Loid… let's go back."
I remembered what Mac had told me about the guards beating him before.
I placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled politely at Roberto.
"Don't worry, Grandpa. We'll be careful."
Roberto turned away.
"Grandpa Roberto," I called.
He stopped and turned back.
"I heard you used to work for a noble family."
"Yes."
"Can you tell me about the currency system?"
He stared at me for a long moment.
"Why do you want to know that?"
I replied casually,
"I'm just curious. I'd appreciate it if you told me."
After a long pause, he spoke.
"I don't know if you'll understand this," he said slowly,
"but listen carefully."
"Ten bronze coins equal one silver.
One hundred silver equal one gold.
One thousand gold equal one platinum.
Platinum coins are extremely rare. Only great nobles or large merchants possess them."
Mac scratched his head, completely lost.
"I didn't understand anything…"
I shook my head lightly and said,
"I didn't understand either… but thank you for explaining it to me, Grandpa."
Roberto stared at me silently, then turned and walked away.
Mac and I headed back toward the street market.
I looked at him.
"Mac."
"Yeah, Loid?"
A quiet smile formed on my face.
"Let's earn some money."
"This time… but not through begging."
---