My stomach growled like a beast.
Seriously, I've been dreaming about this moment—finally getting a taste of our usual chef's legendary takoyaki again! I've missed it so much I could cry. It's been way too long since my last bite, and now… it's right there, sizzling on the pan.
The moment the chef saw me watching, he spoke up without missing a beat.
"You know this isn't free, right?"
I blinked. Did he really just say that?
"Of course I'm paying," I snapped back. "What do you think I am?"
He paused—like he was unsure if he should keep cooking.
"Oi," I added, pointing at myself, "do I look like a beggar to you? I've got money."
"How much for a set?" I asked.
"Four copper coins," he replied, "for four pieces."
Cheap. Super cheap. A steal, honestly.
"Hold on—let me grab my wallet."
I stretched out my arm and shouted,
"Item Box—open!"
For a second, nothing happened.
Then—whoosh—a warm glow erupted in front of me.
"It's working! FINALLY!" I almost cried. "Where the heck have you been?! You made me suffer!"
I reached inside and pulled out a small pouch I'd crafted from leftover cloth—the same one I used to sew my clothes after a slime ate my previous outfit. Yeah… don't ask.
This pouch? It's my wallet now. I made it after I wiped out a whole pack of goblins and looted them clean. That place was isolated—no people, no towns for miles. Just sand, rocks, and me, wandering like a lost soul in a fantasy desert.
Anyway, I opened the pouch and froze.
Oh no.
No copper coins.
Not even a single bronze.
Only platinum.
My hands started sweating. I couldn't believe it.
"Uh… can I just pay with four platinum coins instead?" I asked awkwardly.
The chef dropped his ladle. His jaw hit the ground.
"F-Four platinum coins?! Do you even know how much that's worth?!"
"Duh. I live here, remember?" I smirked. "I just… don't look it."
> (Narrator Voice)
"For the readers just tuning in: let me break down the currency in Graaswell City—where takoyaki is hot, coins are shiny, and platinum might buy you a kingdom."
---
Graaswell Currency System:
Brass – $41.50 / ¥6,748
Bronze – $63.00 / ¥10,250
Copper – $79.50 / ¥12,933
Silver – $1,100 / ¥178,970
Gold – $33,000 / ¥5,369,100
Titanium – $32,800 / ¥5,336,560
Platinum – $64,500 / ¥10,493,150
Mythril – $9,700,000 / ¥1,578,190,000
---
Now, compare Platinum vs Copper:
1 Takoyaki Set = 4 copper coins = 4 × $79.50 = $318 / ¥50,520
4 Platinum Coins = 4 × $64,500 = $258,000 / ¥41,002,000
Let's do the math:
$258,000 ÷ $318 ≈ 811 sets
811 × 4 = 3,244 takoyaki balls
Or in yen:
¥41,002,000 ÷ ¥50,520 ≈ 811 sets
811 × 4 = 3,244 takoyaki balls
---
Final Verdict:
With just 4 platinum coins…
You can buy 3,244 takoyaki balls.
Or maybe the entire takoyaki shop.
---
The chef was still in shock.
"One platinum coin and I'd be out of stock," he muttered. "Four? You could buy this whole shop!"
He glanced at the bulging pouch I pulled out—platinum coins gleaming like they were mocking him.
He had no idea I still had tons more stashed away in my item box.
At this rate… I could probably buy a mansion.
With a deep sigh, the chef resumed cooking.
The smell of freshly grilled octopus and batter filled the air.
My eyes sparkled. My stomach cheered.
Finally... Takoyaki.
What's gonna happen next? Who knows?
Find out in the next chapter of my strange, broke-looking, platinum-stacked life.