When I reached the alley, the street market was still busy.
Not loud in an overwhelming way—just constantly moving. People passed each other without stopping. Vendors shouted prices out of habit, not excitement. Coins changed hands quickly, without ceremony.
I walked slowly, letting my eyes do the work.
Mac stayed close behind me.
"Loid," he whispered, "we shouldn't wander around like this. People might start noticing us."
"I know," I replied. "Just watch."
Inside my head, everything was calm.
I observed everything.
Which stalls had customers waiting.
Which ones stood empty.
Which goods sold quickly, and which were ignored.
Vegetables moved fast. Cheap bread even faster.
Meat sold only when the price dropped.
People here didn't buy what they wanted.
They bought what they could afford.
Some shopkeepers noticed our clothes and scowled.
"Oi. Don't stand there," one of them snapped. "Move."
A passerby bumped into Mac's shoulder and walked past without apologizing.
Mac lowered his head.
"Let's head back soon…"
"Not yet," I said.
Ahead, near the side of the road, a large carriage stood still.
A thick-built man was unloading wooden crates by himself. He worked carefully, pausing often. Each time, he glanced around, clearly looking for workers. Finding none, he sighed and continued alone.
He was sweating.
And he was short on time.
I stepped forward.
"Sir," I said politely, "do you need help unloading?"
The man stopped and looked at us.
From head to toe.
"…Beggar kids," he muttered.
"I'll give one bronze coin," he said. "For both of you."
I didn't answer right away.
"One coin," I said calmly, "for all of this?"
He frowned.
"Take it or leave it."
"Two bronze coins," I replied. "We'll handle the crates carefully."
The man stared at me for a few seconds.
"…Fine," he said. "Two coins. But if even one box is damaged, you'll regret it."
"We understand."
Mac grabbed my sleeve.
"Loid—your body—"
I placed a hand on his shoulder.
"We'll do it together," I said simply.
"If one person handles everything, mistakes happen. Let's finish quickly and leave."
Mac hesitated.
Then he nodded.
We worked side by side.
One crate at a time.
Slow. Careful.
My arms burned, but I didn't stop.
When the last crate was placed down, the man crossed his arms.
"Hmph. You did better than I expected."
He tossed two bronze coins to us.
Then, after a pause, he handed us a small piece of bread.
"Eat," he said. "Now go."
We bowed and walked away.
In a quiet alley, I handed one bronze coin to Mac.
He shook his head.
"No. Keep it. You need it."
I pushed it back into his palm.
"We both worked," I said.
"We split it."
Mac looked at the coin, then nodded.
"…Alright."
We sat down and shared the bread.
While Mac ate, I leaned back against the wall.
Now.
---
**[System Interface – Active]**
**Points:** 0
**Top-Up:** Available
I selected Top-Up.
Insert Coin.
I placed the bronze coin in my palm.
1 Bronze Coin detected.
Converted: 10 Points.
---
**Points:** 10
Coarse Bread
Dried Meat
Fresh Vegetables
Fresh Fruit
Raw Meat
Cooking Oil
Salt Pouch
Clean Water
Cotton Shirt
Old Trousers
Cloth Bandage
Soap
Small Knife
Hemp Rope
Clay Pot
Fire Stones
---
I selected one item.
**[Item Selected: Coarse Bread]**
**Price:** 2 Points
**Quantity:** Adjustable
[-] 1 [+]
Confirm Purchase
I didn't buy anything yet.
Instead, I compared the prices with what I had seen earlier in the market.
Which items wouldn't attract attention.
Which could be explained.
Which could be sold.
I closed the interface.
Mac finished eating.
I stood up.
"Let's buy this."
---