Goals… goals… For now I need a goal. What should it be? Gosh, I’m so stupid! It’s obviously to create my garden of Eden where people throw insults and kill each other. No wait, that’s too unrealistic. That’s my dream. For now, I need to adapt to this world’s rules.

The king only gave me a bag full of silver. About 30 pieces. I don’t know if it’s a lot or not in this world’s standard. For now, money is still an issue, this won’t last me a month and I don’t know the standard way to earn money.

Guilds you say? Hell no. I don’t need to do those dirty work. I’m going to gamble. Not your typical Black Jacks, Poker gambling games. I'm going to invest with the information I have on hand. I wonder how will I do? It's so exciting! I just need to know where I am right now…

I spotted an information center. Hm? I don’t understand the letters on it at all. The enlarged map beside it is very confusing too.

“Hey, hey.” I call to the information lady stationed in the shack. “Can I get some directions?”

“Sure, where do you want to go?”

“I want to know where the closest place for armors, weapons and magic stores are. I also have this bracelet to prevent me from accessing some area since I’m a visitor here.”

“Hang on, let me mark down the things on the map for you.”

“Is it free?”

“Yes. You really are new here aren’t you? Now we are near the castle gates, you need to go down main street and turn at the first path heading to the left. You will find blacksmiths and magic stores there-.”

“Great, thanks! I’m in a hurry!” I bring the map close to my face and ran.

“Urrr… your welcome?”

It's a race against time, I'm plan on making money by using my former classmates. No, I won't be selling them. They're not human wastes like me. I'm going to use them as investment chips when I gamble with a lucky store keeper. No clue what I'm going to do? I'll explain it later; my mind is filled with excitement with the trashy scam that I plotted in my mind.

“So the closest armory is… right here.” I double checked the map to ensure I am in the right place. I really can’t read any of these signs, huh?

I stretched my limbs and shook off the nervousness grappling my heart. It’s your lucky day Mr. Blacksmith. Depending on what kind of crafty person you are, I’ll multiply your payday at least five folds.

“Sorry to interrupt!” I kicked open the door as hard as I could to grab the owner’s immediate attention. The store was empty and dusty. A big man by his counter looks up and walks towards me, I could say he's about… half a meter taller than me? How the hell did he fit through the door I was coming through? When I said he was walking to me I meant he angrily stomped to me and stared daggers into my soul.

“What do you want kid?”

“Kid? Please, try to throw something worse than that on me.”

“I’ll throw you out if you prefer.”

“You’re being too nice. I’m a peasant here to turn your frown upside down!” My fingers pushed the corners of my mouth as high as they could go.

Lowering yourself is one of the tactics I've learned to get on the better side of others. It makes them feel more superior as they lower their guard towards you which you can use this opportunity to strike. Although some people like this guy didn't waver at all with this tactic. I'm starting to like him.

“Are you here to play tricks or actually doing business with me?”

“Wow, this place is sure messy. No wonder you don’t have any clients.”

“Kid.”

“These quality of weapons are so outdated,” But they’re quite good. “Do you even make new ones?”

“Kid! If you’re here to cause problems, leave!” The blacksmith roared. “Get out trash!”

"You humble me too much, whenever you insult me I could feel my heart races with excitement."

"Creep, if you won't get your ass out of my store I will personally kick you out.”

"Whoa, enough with the threats. The reason I am here is because I would like to propose a bet, which you and I can both win, money.”

“Money?” The blacksmith raised his brows. He’s caught the bait and now I need to reel him in.

“Judging this place, you’ve been out matched by another store. You need money to continue your business. You prized those trophies on that shelf and want to continue being a blacksmith don’t you?”

“Y-yeah… Kid, you say you can help me earn money. Will your method be legal?” I’ve backed the blacksmith to a corner.

“One billion percent legal. Time and your doubt is our opponent. If you desperately want money, you will listen to what I have say.”

From my calculations on how the king speaks, he should be letting my other classmates to go shopping in around two hours. I suspected two hours because of the banquet the king has prepared for my former classmates and the speed of his speeches. Did I mention I am very cautious of my surroundings? On my way out of the castle, my nose picked up a nice scent and led me to a exquisite dinning hall prepared for the heroes. I have honed my sight and hearing senses over many years to keep myself from dying a boring death and for an informant, any information you can get is very valuable.

“What’s the bet?” The blacksmith asked cautiously. I need to somehow break his wall of doubt. My efforts are putting cracks but I can’t give him time to repair it.

"Money, mutual earnings, and a fellow business partner. Just today, a lowly trash such as I, will have your store make the more money than the other blacksmith's." I lowered my head politely to try to convince his thoughts boarding on my plans. Acting is one of the greatest weapons I possess to wedge my way through people's conscious and thoughts to conceal my true intentions.

"Hmmm… I don’t know if I can trust you. Show me your chips, and what would you want in return if you win the bet-.”

“Tsk, tsk. now is not the time to declare what I want. Time is running short and I don't want to give any handicaps to time. I need you to decide now or we’ll lose our chance. The longer you wait the harder my plan will become."

“I... really don’t know.”

"You need proof. What I prepared for you is rich information that hasn't been told to the outside world yet.” I waved his hear to my height and whispered. “The king had summoned heroes, they’ll need weapons soon.”

"I-Is this true!? No wait, I need more evidence from you. Words alone aren’t going to cut!"

When I was summoned here I brought some things with me. My switch-knife, cellphone, hand cranked charger, my wallet, and my lock picking tools, and a .44 Magnum-. Hold on, I have a gun but I didn’t bother bringing extra bullets with me? I don’t think this era of this world even has the capability to create bullets yet. “Have you seen any of these?”

“These are…?” The blacksmith curiously lifted my switch blade then fiddled with the gun. “Mechanisms for weapons? This thing, I can see its purpose is to launch projectiles. It’s compacted compare to crossbows. I’m intrigued.”

“They are items of another world. I ran away from being a hero because I don’t have a crest.”

“You were supposed to be a hero!?”

“I told you to keep quiet!” I covered his mouth. Luckily this store is dead. “Keep that information confidential. If you agree, then today will be one of your happiest day of your store! Can you muster 4 golden coins?"

"I-I'll accept, here! What happens if the plan fails?"

“If it fails? True, I will have to compensate. Take everything I dropped on the table.” I passed my phone, wallet, switch blade, hand cranked generator and lock picking tools to the blacksmith. There’s no way I’m letting him take my gun. But he wouldn’t understand the value of them since they’re new to him. “If I fail, sell those to the market. I guarantee one of the items will sell for a lot. In the meantime, brighten up this gloomy place, would you? Your patrons will arrive about an hour.”

"Heh, I'm also playing a gamble against myself with the tax collectors tight behind me."

"Then its luck that a trash like me will give you great wealth. I'll come back later and teach you how to win against heroes!"

You know the blacksmith is desperately stupid. I could've taken all the gold and come back to steal my things later but that would be boring as hell. This is why I'm going to make him work his ass off today. Besides, if things went accordingly, I would make more than these four coins he’d give me. These chips here will serve an important role holding the blacksmith's business and my life. I won't be able to begin if I don't have money. It's the same with my world only this world feels more pure and free. I just want to corrupt it.

Everything I say is in my opinion don’t expect my truth to be the world’s truth.

I skipped towards the castle holding a blessed parade of my own. People rudely stared at me with strange eyes. They make me feel so alive! I finally come across a few guards standing by the side of the castle gates. They seemed heavily armed and are talking among themselves. This sounds like a very good chance to eavesdrop. I'll stand near them for a while to see if they are the people I am looking for.

"…ou see those heroes? I’m nervous to meet them."

“One of them quit being a hero.”

“I caught a glance, a few of them are beauties. I’m going to ask for their names.”

“Dude, a person like you will be ignored. They’re heroes and were just soldiers. C’mon, we need to escort them to a blacksmith later.”

Jackpot! I got the information I need. I'll just put on an act and start my business with them. “Hello guards, I heard you mentioned heroes that came from another world?" Though they didn't mention another world, I'll use those words to throw them off a bit.

"Crap! Citizen how did you-, wait. You're that kid who didn't want to be a hero."

"Yup, you got me, I am that trash who didn't want to become a hero. Even if I could it's impossible, I don't have a crest."

"True… well you scared us for a second. Did you forget something back in the castle?"

"Nope, I have business with you strong looking guards. You said you were going to guide them to a blacksmith, where is that exactly?"

"You want to buy weapons too? It's the one farthest from the castle, a pain in the ass to walk there."

"Then how about if I pay you with these to lead them to a closer blacksmith? He’s got all sorts of weapons the other stores have.” I brought out the blacksmith’s purse and handed them 2 gold pieces.

I did some math and surveyed the area to calculate the worth of currency for this land. Each tier of currency is 1:100, like 1 gold to 100 silver. I found numbers similar to roman numerals next to unknown letters. An average dish costs about 20 coppers. Including necessities and everyday items people buy, I suspect a total of earning of 1 silver a day is necessary for one person. Guards make about 5 silver a week, I’m guessing? That’s what the blacksmith told me before I headed out. That amount should be sufficient to fill their family’s stomach.

But here, I’m waving two golden coins towards the four guards. They’re guaranteed to earn at least five times more they earn in a week. I’ve caught their attention, but they’re faces don’t look relieved.

“Well?” I put on my most innocent smile. “You don’t have to walk so far, and you get paid. How about it?”

“It’s not that… we heard rumors about you being a criminal in the other world.”

“I see, you don’t trust me. I’ll tell you why I’m doing this. You see, there’s a blacksmith who recently lost his inspiration for his job. I pitied him, that’s why I’m trying to help him out.”

“Which blacksmith?”

“I believe it’s Dane’s Blacksmith.” Another guard scanned my map.

Dane… that’s the old man’s name. “The one down the street to the left.” I pointed the map to them. “By the by! If you agree, I’ll tell you the names of the women you’re dying to know. You’ll also be given these two coins to share among yourselves. Now the only thing is… what will you do?”

“I’ll do it!” One guard immediately accepted.

“S-same!”

Arden you just had to do that didn't you. Putting on your evil grin and pressuring them with your bagged eyes to seal the deal. Even if I didn't do that, the guards will still surely accept my request but it's a habit to stop their second thoughts. Checkmate. I’ve managed to stop time’s progress to hinder my plans.

"W-we just have to lead the heroes to get equipment and Dane’s blacksmith should do. Well be there in 45 minutes when the heroes finish their banquet."

"Thank you kind soldiers! That lightens my friend and my heart a lot! Could I also ask another favor?”

“Sure, anything buddy!”

“I need you to split these specific people from the group, have them enter the blacksmith at a later time. Here is 1 more gold coin for your efforts." Here I thought the people here would be more loyal to their jobs. I guess there are similarities here and back in the old world. Some people here are the same back home, easily bribed and finding a way to do less work. While only a rare few work hard and diligently.

Then again, I’m only witnessing a small portion of the new world. It’s been easy, but I'll expect the road to make my playground be more difficult in the future.

Now, that I've finished my business I'll head back to the blacksmith and update him about the situation. With one gold left, I decided I will go treat myself to a meal before I plan out the situations with him. I still have another half an hour to go.

-

“Dane, I’m back!” I kicked open the door as hard as I could.

“Hey-! Oh it’s you.” The blacksmith stomped towards me. “No wait. Could you stop kicking my door every chance you get!? You’re putting a dent on the wall!”

“Relax, old man. How is your side?” I inspect the shop it looks very clean and there are some fancy weapons on the racks and cases. I look around once more and noticed there are no price tags anywhere, this blacksmith has some tactics in selling things. Without a price tag you can force customers to engage into a bargain with you. If you are cunning enough, you can set the price as high or low then you can argue from there. “Wow! It’s all sparkly, why wasn’t it like this when I came here?”

"Because your appearance and attitude was trash-. What’s that on your cheek? Sauce? Did you use my money to buy food!?”

“Ya know, even rats like me need to eat.”

“I’m going to stop arguing against you.” The blacksmith sighed. “How were your preparations?"

"There were some hiccups here and there. I got everything under control, It's all good. Here is the document the soldiers gave me saying the heroes will visit your shop, don't worry."

"Does that mean victory is assured?"

“No, I did my part and now it’s your turn. There are some nuisances who’ll be able to talk their way through for a discount. I bribed the soldiers to send them somewhere else so worry about the first wave. I came back because I'm going to teach you how to talk through those heroes. Grab a piece of paper and write these down quickly, we only have 10 minutes left.”

A few of my former classmates have picked up annoying dream jobs. They’ll certainly affect the blacksmith’s sales by picking out flaws of his handy work. I separated the susceptible few who the blacksmith could milk as much money off them before they intervene.

"Thanks, I guess."

"Just remember I don't do charity work. You can start repaying by insulting a trash like me, haha."

“Creep.”

“Even better!”

For the last 10 minutes, I took out my phone and had him to jot down all the interests of all my classmates. Don't call me a stalker, I collected their secrets in high school thinking I can use to embarrass the shit out of them if any of them crossed paths with me.

Information is information and it's very valuable.

"What is that?"

"A magical device you won’t be able to comprehend. Hurry and write, we don't have much time."

After all the information was written down, I was granted permission to retrieve my items. I left him alone to study the information and exited the store not before telling him the debt will be collected hours later. I did the easy part. It’s up to him and I haven't even said what I wanted as a reward, so I will use that advantage to its fullest. I wonder how much I can plunder from the blacksmith later.

This is just the beginning. This new world is able to entertain me so far. I can feel both my heart and spine being tickled by the sheer excitement of my own thoughts. This is going to be so fun! Maybe I should hit the bookstore to kill time.