Chapter 25: Exploring the City! He finished every bite, savouring each mouthful like a victory. The plate was practically shining when he was done, wiped clean with the last piece of bread. Two skills in a single day. Swordsmanship and cooking. Noah didn’t sleep until he saw the thirteen golden coins deposited into his assets. The daily income had been received! ... The next day arrived, with Noah starting his shift once again inside his store. What can I do to attract more customers? He paced the narrow space, considering his options. Word of mouth had brought him his current clientele, but relying on chance encounters felt inefficient. He needed a proper marketing strategy. I only have seven days left in this place before the shop gets transported somewhere else. And I’m still far away from reaching the one thousand shop points requirement to lock the location. I can’t exactly stand at the plaza shouting about magical healing bread. People will think I’m a fool. The alleyway location was both a blessing and a curse, secluded enough to maintain mystery, but isolated enough to deter casual browsers. A sign! Something visible from the main street. Noah moved toward the door, already planning his trip to find a carpenter. He needed a proper billboard, something that screamed legitimate business rather than human trafficking. The bell chimed as the door swung open. Woodrow stood in the entrance, his face brightening at the sight of the door opening. The former knight’s gait was noticeably smoother than yesterday. "Welcome, welcome!" "Good morning," Woodrow stepped inside, his eyes automatically landing on the shelves and the expanded inventory. "Your stock has grown." "Business is picking up." Noah gestured toward the shelves. "Another loaf for your recovery?" "If you please." Woodrow reached for his coin pouch. "The effect wore off during the night, but the improvement lingers. I don’t think I can survive a day without your bread." "You flatter me," Noah retrieved a fresh loaf. "Three gold coins." The transaction was completed without any haggling. Woodrow pocketed the bread, then paused, studying Noah. He looked like he was about to make an important decision. "If you develop any other products with similar... properties, let me know." "Price is not a problem." "Of course," When I unlock a new product, you will be the first to know. But that’s only if I have enough shop points to stay in this place. The older man turned to leave, then stopped. "Where are you headed this morning? It seemed like you wanted to leave earlier." "Actually, I was hoping to find a carpenter. Need a wooden board for advertising." Noah gestured vaguely toward the alley entrance. "The location doesn’t exactly help without one." Woodrow chuckled. "Understandable. You can head to the main plaza—there are several carpenters with stalls near the fountain. Ask for Master Henrik. Tell him Woodrow sent you, and he’ll give you fair prices." A referral. Even better. Yet, people still ask me why I love my customers! [Host? Who asked you?] ’...System that’s called...argh, I don’t know what it’s called but it’s a saying.’ [I see.] "Perfect. That was my destination anyway. Thank you for the referral. I will definitely inform you when a new product arrives." Woodrow beamed. "Thank you. Good luck!" They exited together. The men parted ways at the plaza’s edge, Woodrow disappearing into the crowd while Noah looked around the market stalls. The central fountain dominated the space, its upward-flowing water creating a breathtaking scene. Several carpentry stalls flanked the eastern edge. Noah approached the largest stall, where a barrel-chested man with a sawdust-covered apron hammered designs into a cabinet door. He seems to fit the description of Woodrow, at least. "Master Henrik, I presume?" The carpenter looked up, his hands never pausing in their work. "You need something built?" "A signboard. Advertising sign." "Woodrow Tailor sent me." Henrik’s expression shifted instantly from courtesy to genuine interest. "Old Woodrow? Haven’t seen him in months. How’s that leg treating him?" "Better, actually. He’s been buying my healing bread." Shameless advertisement, but who cares? The carpenter’s eyebrows climbed toward his receding hairline. His expression shifted from interest to suspicion faster than Noah could blink. "Ah." Henrik picked up his hammer again, suddenly very focused on his cabinet work. "One of those." "Eh?" "Listen, son." The carpenter’s voice carried the weary tone of someone who’d heard every sales pitch imaginable. "I’m sure your bread is... special. But I’ve got real work to do. Try the tourist stalls by the east gate." Oh no. [Host, you made the carpenter think you are a scammer.] Thanks for that brilliant observation, System. "Wait, wait." Noah raised his hands. "I’m not trying to sell you bread. I really do need a sign made." Henrik continued hammering, each strike a bit more aggressive than necessary. "Sure you do." "Woodrow Tailor really did send me. Ask him yourself." "Woodrow’s a good man." The hammer paused mid-swing. "Which is why I don’t appreciate con artists using his name." This is going spectacularly. Noah dug into his pocket, producing several gold coins. "Look, I have money. Real money. I just need a wooden sign." Henrik glanced at the coins, his expression softening slightly. "Gold’s real enough." "The bread thing—I wasn’t trying to sell you anything. I was just explaining how I know Woodrow." "Uh-huh." The carpenter set down his hammer, studying Noah with renewed interest. "And this magical healing bread of yours. What’s it cost?" Here we go again. "Three gold coins per loaf." Henrik snorted. "Three gold for bread? You are running a scam." "It’s not regular bread! Like I said, it has healin—" Noah caught himself mid-sentence. Focus. "Anyways, why are we talking about my bread?" He gestured toward the carpenter’s workshop. "I’m here to buy from you." Henrik’s hammer paused mid-swing. The suspicion in his eyes didn’t fade, but confusion crept in alongside it. "You don’t have to believe me." Noah kept his voice level. Desperate salesmen never inspire confidence or make any sales. "When you see Woodrow, you can ask him yourself." The carpenter studied Noah’s face, searching for tells that might reveal deception. Years of dealing with customers had given Henrik a keen eye for liars and charlatans. "What kind of sign?" Henrik set down his hammer. Finally. "Simple wooden board. Something that says magical store," Noah pulled out his gold coins. "Nothing elaborate." The sight of real money worked magic that words couldn’t. "Size?" "Big enough to read from the main street. Maybe three feet wide?" Henrik nodded slowly. "Painted lettering or carved?" "Whatever’s cheaper but still looks legitimate." "Ten silvers. Give me an hour." Henrik extended a sawdust-covered hand. Noah nodded, placing a golden coin on the workbench. "I don’t have silver coins. Can you give me change?" Henrik nodded, counting out ninety silver coins before sliding them across the wood. The metal clinked softly as Noah pocketed the unfamiliar currency. With an hour to kill, Noah decided to explore the city properly. His last venture had been cut short by Princess Elara’s dramatic carriage intervention. Time to see what Esta has to offer. The plaza opened before him like a living tapestry. Merchants hawked everything from glowing trinkets to exotic spices that made his nose water. Street performers juggled balls of light while children clapped in delight. I need to try some of the food. His stomach reinforced the decision with a subtle growl. Sure, he could eat his own magical bread, but three hundred dollars per meal seemed excessive A food stall caught his attention—smoke rising from a grill where skewered meat sizzled over open flame. The vendor, a woman with flour-dusted aprons, smiled as he approached. "Fresh grilled skewers! Herb-crusted beef, only ten bronze coins!" Noah handed over a silver coin, before shortly receiving the change. "Enjoy!" The vendor handed him the stick. Accepting a wooden stick loaded with perfectly charred meat. The first bite exploded with flavor—smoky, savory, with herbs he couldn’t identify but definitely wanted more of. This is amazing. And it costs less than a cup of coffee back home.