Market District

The Market District…

 

Vivian wiggled her nose as she made her way through the crowd.

 

The smell of fruits, spices, vegetables, meat, sweat, trash and other things she couldn't identify assaulted her nose.

 

If there was anything she could compare this scene to her previous world, it was a public market. And back in that world, as much as possible, she avoided shopping in such places despite being cheaper compared to the supermarkets.

 

There were stalls on each corner and they were made out of wood. And on top of them were fruit, spices, vegetables and meat.

 

Before coming here I asked someone where the shoe-repair store is but I still can't see it…

 

And dammit…

 

It feels so disgusting to walk here without shoes…

 

Her right foot was still bare and wrapped with bandages covering everything except for her ankle and toes.

 

Thud.

 

Vivian's face twisted because someone bumped into her and stepped on her right foot.

 

"Hey!"

 

Bam!

 

Thud, thud, thud…!

 

Vivian shouted and shoved the person who bumped into her and stepped on her foot.

 

And due to the force of Vivian's shove, the person, who turned out to be a man, bumped into other people and they almost tumbled down together to the ground.

 

Looking at what just happened, Vivian's jaw dropped.

 

She was fully aware that she had gotten stronger, thanks to the skills she accumulated. However, she wasn't expecting to be this strong, not to mention this was her first time using her strength against humans and she was still getting used to her newfound strength.

 

When the people recovered, they immediately turned to Vivian.

 

They were about to gang up and reprimand her but she already decided to take the initiative.

 

"HE STEPPED ON MY FOOT! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?!"

 

The group was composed of both genders and different ages.

 

They looked at Vivian's feet and saw that her right foot didn't have a shoe and was wrapped around with bandages except for the toes and ankle.

 

They also saw the Copper I pendant around her neck.

 

Seeing that, the women decided not to say anything and some of them backed away. Meanwhile, for the men, it was the opposite. After all, Vivian was only a Copper I.

 

Two men, one of them the man that Vivian shoved, stepped forward.

 

Vivian made a quick assessment of them.

 

The man that Vivian shoved was in his late teens.

 

Meanwhile, the other man was in his mid-20s.

 

Aside from that, they didn't look like Guards or fighters and they also didn't have an Adventurer's pendant around their neck. But most importantly, they looked poor.

 

The man in his mid-20s began to speak, "Hey, listen --"

 

Pah!

 

Vivian moved so fast and slapped him in the face. The force was too much for him that he felt like his jaw almost snapped and he was left bending sideward with one leg forward to stop himself from falling. He was caught in a dizzy spell and didn't correct his posture.

 

"What?! You got something to say?! I'm the victim here!"

 

She turned her head and looked at the teen.

 

The teen quickly raised his hands.

 

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it's my fault I stepped on your foot!"

 

Vivian returned her gaze to the man.

 

He looked like he was still caught in a dizzy spell but at least he was now trying to raise his head and correct his posture.

 

Vivian noticed that a crowd formed around them and she swept her gaze around.

 

Based on their stares, they were just curious and wanted to watch a show.

 

Nevertheless, she still remained guarded.

 

After all, back in her previous world, as a man, she had been in street fights. And one thing she learned about street fights, there are no rules. For all she knows, these 2 men in front of her have companions and are just waiting for the right moment to pounce.

 

The man that she slapped finally recovered and turned to her.

 

Although the man didn't say anything, Vivian could still sense some animosity in his eyes.

 

"How dare you two grown men bully a little and weak woman like me?! Now, not only my feet hurt but also my hand! Help me! Anyone! They're trying to assault me!" she said and pointed at them.

 

Although most were confused, those who saw what really happened scoffed and rolled their eyes.

 

As for the teen and man, their eyes turned to saucers and wanted to cough out blood. But after recalling Vivian’s strength and plus that she was a woman, neither of them dared to.

 

The man turned to the teen and grabbed his collar.

 

"You! You're the one who caused all of this!"

 

"But -- I mean, I'm sorry! Please forgive me, sir!"

 

"Hey, you two! Cut it out!"

 

The 2 men turned to Vivian.

 

"I don't have time to deal with the 2 of you. I need compensation for hurting a WEAK and LITTLE lady like me!" she said and extended her hand.

 

Both men bit their tongues before finally reaching inside their pockets and giving her a coin pouch each.

 

Vivian couldn't help but notice that the man's coin pouch was slightly bigger, bigger not only compared to the teen's coin pouch but also to the one she just received from the guild as a reward, that her eyes almost popped out of her sockets and her lips burst into a smile but she managed to suppress them.

 

After receiving the coin pouches, she immediately left without a word.

 

And as she was walking away, she wore a face that was wincing as if she was experiencing great agony while she held onto her hand she used to slap the man and walked with a limp from having her right foot being stepped on by the teen.

 

Everyone watched her in silence with a deadpan expression.

 

While Vivian continued to walk with a face in great agony and was walking faster little by little the further she got, she had her senses on high alert in case those two or their companions decided to attack.

 

Shit…!

 

Next time I should be mindful of using my strength, especially against civilians…

 

***

 

Vivian had a bright smile on her face as she stood in a dark and empty corner that had a strong stench of urine.

 

The only reason why she didn't care about the foul smell around her was because she was busy counting coins.

 

4… 5… 6, 7… 8… 9…

 

10 copper coins is 1 silver and 10 silver coins is 1 gold, right…?

 

Or was it 100 silver coins is 1 Gold…?

 

She scratched her head.

 

Whatever…

 

What's important is, I now have 6 silver coins and 79 copper coins…

 

"Hehehehe~"

 

Now, even if a new pair of shoes or set of clothes cost me 1 silver coin each, I can still stay in a nice inn tonight that has a toilet…

 

She divided her money.

 

One pouch had 5 silver coins which she slid inside her leather armor and kept between her breasts.

 

Meanwhile, the other pouch had the rest of her coins -- 1 silver and 79 copper coins -- which she placed it inside her satchel.

 

Vivian stepped into the light and joined the crowd.

 

Compared to when she first came here to the Market District, this time around, she had the walk of a person with money -- eyes relaxed, chin up, her chest out, long strides and wasn't afraid to make eye contact with the vendors.

 

 

Chapter end