John says goodbye to Lola as they arrive in Tumidus. Although smaller than the capital, it's still a bustling city, especially compared to a small village. The architecture leans heavily medieval, reflecting the lord's preference for a traditional style.
As they enter the city, John catches a whiff of the salty sea breeze carried by the passersby transporting fish and goods along the stone roads. Tumidus, located southeast of Lememore, handles most of the imports coming from the south.
John continues to explore the city, asking around for a specific individual—a rogue mystic known to wander the area, doing odd jobs or blending in with ordinary people. With so many people coming and going daily, Tumidus is one of the best places to hide in plain sight.
Despite his efforts, he can't seem to find the mystic. Either the person is hiding well, or they haven't been active in the area lately. John decides to be patient and wait a little longer.
In the meantime, he needs to figure out a way to make money. His knowledge from the novel has reached its limit, and now he must navigate the world on his own. Making money in a fantasy world might seem easy, but it's a challenge if you start with limited resources. There are many industries in Tumidus that he could tap into, such as transportation, clothing, fishing, or even opening a shop.
John knows that information is crucial for deciding his next steps. That's why he's been asking stall owners and others about what's happening around the city. As a noble, he finds that commoners are often wary of him, which makes them more likely to share what they know to avoid trouble. Even rumors can hold a grain of truth, and where there's smoke, there's usually fire.
A potential job for him is becoming a transporter, like Lola. Transporters travel everywhere and hear all kinds of stories from different people. This job would allow John to earn money while gathering information. However, it would require him to be constantly on the move, and he's not sure if he wants to commit to that lifestyle. Hiring someone to do it for him is an option, but as a startup, he needs to be hands-on to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Another idea is opening a restaurant. John isn't a professional cook, but with his knowledge of different recipes from various eras, he could create dishes that stand out. The plan is simple: create a food item, sell it at a stall, and if it works, expand into a full restaurant.
His target customers are primarily middle-class workers in the transportation business or nobles passing through the city.
Looking at his finances, John realizes his money is running low. After buying a fake ID and covering travel expenses, he has about 49 stac left. While this is a decent amount, it's not enough to open a full restaurant or sustain two mystics. He needs to start a stall.
It's not as grand as opening a restaurant since it rents out the space in front of another building. But It could work as a temporary operation that could earn him some money and information.
He finds a place to rent for 1 stac per day. It's a bit pricey, but the location is decent—almost in the middle of the city, though slightly off to the side. It's located on the Grand Road. The main road leading out of TUmiuds and onto Lememore, busting with people.
He could hardly believe that he got this spot. Turns out, the previous stall owner couldn't make the location profitable and ended up leaving, giving John a chance.
With the location secure, he gets to work.
John sets up his stall within two days, with help from Hilda and Theia. His first venture: selling burgers. There's nothing like it in the city. Most food stalls offer soups and fried dishes, but his burger—made with beef, fresh buns, and vegetables—stands out as a unique delicacy. Priced at 5 coins per meal, it's affordable for middle-class customers but still a treat.
As he sets up, John's stall looks noticeably different from the others. Among the various stalls, he's certainly the most out of place. He was the one made to look similar to a modern stall but others still looked like a Victorian stall.
"M... brother, when are we going to learn about... mystic?" Theia suddenly asks, realizing that her "brother" hasn't taught her anything about mysticism yet. They've been traveling and setting up a business instead.
John realizes it's time to continue the story. After all, he's still playing the role of a mystic who promised to teach her. At least that is what he thinks he is.
"What do you want to know?"
"Why are we selling food?" she asks, her curiosity piqued.
"Being a mystic costs a lot," John points at Hilda, who is writing up a sign for their stall. "Look at Hilda. It took years to train her to reach the third circle. My point is that money is essential if you want to advance in the world of mystics."
"But you said we could kill..."
"It's not appropriate," John interrupts. "The church will hunt you down. It might seem manageable now, but after years of running, you'll feel the weight of that decision."
Theia's eyes sparkle with a newfound respect for John's wisdom. Maybe being a heretic isn't as bad as people say, she thinks.
"Thank you for your wisdom, m... brother! But still, is this food idea going to work?" she asks, still unsure.
"I'm not sure," John admits, "but if it doesn't work, we'll try something else."
John knows they're taking a risk, but he's confident in his plan. The city of Tumidus is full of opportunities, he just needs to seize the right one.
As the day progresses, John stands by his stall, observing the flow of people. The aroma of freshly cooked burgers wafts through the air, drawing curious glances from passersby. It's a new concept in Tumidus, and while some are intrigued, others seem hesitant to try something unfamiliar.