The Dreamer's POV

[00 Months: 03 Days: 00 Hours]

As the first rays of morning light filtered through the window, I slowly stirred from my slumber.

My eyelids felt heavy as I blinked, my mind grappling with the fog of sleep.

"Haa..." A sigh escaped my lips as the memories of the previous night began to resurface, the events playing like a vivid movie in my mind.

'Looks like she's gone...' I glanced by my side, only to find the bed empty.

Tatia, the woman I shared my bed with the previous night, was nowhere to be seen in the room.

Her absence didn't come as a surprise; she knew how to slip away discreetly, leaving no trace of her presence.

I couldn't help but smile to myself, acknowledging her professionalism and efficiency in handling such matters.

'It would have been a bit awkward for the both of us.'

My gaze fell to the bedside table, where two coins lay, remnants of the three I had left before I slept.

'So the price was 1 Currency, huh? That's a fair price... though it's quite cheap for the services she rendered.'

Merely thinking about my experience the previous night began to arouse some excitement within me, but I quickly dialed it down.

'I honestly didn't expect it to be that good. She also smelled really nice, and her body was in excellent condition. It seems she really takes her work seriously...'

For a worker like her, her body was her greatest asset, so I understood why she would want to keep it in the best of conditions.

'Lodging in a room here is 1 Currency. If I use that as a metric for her services, then she's quite expensive. I suppose that's why I got premium treatment.'

Still... was 1 Currency really that amazing? The System gave me only a single meal set for that amount, and now that I considered the contrast it seemed absurd.

''But I digress..." I muttered, stretching my arms as I sat upright.

Still, the fact that I saw two coins was a bit satisfying. It was a small but significant detail that spoke volumes about Tatia's character.

She hadn't taken more than what was fair for her services, and it was a testament to her integrity.

A flicker of respect warmed my heart for her work ethics and the fact that she didn't succumb to greed, a trait not often found in her line of work.

'Well, she might be considering me as a long-term customer. I don't see myself staying here for very long, though.'

Last night was certainly interesting, in more ways than one, but I didn't plan on something like it recurring.

After all...

"I got the information I wanted." A bright smile coursed through my face.

With a sigh of contentment, I finally rose to my feet, stretching my limbs as I fully embraced the new day. The events of the night had proven fruitful, and the information I had acquired would undoubtedly aid me in my future endeavors.

As I recalled the details she had shared, my mind raced with possibilities and plans. It was all worth it—the risk, the expense, and the memorable night I had shared in Tatia.

The 1 Currency I lost seemed insignificant compared to the benefits gained.

Sometimes, knowledge was the greatest currency, and the secrets I had uncovered would open doors that were previously sealed shut.

*********

As I mentally reviewed the information Tatia had shared, the world of Mage'Earth revealed itself before me, its intricacies and divisions becoming clearer.

Four continents—The Western Republic, The Eastern Theocracy, The Southern Kingdom, and The Northern Empire—ruled over by different powers and governed by their own laws.

My current location, the Southern Kingdom, was under the rule of King Alphonse Wilhestein.

Though, from what she said, it seemed that power in this land was concentrated among the noble families, and one of the prominent families was the Lyma Noble Family, overseeing the vast and untamed Lyma Region.

Much of their land remained inaccessible due to the treacherous Wild Lands that engulfed a significant portion of it.

Apparently, the Lyma Noble Family had made many attempts to conquer the untamed Wild Lands that took up a great portion of their territory, but all attempts ended in failure.

Rumors had been circulating that the Lyma family was planning yet another expedition into the treacherous wilderness.

It seemed they were undeterred by past failures, driven by ambition and a desire to claim the inaccessible lands that lay hidden within the Wild Lands.

That made me wonder if there was some sort of importance in the Wild Lands that I didn't know of.

Unfortunately, her information about the other three continents was scarce, as Tatia confessed her limited knowledge of international affairs.

She relied on the passing adventurers who frequented the inn to glean information about those distant lands, so they weren't particularly accurate or reliable, to begin with.

It was clear that exploration beyond the Southern Kingdom would be necessary to uncover the secrets held by the other nations.

The limitations of Tatia's knowledge regarding the other continents left me hungry for more information.

As such, for now, The Western Republic, The Eastern Theocracy, and The Northern Empire remained a mystery.

She mentioned other things which I found very interesting, but one major piece of information stood out the most.

The 10 Great Kings!

They were regarded by all as the most powerful beings of this world.

Legends spoke of these absolute rulers, each possessing unimaginable power and wielding authority over their respective elemental domains.

The sheer notion of such supremacy sent a shiver down my spine. I knew that if I were to survive in this world, I had to tread carefully, avoiding any entanglement with these formidable figures until I had acquired enough strength to face them.

"One more reason to get stronger quickly..." I muttered to myself, a mix of caution and determination coloring my voice.

These 10 Great Kings represented the pinnacle of power in Mage'Earth, and crossing their paths could result in swift and devastating consequences.

Surviving in this world required patience, strategic planning, and honing my skills to a level where I could face any challenge that came my way.

The knowledge Tatia had shared was invaluable, serving as a reminder of the dangers that lay in wait and the caution I needed to exercise in my pursuits.

"I learned so much... and all at the price of a single Currency.'

If one thing was certain, it was this:

"The System is such a fraud."

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[A/N] Enjoy stories on m_v lem|p-yr

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