Chapter 39: The Harsh Road - Part 2

As he ate his dinner—a hearty stew with fresh bread—Miles overheard a conversation at a nearby table. Two merchants were discussing the road to Lumeina City.

“Trade’s been rough lately,” one of them said, a burly man with a thick beard. “Lots of new faces in the city, and not all of them are honest folk.”

“Tell me about it,” the other replied, a wiry woman with sharp eyes. “Competition’s one thing, but I’ve heard rumors of organized scams targeting newcomers. They’ll fleece you before you even know what’s happened.”

Miles felt a chill run down his spine. He had planned to sell his dungeon loot in Lumeina City, but if what they were saying was true, he’d have to be extra careful.

“Don’t let ‘em see you’re green,” the man added. “Best way to survive in Lumeina is to act like you belong there. Confidence can be the difference between making a profit and losing your shirt.”

Miles mentally filed their advice away.

The next day, Miles set off early, refreshed and ready to tackle the remaining journey. The road grew busier as he neared the city, with carts and travelers heading in the same direction.

It was midday when he noticed a young boy struggling to pull a cart laden with firewood. The boy’s face was flushed with effort, and the cart’s wheel appeared to be stuck in a rut.

Miles paused, rolling to check if helping the boy would lead to trouble. The system replied: “High success. Minimal risk. Potential reward: goodwill.”

He smiled wryly. “Guess it doesn’t hurt to be nice.”

Approaching the boy, Miles asked, “Need a hand with that?”

The boy looked up, startled, before nodding. “Yes, please. The wheel’s stuck, and I can’t move it alone.”

Together, they heaved the cart out of the rut. The boy thanked him profusely, and as they continued down the road, he shared that his family ran a small stall in Lumeina City’s market district.

“If you’re ever in the city and need supplies, come find us,” the boy said. “We don’t have much, but we’re honest.”

Miles smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

By evening, the sprawling city of Lumeina came into view. The sight was breathtaking—a vast network of stone buildings, bustling streets, and towering walls that seemed to glow in the golden light of the setting sun.

The system chimed: “Arrival at Lumeina City. Caution advised. High population density increases risk of scams and theft.”

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“Yeah, I figured,” Miles muttered.

As he approached the gates, he noticed a long line of travelers waiting to enter. Guards inspected each person, checking their belongings and asking questions.

When it was his turn, a stern-looking guard eyed him suspiciously. “What’s your business in Lumeina?”

“Just passing through,” Miles said.

“Got anything to declare?”

Miles hesitated, then rolled to check if honesty was the best approach. The system replied: “Critical success. Declare dungeon items.”

“I’ve got some items from a dungeon I cleared,” he said. “Planning to sell them in the market.”

The guard’s expression softened slightly. “Fair enough. Just don’t cause any trouble.”

With that, Miles was allowed inside.

The streets of Lumeina were alive with activity. Merchants shouted from their stalls, hawking everything from spices to rare artifacts. Performers entertained crowds with music and acrobatics, while street vendors sold food that filled the air with tantalizing aromas.

Miles felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. This was a far cry from the quiet villages he was used to.

The system chimed: “New objective: Locate a trustworthy merchant to sell dungeon items.”

Miles sighed. “Easier said than done.”

As he navigated the bustling streets, he couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching him. Glancing over his shoulder, he caught a glimpse of a hooded figure disappearing into the crowd.

“Great,” he muttered. “Welcome to Lumeina.”

______

Lumeina City was everything Miles imagined it to be—and more. Towering buildings lined the streets, their ornate facades speaking of wealth and history, while bustling markets sprawled endlessly, with merchants vying for attention amidst a cacophony of voices. The sheer energy of the city was intoxicating, but Miles couldn’t afford to be distracted.

“System,” he muttered under his breath, weaving through the crowd. “Guide me to the market district.”

The familiar chime of the system echoed in his mind: “Path to market identified. Probability of encountering scammers: high. Proceed with caution.”

Miles nodded grimly. “Yeah, I figured as much.”

The market district was a labyrinth of tightly packed stalls and vibrant storefronts. Miles approached a merchant with a small booth laden with glistening trinkets and exotic potions. The merchant, a wiry man with a charming smile, greeted him eagerly.

“Ah, traveler! I see you’re new to Lumeina. Perhaps I can interest you in something special?” He held up a glittering amulet. “This is a protective charm, blessed by a priest of the Moon Temple. Only ten silver!”

Miles rolled to check the item’s authenticity. The system chimed: “Critical failure. False information detected. Item value: negligible.”

Suppressing a smirk, Miles shook his head. “I’ll pass, thanks.”

The merchant’s grin faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, trying to tempt Miles with other wares. Miles excused himself, feeling a mix of relief and frustration.

“System,” he muttered, “you’re going to be busy here.”

Further into the market, Miles was drawn to a stall selling potions. The vendor, an older woman with a kind face, claimed her potions could heal wounds, boost strength, and even grant temporary invincibility.

Miles picked up a small vial filled with a shimmering liquid. “How much for this one?”

“Five silver,” the woman said with a smile. “But for you, I’ll make it three.”

Suspicious, Miles rolled to assess the potion’s quality. The system chimed: “Moderate success. Potion is a placebo. Effectiveness: none.”

Miles raised an eyebrow. “A generous discount for colored water?”

The woman’s expression darkened, but Miles walked away before she could respond.

Once again, everyone was trying to rip him off. It was enlightening to see that some things never changed, no matter what world you ended up coming to.