The Golden House's Allure

Walking out of Maria's Diner, Alex had a big smile on his face. Although the food wasn't great, at least it filled his stomach. After all, in his early days after transmigrating, he was almost starved to death multiple times.

More than anything else, thanks to this place, Alex also got an idea of how he would proceed with his dungeon!

Alex felt pumped and said, "I should look for a landowner or something similar to a real estate agency to find a place to build my dungeon. In every game I have played, I had to buy the land from the count or the landowner themselves. But it's better to look around and ask first."

With that in mind, Alex wasted no time and started asking around, especially shop owners. After inquiring with a few people, Alex learned about Golden House, a well-known property seller in the town.

The town he found himself in was called Kvatch, a border town. This fact brought him immense relief, knowing that any external threat, such as another Dream Core Dungeon Master, would have to face the town's formidable guards. Every border town boasted the strongest Imperial army, dedicated to protecting the empire.

Without wasting any time, Alex made his way towards Golden House after hearing about it. Soon, he found himself standing in front of a majestic white building, adorned with lavish gold decorations adorning nearly every surface.

Alex gazed at the magnificent structure before him, wondering, "Could this be the Golden House they were talking about? It's truly coated in golden color. I wonder who the architect of this intricate design is. They must be as skilled as ancient Japanese craftsmen."

As he stepped inside and explored the interior, Alex couldn't help but marvel at how much the empire cherished this town. It became evident that Kvatch held great strategic importance for business and trade. To his surprise, Alex noticed a colossal golden statue in the center of the hall, depicting a lady with a money pouch. The statue stood as a symbol of prosperity and wealth, and Alex observed that not only the commoners but also the merchants offered their prayers and reverence to the statue before engaging in business dealings. It was a unique and intriguing tradition that further highlighted the significance of the Golden House and its role in the town's commerce.

Not only was it a residential building, but it also served as a social gathering spot. Alex noticed merchants donning lavish clothing and could sense the bustling atmosphere of business deals being made. The Golden House held significant importance in this town.

Lost in admiration, Alex suddenly realized he needed to inquire about purchasing land. Luckily, a passerby pointed him in the right direction.

With his awe still intact, Alex made his way inside and was warmly greeted by a female staff member. "Greetings, sir. How may I assist you today?" she asked politely.

"Ah, yes. I would like to find a suitable place to turn into a restaurant," Alex replied.

"Is that so? Let me show you a few good places, sir," the woman responded with a sweet smile.

The staff member led Alex deeper into the Golden House, guiding him to an office where they could further discuss his needs. As he walked through the opulent halls, he couldn't help but admire the complex golden designs that adorned the walls and ceilings. The grandeur of the place was awe-inspiring and seemed to be the epitome of luxury in the town.

"Please take a seat," Kara said, gesturing towards a chair. Alex complied and sat down, while Kara retrieved a crystal ball from behind the table and sat opposite him.

With a warm smile, she introduced herself, saying, "Oh, where are my manners? Let me introduce myself. My name is Kara, and I hope I can be of help to you today."

Nodding, Alex replied, "I'm Alex, and I'm new here. I'll probably be living here for some time, so I'm thinking of opening a restaurant. Please take care of me."

"Well, sir, we have some properties saved inside this Photo Crystal. I hope some of them will match your requirements. I'll start showing them to you. If you find one you like, just let me know, and I'll provide you with more information," Kara explained.

"Okay."

After a nod of acknowledgment from Alex, Kara touched the ball and an image suddenly appeared inside it.

Kara touched the crystal ball, and suddenly an image appeared inside it.It was an establishment that had a luxurious feel to it and an elegant ambiance covered the whole place. When Alex saw it, he immediately thought of the high-class restaurants from his previous world. With some little bit decoration and painting from the Earth this could be the Only High Luxuries place in this town to eat. Which could be equivalent to this Golden house. Observing the bustling merchants outside, Alex was certain it would be the perfect place for business and would also help him maintain his cover.

It depicted an establishment with a luxurious feel and an elegant ambiance that pervaded the entire space. Alex immediately thought of the high-class restaurants he had encountered in his previous world. With some decoration and painting from Earth, this place could become the only high-end dining option in town, equivalent to the Golden House. Observing the bustling merchants outside, Alex was certain it would be the perfect place for business and would also help him maintain his cover.

And creating a painting isn't even hard for Alex as he now live in futuristic world.

Intrigued by the property, Alex turned to Kara and asked, "Could you please tell me more about this one?"

Hearing his request, Kara smiled and replied, "Certainly, sir. This is a 100-square-meter establishment that was originally built as a gathering place by Mr. Luke, son of Mr. Kurtis, a merchant from the capital. However, due to a family issue, he has decided to sell this property."

As Alex listened to Kara's explanation, only one word escaped his lips, "Oh."

Before Kara could continue, Alex inquired, "How much is this place?"

Upon seeing the genuine interest of a prospective buyer, Kara's smile grew wider.

If she knew the extent of wealth in Alex's possession, she would surely be hide in the lake to overcome with shame.

"This property is being sold for 350 gold coins," she said. "It might be a little expensive, but I can assure you that you will get your money's worth if you buy it. This location is at the heart of the city, where the nobles go to shop!"

"This property is being sold for 350 gold coins," she said. "It might be a little expensive, but I can assure you that you will get your money's worth if you buy it. This location is at the heart of the city, where the nobles go to shop!"

Kara continued to elaborate, trying to persuade Alex into making the purchase. However, when Alex heard the price, he couldn't help but glance at his inventory where his coins were stored. He had 5 bronze coins, 1 silver coin, and 1 gold coin. Considering his meager funds, Alex felt a tinge of embarrassment.

"I dared to ask about the price of such an expensive place. I should have inquired about more affordable properties, especially in the Elite and Normal districts," Alex thought to himself.

Collecting his thoughts, he looked at Kara and said, "Let's forget about such an expensive property for now. Since I'm just starting out, I'm looking for something more affordable. Could you show me some cheaper options?"

Hearing his request, a flicker of disappointment passed through Kara's eyes, although it vanished quickly. With the same smile as before, she replied, "That's alright, sir. Can you please let me know your estimated budget?"

Alex adopted a nonchalant demeanor and put on a playful smile. "Since I'm just starting out, let's say one gold coin," he replied.

Observing Alex's current appearance, Kara was intrigued. There was something unfamiliar about him, from his clothes to his demeanor. She was not unfamiliar with people who acted like they were poor just for the sake of entertainment. However, Kara found herself drawn to these types of individuals, as they often returned with generous tips after their playacting.

Recollecting those past experiences when her pockets were full, Kara couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. These people were often wolves among sheep, but to her, they were just sheep waiting to be fleeced.

Shaking off her momentary daze, Kara nodded eagerly. Filled with enthusiasm, she said, "One gold coin? Don't worry, sir. I will find properties that fit your requirements!"

Without giving Alex a chance to reply, Kara stood up and began searching for a specific crystal. Observing her swift movements, Alex found himself stunned.

I didn't even act properly yet she appears so enthusiastic. Is she not upset that the property I want to buy is only worth one gold coin, or is she one of those shallow individuals who only care about appearances to make decision?

Little did Alex know how right he is.

If he had known that his earlier playful and nonchalant behavior with his modern look would be misconstrued by Kara, he would have likely fallen into silence.