Chapter 15 Broke

This world, though not as vast as Earth, was still significant in its own way. There were no kings or queens here, which was a relief. Instead, the world was divided into four countries: the East, West, North, and South.

The South, where she currently lived, was known as the most underdeveloped of the four, with a weaker economy compared to the rest. However, it thrived in the entertainment industry, producing many actors and artists. Ruby found it ironic that while they were poor, they held such influence over the entertainment world.

The North was an industrial powerhouse, leading in manufacturing. They sold advanced technologies like Ecto bikes, Victorian cars, gliders, and even the luxurious Cloud carriages. It was clear that the North was well ahead when it came to industry and trade.

The West, on the other hand, was renowned for its cutting-edge communication devices. Spectral Communicators, Soul Streams, and Ectoplasmic tablets were all sold from there, bringing innovation to the world of communication.

Lastly, the East was famous for its rich food culture. People from all over would seek out the East's culinary expertise, making it a hotspot for exotic dishes and high-quality produce.

Ruby began to realize that jumping straight into the high-tech world of laptops, software, or designing advanced graphics games wasn't going to be feasible right away. This world was far too underdeveloped in that regard, and even if she had all the modern knowledge, there simply weren't the resources or technology to back it up. The original owner of this body had no clue about such advancements, and from what Ruby could gather, there weren't even the right tools or software available here.

But Ruby wasn't the type to give up easily. If she couldn't start with technology, she'd start with something that was already valuable here—clothing. In this world, people considered themselves rich if they wore simple but well-embroidered robes. That seemed to be the peak of luxury. With her modern knowledge, experience in character design for games, and eye for detail, Ruby realized that this might be the perfect opportunity.

In her previous life, she had used software like My Designer to work on 3D models and create clothing digitally. But now, without the luxury of a laptop or modern tools, she'd have to rely on her own hands to bring those designs to life. It wasn't going to be easy, especially since she'd never actually physically made clothes before—just designed them on a screen. But with her knowledge of fashion and design principles, she knew she could create something far beyond what this world had seen.

If she could corner the market in fashion, especially in a place like Hollow Wood Village where fashion was so basic, she might be able to build up enough capital to fund bigger, more ambitious projects like her high-tech dreams in the future.

Ruby's mind was already racing with ideas. Modern, sleek, and practical designs that could appeal to the villagers but also push them to embrace a more stylish future. It was time to take her first step into the business world. If anyone could do it, it was her.

Ruby's initial excitement quickly faded as reality hit her hard. Her shoulders slumped when she realized that even starting something as small as a clothing business would require money. She didn't even have the basics—no notebook, no pen, and definitely no fabrics to work with.

"F*ck. Poverty hits different when you're trying to be productive," she muttered to herself, rubbing her forehead in frustration.

No matter how many brilliant ideas she had, nothing could move forward without funds. She could already picture herself frantically trying to stitch clothes together out of scraps, but that wouldn't cut it. Even a small start-up needed some capital.

"Great," Ruby sighed, her internal monologue turning sarcastic.

Starting a new life in a strange world, and here I am, broke... again.

Ruby: ಥ‿ಥ

She knew she'd have to get creative. If she wanted to make her vision a reality, she would have to find a way to make some quick money, no matter how small. Maybe some odd jobs around the village or offering help with anything she could get her hands on. This was just a bump in the road—or, at least, that's what she hoped.

Ruby wandered through the small market of Hollow Wood Village, following the path from her original memory. It wasn't a large, bustling place like the ones she was used to. Instead, there were modest wooden shops with gambrel roofs, where vegetables, grains, and even special types of blood were being sold. Only one butcher shop stood among them.

The shops were simple, with tables and boards displaying the goods out in the open for everyone to see.

As she walked past, Ruby noticed vegetables she didn't recognize. They looked strange, alien, and nothing like the produce back on Earth.

"Buy fresh vegetables, only 4 coins!" a vendor called out, waving a handful of produce at her.

"Rice and wheat for just 7 coins per kilo!" another shouted from the next stall.

Ruby sighed. She was still broke. All the plans she had for her business, from designing clothes to creating high-tech gadgets, meant nothing without money. And this market, filled with unfamiliar goods and strange offerings, was a sharp reminder of how out of place she was.

As Ruby's eyes landed on the pamphlet, she immediately noticed how simple and plain it looked. The sans serif font was basic, with no eye-catching design elements. It hit her that even the world of graphic design here was far behind. Another business idea sparked in her mind—she could introduce modern, creative designs. Who knew how far she could take it?

But for now, her attention shifted to the content of the pamphlet. It read:

"Land Car Race Competition!"

Her curiosity piqued, Ruby stepped closer and read the details. A car race?

—To be continued...🪄