A First Time Experience

"I will be more than happy to assist you in registering a merchant trader license. Just in case this dear customer is unaware, the processing fee for registering for a new merchant trader license is 5 reisai. There are no alternate payment plans available and the fee must be paid in full upfront. This fee is non-refundable. You must also have no criminal record. This is to ensure that those who are a part of our Merchant's Guild uphold a certain level of principles when conducting their dealings. If there are no issues with any of the aforementioned requirements, please fill out this form so that I may begin the license registration process." Sini explained with a friendly smile as she pulled out a form from underneath the desk.

She held the form out towards Linkin with two hands while slightly bowing her head.

"Sini, was it? Thank you. I'll be sure to fill this form out at once." Linkin said as he carefully took the form from Sini's hands.

Sini stood up straight and gestured to an open booth a few steps away from the license registration area.

"It is my pleasure. You may fill the form out in the designated area. Please keep in mind that the form in your hands cannot leave the premises of the Merchant's Guild, or it will automatically become invalid. Thank you for taking your first step in joining the Merchant's Guild, dear customer." Sini said politely.

As soon as Sini finished the last of her explanation, Linkin walked over to one of the open booths. He then started to fill out the form as slowly as possible.

The form required basic things like name, age, gender, what kind of trader's license you were applying for, and other details.

Linkin had no idea what the age or name of the original owner of his current body was; however, it should not be a big issue if he put down an age that was relatively reasonable.

As for the name, when he signed a contract earlier with William, after he pressed his thumb against the scroll to complete the deal; the name that showed up on the bottom was "Linkin".

Linkin did not know whether it was just a bizarre coincidence; or if the contract somehow utilized magic to list the name he identified himself as. Whatever the case, it did not seem to be a point of concern.

What troubled Linkin was the place his original body started out—an underground dungeon where he was about to be executed.

'I already expected the processing fee, so that's not an issue. The problem is the criminal record. I'm not sure what this body's original owner was up to before I was somehow dragged here. I just know that he ran into some trouble and was about to be executed. If I sign this and they're able to check if I have a criminal record and it comes back positive, then...'

Linkin was met with a sudden conundrum. If it was discovered that he had a criminal record, it was possible that he would be detained on the spot. However, if he did not obtain his merchant trader license, there was no way he would be able to conduct any kind of business and pay off his debt. At least not without taking some serious risks. Though given how many uncertainties he had about this world, Linkin would rather not take those kinds of risks unless it was an absolute necessity.

Linkin let out a light sigh as he finished filling out the form. The only thing he had left to do was to press his thumb on the bottom to give his signature.

'Should I just give up on being a merchant?'

Ever since coming to this world, Linkin decided that he would take a different path from his past self. After all, it was that same path that ultimately led to his untimely demise at the hands of an unfortunate disaster.

'Back on earth, I had no choice in what path I could take. Before I even knew how to walk, that lifestyle had already become a part of me. It was no different from breathing or simply existing. Wandering the streets, looking for the next way to profit—it was the only thing I've ever known in life growing up.'

Linkin stared at the blank area at the bottom of the paper.

'Do I have no choice but to repeat that path in this world as well? Living that kind of life... Is it simply my fate?'

Suddenly, a faint glow emitted from the form as Linkin's thumb was pressed against the once-blank bottom area of the form.

It was at that exact moment that, for the first time in his life, Linkin took a gamble he wasn't certain he'd win. However...

'What a joke. Since I've been given another chance, I'll just live the way I want—that's all there is to it. To hell with fate!'