Chapter 14. Nature's Call Crisis

"Then tell me, what do you want so you can live here peacefully?" Finally giving in, Linda insisted, her eyes flashing with determination, clearly, she was not going to accept Ash any unreasonable offer.

Ash took a moment to collect his thoughts. "Well, honestly, I don't have much money right now. So, while I can't pay proper rent, I will give you money for meals so I won't be a burden on you and help with chores and James' studies. I could also play with him in the mornings. How does that sound?"

Linda smiled warmly. "If it makes you happy, then do it. One coin covers three meals; you can give me money every Monday. Now, no more discussion. Since you are fed well, it's time to rest. You've been traveling all day, and you're probably very tired. Go back to your room," She said, fearing that Ash might again start arguing with her. Without giving him a chance to respond and after giving instructions, she grabbed James's hand and hurriedly walked into her room as if she were running away from him.

...

"Sigh, Grandma Linda is too kind. Thanks to her, I ate enough for two people alone. Hiccup," Ash chuckled with a helpless smile before throwing himself on the soft bed and rubbing his newly grown-up tummy.

"One coin for three meals, a direct 29 times cut off. Thank goodness she doesn't have a restaurant, with her character, at least from what she has shown till now, her business might not even last for two days before going bankrupt. I wonder if the tavern boss knows that there is a kind-hearted lady who is giving charity. Will he pull out his hair in frustration? Hahaha, that would be quite a sight to see." A mischievous grin spread across his face.

"Sigh, but his daughter was a bombshell. I wonder if she is adopted; otherwise, how can such an... um, ordinary man have such a beautiful daughter? Let's see if I have any chance with her. With my current handsome face, there shouldn't be a problem. If I had money as well, then it'd be a breeze, like drinking water."

Shaking his head, he continued, "Anyway, jokes aside, although Grandma Linda said that she only needs one coin, I, of course, can't let such a kind old lady go uncompensated. Also, after observing both grandmother and grandson, it doesn't seem like they have any side business or any other way to make money. If my train of thought is on the right track, then they are definitely living on her late son's subsidy or past savings. And since there is no extra expense like schooling or heavy taxes, they are still managing quite well, but after all, everything has an end."

"Hmm, based on what I know, coins seem like in-game points here. No sub-currencies so far in this world, at least not in this region. Ten coins for a meal... Then what Uncle Ronald gave me is just a little tip for helping him, not a big deal. If I work for him, there is no way to live independently with the puny money I will earn from him, let alone buy weapons and armor to kill monsters in a short period of time." 

"As for the renting problem, 50 coins a week until I get a stable source of income should be enough for Grandma Linda. Anyway, it is better than nothing," Ash muttered while continuing to think about his future plans. Soon, lost in thought pondering what kind of good deed he must have done in his past life to meet such a kind lady when he needed it most, Ash drifted off to sleep.

...

Knock-knock...

"Mr. Anderson, I'll settle the rent in a few days, please stop pounding on the door every morning and let me get some sleep!"

Hearing the familiar knocking sound that he had endured every morning for the past two months, Ash grumbled, barely opening his eyes before burying his face deeper into the pillow.

"Huh? Brother Ash, it's me, James! Didn't you ask me to wake you up early this morning?" A child's voice chirped outside, forcing Ash to open his eyes in confusion.

"James? I don't know any James… maybe I'm dreaming," Ash mumbled groggily, closing his eyes again, hoping to escape the annoying dream.

Knock-knock.

"Brother Ash, wake up."

"But James, a very serious, hardworking little guy, clearly didn't care about Ash's peaceful sleep. In his eyes, accomplishing his mission is the most important thing."

"Coming, coming! Stop banging! You trying to break the door down?" Ash grumbled, cursing himself for asking James to be his alarm. He slowly opened his eyes and peeked out the window, left open for the cool night air. Anyway, it is on the first floor; there is no way a wolf can enter directly silently.

Outside, darkness still reigned, unbroken by a single ray of sunlight. Two bright moons struggle to illuminate the sky with their faint glow alongside countless stars. It seemed James either misunderstood the instructions or had a unique definition of, "early morning." Muttering to himself, Ash put on his yesterday's clothes and opened the door with a yawn that rivaled a cow's.

"James, my little rooster," Ash said with a forced smile, trying to hold back his anger, "when I say wake me up early, it doesn't mean in the dead of night! Let it get at least a little brighter. What good is waking up when everything's still dark?"

"But Grandma and I always wake up at this time," James replied with an innocent look on his face, clearly not understanding what Ash was trying to say.

"Forget about it. Let's go for a walk outside. Speaking of, what's Grandma doing up so early?" Ash asked casually as they descended the stairs.

"Grandma went to the farm to buy milk and eggs," James replied straightforwardly without thinking much.

Hearing James' answer, surprise flickered across Ash's face, and he couldn't help but inquire deeply, "She went to the farm? The one to the northeast?"

"I don't know what you mean by 'northeast,' but there's only one farm in town, so it must be the one you're talking about," James replied with confusion, clearly having never received proper education. Even though he is already 10 years old, knowing about directions in the world with a medieval setting is a pipe dream, especially for a commoner.

"Damn it! I forget that I am not on Earth. Wait a minute..." Ash's eyes widened in alarm. "F*ck! I am not on Earth. Then how the hell am I going to attend nature's call?" He stopped abruptly, the growing pressure in his stomach demanding immediate attention.