Savage Ascension: Starting with God-Tier Plunder Ability-Chapter 72: One Gold Coin

’My heart’s pounding for no reason.’

Copper coins were the lowest denomination, and 1,000 copper coins equaled 1 silver coin. In terms of buying power, a silver coin could feed a family for weeks. And 100 silver coins made 1 gold coin—wealth equivalent to what a commoner might earn in years of labor. An extremely hard-to-see currency. No, ordinary people couldn’t see it.

Only people with the establishment could touch it. The financial power citizens of the inner wall possessed transcended imagination. Upper class and lower class were vastly different.

Having already received payment in Black Mountain Village, Rowan felt regretful instead. If he’d had connections with Bebenik, gold coins instead of silver would’ve entered his hands.

Copper coins were characterized by low value because they were often used in daily life. Maybe because of magic artifact transactions, gold coins’ value was at a very high level. It also meant the establishment strongly gripped gold and silver distribution.

"Want to eat together? It’ll be an early lunch though."

"Sorry, but I have to make this guy’s mercenary badge."

"It’s not babysitting. Kuhaha!"

Bebenik laughed. Yuval promised to meet next time.

Before lunch, they headed to the outer court with quick steps. That place was an administrative office in the outer wall area. A place handling low-grade internal affairs, and also a place issuing mercenary badges. They didn’t take commissions.

"1 silver coin."

"What?"

In the quiet place, Rowan asked loudly. The facing civil official didn’t answer. He seemed uninterested in Rowan from the start.

"Isn’t that too expensive?"

"If you’re going to argue, tell the internal affairs official in the inner wall. If you can, that is."

He even looked at other work while drinking something. Service was terrible. Rowan glared at him but it was useless. Not a civil official who’d be scared by some guy who came to eat by the sword.

Rowan scratched his head and approached Yuval.

"I don’t have silver. I sent fairly big money to the village. Can you lend me some?"

"Sheesh..."

Yuval sighed and shook his head. Instead, Merein flicked a silver coin.

"You know my house, right? Slide it through the door crack anytime."

"Thank you."

Rowan bowed his head deeply. Because he was very grateful. In this world without even cell phones, lending money held big meaning. It meant believing in him. Rowan thought he’d definitely repay it.

"Here it is."

"..."

The civil official who took the silver stood up without hesitation and disappeared somewhere, then came holding one badge. He wrote Rowan’s name and home village there. Then handed it over. Rowan checked the mercenary badge. Already half-completed mercenary badges seemed done just by writing the name and home village.

’Shoddy.’

The only thing written was "Issuing Office: Torch Fortress Outer Court." Other than that, it was just a wooden badge. Hard to believe this was 1 silver coin.

"Is this really a mercenary badge? Seems like anyone could forge it."

At those words, Yuval laughed.

"Magic is engraved. It’s fairly simple, so ordinary people don’t know."

"When ordinary, it’s not a problem, but then you’ll face big humiliation."

Rowan looked around the outer court. Not many people came. Despite the large population, this quiet—it felt strange.

"Is it normally this quiet?"

"Depends on the time. Usually busiest in early fall."

Yuval showed many places and introduced them. Maybe he thought he’d meet Rowan someday. In the evening, they had drinks at Blood-Full Tavern. Because today they’d part with Rowan. They might meet passing by.

"This is where mercenaries receive commissions. It’s fairly big, and as mercenaries gathered and gathered, it became like this. Regions under Torch Fortress’s influence mostly have commissions flow here."

The first floor was very crowded. Many tables, and all sorts of commissions were posted on the stairway wall. Pictures, marks, or maps were drawn so even those who couldn’t read could understand. You could deduce by hearing village names.

Rowan, who’d learned to read, felt a bit disappointed. He knew his talent wouldn’t be considered rare.

Servers were mostly young women. Sexual harassment was basic, but Blood-Full Tavern employees had high competition because they gave lots of money.

"What’s that person standing there?"

When Rowan pointed with his hand, Informant Merein grabbed that hand and lowered it.

"They’re mercenaries employed by the tavern. They were pretty successful guys, so be careful because fights can break out if you mess up."

He nodded and turned his gaze. Snacks were various forms of meat. But like the culture of drinking without snacks, not much was taken. While talking with each other, Yuval stood up.

"Follow me."

Holding his drink, Yuval joined tables here and there. Many knew Yuval.

"Your head’s still attached!"

Throwing jokes and showing friendship.

"Was it a month ago? There was a guy making a fuss about catching you. Be careful."

Giving fairly good information too. Just sharing drinks got lots of information. Rowan didn’t bow his head, just exchanged handshakes.

"It was quite a big village. Over 5,000 people lived there. I heard an investigation team was dispatched."

"Investigation team? No. A knight order went."

There was also information about refugees heard from Guard Captain Sebegin. Opinions were divided, but it seemed like a big incident. They also mentioned which mercenaries were hired.

Hearing recent issues, Yuval told Rowan. A place so noisy he had to bring his mouth to his ear to speak.

"At first, they’ll be happy if you buy food or drinks!"

Rowan nodded big. Next, he approached mercenaries alone or in pairs. Because the Skull Mercenary Group’s numbers had plummeted. What Yuval wanted most was a mercenary with a solid build.

"Alone?"

"Who’s that?"

"Seems like you haven’t been here long."

"Coastal port." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

He could meet a man of few words from the sea. Rowan watched the scouting scene with excitement. Just watching arm wrestling and pulling out and playing with a dagger, Yuval made him a scouting offer.

"Good. I’ve heard of the Skull Mercenary Group. I heard you have great skills."

’Looks simple but...’

Rowan realized it was harder than he thought. Mercenary scouting was literally all about first impressions. For him it was troubling. Because of his young-looking face.

Most mercenary captains were mid-level mercenaries. Even Yuval was 34 years old.

’Should I change plans?’

His family history of little facial hair growing also played a role. If he grew a beard, he’d look older but would look like a schemer.