The footsteps were getting much closer. In this not-so-small alley, the echoing footsteps were Kaelis's only hope.

  As the approaching person got nearer, the thugs in front of Kaelis started to get uneasy.

  "Who the hell is that?"

  The smaller one asked who the newcomer was, but the person still hadn't answered and kept walking.

  The bigger one stepped back a bit more and put himself on guard.

  "Hey I've got a feeling we should get out of here, Ramiz."

  "What are you babbling about? We haven't even gotten what we want yet, Benno. Stay where you are!"

  Even though the thugs kept talking and questions were thrown at him, the person ignored them and continued walking. His footsteps were now much closer.

  The alley wasn't that long, but the walker was taking slow steps, so he hadn't arrived yet.

  "My, my! You're talking too much."

  Finally, words came out of this person's mouth, and it was a man's voice. Kaelis was hoping for a strong someone to save him from this situation right now. This newcomer was his only hope.

  "Hey, hey, hey— could this be—"

  "What the hell are you—"

  When the smaller one turned his gaze from Kaelis right in front of him to the approaching person, a look of fear appeared on his face. The bigger one had wanted to leave much earlier, but the smaller one had been stubborn.

  "Ramiz, drop him. He doesn't have a penny anyway. Let's run away!"

  "Tsk! Damn it!"

  The kid called Ramiz pulled his pocket knife away from Kaelis's throat and stuffed it into the pocket of his clothes.

  Then, those two thugs started running away with all their strength. Who could this approaching person be that they got so scared?

  Kaelis put his hand to his throat where the knife had been and checked if there was any problem. Everything seemed fine; he hadn't been cut.

  As he was about to turn around, the person behind him started speaking.

  "Oh man, look at those cowards!"

  "———"

  "Hey, you on the ground, are you okay?"

  The newcomer was asking if Kaelis was alright, and judging by the current situation, he had really saved Kaelis.

  Kaelis slowly turned around. There was only one reason for turning: to see the person who had just saved him from those thugs.

  A man between 30 and 40 years old, clean-shaven with sharp facial features. His chin was sharp, cheekbones slightly prominent. His skin was a light wheat tone, eyebrows dark, and his gaze serious, measured, and confident.

  Dark brown, slightly wavy hair reaching almost to his shoulders. On his head, a red hat with black fur trim at the bottom and a feather decoration beside it. He wore a dark red caftan with gold embroidery, an ornate wide belt around his waist. A green-patterned scarf was wrapped around his neck. He had large gemstone rings on his fingers. His overall vibe reminded one of a wealthy and dignified merchant.

  Kaelis was quite captivated by this sight, his mouth left agape. Silently, these words spilled from his lips.

  "Z—Zeyd?"

  Hearing these words, the merchant looked a bit surprised and smiled.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "Mistaking me for him really breaks my heart, you know."

  Realizing his words had reached the man, Kaelis stood up and tried to use body language to explain that it was a misunderstanding.

  "Hey calm down, young man. You might have mixed us up; after all, he's also one of the 『Legendary Merchants of Dahra』."

  "Huh?"

  Kaelis was just surprised. After thinking a bit, he remembered Eduardo had told him this before.

  "I'm Fahri Fintan, one of the legendary merchants of Dahra, the one and only most beautiful city in the Naram Desert."

  "Eee— I've never heard that name before."

  "Most people use my nickname, the Crystal of Naram; maybe that rings a bell. Anyway, you can call me Mr. Fahri."

  "Mhm! Alright, Mr. Fahri."

  This person introducing himself was indeed a merchant, and he looked like a wealthy one at that—his clothes showed it.

  Plus, like Zeyd, he was one of 『Legendary Merchants of Dahra』

  Kaelis's mind was a bit confused by the nickname Crystal of Naram. He preferred not to dwell too much on nicknames.

  The area he was in right now was called the Naram Desert. That's the info he got from the merchant in front of him. He'd heard of Dahra city before, but he just learned it was the only city in this desert.

  The building structures around him already pointed that way. Especially the frequent use of sandstone. Their clothing suited for desert climate, the sun blazing overhead—these strengthened it even more.

  While Kaelis was thinking, the merchant opposite him was examining him. Kaelis's clothes weren't suited for the desert climate at all.

  "Khh… Khh…"

  "Hey sir, are you okay?"

  While Kaelis was speaking, Fahri coughed a few times in a row. Kaelis turned his gaze toward Fahri.

  Fahri was fiddling with the scarf around his neck. Thinking there was a problem, Kaelis wanted to get closer to Fahri, but Fahri raised his hand in a stop sign.

  "It's fine, young man, the scarf was just a bit tight."

  "If it's rude, forgive my rudeness, sir, but why are you wearing a scarf in a city in the middle of the desert?"

  "Haha… Dahra can't exactly be called in the middle of the desert."

  "———"

  "Merchants like us wear these kinds of decorations. I think the scarf looks good on me. You know, looking good is part of our job."

  "Hmm… actually, you're right. Fah— sir, it really makes you look handsome."

  "Leaving mine aside, your dressing style isn't suited for here at all. Where are you from, and what's your name?"

  "Eee— me? Um… I came from Naucratis, and my name is Kaelis Varn."

  "Naucratis, huh?"

  The merchant brought his hand to his non-existent beard and stroked it while eyeing Kaelis.

  Kaelis got a bit panicked but didn't show it outwardly. The idea of coming from Naucratis was ridiculous, but he had no other card to play.

  "I see… That's probably why you know Zeyd. He usually hangs around there. What a greedy guy; what he earns still isn't enough, and he wants more."

  "———"

  "Kaelis Varn… that name? Doesn't ring a bell. Anyway, nice to meet you, Kaelis Varn."

  Kaelis nodded to approve and showed he was pleased with this meeting too.

  The merchant liked Kaelis's behavior; there couldn't be another reason for the smile on his face.

  Kaelis had been trying to get along well from the start and had succeeded in that.

  "Hey young man, you really seem like a good person."

  "Eh? Huh?"

  "Do you work anywhere?"

  "Honestly, no sir, I don't have any job right now."

  "Dahra is a pretty tough place to get by for those without work; you must know that."

  Even though Kaelis didn't know this, he had to approve what the merchant said to avoid suspicion. He approved with a sincere "Mhm" in a way that wouldn't raise doubt.

  "I'd like to hire you at my company."

  "What— I mean… um—"

  "I'm not like Zeyd; after all, my employees are very important to me."

  "Um… sir, what exactly is the job you're talking about?"

  "Ah! Right. Let me see what job you could do."

  "Eh— I'm sorry, but I don't know what I'm good at."

  "Alright, still, I want you to stop by my company this afternoon."

  "Hey Sir, why are you so insistent on this?"

  "Because you seem like a good person, Kaelis Varn, and I always work with good people."

  Kaelis couldn't make sense of the merchant's request. Was Kaelis really a good person? Actually, the answer to that was yes. This kid, respectful to the outside world, was indeed a good one. The merchant must have noticed his personality.

  Kaelis was excited to see a wealthy merchant showing him so much interest, and curious too.

  "Mhm! Okay, but where is your company?"

  "On the other side of the Great Passage, meaning not in this part."

  "The Great Passage?"

  The merchant looked up from the open-top alley. As he looked at the sky, he seemed to realize something.

  "It looks like it's noon; I have to go, Kaelis Varn. I hope we meet at my company in the afternoon."

  Without waiting for a response from Kaelis, the merchant passed by Kaelis and intended to leave the alley through the door behind him. Carrying out his intention, the merchant exited the alley and disappeared from sight.

  Kaelis sat back down on the sandstone stairs he had gotten up from. This time, he was alone in the alley, and no footsteps or sounds came from either the back or the front entrance. It was like a peaceful setting.

  Kaelis placed both hands on the sandstone road behind him and leaned back. Not fully falling, Kaelis could clearly see the sky. But even though he could see it, the only thing visible was the yellow sun shining in the sky.

  Kaelis started murmuring and talking inside the alley.

  "There's still a lot of time until evening."

  "Anyway… let's see what we have on hand."

  Kaelis rechecked his pockets and his body, but there was nothing on him—a pretty expected—known— result.

  "Naram Desert… Dahra city—"

  All Kaelis had so far were pieces of information, but unused info was useless, so he started thinking to himself.

  "Naucratis… a city that's the heart of trade. This place is the only city in the desert."

  "…In Naucratis, there was something like a river, and the air was more moderate; judging by the heat here."

  Kaelis checked his body with his hand while sitting; he was sweating again, and a lot. Dahra was indeed a hot city.

  "I need to pass time until evening, then I'll go to that guy's—Fahri's company."

  "Let's not be too hopeless; at least look at what we have. I caught a job opportunity."

  While continuing to talk to himself, Kaelis was careful to keep his morale high. He wasn't unsuccessful in that either.

  A sound was heard in the alley where no one was except Kaelis. It was the rumbling of Kaelis's stomach. Apparently, he was hungry.

  "Eh? Again? At least I could have held out until evening."

  Kaelis put his hand on his stomach and rubbed it. It was like an empty stomach, and he must have been really hungry. He had nothing to eat right now.

  Kaelis stood up. While looking around, he stretched to loosen up and started walking.

  "Hmm… Where can we find what?"

  While imposing these questions on himself, he was advancing toward the outside of the alley with weak and indecisive steps.

  Exiting through the door he had entered the alley from, Kaelis saw the crowd from earlier again.

  The surroundings were probably less crowded than when he first arrived due to the sun being overhead, but it was still crowded.

  Kaelis started walking; while walking, he looked around and tried to decide what to do.

  While walking, among many shops, Kaelis spotted a stall that was empty in front.

  The stall had fresh apples, and it was something Kaelis really wanted.

  The only thing Kaelis had learned in this world so far was how to steal. Right now, with no money and very hungry, Kaelis had no other way.

  Kaelis observed the stall a bit from afar. This time, he was thinking of stealing quickly. The amount he would steal wasn't much; after all, the only person to feed was himself.

  Kaelis approached the stall more. Like a hunter watching his prey, he was checking the stall.