"Do you have any money?" Chu Xueyue asked, eyeing the handsome Albert across from him.

"Can't you tell by looking at me?" Albert gestured to his own body. He had nothing left—not even his weapon, just his armor.

Well, Chu Xueyue had confirmed Albert was completely broke.

Food was the real problem. Facing hunger, Albert’s first love meant nothing.

Another issue: with Albert penniless, they both were. Chu Xueyue doubted his own cash worked in this world.

Chu Xueyue grabbed Albert’s shoulders, looked him dead in the eye, and said seriously, "Albert, let’s go back to prison. I just realized it’s perfect. No worries about food or shelter. Where else offers that? Back home, young people kill themselves just to buy a house. We get it free. Isn’t that great?"

"Are you insane?" Albert seized Chu Xueyue in return, his taller frame pressing down. "We’re Heroes! How can we keep ending up in prison? Where’s our dignity?"

"Can dignity feed us? Find a way to get food. How do we eat with no money?"

"..."

Albert had to face reality. Even as Heroes, they needed to eat. Otherwise, what were they?

"Follow me. I’ve got a plan," Albert declared. He spun around stylishly and strode down the street.

...

"Got it. Sorry to bother you. Thanks," Chu Xueyue told a passerby.

Yep, he was asking directions. Albert didn’t know the way at all—he’d dragged Chu Xueyue through multiple streets before admitting it.

"Albert, let’s go. Not here. The next street over is where you need to be," Chu Xueyue said to Albert, who was crouching on the ground pretending to sulk.

The Mercenary Guild. So, back to the main quest route?

Chu Xueyue stared at the building, lost in thought.

"Albert, planning to take quests and level me up by grinding monsters?"

"Low-level mobs give me zero experience now."

"No sweat. I’ll land the first hit, you finish them off. You’ll get partial XP and level up fast." Chu Xueyue had a brilliant idea: he’d lure high-level monsters, Albert would kill them. His XP would skyrocket like a rocket.

"Foolish," Albert sneered.

"What did you say?!" Chu Xueyue snapped. This guy wouldn’t even help him level.

Albert ignored him and walked into the Mercenary Guild.

Chu Xueyue stormed after him, determined to see what quest Albert would take.

"Hi, I’d like to withdraw some money," Albert said to the pretty receptionist.

"Sure. Please show your mercenary badge," she replied.

So they came here for cash? Did the Guild store money for mercenaries? No—pointless. I’m such a fool. Albert’s right: why grind quests when you can just withdraw cash? Free meals beat everything.

"Sorry, I lost my badge. Can I get a replacement now?" Albert flashed a sunny smile.

He’d lost it at the Demon King’s Castle, but for food, a decent inn, and a soft bed, Chu Xueyue stayed quiet.

"No problem. Place your hand here," the girl said, holding out a crystal ball. Albert pressed his palm to it. Must be an ID system—matching his traits to records.

"Albert White. Here’s your new badge, Mr. Albert. Keep it safe," she said, offering a shiny new emblem.

Albert didn’t take it. "Withdraw money first, please. I’m completely broke."

"O-okay. How much, Mr. Albert?" His handsome face, bright smile, and smooth tone flustered her. She recovered quickly—except for the blush on her cheeks.

How much he got didn’t matter to Chu Xueyue. This carefree guy just needed to spend it.

First, Albert bought him two new outfits. Despite Chu Xueyue’s protests, no armor—he claimed his weak body would die under it.

Albert sighed at the clothing store. This wasn’t an armor shop. How could he buy armor here? Try it yourself.

Next, Albert booked a double room at an inn. For Chu Xueyue’s sake—he’d faced nothing but trouble since arriving, hadn’t slept, and might have nightmares.

"Oh, Albert, I noticed something," Chu Xueyue said, eating his second meal in this world. The taste differed from the Demon King’s Castle.

"What?" Albert muttered without looking up.

"You’re a Hero, right? Why didn’t anyone recognize you on our way here? Shouldn’t you be famous? Even at the Guild, the receptionist didn’t know you. Your ID’s in their records, isn’t it?"

Albert paused, looked up, and explained, "The Guild doesn’t show her all my details. And people here don’t know me because I’m not this country’s Hero. I’m from my original world. It’s normal."

So multiple Heroes existed? Was being a Hero really this cheap?

Chu Xueyue suddenly felt his Hero status had plummeted in value.