The familiar disorientation washed over Ji-woo as he stepped back through the portal. One moment he was in the cliff, the next he was tumbling onto the straw-filled mattress in the small Aethelian cottage. He sat up, the rough-hewn walls and low-beamed ceiling confirming his return. He glanced up at the now-familiar shimmering portal in the ceiling, a constant reminder of the extraordinary connection he now possessed.
He heaved the heavy duffel bag off his shoulder. It was packed with his earthly treasures, his potential livelihood. He glanced around the small room, realizing he needed to conceal his goods. He lifted the edge of the simple bed and shoved the bag underneath, out of sight. He'd deal with the logistics of his new business later. First, he needed to explore, to observe, to understand.
He stepped outside, the bright Aethelian sun greeting him once more. The village was bustling, the air filled with the sounds of unfamiliar chatter, the smells of roasting meat and exotic spices. He was a stranger here, an outsider, and the weight of that realization settled upon him. He needed to learn, and fast.
His first priority was currency. He had no Aethelian money, no way to purchase food or other necessities. He needed to observe the market, to see what kind of transactions took place, what kind of currency was used.
He walked towards the village square, drawn by the vibrant activity of the marketplace. Stalls lined the dusty streets, overflowing with strange and wonderful goods. He saw fruits and vegetables he didn't recognize, their colors vibrant and their shapes bizarre. He saw handcrafted pottery, intricately woven fabrics, and tools made of materials he couldn't identify.
He watched as villagers bartered and traded, some exchanging coins, others simply swapping goods. He tried to discern the currency, but it was difficult to tell. Some coins appeared to be made of metal, others of what looked like polished stone. He saw some merchants using small, intricately decorated pouches, perhaps for storing their earnings.
He approached a stall selling what looked like dried herbs and spices, their aromas filling the air. He pointed towards a small pouch of reddish powder, hoping to indicate that he was interested in purchasing it.
The merchant, a stout man with a bushy beard, looked at him with suspicion. He spoke to Ji-woo in rapid Aethellian, his words a flurry of unfamiliar sounds. Ji-woo shook his head, indicating that he didn't understand.
The merchant sighed, then held up a small, metal coin. He showed it to Ji-woo, then pointed towards the pouch of red powder. Ji-woo realized this must be the currency. He reached into his pockets, but of course, he had nothing.
He tried to mime that he would return later with money, but the merchant seemed confused. He just shrugged and turned away, attending to another customer.
Ji-woo felt a pang of frustration. Communication was going to be a major hurdle. He needed to find a way to understand the language, or at least to communicate his basic needs.
He wandered through the market, observing the other transactions. He noticed that some merchants used a system of counting on their fingers, perhaps indicating prices. He tried to pay attention to the numbers they used, hoping to pick up some basic vocabulary.
He saw a stall selling what looked like baked goods, small cakes and pastries. He was hungry, but he had no way to buy anything. He watched as a young boy approached the stall and handed the merchant a few small, stone-like coins. The merchant gave him a small cake wrapped in a leaf.
Ji-woo observed the coins closely. They were small and round, with a hole in the center. He noticed that some villagers wore similar coins on a string around their necks. Perhaps they were used as both currency and jewelry.
He decided to try a different approach. He walked towards a stall selling handcrafted jewelry, necklaces and bracelets made of beads and feathers. He pointed towards a necklace that caught his eye, a string of brightly colored beads.
The merchant, a woman with a kind face and gentle eyes, smiled at him. She spoke to him in Aethellian, her voice soft and melodic. Ji-woo shook his head, indicating that he didn't understand.
The woman seemed to understand his predicament. She picked up a small stick and drew a number in the dust. Then she pointed to the necklace. Ji-woo realized she was indicating the price.
He tried to mimic the numbers she had drawn, hoping she would understand. But she just looked confused. He tried again, drawing the numbers in a different order. Still no luck.
He realized that he needed a better way to communicate. He needed a translator, someone who could bridge the gap between his world and this one. He needed to find someone who understood both languages, or at least someone who was willing to learn.
He continued to explore the market, observing, learning, trying to piece together the puzzle of this strange new world. He was a merchant without goods, a trader without currency, a traveler without a guide. But he was determined to overcome these challenges. He had a portal, a connection to two worlds, and he was determined to make the most of it. He would learn the language, he would understand the currency, he would find his place in this world.