Reborn in the Survival Adventure Game-Chapter 75: Jobs and Business (2)

"Move the plank left—no, your other left!"

Jaro groaned as two young goblins tried to balance the wooden beam for his stall. "If this thing collapses while I'm selling herbs, I'll throw both of you in the pond."

They laughed and finally nailed the piece in place. The frame of the first shop stood proudly in the village square, with a cloth roof and a wooden counter.

"We'll call this corner 'Trade Circle,'" someone said.

By midday, six more stalls were under construction. Some were just blankets laid on the ground, others had real signs and shelves. The air buzzed with hammering, laughter, and arguments over paint colors.

Garin passed by with a basket. "Feels like a festival."

"No," Jaro said with pride, "it feels like we're building something real."

Miro skipped over to the weaving stall. Her pouch clinked with three coins.

"I want the red one," she said, pointing to a small scarf. "It's for my doll."

The old goblin woman smiled. "That'll be two coins. Want a matching ribbon?"

Miro gasped and nodded. She handed the coins over, received the scarf and ribbon, and ran off grinning.

Just across the way, a tall elf inspected a carved flute.

"Is it playable?"

The craftsman blew a quick note. A soft tone floated through the air.

"I'll take it," the elf said, handing over five coins. "My sister loves music."

At the baking stall, the scent of fresh bread drew in a small crowd.

"I used honey and crushed nuts in this batch," said the baker, her cheeks dusted with flour.

Berrin stood at the front, holding a handful of coins. "Give me two. And if you burn the next ones, I'm demanding a refund."

The crowd laughed. Coins passed hands. Smiles followed.

Lirae moved from stall to stall, updating her board:

Jaro's Herbs: Open

Kellen's Weaving: Open

Fira's Bread: Open

Daro's Tools: In Progress

Mira's Paints: Needs Wood Planks

A tiny girl tugged her sleeve. "Miss Lirae, if I paint pretty rocks, can I sell them?"

Lirae knelt down. "If you believe they're worth something, then yes."

By the afternoon, the Trade Circle bustled like a real town square. Caelen's golems helped lift heavy beams and stones, their silent movements drawing curious glances from new visitors.

A goblin from another village arrived, limping and tired. He blinked at the sight before him.

"Is this... free?"

"No," said one of the kids proudly, "but you can earn coins! We even pay for sweeping!"

At the cloth stall, a pair of sisters sold dyed linen, holding up shades of green and blue.

"Three coins per length," one said.

"I'll take two," replied a farmer, counting out coins he'd earned fixing fences.

Near them, a mother bought sandals for her child. A hunter traded his spare arrows for a loaf of bread and a bottle of dried herbs.

The coins weren't just metal anymore.

They were pride.

They were progress.

Jaro set up a small sign at his stall: "Herbs for Healing & Cooking – Ask Me Anything!"

A group gathered around as he held up samples.

"This one helps fever. This one tastes good in stew. This one makes your face go numb—don't use that one unless you know what you're doing."

People laughed, asked questions, and even bartered for rare ingredients.

Lirae passed by and whispered, "You're a natural."

"I'm just tired of surviving," Jaro replied. "I want to live now."

At sunset, lanterns lit up the square. The stalls glowed under soft light. Some villagers played music near the well. Others stayed open late, chatting, laughing, counting their coins.

Zira walked past and paused at the edge.

"They built all this," she said.

"They earned it," Garin replied beside her.

She smiled faintly. "Maybe this is what freedom looks like."

---

Inside a small wooden hut nearby, Rogo opened his wooden coin box. He counted slowly.

"Fifteen," he whispered.

He added one more he'd earned sharpening tools. Sixteen coins.

Enough for a good blanket, two meals, and... maybe a gift.

He held up a carved button he'd bought from a crafter and smiled to himself.

"I'm not useless anymore."

As night fell, the job board updated itself:

[System Message: A new profession has been unlocked: Merchant]

[System Message: Villager happiness has increased]

[System Message: Trade Value detected – village economy established]

Lirae stood beneath the board and touched the corner gently. "We're not just survivors now. We're villagers."

And for the first time in a long time, no one asked what Caelen would do next.

Because for once...

they were leading the way.