Reborn in the Survival Adventure Game

Chapter 72 - 72: Coins and Work

Caelen sat at his desk, sketching ideas for a new machine, when Zira knocked on his door.

She stepped in, looking serious. Her usual bright tone was gone.

"We need to talk."

Caelen leaned back in his chair. "What's wrong?"

Zira crossed her arms. "Some villagers aren't helping. They just sit around, eat, and do nothing."

He blinked. "What? I thought everyone was pitching in."

"I thought so too," she said. "But I asked Garin to check. He said it's worse than we thought."

Right then, Garin arrived at the door, holding a clipboard. His expression was tired.

"I counted," Garin said. "Over twenty people eat three meals a day... and haven't lifted a finger in days."

Caelen scratched the back of his head. "No building, no farming, no cleaning?"

"Nothing," Garin said. "They just expect food to appear."

Zira frowned. "And it's not fair to the others. Some work all day and still barely eat."

Caelen stared at the table for a moment, thinking.

"That's not how this village is going to work," he said at last.

"So what now?" Garin asked.

Caelen stood and started pacing slowly. "Back home, people used money. Not gold coins or gems—just a system. Work equals pay. Pay equals food. That way, everyone earns what they take."

Zira raised an eyebrow. "Money?"

"Yeah," Caelen nodded. "Currency. Something to give people for helping out. Farming, building, teaching, guarding—anything useful. You earn coins for what you do. Then you use coins to buy food, tools, or even better houses."

Garin blinked. "Sounds... fair."

Zira tilted her head. "So people who don't work, don't eat?"

Caelen nodded. "Simple as that. No freeloaders."

She sighed. "That might cause problems."

"It might," Caelen said. "But not doing anything already is."

He turned to Garin. "Can you list all jobs people are doing each day?"

Garin tapped his clipboard. "Already have it."

Caelen smiled. "Good. We'll start small. One copper coin per task. Easy jobs like cleaning earn one. Harder stuff like farming or mining earns more."

Zira leaned forward. "And who gives out the coins?"

"I'll make them," Caelen said. "And we'll set up a place at the town hall to exchange work logs for coins. You and Garin can run it."

Garin looked nervous. "You sure this will work?"

Caelen nodded. "People need balance. Right now, too many take and don't give."

He stepped outside and looked around the growing village. Children ran down the paths, laughter echoing. But in the distance, a few adults were just sitting by a fire, doing nothing. It bothered him.

By afternoon, Caelen had used his Transmute skill to craft small, round copper coins with a leaf symbol on one side and a flame on the other.

"These'll be called Cae," he said, handing one to Zira. "Short for my name. Simple enough?"

Zira smiled faintly. "You named the money after yourself?"

Caelen chuckled. "I mean, I made them."

She rolled her eyes. "Fine. But don't let it get to your head."

They made posters and signs explaining the new system: one Cae for basic tasks, more for harder ones. At the food stations, meals now had prices. Bread cost one Cae. Stew was two. Sweetcorn soup was three.

The next morning, Caelen stood on a platform in the center of town with Garin and Zira beside him.

The villagers gathered, curious.

Caelen raised a hand.

"We've done well so far," he said. "We've built homes, made tools, brought in food. But not everyone is helping. And that's not fair to those who do."

A few heads turned.

"So, we're starting something new. A money system," Caelen continued. "You work, you earn coins. You use those coins to get food, clothes, tools—whatever you need."

Someone in the crowd raised a hand. "What if I don't have a job?"

"You'll get one," Zira said firmly. "There's plenty to do. Farming, cleaning, building, cooking, even guarding."

Another shouted, "And if I can't work?"

Caelen nodded. "We'll make exceptions for the sick or disabled. But laziness? That won't fly here."

Some murmured in agreement. Others frowned.

Garin stepped up. "If you want to eat well, help your neighbors. That's the rule now."

By evening, the change had already started.

Children helped clean the roads for their first coins. Farmers showed off their heavy baskets, proud to earn double. The forge was busier than ever, with Dorgrim and Borin shouting out payments.

And those who didn't help?

They sat quietly, watching everyone else eat first. One by one, they got up and asked how to help.

Zira watched it all unfold with folded arms. "It's working."

Caelen leaned on the post beside her. "Still early, but yeah. I think it will."

She looked at the coin in her hand. "You really named them after yourself."

Caelen shrugged. "Well, 'Leaf-Flame Coin' sounded too long."

She snorted. "You're impossible."

"Thanks."

Then Garin ran up to them, excited. "We ran out of stew! That means everyone's eating... but they all paid."

Caelen grinned. "Good. That means we're finally moving like a real village."

That night, as lights glowed across homes and laughter filled the air, Caelen sat outside with Zira and Garin, watching a group of goblin kids trading coins for cookies.

"You really think this is the future?" Zira asked softly.

"It's the beginning," Caelen replied. "Of something fair."