Squashed Dreams

Steven stepped out of the mage tower, his newly named spells—Fists of Holy Fury, Feet of Holy Fury, and Saiyan Fury—etched into Vyrthralis’s arcane records, a bronze D-rank card gleaming in his pocket. With Melissa’s joyful exit still buzzing in his mind, he checked his coin pouch: 20 copper from the goblin quest, plus 16 from his earlier haul (after spending on gloves, a bag, meals, and a room), totaling 36 copper. The barracks life—cramped bunks and shared chaos—grated on him now. D-rank meant better, and he craved his own space. He set out into the Mistveil Shores’ fog-draped streets, eyes peeled for homes to rent or buy.

Wandering the city, he scoured notice boards, chatted with hawkers, and peeked down alleys. The Mistveil hummed with life—merchants haggling, gulls crying overhead—but housing options varied wildly, from dirt-cheap hovels to lavish pads beyond his reach. Here’s what he found:

The Salt-crusted Bungalow - Rent: 20 copper/day

Tucked near the docks, this squat shack was the cheapest he stumbled across. Barely larger than his 1-copper guild closet, it crammed a single room with a straw mattress, a rickety table doubling as kitchen and living space, and a chipped basin for cooking. A tiny, mold-streaked bathroom jutted off the side—outhouse vibes with a leaky spout. The salty air had gnawed the wood, and the roof sagged. “Not worth it,” he muttered, shaking his head. 20 copper a day—600 a month—for this? He’d rather sleep on the beach.

The Fisherman’s Loft - Rent: 35 copper/day

Perched above a fishmonger’s stall, this creaky rental offered a bit more: a narrow bedroom with a lumpy cot, a small hearth for cooking, and a living nook with a single chair. The bathroom was a step up—stone basin, no leaks—but the fish stench seeped through the floorboards. At 35 copper daily—1 silver, 50 copper monthly—it tempted him briefly, but the smell and noise of gutting knives below soured it fast.

The Cobbler’s Spare - Rent: 50 copper/day

A modest add-on to a cobbler’s shop, this place had charm: a bedroom with a proper bed, a combined kitchen-living space with a wood stove, and a clean bathroom with a tin tub. The cobbler’s hammer taps were a soft rhythm, not a bother. 50 copper a day—1 silver, 100 copper monthly—felt steep for his purse, but it was livable, a real step up from the guild’s chaos.

The Widow’s Cottage - Sale: 25 silver

On the city’s edge, this quaint stone bungalow caught his eye—two rooms, a hearth, a small garden patch, and a sturdy outhouse. No rent, just a one-time buy at 25 silver (2,500 copper). The widow, moving to her daughter’s, priced it low to sell fast. It was a dream—privacy, permanence—but his 36 copper laughed at the gap. A future goal, maybe.

The Merchant’s Flat - Rent: 2 silver/day

Near the market square, this upscale rental screamed luxury: two bedrooms with feather beds, a tiled kitchen, a plush living room with a view, and a bathroom with a copper tub. 2 silver daily—60 silver monthly—was absurd, a rich man’s whimsy. Steven admired it from the street, then moved on.

The Cliffside Manor - Sale: 150 silver

Perched overlooking the sea, this sprawling house was a fantasy—three bedrooms, a grand hearth, a kitchen fit for feasts, and a bathroom with piped water. 150 silver (15,000 copper) to own outright. A lord’s ransom, far beyond his means, but he lingered, imagining a future where D-rank turned to S-rank wealth.

The Salt-crusted Bungalow stuck in his mind—20 copper a day, 600 a month, for a glorified shack. His 36 copper wouldn’t last two days there. The guild’s 1-copper closet, cramped as it was, still beat it for value. The Cobbler’s Spare at 50 copper daily tempted him most—cozy, practical—but drained his stash too fast. Buying was a pipe dream for now; renting anything decent needed more coin. He sighed, pocketing his bronze card. Time to hit the quest board again—his D-rank fists needed work, and his purse needed fattening.