New Beginnings

Joel cradled his head in his hands, his mind still replaying Yodel’s parting words.

‘Was death truly so terrifying?’

He was old, childless, and no employer would willingly hire a worker who was both aged and blemished.

Overnight, his life had reached an abrupt end, leaving Joel unable to discern a path forward.

‘In comparison, might a swift end be preferable to a drawn-out demise from hunger and cold?’

He did not wish to die, yet he knew not how to live.

“Sir, please accept this; it is your rightful compensation.”

Joel’s head snapped up, revealing the young man who had asked for directions that morning.

His gaze dropped to the object Yodel offered, and Joel’s breath hitched in his throat.

The banknote bore a denomination he had never witnessed, a sum so grand that a poor laborer like himself would never encounter it in a lifetime.

“Th-th-this…”

Joel stammered for what felt like an eternity until Yodel firmly pressed the money into his arms, jolting him back from his stunned state.

“You merely asked for directions; how could I accept such a large sum? You are truly a generous gentleman.”

Despite his words, his hand swiftly tucked the banknotes into his pocket, clutching them tightly.

Having lost his job, he desperately needed the money.

“No, old sir, you are mistaken; this is your rightful compensation.”

A sudden realization dawned on Joel. “Are you referring to the wages withheld from me after I was fired? But even that wouldn’t amount to this much!”

“No! It is precisely this much. The value you created through your labor far exceeds the wages you received! I am merely returning what was taken from you.

“Take it. Use it to buy yourself some bread, enjoy a beer, get new clothes, or do anything else you desire. It is all rightfully yours.”

Yodel departed without a backward glance, leaving Joel standing there, clutching the banknotes, utterly bewildered.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Joel rose, gazing at the banknotes dampened by the sweat of his palms, and murmured to himself, ‘Is this truly what I deserve?’

****

Pushing open the front door, Yodel found Yali seated in the living room, two portions of food laid out on the table.

Upon seeing Yodel, Yali rose to greet him. “Where did you go? I couldn’t find you all morning, and I’ve been worried.”

“My apologies; urgent business called, and I didn’t have time to tell you before I left.”

Yali shook her head. “You needn’t apologize; I wasn’t criticizing you. Both breakfast and lunch are on the table. Would you like me to warm them up for you?”

“That would be too much trouble. I can manage to eat it as is.”

“It’s no trouble at all. My brother often worked late, and I used to warm up his meals like this all the time.”

Yodel smiled, acceding to Yali’s request, and then quietly began to eat his meal.

The taste was unremarkable.

However, given the scarcity of ingredients and seasonings, Yali had managed to make the British food palatable, leaving Yodel with no reason to complain.

In fact, despite a morning of hurried travel and fright, returning home to find a sweet ‘sister’ actively caring for him, preparing his meal, and worrying about him, filled Yodel with a quiet sense of contentment.

‘Uh, sister? When did I start thinking of Yali as my sister?’ Yodel suddenly realized.

‘Was it merely sympathy at play? Or had his subconscious always yearned for a younger sister to protect?’

Yodel couldn’t quite decipher it at the moment, but he knew he absolutely could not abandon Yali.

In this world, a naive teenage girl would find it impossible to live independently.

Unbeknownst to him, Yali, on her side, harbored similar thoughts.

After her brother’s death, everything had changed.

Yet, she continued to prepare meals as always, to wait in the living room as always, to anticipate the opening of that door as always, and to expect that weary face to break into a smile upon seeing her as always.

However, Yali knew with heartbreaking clarity that he would not return.

But Yodel had altered her life; once again, she had someone to care for.

Instinctively, she treated Yodel as she had her brother.

For a fleeting moment, she felt the rhythm of her old life returning: her brother toiling outside, while she managed everything within the home.

“Yali, there’s something I wish to confess to you,” Yodel’s voice broke through Yali’s reverie.

“?”

“The truth is, I come from Carolingia, an heir to a family of merchants spanning generations.”

Yodel casually pulled a wad of cash from his wallet and placed it before Yali.

As Yali looked on with a bewildered expression, he continued speaking, unprompted.

“My family dispatched me to this kingdom to expand our business.”

Yodel paused, allowing Yali time to process the information, then proceeded to brazenly fabricate a story.

“However, on my journey to the kingdom, I was caught in a shipwreck. Though I survived, both my money and identification papers sank to the bottom of the sea.

“Consequently, I was forced to sleep on the streets, without a penny for food. Had it not been for your generosity, Miss Yali, I believe I would have starved to death.”

Yodel paused once more, observing Yali’s stunned expression with keen interest.

‘Truly adorable, indeed.’

He continued, “However, just now, I managed to contact my family. They’ve provided me with a substantial sum for living expenses, and they’ll also send me additional funds for activities each month.”

Yali blinked, struggling to bring her ‘crashed’ brain back online.

“Uh, that’s truly wonderful. Your family must have been very worried these past few days. But despite your misfortune, at least the outcome is good; your family is safe and sound, and you can be reunited.

“Indeed, good deeds always bring good fortune.”

As she finished speaking, her expression dimmed.

Yodel, who could effortlessly produce such a large sum, was clearly a young master of noble birth.

It was impossible for someone like him to live with a commoner like her.

She had just been fantasizing about regaining her past life, only for that illusion to shatter completely in less than a minute.

Yodel:

“Therefore, to thank you for your care, please accept this money.”

“Mhm,” Yali nodded numbly.

“Also, would you be willing to let me stay for a while longer?”

“Hm… hm?” Yali’s unfocused eyes suddenly brightened.

“I intend to establish my business in Landon City, and I expect to be here for quite some time. During this period, Miss Yali, would you be so kind as to look after my daily needs? Naturally, I will compensate you.”

“Oh? Is that truly alright? You’re so wealthy; you could easily live somewhere much better, and for care, professional maids would certainly be superior to me. Why would you choose…”

Yodel raised a hand, interrupting Yali, a gentle smile gracing his face.

“Because good deeds bring good fortune, Miss Yali. You said it yourself, didn’t you?”

These words effectively silenced Yali’s impending questions.

She understood that Yodel had no ulterior motive for choosing her, only pure benevolence.

‘Perhaps Yodel’s words that day weren’t mere comfort but genuine sentiment. Was living a good life the best way to repay him?’

If that were the case, she needed only to quietly accept this kindness and, just as when her brother was alive, manage everything at home, ensuring he had a haven to relax and rest after a day’s toil.

Over the past few minutes, Yodel had watched Yali intently, observing her expression shift from astonishment and disappointment to relaxation, relief, and a barely perceptible flicker of secret joy.

The death apparition had not reappeared throughout.

‘It seems Yali is stronger than I imagined. Given a little time, she can emerge from the shadow of suicide on her own.’

Yodel let out a long breath, confident that Yali’s crisis had been completely averted.

Now, he possessed startup capital, a place he could call home, and no worries about food, clothing, or shelter, allowing him to focus entirely on completing the God of Death’s mission.

Settling down in less than two days since his transmigration, Yodel was quite pleased with this beginning.

Looking out the window, the sun slowly set, marking just the beginning of his transmigration journey.