After Izumi's thorough explanation, Erina finally managed to grasp the basics of this world.
Seeing the look of realization on her face, Izumi gave a small nod.
"Good. Then let's move."
Without waiting, he led her toward the plaza where Senju Kayo was stationed.
"If you want to obtain universal currency," he said casually, "you should sell your culinary knowledge."
"This place may have just opened, and you might be the first visitor…"
"But there are already plenty of interesting things worth checking out."
Erina hesitated for a moment.
Then, curiosity won over.
She walked up to Kayo and chose to exchange her cooking knowledge.
The process was instantaneous.
In return—
She received a black card.
It was made of an unknown material, smooth and cold to the touch.
On its surface, her balance was clearly displayed.
50 Points.
The moment she saw it—
Erina froze.
"…Why is it only 50 points?!"
Her voice practically cracked.
"Fifty?! That's it?!"
"What am I supposed to do with this?!"
"This is daylight robbery!!"
She had spent years mastering her culinary arts—
And here, it was only worth fifty points?!
Did that mean everything she had learned was worthless in this world?
Kayo, hearing her outburst, didn't even hesitate to respond.
"Well, it's just everyday cooking knowledge."
"Of course it's not worth much."
"What, were you expecting a fortune?"
Her tone was completely matter-of-fact.
Even if one spent years learning it—
Fifty points was already a fair price.
In fact, as time went on—
It might even be considered overvalued.
Erina felt her heart crack.
Looking down at her card again, she turned to Izumi.
"…So what can 50 points even get me?"
She needed to know.
What exactly was her life's work worth in this place?
Izumi glanced at her before pointing in a certain direction.
"That's the entertainment district."
"There's food there."
"There's a youkai girl who sells eel rice—5 points per serving."
"You can eat ten bowls."
…
Erina went completely still.
"…What?"
"Ten bowls of eel rice?"
"You're serious?!"
Her voice rose in disbelief.
"So you're telling me—my entire life's worth of skill can't even support me properly here?!"
"This has to be a joke!!"
Izumi simply shrugged.
"What did you expect?"
"Fifty points is already quite a lot."
"And don't underestimate that eel rice."
"The eel used is practically a youkai itself—an eight-eyed lamprey on the verge of becoming sentient."
"That price is actually very cheap."
He had personally tasted it before.
And the ingredients Mystia used were… extraordinary.
Somehow, they had been cultivated to the brink of becoming supernatural beings.
If an ordinary human consumed her food regularly—
Their physical condition would improve significantly.
So in truth—
Erina's fifty points were far from insignificant.
Still, she looked utterly devastated.
But then—
Something else caught her attention.
"…Wait."
"You said… youkai?"
Her expression stiffened.
"Don't tell me…"
"There are youkai in this world?"
A trace of fear crept into her voice.
Izumi looked at her with a faint smile.
"Not just youkai."
"There are ghosts, demons… all sorts of things."
"Don't be so surprised."
"You've only just arrived."
"There's a lot more for you to see."
He turned and started walking.
"Come on."
"Since I have some time, I'll show you around."
Without waiting for her response—
He simply dragged her along toward the entertainment district.
By the time Erina realized what was happening—
She was already moving at incredible speed.
"I-Izumi-sama—wait—!"
Her instincts were screaming.
Youkai?! Demons?!
Wasn't this basically walking into danger?!
Her entire being rejected the idea.
But before she could protest—
They had already arrived.
"…C-Can I not go in?"
Erina shrank back, her confidence completely gone.
"I kind of want to go home now…"
Izumi couldn't help but laugh.
"Relax."
"This place is safe."
"No one is allowed to harm others here."
"There are strict rules against fighting."
He gave her a slightly amused look.
"Didn't you read the information in your head?"
"I explained it pretty clearly."
"You should've known all this the moment you arrived."
Erina froze—
Then her face turned red.
"…I didn't read it properly…"
Muttering under her breath, she quickly reviewed the information in her mind again.
This time, she paid attention.
And what she found—
Left her stunned.
This world…
Was far larger than she had imagined.
Countless races existed here:
Elves, angels, demons, vampires, youkai—even gods.
Each one more unbelievable than the last.
By the time she snapped out of it—
Izumi had already brought her into the entertainment district.
The area was lively.
People of all kinds moved about, chatting, trading, eating.
Erina's eyes widened as she took everything in.
Then—
She froze again.
"…Wings?"
Not far away, several figures stood with wings extending from their bodies.
"…Are those angels?"
Izumi followed her gaze, then shook his head.
"No."
"Those are the Flügel."
"Not angels."
"Angels don't have wings growing from their lower backs."
The group she was looking at was none other than Jibril and her companions.
Erina stared in amazement.
"They look exactly like angels…"
Wings, halos—
The resemblance was uncanny.
As they walked, she saw even more strange beings.
Each one more surreal than the last.
Izumi patiently explained along the way.
Eventually—
They arrived at a small food stall.
But the moment Erina looked inside—
She froze yet again.
A pink-haired girl with a transparent lower body was happily eating.
"…W-What…?"
Her voice trembled.
"Is that… a ghost?!"
Izumi nodded calmly.
"Yep. A ghost."
Inside the shop sat Yuyuko Saigyouji, enjoying her meal.
Beside her were Yukari Yakumo, her shikigami, and a small girl staring blankly at her own card with a lifeless expression.
As Izumi entered, everyone inside turned to look at him.
"Oh my~"
Yukari smiled gracefully.
"Well, if it isn't Izumi-kun."
"What a rare sight."
She seemed genuinely amused.
After all—
They had already met before.
And their previous encounter…
Had been quite interesting.