The air was thick with the scent of dried fish and exhaust. Elias moved toward the grain section first.

He pivoted to "brown beans" and a few pieces of stockfish, traditional staples that were fast becoming luxuries. The Final Tally

At the butcher’s stall, the reality of the "200K" limit hit hard.

Elias stood at the entrance of the central market, clutching a leather bag containing 200,000 in crisp notes. Just a few years ago, this amount could have stocked a pantry for a season, or perhaps even served as a down payment on a small plot of land. Today, it was simply "the grocery budget." The Market Entrance

In this new economy, 200,000 wasn't a fortune; it was just enough to keep the door closed against hunger for a little while longer.

By the time Elias reached the vegetable stalls, his bag was surprisingly light, but his wallet was nearly empty.

He grabbed a few liters of vegetable oil and a crate of eggs.