Chapter 2

After leaving the Sixth Clearing Bureau with a sullen face and joining the long queue outside the Cleaning Bureau, Leon couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh as he looked at the shiny new badge on the virtual panel.

Good news: not only was he still a dude, but he also had some kind of buff.

Bad news: this buff seemed temporarily unusable and occasionally brought strange DEBUFFs…

Staring at the pitch-black [Unemployed Youth] badge and the entry that reduced his matchmaking success rate by 80%, Leon slowly moved forward in the queue while glancing at the other two badges currently “equipped.”

On the virtual panel that came with him to this world, there were three badge slots. In the middle slot, a badge flickered with a dim azure light, radiating warmth and gentleness.

[Trustworthy Brother (Bronze): Due to the early death of your parents, you took on the responsibility of caring for your younger siblings at a young age. You are responsible and reliable, deeply respected and loved by your younger siblings.]

[Equip Effect: When conversing with minors younger than yourself, they will easily trust you. Emotions may trigger the special state “Heartfelt Confession,” where they confide their troubles and secrets.]

[Upgrade Path: None]

[Hidden Traits: Not Activated]

Next to this “good brother” badge was another one, glowing fiercely like fire, even more dazzling than the sun. It was a bright red badge.

[Materialist Soul (Rare – Crimson – Cannot Upgrade): As a staunch materialist, you firmly believe that matter is the foundation of objective existence, and spirit and consciousness are products of matter. All incomprehensible things stem from insufficient understanding of the world.]

[Equip Effect: For things and knowledge you can understand, through analysis and thought, you can quickly familiarize yourself and master them, gaining additional effects based on your comprehension level.

For things and knowledge beyond your understanding, by expanding your cognitive boundaries, you immediately gain partial related information and reduce influence based on your comprehension level when encountering them.]

[Upgrade Path: Reached the highest level, cannot upgrade further]

[Hidden Traits: Not Activated]

“…”

From the description alone, this rare badge seemed impressive, but reality was far from it.

It only triggered once at the start, helping him master the language of this world within three days to a conversational level. Afterwards, it remained silent.

Still, even if the trigger difficulty was high, his badge wasn’t “normal.” He wondered if it counted as the “controllable anomaly” mentioned by that woman with red hair? If so, maybe he’d be suited for the Clearing Bureau?

He resisted the urge to look back toward the Clearing Bureau and quickly shook his head, dismissing the absurd thought.

Don’t be stupid! That place has a ten percent annual fatality rate!

Moreover, judging by their attitude, the Clearing Bureau wasn’t a department you could leave casually. Once in, you might have to work there for life.

At seventeen, if he retired at sixty, that’s over forty years of work. With a death rate pushing ninety percent, survival was almost impossible! If he were alone, it wouldn’t matter since this life was practically borrowed. Rather than working hard in mines or alchemy labs until illness struck, followed by a slow death in a hospital corridor like the neighbors in Veteran’s Lane, it would be better to take risks now. But… there were four people in his family. The younger ones barely reached his waist, and the older sister, just a year younger than him, was born sickly. After an alchemical reagent leak accident, she inhaled toxic fumes, worsening her chronic lung condition, making her unable to do heavy labor.

He could risk his life, but if he died in the Clearing Bureau, the older sibling would likely die from exhaustion first, then the younger ones would starve. The entire family would perish!

“Shit!”

Thinking about this, Leon looked up at the seemingly endless queue ahead, gritted his teeth, and spat angrily at the intricately carved bluestone tiles underfoot.

“This damn world!”

…

As the sun set, its dim rays pierced through the clouds laden with alchemical waste, casting onto the dirty streets of the Capital City. Under the heavy footsteps of a certain person, the light was trampled and shattered, eventually fading into darkness.

After waiting in line for over two hours and undergoing several rounds of inspections and interviews, the unemployed youth was unsurprisingly rejected.

Even after Leon pleaded desperately, clinging to the sleeve of the interviewer and nearly kneeling down, promising he could handle the job, the obese official in charge of recruitment didn’t even bother responding. A single slap shoved him aside before moving on to the next applicant, pinching their arms and thighs disdainfully before stamping a red approval mark on their chest…

Damn!

Recalling the scene where he was treated like livestock, Leon clenched his molars habitually, expelling the accumulated frustration in his chest.

Even though he had been here for nearly three years, he still couldn’t get used to this screwed-up world.

In his previous life, although he hadn’t achieved much, he had a complete family and lived peacefully until middle age. The biggest hardship was being scolded by his boss. Then, suddenly, he was thrown into this wretched world where simply surviving required all his effort…

Forget it. Instead of dwelling on these thoughts, he should focus on finding a job tomorrow to support his family.

Seeing the veteran’s alley around the corner where his family resided, Leon stopped, vigorously massaging his stiff face to force a smile.

Maintaining the smile, Leon skillfully entered the poorly lit alley, swiftly crossing the filthy old street littered with clutter toward the low, humble house in the southeast corner.

Just as he stood in front of his door, ready to knock, the rust-covered iron gate, older than himself, creaked open, revealing a pale but pretty face marred by obvious signs of illness.

The slender girl called out to Leon without asking about his situation, only to receive a frown and a stern rebuke:

“Haven’t I told you multiple times not to randomly open the door?”

“I didn’t open it randomly.”

The girl, unperturbed by the rebuke, gently patted Leon’s coat as she smiled brightly and said:

“I recognize your footsteps. I only open the door when you’re back.”

“That’s still unacceptable!”

Hearing the girl’s words, a hint of warmth spread across Leon’s resentful heart, but he still scolded her sternly:

“Although this area isn’t as chaotic as the slums outside the city, bad people still exist. What if you misheard?”

How could I possibly mishear…

The slender girl sighed inwardly upon hearing Leon’s words.

Among the generally impoverished veterans’ lane, few people had such heavy footsteps as Big Brother. Since recovering from the severe illness three years ago, his steps had grown heavier, recognizable even in dreams by the sound of someone carrying a thousand-pound burden.

But despite her confidence, the slender girl didn’t argue with Leon. Instead, she took his coat, hung it up neatly, went to the kitchen, and brought out the still warm dinner.

When Leon sat at the table with a worn-out face and began eating voraciously, she sat beside him on the wobbly old table, her pale, thin arms propping up her delicate cheek as she softly gazed at Leon devouring the simple stew.

It’s already so late. Why don’t you rest properly and watch me eat? Feeling uneasy under his sister’s gaze after starving all day, Leon coughed dryly and softly asked, “Are the little ones asleep?”

“Mm-hmm.”

The slender girl nodded gently, her gentle smile tilting her chin slightly forward.

“When the sun set, they were still clamoring to wait for you before sleeping, but soon they started rubbing their eyes. Eventually, they fell asleep together beside the dining table. I just carried them back to the inner room moments ago.”

“Don’t bother next time.”

Looking at his sister’s pale complexion, Leon shook his head and said,

“You’re not in great health. The kids have grown quite a bit in the past two years. Next time, let them sleep first. When I come back, I’ll carry them back and cover them with a light blanket to avoid catching a cold.”

“Mm, mm.”

The slender girl softly agreed twice, still not arguing, smiling and nodding gently, accepting her brother’s concern.

Clearly ignoring it again…

Seeing her expression, Leon helplessly shook his head. He was always powerless against his outwardly clean and delicate but stubborn sister. Realizing persuasion was futile, he silently finished his dinner and hesitated before speaking: “Today…”

“It’s very late today.”

Interrupting Leon, the slender girl spoke first:

“The Road Administration Department is so far away, and you’re too stingy to spend money on transportation. You must have walked there. If you plan to go out tomorrow, you should rest now.”

“…”

“Um…”

Realizing his sister had noticed his latest job rejection, Leon sighed, furrowing his brows and saying, “I’m useless. If only I could…”

“Big Brother!”

“Okay, okay, I won’t say it.”

Clutching his fists tightly, determined to try harder tomorrow to find a job no matter what, Leon tidied up the dishes and headed toward his small room. After tossing and turning for a while, he finally fell asleep with a heavy heart.

However, before dawn, Leon was awakened by violent coughing like a windbox, accompanied by the desperate cries of his younger siblings.

“Brother! Wake up! Please wake up!”

(End of Chapter)