With 87 Arls in his pocket, Nash decided to walk toward the city center.
Although there were also some shops on Creek Street, it was unregulated, and the prices were unclear.
He might even encounter some hoodlums who would rob him once they saw he had money.
After walking a few kilometers, the buildings around him became taller and grander.
There were also people walking on the side of the road as vehicles passed by.
If not for their grim expressions as they hurried toward their work, Nash might have even thought this world wasn't living under the suppression of the Arlean Civilization.
Taking a deep breath, he went to a secluded part of a public fountain to wash his face.
Unfortunately, drinking from the fountain was impossible.
To prevent people like him from 'stealing' from the government, public water sources were laced with poison that only affected humans.
"Huh~" Feeling refreshed, he felt all his problems wash away.
"Just the clothes are too tattered..." Nash thought, looking at himself.
"I should have 'borrowed' the clothes of those two," Nash thought, feeling a little lost.
"Eat some food first," he decided.
Learning his lesson, before he entered a crowded place, he ripped half of his shirt and covered part of his face.
His face was too distinctive; he didn't want to attract another disaster.
Walking toward a small shop called 'Vital Sip,' Nash was stopped by a guard looking at his clothes.
"Beggar isn't allowed here; you'll dirty the shop," the guard said coldly.
Although the guard felt sympathy for the thin, bony Nash.
Who in this world is not suffering?
He was just a bit lucky to have found a job rather than being sent to another planet to mine to death.
"Can you accommodate me?" Nash asked coldly.
Though only his eyes were visible, the guard was slightly stunned by the pressure in Nash's voice.
"This—brother, I can't really let you in. How about I buy you the nutrient liquid instead? Don't worry, I won't overcharge you," the guard compromised.
Though he didn't know why he felt a pang of anxiety when he looked into Nash's eyes, it was better to be cautious these days.
"Thank you. Here is the money," Nash said, handing the guard 30 arls.
---
A while later, the guard returned with three tubes of nutrient solution.
"Here, brother. I also rounded up the change for you."
"Thank you," Nash smiled under his mask, thinking that the guard was a good person.
Nash knew that a nutrient solution of this brand was over 10 Arls each. The guard indeed hadn't overcharged him.
These Vital Sip nutrient solutions were a high-end brand; they could keep someone full for a day and nourish the body to its peak without any additional effort.
As for buying fresh food? That was out of the question.
Fresh food was only served to the privileged and oppressors of society.
If he wanted to eat fresh food, he would need hundreds of arls just to afford a simple meal.
Taking the nutrient solution, he didn't bother the guard anymore and walked toward a hidden alley.
Drinking the tasteless nutrient solution, he felt his body cheering with relief.
"Huh~ Survive..."
Nash felt like a survivor trudging through a desert for years, finally drinking fresh, cold water.
"I'm alive~"
Sitting down, he thought about his next course of action.
His priority now was to earn money and find a safe place to live.
Although his small home on Creek Street was homely, it wasn't safe.
If he wanted to study the function of the Runic Space, he needed a safe and peaceful place.
"Earning money it is..."
Standing up, he roamed the city to find a stall selling decent clothes.
Nash couldn't stand being watched like a monkey as he walked down the street.
Finding a side street stall, he quickly picked out a set of clothes in his size.
"How much?"
"50 arls," the stall owner said, quoting a random price.
"Did I hear that correctly? Could you repeat it?" Nash asked, flashing a cold look at the stall owner.
"My bad, my bad. I meant 5 arls," the owner quickly corrected, feeling a chill run down his spine.
"Here," Nash said, tossing five coins, each worth 1 arl.
"Hey, the days are getting more and more difficult," the stall owner muttered, feeling disheartened as he picked up the money from the ground.
Meanwhile, Nash returned to the spot he had found hidden beside the fountain.
Taking a quick rinse, he put on his new clothes.
"Now I look like a human," Nash thought, looking at his reflection.
Putting on a mask and hat he had bought, he headed to his destination.
---
"It seems I'll be going back to my old profession..."
"Digital Hub," Finding a mid-end computer shop, he silently read the sign.
"Welcome to the Digital Hub, how many hours do you want to play?" the female clerk, Clara, greeted.
"I will be staying indefinitely. I'll pay once I'm finished with my task, is that okay?"
"Surely sir, you can stay here as long as you want."
"What about the ID don't you need one?" Nash asks, seeing the sign, as he contemplates a way to fool his way in
These days, to enter such establishments, one needed complete identification created by the Earth Alliance Government.
Growing up in the slums, his predecessors didn't even have a name, much less an ID.
"No need, it's just a formality, please choose any computer and call me if you need something," Clara said, looking at his beautiful eyes.
"Thanks," Nash muttered with a sigh.
Just his eyes were enough to charm a lady.
---
Sitting in front of a familiar computer, he tried to find the switch.
"Is this broken?" Nash wondered, unable to turn the computer on
Due to the suppression of the Arlean civilization, Earth's technology hadn't advanced and had instead regressed.
Seeing that the computer looked familiar, he thought he could easily turn it on, but it seemed he was wrong.
Looking around, he heard someone mumble some words to open the computer.
"Voice control?" Nash thought, a little speechless.
"Open."
[...]
"Log in."
[...]
"Start."
[...]
"On."
[...]
With his veins bulging in anger, he nearly smashed the screen.
Fortunately, the kind clerk who let him in seemed to notice his problem.
"The voice command is 'Praise the Arlean Civilization for Giving Us a Wonderful Future.'"
"Is this sarcasm?" Nash muttered, not believing such a command existed.
Unfortunately, before he could argue, the computer started.