Later
After that one awkward moment, neither officer wasted any time as they finished processing his residential permit. After taking pictures and getting a copy of his medical records, he was required to wait for a few days to get his official identification card.
Zhu Yuan also offered a chance to apply as a member of Public Security, but Caelus says he'll think about it. People think he might be a total idiot for refusing a chance to get a stable job, but he had reasons.
Like what Qingyi said earlier, having a high Ether Aptitude and physical prowess doesn't guarantee getting the job. He had to take a written test, mainly on the topic of New Eridu's laws. That lesson required years of reading to properly understand things, and not to mention, the exam will be held next week. The limited amount of time given to him shows that luck isn't exactly on his side.
Zhu Yuan understood this and decided to help Caelus with a hefty amount of cash. Caelus almost tries to refuse out of instinct, but he holds himself since refusing it would be a completely idiotic move. So, he just accepts half of the amount Zhu Yuan offers.
Before leaving, Caelus also asked if he could register Slyboo as a Bangboo under his care, which Zhu Yuan agreed to with zero hesitation.
Right now, he's walking in the street of Lumina Square, searching for the apartment recommended by Zhu Yuan as being cheap but comfortable. Caelus sighs in relief that he didn't forget to ask some crucial questions and makes sure he wrote down every answer. He tends to forget either minor or major stuff, and whenever he remembers it, it's always too late.
"But, honestly, why does it have to be so far?" Caelus groans as he walks based on the direction he was given. He wishes he had any sort of transportation, but it is useless to complain and rather focus on his current circumstance. Public transportation could only reach the nearest stop, which is still half an hour from the apartment.
He's supposed that something cheap wouldn't be easy to access in a town like this.
"Ehn-nu, (Caelus, I'm sleepy...)" Slyboo says as his screen displays a low battery symbol. At the same time, Caelus' stomach growls.
"...I suppose a rest would be a good idea," Caelus mutters before gently picking his new friend up. One thing that Caelus notices in the city is that Bangboo has its own charging station, each located in a certain store. He even found one in a Chinese restaurant, letting Slyboo charge himself while he orders food for him. He reminds himself that he should buy a few Electrolytes for the little guy.
As his food arrives, he blinks upon seeing the waiter. It's a short bunny Thiren with black and white fur, a pair of long, floppy, and fluffy ears, and a round head with a pair of bright blue eyes.
'Pom-Pom!?!' Caelus thinks in shock before snapping himself out of his thought. It can't be the same Pom-Pom from Honkai Star Rail, the conductor of Astral Express. He's probably an expy in this universe.
"Here's your food, sir," The bunny Thiren says in a familiar voice, and Caelus uses every bit of his willpower not to scream in shock.
"T-thanks," Caelus says with a small smile before the bunny boy bows and leaves. Caelus remarks to himself how even their walk is similar.
'...I had a feeling Aha somehow got himself into the world of ZZZ and pulled this to troll me.' Caelus silently eats his food while glancing at the street. He looks at the screen on a building advertising a famous singer in this world, Astra Yao.
'Huh, not expecting her to appear this early,' Caelus muses. 'But then again, she is quite famous. It'll be a surprise not to see her appearance at all, even as an ad.' Caelus takes another bite of his food, watching the ad. '...if this is the Star Rail universe, she would be a Harmony Pathstrider.'
Suddenly, the ad on the screen is switched into a news, catching him off guard. The news displayed an image of a Hollow swallowing a part of a city.
"We interrupt your regular programming for this breaking news. A Companion Hollow had just appeared on Fourteenth Street and had already breached level-three containment." A newswoman reports the news, loud enough for everyone to hear and causing everyone to gasp in horror. "The Hollow Investigation Association has dispatched a team to the scene to carry out emergency protocols. Evacuation of residents in nearby blocks is underway. Please stay away from the Fourteenth Street area."
'Wait, so I was sent her not long before the beginning of the prologue?' Caelus thought in shock. Given that most isekai'd victims in an already established fantasy world, they always arrived far before the prologue even starts. So, this information is quite surprising.
"Another one? We already had enough of them in New Eridu."
"Will this ever stop?"
"What are the HIA even doing? Why don't they try to prevent more Hollows from forming?"
'If it's that easy, then why don't you do it?' Caelus thought dryly. Whoever said that thinks something as dangerous as Hollow would be easy to deal with. After finishing eating his food, he walks to the cashier to pay for his meal. But for whatever reason, the person at the cashier's seems displeased.
"Is...something bothering you, sir?" Caelus can't help but ask, feeling he might have done something wrong, and the man was annoyed by it. The man at the cashier let out a sigh while rubbing his forehead.
"Apologies, that was unprofessional of me," The man apologizes. "One of our employees had to...leave early without any notice."
"Ah..." Caelus merely nods before glancing around.
"...sorry, young man, but currently, we're not looking to hire another worker." Caelus looks flustered when he is called out.
"Sorry," Caelus says apologetically, causing the man to chuckle.
"Don't be, I'm sure you're a great man, but currently, there are no available spots for a new worker." The man says as Caelus merely nods. After paying for his food and the charging spot, he picks up Slyboo from the charger and walks out of the restaurant.
Before they could continue their journey to search for an apartment to rent, Caelus noticed the similar bunny Thiren sneakily walk out from the back of the restaurant. Caelus wonders what that bunny is doing before deciding to ignore it, thinking it might not be his business.
After another long walk, they finally arrive at the apartment. Caelus is slightly surprised at how well-maintained the apartment building is, despite being cheap. The location is quite strategic, given there's a lot of street food nearby.
As he entered the building, he was greeted by the landlord, an old, kind-looking lady, looking around her fifty, with wild curly grey hair covering the majority of her head, and if Caelus took a closer look, he could see a pair of tiny black horns hidden beneath the hair.
"Welcome, young man," The old lady greets warmly. "How may I help you?"
"Um...I heard this place rents apartment rooms for a cheap price?" Caelus asks with an unsure tone.
"Oh, yes!" The old lady says with a bright smile. "My name is Meilian, the landlord of this apartment. What's your name, young man?"
"Y-you can call me Caelus, miss Meilian," Caelus says as the old lady widens her eyes slightly.
"Caelus...young man, do you perhaps meet Lady Qingyi?" Meilian asks curiously.
"Y-yes," Caelus was surprised this old lady knew her before he remembered there was a trailer showing Qingyi hanging out with some old folks. Is it possible that some of those old folks live here?
"Ah, then you must be the young man she mentioned," Meilian exclaims. "She asks me to help you out, although she didn't tell me a lot of details."
'Oh, lady luck, thank you for letting me meet Qingyi,' Caelus mentally thanks the deity of luck as Slyboo approaches the old lady, which gains her attention.
"Oh, hi, little one," The old lady greets the Bangboo, which he greets back cheerfully. The old lady then looked at Caelus. "So, would you like to see the room first?"
"O-of course," Caelus nods before the three of them take the elevator to the third floor. Upon arriving, the old lady guided Caelus and his Bangboo friend to the room at the far left.
"Here's one with the balcony view of the square," Meilian says as she opens the room with a key, letting Caelus and Slyboo see the room. To his surprise, there's already furniture in it, and even some basic supplies for daily life like toothbrushes, soap, and so on.
"We provide some basic supplies for those who rent this apartment. There's also breakfast every morning." The old lady explains, which made Caelus look at her in disbelief. "Oh, no need to be surprised. This apartment was meant for those who had...troubles finding a stable job or if they face some sort of misfortune."
'Lady, this kind of thing is what you expect from a dream!' Caelus thought. "No offense, miss, but won't this harm the business?"
"Business wasn't the main goal, young man," The old lady says while shaking her head. "When you grow old, something like money isn't as important as you used to think, not when your life is close to an end."
"..." Caelus didn't say a word as Meilian pats Caelus's back.
"Why don't you get some rest, dear?" Meilian says gently. "I don't know much about the details of what happened, but given Lady Qingyi was involved with a citizen, it must be something tragic. Take your time to collect yourself, and perhaps if you need someone to talk to, I might lend you an ear. Although I should warn you, my hearing isn't like it used to."
"Thanks, Miss Meilian," Caelus says with a gentle smile, which the old lady returns before Caelus pays for the monthly rent. After she leaves, Caelus takes a deep breath before looking around the room once again, while Slyboo instantly hops toward the bed happily.
"I really owe Lady Luck once..." Caelus mutters before he hears a door open from outside. Curiously, he opens his door, and to his surprise, he sees the same bunny Thiren froze in shock while trying to open the door.
'...But, sometimes, I can't help but question it...'
To be Continued