Skyhaven Auto City.
This place gathered all the luxury 4S dealerships in the city. Massive glass curtain walls reflected golden light in the sunset. Every sign represented money and status.
I took Shadow and walked straight toward the Land Rover showroom.
For someone just back from the apocalypse, who might return at any moment, low-chassis sports cars were flashy but useless.
My target was clear: Land Rover Defender. Boxy, tough-as-nails. The closest thing to an "Armored Vehicle" I could buy legally.
Inside the showroom. Weekday afternoon, few customers.
A group of sales staff chatted at the front desk. Seeing me enter, their eyes swept over my cheap casual wear and the unleashed Shadow. Hesitation flickered in their eyes.
Usually, guests with dogs were either rich locals walking pets or idlers leeching AC.
My current vibe was somewhere in between. Cheap clothes, but a calmness forged in a mountain of corpses. Plus Shadow's majestic, intimidating aura. They didn't dare dismiss me completely.
"Hello, sir. Looking for a car?" A young intern walked over. Enthusiastic enough. "Need an introduction?"
"No need." I pointed at the black Defender in the center. "Do you have stock of this one?"
"Defender 110?" The intern's eyes lit up. "Yes! We just got a top-spec Dark Edition yesterday. Snorkel and roof rack pre-installed. It's in the back, haven't put it out yet."
"Show me."
We were heading to the back when a familiar voice drifted from the lounge area. Sugary, pleading.
"Honey~ I just love this Evoque! It looks good, and it's perfect for girls. Buy this one for me, okay?"
I would recognize that voice even if it turned to ash.
I stopped.
Small world.
I turned. In the lounge area, a man and a woman were walking out.
The woman wore exquisite makeup and a tight dress. My ex-girlfriend, Vivian.
The man she clung to was in his forties. Balding "Mediterranean" hair. Beer belly stretching his brand-name shirt. Gold Rolex on his wrist. He was enjoying Vivian's flattery with a smug look.
"Okay, okay. Buy, buy." The bald man waved his hand grandly, petting her like a pet. "As long as Baby likes it. Four hundred thousand, just sprinkles of water."
"Thank you, Honey! Mwah!" Vivian kissed his cheek, giggling.
I stood there, watching. Surprisingly calm. Even wanted to laugh.
This was the "Better Future" she talked about? A bald nouveau riche old enough to be her dad?
"What?" Shadow sensed my mood. Followed my gaze. Wrinkled his nose in disgust.
"Oh, the female human." Shadow's voice was full of disdain. "And... a hairless mutant pig? They smell terrible. Grease and cheap perfume."
"Accurate."
We tried to ignore them, but eagle-eyed Vivian spotted me.
Her smile froze. Panic flashed in her eyes, quickly replaced by angry arrogance. She seemed to think meeting me here was shameful. Or maybe she thought I was stalking her?
She let go of the man, straightened up, and marched over on high heels. Aggressive.
"Victor? Why are you here?"
Her voice was shrill, drawing looks from the sales staff. "I just texted you to break up, and you stalked me here? Have you no shame?"
The bald man followed, sizing me up. His gaze lingered on my cheap clothes and Shadow for two seconds before he sneered.
"Vivian, who is this?"
"A... ex-boyfriend." Vivian bit her lip. "A poor loser. Just got laid off. Can't even pay rent."
"Oh~" The bald man dragged the tone out. Looking at me like a toad. "Young man, know your place. Vivian is mine now. This clinging behavior is ugly. Go to the job market if you need work. Why come here? You couldn't afford a wheel here in ten years."
I laughed. These two were a perfect duet.
"First, I didn't stalk you. Second, I'm here to buy a car." I looked at Vivian calmly. "Also, we broke up. I have zero interest in who you're with."
"Buy a car?"
Vivian looked like she heard the world's biggest joke. Pointed at my outfit. "Victor, I know exactly how much money you have. Is your entire outfit worth 500 bucks? You just sold the iPad for cash, and now you're at Land Rover? Are you applying for a car washer job?"
She turned to the sales staff watching the drama. "Where is security? Why let anyone in? If this dog bites someone or dirties the cars, can you afford it?"
The intern looked awkward. Wanted to intervene but feared offending the "Big Boss" customer.
"Honey, ignore him." Vivian clung to the bald man, eyes full of disgust. "Let's look at the car. He ruins my appetite."
"Right. Listen to Baby." The bald man gave me a smug look, tapping a bank card against his palm. "Kid, watch closely. This is called buying a car. You? Maybe next life."
They turned to the Evoque like victorious roosters.
"..."
I took a deep breath.
I didn't want to show off. But some people insist on putting their faces in front of your hand. Not slapping them would be a sin against God. Also, this was a final break from the cowardly past me.
"Shadow."
"What? Kill them?" Shadow bared his teeth. Clearly annoyed too.
"No. Bury them with money."
I turned to the terrified intern.
"Sir?" He stepped forward nervously.
"That Defender 110. Top spec. In stock?" I pointed at the black beast.
"Uh? Yes... The Dark Edition. After markup and taxes, it's about 1.3 million..." His voice trailed off, influenced by Vivian's words.
"1.3 million."
I nodded. Voice not loud, but carrying enough for the couple nearby to hear.
"Swipe. Full payment."
The air froze.
Vivian and the bald man snapped around. Disbelief on their faces.
"F-Full payment?" The intern was stunned. "Sir, no financing? We have plans..."
"No. Too much trouble."
I pulled out the black bank card. Held it between two fingers. "Swipe it now. I'm in a hurry."
"Act! Keep acting!"
Vivian shrieked, foundation cracking on her face. "Victor, are you crazy? 1.3 million? You aren't worth that much if you sold your kidneys! Using an invalid card to find presence? Stop embarrassing yourself!"
Bald man sneered. "Kid, fake prestige comes at a price. When it says 'Insufficient Balance,' let's see how you end this."
I ignored them. Signaled the sales rep.
The intern took the card with trembling hands. Ran to the POS machine at the front desk.
Everyone's eyes glued to the machine. Vivian stared at it, waiting for the error beep.
Beep!
Card swiped.
"Please enter PIN."
I walked over. Punched it in. Enter.
One second. Two seconds.
Whirrr-zzzt!!!
The sound of the printer spitting out the receipt was harsh in the quiet hall. And music to my ears.
Better than any symphony.
"Tr-Transaction Successful?!"
The intern looked at the number on the slip, voice cracking. Looked up at me with awe and ecstasy. "Success! 1.3 million! Full payment!"
BOOM!
The words exploded in Vivian and the bald man's heads.
Vivian's face went sheet white. Lips trembling. Staring at the receipt like it was a ghost.
"Impossible... this is impossible... yesterday he was worrying about rent..."
The bald man's face turned liver-red. His bank card frozen in mid-air. Awkward.
1.3 million. Cash. He needed a loan for the Evoque. And begged for discounts. This "poor kid" dropped a million without blinking?
"Are... are you a rich second generation?" Bald man stuttered, momentum gone.
I took back my card. Walked up to them.
Shadow let out a low growl. They stumbled back.
I looked down at Vivian. Eyes calm. Like looking at a stranger.
"Vivian, you were right. We are from different worlds."
I pointed at the black Defender. Then at their white Evoque.
"1.3 million car. Big space. Perfect for hauling dog food."
I shook my head at the Evoque. Smiled faintly. Mockingly.
"As for the 400k car..."
"Suits you two perfectly."
Strike to the heart.
Vivian swayed. Looked at me with shock, regret, and jealous disbelief. She left me for money. Turned around to find I was the rich one. Worse than killing her.
"Victor, you..." She wanted to say something. Explain something.
I didn't give her the chance.
"Key." I said to the sales rep.
The rep handed me the keys, bowing almost to the floor. "Sir, car is washed, tank full. Right at the door!"
"Thanks."
I took Shadow and walked out, bathed in awe.
Passing the bald man, Shadow stopped. Did a fake "leg lift" motion at his pants.
"Ah!" Bald man jumped.
"Hmph. Coward." Shadow lowered his leg and walked away proudly.
Ten minutes later.
I drove the brand new Defender out of the 4S shop. The roar of the V6 engine made my blood boil.
In the rearview mirror, I saw Vivian and the man arguing at the door. He seemed to be blaming her for being blind. She was squatting on the ground, crying.
"Feel good?" Shadow sat in the passenger seat, paw on the window, watching the drama fade.
"Yeah." I admitted.
Not just the car. It was the feeling of stomping the past into the dirt. From today on, I wasn't the Victor who got bullied. Those who looked down on me could only look up at my taillights.
"Where to?"
"To our new home."