Slowly pushing the door in front of me open, I was greeted by a fair number of people. Not enough to feel cramped but enough to remind me this place was still alive.
Outside, the streets were mostly empty. Either everyone had already gone home… or people with common sense stayed inside once night crept in. Dangerous hours, according to Nannie.
I walked up to the counter and ordered a sandwich and a drink.
"Two thousand ahn."
I paid without hesitation then immediately regretted it.
Fuck.
I stared at the remaining bills in my hand.
One hundred and thirty ahn left.
I clenched my fist around it just as my order was called. Standing up, I grabbed the tray and couldn't stop a small smile from creeping onto my face.
For a world this filthy, this place was surprisingly clean.
I sat down, placed the food in front of me, and took a bite.
"…Holy shit."
My eyes widened slightly. The taste hit harder than expected warm, fresh, comforting in a way I hadn't felt since before I got dragged into this nightmare of a city.
This is fucking good.
I slowed down, chewing carefully, dragging out every bite like it might be my last decent meal for a while.
When I finally left the restaurant, I wasn't full but I wasn't empty either. That alone lifted my mood just a little.
Then reality came crashing back.
130 ahn left…
I stared at the money in my palm, my chest tightening.
I won't survive like this.
"I need a job," I muttered. "But how the hell am I supposed to get one?"
A name surfaced in my mind.
"…Nannie."
Turning around, I headed back toward the clinic at a quicker pace.
When I reached it, I pushed the door open slowly.
Inside, Nannie was tending to a man sprawled on a chair, blood staining his clothes.
The wound looked deep ugly. My stomach twisted, but I forced myself not to look away.
"Oh," Nannie said without turning around.
"You came back. Need something?"
"Uh… yeah," I said. "I need a job."
That finally made him look at me.
"A job?" He studied me for a moment. "I can help you find one. But it'll take time. Days.
Weeks. Maybe months."
As he spoke, he finished bandaging the man, then casually handed him a thick stack of cash. The guy left without even glancing at me.
Nannie sighed, counting his money before looking back up. "Until then, I'll take care of you. You'll pay me back."
I nodded immediately. "I will. I promise."
"Then start training," he said bluntly. "Become a Fixer. Unless you want a job that chews you up twenty-four seven and leaves you dead before payday."
His words stuck with me.
He's investing in me.
That realization hit harder than hunger ever could.
I clenched my fists.
Then I won't let you down.
Not in this city.
Not in this world.