Chapter 2: Home and Family
Chapter 2: Home and Family
After leaving the Sixth Cleanup Bureau with a sullen expression, Leon joined the long line in front of the First Cleaning Bureau, gazing at the dazzling new emblem on his virtual panel. As an unemployed youth, Leon couldn't help but heave a sigh.
Good news, I'm not only a 'bring-along,' but also a 'wearable.'
Bad news, this wearable doesn't seem to work properly, and occasionally, it even gives me strange DEBUFFs...
Staring at the pitch-black [Unemployed Youth] emblem and the -80% dating success rate, Leon slowly shuffled forward with the queue at the entrance of the Cleaning Bureau, his eyes shifting to the other two emblems in the 'equipped' state.
Accompanying him in this virtual panel were three emblem slots. In the middle slot, an emblem glowed with a subdued deep green, exuding a warm and gentle aura.
[Trustworthy Elder Brother (Bronze): Due to the early passing of your parents, you took on the responsibility of caring for your younger siblings at a young age. You are a dependable and reliable brother, deeply cherished by your siblings.]
[Equip Effect: When conversing with minors, they will easily trust you. When they are emotionally agitated, they are more likely to trigger the special state "Confide in You," revealing their inner troubles and secrets.]
[Upgrade Path: None]
[Hidden Trait: Inactive]
And beside this "Good Brother" emblem, there was another with a fiery red hue, almost dazzlingly brighter than the sun itself.
[Materialist Soul (Crimson·Unupgradable): As a staunch materialist, you firmly believe that matter is the foundation of objective existence. Spiritual and conscious phenomena are products of matter, and all incomprehensible things stem from an insufficiently accurate and profound understanding of the world.]
[Equip Effect: For comprehensible matters and knowledge, you can quickly familiarize yourself and master them. When using them, you gain additional effect boosts based on your understanding.
For incomprehensible matters and knowledge, by expanding the boundaries of your cognition, you immediately gain partial related information. When encountering them, you reduce the impact on yourself based on your understanding.]
[Upgrade Path: Already at the highest level, cannot be further upgraded.]
[Hidden Trait: Inactive]
"..."
The description made this unusual emblem seem impressive, but in reality, it was far from it.
This emblem only triggered once at the very beginning, helping him achieve a basic level of communication within three days, but then it seemed to disappear, never making a sound again.
However, despite the high trigger difficulty, the emblem's external effect was definitely not within the 'normal' range. He wondered if this situation qualified as the 'abnormality' the red-haired woman mentioned, which could be controlled. If so, perhaps he would be suitable for the Cleanup Bureau?
Leon couldn't help but turn around and glance in the direction of the Cleanup Bureau, then quickly shook his head, dispelling the absurd thought.
Don't be foolish. That's a 10% annual mortality rate!
Moreover, judging by the attitude of the officials, the Cleanup Bureau was not a department one could easily leave. Once you joined, you might be stuck there for life.
Leon was not yet seventeen, and if he had to work until sixty to retire, that would be over forty years. The mortality rate would likely soar to over 90%, making it almost certain he would die!
If he were alone, he might take the risk, but his family consisted of four members, two of them younger than his waist height. His older sister was only a year younger, but she had been sickly since birth due to their mother's illness during pregnancy. Additionally, she had inhaled a significant amount of alchemical fumes during a potion leak accident, resulting in persistent lung issues, rendering her unable to perform strenuous work.
Leon could take the risk himself, but if he died in the Cleanup Bureau, his family would likely work themselves to death, and the two younger ones would slowly starve to death. Not a single person in the family would survive!
"Damn it!"
As this thought crossed his mind, Leon lifted his head, gazing at the seemingly endless queue ahead, then clenched his teeth and spat on the finely carved green stone tiles beneath his feet.
"This fcked-up world!"
...
The dim sunlight filtered through the clouds, mixed with alchemical fumes, casting a gloomy glow on the dirty streets of the capital city. With each heavy step of a certain individual, the light was gradually trampled into darkness.
After waiting in line for over two hours and undergoing several rounds of inspections and interviews, the unemployed youth, Leon, unsurprisingly, faced rejection.
Even as Leon desperately clung to the last shreds of his dignity, grabbing the interviewer's sleeve and assuring them of his capability, he stopped short of kneeling and begging.
But upon seeing Leon's malnourished physique, noticeably thinner than his peers, the fat official in charge of the selection didn't bother to respond. He simply shoved Leon aside, moved on to the next applicant, pinched their arms and thighs, and then stamped a 'pass' seal on their chest.
Damn it!
Recalling the scene where he was treated like an animal, Leon habitually clenched his jaw, then forcefully expelled the pent-up frustration that lingered in his heart.
Even though he had been "here" for nearly three years, Leon still couldn't get used to this damned place.
In his previous life, he didn't achieve much, but his parents were both alive, and his family was harmonious. He had lived a peaceful half-life, and the biggest setback he faced was being scolded by his boss. But in the blink of an eye, he was thrown into this accursed world, where even the simplest act of surviving required him to struggle with all his might. Truly...
Forget it, instead of dwelling on these thoughts, he might as well think about where to find some work tomorrow to help support the family.
As he turned the corner, he saw Veteran Alley, where his family lived, and Leon stopped, rubbing his stiff face forcefully, finally managing to force a smile.
Maintaining the smile, Leon skillfully entered the poorly lit alley, quickly navigating through the cluttered and filthy old street in the darkness, heading towards the low-rise cottage in the southeast corner.
Just as he was about to knock on the door, the rusty iron gate, which was older than he was, suddenly opened, revealing a pale, graceful, and delicate face with a clear ill appearance.
"Brother."
The slender and frail girl called out to Leon, but before she could ask about his day, she saw her brother frown and scold her sternly.
"Haven't I told you multiple times not to open the door for just anyone?"
"I didn't open it for just anyone."
The scolded girl didn't get angry. As she took Leon's coat and gently patted it, she smiled and said,
"I recognize your footsteps. I only open the door when you come back."
"That's still not acceptable!"
Hearing the girl's words, a warm feeling stirred in Leon's heart despite his frustration, but he still scolded her sternly.
"Although this area isn't as chaotic as the slums in the outer city, there are still bad people around. What if you made a mistake?"
How could I make a mistake...
The slender girl sighed inwardly at Leon's words.
Even in the generally impoverished Veteran Alley, there weren't many people whose footsteps were as heavy as her brother's. Especially after the severe illness he endured three years ago, his steps had become even heavier. Even in her sleep, she could recognize his footsteps, which sounded as if he was carrying a thousand-pound burden.
However, although she was confident she wouldn't make a mistake, the girl didn't argue with Leon. Instead, she hung up his coat, then walked into the kitchen and brought out the still warm dinner.
When Leon, looking exhausted, sat down at the table and began to eat ravenously, she sat beside the wooden table with a limp leg, her pale, thin arms supporting her gaunt cheeks, her eyes softly gazing at Leon as he ate the simple stew.
It's so late, why aren't you resting and just watching me eat?
Feeling a bit uneasy under her gaze, Leon, who had been hungry all day, coughed dryly and said softly, "What about the kids? Are they asleep?"
"Uh-huh."
The slender girl nodded gently, her smile gentle as she tilted her chin.
"Just as the sun set, they were still arguing to wait for you to come back before sleeping, but soon they started rubbing their eyes. In the end, they fell asleep huddled together by the dining table, and I just carried them to the inner room to sleep."
"Next time, don't bother with them."
Seeing her pale, almost bloodless face, Leon couldn't help but shake his head.
"You're not well, and the kids have grown a lot these past two years. Next time, just let them fall asleep, and I'll cover them with a thin blanket when I come back so they don't catch a cold."
"Uh-huh."
The slender girl softly responded, still not arguing, only smiling and nodding, gently tilting her chin, directly accepting her brother's concern.
She obviously didn't listen...
Seeing her expression, Leon couldn't help but shake his head in exasperation.
For this delicate and stubborn sister, he usually had no methods, and seeing she wouldn't be persuaded, he didn't say anything more. After finishing the dinner silently, he hesitated and said,
"Today..."
"Today is very late."
Interrupting Leon, the slender girl spoke first,
"The Road Department is far, and you're so sting on the ticket money, you must have walked. If you have to go out tomorrow, you should rest now."
"..."
"Uh-huh."
Realizing his sister had already seen through his failed job search, Leon couldn't help but sighed, then frowned and said,
"It's my fault. If I could..."
"Brother!"
"Uh-huh, I won't say more."
Clenching his fists, he decided to work harder tomorrow, no matter what, and found a job. After clearing the table, he walked to his small room, tossing and turning in bed, he finally fell with a full heart of worries, fell into a restless sleep.
However, before dawn, the sound of a rattling cough and her siblings' hoarse and exhausted cries woke a cry,
"Brother! Wake up! Hurry up! Hurry up!"
(End of Chapter)
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