POV: ???
Welcome to Earth 888,
It's been a wild seven years since I woke up in this parallel world. Right now, I'm grinding away in a workshop, hustling to make some cash so I can survive in this crazy place. Yep, this world is like no other, a world turned upside down by creatures that evolved overnight. We still don't know why, but that's not the real problem.
The real deal is that this world has S.A.M.S. - Super Armored Mobile Suits, or in plain English, freakin' mechas!
Oh yeah, mechas! And I'm not talking about some puny exo-armor. Nope, not even close. A S.A.M.S. could be as big as a ten-story apartment building, or even larger. But so far, I haven't seen anything bigger than that.
Equipped with modern technology like missile launchers, machine guns... Surprisingly, they also use swords, spears, for close combat. I'm not into close combat; I prefer guns, "da, da, da." I also noticed that laser weapons weren't present yet.
But that wouldn't be long; the S.A.M.S. were improving technologically year by year with features like anti-gravity modules for gliding, fuel solutions, and many more.
But compared to my old world... Pff, I don't even want to talk about that. Those gunpla or mecha were all tiny in comparison. But now, not only are they bigger, but we can also design them ourselves and pilot them.
From what I've gathered working so far in this workshop, to become a designer and pilot, you have to go through the MSC, or Mobile Suit Corps. They issue licenses to pilots and designers to prove their worth. Without it, you'd be labeled a "Black Designer" or a "Black Pilot," which means working without recognition from the MSC.
There are several ranks available, from Bronze, moving up to Silver, and all the way to Legendary. Ten ranks separate Bronze from Legendary, and these ranks apply to both designers and pilots.
"Haaa, I'm truly in my world now... f*ck my old world!" I say to myself.
Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice the man approaching me with his paper fan. Suddenly, he raised it and struck me with a sharp blow.
*Bonk*
"Stop daydreaming, Tatsumi!" he scolded, his tone laced with impatience. "We still have a ton of work to do! By the way, the young girl is back," he added, his voice carrying a hint of urgency, before turning on his heel and heading back to his tasks.
"Urgh! This girl again..." I muttered, making my way toward the workshop's entrance. There stood a young girl with jet-black hair, a stark contrast to my own white locks. Her eyes were blood-red, unlike mine, which were as blue as the moonlight.
It was Emi, my so-called twin sister.
As I approached her, she lifted her head, and our eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. But I decided to break the silence first. "Miss Emi, what are you looking for today?" I asked politely.
Emi broke the silence, her gaze unwavering. "You still haven't answered my proposition," she said.
"What proposition?" I replied, feigning ignorance.
" Tatsumi .... " she responded with a sly smile. "As I was saying previously , our family, the Klein family, offers to pay for your schooling."
I raised an eyebrow and asked, "And what do they want in return?"
Emi simply replied, "Nothing..."
I sighed, shaking my head. "Not again, sister. How many times do I have to tell you? Nothing is free in this world. Go back to you family, Emi. I'd rather be on my own."
With that, I turned back to my work, leaving Emi standing there, her offer rejected once more. As I walked back to my workstation, my co-worker Chris chimed in, "Family problem?"
Turning my head, I replied, "Mind your own business, Chris. Or should I mention the little escapade you had last night with you-know-who..."
Chris chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, alright, your family stuff is your business. But hey, you know I can't resist a good mystery. Anyway, back to work!" He winked and got back to his own tasks, leaving me to my thoughts and the hum of the workshop.
With a sigh, I tapped on my holographic bracelet, summoning a holographic panel. After checking my bank account, I had a total of 10,000 SC saved up since I started working in the workshop.
Knowing that a full year of tuition cost 9,000 SC, it left me with only 1,000 SC for survival. Thankfully, the boss had shown some mercy and allowed me to stay in the workers' dormitory for free, which was conveniently located just a 20-minute walk from my academy.'The Hunter Academy,' the best school of the city where classes would start in 2 months.
"9,000 SC is still a hefty sum for an average family" I thought. Even my colleagues asked me why I didn't choose a cheaper school. I always replied, "Subete wa watashi no yume no tame ni = all for my dream."
They were right; I could have opted for a cheaper school, but... the knowledge I could gain there would be far more than a average school . The more knowledge I acquired, the closer I would be to my dream. As a wise sage once said, "Knowledge is the source of power for all creation."
"I need to be strong..." I murmured as I gazed at all the SAMS being repaired or customized.
But suddenly, the chief's voice broke me free from my thoughts. "AGAIN, TATSUMI, STOP DAYDREAMING!!! THE WORK WON'T BE DONE ALONE!! GO BACK TO WORK!" he bellowed.
I snapped back to attention, quickly acknowledging the chief's order. "Yes, Chief! Right away!" I said, determined to focus on my tasks and push my daydreams aside.
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POV Eliana
Hello everyone, my name is Eliana, 20 years old, still single. I work at the largest library in the city, "Hope City." I'm feeling content right now with my work... Or maybe not.
"YOU THERE, LIBRARIAN!!! HAND OVER ALL THE CASH YOU'VE GOT, OR ELSE..." said a hooded figure in front of me, pointing a gun at a regular library customer.
(Honestly, how audacious can someone be? Why rob a library when the bank is right next door...) Eliana thought as she headed toward the cash register containing a small amount of cash.
"HURRY UP!!!" shouted his accomplice, who was keeping watch by the door.
The tension was palpable, with any wrong move from either my customers or me potentially triggering the robbers to open fire. But then...
*Greee*
Someone rose from their chair, I recognized him. It was the young man who often came in the evenings to read books about those S.A.M.S. That was all he ever read, never touching other literature like history or fiction.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!" shouted the robber in front of me, aiming the gun at the young man.
Surprisingly, the young man showed no fear and calmly walked toward me, holding a book titled "S.A.M.S. Pilot Basics" in his hand.
"STOP WHERE YOU ARE OR I SHOOT!!!" he barked, his voice quivering with a mix of frustration and fear.
The young man remained unfazed, proceeding with unhurried steps. As he reached me, his demeanor was nonchalant, and he quipped "Mmph, you haven't even bothered to remove the safety on your gun. How do you plan on shooting me like that?" His voice dripped with condescension, a sly smile playing on his lips.
The frustrated robbers exchanged glances, their composure slipping as they realized the young man's audacity. The one holding the gun stuttered, "Sh-shut up and... and give us the money!" He was clearly flustered by the unexpected turn of events.
he was maintained his calm demeanor, unfazed by the robbers' threats. With a hint of annoyance, he simply said, "Just get out." His confidence seemed to unnerve the robbers even more, and they exchanged another uncertain glance.
The robbers began to grow increasingly agitated. They fumbled with their weapons, removing the safety and aiming at the young man. One of them sneered, "You are dead." The situation was escalating, and tension hung in the air like a heavy cloud.
He turned around, exhaled audibly, and with a hint of annoyance in his voice, he exclaimed, "Not only do you have the audacity to rob a library, a place dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, but you also dare to interrupt me in the midst of my reading... SAMS hold a special place in my heart, you know!" He then swung his book at one of the robbers, frustration evident on his face.
Witnessing his partner being attacked, the other robber grew increasingly agitated. He aimed his weapon at the young man, his frustration boiling over, and shouted, "You are dead!" before pulling the trigger. However, his shot missed the mark, adding to the chaos that had erupted in the library.