The slum is the measure of civilization.
The inhabitants of slums live in slums not because they want it, but because they couldn't live in the City. They couldn't afford it.
Pablo knew such things as he had seen all sides of life back on Earth.
So he told Cupid that Cities have more evil than the slums and Cupid just shrugged her shoulders.
"We'll see soon enough. And also you can test your Ego in the City." She said.
"Yeah. I can do that. But how do I get to know if I am Eighteen years old or not?"
Void or Pablo was seventeen years old right now, he knew that from his memories but he had no way of knowing when he would turn eighteen.
"I got that part covered." Cupid spoke and came floating at Pablo's left side.
"Tell me then." Pablo asked.
"I have all the information about this Kid. His age and all. And you will be happy to know that the date and time system of Seraphim is nearly the same as Earth." Cupid revealed.
"Really? Like twelve months and twenty four hours?"
"Yes. But here, all twelve months have thirty days. The names of the months are the same and the clocks are the same as well. The Gods liked this system of Earth so they implemented it here as well."
"That's good. Anyway, I wanted to ask this for a while now, can you create a status window or something so that I can see my information and all? Like a system? Is it possible?"
"What are you even talking about?" Cupid had no clue.
Pablo sighed. "It's a thing. It helps people to know information about themselves. They just say 'status' and their info appears."
"Oh. I will ask Goddess Alfida about it."
"You can talk to her while being here?"
"Of course. She created me. I can talk with my mind. And this diary tells everything to all the other Gods as well."
"That's good. Tell her to make me a system. Even if it's not something overpowered. Just a basic one will suffice."
Cupid nodded. "Will do."
Pablo returned the nod and asked, "For now, just tell me when I am going to turn Eighteen."
"Tomorrow, in the morning. This boy was born on 13th August as well. Just like you. You both share the same birthday."
"I couldn't care less about birthdays but it's a relief that I can get my Ego tomorrow. I don't want to stay weak."
Cupid said nothing but she remained walking at Pablo's left side.
Pablo also didn't speak as they both kept walking straight, expecting to find the exit of the slum area.
"Let it go, you bitch!" A shout came from Pablo's left side.
He and Cupid both looked at the direction of the voice.
"I said it's mine. I saw it first." The voice came again and Pablo and Cupid finally saw the source.
A man was holding a cat in his hands and they were… fighting.
"Is he really fighting with a cat?" Cupid asked.
Pablo quivered his brows. "That he is. And somehow, he is losing as well."
They were in an area covered with garbage and other stinking substances. It was just like the place where Pablo found food earlier.
The man looked like the same age as Pablo and he and the cat were really fighting.
The cat scratched the man's face and the man returned that scratch with a punch.
The cat wasn't harmed by that punch and it used its claw to scratch the man's face again.
Pablo and Cupid both watched the fight and they also saw the cat had a fish grabbed by its mouth.
The cat used its claws continuously and by that, the man's hold became weaker and the cat was free from his hold.
Then, the cat didn't wait for anything and fled from the scene, leaving the man with battle scars.
The man fell on his knees and dropped down his head. It was clear, he was heartbroken.
"Um… Can we ignore what we just saw?" Cupid said. She had no other words to say other than that.
"I wish we could. But every man is fighting their own fight. Even if it's with a cat." Pablo shared his views and his voice was heard clearly in the silent surroundings.
As a result, the man heard Pablo as well. He jerked his head in Pablo's direction.
"Who's there?" He said, being fully serious.
It was dark so they couldn't see each other clearly but their voices could be heard loud and clear.
So Pablo gave a reply.
"Just a passerby. You carry on. I'll be on my way." He said and started walking again. But…
"Wait." The man shouted.
Pablo let out a tired sigh but stopped.
"What?" He asked.
Step!
Step!
Sound of footsteps came and Pablo reckoned that the man was coming towards him.
Pablo also turned his body around to face the man.
Then finally, under the moonlight, the two men met each other.
The man looked serious as he maintained Eye contact with Pablo.
"A passerby huh. Are you not scared to roam in the night?" The man said, eyeing Pablo up and down.
Pablo saw the man's face. "Before worrying about me, you should know that one of your eyebrows is missing."
"Pfft.." Cupid laughed as the man was really missing an entire eyebrow of his left eye.
All the seriousness the man was trying to depict vanished because of a missing eyebrow.
"I know. That cat roughed me pretty bad. But that isn't important right now." The man was still serious.
Pablo sighed. "What do you want? I don't have all day. And you can stop being tough. If you were that manly, you wouldn't be fighting with a cat."
"I-I see. Haha. You are one sharp man. Good." The man laughed it off and sweat appeared on his forehead as well.
Pablo squinted his eyes and this time, he eyed the man up and down.
He was wearing the same type of clothes as Pablo, that is, ragged and torn. His hands and hairs were dirty and so was his face. By this, Pablo figured the man was also a resident of this slum, Desper.
"So? What do you want?" Pablo asked one more time.
"Um. If you don't mind.." The man wiggled his body, averted his eyes from Pablo and he was about to do more things but Pablo spoke :
"Stop that. You are not cute."
"Er. Fine. Do you have something to eat? I am kinda hungry for five days now." The man finally said what he wanted.
"I knew it. Sorry, man. I have nothing. I am the same as you. Though, five days is a lot of time to go without food." Pablo replied right away. He had a feeling the man would ask for food.
"Too bad. Where are you going though? And what's your name?" The man asked some questions.
"My name isn't important and I am just going to the City. Now get lost." Pablo ignored the man and started his walk again.
"You are going to the City by foot?" The man asked from behind.
"Yes?" Pablo looked over his shoulder. "Is something wrong about that?"
"Something wrong? Everything is wrong with that! The city is one hundred and fifty kilometers away from here. It will take you days to reach the city by walking."
"Oh. But I have no choice other than walking. Later." Pablo waved his hand and started his walk again.
The man shook his head and walked towards Pablo.
He reached near Pablo but he arrived in front of him.
His back faced Pablo as he bent down in front of him.
Pablo frowned, not really sure what the man was trying to do. But before he could say something, the man spoke first. He said :
"Hop on."