In this world, all monsters originate from legendary or mythological existences.
According to legend, one of these mysterious monsters, a giant wolf, created a mountain of ice and snow in the eastern reaches of the R Empire. This silver wolf of destruction and creation earned the name Volkov from the local tribes in respect for his heritage.
Once revered as the Silvan Wolf by countless tribes in the distant past. Its legacy and myth have sadly faded into oblivion, overshadowed by the rise of vampires, werewolves, and shapeshifters.
However, a prophecy remains to this day. It shall return.
****
"Haaa~ so tried."
Nikolai's voice echoed through the empty monorail. His eyes were half closed, and he was feeling the burn from his morning workout. He had nothing good to eat, so he bought a Creme Brulé cold brew on his way to the huge Scarlet Moon building.
'The cold always makes me feel restless and energetic.'
"Did you hear about the Chen family? I heard they ransacked the entire house and stole anything of value."
"Really? Two days ago, I saw their daughter wandering late at night, but she seemed different, a little violent and dressed like a prostitute."
"What is the world coming to..." Another man added, closing his newspaper and lifting his briefcase as the monorail stopped.
He couldn't help but listen to the small conversations around him. People were talking about mysterious disappearances and deaths in the slums and outskirts.
'I should be careful. Dad isn't able to fight like he used to.'
The slow sway of the monorail continued. People came and went while Nikolai tried to use his L20 to get information on the Scarlet Moon Group. He felt shocked that their mysterious CEO was the daughter of the owner and a genius at business.
'She's only a few years older than me; how embarrassing. I need to work harder.'
He could feel the looming pressure of judging his worth to this imaginary rival while the city's scent was cleaner.
Nikolai always felt the hint of garbage and blood lingering in this city, which was different from those he visited during his time in the army.
'I feel nervous suddenly.'
Adjusting his collar and clenching his sweaty fist, he no longer felt like drinking the sugary cold brew, so he placed it beside him. He now felt a sense of tightness in his chest.
Many doubts and negative feelings sank into his heart as he covered his face with his large palms, the sticky feeling making him feel disgusting.
[Welcome to the Central district - SL Central. Please depart. SL Central. Please depart!]
"Ah, It's my stop!"
In a rush, Nikolai felt the prickly heat on his cheeks and neck. The humid weather of SL City was a bane, and he seemed weak in the heat.
'Left at the seventh intersection from the monorail...'
Nikolai held the directions, which he printed on recycled paper from a cheap confectionary store in the slums. He struggled, but the size of the building made it easier.
"Haa, will the work be hard? Are they going to mock me for the third tier of education? Though I worked harder than any elite..."
His eyes gazed at the rich and well-dressed people moving around him as he approached the vast building, the feeling of fate looming over him.
Then he realised he still carried a cup of cold brew, and there were no bins! The moment he entered, he searched for someone to hand it to or ask about a bin.
However, the only person who seemed like staff was a blonde woman with a red jacket who stood at the welcome desk with a sharp look.
A tall, gentle woman beside her in a black suit was dealing with another person.
'Well, it can't help to ask her, right?'
"Hello, my name is Alex Goodman here to accept the interview for..."
"Ah, Mr. Goodman, please hand in your acceptance form and wait in the foyer."
Nikolai walked towards the woman, his eyes noting all the glamorous people in the waiting chairs; it seemed some were like him, interview candidates who spoke to the woman beside the girl in a red jacket.
'Well, she might be an apprentice or intern to wear something so gaudy to work.'
"Excuse me, but could you tell me where the closest bin is?" Nikolai asked in his deep voice. Louder than expected, causing the woman barely up to his chest to suddenly snap her neck up and look at him with sharp eyes.
"Hah? Why would I have to tell someone in a cheap suit like you that?"
'Cheap suit. Who is this arrogant woman? It cost me $500!'
"There's no need to react like a hysteric fool. Just tell me where the bin is. Though my suit is cheap, your jacket looks ridiculous."
Suddenly, the world became cold. Nikolai felt comfortable and pushed the cup into the girl's hand. Her crimson eyes stared at him with the most hateful glare. Yet before she could even speak, he turned away and gave a polite smile to the woman who had helped the previous person.
"Please, this is my acceptance form. Thank you very much."
'Hopefully, they teach her how to work in customer service before she gets hurt.'
The woman grasped the paper, her eyes wide with dilated pupils darting between Nikolai and the girl. Her lips seemed to tremble as if wanting to speak but unable to do so.
However, she took the document and pressed it onto the pile of interviewees without stopping.
****
Nikolai's broad back vanished into the sea of people while silence remained around the welcome desk and the staff, concealed, all frozen solid.
"Hand me his paper!"
A fierce yet beautiful voice, like a fallen angel, sounded from the girl's lips. Much different from before. She crushed the cup of cold brew and tossed it at the wall while snatching the paper from the poor woman who pulled it off the pile.
"Ah... how amusing you, you are, Nikolai Volkov?"
The beautiful girl's lips curled into a wicked smile, her eyes narrowing as she could see his figure from the crowd. Like a predator, she watched his every move.
Her smile twisted into an even darker shape when she noticed him wiping his sweat or looking nervous.
"Your Highness, should we cancel his interview?" The woman at the desk bowed and asked in a respectful voice.
"Forget it. I will interview him myself. The others can enjoy a fake interview with you."
"Your Highness!? But who will become your squire?" The shocked woman looked around. Many elites came to this building today to serve as the squire of the princess. Yet she knew her master didn't care about these flies. "It can't be!"
From the start, I knew that the one from the Volkov family would become my Squire.
"Isn't that a little petty?"
"Hmm? He mocked this jacket I designed personally!" The princess, with her twin tails floating with her movement, pointed towards Nikolai. Her fingers make a gun shape, and a hand on her hip.
A scene which may have looked adorable if she wasn't one of the most powerful women in the city.
"The foolish dog will regret crossing me, hmph!"