Amara stood outside the grand entrance of the inner city temple, taking a deep breath as she steadied her nerves. The sprawling metropolis before her pulsed with a kind of vibrant energy she had never seen in the mortal world. She had made her choice—she was going to stay, work, and learn in the underworld. If things didn't pan out, she could always reincarnate and try to amass enough merit to become an immortal.
"Your Excellency," Amara said with a respectful bow to the judge, "I wish to stay, work, and practice here."
The judge, nodding in approval, signaled to a ghost officer to guide her into the inner city.
As Amara stepped through the gates, she was immediately struck by the contrast between the outer and inner cities. The outer city was a wild and chaotic place filled with restless souls, some muttering in strange languages, others wandering aimlessly. But the inner city—it was a revelation. Towering skyscrapers kissed the skies, their glass facades reflecting an otherworldly glow. Wide avenues bustled with life; shops sold everything from exotic fruits to shimmering robes, and the streets were filled with the hum of vehicles. Amara marveled as cars, swords, and even flying carpets zipped overhead, crisscrossing the sky in a dizzying display of magical technology.
"This is… unbelievable," Amara murmured, eyes wide with wonder. "It's like something straight out of a movie."
The ghost officer beside her chuckled, a proud smile spreading across his translucent face. "Told you, didn't I? The inner city is a world of its own."
Amara nodded, taking it all in—the gleaming skyscrapers, the busy marketplaces, and the occasional glimpse of a celestial being gliding past. She could already feel her excitement bubbling over. "I never imagined the underworld would be like this. It's incredible! I think I might never want to leave."
"Come on," the ghost said, gesturing toward a towering building that loomed ahead like a modern palace. "Let's get you to the employment office. We'll see what kind of job suits you."
The building was a colossal structure, over a hundred stories high, with sleek, reflective glass that seemed to stretch endlessly upwards. Amara craned her neck, trying to see the top, but it disappeared into a haze of glowing lights and swirling fog.
"Sir Ghost, has the inner city always been this advanced?" Amara asked, her curiosity piqued by the futuristic landscape around her.
"Not exactly," the ghost replied thoughtfully. "It depends on who's ruling. The current King of Yamalok hails from the interstellar era, so the city has taken on a style reflecting his taste. Every ruler brings something new."
"Wow," Amara said, awe-struck. "So the King of Yamalok really is something, huh?"
"Indeed," the ghost officer replied, leading her inside. They stopped in front of a large, suspended touch screen that glowed softly in the dim light. "Now, let's see what job matches your preferences."
Amara stared at the screen, her fingers itching to explore. The ghost officer looked at her and asked, "What kind of job are you interested in?"
Amara hesitated, thinking it over. "Well, what's your job like?"
"I'm a soul-collector," the ghost explained, "a sort of receptionist for newly arrived souls. I guide them to their assignments or to reincarnation. It's pretty straightforward—good food, decent lodging, and a merit of one thousand per month. The only downside is, it's a bit busy."
"That sounds nice, but... is there anything with more flexible hours?" Amara asked, wincing a bit at her own words. "I've never been good with strict schedules."
The ghost made a few quick swipes on the screen, browsing through the options. "How about the Ministry of Destiny Changing?" he suggested. "It's essentially freelance work. You'd travel between different worlds to complete tasks thus also called Quick-Travel Department. It's pretty flexible; you just need to finish at least five assignments a month. No base salary, but you do get free food and lodging."
Amara's interest piqued. "Traveling between worlds sounds... amazing! But is there a catch?"
"Well," the ghost said, tapping his chin, "you do interact with a lot of different worlds and beings. Some souls get overwhelmed and struggle to keep their emotions in check after so many missions. It can get pretty intense."
Amara's brow furrowed in thought. "Intense how?"
"Sometimes, it's hard to separate yourself from the lives you live during these missions. A few ghosts end up a little... unstable. But if you drink the love-removing potion after each mission, it helps keep your emotions in check. I've been doing this for 2,000 years, and I'm still alright," he added with a wink.
Amara let out a relieved laugh. "You're pretty funny, Sir Ghost. What should I call you , Sir?"
"Ryan Carter, at your service," he said with a mock bow. "And yeah, call me Ryan."
"Alright, Ryan, I've decided. I'll take the job with the Ministry of Destiny Changing!"
"Great choice! Let's get you over to the Human Resources Department to finalize everything."
The HR process was surprisingly efficient. After a few formalities, Amara was handed a sleek, glass-like device that fit comfortably in her palm. "This is your personal smart butler terminal," the HR representative, Chen Ling, explained. "You can manage all your tasks, track your merits, and even handle personal affairs from this terminal."
As Chen Ling led her to her new home—a small, modern villa in Unit 8—Amara couldn't believe her luck. The villa was pristine, equipped with all the modern amenities she could wish for: automated cleaning, a sleek kitchen, and an impressive view of the shimmering cityscape. She felt a rush of excitement; it was like moving into a luxury apartment in the mortal world.
Amara scanned through her terminal, her curiosity piqued. Her profile details flashed up on the screen:
- **Name:** Amara
- **Gender:** Female (modifiable for tasks)
- **Current Merit:** 8,000
- **Others:** To be updated...
Amara's fingers danced across the screen, scrolling through the forum, her eyes widening with each new topic. Discussions ranged from philosophical debates on the nature of karma to hilarious accounts of newbie ghost-catchers encountering particularly stubborn souls. A thread titled "Top 10 Must-Have Items for Newcomers" caught her eye. Clicking on it, she delved into the lively exchange, a mix of warnings, recommendations, and witty anecdotes. A mischievous grin spread across her face as she read about a ghost who swore by a portable karaoke machine as a stress reliever.
The pang of hunger snapped her out of her online exploration. Stepping out of her villa, was greeted by the aroma of spices and sizzling meat. Her stomach rumbled in agreement. Following the enticing scent, she found herself in a brightly lit cafeteria bustling with ghosts. It was a cozy, self-service place with a variety of dishes, each steaming under warm lights. Amara filled her plate with fragrant rice, spiced vegetables, and a bowl of soup that smelled faintly of coconut and herbs.
Timidly, she approached a table occupied by a girl with a friendly smile and kind eyes.
"Excuse me, can I join you?" Amara asked, her voice barely a whisper.
The girl looked up from her terminal, her smile widening. "Of course. Please, sit." Her voice was soft and melodic.
"Thank you," Amara replied, taking a seat opposite her. "I'm Amara, new here."
"Qin Yuanyuan," the girl replied, extending a hand.
Amara shook her hands . Then she took a sip of her soup, savoring the rich, creamy flavor. "I just joined the Ministry of Destiny Changing. It sounded flexible, and, well, I like the idea of managing my own time."
Qin Yuanyuan nodded approvingly. "Good choice! I'm with the business department. It's steady work, but honestly, sometimes I wish I had a bit more excitement, like you."
They chatted for a while, exchanging stories and tips. Amara learned that Qin Yuanyuan had been in the underworld for about fifty years and had seen her fair share of oddities. "Just remember," Qin Yuanyuan said, her tone turning serious for a moment, "don't let the missions get to you. A lot of newbies get too wrapped up in the lives they're sent to fix."
Amara nodded, filing the advice away. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. It's nice to meet someone who's been around the block."
"Same here!" Qin Yuanyuan laughed, and they exchanged terminal details before parting ways.
Back in her villa, Amara eagerly browsed the mall on her terminal, her excitement growing as she stumbled upon the section for storage rings. Her mind instantly filled with visions of herself as a protagonist from her favorite farming novels, hauling around entire farms and spiritual springs in a magical pocket dimension. But when she tapped on the details, her face fell.
"Oh god, why am I so poor?" she groaned, staring at the prices in disbelief. A basic 10-square-meter storage space was a whopping 1,000 merits. Amara's eyes darted to the next option: 100 square meters for 15,000 merits. She felt her head throb just counting the zeros. And the ultimate dream—those expansive spaces with spiritual springs, perfect for farming and hunting—those prices were beyond astronomical.
"You've got to be kidding me," she muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose as if that might stave off the headache forming behind her eyes. She could almost hear the mocking laugh of the universe as she realized her current 8,000 merits wouldn't even cover the smallest ring, let alone the larger, more extravagant ones.
Amara slumped back in her chair, staring at the sleek, glowing screen in frustration. "I guess I'll just have to make do without for now," she thought with a sigh. "Maybe after a few successful missions… but not today."
With one last wistful glance at the dazzling array of storage spaces, she reluctantly closed the terminal. The sting of being unable to splurge on her fantasy loomed, but she knew better than to drain her merits on something she couldn't quite afford yet. Patience, she told herself. First, earn the merits—then she could think about living her best heroine life.