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The world has never been fair to everyone. People always seem to prioritize their own situations over others and see their needs as superior—whether it is their abilities, looks, or position in life, whether good or bad. That innate selfishness flows in the blood of every living being.
This was Leo's thought to himself, in a self-deprecating manner.
It had been another hectic day as he dragged along his flattened bicycle. Today would have been a disaster had his tires failed him while on duty.
Life had not been all sunshine and rainbows for him. Someone might think he had destroyed a kingdom in his past life because things always seemed to go from bad to worse. For a 14-year-old boy, he looked much older than his actual age. His striking good looks and chiseled features carried an air of premature maturity, as though time had sculpted him ahead of schedule. His features blended boyish charm with an unsettling glimpse of manhood, crowned with a distinct head of sky-blue hair.
Perhaps his appearance was a product of hardship or genetics, but either way, that wasn't his major concern at the moment.
Recounting the events of the day, he could only let out a sigh of relief. At least he had managed to meet his quota.
Today was the last day of the weekend, and he was currently working as a dispatch rider. His antique bicycle—one of the relics of the previous generation—was definitely not in line with current trends. It made his work much harder than it should have been. Those who lived in the capital used mana bikes, which ran on mana stones. Of course, such a luxury was beyond him, as his income couldn't possibly grant him access to one.
Looking at the current state of his street, Leo could tell how late it was without even checking his phone. The gentle rhythm of his steps, the rattling of his bicycle chains, and the distinct barking of stray dogs filled the night air. Just as he turned into an alleyway, he heard the faint whimper of someone.
At first, he ignored it. Cries like these weren't uncommon in his neighborhood.
Gibbs Hollow was one of the lower-tier districts managed by the Count Family of Gibbs. The poor societal maintenance of the area stemmed from the corrupt practices of nobles in the upper echelons of the empire. As a border town, it was surrounded by the Forbidden Wasteland, a desolate region perpetually shrouded in fog. The cause of the wasteland's existence was unknown, and its lack of resources meant it was often neglected by the empire.
The streets of Gibbs Hollow reflected this negligence. Garbage overflowed from waste bins that hadn't been cleared for months, stray dogs roamed freely, and the dim streetlights cast long shadows on the cracked, uneven pavement. It wasn't uncommon to find lifeless bodies abandoned in dark alleys—orphans, slaves, or the discarded remnants of people the world no longer found useful.
Securing his bicycle on a street pole, Leo entered the grocery store to buy his weekly provisions with the money he had earned.
"Good evening, Old Sam," Leo greeted the elderly man behind the counter.
"Hmph," Old Sam replied, leaning back in his rocking chair, puffing his long pipe as he stared at the night sky through the window.
Leo was used to this attitude, being a regular at the store. Without wasting time, he strolled around, picked up his essentials, and headed to the counter to pay.
Seeing this, Old Sam lazily stood from his seat, leaning on his black walking stick as he approached. Leo sighed.
"Do you really have to keep doing this?" Leo asked, exhaustion clear in his voice. His weariness wasn't just from the day's work but also from Old Sam's antics.
The old man chuckled. "Hehe. You know how boring it is around here. The same old scenery can be bad for an old man's mental health."
Old Sam wore a smug expression, clearly enjoying himself.
Leo could only pity anyone foolish enough to throw a tantrum at the store. Old Sam was notorious for his eccentric behavior. If someone disrespected him or tried to steal from the store, the consequences were dire. Despite his age—looking to be in his late sixties—Old Sam was a retired Delver.
Delvers were individuals who awakened extraordinary abilities and were graded from E-Rank to S-Rank. Rumors hinted at ranks even higher, but Leo didn't know much, being a high school student who had yet to receive his calling. Delvers used their abilities to explore tombs, ruins, and close dangerous portals.
No one knew Old Sam's exact rank, though even the local gang leaders—some of whom were D-Rank Delvers—never dared mess with him.
With two taps of his staff, the groceries Leo had picked floated into the air. Leo watched with fascination, as always. This was one of the reasons he frequented the store.
The items floated into Leo's shopping bag in an orderly fashion, and Old Sam smirked.
"Okay, time's up. The show's over," Old Sam said, tapping his staff again.
Suddenly, an invisible force lifted Leo off the ground.
"Wait! Old Sam! Not again!" Leo pleaded, but the old man ignored him.
With a flick of his staff, Leo was thrown out of the store, and the doors shut behind him.
"Damn it! That's not how you treat customers, you old bag of bones!" Leo grumbled.
Still, he wasn't surprised. Despite his many attempts to avoid these situations, he always failed. It was just another reminder of the gap between an ordinary person and a Delver.
Picking himself up, Leo noticed his groceries were still intact. As he inspected the contents, he found a note tucked into one of the bags.
"Took a little tip for the show. *Wink* – Your friendly neighbor, Old Sam."
Speechless, Leo sighed. Old Sam had a habit of deducting a "tip" from his money, and Leo still had no idea how he managed to do it. Since Leo didn't have an Empire Wallet account, it was baffling.
At least Old Sam's reputation offered him some protection. Nobody dared rob him. You could say life in the slums was a little easier for Leo, thanks to that connection.
Unlocking his bicycle, he started heading home. It was already late, and he had school the next day.
Unbeknownst to Leo, Old Sam watched him leave from the window.
"I hope this motivates you," Old Sam murmured, a mysterious glint in his eyes. "My time here is almost up."
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The barking of dogs continued in the distance as Leo pedaled down the dark street. A familiar whimper reached his ears, stopping him in his tracks.
Near an overflowing waste bin, Leo spotted a figure lying on the ground. The sound grew weaker with each moment.
Though it wasn't unusual to find dead bodies in Gibbs Hollow, this one was still breathing faintly. Setting his bike aside, Leo knelt to check the person's condition.
"Hey, wake up!" he called, but there was no response.
The figure was surprisingly light as he lifted them. Leo carried the unconscious person, groceries in tow, leaving his bicycle behind.
Reaching his apartment complex, a dilapidated seven-story building, Leo hurried to his flat on the second floor. Any higher, and the task would have been impossible.
Inside, he laid the figure on his bed and switched on the light. Finally, he saw their face.
"No way! It's a girl!"