As the van rolled away, Rin stood quietly at the edge of Kareth City. The flickering streetlights and passing crowds barely registered in his mind.
"Damn… I should've asked them to take me along again," he muttered, realizing he hadn't gotten their contact info.
Then he sighed. What was I thinking? I don't even have a comms bracelet.
Shaking his head, he tightened his grip on the small pouch of gold in his pocket.
"Let's get things sorted first."
The grand structure of the Kareth Beast Association stood tall in the city center. Rin stepped inside, drawing curious glances from people in proper gear. His worn clothes and the small rat nestled on his shoulder marked him as someone far below their station.
"Welcome to the Beast Association," a receptionist greeted him warmly. "How may I assist you?"
"I need cheap beginner equipment. Used or new — doesn't matter."
She pointed him toward the equipment wing.
Inside, Rin met a thick-armed quartermaster sorting gear behind a counter.
"Kid, how much you got?"
"Twenty gold."
The man grunted and rummaged through a battered pile before slapping down a worn leather chestplate."It's seen its share of battles, but it'll hold. Twenty gold."
Rin looked at it, nodded once, and handed over the coins.
He then revealed the small, injured rat-like beast on his shoulder.
"I need medicine for him."
The man gave the creature a quick glance."Basic beast healing potion. Ten gold."
"Done."
Rin accepted the potion and tucked it into his bag.
"You'll also want beast feed," the man added. "Otherwise, it won't survive long."
Rin winced slightly but nodded again."How much?"
"Ten gold for a small pack. Enough for a week."
That left him with 10 gold.
He left the wing and found a nearby tech booth where he picked up a used comms bracelet."Ten gold," the vendor said, strapping it on for him.
With only 1 gold left, Rin stopped at a secondhand clothing stall and bought himself a clean shirt, pants, and used shoes.
Finally, he made his way back home — to the slums. As he walked through the crumbling streets, the rat gently squeaked from his shoulder.
Back at his small apartment, the air was filled with the familiar weak aroma of watery soup. His mother looked up from the stove, surprised by his change in appearance.
He stepped forward and handed her 9 gold coins.
"For Lia's medicine," he said softly. "And get some groceries too."
She stared at the coins in disbelief."Rin… where did you—?"
"I'll tell you everything soon," he said, smiling faintly. "Just… believe me. The good days are finally coming."