Entering Shunri Paradise Again

The revelation left Atrixus reeling, the unfairness of it all burning in his chest like acid.

The disparity between the promised sum and the actual payout was staggering, a cruel reminder of the exploitation rampant among those who dared venture into Shunri Paradise without the backing of a faction or significant resources.

Disgusted yet powerless to rectify the situation, Atrixus bid Jael farewell, the weight of his circumstances bearing down on him with renewed intensity.

With no other options in sight, he made his way to a nearby construction site, where he had secured work that paid 30 runis an hour—a paltry sum in the grand scheme of things but necessary for survival.

As the day progressed, Atrixus threw himself into labor, his body moving on autopilot as his mind raced with plans and calculations, searching for a way out of the financial mire that threatened to consume him.

"Be careful and make sure you work well today. Rujin Constructions' daughter is visiting for an inspection. I don't want any loose ends, or there will be consequences," Chief Darkin said to the workers as they arrived for their shifts, Atrixus included.

"Yes, Chief!" They all chanted in unison before heading towards their various workstations.

And so the day started like any other at the construction site, with Atrixus Timothy dedicating himself to the physically demanding work that had become his temporary means of survival.

The construction site was a hive of activity as the air was filled with the sound of machinery and shouts of commands from the foremen at work.

Atrixus was working on a lower level that day. The chief usually didn't allow him to climb high because of his age and for safety measures. However, on that day, he let him work on even lower levels.

For hours, Atrixus carried construction materials back and forth. Joining the other middle-aged men in merging certain parts and flooring some areas.

Despite the heavy lifting, his energy was on another scale. He realized just how much easier it had become for him to lift things.

Atrixus would occasionally carry items weighing over a hundred kilos at once, stunning the other workers.

"Kids these days, right?"

"Filled with so much energy."

"Makes me wish I was young again."

Occasional comments like that were heard in the background whenever he walked past.

Atrixus decided to take a brief respite, stepping away for a bathroom break. He had been working diligently the past few hours, so he wasn't denied that.

After he was done, he stepped out of the bathroom.

As he made his way back to the construction zone, the ground beneath him trembled, an ominous precursor to chaos.

"Huh?" Atrixus mumbled as he paused.

A section of the site, weakened by structural compromises, gave way, sending debris cascading toward the ground. The ensuing destruction seemed to unfold in slow motion, a terrifying spectacle of disintegrating materials and the inexorable pull of gravity.

Amid the panic, a figure stood frozen in the path of the descending debris—Elara, the daughter of the construction site owner.

She was known for her rare visits to oversee the progress of her father's ventures. Her beauty and elegance, a stark contrast to the grit and grime of the construction environment.

Dressed in a red, professional attire that highlighted her refined features, Elara's appearance on the site was as striking as it was ill-timed.

"She's gonna get crushed,"

Atrixus's eyes locked onto Elara, and without a moment's hesitation, his instincts, honed by his experiences in Shunri Paradise, propelled him forward.

Fwwhoosshh~

With a burst of speed that belied his seemingly ordinary stature, he reached her just as the debris threatened to engulf her figure.

In a swift, fluid motion, he knocked her out of harm's way, the two of them tumbling to the ground in a tangle of limbs and breathless relief.

For a fleeting moment, as they lay atop each other amidst the dust and echoes of the collapse, an electric connection sparked between them.

Their eyes met, and in that brief exchange, a myriad of unspoken words passed between them. Elara's gaze, a mix of surprise and gratitude, lingered on Atrixus, her savior from the calamity that had nearly claimed her.

As they disentangled themselves, Elara, still reeling from the near-miss, found her voice.

"Thank you," she breathed, her composure returning as she assessed the young man before her.

"You saved my life. I promise you, you will be rewarded for this."

Atrixus, still processing the adrenaline-fueled moment, waved off her gratitude with a shy, albeit flustered, smile.

"There's no need for that," he insisted, his demeanor one of genuine humility.

"Just... glad I could help."

With the crisis averted and the site slowly regaining a semblance of order, Atrixus went back to work with his thoughts preoccupied with the incident and the unexpected praise from Elara.

Elara wasn't the only one who praised him. The other workers did as well, knowing that they would have been in a lot of trouble if anything had happened to her that day.

Soon enough, work ended for the day, and Atrixus got his pay.

After he left the construction site, Elara went searching for him but was informed of his departure.

As he made his way back to visit his mother in the hospital, the encounter lingered in his mind, a bright spot in the otherwise monotonous and grueling routine of his daily life.

Amidst the contemplation of his recent heroics, Atrixus found himself considering the practicalities of his situation.

The looming graduation from Sacred Heights High School was a milestone that held little significance against the varieties of his pressing responsibilities.

The idea of forgoing classes to work more hours, to capitalize on the opportunity to amass the funds desperately needed, became increasingly appealing.

With only two months left until graduation, Atrixus reasoned that the risk of academic failure was minimal. The curriculum had shifted away from mostly System Bearer-related topics to more conventional subjects, areas where he felt confident in his ability to catch up if necessary.

The decision to prioritize work over school, albeit a difficult one, was made with the understanding that extraordinary circumstances required extraordinary measures.

As the city lights flickered on, heralding the arrival of night, Atrixus's resolve solidified.

■■■

For the next four days, Atrixus Timothy threw himself into his work with a fervor that bordered on desperation.

Every hour spent on the construction site, every bead of sweat that dripped from his brow, was a testament to his singular goal: to amass the 1000 Runis needed to gain entry into Shunri Paradise once again. His dedication meant missing school, a decision not made lightly but deemed necessary under the circumstances.

Finally, with his hard-earned money clutched tightly in hand, Atrixus made his way to one of the Aigon Corporation's access points, his heart pounding with anticipation and anxiety.

The familiar procedure unfolded before him, albeit with two different Aigon staff members at that time.

Despite the déjà vu of the situation, Atrixus couldn't help but feel a surge of triumph as he handed over the 1000 Runis, the key to his passage back into the world that might hold the answers to his future.

Stepping into Shunri Paradise, Atrixus found himself in one of the green zones, markedly different from the one he had visited with his schoolmates.

This area was abuzz with activity, a thriving settlement where hundreds of System Bearers went about their business.

The small buildings, structured to resemble those on Earth, offered a semblance of normalcy in an otherwise alien environment. These accommodations, available for rent to the System Bearers who could afford them, provided a temporary respite from the dangers lurking beyond the green zone's relative safety.

Atrixus couldn't help but feel a pang of longing as he observed the settlement. The green zone was not just a place of rest; it was a hub of transactions, a melting pot of cultures brought together by the shared experience of Shunri Paradise.

There, System Bearers traded stories, goods, and services, their lives interwoven by fate and necessity.

"Green zone number 36," Atrixus noted to himself, taking in the surroundings with wide eyes.

"So this is what a real System Bearer's life looks like." The realization struck him with a mix of awe and determination.

He understood that, despite his current inability to afford a room here, it was a world he was meant to be a part of.

As he moved through the bustling settlement, Atrixus couldn't help but marvel at the vibrant life that thrived within the green zone.

Stalls lined the makeshift streets, offering everything from exotic Shunri artifacts to everyday necessities. System Bearers of various ranks and abilities exhibited their armor and weapons, a vivid display of their adventures and encounters in the wilds of Shunri Paradise.

"Out of the way, plebeian!"