Yamaguchi Corporation

A line was visible in front of the Yamaguchi Corporation office building, a construction company handling most projects outside the Enzo city area. Despite the heavy workload and significant risks of being a construction worker, there were still some interested individuals.

Most of them were people who had become desperate and couldn't find any other employment. For them, rather than dying of hunger, it was better to take the risk and work as construction workers outside the city.

The line continued, until it was finally Ren's turn.

"Hm?" The woman working as the worker recruitment officer was slightly surprised to see Ren, who was still a child. She then adjusted her expression after a moment. Indeed, occasionally there were teenagers and children attempting to work as construction workers.

"This is our employment contract, and this is the approval letter."

Ren then looked at the employment contract. It mentioned that the worker's salary was monthly, amounting to 2000 yon, to be paid at the end of each month. If the worker died before the end of that month, the salary for that month would be canceled. Additionally, the company had the right to deduct up to 65% of the worker's salary if the worker did not perform well.

As for the approval letter, it contained the worker's consent to undertake the job with an awareness of the existing risks. The worker also agreed to the absence of compensation for the worker's death.

Ren signed the contract and approval letter easily. He didn't care about compensation, and besides, he had no family. As for the salary deduction, it would only be done if Ren couldn't perform his job well. However, as a genomancer, he believed that his physical abilities were sufficient for this demanding job.

"Please take this, it's your worker ID card, please keep it safe. After this, please gather in front of Arakawa station."

Ren took the worker ID card from the recruiter's hand. He then headed to the nearby Arakawa station.

There weren't many people at the station. As all the essential things were inside the city and the outside was dangerous, very few people traveled outside the city unless there was an urgent need.

On the other hand, some slain monster corpses were being transported into the city by train. The train also served to deliver various food supplies for those living outside the city and the genomancers hunting monsters outside the city.

Therefore, it was quite easy for Ren to locate the group of construction workers.

As Ren walked, someone tapped his shoulder. He turned around and saw the person.

"This is the first time I've seen someone younger than me choosing to work as a construction worker. I'm Kiyoshi, what's your name?"

"My name is Ren, Ren Kanazawa," Ren answered Kiyoshi's question, a teenager who also applied for a job at Yamaguchi Corporation as a construction worker.

"I'm 15 years old, how about you?"

"12 years old."

"You're still very young! Are your parents sick? Why did you choose to work here?" Kiyoshi asked enthusiastically.

Ren felt uncomfortable with Kiyoshi, but he still answered his question.

"My parents have passed away, and I've been living alone for quite some time."

"Ah... I'm sorry for asking that question earlier," Kiyoshi apologized.

Ren shook his head and replied, "It's okay, I'm used to it."

"Then, what did you do before?"

"I worked as a garbage collector in Komorebi Kuyo."

Komorebi Kuyo, Kiyoshi had heard that it was a gathering place for the homeless. The living conditions there were also very depressing. Thinking about it, Kiyoshi could imagine how tough Ren's life must have been. Eventually, Kiyoshi decided not to pursue further questions.

Seeing Kiyoshi silent, Ren decided to ask in return, "How about you? Why did you choose to work here?"

Kiyoshi sighed and said, "My father had an accident; he couldn't walk and struggled to find a job. As the eldest child, it was my duty to bear the family burden and find work. Unfortunately, only this place provides a decent salary. Although it's risky, what else can I do."

"The train is about to depart! Get in!"

Hearing this shout, Ren and Kiyoshi immediately ran. The two of them then jostled with others to get into the train carriage. Inside the train carriage, there were no seats, only dirty fur carpets. The carriage was also quite cramped and had an unpleasant odor.

"Hey, follow me," Kiyoshi whispered to Ren.

Ren then followed Kiyoshi to the back of the carriage. They found a place at the rear of the carriage near the window on the left side. They then sat on the carpet, leaning against their backs.

The train carriage vibrated, and a few moments later, the train finally moved forward, leaving Arakawa station.

While they were enjoying the scenery outside the train, an elderly man arrived to disturb Ren and Kiyoshi.

"What are you naughty kids doing here? That's my seat; I've been sitting in it every session, move away," the old man scolded Ren and Kiyoshi.

"You liar, I sat here last month! Don't try to deceive me, old man," Kiyoshi retorted rudely.

"What did you say? Do you want me to hit you? Get out of there, you brat!" The old man was angry; he then lifted his leg, intending to kick Ren sitting in front of him.

Kiyoshi warned Ren, "Watch out, Ren!"

Ren activated some of his strength; he then caught the kick with his hand, lifted his leg, and kicked the old man's stomach.

The old man winced in pain, but he also glared angrily at Ren. He then clenched his fists and swung them. Unfortunately, Ren easily caught the punch, pulled the old man's body, and slapped his cheeks back and forth before finally punching his jaw.

The old man was thrown backward and fell unconscious. People in the carriage stared at Ren in surprise. They had never seen children as strong as Ren. No one helped the old man; they only whispered and talked about it.

At that moment, someone from the front carriage opened the connecting door between carriages. The person then looked toward the occupants and asked, "Who caused the disturbance earlier? Stand up quickly!"

Finally, Ren, Kiyoshi, and the old man were thrown to the rearmost gate, which was inhabited by sheep and cows, as a punishment for causing a commotion.

"I apologize; because of me, we have to spend time here. If only we had given in earlier, maybe this wouldn't have happened," Kiyoshi said with a regretful expression.

"It's not your fault; it's the old man's fault. If you're guilty, then I am too," Ren replied.

Kiyoshi chuckled softly, "Hahaha, you're right. By the way, I didn't expect you to be so good at fighting."

"I'm used to fighting; Komorebi Kuyo is not a peaceful place."