In the year 3300, with tech this advanced, paper cash isn’t really common anymore. But sometimes, paper’s way safer than virtual money...

Anyway, back to the point. Everyone wears a ring-shaped phone now. It’s got a built-in wallet. Even if you’re broke, you can call family to transfer funds. Super convenient!

Know why I’m rambling? Because our dear little brother Tran doesn’t even have his phone anymore. In that fight with the dragon swarm, the iron rod in his hand melted. That fragile ring-phone didn’t stand a chance...

Bottom line: the only valuable thing Tran has left is his fresh outfit. Alex gave it to him while he was resting, because it looked cool...

“Trouble... Begging isn’t a thing anymore. What am I gonna do?” Tran fell into thought. Alex didn’t exactly see him all the way through. He sent Tran off on a solo quest.

Good thing he’d eaten himself stuffed at Alex’s place. So hunger wasn’t a problem for the moment.

He started wandering the streets, hoping to find a police station and ask for help.

He walked for five hours. Even with that big meal, he was about to drop.

“My god! Is it really this hard to find a station that’ll take me in?” Tran leaned on a wall, voice weak. He still hadn’t left the city. People called it Sin City. It was neutral territory, but criminals were everywhere. It sat right by the border, so rampant crime wasn’t rare. He’d already seen at least five robberies and murders along the way.

With public order like this, the cops had basically given up. Criminals outnumbered them by dozens to one. Who’s catching who? That’s why five hours in, Tran still had no luck.

“Yo, luck’s good today. That’s an Asian chick, right?” someone said in English. Tran’s English? Pretty good. He needed it in lots of places. Oh, and Japanese too.

“Yeah, boss. Haven’t seen a bombshell this fine in ages. And she’s young.”

“Heh, leave it to me.”

Hearing “bombshell,” Tran perked up. He looked around fast. But aside from a few burly men, nothing eye-catching.

“Hey, little miss~ you busy? We bros are going for karaoke. It’s boring with so few people. Interested?” A man with a scar and a buzz cut looked at Tran.

“Behind me?” Tran still hadn’t found that bombshell. He thought she was right behind him, but turning around, he only saw a few passersby.

Then he realized the big problem...

“You guys… calling me?” Tran asked the scarred man in English. Six hulking guys stood around him.

“Yo, this chick’s fun. Voice’s kinda deep.” Scarface laughed, and the others joined in.

“Could be a ladyboy?”

“Maybe. Even if it is, no biggie. That last one still has me savoring it... Besides, this one’s so pretty!”

Tran’s rear clenched on reflex.

“Uh, I’ve got stuff to do, so I won’t be joining you...” He forced a bitter smile.

“Nothing’s more important than hanging with us.” Scarface flicked his hand. They closed in around Tran.

Just as they were about to make a move—Tran figured his backside was doomed—

“What are you doing! You dare pull this on one of my employees? Tired of living?” A voice like it had a built-in loudspeaker blasted from behind Tran. With a voice like that, street cursing becomes a weapon.

“Fuck. He’s with that woman’s crew. Move, boys!” Scarface wilted at once and turned to leave. In this city, there’s always a bigger fish.

When the burly guys were gone, Tran looked back toward the voice. A middle-aged woman in heavy makeup stood there. Her bone structure was pretty; she’d probably been a beauty when young. Now she felt a little sharp-tongued.

“Uh, thank you.” No matter what, she’d gotten him out of a bind. He had to thank her.

“No big deal. With a face like that, I didn’t expect you to be a trap.” She said it—in Chinese. One sentence, and Tran choked on his words.

“Don’t make that face. Tell me, what happened to bring you here? Don’t mind that you’re male. In this city, a face like yours makes gender irrelevant. If nothing’s urgent, leave fast.”

“Actually, I’m trying to report in at my school. But for various reasons, I’ve got no money and don’t know how to get there...” Tran scratched his cheek, embarrassed. Grown as he was, he was stuck because he had no cash.

The woman saw his trouble. One glance told her his whole outfit was designer. But there was no phone on his wrist. Probably a young master who’d run into something.

“Where’s your school?”

“World Superpower Elite Academy...”

“That’s an interesting place. It’s in Tech City. From here, a flight takes at least three hours. A ticket’s five thousand dollars.”

“So expensive!” Tran had never taken a flight like that. Sounded too pricey.

“Still think it’s pricey? You don’t know how much force it takes to keep a flight safe from here. That’s already cheap.”

“Ugh, I’m done... My life’s gonna be ruined here...” Tran looked crushed. He was stuck.

“Kid, wanna work for me?”

“Huh? I can?”

“Of course. We need someone like you the most. Come on, I’ll show you. Just call me Shiniang.” With that, Shiniang walked toward a building.

Tran had no choice but to follow her inside. He looked up at the structure. It was luxurious, clearly high-end.

Inside, he realized it was a two-story bar. From the décor to the wallpaper, everything radiated upscale elegance.

“Heh, didn’t expect a place like this in this city, right? It’s the only bar that offers just food and performances. The popularity here is no joke.”

“Can I even work here?” Tran asked, a bit uneasy. He’d never done this kind of job.

“My bar’s maid-and-butler themed. From now on, you’ll work here as a butler. For the details, ask our Head Maid.” Shiniang smiled. Looking at her bar, the earlier fierce aura had vanished.

“Shiniang, did you call me?” A pleasant voice rang out. A pretty girl in a blue maid outfit, with light blue hair, appeared before Tran.

“Oh my—Izayoi?”