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He moved on to a different checkpoint where a middle-aged man glared at him as he asked for his papers. After finishing his check, he asked him: "Here for business or vacation?"

It was neither. He wanted to start living here. He stared blankly at the glaring man. The man knew right away what it was about seeing him but he had to question first. The man recognized the usual bum hoping for a better a life. He saw many of those crossing his checkpoint. He didn't think whatever life they traded to come here was worth it. It wasn't better around here.

Poverty was poverty everywhere.

But this wasn't his role to speak about this. He would be a little nicer on the guy though. He glared a little less as he spoke again before Ron made a choice: "Immigration, I presume?"

Ron nodded.

The man printed a paper and stamped it before giving it to Ron. Then, he told him: "This is the proof that you arrived today. You can become a full citizen only after having been a resident for two years, don't lose the paper. I wish you the best"

Then, the man waved for Ron to move further in before screaming 'next' as he glared at whoever was behind.

Ron moved on while he folded the paper cleanly and placed it near his chest with the boarding pass and ID.

That had been the final checkpoint and he was now crossing the doors that led to the outer area of the station. There were armed guards at this exit. Their sight was obscured by tactical goggles but he felt like he was watched as he moved across the passage.

And then, he entered the bustling terminal. He was officially on Carix One soil.

As he moved towards the exit of the station, the treatment he received was the same he got back on his natal planet. People dodged him. Not like it mattered. He was rather glad they did to be honest as he didn't want someone to steal his bag or what was in there… This was his future.

He was already blaming himself for having fallen asleep inside the spaceship…

Minutes later, he arrived at the door that led to outside the station. He breathed in deeply before moving forward. The automatic door opened and he took his first step in the city of Imperholde.

He had no idea if this was one of the planet's capital cities or just a random city but just the sight from the exit made him believe it could be a capital.

He could see tens of giant buildings reaching to the sky, piled on top of each other. It was like blocks of multiple colors added one after another randomly and in abundance. There were also many giant screens showcasing brand ads for products he had never even heard of.

He must have looked quite stupid since the people moving around snickered at him. But he couldn't help it, the sight was just too new and grand.

This was his new city.

This was where his new life would start.

He stayed there for a moment, with a foolish grin and tears rolling down his cheeks. With his sickly-looking body and tattered clothes, he was quite the sight. But he didn't care and simply embraced the moment, relishing in the taste of freedom. The freedom he had longed for since so long ago…

…

Once he calmed down, he decided on what the first thing he needed was. Lodgings. He couldn't just sleep outside on his first day. He wanted to buy a place for himself. Of course, he probably would be unable to afford it for now. He could at least rent something with the money he had left. It shouldn't be that costly…

However, he couldn't just go to a real estate agency in rags. No one would take him seriously, just like how the cashier who sold him a ticket did not. He did not blame them. That's just how life was, appearance mattered and people were quick to judge one another.

Which is why he decided to first stop at a clothing store. He needed to dress at least decently enough that people wouldn't move away from him as he approached.

He searched for a shop and was rejected from entrance through a few before he found one quite away from the airport station that let him in. He spent 55 spatial coins on the cheapest outfit they sold and left happily. The clerk didn't mind that he bought the cheapest since he bought something and that was what mattered to a business.

As for him, while people were now giving him weird glances, they didn't look at him with disgust. From someone to dodge at all costs to a random weirdo. It was quite the rise of status already. And it only took orange shorts, a white T-shirt with a label "Do or die" and blue sandals.

If you added that to the fact he hadn't bathed since leaving the pond, he looked ridiculous and filthy.

But no longer as much as before with the rags. There was an improvement since the clothes on him were brand-new. At least, people thought he was just a weirdo. Such a small change was making him happier with every step.

He had high expectations for what would happen later on. Maybe they would look at him like one of their own, with pure carelessness. He would love to be ignored as he walked…

And the next step to reach that goal was to get himself a home. He asked directions from reluctant passer-by towards a real estate agency.

It wasn't too far fortunately and he soon reached the doorstep of the "Sweet Home Agency". Judging from the many screens showcasing different houses and apartments, this was the right place.

He pushed open the door and entered. He was greeted by a man in a business suit who had an amiable smile. It wasn't much but to have someone smile at him was quite nice for once. It brought up his mood.

As for the estate agent, he only had one thought in his mind: "Please, gods, let this pushover be a golden goose"