Not praying for ten strings

In a world dominated by seven super-corporations, the Longevity Species that always occupied the pinnacle of power didn't allow for the enactment of written laws. The Floating Islands of prisons delimited by lines on the map, where resources would inevitably run out in the future...
People yearned for the birth of a true "Hero," yet they cynically awaited the fall of a Hero from grace.
As long as one was hailed by the media as a Hero, even murder could be forgiven, and every word they said would be adored. Even high and mighty Elves dared not provoke the edge of a Hero.
But if a Hero of the past committed even a minor offense, the moment their image crumbled, the forgiven sins would flare up like an inextinguishable furnace, and the stars of yesterday would instantly become unforgivable criminals...
"—Come become a Hero, Russell."
The most vicious criminal in the world thrust a knife into the boy's hand, whispering a low enticement.
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Solo female lead, Beast Ears, Spiritual Energy, Mechanical Angels, and other elements. Cyber-fantasy. Please refrain if not to your liking.

Tower of Overturn

Russell heard the words and subconsciously looked out the window. 


The dust scattered in the starless night sky, the pale moonlight dull as if covered in dust. 


It was then that Russell noticed the gray full moon that was as round as a disc. 


The color of that moon was like the gray and white that would appear when taking a picture of the moon with a smartphone's black-and-white filter. The brilliant neon lights reflected from the ground in No Sleep City made the glow of the full moon appear so dim and translucent it was almost disappearing. 


Only then did he remember... It had been a very long time since he had last looked up at that moon. 


There was no custom of moon-gazing in this world. After all, the pale, nearly transparent moon indeed was not much to look at. 


Or rather, the people of this world had never developed the habit of lifting their heads to glance at the Gray Dome. 


Chapter 42 The Company's Ruse