Fish Prison

"Here you go, this is your wage for the week."
After passing over a small pouch, the woman with her legs crossed behind the desk casually made a 'Check' in a notebook and then, without looking up, waved her hand to dismiss him and said:
"Remember to file your taxes... Next!"
"Wait a minute!"
After pouring out the coins from the pouch and looking at the eight large and one small, totaling nine filthy coins in his palm, Leon couldn't help but widen his eyes in shock, almost wanting to pounce on her and fight to the death right there and then.
"Damn it! I just repelled the evil god who was trying to erode the world this Tuesday! You bastard even wants to deduct the salary of the savior?"

I! Cleaner!

Just like in Leon's memory, after calling out the name of the girl in front of her, Emma felt all her fatigue ebb away suddenly, like a receding tide. Even her shoulders, which seemed to bear the weight of a thousand pounds, felt suddenly lighter.


However, instead of joy and happiness, what replaced it was a lingering sense of remorse and shame.  


After drooping her head and saying this, Emma, or rather Leon of the past, explained with a face full of regret,  


"I really wasn't slacking off, but I could only carry about half of what others could. The foreman only gave me half a month's wage and told me not to come back to the dock tomorrow. I..."


As the dim oil lamp and the girl's gentle footsteps came closer, a comforting voice, free of any hint of blame, whispered in Emma's ear after a warm embrace.  


0335 Turning Back is Not an Easy Path (Part 2)_1