Chapter 109 A Lesson in Justice

"Boss, how much does this dress cost?"

Ryo's voice was calm, but his hesitation betrayed his tight budget. Money was scarce, and every coin spent had to be carefully calculated. His salary from the Survey Corps barely covered necessities, but he hoped the system's next stipend would arrive soon.

The Kingdom of Eldia, with its limited territories, faced resource shortages, making everything expensive. Yet, the wages for soldiers were meager—barely enough to survive. High-risk units like the Survey Corps deserved better pay, but the royal family's disdain for them ensured their salaries were no different from those of other corps.

Meanwhile, the Military Police basked in luxury. Stationed in the royal city, they colluded with merchants, sold state assets, and lived lives of excess. Even the Garrison Corps had opportunities for corruption, thanks to their management of local territories.

Ryo couldn't help but feel disgusted by the kingdom's warped system. The ten highest-scoring cadets were sent to the Military Police—those most suited for combating titans were rewarded with cushy assignments far from the battlefield. The rationale was to incentivize hard work, but it fostered corruption instead, with the top talent succumbing to greed and laziness.

"This one costs two gold coins," the shopkeeper replied, eyeing Ryo's attire. Noticing the Survey Corps' Wings of Freedom on his armband, the shopkeeper's tone softened. "For you, I'll sell it for fifty silver coins."

Ryo was touched by the gesture, but even the reduced price was out of reach. He sighed. "Could you hold it for me? I'll come back when I have enough money."

The black coat would perfectly complement the white down jacket he'd bought for Krista earlier—black and white, a matching set. But for now, he could only hope no one else would buy it.

The shopkeeper nodded kindly. "Of course. I'll keep it aside for you." He moved the coat to a less noticeable spot, ensuring no one else would snatch it up.

"Thank you," Ryo said earnestly before leaving the store.

As he wandered the street, his mind churned over ways to make extra money. Hunting had helped before, but what else could he do now?

A commotion nearby snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Hey, what is this? This food's fit for pigs, not humans! Are you mocking us?"

Ryo turned to see a group of Military Police harassing a street vendor. They had already smashed his goods and now demanded compensation. The vendor pleaded, "I swear, I have no money!"

"Then what's this?" the lead officer sneered, snatching the man's purse. Inside were only copper coins and a few silvers. He pocketed the meager sum anyway, muttering, "Even crumbs are better than nothing."

The soldiers then began beating the vendor, laughing as they pushed him to the ground. Furious murmurs rose from the crowd, but no one dared to intervene. The guns slung over the soldiers' shoulders served as an unspoken threat.

Ryo clenched his fists, every fiber of his being urging him to act. But he paused, realizing brute force wasn't the answer. Publicly confronting the Military Police might worsen things. Instead, he needed a subtler approach—a way to humiliate them and expose their corruption.

A plan formed in his mind, one that made him smirk despite himself. It was underhanded, perhaps even cruel, but these men deserved it. If they could oppress the weak, then there was no harm in giving them a taste of their own medicine.

As the soldiers walked off triumphantly, Ryo's gaze followed them. The anger simmering in the crowd confirmed his decision. The Military Police's reputation was already in tatters, and he would make sure it sank even further.

For now, though, he would bide his time. Revenge was best served cold.