Investment and Renewal

Evelyn handed me my updated worker ID, but I wasn't finished here.

I placed the briefcase full of money on the table and looked her straight in the eye.

"I need one more thing."

Her gaze flicked to the case, then back to me. "You're already getting compensation and a rank adjustment. What else could you possibly want?"

"A union paper."

Silence.

Evelyn's neutral expression didn't change, but the shift in her posture told me everything. She was calculating—measuring the weight of my request.

Union papers were extremely valuable. They weren't just work permits; they gave a worker voting rights on industry-wide policies, safety regulations, and even leadership decisions. In the hands of someone like me, they were a tool. A weapon.

And she knew it.

Her fingers tapped against the desk. "Why?"

I smirked. "To deal with Nathan."

That got a reaction. Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she remained silent.

I continued, keeping my tone level. "He's been a problem for a long time now. Slowing work down. Stirring up unnecessary conflict. Throwing tantrums when things don't go his way." I leaned forward. "You said it yourself—reevaluations are rare. That means the government only does them when they see potential. You wouldn't have called me in unless I had value."

She crossed her arms. "And why do you think we'd give you a union paper?"

I shrugged. "Think of it as an investment."

Her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Nathan's behavior is a liability. If he keeps causing problems, productivity will drop. You know that as well as I do." I tapped my new ID. "I've got Team Coordination at Level 6. That's one of the highest skill levels in my district. I know how to handle people. Let me do what I do best."

A long pause.

Then, after what felt like an eternity, she exhaled and reached into her desk.

A moment later, she slid a union paper across the table.

"You better not make us regret this." 

I grabbed the paper, creasing it carefully before placing it in my jacket.

"You won't."

As I left the evaluation center, Rebecca—Evelyn's secretary—gave me a small smile.

"Good luck, Mr. Vale."

I nodded. "Thanks."

Tomorrow, I was going back to my worksite. Back to the trenches, where I'd finally put Nathan in his place.

But today?

I had 100,000 dollars sitting in my account.

The amount was a fortune to me. As an F-Rank worker, my yearly salary had been a measly $5,000—barely enough to survive. But now, with my rank upgraded, my income had multiplied twentyfold. It was time to improve my life.

My current living situation was miserable. I rented a cramped apartment meant for F-Rank individuals, little more than a glorified storage unit. The entire space consisted of a single bed, a small table, and a tiny corner sectioned off as a bathroom. There wasn't a single private shower—I had to use the shared facilities, which I loathed every time I entered.

Knowing this as well as the fact that I had no plans today, I decided that for the first time in my life, I was going to spend money on myself.

I made my way to the Central Bank, a towering structure with mirrored glass and reinforced security. I had to show my ID to even get inside, but once I did, everything moved fast.

I transferred my funds into a secure account, then stepped out into the connected mall.

It was massive. Bright lights, luxury storefronts, high-end tech displays—it was a world apart from the rundown districts I was used to.

I was still taking it all in when I felt a playful tap on my back.

I turned—and came face to face with Sienna.

Unlike me, she had been a B-Ranker for years, and it showed in the way she carried herself—calm, confident, completely in control. Her slender, tall figure suggested the strength developed from years of hard work, yet today, in casual attire, she appeared effortlessly composed. Her reddish-brown hair was tied back in a snug ponytail, highlighting the distinct, angular characteristics of her face. Even without a uniform, she had a distinct presence, a calm authority that commanded attention.

And unlike me, she looked stunning.

She grinned. She smiled widely. "What brings a guy like you to a place like this?" 

I gave her my card. 

She glanced once—and her eyes grew large. 

"No way!" She looked at me, then at the card, and then back at me again.

"You actually got promoted?"

I nodded. "Seems like it."

A slow smile spread across her lips. "Damn. That almost never happens." She clapped me on the back. "Congrats, Vale. You deserve it."

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. "Thanks. It still feels weird."

She tilted her head. "What are you doing here, then?"

I glanced down at my uniform. My only uniform.

"I finally have money," I said simply. "Figured it was time to spend it on myself."

Sienna's smile widened.

"Fortunately for you, I'm aware of all the top places for B-Rankers." 

She took hold of my wrist, tugging me ahead.

"Come on. I'm guiding you."

Sienna led me to an exclusive barber shop, tucked between high-end restaurants and private lounges.

A man in a sleek uniform greeted us. "Rank?"

I hesitated.

Sienna answered for me. "He's B-Rank."

The barber's expression didn't change, but I caught the slight flicker of skepticism in his eyes.

I sighed and handed over my ID.

His eyes scanned the card—then widened.

"My apologies, sir." He straightened immediately. "Right this way."

I barely had time to process before I was seated.

The feeling of having my hair properly cut and styled was almost indescribable. Years of neglect—gone in a matter of minutes.

My greying hairs? Plucked away.

My uneven facial hair? Trimmed to perfection.

By the time they finished, I barely recognized myself.

I looked younger.

My messy, overgrown hair had been styled into a clean, slightly tousled look, my beard precisely shaped.

I turned to Sienna.

She was blushing.

She quickly coughed into her hand, looking away. "You look… uh, good."

I smirked. "Just good?"

She cleared her throat. "Next stop."

I had been wearing my work uniform everywhere for years.

That changed today.

With Sienna's help, I bought everything I needed—tailored jackets, fitted shirts, durable work boots, and even casual clothes for off-duty days.

For the first time in forever, I had clothes that actually fit.

We even picked up essential products—skin care, cologne, things I had never bothered with before.

By the time we finished shopping, I wasn't just a B-Ranker on paper,

I looked the part, too.

As we walked back toward the exit, Sienna suddenly slowed her pace.

I glanced at her. "Something wrong?"

She exhaled.

"Nathan's been getting worse."

I frowned. "Worse how?"

She crossed her arms. "Ever since yesterday's failure, he's been more aggressive. Picking fights. Blaming others. Saying we planned this."

I sighed. "Of course he is."

Sienna hesitated. "He's… dangerous, Vale. He's not just throwing tantrums—he's looking for someone to take it out on."

I met her gaze.

"Don't worry about Nathan."

Her lips pressed together. "Vale—"

"I mean it." I adjusted my new jacket, rolling my shoulders. "I'll deal with him. Tomorrow."

She studied me for a long moment—then sighed.

"Alright." She shook her head. "Just… don't get yourself killed."

I smirked. "No promises."