Chapter 88: Can I Hire Employees Who Aren’t Pokémon?

Su Bai paused in surprise at the boy's answer and lowered his gaze.

The boy's blue jacket looked oddly familiar.

Reaching out gently, Su Bai turned the boy slightly to the side.

The words "Haicheng Welfare" stood out boldly on the back.

Su Bai sighed.

"You ran away from the orphanage? You didn't awaken, huh?"

The young boy's small face twisted into a deeply complicated expression.

He mumbled a faint response and turned to leave.

"Sly little guy…"

Su Bai shook his head with a helpless chuckle, grabbing the boy's wrist.

"Why the rush? Don't worry, I won't call the orphanage."

The boy clearly didn't believe him. But Su Bai was a Super Rookie now—

Even if he wasn't, the child didn't have the strength to break free from a normal adult's grip.

Realizing he couldn't get away, the boy looked up pitifully and pleaded,

"I really don't want to go back to the welfare center. Please… just let me go, okay?"

"I swear I won't ever come near the Pokémon Center again!"

He probably thought his presence at the door had annoyed Su Bai, the shop owner.

Su Bai looked at him silently.

His clothes were dirty, but his face was surprisingly clean.

Though clearly malnourished, his eyes were bright and lively.

And when he stole glances at the Pokémon Center—his gaze lit up with longing.

These were eyes that spoke volumes.

A runaway orphan who still made an effort to keep his face clean—it wasn't easy.

But what truly stood out was that look in his eyes—rare and precious.

"…I can't just pretend I didn't see this."

Su Bai sighed again.

"Come on. Let's get you something to eat first."

Back at the same old barbecue stand.

The stall owner—a motherly woman—grumbled while serving a bowl of plain noodle soup.

"You little brat. I told you last time it was on the house, and you still left money!"

"And now you're bringing such a young kid to eat barbecue? Thankfully I kept some noodles on hand. I'll have you know—grilled food's too rich for children!"

"And look at this poor child—filthy clothes! Did he roll through a mud pit or something? So naughty!"

"Here, take that coat off, I'll dust it—"

The woman suddenly froze mid-sentence.

When she saw the words "Haitian Welfare" on the boy's jacket, her hands fell silent.

"I see…"

She gave the child a gentle look.

"Eat up, sweetheart. If it's not enough, there's more."

She gave Su Bai a soft pat on the shoulder and quietly stepped away.

Su Bai said nothing, watching the little boy devour his noodles with barely contained hunger.

This world's human structure had been torn apart by the Death Beasts.

And yet, human population remained crucial.

In this world, homeless orphans weren't supposed to exist.

That's why the stall owner hadn't suspected the child's status at first—

She'd thought he was just playing rough and got his clothes dirty.

All orphans, regardless of origin, were supposed to grow up safely under the social welfare system.

To become essential cogs in the great machine of society.

But reality was cruel—

Even among orphans, there was a hierarchy.

Talented ones—those who Awakened early—were prioritized, sent directly to Awakener academies.

The rest, like this boy, were sent to the orphanage and trained in various job skills from a young age.

In short, their life paths were already decided.

Unless they were lucky enough to be adopted…

Or managed to Awaken on their own…

Their fate was to become a faceless worker, making a small, invisible contribution to humanity's survival.

It didn't sound so bad.

But in truth, it crushed their individuality.

Su Bai didn't know whether to call it right or wrong.

After all, humanity's existence was hanging by a thread.

Without these strict, even cruel systems—they wouldn't have survived.

But he understood this child.

Because he, too, was an unawakened orphan.

If not for the inheritance his parents left before they died, he'd probably have ended up a tiny gear in the machine of human society too…

"Phew~~~"

Su Bai was still deep in thought when the little boy let out a long, satisfied breath.

Su Bai blinked and realized the boy had slurped down the entire bowl of noodles in one go.

"Was it enough? Want another bowl?"

Su Bai smiled. "Don't be shy."

After just one bowl, the boy had already warmed up a little.

Not quite so tense and stiff anymore.

But he still politely shook his head.

"Thank you for the noodles. I'm full now… I'll be on my way."

He turned as if to leave.

Su Bai sighed and grabbed his sleeve again.

"I told you—I'm not sending you back to the orphanage."

The boy hesitated. "Really?"

Su Bai nodded. "Absolutely. Now sit. I have a few questions."

No matter how clever the boy was, he couldn't out-talk Su Bai.

Eventually, he relented and told his whole story.

His name was Zhou Xiaofei.

Maybe from years of fending for himself, the boy's way of speaking was surprisingly clear.

Like most orphans, Zhou Xiaofei's parents had died in a Death Beast attack.

But unlike the others, this one was caused by a contract beast going berserk.

The beast's master had also been killed by their own creature—so no compensation could be claimed.

Zhou Xiaofei was dumped into the welfare system.

But the trauma of witnessing his parents' deaths had left a deep scar in him.

It also ignited a burning hatred for Death Beasts.

He swore he would become an Awakener.

But like Su Bai, he never Awakened.

Unlike Su Bai, however, he had no inheritance to fall back on.

No choices.

So when the opportunity came, he ran.

He hadn't gotten far before a Death Beast attack hit the city.

He managed to sneak inside the walls—and saw a battle that changed his world:

Grotle, shining with power. Groudon, godlike and apocalyptic.

That encounter had left him in awe…

And brought him to the doorstep of the Pokémon Center.

As Su Bai listened, he stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Even now, the boy still kept sneaking glances at Diancie and Meloetta with eyes full of admiration.

You can't fake love for something.

No matter how mature he acted—he was still a child.

Diancie hovered in midair, gently patting Zhou Xiaofei's head with a soft, concerned look.

"This kid… reminds me of myself at that age," Su Bai murmured.

After a long pause, he sighed and made a decision.

He asked the system a single question in his mind—

"System, can I hire employees who aren't Pokémon?"