Captain Shu Xuyao sighed as he looked across his desk at Cyrus.

"Working overtime, Captain?" Cyrus made small talk to fill the silence.

"Yes, overtime. I was supposed to be off three minutes ago, but then you..." Shu Xuyao trailed off. "Explain yourself. What happened?"

"Was heading home after work, encountered a mugging, and then I accidentally... killed someone," Cyrus admitted with a sense of unease. "Will there be any disciplinary action?"

Shu Xuyao pondered for a moment. "No, there won't be. Those two had criminal records, and you acted in self-defense. As an Enforcement Department employee, even as a trainee, you're granted immunity. Any casualties incurred in the line of duty don't carry legal consequences. We'll handle this internally. Otherwise, it would involve too many procedures, which is just bothersome."

Cyrus started to protest, "Captain, I wasn't on official duty when..."

Shu Xuyao cut her off with a stern look. "You were on duty."

Cyrus fell silent, understanding his intent to quash the matter.

"Captain Shu, the autopsy reports have arrived," Adam announced.

"Project them," Shu Xuyao commanded.

The office’s holographic projector adjusted its angle, vividly displaying two bodies lying on autopsy tables.

One's facial bones were horrifically crushed, his head so mangled it could have been pixelated. The other had a discreet stab wound in the chest, bloodied from top to bottom.

Cyrus averted her gaze from the holographic corpses.

"Liu Gaoyang, cause of death: cranial fracture. A blunt object struck the temple causing skull fragments to penetrate the brain. Time of death: less than an hour ago."

"Song Yuan, cause of death: chest penetration by a sharp object. The blade passed precisely between the third and fourth ribs on the left side, piercing the heart. Time of death: also less than an hour ago."

Shu Xuyao raised an eyebrow in surprise, chuckling at Cyrus's pallor. "I thought you were unfazed. If I'm not mistaken, this is your first kill."

"How could I be unfazed?" Cyrus clutched her forehead, her stomach churning.

Fortunately, she had eaten little in the past few hours, preventing her from vomiting.

Initially, she had felt detached, as if the events were surreal and beyond her control. But now, as Adam recited the autopsy findings, her mind replayed the scene of the killings over and over, grounding her in the grim reality.

"Don't throw up in my office. There's a restroom just outside if you need it," Shu Xuyao said. "You scored well in basic training at the academy; I've seen your internal recruitment results. Tracking, combat, investigation, shooting—your practical skills are near perfect. Cyrus, you're one of the most promising newcomers the Enforcement Department has seen in recent years."

He poured Cyrus a glass of ice water. "Drink this to settle yourself."

Cyrus downed the water, the cold sensation offering a brief respite from her swirling thoughts.

"You were supposed to join the Criminal Investigation Division, but I requested you. Field operations are tougher than other departments. We face dangers head-on, confront criminals, and encounter unexpected incidents that could be life-threatening," Shu Xuyao explained. "If you can't handle fieldwork, you can request a transfer after your internship."

Cyrus remained silent.

"Think it over. Personally, I hope you'll stay. Field Team Seven needs new blood." He paused before adding, "You live in Portside District's Serenity Street, right?"

"Yes," Cyrus confirmed.

"That area has poor security, too many gangs, hard to manage. There are homicides every month, and it's rife with illegal trade. I suggest moving somewhere safer," Shu Xuyao advised.

"But I can't afford to move," Cyrus lamented. "That apartment was left to me by my parents. I took out loans for college and now owe the bank thirty thousand... How long will it take to pay that off?"

Shu Xuyao was momentarily at a loss for words.

"You can move into the employee dormitory once you're fully hired. You can apply for that in a week. Just take it one step at a time," he said. "Also, it seems your personal communicator was damaged during your last assignment; you..."

"Can I claim compensation? That was property damage incurred on duty," Cyrus asked in a hushed tone.

Shu Xuyao laughed, "No, you cannot."

He reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a box. "This is a standard-issue communicator from the Enforcement Department for full-time employees. It's a basic model, but you can use it for now."

"Thank you, Captain," Cyrus said, accepting the box.

Unable to resist, she added cheekily, "Are all the squad captains as caring and considerate as you? If not, I wouldn't dream of transferring out of Field Team Seven."

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Shu Xuyao cleared his throat, pretending not to hear.

"If you can't get over the hurdle of taking a life, visit the Psychological Therapy Office," Shu Xuyao added finally. "Director Yang there is an excellent therapist. He'll help you work through your troubles."

...

Chill stood like a lost soul on the ground floor of the Enforcement Building, finding a spot to sit and wait.

The interrogation had ended quickly. As a witness, he had limited information to offer.

The interrogator had hooked him up to a high-tech lie detector, asked a few questions, and then released him.

He waited in the reception area for Cyrus.

Ten minutes passed, and the numbers on the elevator panel counted down until the doors opened, revealing Cyrus.

"You're still here?" Cyrus expressed her surprise.

"I was waiting for you," Chill replied.

"Let's get home then. The hover train stops running at midnight," Cyrus said.

Chill nodded eagerly, as if he had been waiting for just that permission.

In this second world, cash had long been obsolete. He was a stranger in this place, clueless about how to make payments or find his way home. What if he got lost alone? So he thought of Cyrus. Since she also lived on Serenity Street, he could follow her home once her business was done.

Cyrus led Chill to the hover train station with practiced ease.

Chill looked around in wonder, gasping softly at the dazzling holographic ads suspended in midair.

"What year are you in?" Cyrus probed discreetly.

"I'm a freshman. Just got my acceptance letter this morning. Got into the Mechanical Engineering Department," Chill ran a hand through his hair.

"Blackwater College tuition isn't cheap. Have you found a way to get a loan?" Cyrus continued her subtle questioning. To keep it from seeming too deliberate, she added, "I went through a lot to afford college. Just a heads up, stay away from predatory loans."

"Right," Chill said, his voice tinged with concern. "How expensive is the tuition?"

Cyrus recalled the data she had read. "Over two hundred thousand a year, not including living expenses."

"What?!" Chill was visibly shaken. "They might as well be robbing us! This is supposed to be a university that cultivates talent! How many capable students will be turned away by such exorbitant fees?"

Cyrus eyed Chill curiously as he lowered his voice, "That tuition is outrageous, absolutely absurd!"

"There's nothing we can do. It's the policy," Cyrus responded.

Chill grumbled, "That’s quite an eye-opener..."

Education monopolies, vast wealth disparities, social stratification—it was the state of the second world. The wealthy could afford higher education, ensuring their place in the elite class. Those without the means settled for lower-paying jobs, perpetuating the growing divide between rich and poor, cementing the social hierarchy.

Education in the second world wasn't about cultivating talent; it was about reinforcing the interests of the elite.

"Senior!" Chill leaned closer to Cyrus. "Is there a way to secure a legitimate loan?"

This kid sure knew how to sweet-talk, quickly resorting to the endearing 'senior.'

"Banks, but whether they'll lend to you is another matter. The interest rates can be pretty steep," Cyrus replied.

Chill wore a look of dread. "I'm really worried I won't be able to attend school."

Capitalism ruled the second world. Why would profit-driven capitalists engage in charity?

Chill remained forlorn even as the hover train arrived.

It was an interesting scenario. Cyrus had confirmed that Chill was a player, and logically, having just arrived in this world, he should feel little attachment to it. Yet, he was genuinely concerned about finding the money for school.

Cyrus herself had triggered a game system mission to "Investigate the port explosion." Could Chill's mission be "Successfully Enroll in Blackwater College"?

If so, his behavior made sense.

"Let's board." Cyrus led the way, paying with a facial scan.

Chill followed and did the same, but the machine rejected him: "Insufficient balance, payment failed."

Chill was dumbfounded.

After another attempt with the same result, Cyrus stepped in and paid for him. "I've covered it for you, thanks for accompanying me to the Enforcement Building."

Chill was on the verge of tears. "Damn, why am I so broke? Is there even a chance I can attend college?"

"Keep at it. There's always hope," Cyrus offered a sympathetic smile.

The pair descended the train at Serenity Street, a camaraderie between two kindred spirits in misfortune.

Cyrus empathized with Chill's plight. In her first world, she too struggled with tuition and living expenses, though not as exorbitantly as two hundred thousand a year.

As the hover train sped on, they disembarked at Serenity Street.

"Uh, is it safe for a girl to walk alone? Maybe I should escort you..." Chill hesitated, then stopped himself. "With your combat skills, you probably don't need an escort."

"You go on. I'll be fine," Cyrus reassured him with a wave.

Chill bid her farewell, "See you, senior... wait, let's exchange contact information!"

Cyrus handed over the communicator Shu Xuyao had given her, and after much fumbling, Chill managed to add his details.

The rain showed no signs of stopping as Cyrus walked away with her umbrella, navigating left and right until she found her apartment building.

The structure was weathered, with flaking paint and colorful ads plastered on its walls. The musty hallway greeted her with a scent of decay, and the rusty iron door creaked ominously as she pushed it open.

Reaching the third floor, she paused at her apartment door and grasped the handle.

"Fingerprint verified," a voice confirmed, and the door unlocked.

As Cyrus stepped inside, an intuitive warning flashed through her mind.

She looked up to see a shadowy figure seated on the living room sofa.

A silver mask obscured the figure's face, but the eyes peering through the mask's slits scrutinized Cyrus intently.

"You're late," the masked figure, known as Argentum, stated.

The tone was familiar, as if they knew each other.

"Ran into some trouble on the way," Cyrus responded quickly, taking the cue.

"Did you check the mission chip the leader sent you?" Argentum inquired.

"Not yet," Cyrus replied with succinct words, careful not to betray any nervousness.

"Hmm. The leader instructed me to tell you that this mission must be completed, no matter the cost," Argentum rose from the sofa. "From today, I'm your assistant and teammate in Blackwater City, working with you to accomplish various tasks. My codename is 'Argentum,' and you'll need to choose a codename for our communication."

A codename? Cyrus’s mind raced.

Argentum advised, "Your codename should bear no resemblance to your actual traits—the further the better, to prevent anyone from linking it to you..."

"Madame Riches."

Argentum paused, taken aback. "What did you say?"

"Madame Riches," Cyrus repeated firmly. "That's my codename."

She found the moniker fitting; "Madame Riches" was not just distant from her current reality but also embodied her aspirations for the future. Her dream was to become a wealthy madam!

Argentum was speechless for a moment before acquiescing, "It's... unconventional... Are you sure about this?"

"Positive," Cyrus declared. "Madame Riches it is."

A codename that was both a stark contrast to her present and a hopeful nod to her dreams. She was determined to live up to it.

"Very well, 'Madame Riches'," Argentum said with a hint of resignation. "Now, check the mission the leader has assigned you."

Cyrus took out the blue chip and placed it on her bracelet to read.

The mission data's first line read, "Objective: Completely demolish Blackwater City's port."

Cyrus was dumbfounded.

What was this obsession with destroying the port?