They were probably talking about a coworker who recommended he take a break far from home during his punishment. This colleague, although lower in rank than the Left Hand, was highly respected. In fact, even the Left Hand couldn't stop them if they decided to break the rules and regulations. For example, helping Dull escape his punishment.

Why did they help Dull? Well, this coworker happens to have a strong attachment to him and won’t leave Dull alone.

'I don’t understand why that person likes me so much...'

That strange creature, which even Dull can’t understand, seems to really care for him for some unknown reason. Though their fixation on him is strange, he finds it quite helpful because this creature makes his life easier, so he doesn’t worry about why it likes him.

Dull continued reading the message.

《 Cosmic Conversations (Private Room): Left Hand

[Left Hand]: They're not usually this considerate, but that’s beside the point.

[Left Hand]: Since you’ve escaped and already arrived, I won’t force you to return. You may do as you please in that world. Dispose of it or do whatever you like. I don't care. However, you are not allowed to leave or choose another destination.

[Left Hand]: You will be stuck there until you choose to return. Good luck dealing with your boredom.

[Busy Bee]: ...

[Left Hand]: Am I clear?

[Busy Bee]: ...Crystal! 》

That was close. He narrowly avoided a major setback there.

They are definitely upset, but since this is the Left Hand, their choice not to make him come back right away shows they aren't as angry as he thought.

If he hadn't escaped in time, he might have been stuck in his lab, facing the Outbreak and watching all his work get destroyed. For the Research Team, losing their unfinished projects is a huge loss, as they have poured their lives into it, only to see it vanish forever. Dull happily considered thanking a coworker later while he waited for the confirmation.

The confirmation will be sent through the system, not via a message from the Left Hand. When the AEIM System properly acknowledges the confirmation, it means that all current restrictions from the punishment will be temporarily removed, allowing him to be truly free.

The main question now is why he is being punished.

Well, he... may or may not have nearly destroyed a universe before... But in the end, it wasn't even destroyed! And he still faces consequences!

'It was just a youthful mistake.'

At that time, he was just a hatchling, filled with curiosity and a desire to explore. It's normal for someone like him to seek answers to his questions. After all, he is a scientist! Unfortunately, he was still punished, and now he is fleeing from it all.

He became absorbed in memories of his youth when a clear display appeared, showing what he had been waiting for, the confirmation!

《 THE "LEFT HAND" HAS GRANTED "RESEARCHER DULL" PERMISSION 》

《 STATUS "WORKING" IS SHIFTING TO "VACATION" 》

《 YOU ARE NOW ON VACATION! 》

《 PUNISHMENT: ON HOLD 》

《 LIFTING RESTRICTIONS 》

After getting the notification, the pressure and pain in his head, which had lasted for days, suddenly disappeared, giving him a feeling of clarity and ease.

Even though it was just for a little while, it felt good to have his mind clear again. He knew it wouldn't last long before things got messy again, so Dull enjoyed the moment.

《 CONGRATULATIONS! ENJOY YOUR VACATION! 》

Dull let out a sigh as he shut down all the screens and flopped back onto the bed. It felt good not to be called back right away, but it was a bit concerning that he was stuck in this world, which meant that his whole vacation might be spent here. Wasn’t that boring? He had intended to travel to another world.

'I shouldn't have chosen a destination so quickly.'

He was in a rush, so he let chance decide where to go, just to get moving.

'I suppose I'll have to find ways to keep myself busy. Although, I doubt they'll work. In the worst case, I might end up destroying this world.'

Luckily, they allowed him to do anything he wanted in this world, so even if he destroyed it, he wouldn't face any punishment.

It was at that moment that suddenly recalled something important. The baby chicken is in his storage! He nearly overlooked it.

Dull retrieved the box containing the chicken from his inventory called the "Timeless Vault," a part of the AEIM System as well, and opened it. As expected, the chicken was alive and breathing because time doesn't pass in the inventory, keeping everything fresh and untouched of time.

According to his research, it shows that people eat chicken, even its intestines and feet, as well as eggs every day. This means chickens are livestock, just like pigs and cows.

He checked his inventory again and pulled out a vial with some powder inside. He let the chicken eat it, and when it finished, he released it into his apartment.

"Okay, you can play for now."

He released the chicken and watched it scurry around his apartment.

From what he noticed, chickens usually have short lives, and for Dull, 10 years pass by in the blink of an eye. He needs to find a way to make the chicken's lifespan longer, or he won't be able to bring it home. He can't allow that. He needs to bring this animal back home.

***

The following day, Dull found himself at the door of his new apartment, wrestling with a nagging question that had popped into his mind when he woke up.

'How do I find a job?'

He had never gone through a job search before.

Upon hatching, he was already part of the Research Team and began his responsibilities as soon as he adjusted to his new surroundings. He didn't have an interview or anything, his opinion wasn't even considered. He was accepted just like that.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

'And what kind of job would be right for me?'

Dull doesn't want to become a scientist in this world because that means he just changed the location of his work. And it's not like their research here is anything important. If it was him, he'd throw all of those into the trash where they belong.

Was it too harsh of him? Not really, since it's the truth.

Because of his knowledge and experience, he has the option to explore opportunities with large corporations, but he prefers to avoid any corporate involvement at the moment. He is tired of the related paperwork and projects, choosing instead to take on assignments that don’t remind him of his past job.

There are several options, like being a street cleaner or a plumber. It's not so bad.

But where should he apply to find those jobs? While he knows the city's map well, he hasn't focused on the buildings and what they are for.

'Okay, let's figure this out as we walk.'

He was just about to take a step when a boy, probably around 10 years old, suddenly bumped into him, nearly causing him to lose his balance. Looking down, he saw a scruffy boy with long blond hair that partially obscured his face.

'Goodness gracious.'

Dull thought in disbelief.

If he hadn't toned down all his Authority to blend in with humans, the boy would have been seriously harmed before they even made contact.

Dull possesses a highly dangerous defensive ability known as the [ BLADE OF ■■ ]. This power eliminates anyone who approaches him without permission, completely erasing them from existence. It is so powerful that if activated, it could disrupt reality itself, leading to the total destruction of not only this world but also its solar system.

For others, this isn't an issue, as they have enough strength to withstand or counter his defense, which is why he has never felt the need to lower it. However, given his current surroundings, teeming with life, the population of this world would face a serious risk of extinction. Such an event would ruin his holiday.

"I, I'm so sorry! I really apologize!"

The boy stammered before quickly running away, not waiting for a reply.

It was rather strange, yet Dull found himself unable to look away from the boy's back. He couldn't pinpoint why, but there was certainly something strange about that boy.

'Is he like me?'

A creature that pretends to be human and blends in with them. But how could a being from the Nothingness hide its true essence from its own kind? Such an occurrence is unheard of.

He scoffed at the idea and turned to walk away.

Dull figured it was likely just his imagination, and even if it wasn't, he didn't want to deal with it at the moment. He would check it out later when he had nothing else to do, but for now, he needed to focus on finding a job.

As he walked around looking for work, he stumbled upon a modeling agency. He considered applying, thinking that with his tall build and good looks, it could be a simple chance to take. Dull pushed the boy to the back of his mind and headed to the modeling agency to submit his application as a model.

It took a while because they were taking pictures of him to see how he looked on camera. Plus, other people were applying at the same time. After that, they made him wait while they discussed things among themselves.

Two hours later...

"I regret to inform you that you did not pass the screening process."

"... ."

Dull was understandably turned down. Despite his good looks, he struggled to hold a pose. Posing made him uncomfortable, creating an awkward atmosphere.

A small twitch of his eyebrows made everyone in the studio flinch, making him realize that, even though he appeared ordinary, there was still a heavy and intimidating presence around him. Usually, people wouldn’t notice such a vibe, but his control slipped a bit after feeling the sting of rejection during his first job search.

'My reaction was quite childish.'

When did he start feeling pain from something as simple as rejection? It’s strange that he feels this way, especially since it’s not a rejection from his bosses, but from regular people. This realization feels odd to him, no matter how much he reflects on it.

With a sigh, he quietly left the agency.

After leaving the modeling agency, Dull found himself on the highway, pondering which job to apply to next.

"Maybe a café?"

A bakery and restaurant could also be a great choice. Being in a setting filled with delightful scents and tasty dishes would certainly be appealing.

He changed his direction and headed to a café he remembered was close by called Juls Café.

When he got there, he found the place full of customers, with lively chatter and laughter all around. The sounds of clinking cups and the espresso machine made a cozy background. But as he walked in, he felt the patrons staring at him, along with whispers that made their thoughts clear.

"Wow, he’s really tall..."

"Do you think he could be a model?"

"It sure looks like it. He seems to have money."

"Wow. It feels like everyone in this city is rich."

"Or at least pretending to be."

The girls laughed at that, making Dull roll his eyes. He had noticed this kind of behavior the day before, which helped him realize that people often talk about others, whether they admire or judge them.

'Is this part of human emotion?'

Perhaps it’s curiosity? Whatever the reason, it deserves a special entry in his journal.

As he entered, everyone turned to look at him, and he could hear the whispers around him, their meaning clear. He ignored the chatter and walked to the counter to ask about job openings.

"Are you looking for a job? We don’t really need—"

The young woman at the counter started, but she was interrupted by a striking lady, about mid-20s, who came out from what seemed to be an office. Her confident presence indicated she was likely the manager or owner.

"Yes, we have job openings! Please, come in!"

"Do we...?"

The woman at the counter seemed puzzled, but the owner dismissed her confusion and called Dull from her office. With excitement, she motioned for him to follow her, eagerly discussing his potential schedule before he could even respond.

Actually, this isn't really a discussion since the woman never asked for his thoughts and just made assumptions. Bored, he finally spoke up.

"Excuse me, but can I not share my opinion on this matter?"

The woman leaned her head to the side a bit.

"You came here for a job, and I'm offering you a chance. Isn't that your purpose? What’s there to doubt?"

She answered simply.

"Aren't you rushing things a little?"

Even though he wasn't too concerned about their safety or their innocent view, he felt puzzled and wanted to understand better for his notes. He thought about what emotions were driving her decision.

"Your face is worth it."

She answered with a touch of assurance.

'Looks like my appearance did all the talking?'

Still, a job is a job...

He accepted the position and signed a contract to work at the café for one year. It will be up to him to decide whether to renew the contract when the time comes. He did not ask for an extension as it seems to him that he will not renew it.

The café owner asked.

"Can I get your name one more time before you go?"

"My name is Dull Life."

"That's an interesting name."

She said, raising an eyebrow as he leaned on the table, curious.

"I often hear that."

He replied casually, shrugging as if it didn't matter.

To be honest, he wasn't sure where his name came from. When he woke up, the System had already called him Dull Life. Although he could ask for a new name, he didn't really bother and had simply just accepted it.

"My name is pretty unusual too, which is why I get comments about it. Want to hear it?"

"Cool. And no."

"Sad."

Seeing his total disinterest in finding out her name, the "boss" let out a chuckle and ultimately chose to let him go.