Three days mark the start of his job at the Juls Café, allowing him to head home today. As he nears the entrance, he notices a tempting display of cakes on the counter and feels an urge to buy some. However, when he checks his back pocket, he discovers that his wallet is missing.

"... ."

"... ... ."

"Great."

'It must have been that kid, right?'

Why didn't he see it coming? He likely got sidetracked when the kid bumped into him, and then again when he sensed the boy's strange aura, which felt out of place for someone from this world. Luckily, the wallet's contents weren't too important. He can easily reprint his documents and ID, but losing the cash is annoying.

'I didn't keep all my money there, but it still bothers me.'

Should he look for the child?

'No, I'm really annoyed, and I might hurt him by accident.'

Still, the encounter with the child lingered in his mind. Losing his wallet was a hit to his pride, and he wouldn't forget it anytime soon.

When he told his colleagues about his second day—being turned down by a modeling agency and losing his wallet to a kid—they laughed at his misfortune. Their laughter filled the screen, only making him more irritated.

"Tsk. You all know that if I had activated my defense, that child wouldn’t have been the only one to spill red."

- Excuses. Excuses.

"Shut up."

He hisses at the man at the very front of the screen, who only laughs at him.

Dull had a brief disagreement with his colleagues at the back before heading to work, leaving only his coworker on the screen, who had suggested he take a vacation.

"Cache."

He politely greeted the man out of respect before he started talking badly about him again.

The man on the screen before him is called Cache. He is the main reason for his escape from punishment and seems overly curious about his actions.

However, Cache right now appears very human, quite different from his real self. He presents himself as a charming young man with a winning smile that attracts women and causes envy in men, based on his grasp of human feelings. This contrast earns him admiration from women and jealousy from men.

'I have looked at many studies done by humans, and I must say, they are skilled at exploring emotions.'

He thinks.

In today's world, more people are recognizing "depression," with many pushing for it to be seen as a real issue by everyone, including those with traditional views, instead of being brushed off as an overreaction. His deep dive into these studies has given him a lot of insight.

Human research on human emotions has changed his view. He no longer thinks human studies are inferior like he did when he first got here.

- On a serious note, it's only been a day, and you're already showing that look.

"Actually, it's been two days."

He corrected it because it is an important detail.

- It's essentially the same.

"It isn't. And what look are you talking about?"

- That look of boredom you have.

Does he really have that look? He checks himself in the mirror, examining his face. All he notices is his calm expression, a slight crease on his forehead, and his lips forming a straight line. His Outbreak is now managed, indicating that his boredom likely stemmed from the Burnout.

"Outbreak" is like the result of pushing too hard, leading to tiredness and a loss of control, which can cause angry outbursts. On the other hand, "Burnout" happens when he has no tasks but still wants to be active, showing up as constant headaches and restlessness, which might eventually lead to fainting and a long period of inactivity that could last for ages.

Both Outbreak and Burnout have negative effects, making it hard for him to stay still and handle either condition. They also affect every member of the Research Team, including Dull himself.

He won't go into details, but Outbreak and Burnout are constant issues for their kind, and there is no cure for it.

- Never mind. My main point is to take your time. Once you adjust to their way of life, you'll eventually find something enjoyable to do.

"I don't believe that."

- Such a negative attitude!

Dull sighs, glancing out the window at the bustling street below. People are laughing, chatting, and going about their lives. Maybe there is something to explore, something to engage with...

Noticing that Dull seemed to be contemplating his words, the colleague took the chance to share some encouraging thoughts.

- Exactly! You see? Just give it a chance. Try talking to someone new, or take a walk and discover a hidden café. You might surprise yourself.

"Hey. You're really good with your words."

This was, after all, the same person who had managed to convince him to take a vacation away from home.

"Speaking of, at the moment, I work at a café."

The man on the screen frowned.

- Aren't you supposed to be on vacation? Why are you working again?

"I can't help it. I need to earn money for this trip. Plus, if I don't keep busy, I'll just get bored."

- That's so like you.

He sighed, accepting it.

"But I guess I can try to enjoy myself."

He muttered quietly, making the person on the other end smile.

- Good boy.

With a roll of his eyes, he ended the call without a goodbye.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Dull then sank into the sofa, the cushions giving way as he turned on his screens, the soft light brightening the dark room. He looked over the reports sent to him and jotted down his thoughts about the place in a journal.

'My second day isn’t bad, but it definitely needs more excitement.'

Is there a method to significantly boost excitement? Still, it may be smart for him to exercise patience for a short time. A year or two should be enough, as this duration is not too long.

The next day, Dull woke up from a quick nap. Since he was new to sleeping, it didn't last long, and he was wide awake in less than an hour.

'It can't be helped.'

After waking up, the first thing he does is check on the baby chicken, who is busy climbing around and pooping everywhere. Luckily, Dull has a small automatic cleaner he brought from his facility that picks up everything, including liquids and odors. This is why his apartment stays clean and fresh. Although Dull doesn’t mind messes, he prefers to keep things tidy.

As soon as the baby chicken spots him, it rushes over.

"Good morning to you too."

He greets the squawking chick while pulling out the powder he fed it yesterday. Even though it’s not the usual chicken food, Dull wants the baby chicken to finish the whole bottle, since it will be helpful later.

The chicken was acting better than it did yesterday, so the powder must be effective. The chicken is becoming smarter and more aware.

What’s in the powder? It’s something Dull often uses in his experiments. It’s called the "Revitalizing Agent," created by one of the members of the Research Team, and it helps break down cells and rebuild them to be stronger. So, it actually changes the biological makeup of anyone who eats or breathes it.

This powder is a finely ground mix of different ingredients that can't be found in this world, each chosen for its special benefits. At its center, it has a unique enzyme blend that focuses on cell structures, promoting a process called cellular regeneration. This blend helps break down old cells, making way for the quick creation of new, healthier ones.

Dull needed to do all of this to create a new and improved version of this baby chicken.

After feeding the chicken, Dull took a moment to look around his apartment. It seemed quite empty, which was unusual for him since his home and research facility were always filled with papers and inventions.

"It looks bare."

There were a few pieces of furniture left by the previous tenant, but not much—just the basics like a couch and a dining table, with no TV or carpet to soften the starkness of the marbled floor. Luckily, the white walls make him think of his place, so he doesn't care that it feels empty. In fact, he enjoys it because it feels so familiar.

"Should I buy some things?"

He pondered aloud, his brow furrowing at the thought. He wasn't really excited about that idea because he didn't want to spend time picking out items for his apartment. Back home, someone else handled all that, including the furniture, so he never had to think about it.

'I'll just do it later.'

He wasn't in the mood for the boring task of shopping for furniture. Instead, Dull took out a bucket of colorful rocks from his inventory. He then scattered them around the apartment, letting the vibrant hues of red, blue, green, and yellow tumble across the floor.

Once he finished and emptied the bucket, he looked around and smiled. The once drab space now felt alive with color, the rocks creating a playful contrast against the white walls. He also considered unpacking the items he bought yesterday, but then he remembered that many of them would likely spoil if he took them out. So, he decided to forget about it.

"That should do for now."

He said, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over him.

***

Without a job at the moment, Dull takes the chance to explore online resources and dive into various research materials he can find. This journey helps him gain insight into human emotions and their impact on decision-making. However, it doesn't change the fact that he remains confused about how emotions work.

'I am not human, so this is understandable.'

His kind rarely shows concern for one another. While they maintain a polite relationship, they view each other merely as colleagues working together in the same team and faction.

However, the lack of humanity does not mean an absence of emotions. Dull can feel joy, excitement, and even nervousness around his superiors. Yet, emotions like guilt, anger, and care are noticeably missing.

For example, Cache does not genuinely care about Dull, he is only interested in observing Dull's behavior. That defines their relationship.

Moreover, Dull's punishment from his superiors was not due to anger over his actions but rather his carelessness in breaking a minor rule. The Research Team would remain indifferent to the lives he might endanger, as long as he adheres to the established guidelines. In fact, without any rules, he would face no repercussions at all.

In the end, Dull could have concluded his research after acquiring sufficient knowledge about human emotions, however, the Research Team followed a strict methodology. Until Dull grasps the complexities of human emotions, he will not consider his research "complete."

By the time he finished documenting his findings and reviewing the research, it was already afternoon.

"I forgot to eat..."

He can survive without food, but his habit of skipping meals might cause issues when he begins working at the café. His coworkers may see that he isn't eating or feeling hungry, which could make them suspicious. He can't have that.

"Alright. Let's go out for a meal."

He should consider making this a hobby.

Opening his nearly empty closet, he picks out the plain white shirt and brown shorts he bought the day before. While the outfit is simple, it comes from a high-end brand, ensuring a comfortable fit. He also remembers to put on his flip-flops before leaving his apartment.

As he strolls down the quiet hallway, he picks up some "interesting" sounds from his neighbor's apartment. The building's soundproofing is meant to reduce noise, but it doesn't help Dull's sensitive ears much. So, he decides to add more soundproofing in his own room.

Sadly, the other apartments don’t have this extra protection, so he still hears a lot of noise from his neighbors whenever he goes outside. From what he can tell, they seem to be into some kind of kink, which he finds a bit funny. He simply doesn't get why they speak like that whenever they do.

Among all the people on this floor, only those two are usually home, making him curious about their jobs. They might just be typical rich kids living off their parents instead of working.

When he gets into the elevator, he presses the button for the ground floor, not planning to leave since there's a restaurant there. The upper floors have a gym, a pool, a basketball court, and more. Dull thinks about trying these facilities, maybe tomorrow, but today he wants to go outside and see what’s around.

He thought about the chance of finding a suitable subject for his experiments, possibly even creating a chimera or hybird. The idea made him clutch his head in distress.

'Oh shit, the urge is growing stronger again.'

He thought to himself. His need to create was intensifying, showing that he wasn’t really relaxing, his thoughts were still on work and research. Luckily, he could still handle this feeling, but if it kept growing, it might become a problem.

'I need to find a way to distract myself after I eat.'

A calm walk outside might not cut it. Maybe he should check out some less reputable areas later.

'Ah, I remember.'

While he was out yesterday, he noticed those places. The many gaps under the city hinted at tunnels and caves, which seemed much more interesting than just a walk. The idea of hidden paths and secret meetings sparked his curiosity. Plus, the crowds in those underground places hinted at possible illegal activities, a world thriving in the shadows, away from the law's watchful gaze.

Could there be an underground fighting ring where people place bets? He had seen such things online.

He learned that humans love to gamble. In Nothingness, various creatures bet and challenge each other for fun. After all, living a long time can get boring.

Before his house arrest and the years he spent being "punished," he enjoyed taking on challenges with his "friends."

When he found out about illegal fighting rings in this world, he thought about joining as an ordinary human. But no matter how much he tried to hide his Authority, his body would never be as weak as a typical human's, making him feel that joining an illegal fight would be unfair. He considered competing in a few rounds, and if it didn’t excite him, maybe just watching would be enough. After all, there’s joy in observing too.

When he got to the restaurant, he was unsure about the food quality. He asked the waiter for dish recommendations, saying that price didn’t matter and there was no limit. The waiter looked happy, and he suspected they would choose the most expensive items, which didn’t bother him. In fact, he found it funny how they were taking advantage of the situation to increase their profits.

The final bill was more than he expected, but he paid it with money his co-worker had given him.

'I really need to start saving...'

If he continues living like this, his money won’t last a week.

Anyway, his plan to check out the underground area was postponed because of issues from an experiment at the research facility during his vacation.

Usually, he would leave everything to his assistant while he was off, as vacations are for relaxing. However, he couldn’t ignore this issue since it was about important research from the Left Hand, a project he found intriguing. If it hadn’t been so crucial, he wouldn’t have cared about any setbacks. So, he spent the last three days of his vacation fixing problems at the research facility, even though it was far away.

While it was unfortunate, he felt sure he would still have many chances to explore his surroundings.