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Shadows in the Light,19.

The three stopped in front of the *Hungry Comet*. Aluora pointed to the extravagant floating hologram ahead, showing Pierre the place where he would be working. It wasn’t just any ordinary nightclub.

The place was powered by advanced technology based on stellar fusion, which made it shine impressively, with shimmering lights that seemed to dance in the air. The visual spectacle, combined with the vibrant atmosphere, made the *Hungry Comet* feel like something out of this world—literally.

Inside, Pierre could see a lively crowd of exotic aliens dancing and moving across the dance floor. The music pulsed in sync with the lights, creating a unique sensory experience.

“Customers come from all corners of the universe,” Gelub shouted over the noise, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “They’re eager to experience the music, the dancing, and this incredible atmosphere!”

Pierre watched, impressed. He never imagined a place like this could exist, and now he was excited to start. However, he quickly reinforced his boundaries with Aluora and Gelub: “I’m only going to work here for a few days.” He needed to focus on his studies in Avalamite.

Before they could respond, Kou Looj, the general manager of the *Hungry Comet*, approached. He was an imposing figure, with red skin, slightly protruding canines, and small marks on his head that gave him a menacing appearance. To Pierre, Kou Looj looked like a demon straight out of terrestrial mythology. Even understanding the diversity of life forms in the universe, something in Pierre’s spiritual instinct told him that this being was dangerous.

“Do you have all the necessary documents?” Kou Looj asked, his voice deep and controlled. Pierre felt a chill down his spine but kept his composure and handed over the documents. As Kou Looj examined them, he glanced up for a moment, locking eyes with Pierre.

Pierre’s eyes were unusual, a clear blue with fine white streaks that resembled a miniature nebula. Kou Looj, who was used to dealing with orcs with green eyes, raised an eyebrow slightly, a look of curiosity forming on his face.

“A rare orc…” he murmured, almost to himself, but loud enough for Pierre to hear. The comment hung in the air, laden with a mix of interest and suspicion, as if Kou Looj was trying to decipher something in Pierre that he didn’t see every day.

Pierre remained silent, maintaining a firm posture despite the tension he felt inside. Kou Looj then returned his attention to the documents, carefully reviewing them. After a few moments of silence, he finally nodded, satisfied.

“All in order,” he said, still with a slight tone of curiosity in his voice. He then turned to Aluora. “Show him around and how to attend to the customers.”

Pierre and Aluora walked off together, with Aluora excited to show him all the secrets of that special place. As they strolled through the brightly lit corridors, she started talking about workplace safety. “You know, for us immigrant orcs, the treatment here isn’t so bad.”

She smiled, but Pierre noticed the seriousness in her words. When the conversation began to grow heavier, Aluora quickly interrupted the somber tone: “But here, it’s not exactly work,” she said with a playful smile. “It’s pure fun!”

Gelub, who had rejoined them, laughed and then, with a more serious tone, commented: “Do you think life is just fun?” He looked directly at Pierre. “Life is a battle. You need sharp claws to grab opportunities when they arise.”

Suddenly, an employee approached, carrying a small box. “Here’s your uniform,” he said, handing the box to Pierre. When Pierre opened the box, he was surprised to find only a bracelet inside.

“What’s this?” he asked.

The employee laughed. “That bracelet is your uniform! Put it on your wrist and press it.”

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Pierre followed the instructions. To his surprise, the bracelet began to glow, and in a few seconds, he was wearing a tight yellow jumpsuit with black and white details and a comet-shaped emblem on the chest. To complete the look, there was a helmet with a black visor and the same comet emblem on the forehead. He couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of himself. It reminded him of the superhero costumes from the children’s shows he used to watch on Earth.

Gelub laughed along and explained: “The helmet’s been abolished, no one uses it anymore. But it’s good to know how to deactivate it. We don’t want the customers to get attached to us—it’s better this way. It gives them a sense of privacy.”

Pierre nodded, understanding the idea. “Makes sense.”

As he walked through the hall, a young man hurried past him and quickly murmured, “You need to get out of here, escape while you can.”

Pierre stopped, confused. “Why should I escape?” he asked, but the young man had already disappeared into the crowd. The question lingered in his mind, but for now, he chose to ignore it.

Soon, Pierre began his job. He served different customers, each one more exotic than the last. A man with bat wings ordered a drink, while a woman with glowing eyes requested an exotic beverage Pierre had never heard of before. He moved cautiously between the customers, using his *Stellar Propulsors*, special boots that allowed him to hover smoothly through the environment.

As Pierre glided through the hall with the boots, Gelub approached and gave some tips: “Flying between customers is an art. Keep your balance, make it look smooth. And of course, don’t bump into anyone, or the boss will notice.”

Pierre smiled, feeling the energy around him, and as he floated between the customers, he realized how fascinating it was to be surrounded by so many different life forms. Each order he served was a small adventure, a dive into new cultures and stories.

The night was long and arduous. When dawn finally broke, it was time for Pierre to receive his payment. To his surprise, the amount offered was only 300 galactic coins.

Looking around, Pierre noticed that no drink at the *Hungry Comet* cost less than 300 galactic coins. He was indignant. What an exploitation—outrageous!

Noticing his frustration, Aluora gave a slight smile of understanding and said, “That’s what the market dictates, my friend.”

Mrs. Peyton had been right in warning Pierre that he was wasting his time. Working at the *Hungry Comet* hadn’t exactly been profitable, but in a way, he felt the experience had been worthwhile. He had had a lot of fun with his coworkers, and deep down, the learning about diverse cultures and species was priceless. Pierre sought to understand universal laws, the hidden connections between causes and effects, and the complexities of the universe. For him, this second life was a unique opportunity to discover what else the cosmos had to offer.

As he prepared to leave, Kou Looj appeared, emerging from the shadows like an observing predator. “Are you coming back?” he asked, his voice hoarse, laced with a curiosity that felt almost invasive.

Pierre hesitated for a moment, thinking about his studies in Avalamite. “Unfortunately, I can’t. I have a study program to follow. I can only work a few days.”

Kou Looj narrowed his eyes, as if weighing Pierre’s every word. “I understand,” he said, in a tone that left Pierre with the feeling that he knew more than he was letting on. “But have you considered enrolling in a galactic academy?”

The suggestion caught Pierre off guard. He had never considered that possibility before, but to be polite to the manager who hired him, he replied, “Yes, I think that could be a good idea. I’ll think about it.”

Kou Looj gave a slight nod, his red eyes glinting slightly, as if he were analyzing Pierre’s intentions more deeply. “Interesting… very interesting,” he murmured, almost as if talking to himself.

Uncomfortable, Pierre politely said goodbye, and Aluora accompanied him out. As they walked away, Kou Looj remained still, watching the two disappear down the corridors of the *Hungry Comet*. His eyes, fixed on Pierre, held a latent curiosity, as if he were calculating something in silence.

Minutes later, Gelub entered the office, his posture relaxed but his eyes attentive.

“You called, boss?” Gelub asked, already familiar with the routine, but sensing something was different this time.

Kou Looj, still with his gaze fixed on the door Pierre had walked through, calmly responded, “I want Pierre back.”

Gelub, ever loyal, nodded with a simple “Ok,” but there was tension in the air. He knew Kou Looj never made requests without a reason. Something about this sudden interest in Pierre seemed unusual. Gelub remained observant, waiting for the boss to reveal more through the silence.

Kou Looj finally turned around; his red eyes gleaming in the dim light of the office. A different shine passed through them, one that Gelub had seen before but never questioned directly.

“There’s something about that boy…” Kou Looj murmured, as if reflecting aloud, almost distracted. “Something… unique.”

Gelub felt a slight unease but stayed silent. He knew Kou Looj rarely showed open interest in someone unless he saw some value—and it wasn’t necessarily skills or talents. Pierre was different. His appearance. Gelub couldn’t help but think about the unusual color of Pierre’s eyes. They were rare, almost like a fragment of a nebula, something you didn’t see every day in an orc.

Kou Looj remained silent for a moment, his eyes glowing with what seemed to be calculated contemplation, but he said nothing more. Gelub knew the boss didn’t need to explain everything. Kou Looj’s mind always worked in layers, and he preferred to keep his intentions vague, especially when something big was at stake.

“Bring him back,” Kou Looj finally said, his voice calm, without any urgency. “There’s potential there… Something that can be explored.”

Gelub nodded, but something in his mind still troubled him. He had heard this “potential” mentioned before, but never in the way Kou Looj was talking now. It wasn’t just about work. It wasn’t just curiosity. There was more, but it was impossible to discern exactly what. Kou Looj’s tone was wrapped in a familiar mystery—the kind Gelub knew only time would reveal, but for now, it was better not to question.

Without another word, Gelub left the office, leaving Kou Looj alone in his silent meditation. As he walked through the corridors of the *Hungry Comet*, Gelub couldn’t stop thinking about Kou Looj’s sudden fixation on Pierre.

The air was heavy with the kind of mystery Gelub preferred not to delve into any further. He knew Kou Looj was patient, and that the true meaning of this “potential” would only come to light when it was too late for anyone to escape.

“No matter,” he murmured, as if talking to himself. “In the end, the only thing that matters is winning.”