Morning sunlight streamed through the branch office windows, painting gold stripes across the floor. Shunya sat at a wooden table that smelled faintly of ink and bureaucracy. In front of him lay his first ever official stipend: two shining silver coins, each stamped with the NGCO crest.
He stared at them as if they might sprout legs and walk away.
"So this is it," he muttered. "My reward for risking life and limbs against acid beasts. Two coins. Shiny enough to blind me but light enough to vanish if I buy lunch for three people."
Jean leaned back in his chair, amused. "You are not wrong. Two silvers can vanish quickly. That is why most operatives either save ruthlessly or die before they spend much. Your rank gives you stability, but also responsibility."
