For the past few months, Shauwn had been living in a small town called Silver Creek. Compared to the highly developed mega-cities run by the Conglomerates and Unified Mega-Corps, Silver Creek was more of an isolated place—one of the few towns that still maintained a modest level of pre-Fracture technology.
Shauwn found it rather impressive. Here, it felt as though time had either stopped or was moving at a normal pace, while outside the town, everything had evolved far too quickly. Still, he was satisfied. Life outside didn't suit him, and he wanted a fresh start—far away from it all.
The only downside was the monotony that ruled his new lifestyle. Thanks to an old acquaintance, he had found a job, but outside of waking up and going to work, he didn't do much else.
"Hey, Sirius! Stop daydreaming and bring that order to the customer!"
The voice belonged to Wallace, a man in his fifties. He was the one who had found Shauwn this job and hired him at the modest diner. Though the town wasn't prosperous, people still needed their morning cup of coffee or breakfast—if not at home, then here. That was why the place was still standing, or so Wallace liked to say.
"I'm coming, I'm coming—no need to yell, I was right here," Shauwn replied, grabbing the order and heading to the customer.
It was John, a regular and one of their first customers of the day.
"So, John, looks like it's going to be a rough day ahead," Shauwn said as he placed the plate on the table and topped off his coffee.
"You don't say! Especially with all those exploration works at the mines, trying to see if they're still worth anything! Hmph."
Silver Creek had once been a prosperous mining town, now in the middle of a slow revival. The mines had long been abandoned and should have been condemned, but old-timers like John—and some of the younger folk—were determined to give it one last try, hoping to prevent their destruction.
"Maybe you should really give it up? There's no point forcing it. If the mines are obsolete, it's better to leave them be. Besides, it's not really your age anymore. You should retire and rest."
"Ha! So they can stick me in a home full of senile old men? I'd rather keep mining! Besides, I'm one of the few left with real experience… Not that I blame you for thinking that way. You weren't here during this town's golden age." John scratched his white beard, his gaze drifting for a moment.
He was right. Shauwn wasn't a native, so he couldn't truly understand. Still, he could feel the nostalgia in John's words. Sometimes, Shauwn also found himself lost in memories of another time—though he quickly forced those thoughts away.
"Well, I hope you're not doing this just to avoid ending up in a retirement home. At least I'm glad your son is going with you."
"Nonsense! It's not about that. Ah—speak of the devil…"
A brown pickup truck pulled up in front of the diner. A man in a thick gray vest, faded jeans, and a navy-blue cap stepped out. It was John's son. He walked in, the doorbell chiming to announce his entrance.
"Good morning, Sirius. How are you today? I hope my father isn't bothering you too much." He extended a hand. Shauwn shook it. As always, his grip was firm, his palm rough—proof of years of hard labor.
"I'm doing fine, Mr. Jacob. Don't worry, it's always a pleasure talking with him. Please, have a seat."
"See? I was just telling him how much faster the work would go if we had a few people like Shauwn around here."
"Dad, stop bothering him with that. He's already told you no," Jacob said firmly.
"And what makes you think I'd make things faster?" Shauwn asked with a faint, playful smile.
"Don't play dumb. Even from here, I can tell you've got a strong build. And those hands of yours—scars, calluses—you've done hard, physical work before. Makes me wonder what kind of work it was…"
"Yeah, I've always wondered that myself," Jacob admitted.
"Sorry, the other customers are waiting. I'll see you later," Shauwn cut the conversation short, slipping away.
"He's avoiding the subject again. Hmph. You should act like a real man and work in the mines instead of playing servant here," John grumbled.
"Oh, come on, Dad, you sound like the coffee's gone to your head. Sorry about him, Sirius."
Shauwn smiled. "Don't worry, Mr. Jacob. I'm not offended. Besides, without me, you wouldn't have your morning coffee and breakfast to give you the strength to go mining."
After that, Shauwn busied himself with the other customers. The main topic of gossip that morning was the sudden withdrawal of Nopar Corporation from Silver Creek.
Nopar was a mid-sized company working in construction, hoping to expand by building malls and other major facilities. Since the outside world was dominated by massive corporations, they targeted small towns like this one, buying up land—inhabited or not—and pushing luxury development that forced locals to raise their already weak standard of living.
When owners refused to sell, Nopar resorted to pressure, threats, and even rumors of gang attacks. The diner, the mines, and other homes had all received their offers, but no one gave in. Nopar made it clear they would return, and not as "friendly" the next time.
The townsfolk were on edge, expecting violence—yet nothing happened. Instead, word spread that Nopar had suddenly pulled out.
No one knew exactly why. Some claimed someone struck first. Others whispered of a hidden group or gang protecting the town.
But Shauwn knew very well what had happened. After all, he was the reason Nopar left Silver Creek…