"Then how can I go out? I want to see my friend."
"Just get a Grab." Christine said.
"But I don't have money."
"Don't have money? Are you kidding me? I thought you had a lot? Are you bankrupt or what?" Zeline joked.
"..."
The room fell quiet. Zeline looked at her brother, who now continued eating innocently.
"Are you really bankrupt now?" Zeline asked loudly.
"You don't need to say it out loud," Zayden snapped.
"Then who's going to pay for the COD of my high heels and wristwatch? I just going to ask you to cover it."
"Zeline! I already told you not to spend carelessly. I want you to cancel it now!"
"But Mom..." Zeline protested.
"Now!"
Zeline pouted and walked toward the sofa in front of the TV, turning her attention to the news.
"Did you really have to raise your voice like that, Mom?" Zayden asked. He somehow felt a bit sorry for his sister.
"It's fine. Once I buy her ice cream, she'll be back to normal." Christine said.
[The Lumina Corp has agreed to a full buyout of the Crescent Company. This comes after Crescent Company reported three consecutive years of deficit. The acquisition is expected to strengthen Lumina Corp's presence in the nation and further boost dungeon-related industries across the Asian League. Lumina is currently ranked among the world's top ten corporations.]
The news played from the living room TV.
"Waa... it's Lucien! He's so handsome!" Zeline shouted.
Zayden looked up at the TV and saw him, a man with blonde hair and a charming smile, now the face of Lumina in this region.
'Why does everyone go crazy when they see him? He's just so-so to me. I'm way better looking than him,' Zayden thought.
"Ahh... I really hope I become a dungeon hunter one day. People will always take pictures of me, and I'll be on the front cover of so many magazines." Zeline was lost in her dream.
Cough cough!
Zayden choked on his food when he heard that. He slowly glanced toward his mother, who was now standing at the stove.
Dungeon-related topics were totally taboo in this house. His mom would usually get really angry whenever it was mentioned.
But this time, she didn't react. Either she didn't hear it... or she just ignored it.
Zayden let out a breath of relief. He quickly finished his food and went to wash the dishes. As he rinsed the plate, he glanced out the window, and something caught his eye.
"Mom. Is that ours?" he asked, pointing outside.
Christine looked out. "Yes. It's Zeline's, but she didn't want to ride it. Said it was embarrassing."
What they saw was a bicycle with a basket in front. It still looked fairly new, even though it had been sitting at the back of the yard.
"Can I have it?" Zayden asked.
"Ask your sister."
"Zeline! Can I have your bicycle?" he called out.
Zeline just raised her left hand and made an 'OK' sign.
Zayden immediately ran to the backyard. He stood in front of the bicycle. It was black and green, complete with a basket and a ringing bell.
"I'll use this for now..."
He really needed to save his money. Spending it on Grab rides or public transport was a waste in his current situation.
He then spent the next hour cleaning the bicycle and making some minor repairs.
"Perfect!" he said with a satisfied smile.
He looked at his watch, it was already 8:30 a.m. Grabbing a bag and a cap, he hopped onto the bicycle and rode off toward the Art Market Station.
30 minutes later, he arrived at the Art Market Station. This light rail station was the heart of the district, and it showed, people were everywhere. It had been a long time since he last came here. As he looked around, he saw advertisements plastered all over.
Almost two-thirds of them were dungeon-related. Some promoted academies for aspiring dungeon hunters, others sold gear and equipment, and most featured the faces of S-rank hunters, men and women more famous than movie stars, each the poster figure for their respective companies.
"Looks like the future is all about dungeons," he thought.
It was hard to believe that the dungeons, which first appeared nearly a century ago and were once feared as death zones, had now become the goldmines of this era. Everyone wanted a piece of it.
Even his stepfather and older sister worked at a medical facility specializing in treating dungeon-related injuries.
As he was deep in thought...
"Bro, how long you been waiting?" a voice called out.
He turned and saw a man with spiky orange hair and goggles resting on his head, waving at him with a grin.
"Max!" Zayden smiled and walked over, pulling his friend into a hug. It had been years since they last met.
"How are you, man? You look really thin now," Max said, giving him a once-over.
"It's nothing. Let's go."
"Wait a sec. You're planning to go dungeon hunting… wearing that?" Max blinked in disbelief at Zayden's outfit.
"Yes. Why? Something wrong?"
"Everything's wrong! You're wearing a cap, a sweater, jeans, and sneakers. Are you going to a dungeon or a concert?"
"It's fine. I just want to watch you fight, not join in."
Max narrowed his eyes. "Zayden, a dungeon isn't a playground. I can't always watch over you. You should at least bring a weapon."
"Don't worry, man. I've got one. I won't drag you down."
"Hmph… if you say so. Let's go," Max replied, moving to walk past him.
"Hey, where are you going?" Zayden asked, confused.
"To your car, of course. Why?" Max tilted his head.
"Err… my car broke down. Someone gave me a lift here. Let's use yours," Zayden replied, making up an excuse.
"Tch. I was just hoping to enjoy a ride in a luxury sedan. Fine, follow me."
The two of them got into Max's car and drove toward the New City Dungeon Hunter Hub. It took about 20 minutes before they arrived.
"Before you can enter the dungeon, you need to register as a hunter first," Max said.