Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'

"This just in: Recently, there have been multiple sightings of Spirit Monsters recorded by the public. If you encounter such creatures, please call the special bureau immediately, as only professionals can inflict damage on these dangerous Spiritual Bodies..."

"Friendly reminder: Spirit Monsters are easily attracted to those who harbor resentment. For your own safety, please maintain a good mood..."

The county city was truly bustling. He even saw a silver floating vehicle zip overhead, its snowy-colored bodywork and nano bulletproof coating being standard fare for the rich.

Li Aozi gazed at the floating vehicle as it flew past overhead. He recognized the model as the DN2000 'Snow Wolf,' with a top speed of 600 kilometers per hour. Even if hit by a cyborg madman and severely injured, one could still be rushed to the hospital in time.

That vehicle must have been very stable, because as it passed by, Li Aozi saw a man and a woman inside dancing ballet and drinking wine, with fresh fruit and pastries casually scattered on the floor.

He saw a grapefruit, which sold for about 230 Derby per kilogram on the market. That grapefruit must have weighed three kilograms.

As the vehicle flew away, Li Aozi still stared blankly at that patch of sky.

"That seems like the life meant for humans."

He stretched out his hand, wanting to touch that piece of the sky that belonged to humans.

When he finished the interview and came out of the Jianlin Village Town Savings Bank, he was already dressed in a Security Guard uniform.

Li Aozi held a rubber baton. He vaguely remembered he had come to interview for a job to make money.

"Feeling disillusioned? Actually, even a junior college student can do the teller job, but they wouldn't give it to a man like you."

Lanny Johns winked at him, the man with the pockmarked face patted his shoulder, consoling him:

"Don't worry, no one's going to rob the Village Town Bank. There's not much in our vault. Even without any cybernetic enhancements, working as a night patrol security guard is risk-free."

Li Aozi said he just wanted to make money.

"Make money? With your education, you should go to GTB, become a Bounty Hunter. One job can easily earn you seventeen or eighteen thousand."

Lanny pushed against his chest and laughed:

"But with your physique, forget it. You probably wouldn't complete even one job in a few years—might even lose your life. This job is quite relaxing. You just need to accompany me at night, patrol the basement, check the cameras, and you easily make two thousand Derby a month."

Li Aozi didn't say a word; he explained that two thousand Derby was not enough to cover his sisters' schooling expenses.

"Poor kid, but all your effort is futile."

Lanny looked at him with sympathy:

"I once believed that as long as one worked hard and diligently, one could overcome the impact of Gender... but this is Frost Plated, a woman's country. Be thankful, it's still better than the Outer World."

Li Aozi remained silent, spending a day at his Security Guard post.

Time ticked away every second, and he looked out through the bank's self-proclaimed bulletproof glass.

The artificial sunlight remained fixed in place, just as poverty forever accompanied him.

In a daze, he saw the Snow Wolf floating vehicle again, its pale blue hydrogen flame gently spewing out as the male owner looked relaxed and superior, reigning over the entirety of Frost Plated.

"Hey, Li Aozi, let's grab some food. It will be time for the night patrol soon; don't fall asleep on the job."

Lanny broke through his daydream.

Dinner was a Synthetic Energy Paste provided by the bank, with a hint of salt that made Li Aozi lick his lips after eating it.

He remembered the best meal he had had in school: porridge with residue accompanied by flatbread stuffed with mushrooms, seasoned with chili oil, salt, chicken essence, and cumin—it was incredibly luxurious.

Lanny drank a can of beer. According to him, alcohol and cigarettes were the cheapest luxuries.

"You'll understand eventually, that in Frost Plated, men have no future."

Li Aozi said:

"I saw a man driving a 'Snow Wolf'..."

"You mean Young Master Zhou? His mother is the county head."

Li Aozi didn't listen to this. He looked towards the sky outside the window, the white floating vehicle that was always there.

"I didn't get to continue school, uncle. I want to make big money."

Lanny shook his head:

"Silly kid, everyone wants to make money."

"Once I save up enough, I'll get cybernetic surgery," Li Aozi said. "Go to GTB to become a Bounty Hunter… I have to make money; my whole family is depending on me."

"That's impossible."

Lanny threw cold water on him:

"Every year there are hundreds of boys like you who think the same thing, borrowing from loan sharks to get cybernetic enhancements, trying to live as desperados—few survive. Most end up with a mountain of debt, and their whole families get dismantled and sold on the black market."

He didn't hear.

Li Aozi raised his hand and reached for the sky, where the artificial sun hung.

The sunlight was not so cold anymore; it was as if there was hope once again.

"I've dreamed of living a life that should be lived... being able to fly above this country's sky."

Save money, get augmented, become a GTB Bounty Hunter, pay off debts, pay for tuition, improve life...

[His Excellency the President emphasized: Maintaining the status of Frost Plated women is a reflection of Frost Plated's progressive system]

Just as his flame of hope began to kindle, the sound of the news broadcast interrupted his moment.

Li Aozi's expression stiffened.

Would life in this country truly change for him?

He dared not think too much about it and quickly shook his head, preparing to distract himself with work from these unpleasant thoughts.

"Let's go, uncle, it's time to get to work!"

Lanny expressed surprise,

"What's the rush? The bank is closed, no one's pressing us, and no one sees how hard you work even if you're enthusiastic."

Li Aozi said sheepishly,

"It doesn't matter... none of it matters."

"Aren't you happy? I can hear a bit of resentment in your tone."

"No, I'm fine."

Li Aozi replied.

Two hours later, Lanny's body suddenly fell, covered in a layer of white frost.

Li Aozi was knocked over by Lanny's corpse, falling heavily to the ground, his head hitting the corner of a table, splitting open and bleeding. He watched in horror as a ghost hovered indistinctly in the distance.

It was it, just with a mere touch, it had frozen Lanny to death.

"What is this—stay away!"

Li Aozi struggled to his feet in a panic,

"Don't kill me, I don't want to die... I haven't yet flown to the sky of Frost Plated."

However, the ghost did not seem to understand human speech.

It floated closer, inching towards him.

"Why kill me... my life isn't worth much, why not go after those rich people?"

Li Aozi struggled, but Lanny's body was on top of him, and in his panic, he simply couldn't escape.

"Why me, what have I done wrong..."

Li Aozi was consumed by fear. The cold, suffocating pressure forced tears involuntarily from his eyes. In his despair, he suddenly remembered the words from the broadcast:

[Friendly reminder: Spirit Monsters are easily attracted to those harboring resentment. For your safety, please maintain a good mood.]

So it was a Spirit Monster, his own resentment had attracted it.

...Pfft.

Li Aozi cracked a smile, laughter escaping him.

So the poor are not even allowed to harbor resentment.

Rich people, of course, are not attacked because they have no resentment in their hearts.

Crying and laughing, facing the approaching Spirit Monster, he now lacked any trace of fear—only hate and defiance remained.

The rich can attend university, ride expensive float cars, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and even maintain a happy disposition, immune to Spirit Monster attacks.

Spirit Monsters are not scary; the only truly frightening thing in this world is poverty.

Li Aozi closed his eyes and, as a materialist, cursed with all his resentments:

"Deities, if you truly exist, please destroy this damned country."

The Spirit Monster moved closer, extending its formless claws, and swept them down at Li Aozi.