"What... the fuck?"

Shock and horrified was not enough to explain what everyone was feeling. Though it was possible, they weren't expecting this at all. 

The last time that they received a gift like this was a year ago— a full load of disabled children. Mostly of them died and only few manages to survive up until today.

"This is getting disappointing! I am expecting to get a ration of food for a week!"

Conan looked at the man beside him who was holding a huge sack. Well, everyone had their sacks with them including him. But they can't sack people, do they?

He heard a series of complains and curses. Some started to leave while the others approached the newly arrived group to search if they had valuable items with them.

Conan was about to leave as well when he heard a frightened voices and pleas.

He turned to the group of old people who were trying to get on the truck and return to the City.

"Don't leave us here! This place is scary!"

"I still have money in my bank account! I have millions! How can you do this to me?!"

"Tell my son to fuck off! This is his payment after all the things that I've done for him?!"

"Tell those suckers that we'll waiting for them here!"

Conan stared at the closing gate. It was made of ultra thick steel. It was like a wall and behind it was a group of security, ensuring that no one will get through inside.

An old man approached him suddenly. "Boy, do you have a house? Are you alone? Let me stay in. I'm a retired general. People are afraid of me during my prime," he said proudly. The old man held his arms tightly and whispered in his hears. "I'm going to kick your ass if you'll decline."

Conan furrowed his eyebrows and grimaced before shoving the man away. Despite the deep lines on his face, he was tall and his posture was still proud despite his old age. It was true that he had this intimidating aura on him but he seems not to understand the situation he's in.

The old man felt enrage on what he did. "You're feisty. Who do you think you are, huh?"

He was about to grabbed Conan but he was quick to pick a rod and swatted the man's hand away.

"Bastard!"

Conan hates these kind of people the most. So mighty that they think they were god, that someone lower than them will bow down to their feet obediently.

He was in a strange place yet he still had the guts to act like this? People here despised City dwellers. Not that they were experiencing a better life than them but because of their cocky and mighty attitude.

"Hey, what are you doing to him?"

Conan stepped back when he saw Tera— one of the feared personality in their area. His bald head was covered with tattoos. He had a muscular body and the crime and his skills in martial arts were widespread in their area. He heard that he was under the umbrella of yakuza's as one of their underground fighters.

He had the permission to enter the Highlands whenever he wants. With the connections that he had, he can ask for a nice place in the City to stay but he heard that he prepared the life in the slums. He also stated that he can't take the people there.

"You have the courage to bully our kids here. For someone who's new here, shouldn't you supposed to act nice and try to blend in?"

"I'm a general and my words are absolute!"

Tera puffed his cigarette and stared at the seething old man. Conan kept his mouth shut as he don't want to get in Tera's way.

"I see that you have an expensive set of teeth there, general."

The old man widened his eyes as he started to stepped back.

Tera huffed, fish his wallet out and smacked a hundred bills on Conan's chest.

"Go and buy some milk." He looked down at him. "Grow some muscles if you don't want this jerk people to trample you easily."

Conan gasped in bewilderment. He was giving him a free money! What can he say? Tera was a loaded guy!

"Are you listening, kid?"

"Yes! Yes!" he nodded continuously. His eyes were twinkling while staring at Tera's face. This was the first time that someone gave him money! He felt exhilarated!

Tera crackled his knuckles and slowly approached the now pale old man.

"Leave if you don't want to see an old toothless general. That will be horrible. It will be a nightmare for sure."

Conan didn't hesitate to ran back home as he don't want to anger Tera. He stopped halfway and looked again at the man. Dude, he was so cool!

That night, Conan heard a several knocks on the door but he didn't dare tried to open it even once. He knew that they were the new comers. He wanted to at least help them but he was now scared due to what happened earlier.

He woke up with the loud screams outside. He opened his tattered window and watched at the morning scuffle.

"Hahaha! Mercy, you say? Do you guys even know that? You've been sneering down on us and treating us lowly than rats. And now that you're experiencing the life that we had, you ask for help?"

"Please. I'm starving! A loaf of bread will do!"

"Where are those high and prideful City dwellers now, eh? Work your ass off if you want to eat. Better yet, go to the dump site and look for some leftovers from your beloved land! This is just your first day here. Good luck on surviving!"

Conan closed the window and went to the kitchen to drink a milk that he managed to buy from one of the stores near the entrance. 

There was a long line of stores near the gate. The shop owners were selling their products double the original price as it came directly from the suppliers of the City. They can't complain as they can only taste fresh goods because of them.

His collar beep and after a few seconds, he felt a bolt of electricity that spread around his body. 

He hissed, get his sack and went to the dump site to start his long day.

He was always reminded every day that he needs to pay his father's debt. The voltage isn't as strong as his first experience. It was just a quick electric shock— an alarm clock telling him to work and produce the amount that he needs to pay monthly.

Conan was walking in trance when he suddenly bumped into an old lady that he hasn't seen before.

"I'm sorry—"

His apology went hanging when he felt a brief graze on his crotch. His eyes widened and stepped back, staring at the old lady who was smiling gleefully at him.

She looks pure yet there's something mysterious air around her. Maybe that was just an accident? Yes. That might be the case.

"You have a beautiful eyes, young man. You'll be attractive once you grow up. You will change to the point that no one can manage to recognize you."

What was this lady talking about?

She smiled at his confused face and patted his shoulder. "The road is indeed rough. It's tough. Don't worry though because you'll gonna make it to the top."