Aston let out a breath he was unconsciously holding. He ran his fingers through his hair, allowing the moment to sink in. His life has changed in the span of minutes - from hell to heaven. If he hadn’t witnessed it himself, he wouldn’t have believed it.

  Gray, now back in his kitten form, yawned and curled up to a ball back at Aston’s lap. He smirked, while lightly scratching the back of the kitten’s ears.

  His attention shifted towards his wallet. The card.

  He pulled the wallet out from his pocket, then the card.

  The card was unadorned, apart from the Bank of Juno’s logo embedded in the golden metallic card. He flipped the card and found a digital screen at the back. The back bore similarities with that of the ones he kept on seeing amongst customers when he tended the shop. It was a biometric scanner.

  The scanner was developed by the bank as a measure of protection. It allowed the withdrawal of money from machines, and even payment from shops, to only be done by the owner of the card. It also makes the card itself a device. Transfer of funds or payment is possible by placing the card of the payer or the transferer above the card of the payee or the transferee, upon the input of the transfer of the payer.

  The card can also display its balance on the screen.

  Aston exhaled slowly, gripping tight against the card. He had never owned something like this before.The rich customers in the shop used them effortlessly, tapping and transferring funds as if it were second nature. Now, he had one as his own.

  His thumb hovered over the screen before pushing it down against the metallic surface. A soft sound beeped, as the card’s screen flickered to life.

  [Account number 4010108981040 binded. Please enter the name for the account.]

  A holographic keyboard appeared in front of Aston projected by the card. Aston then typed his name using his right hand.

  [Records updated. Locating current location. Location found: Red Moon Empire.]

  [Current balance: 2,637 dragon gold, 57 gold, 9 silver, 3 copper]

  His eyes widened. 2,600 dragon gold - not gold, but dragon gold.

  He had expected, maybe a few gold if he was lucky. But this? This was more money he had ever seen in his life.

  His hands trembled slightly as he looked at the screen. He couldn’t process what this amount would mean to him. For every copper and silver has been carefully rationed for his meals and expenses. He had even sold some of the furniture and let the house run into dilapidation just for him to eat.

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  His mind reeled. What could he even do with this much money? Fix his home? Buy proper food?

  No.This wasn’t just about survival anymore. With this money, he could change everything.

  But just then, he felt a wave of exhaustion. The adrenaline coursing through him all throughout this time finally settled. The events of the night - the contents of the box, the contract, Gray’s transformation, and then his newfound wealth, had drained him. His body, worn from years of scraping by, can finally have its well earned rest.

  He let out a long breath, rubbing his temples. Tomorrow. He would think about everything tomorrow. Right now, he just needed some sleep.

  Slipping the card back into his wallet, he watched as Gray curled into a ball on his lap. A hint of smile tugged his lips.

  He carefully scooped the ball into his embrace. He then slowly walked outside his aunt’s room, towards his bedroom, and to his bed. He carefully leaned back against his mattress. He placed the kitten on his chest. The room was cold, but for the first time in a long time, he didn’t feel alone.

  His eyelids grew heavy, thoughts fading into the darkness. And before he knew it, he was already in dreamland.

  —

  Warmth.

  It was the first thing that Aston felt when he awoke. A gentle weight rested on his chest, rising and falling in sync with his chest.

  For a moment, he just laid there and stared at the ceiling. The usual dread that came once he awoke was gone. What came was now hope, a chance, a possibility.

  He poked the kitten atop his chest and murmured, “Good morning, Gray.”

  At the sound of his voice, the hairball unfurled, and its blue eyes fluttered open. The kitten let out a small meow, stretched lazily, and hopped down from Aston’s chest.

  He sat up and ruffled his hair. The air was crisp, the morning chill seeped through the cracks of the house, but for once, it didn’t bother him much. He had woken up countless times from the very same bed, but today was the first time he felt truly awake.

  He had money. Power. A strong spirit beast. And now - he had choices.

  His stomach growled, breaking the moment of contemplation. He was hungry. He remembered he only had breakfast yesterday.

  He got up off the bed and showered. The bloodstains in his polo shirt and pants gave him a slightly grim appearance, contrasting sharply with his sunny disposition.

  After showering, he donned another set of clean clothes, a shirt and pants. He grabbed his wallet and glanced at Gray, who hopped onto his shoulder effortlessly. “Let’s go get something to eat.”

  With a newfound sense of purpose, they stepped outside. The sun is already high in the sky, casting a yellowish hue over the dilapidated street.

  Aston walked down the street, feeling an unfamiliar lightness in his step. The scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat drifted from a nearby restaurant, stirring his hunger even further.

  It had been so long since he ordered food from a restaurant. His meals had always been hastily prepared dishes, scraps, or whatever he could afford from street vendors.

  For the first time in years, he could eat whatever he wanted.