Do ratmen dream of the sacred tree of spirits?

Chapter 113 Work

Why must he find a job? Fafnir wondered. It wasn't just because his money would run out quickly, but also perhaps influenced by his previous life's mindset. He didn't know what else he could do to make a living besides finding a job. In this unfamiliar place, he had neither a background nor any special skills. He figured he could probably live better in industrial areas than in rural areas. And at least according to Nina and her husband, finding a job in the city wouldn't be difficult.

The streets of the Steel City were quite wide, with carriages and pedestrians moving about together. The streets didn't look very dirty, but Fafnir always smelled a strange mixture of coal and iron, though it wasn't exactly unpleasant.

On the street, a gentleman in a suit and top hat approached, his steps leisurely. Fafnir took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and felt his heart pounding: "Excuse me, sir, may I ask—"

"Leave me alone—"

She was a well-dressed woman of the Lin race. "Hello, esteemed lady—"

"Get lost, you lazy bum, don't come near me, or I'll call the police."

"Hello, may I ask—"

Before the man could speak, Fafnir felt a carriage whiz past him, its wings brushing against his back.

"Are you blind?! Damn it—"

The coachman's gruff voice echoed in Fafnir's ears. Before Fafnir could finish speaking, the man gave him a cold glance and quickly left.

Fafnir stared blankly at the several respectable-looking people who were leaving one after another. He had only wanted to ask which places in town were good for finding work, but a wave of frustration and sadness suddenly washed over him. He stood there on the street for a while before he came to his senses. He didn't know if it was because of his rat-man appearance, despite his neat new clothes, or perhaps the passersby were simply too busy to notice him and he was the one bothering them.

Fortunately, a few kind passersby pointed out a few directions to the boy, who was just over ten years old. Fafnir learned that he could choose to become an apprentice in various shops along the street, as long as they were still hiring. He could also work as a miner in the iron and coal mines in the West End, or find a job in the mining factories in the East End, where they were hiring every day and the turnover rate was very high. Of course, he could also choose to become a male servant for some respectable families or even nobles, but this required connections and introductions to find such jobs, and it was said that there were requirements regarding bloodline and family background, as well as a certain amount of work experience.

Fafnir sincerely thanked the passersby. Having learned of this, he planned to go directly to the mine factory in the eastern district to find work. The factory should be able to operate the machines, and perhaps if he worked there long enough, he could master some skills and have some future prospects. Fafnir thought that being an apprentice in a shop might also work, but the probability of encountering a terrible employer was very high. Fafnir recalled a text from his junior high school days, "Vanka," whose tragic image of an apprentice was deeply ingrained in his mind—if he couldn't find work in the factory—he'd deal with it then.

well----

The journey to the East District mining factory was much longer than Fafnir had imagined, but he was reluctant to spend the little money he had and insisted on walking. The shops on both sides of the street became fewer and fewer, replaced by factories and warehouses with high walls. The smell of coal smoke in the air became stronger. It was almost afternoon before Fafnir approached the factory, which covered a large area. Tall and short chimneys stood among the buildings, some of which were belching out black smoke.

"Hello, are you hiring here?" Fafnir walked toward the factory gate, where a man in uniform was sitting. "Look, it's the first room on the left on the first floor of that building."

"Thanks."

The door to the room was open. Fafnir peeked inside and was surprised to find only one man behind a desk. He had expected there would be many people lining up to apply.

"Thump, thump"

Fafnir knocked on the door twice.

"Come in."

Fafnir slowly walked to the desk and bowed slightly, but he didn't even lift his eyelids. "Hello, is this the recruitment office of the mining factory? I'm here to apply for a job."

"Applying for a job? Ha—" The man looked up and sized up Fafnir: "Ratman? Where are you from, and what kind of job are you looking for?"

"I come from the Cellar City and hope to operate the machines," Fafnir replied.

"Oh? You're here to escape? You're not a deserter, are you? We don't take you in here."

"No, I'm just here to find a job to make a living." To be honest, Fafnir felt a little guilty.

"Oh—really? We've always been short-staffed here. Do you want to do moving and processing work? By the way, how old are you? According to the Steel Territory Council's legislation, people under twelve can't work in the factory," the man said slowly.

"Hello, I'm twelve years old. I'm hardworking and capable, and operating machines has always been my dream." - Fafnatch

Shi Di stuffed a handful of coins onto the desk.

"Oh—really? Operating the machines, right? Hmm—just a friendly reminder, don't even think about slacking off. Operating the machines is no easier than moving and processing parts," the man thought for a moment, "report to the workshop tomorrow, Machine Tool Workshop One, Factory Building Two."

"Thank you." Fafner was pleasantly surprised. Was it really that easy? Was this job offer a bit too easy?

Do you even know the rules?

"Sorry, this is my first time here."

"The salary for the first six months is one hundred copper coins per month, and then one silver coin per month. The apprenticeship period is three years, with one day off per month. Work starts at seven o'clock every day and ends at nine o'clock in the evening. During the three years of the apprenticeship, you are not allowed to take leave or be absent without leave. Every time you are late or leave early, you will be penalized ten copper coins. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Fafnir replied, suppressing some psychological discomfort. Although he was mentally prepared, he still felt some fear.

The two were silent for a moment. Fafnir felt puzzled; the man kept staring at him, as if asking for something. Did he want money too?

Where's the contract? Isn't there a contract?

"Where's the guarantee certificate?" the man called out, growing impatient.

"Guarantee certificate? Sorry, I don't know what that is."

"Get lost, you're making fun of me!" The man slammed his hand on the table. "What kind of work are you looking for without a guarantee certificate? Hah."

"Excuse me----"

"Get a guarantee certificate from a large shop owned by someone of Chinese descent, or from a bank or school, understand? Get out of here now! Come back after you've got it!"

Perhaps because Fafnir had just given him money, the man explained impatiently.

Fafner left. He understood why the recruitment office was empty—the guarantee certificate?

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