The next morning, Durin woke up early.
Because today, he first had to go to the slaughterhouse to complete the resignation procedures and quit his old job. Then, he would go to the Entresol Level to take on the debt collection job.
The foreman, upon learning of Durin's resignation, was not surprised. Instead, he took a handful of melon seeds from his pocket with a normal hand and gave them to Durin, asking, "Durin, where do you plan to work now? Many places in Zaun have been shut down recently!"
"I'm going to be a mage's assistant," Durin nodded. "Rent has gone up, everything has gone up, and my current salary can't support my life."
The foreman nodded in deep agreement; rent throughout Zaun had indeed increased. Fortunately, his monthly salary plus commission made him somewhat middle-class, and he had accumulated some savings over the years.
However, Durin becoming a wizard's assistant again surprised him a little, and he immediately asked, "A wizard's assistant? Have you forgotten your previous painful experiences? How about this, I have a nephew who runs a grocery store; I can ask him if he's hiring."
After speaking, he earnestly patted Durin's shoulder and sighed, "There aren't many normal wizards in Zaun; their brains are all a bit off."
"There's no other way; it's not easy to find a meal," Durin said helplessly. "Thank you for your kindness, but this current wizard seems like a good person, and… well, very normal. In any case, I'm quite satisfied with this wizard assistant job for now."
"Alright then, I wish you an early success in becoming a wizard!" The team leader beamed, patted Durin's shoulder, and exclaimed, "By then, we can also say we know a wizard! Hahahaha!"
"Thank you for your kind words." Durin waved his hand, then found the factory manager's assistant to complete his resignation, and left the slaughterhouse with his withheld month's salary, 3 silver lun coins.
After leaving the slaughterhouse, he bought some food from the fly-infested breakfast stalls at the factory gate.
The stalls sold cheap food, such as roasted insect skewers, second-hand oil-fried bread slices, or ham made from unknown meat. The emphasis was on large quantities, filling portions, and sufficient calories.
Durin picked and chose, finally selecting the cheapest and most filling black bread, paying 1 copper circle coin.
Next, Durin walked towards the public elevator, eating as he went, intending to head to the Entresol Level.
As soon as Durin entered, he chose a spot by the glass window. Because the elevator was about to start, the gang thugs responsible for maintaining order had to clear the surrounding people to prevent anyone from trying to grab onto the metal support beams beneath the elevator and sneak in by hanging underneath it.
Fare evasion was a minor issue; if the elevator overloaded and malfunctioned because of it, the most convenient channel connecting different areas of Zaun would completely disappear, and they would be held responsible.
"Entresol Level, here we are!"
A gang thug shouted at the top of his lungs.
When the elevator stopped at the Entresol Level, Durin stepped out. This place was completely different from the Upper City. He could clearly feel that the air was much fresher, and the dust particles floating in the air were not as noticeable. Durin also felt the burden on his lungs lessen.
Most people on the street wore deep green or deep red clothes, while a few adopted a metallic brass color.
The external filter respirators worn on faces were also not uniform; there were mask-type, full-face mask-type, and goggle-type ones.
Durin followed the address posted on the task board, making his way to 12 Third Street, East District.
It was a back alley located between two tall buildings, with rows of trash cans, some already overturned. At the end of the alley was a half-open iron fence gate, with people occasionally going in and out.
Entering through the iron gate, at the end of the archway was a crude isolation door. After passing through the isolation door, one entered a shop. To be precise, it was an alchemy shop, selling various civilian alchemy tools, all of which were used for mining ore.
"Reno Alchemy Workshop, blessed by the gods!"
"Piltover's officially designated workshop!"
"The one and only Reno Alchemy Workshop spanning the entire world!"
"Even Piltover people come and say it's great!"
"All of Zaun…"