Life is tough, so Honglong resorts to performing?

Chapter 2 Preparation before leaving
Xiacheng District, Outer Ring Residential Area.

Even though it was nearly nine o'clock in the morning when Loren returned from his stroll, the glowing moss streetlights were still dimly lit.

The reason is simple: this place is just too dark and damp.

The fat rats roasted by the orcs downstairs still emitted an enticing aroma. If he weren't so broke, Loren would definitely have ordered a couple of skewers to satisfy his craving.

Good morning, little red dragon.

Beside Loren's rented room, a succubus with curved ram horns and a heart-shaped tail, a beautiful face, and skin as smooth as dark chocolate, leaned against her slightly peeling door frame, smiling as she extended her hand to Loren. In her hand was a steaming breakfast in a recycled paper bag.

It's obviously a gift from some human suitor. Anyone with a modicum of common sense would know that succubi don't eat this at all.

However, judging from the other woman's rosy complexion, Loren must have just eaten a hearty breakfast, or perhaps she had a good meal last night.

Good morning, Miss Hashina.

Loren greeted him familiarly and unceremoniously took the breakfast from the other person's hand, which was a sandwich made of bread, fried eggs, and butter.

Miss Hasina is a succubus who dislikes waste, which is why she lives in the lower city, where many males waste succubus food.

The bread must have been bought from the dwarf bakery at the intersection of Third Street. It was sturdy, plentiful, with little sawdust, and had a hint of beer. That bakery also brews the dwarfs' favorite local beer and is one of the top bakeries in the nearby labor market.

The butter and fried eggs must have been homemade by the customer; the portions were generous, and they were fried to perfection, emitting an enticing aroma—it was a thoughtful touch.

Loren stuffed the sandwich into his mouth in one bite, chewed a few times, and swallowed it easily.

After hesitating for a moment, he said goodbye to the succubus.
"I might have to move."

After all, we've been neighbors for a while and got along quite well, occasionally receiving food from each other, so saying goodbye is necessary.

The succubus was taken aback for a moment, then, as if she had thought of something, she gave Loren a delighted smile.

"Have you found a good job yet? Congratulations!"

"Hmm, I'm going to give it a try."

Loren nodded. He wasn't surprised that the other party could guess the reason. After all, people coming and going in the lower city were all about money.

Most of the people here are poor, but the succubus herself is not among them.

Her methods of making and spending money surpass those of the average wealthy person; she stays here purely out of love for it.

"Before we leave, do you want to try it with your sister?"

The succubus narrowed her alluring eyes, her voice charming and soft. She also puffed out her glossy, wheat-colored chest, the thin clothing outlining its beautiful shape, making her incredibly cute.

"I am a minor, and I am also a protected animal."

"If you're not afraid of the inspector, you can come into my room."

Loren opened the door, revealing a somewhat helpless smile, and gestured for the other person to enter.

Although dragons are the only species protected by intelligent beings, the existence of druids means that relationships that go beyond friendship with protected species are not uncommon, hence the existence of special laws that benefit the dragons.

As for how to benefit from it, well, there's a saying from my past life...
If you don't pay after playing, it doesn't count...

In short, the succubus immediately chickened out and even pulled her clothes up a bit.

Are you kidding me? Little Red Dragon may be delicious, but what if you give up an entire Lower City, get locked up in jail, or even be sent back to the Abyss?
The price was far too high. Loren merely sneered at this, sized up the succubus lady, feasted his eyes, chuckled, and quietly closed his bedroom door before starting to pack his things.

"little bastard."

The succubus gave a soft snort, glanced at Loren's door with a complicated look, and finally returned to her own room.

The world is full of partings and reunions, and we will meet again someday. We are all immortal beings, and it is uncertain who will be stronger or weaker then.

Loren had no idea what the succubus next door was thinking; he needed to prepare to move.

After taking one last look at the rented room where he had lived for three years, Loren sighed and then opened his mouth.

The fluctuations of magical energy emanated from a specific space within his abdominal cavity. With a gentle inhale, he swallowed all the exercise equipment and learning materials, including "The Theory of Elemental Shaping," and transported them to a specially designated storage bag.

This is a talent space developed by their Five-Colored Dragon Clan ancestors through robbery, fraud, and deception.

Although it cannot be used for long-term storage, it is indeed useful for short-term escapes and asset transfers.

In particular, the learning cost is not high; one can start learning as soon as they pass the baby dragon stage.

Now that Loren is using it for moving, it's making the best use of it.

After tidying up the room, Loren began to hesitate.

Should he go to old York to ask for a refund of the rent, since only a third of the month has passed?

But this place was originally a daily rental, costing twenty copper coins a day. I negotiated a monthly rental agreement with Old York to get a better price, reducing the rent to eighteen copper coins a day.

The thought of wanting a refund of rent when he had broken the contract made Loren feel a little ashamed, but when he remembered that he was a dragon and naturally greedy, Loren became tough again.

That's right, that's how we Red Dragons are.

With these thoughts in mind, Loren knocked on the landlord's door. After explaining his situation to old York, the old man simply frowned and then sighed.

"Okay, okay, I knew this would happen."

Old York glanced at the young red dragon, then went back inside, calculated the rent for ten days based on the daily rate, and handed over the remaining rent, 340 copper coins, to Loren.

The whole process went surprisingly smoothly, so smoothly that Red Dragon was somewhat puzzled.

After all, if he were the landlord, he certainly wouldn't let the tenant leave so easily; he would at least deduct a couple more days' rent or something.

Faced with Loren's surprised and suspicious gaze, old York simply snorted.

"Not everyone can afford to offend you superior races. Even if you are approachable, even if the Federation promotes racial equality, do you believe in that, little red dragon brat?"

Old York's words were merciless, leaving Loren speechless for a moment.

Yes, the Holy Covenant was indeed signed five hundred years ago, and many of its provisions have been implemented, but the provision for racial equality remains only on the surface.

This even led to a terrible schism, giving rise to the vast, lawless wilderness between cities that exists today.

"Well, anyway, I wish you a happy life from now on."

(End of this chapter)