The city was alive with activity. People hurried along the sidewalks, their dogs trotting happily beside them. Kids giggled and ran to school, backpacks bouncing on their shoulders. In the park, children played on swings and slides, their laughter echoing in the morning air. Commuters filed into buses and cars, heading to work, the hum of engines blending with the chatter of the city.

Amidst this bustling scene, Yega made his way through the crowd. His brown hair was tousled from the wind, and his dark blue eyes scanned the street ahead. He wore a worn blue hoodie that had seen better days and faded blue jeans. His steps were steady, but his mind was elsewhere.

He pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and glanced at it, muttering to himself as he walked. 

"Let’s see... got a little more change today," Yega said, a smirk creeping onto his face. "A few gremlins down, and I managed to get a bit of scrap. Not enough to buy a fancy dinner, but hey, it’s a start."

He chuckled softly and shook his head. "Still, that’s not even close to covering my rent. I swear, if I had a real job—something legit—I wouldn’t have to chase down these low-level anomalies just to keep the lights on." He paused, rubbing the back of his neck. "Rent’s a thousand a month. Utilities, groceries, a little for emergencies… man, it’s a miracle I manage to survive some days."

Yega’s expression softened as he looked around. “You know, I didn’t start like this. I grew up in a tiny apartment with my mom. She worked two jobs just to keep us afloat. Never had much—barely enough to get by. But I guess that’s why I got into all this weird stuff in the first place. I wanted to do something bigger, something to help. Even if it’s just taking down gremlins and low-level anomalies, it feels like I’m making a difference—at least a little.”

He sighed, his voice growing more reflective. “My childhood… it wasn’t easy. Dad left when I was little, and Mom did everything she could. I remember sneaking out at night, just to catch a glimpse of the city lights, dreaming about a better life. Never thought I’d end up fighting monsters to pay the rent, but here I am.”

He paused and looked at the rundown house ahead—a place that looked like it might collapse at any moment. The paint was peeling, the windows cracked, and the porch sagged under years of neglect. Still, it was his.

Yega pushed open the door, which creaked loudly on its hinges. Inside, the place was cluttered—clothes and old boxes piled up in every corner. Despite the chaos, he kept it as tidy as he could, trying to make it feel like home. He ran a hand through his hair and looked around, a faint smile on his face.

"At least I keep it clean," he whispered, flicking a stray piece of trash off the table. His small, makeshift lamp cast a warm glow over the room.

He sat down on a battered chair, pulling out a small pouch of coins from his pocket and counting them. Not much, but enough for now. Yega leaned back and stared at the ceiling, thinking about what tomorrow might bring.

"More anomalies," he muttered. "More monsters. Maybe I’ll get lucky and find something bigger next time."

He chuckled again, a little bitter but still resilient. “Life’s a mess, yeah. But I keep going. One step at a time. Because honestly, I don’t know what else I’d do. No family to fall back on, no safety net. Just me, my wits, and a whole lot of weird monsters.”

Despite the modest life he led, Yega’s determination shone through. He was just an ordinary guy in an extraordinary world—doing what he could, one day at a time.

Yega took a deep breath and looked around his cluttered room. The room was filled with odds and ends—old trinkets, makeshift weapons, and a few battered books about anomalies and monsters he’d collected over the years. It wasn’t much, but it was his. His little fortress against the chaos outside.

He reached over and gripped an old cup, titling the pitcher as he began pouring himself some water to get rid of the dryness he felt in his  throat.The sound of liquid sloshing was comforting in the silence. He took a sip and sighed.

He slightly looked up as his gaze focused on the wall in front of him.

“You know,” he said aloud, “sometimes I wonder if all this is worth it. Chasing after shadows, risking my neck for a few coins. But then I remember how it feels when I actually take one down. That rush, like I’m doing something real. Like I’m making a difference—even if it’s just a tiny one.”

He leaned back in his chair, gazing at the ceiling. “I always wanted to do something big, you know? Make a name for myself, get out of this dump, see the world. But life… life had other plans. Started rough, stayed rough. Guess I just got used to it.”

He paused, then chuckled softly. “I mean, I’ve got my health, right? That’s something. And I’ve got my wits, even if they’re a little battered. I might not be a hero, but I’m surviving. That’s more than some can say.”

His eyes flicked back to the small pile of coins. “One day, maybe I’ll get out of this rat hole. Find a place that doesn’t look like it’s about to fall apart. Maybe even find some normalcy—whatever that means in a world like ours.”

Yega stretched, cracking his neck. “But for now… It’s just another night. I've done enough.” He paused, Yega let out a silent yawn as he began to feel himself growing more tired.

He stood up, stretching again. “Alright, time to take a quick nap..”

With that, Yega flicked off his small lamp and sank into the battered mattress in the corner, pulling an old blanket over himself. Outside, the city buzzed on—people living their lives, unaware of the quiet battles fought in shadows. Yega closed his eyes, ready to face whatever tomorrow would bring.