I'm a Villain, and I Annihilated the Astral Express Crew at the Start

He found a relatively hidden corner and used scavenged planks, cardboard, and plastic sheeting to build a crude shelter.

Though small and unable to withstand strong winds and heavy rain, Jiang Mo made the inside quite comfortable.

He spread out scavenged rags and foam padding, creating a simple bed.

He also piled up some spoils inside – the food he'd begged for, some old tools, and a few tattered books.

Lying in his house, Jiang Mo felt incredibly at ease.

This was the first place in this world that truly belonged to him.

Though crude, he had built it with his own hands.

He touched the Winter City Coins in his pocket and looked at the food piled beside him.

Life was slowly getting better.

He was no longer the bug struggling to survive in the garbage heap.

After that, Jiang Mo insisted on exercising.

Every morning, he did simple physical training near his hut.

Although only six years old and not fully developed, he could see his attribute points increasing little by little.

And so, a year passed.

This day.

News spread like wildfire through the two towns.

The Rivet Town orphanage was holding a collective selection…

Chapter 19: Farewell, Bronya

The Rivet Town orphanage was holding a collective selection, supposedly organized by important figures from the Upper District themselves.

Children who passed the selection would be able to live in the Upper District.

In exchange, the organizers would give the orphanage a sum of money sufficient to improve its conditions.

The news quickly spread throughout the Underworld.

Many stray children, and even parents from impoverished families, flocked to the orphanage with their children, hoping to squeeze into the selection group.

Jiang Mo stood not far away, mixed in with the crowd of onlookers.

He didn't approach, just watched from a distance.

The selection process was very mysterious. The orphanage gates were tightly closed, and only a few people in neat suits went in and out, obviously from the Upper District.

Children were taken in batches, then brought out again, their faces showing different expressions.

Jiang Mo knew very well that this was clearly a deal Natasha had made with the Upper District.

Using the children from the orphanage to exchange for operating funds and food money for the children.

Although it sounded a bit like trading piglets, in the Underworld, this was already the best way out for those orphans.

And Jiang Mo wasn't worried about Bronya.

In Belobog's script, she would be the one to stand out.

The selection lasted all day, until evening when the orphanage gates finally opened again.

Natasha walked out of the orphanage entrance, looking tired, accompanied by several guests from the Upper District.

"Only one child passed this selection."

Natasha held a megaphone, her voice clearly reaching the outside.

The crowd of onlookers instantly quieted down, all immediately pricking up their ears, waiting for the orphanage director to announce the name.

"Bronya."

The name of the only selected person was announced, and immediately, a commotion erupted in the crowd!

Bronya?!

The child who had little presence in the orphanage...

How could she be the one chosen?!

Jiang Mo stood in the corner, but unlike the others, he wasn't surprised.

Good, the plan was progressing smoothly.

But when he went to the orphanage specifically to find Bronya that night, he found that she wasn't as happy as he'd imagined.

Bronya sat on a swing, holding an old cloth doll, her little face drooping, her eyes not as bright as usual, with a hint of sadness.

"Bronya?"

Jiang Mo walked over and sat on the swing next to her.

The swing creaked softly.

"Didn't you pass the selection? You're going to the Upper District, why do you look unhappy?"

Bronya slowly raised her head at the sound of his voice. Seeing it was Jiang Mo, she pursed her lips, the melancholy in her eyes seeming to deepen.

"Brother Jiang Mo..."

Her voice was small, with a bit of a nasal tone, as if she was about to cry.

"Hmm?"

"I'm going to the Upper District."

Jiang Mo nodded. "I know, that's a good thing... so many people want to live in the Upper District but can't."

"Bronya, why aren't you happy?" he asked.

Bronya lowered her head, her little feet unconsciously kicking at the dirt on the ground.

"I... I'm reluctant to leave here, reluctant to leave Sister Natasha..."

As she spoke, her voice grew softer and softer, until it was almost inaudible:

"And... and reluctant to leave you..."

Jiang Mo was stunned.

Although the voice was about as loud as a mosquito, he clearly heard it.

He never thought that before Bronya left this place where even getting enough to eat was a problem, to go to the luxurious Upper District, what she was concerned about... was actually him?!

Jiang Mo looked at the crown of Bronya's silver hair and began to persuade her:

"Bronya, didn't we agree before?

If anyone has the opportunity to leave here, to go to the Upper District, or even to the outside world, they must go."

Bronya slowly raised her head, looking at him with slightly moist eyes. "But..."

"No buts!"

Jiang Mo interrupted her, his attitude changing to become firm.

"You know what this place is like."

He pointed to the dilapidated houses in the distance, the sky obscured by the dome.

"There's only hunger and cold here. We can't just wait here to die for the rest of our lives... the outside world is different from here!"

Jiang Mo's eyes looked into the distance, as if he could penetrate the heavy dome.

"Up there, there are clean streets, endless food, and warm houses. And many, many things that we can't even imagine here."

"This is your only chance to get out of here... Bronya, you have to go!"

Bronya looked at Jiang Mo. She knew that what Jiang Mo said was right, that this was an opportunity to change her destiny.

But for some reason, she felt as if something was tearing her heart apart, and she felt extremely uncomfortable.

"What about Brother Jiang Mo?" Bronya asked. "Will you go to the Upper District too?"

Jiang Mo nodded and said, "Of course."

"Didn't I tell you? I don't want to rot here for the rest of my life... I'll work hard, I'll find a way to get up there."

"You go and scout the way for me first."

He held out his pinky finger, looked at Bronya, his expression serious like that of someone much older than six.

"Let's make a pinky promise again. I promise."

Bronya hesitated for a moment, then also extended her slender pinky finger.

The two small fingers hooked together and shook vigorously.

"Bronya, I promise you, when I go to the Upper District... we will meet again."

"Okay!"

Bronya nodded vigorously.

"It's a deal! Brother Jiang Mo, we'll meet again in the Upper District!"

The next day at noon.

A black car stopped in front of the orphanage.

The car door opened, and a well-dressed, aloof woman stepped out.

Natasha came out holding Bronya's hand.

Bronya was wearing clean clothes, clutching the old cloth doll that Jiang Mo had given her tightly in her arms.

Her small figure walked step by step towards the car.

She still looked a little uneasy, clutching Natasha's clothes tightly.

Reaching the car, Natasha handed her hand to the aloof woman.

Bronya's small hand was grasped, the hand cold and strong.

Just as they were about to board the train, Bronya suddenly stopped.

She didn't look at Natasha, but instead turned her head towards the entrance of the orphanage.

Jiang Mo was standing there, seeing her off from afar.

Bronya looked at him, her small face displaying an expression far too complex for a child.

She remembered Jiang Mo's words from last night, remembered their promise.

See you in the Upper District.

Then Bronya's small hand suddenly let go of the woman's hand.

The woman was taken aback, a hint of displeasure flashing across her cold face.

Bronya suddenly ran.

Towards Jiang Mo, she sprinted with all her might, the rag doll in her arms swaying back and forth.

Jiang Mo was stunned.

He hadn't expected Bronya to suddenly make such an impulsive move.

Bronya ran up to him, suddenly throwing herself into his arms, reaching out her small arms to hug him tightly.

Her head was buried in his chest, her body trembling slightly, like a frightened little animal.

Jiang Mo was surprised at first, then slowly reached out and hugged her as well, gently patting her thin back.

At this moment, the woman walked over, grabbed Bronya's arm, and ordered:

"Bronya, it's time to go."

Bronya held on tightly, unwilling to let go, her small body as if it had grown onto Jiang Mo.