The SSS-rank Guide Doesn't Need Saving novel Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Accused as a Thief Again?

The border gate connecting the academy to the Association’s core sector was a massive, imposing structure. Aisha had initially expected to see a bridge, but the reality was different.

Long, orderly lines of people stretched before multiple heavily fortified checkpoints, each manned by stern-faced soldiers meticulously scanning citizen badges one by one.

Standing in line with her arms crossed, Aisha quietly observed the tedious process ahead of her. Each citizen handed over their badge, the soldier scanned it, and then a toll payment was demanded based on their destination. While some paid the sum without a single complaint, others who dared to argue about the exorbitant pricing were instantly waved off to the side by irritated guards.

When her turn finally came, the soldier held out a calloused hand without even looking up from his terminal. "Badge.

She handed it over smoothly.

The terminal beeped as he scanned it, his eyes skimming the glowing screen. "Destination?"

"The Association Headquarters."

At those words, the soldier’s eyes instantly flicked up to study her face. "Do you possess an official permit?

Aisha shook her head calmly.

She truly hadn’t known such a requirement existed. Did every single person heading toward the Association require special clearance? For a simple visit, such tight security seemed rather excessive.

The soldier explained with a distinct lack of patience, clearly having repeated the same lines a hundred times already today. "There are two methods of entry. First, an official invitation or a clearance permit--that will grant you free entry with zero tolls, as well as higher authority once you step inside. Second, you pay the toll out of your own pocket. There are three tiers of access, and the deeper you wish to venture into the district, the more expensive it becomes. Which tier do you want to purchase?"

"How much for the lowest tier?" Aisha inquired.

"One-thousand-star credits."

In this world, a laborer working in the tower sectors earned roughly five hundred star credits a month. An ordinary worker received around one thousand five hundred, while merchants earned more depending on their trade. For a family of five residing in the middle sector, five thousand star credits were more than enough to live comfortably for an entire month.

Paying one thousand star credits just to step foot into the Association’s outer ring was far more expensive than she had anticipated.

With that amount, she could have purchased at least fifty boxes of those premium delicacies from the dessert shop Vesper and the others had taken her to last time.

However, Aisha didn’t waste any more time hesitating. She directly pulled out the required sum and handed it over, bypassing any inquiries regarding the higher tiers.

The soldier processed the transaction, stamped the electronic data into her badge, and carelessly waved her toward the transit boarding platform.

A few minutes later, she successfully boarded the hovering transport.

The transport ship was entirely different from what she had anticipated. It looked more like a sea monster than a ship. The inner walls weren’t made of smooth, standard metal, beneath the high-gloss polish lay an unnatural curved texture that closely resembled a ribcage.

"Sorry won’t fix this!" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

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