Moonlight didn't reach the alleys drowned in debris, but the fire of weapons and the glow of illuminated eyes filled the voids.
Lin Xian walked at the front, his right hand dripping tainted blood, while behind him lay the corpse of a zombie with a half-shredded head.
Beside him, Yue Mi ran, breathing heavily as she wiped her short sword clean of congealed filth.
"Four… five… no, that's the sixth."
She said, eyes scanning the pile of corpses behind them.
The zombies on the outskirts of Zone Z were different—more feral than usual.
Their bodies were sometimes laced with electronic wiring or mutated with failed Dao weapons.
Creatures that had lost their humanity… and failed even to become complete monsters.
Lin Xian took a deep breath and said:
"We need to reach Ray Yu before their numbers increase."
But he didn't need to wait long.
From the shadows, Ray Yu emerged with calm steps, waving at them like he was returning from an evening stroll.
"Well done, children. You were quite efficient."
Then he handed them small black bracelets, made of a cool, soft material that glowed faintly blue.
"These are entrance bands... consider them your official ID in Zone Z.
They store your data, and you can use them to transfer money, make bookings, buy food—even access restricted areas."
Lin Xian hesitated before fastening it around his wrist, while Yue Mi did so quietly.
But what caught their attention wasn't the bracelets…
It was what Ray Yu did next.
He pulled a small mask made of metallic leather from his pocket. It looked like a theatrical mask, but more precise. He placed it over his face.
In an instant, his features rippled.
Muscles contracted, his eyes widened.
His face transformed—more human… more normal.
Lin Xian spoke with suspicion:
"Why the disguise?"
Ray Yu replied with a faint smile:
"Let's say my face is… somewhat known in this city.
And there are plenty of people who don't like me. No need for trouble on our first night, right?"
Then he pointed with his long finger:
"Come on, I've arranged a place for us to sleep. Decent room… relatively."
They entered from Zone Z's northern gate, and there… the real city revealed itself.
The neon.
It floated everywhere.
Colors dancing: violet, blue, electric pink.
Holographic ads played surreal scenes: a four-armed girl playing the violin, a man's face turning into a tiger—then exploding into a poem made of light.
Drone-powered food stalls hovered above the crowd, and nightclubs loomed over dark glass skyscrapers.
Amid this madness… they walked.
Lin Xian, eyes filled with caution.
Yue Mi, clinging to her younger sister.
Ray Yu, smiling like he was home.
But after a few minutes, the little girl—Yue Mi's sister—stopped and began to sigh.
Yue Mi tried to carry her, but the child was exhausted.
Suddenly, Lin Xian bent down and lifted the girl onto his back. He looked at Yue Mi and said quietly:
"Rest… from carrying her a bit."
She looked at him in surprise, then smiled. She said nothing… but her eyes said enough.
They entered a narrow alley where all neon vanished.
At the end stood an old sign glowing with faded text: "Night Horn Inn."
The entrance was small, the ceiling low, but inside it was warm, scented with old wood and cheap incense.
Ray Yu handed them a key and opened a small room with four wooden beds, covered in thin red blankets.
"Take a hot bath, then rest.
Tomorrow will be a long day."
Each took their turn.
When Lin Xian came out of the bathroom, his hair still dripping, he sat on his bed, staring at the steam seeping out from beneath the bathroom door.
Yue Mi was inside.
He wasn't staring intently… but his mind wandered. Just a moment. Just human curiosity.
"Don't even think about it, kid."
The voice hit like a slap from behind.
He turned quickly and saw Ray Yu sitting on a chair, arms crossed, face smirking.
Lin Xian's face flushed red as he blurted:
"Hey! Do you think I'm some kind of pervert?!"
Ray Yu opened his eyes and said flatly:
"What's wrong? It's natural for a young man like you. Don't be too hard on yourself."
Lin Xian turned his head with a grunt:
"Go to hell…"
Ray Yu chuckled softly and said:
"Don't worry… I've already been there."
Silence fell again.
But this time, something strange lingered between them… not hostility, not friendship…
But a twisted understanding, like men who knew the world didn't offer clean choices.
Only distorted fates… from which they chose whatever let them survive one more day.