Xiao Yan, Cyrus, Raven, and Leon had journeyed from River Bend through landscapes Leon had never experienced before. Finally, their destination appeared before them...
The city of "Crafter" stood majestically ahead, completely different from River Bend. The chatter of people, laughter, conversations and arguments, even faint music drifting on the wind—the atmosphere here pulsed with life and movement Leon had never experienced in his entire existence.
"Chief Xiao Yan! You're back!" Greetings rang out from several townspeople who recognized them. Xiao Yan waved back with a thin smile while maintaining his composure.
"Master Xiao Yan! Yeah!" A group of children ran up to greet him joyfully.
Amid the welcomes, an elderly woman approached Xiao Yan with concern written on her face. "Master Xiao Yan... where... where is Lady Genus? I don't see her returning with you."
The question made the previously cheerful atmosphere fall silent for a moment. Xiao Yan and Cyrus stopped short, obvious sadness flickering in Cyrus's eyes, though Xiao Yan maintained his composure well.
"Lady Genus..." Xiao Yan paused briefly before answering in the most normal tone he could manage. "She... she didn't come with us. Got caught up in another important mission." He had to lie to prevent bad news from spreading and destroying the townspeople's morale right now. "Let's keep moving," he quickly changed the subject and walked ahead.
Leon, following silently behind, felt inexplicably tense and overwhelmed by this new environment. The voices here were louder and more varied than River Bend. It made him feel both fascinated and uncomfortable at the same time. He could only keep his head down, staring at the ground, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone.
Cyrus noticed Leon's demeanor and walked over to pat his shoulder lightly. "Don't be so tense, Leon. Once we get inside, it's way cooler than out here."
"Mm..." Leon responded quietly, still not daring to look up at the people around him much.
Since entering Crafter's territory, he'd done nothing but stare at the ground, trying to make himself as small as possible. Finally, they reached their destination...
Before Leon stood the massive entrance to the giant dome structure. The dull yellow-brown metal construction looked solid and formidable. At the dome's peak, an enormous clock face stood prominently, its hands still moving with precise accuracy.
"We're here," Xiao Yan announced before turning to Cyrus and Raven. "You two—keep an eye on the kid."
Both Cyrus and Raven looked slightly confused but understood the situation immediately.
"I need to rush in and report urgently about the River Bend mission. I'll rejoin you later." Xiao Yan explained briefly.
"Yes sir!" Both Cyrus and Raven responded firmly.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly to Leon before walking straight to the massive entrance. The heavy metal doors slid open silently when he touched a control panel beside them, revealing a corridor stretching into the darkness beyond before his figure disappeared inside.
"Alright kid, follow us this way." Cyrus spoke while beckoning. Leon followed both men into another corridor that branched off to the side.
Stepping through the entrance, Leon's eyes went wide with amazement once again. Inside was completely different from the exterior. It was a massive industrial complex converted into a modern command center. The sounds of machinery, metal clanging against metal, and bright lights everywhere. There were complex walkways, large transport elevators, and countless rooms he could see from a distance.
Some areas looked like large training facilities with shouting and the clash of weapons echoing out. Others seemed to be living quarters, and still others appeared to be weapon or equipment manufacturing plants, with welding sparks and faint burning smells reaching his nose.
Never in his life had he seen anything so grand and complex!
"Incredible... seriously..." he muttered from his heart, wonder and amazement overflowing beyond his ability to contain.
"Right?! Told you it was way cooler inside!" Cyrus grinned widely with pride. "But alright, alright, kid."
"Save the excitement for later. We have important business to handle first." Raven spoke in his usual level tone before leading Leon toward what appeared to be a dedicated training zone.
There... Leon saw many children and teenagers, both boys and girls, even people his own age, training intensively in combat. Some practiced close-quarters weapons, others target shooting, and some worked on developing energy powers similar to what Raven had used.
"Most of us from Operations Units 4, 7, 2, and 9 stay here," Raven pointed to the groups training seriously. "Those kids... they've been trained in combat and survival since they could remember."
Leon stood stunned, thinking of his own past... the day his parents abandoned him in River Bend... claiming it was so he could "train"... How different it was from the scene before him.
"So they..." Leon was about to ask, but Cyrus interrupted as if knowing what he was thinking.
"They're not forced into this or anything like that, kid." Cyrus explained. "The children here... they all volunteer to train. So they can become strong enough to protect themselves and the people they love."
"I... I see..." Leon mumbled, clearly sensing the difference between his "training" and that of the children here.
Raven said nothing more, simply leading Leon to the next room. This room looked different from the others—larger, decorated simply but imposingly. In the center sat a large table surrounded by several chairs. The atmosphere inside felt quiet and solemn... like a courtroom or important conference room.
So this is... where we really need to be... Leon thought, feeling tension building up again.
Then he saw someone emerge from a corridor at the far end of the room...
The person wore a clean white outfit, tall and slender with long glossy black hair tied up neatly. Her narrow eyes held an unreadable gleam as she walked forward with graceful, confident bearing.
The moment she appeared, Cyrus and Raven immediately stood straight and bowed their heads respectfully in unison.
Seeing their reaction, Leon automatically followed suit, though he didn't fully understand the situation. Still, he could sense the authority and importance of the person who had just entered.
"Good day, Chief Kim Min-sae," Cyrus and Raven's voices rang out together respectfully.
"Mm... you can raise your heads. No need for excessive formality." The woman's voice carried up. It didn't sound intimidating or harsh as Leon had expected. Instead, it was gentle and clearly friendly, yet carried some underlying power that made listeners feel compelled to show respect.
Who is this person? The leader of the Witherborn?Leon wondered with surprise and curiosity.
Kim Min-sae briefly scanned Cyrus and Raven before her narrow eyes settled on Leon. She studied him from head to toe for a moment, making Leon feel indescribably uncomfortable and nervous.
Then she spoke in that same friendly tone, but her words hit Leon like a lightning bolt to the skull...
"So this is... the young man you said might be a 'Special-tier' Vine-born in disguise?"