Among Zero, Lianna, and Firefly, Zero was undoubtedly the backbone and primary decision-maker. If she continued to refuse to wake up, even if Yvette explained everything to Lianna and Firefly, she would still have to repeat it all to Zero afterward.
Considering that the official forces would likely not overlook Shalin Town during their search and might already be on their way, Yvette thought of a plan.
She instructed Lianna to hold Zero in her arms and then reached out.
When Zero opened her eyes, filled with murderous intent, Yvette maintained her position and began to explain their current circumstances.
At the end, she added apologetically, “I’m sorry; I seem to have become the catalyst for this…”
“No, no, no! You can’t blame my sister!” Lianna quickly shook her head. “The ‘General’ was already planning to collaborate with Black Tower Pharmaceuticals to capture us. You just pushed them to act from the shadows into the open!”
Then, after a moment of thought, she added, “Actually, this is better, right? Because now they’re in the light, and we’re in the dark.”
“True,” Firefly chimed in from the side.
“So, I came here hoping to take you away and hide somewhere else. Since the enemy is using official forces to track us down, it’s only a matter of time before they find this place, and they might already be on their way now,” Yvette stated, looking at Zero. “What do you think?”
Zero smirked, “What’s there to leave for? Can’t we just kill them all?”“But those are the Holy Spirit Sect, the government of Rusted Bone, and even Black Tower might show up,” Yvette reminded her of the current situation.
“Kill them all.”
“Even if you could kill them all, it would only bring more repercussions. The army of New Eden would come here, Black Tower and Lin Tuo’s armed forces would arrive, and the Black Tide Federation might also come…”
“All. Kill. Them. All!”
“…”
Yvette fell silent for a moment and turned to Lianna, asking, “During your escape, was she really the one making the decisions?”
Could she really make decisions? She seemed fixated on nothing but killing, akin to the reincarnation of a Destroyer from the Origin Civilization.
Was the End Magus merely a later arrival that had usurped her position?
“Yes,” Lianna awkwardly confirmed, while Firefly directly stated, “Yvette, I noticed that every time you show up, Zero becomes agitated. She probably doesn’t like you.”
This was evident without needing to say it… Yvette shot a glance at Firefly.
“Firefly, you’re too straightforward…” Lianna whispered in a scolding manner.
“Oh, sorry!” Firefly realized and sincerely added, “I just started reading ‘Emotional Intelligence,’ so I hope you understand; I’m just a combat automaton…”
“It’s alright.” Yvette sighed, turning back to Zero. “Zero, although I don’t know why you dislike me so much, given the current situation, we must leave here.”
“Exactly, Yvette! The military will come to surround us! Even if you can defeat them all, there will always be a limit; you can’t go against the whole world,” Lianna encouraged from the side.
“If it’s for Lianna, I can kill the whole world,” Zero lifted her head and gently nudged Lianna’s cheek.
“Don’t joke around right now.” Lianna pushed her head away angrily, then turned to Firefly, asking, “Firefly, can you check our current situation? Are the official forces aware of our location?”
Firefly plugged a wire into herself, and her eye cameras flickered for a moment before confirming, “Yes, there are already police heading in this direction; they will arrive here in a maximum of half an hour.”
“Don’t worry.” A mocking smile crossed Zero’s face. “They’ll die in droves when they come.”
“You… Ugh.” Lianna sighed, suddenly wrapping her arms tightly around Zero’s slender body, cradling her, and then turned to Yvette, saying, “Sister, we’ll go with you! I’ll help carry her!”
Yvette examined Lianna’s resolute face, then glanced at the completely passive Zero, hesitating before nodding, “…Alright.”
……
In the afternoon, cool rain fell on the slum streets. The ground was damp and muddy, with puddles forming every few meters, reflecting holographic images and neon lights like colorful mirrors.
In a narrow, stuffy alley filled with plastic bags, magical cables, and the pungent smell of kitchen waste, after climbing a series of staircases, Yvette found herself in front of a nondescript ground-floor room.
“Let’s stay here for a while. They can’t maintain a state of martial law indefinitely; resources are too strained. We only need to hide for a month or two,” Yvette told Lianna as she took out an antique copper key, inserting and turning it to unlock the door.
The acrid stench hit her like a wave, forcing her to take a step back instinctively. She had to use wind magic to air the place out first.
This was a property she had rented under a false identity in an area known as “The Hive,” part of the old district of Firth River. It was comprised of a scattering of old buildings and illegal constructions—a classic slum. However, it had its advantages, as it was filled with criminals and operators from gray markets, making it difficult for the police to investigate without facing significant local opposition.
“Sister! Let me clean the living room!” Upon entering the house and turning on the lights, Lianna immediately rolled up her sleeves.
“I’ll handle the master and guest bedrooms,” Firefly eagerly volunteered for her share of the chores.
“Go clean the bathroom,” Zero told Yvette.
Perhaps feeling uncomfortable in the new environment, Zero’s expression was devoid of any smile, replaced instead by obvious disdain.
“Is the kitchen also something you’re willing to take on?” Yvette inquired.
“That’s also your job.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Sleep,” Zero yawned.
“…” Given that this ‘goddess’ had taken the time to come here just to sleep, Yvette decided it was pointless to argue with a child.
The layout of the ground floor rental consisted of two bedrooms, one living room, and one bathroom. Although it had long been unmaintained, showcasing layers of dust, mold, grease, and cockroaches, the space was still relatively spacious, with a small balcony featuring security bars.
Despite having encountered plenty since entering the dream, Yvette had only been here for less than half a month. Based on her six-month experience, she estimated she still had about five and a half months left to endure, enough to wait for the Holy Spirit Sect, the Rusted Bone officials, and the military’s joint search to die down.
Cleaning the kitchen’s grease took considerable time, and even water magic hardly helped wash away the grime. Applying more force risked damaging the walls, so eventually, Lianna came over pragmatically and suggested, “Sister, you need a strong cleaning agent to remove these stains. Should I buy a bottle?”
Yvette nodded in agreement. Since they were going to be hiding here for a while, acquiring some daily necessities was essential. She might manage without food, but neither Lianna nor Zero could afford to do the same; they needed supplies.
Earlier on their way in, she had seen various small stores within “The Hive,” and even if they didn’t leave the area, they should manage to meet their needs.
After putting on a simple disguise, Yvette and Lianna prepared to step out when they suddenly spotted Zero, who had just been lounging on the sofa, materialize like a ghost, squeezing between the two and knocking Yvette aside.
“Let’s go,” she said cheerfully as she linked arms with Lianna.
……
The Hive lacked both surveillance cameras and security. As Yvette walked through the inner corridors, the sky above was jaggedly fragmented by the chaotic buildings, with the only light emanating from the countless intertwining neon tubes and light screen advertisements above, illuminating the dense magical cables like a massive network of veins, exuding an oppressive atmosphere.
Navigating through a section that reeked of decaying kitchen waste, Yvette ascended a sticky, dirty iron ladder to reach a cheap convenience store. While Lianna went off to select daily supplies, Yvette waited at the entrance to conduct transactions with digital currency; Zero waited nearby as well.
Standing idly in the narrow corridor, Yvette glanced at Zero, who appeared lazy and perpetually smiling. Curiously, she asked, “What have you experienced before arriving here?”
From the perspective of an older sister, it made perfect sense to inquire about her younger sister’s ordeal. However, the underlying intention was to understand why Zero had transformed into this anti-human persona, which would also help Yvette comprehend her own nature.
Zero glanced at her, a slight grin forming on her lips, but she remained silent.
This clearly indicated she didn’t want to talk. Yvette thought she could ask Lianna later. However, given that Lianna had seemingly always played the role of a protected one, her information might not be complete… Yvette mused, and then heard Zero suddenly speak, “Do you want to know why I want to kill you?”
“Why?” Yvette looked over.
“I won’t tell you,” Zero replied, wearing a malevolent smile on her exquisitely beautiful face.
Yvette didn’t get angry. Although that statement seemed like mere provocation, it actually transmitted a clear signal: Zero truly harbored the intent to kill her. Given Zero’s penchant for casual murder, this had to be genuine.
But why did she want to kill herself? If this was for the same reasons she had with others, did she really need to draw attention to it specifically with her?
Or was Zero’s killing intent toward her based on entirely different motivations?Volume 2,