Ah-Lan’s heart sank.
These two were scavengers, no better than hyenas. Now that they had heard news of the “Terminal Station Shelter,” how could they possibly let it go?
“Brother Black Rat, Brother Viper,” Ah-Lan said as she slowly turned around, shielding her brother behind her. One hand had already quietly moved to the hilt of the curved blade at her waist.
“I’ve already paid your reward; we’re even. My brother is just talking nonsense. There’s no such place that can block the Death Tide. He’s just delirious from the fever.”
Ah-Lan’s words didn’t fool Black Rat or Viper for a second.
“Sister Lan, don’t be so stingy. It’s not easy for any of us to stay alive in these ruins.” Black Rat jumped down from the beam, his crossbow pointed toward Ah-Lan with casual menace.
“Since there’s such a great place, why not take us brothers to see for ourselves? If it’s real...” He licked his lips.
“Naturally, there will be something in it for you. But if it’s fake...” He let out two cold, sinister laughs, his meaning crystal clear.
Viper also closed in by a few steps, forming a pincer movement. “Lan, be smart. The Death Tide is coming soon. No one wants to turn into rotten meat out here. Wouldn’t it be better if we all looked out for each other?”
Ah-Lan’s fingertips were ice-cold.
On her own, she might be able to desperately hold one of them back to buy Ah-Hao some time to escape.
But facing two experienced, well-armed hunters simultaneously while carrying a heavily injured brother who couldn't run... she had almost zero chance of winning.
Bring them to the “Terminal Station”?
Lead these two dangerous hyenas to that mysterious woman’s doorstep?
What would she think? Would she allow people like this to enter? Would it result in her and Ah-Hao being shut out as well?
The dark-red sky reflected off the ruins, and the sweet, sickly smell of rust felt almost physical.
In the distance, a faint rustling sound, like countless pieces of sandpaper rubbing together, began to echo—a sign that the particles from the Death Tide’s vanguard were beginning to settle.
There was no more time.
“Sis! Take them with us...”
Ah-Hao tightened his grip around Ah-Lan’s neck and whispered urgently into her ear.
Unlike Ah-Lan’s tension, Ah-Hao actually felt a sense of relief when he saw these two hunters appear.
The Death Tide was coming, and he didn’t have enough time to finish the task Su Wan had given him.
The appearance of these two hunters solved that problem perfectly.
Ah-Lan felt her brother’s urgency. Although she was confused, her trust in him kept her from saying anything more.
“Fine.” Ah-Lan let go of her blade’s hilt, signaling she had no hostile intent. Her voice returned to its usual cold, raspy tone.
“We can take you with us, but you must understand that place isn't unclaimed territory. It has an owner, and... she is not someone to be trifled with.”
“Scar Wolf died there. Once we arrive, don’t do anything reckless. If you die, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Hearing this, Black Rat and Viper didn’t feel fear; instead, the greed in their eyes intensified.
Not to be trifled with? That only meant the place was valuable!
Even Scar Wolf had fallen? There must be even more loot inside!
“Deal! Lead the way!” Black Rat gave a broad wave of his hand. “As long as there’s really a good place to hide from the Death Tide, we’re easy to talk to!”
Ah-Lan said no more. She hoisted her brother onto her back and began walking toward the “Terminal Station.”
Black Rat and Viper followed closely on either side, their eyes constantly scanning the siblings and their surroundings, alert yet predatory.
Su Wan stood inside the open security door, framed by the solid concrete doorframe. Behind her was the warm, dry hallway.
Outside the door was the decaying wasteland of the apocalypse.
She stood like a clear boundary line, separating safety from danger, survival from destruction.
In the distance, four figures were moving quickly through the ruins.
Ah-Lan carried Ah-Hao, her steps slightly staggered under the weight. Further back, two fierce-looking men followed at a leisurely pace, like two hyenas catching the scent of prey.
Seeing four people approaching, Su Wan also felt a sense of relief. Completing the temporary mission should be no problem now.
Su Wan, who had suffered every misfortune in her original world, seemed to be favored by the goddess of luck in this apocalypse.
Suppressing her inner excitement, she quietly watched Ah-Lan carry Ah-Hao closer, step by step, until they finally stopped at the bottom of the stairs a few paces away from the security door.
The two men, however, stopped about twenty meters back behind a half-collapsed wall, using the shadows to hide their forms while keeping their gazes locked onto the building.
Ah-Lan carefully placed Ah-Hao on a relatively flat patch of ground near the steps, letting him lean against the cold concrete.
She then took a step forward, looking up slightly at Su Wan inside the doorway.
This was the second time the two had met face-to-face.
“Landlord,” Ah-Lan spoke first, her voice as raspy and cold as ever. She gestured toward Ah-Hao on the ground. “I’ve brought my brother back. Regarding the matter of... renting a room that he mentioned, I agree.”
She didn't mention the hunters behind her or any conditions; she simply stated her purpose directly.
Ah-Hao also struggled to lift his head, looking urgently at Su Wan. “Landlord! My sister is willing to sign! Really!”
Su Wan’s gaze swept over Ah-Hao’s pale face and his swollen, blackened leg before settling back on Ah-Lan.
“Willingly sign the contract, pay the rent, and follow the rules here?” She repeated the conditions she had previously told Ah-Hao. Her tone was flat, yet it carried an invisible pressure.
“My place doesn’t have many rules, but once they are set, they must be followed. If you violate the contract or bring unnecessary trouble, I will evict you.”
Ah-Lan pursed her dry, cracked lips and nodded heavily. “I understand. As long as... this place is truly as Ah-Hao described.”
It wasn’t that Ah-Lan didn’t believe her brother, but the promise was too good—so good it felt like a trap.
Su Wan didn't answer. With a simple thought, a strange slip of paper glowing with a faint white light—identical to the one Ah-Hao had signed—appeared out of thin air and drifted gently toward Ah-Lan.
Ah-Lan’s pupils constricted. She instinctively took a half-step back, her hand moving to her blade.
This display of power beyond her understanding shocked her once again.
She suppressed her instinctual urge to strike back and looked closely at the floating paper.
Distorted symbols, illegible text, a blank circle in the bottom right corner, and a faint, rule-like pressure emanating from the paper itself.
It was exactly as Ah-Hao had described.
She took a deep breath, slowly let go of her blade, and reached out with her right index finger.
The moment her fingertip touched the blank circle on the paper—
Hum!
A familiar white light flared, and the paper dissolved into dust of light.
【Ding! Tenant +1. Current Official Tenants: 2.】
【Tenant-002 (Ah-Lan) Information Inputting...】
【Health Status: Mild malnutrition, multiple old external injuries, trace amounts of Death Tide toxin remaining in left calf (stabilized).】
【Combat Tendency: High (Close-quarters combat/Blade specialization, Agility-type).】
【Current Loyalty/Malice Level: 40 (Observing/Wary, possesses basic intent to cooperate).】
【Hint: This tenant possesses high value; reasonable guidance and utilization are recommended.】
Rate on N.U.
