Chapter 96: A Bitter Parting

If one could look down on present-day Hearwind City from above, it would appear like a surreal game map brought to life. On the streets and inside the buildings, traces of monsters were everywhere. Strange cries rose and fell without pause, and feral eyes seemed to watch from every corner.

At that moment, dark figures were moving carefully in the same direction through Hearwind City. They were the ones who had heard the message and come running in from the various Safe Zones.

Lin Yu’s word had spread fast. In every Safe Zone there were people who knew someone in another Safe Zone. Before dawn, news that the monsters would be pushed back and Hearwind City reclaimed had stirred every enclave into agitation.

Whether it was a prank or not, someone always wants to see for themselves. Even when hope is faint, it cannot stop those who have been driven to the edge by daily life.

After a generous breakfast in Hearwind City, everyone willing to join the fight gathered at the playground, set their expressions into the best possible calm, and waited silently for those coming to negotiate. Lin Yu’s intention was clear: to show the other side that they had already been reborn, alive and vigorous again.

First impression matters. It would shape bargaining power and influence.

By noon, the first arrivals came. Zhao Nan said little, only gave orders that this group be well received.

By early evening, people kept arriving in waves. Nearly a thousand in all. The playground of the kindergarten was packed with outside players, and men moved continually through the crowds carrying out fresh hot food.

“Today is pure extravagance.”

Not far away, a small clearing held a dozen men seated on the ground. Zhao Nan was introducing the leaders from each Safe Zone. The last speaker was one of Lin Yu’s acquaintances: a broad-shouldered, heavy man of about thirty, with a buzz-cut, thick jowls, bright eyes, and the name Huang Kun. He was a Brawler by profession.

“If we can restore Hearwind City, all this is garbage.” Lin Yu laughed aloud and raised his cup to Huang Kun. “Brother Huang, thank you for coming—of course, and thanks to everyone here as well!”

When someone asks for a drink, courtesy would normally demand the host accept it. But at this moment someone stood up anyway.

“I came to hear this so-called counteroffensive plan,” the man said, beard thick and half black, half white, annoyance on his face. “I did not come to play host to small talk. Our Safe Zone is still hungry. We cannot waste time here on a welcoming banquet.”

Zhao Nan stood calmly and brushed the dust from his trousers. He aimed his cup at the bearded man and drank it in one go. Under the crowd’s startled eyes, he wiped his mouth with force, his face slightly flushed, and said, “Let us begin talking. We can spare no more than that.”

The bearded man stared at Zhao Nan for a moment, then sat down with a heavy voice: “Go ahead.”

“Wait… Lin Yu, who is this man?”

“Let me introduce him—his name is Zhao Nan.” Lin Yu waved lightly. “He is the one who obtained the intelligence on the Soul Crystals. And everything you’ve eaten today was also brought in from another city by him.”

From another city.

That single line was enough for him to no longer be ignored. In these times, not those with wealth and rank became true masters. The real lords were those who could communicate with the outside and send food in. In every Safe Zone, a person with an outside line was treated as treasure.

“This meeting, too, will be chaired by him,” Lin Yu said gravely. “Here are the battle plans. Please review them first.”

Then Xiongyou and Xiaonan, who had been waiting nearby, began handing out the prepared plan documents.

No one spoke. They only read, furrowing brows, eyes drifting away and back again.

“How high is the chance this succeeds?” the bearded man suddenly broke the silence. “Even if all that’s been said is true, just to hold the mutated elite monsters this calls for at least two thousand people. If we combine forces, maybe that’s possible. But who is going to handle the Mutant Warlord?”

“Anyone whose attack reaches 200 can join the unit assigned to the Mutant Warlord,” Zhao Nan said. “Success depends on combat coordination and on exactly how many can be assigned to it. We cannot calculate that now.”

“Two hundred?” everyone blurted at once.

“Yes.” Zhao Nan nodded. “We must reach 200 to break its defenses. Anything lower only creates fixed damage. If we had far more hands—say five thousand—we would not need that threshold. But the square cannot hold that many people attacking the Mutant Warlord together. We still have to account for tying up the mutated elite monsters on the perimeter.”

“Let me ask the most basic question.” After a pause, Huang Kun spoke. “Why should we believe you? Even if materials were sufficient, stopping those elites would still likely cost many lives. And this 200 threshold—honestly, among those here, how many can reach it?”

Seeing Huang ask, the bearded man sneered. “What time is this for secrets and hiding? If you won’t say, I’ll speak: my attack now is only 176. With skill effects, I can raise it by twenty percent for a short time.”

“My attack is 205.” Lin Yu smiled. “This is no time to hide. If life can’t continue as it is, no one can keep such things for long. And if we can really retake Hearwind City, who’s to say we won’t improve?”

“These two can join the hunt for the Mutant Warlord.” Zhao Nan said directly. “That makes four now. The success rate rises quite a bit. Are there more?”

“Four?” Huang Kun asked. “Who are the other two?”

“Myself, and my companion.” Zhao Nan answered evenly. “Lin Yu is right. This is not a time for hiding. Hearwind City has so few people left. Don’t you find this kind of petty division absurd?”

“Exactly because few are left, that’s why I instruct my lieutenants,” Huang Kun said coldly. “There is no use in concealing our strength now. But everyone should understand: though life is difficult, we can still survive. Once we join this mission, no one knows how many casualties there will be. If we succeed, fine. If we fail, how many lives must be paid? Those who can survive a monster siege still want to live—and perhaps even more fiercely than before.”

“Brother Huang.” Lin Yu frowned. “If we keep delaying in this dying state of survival, the remaining people will slowly disappear. The square monsters will only grow stronger day by day. If that wears on, there will come a day we are cornered with no way to recover.”

Huang Kun exhaled heavily. “Lin Yu, don’t push further. I came out of former acquaintance. But after seeing this plan, I can only oppose it. Thank you for your hospitality; I will not join this operation. Goodbye.”

With a gesture, he left with part of the group.

“Commander Lin Yu,” another man called after him, “let me think this over carefully. Keep in touch. And thank you for today’s welcome.”

(Page 2 of 3)

Then another group left after he spoke.

By the end, with the noise gone, the once packed playground had become bleak and empty.

In the ensuing silence, Zhao Nan let out a light laugh, stood up, one hand resting behind his back, the other holding a wine bottle. He stepped forward and said clearly, “Bro, I still haven’t asked your name.”

“Fu Yun.”

“This glass is for you.”

Zhao Nan bent and filled a cup to the brim from the bottle.

“I came here to discuss how to fight the square monsters,” Fu Yun growled, his gray-white beard flaring like a hedgehog. “Not to drink and entertain myself.”

Zhao Nan nodded. “That is precisely why you must drink this. Drink it—and from now on, we are allies.”

“Only so few people…” Fu Yun said, perplexed. “Are you still intending to carry out that plan?”

“Yes.” Zhao Nan said. “And one more thing: the plan you just saw was an impromptu sketch, not the true battle plan.”

Lin Yu could no longer hold back. “Zhao Nan, what exactly are you doing?”

“I told you before,” Zhao Nan said, staring at him. “I can provide food, but only for those who still have the courage to fight. Do you expect me to play at charity? Which do you prefer—the courage that appears only after guarantees, or nerve that does not shrink before danger?”

“Without question, the latter.”

Lin Yu gave a soft smile. “Looks like I need to get to know you a little better.”

Zhao Nan shook his head. “My only goal is to restore Hearwind City. For that goal, I will not allow even one inconsistency in the counteroffensive plan. Brother Fu Yun, may I call you brother? Your courage commands respect.”

Fu Yun shook his head. “I came only because I was cornered. My Safe Zone has no one who can communicate with the outside. Our food has been tight all along. If I can, before battle I want my people to have one full meal.”

“We don’t need a hungry army,” Zhao Nan said. “Send your people from your Safe Zone here. We’ll unify everyone.”

“People may be fewer than ideal,” he added, “but that makes upgrading power easier to manage than coordinating too many bodies.”

“Whatever happens next,” Lin Yu asked, “what is your plan?”

“Leveling up,” Zhao Nan replied, his tone low and firm. “Everyone to level twenty. Everyone’s skills to proficiency.”