In the vast hall, the stillness of the night was not without figures pacing across the wooden floor.
A commotion from the front drew the gazes of those nearby.
They looked up and saw, on the ancient and massive cathode-ray tube display, an unfamiliar city symbol shooting up like a rocket, appearing alongside another city.
–How did that city’s ranking suddenly jump eighteen spots?–
Others focusing on several smaller screens were also drawn by the disturbance and rose to approach.
Inside the horizontal counter resembling a bank teller’s station beneath the large screen, someone shook awake the duty officer dozing on the desk: –Check it out quickly—what’s happening in City 41?–
–Oh, right.–
–City 41? Hey, it just shot up to 23rd place.–
As the crowd buzzed, a man in a red windowpane suit emerged from a second-floor booth. He braced both hands on the wooden railing, his gaze fixed on the shifting city code on the screen.
Beside him appeared a man in a black long gown, wearing a round hat and sporting a handlebar mustache.
–Ju Yin Chase, word is that a few hours ago, a Defier appeared in the city below. Leveling up this fast—could it be that the Defier was eliminated?–
–It’s just a temporary ranking boost. Whether it can hold depends on the end of the year.–
Ju Yin Chase tapped his fingers, turned his face to the other side, and spoke slowly from the second floor down through the small room’s window beside the hall:
–Some supplies in the town are running low. Once summer ends, we need to prepare coal and stored grain for winter. The Construction Crew that supplied us last year has lost contact for half a year.–
The man in the black round hat with a handlebar mustache lit a cigarette.
–They’ve probably been wiped out by now.–
He suddenly smiled at Ju Yin Chase, saying, –You’re not here for the wine—what you really want is someone who can complete that engine. This can only be waited on slowly.–
–Yeah. But how much longer do we have to wait?–
–Actually, there is someone who fits the bill. He’s right here in City Forty-one. Unfortunately, he belongs to those monsters. Maybe in another Hubville, people there are close to obtaining that Shin Engine.–
–You mean Matt Chao, that sneak who keeps slipping in? He’s indeed the right man. Too bad our handbook can’t be used by him, and that matter isn’t so easy—he’s not that easy to cooperate with either.–
As they spoke, someone in a black velvet coat came clattering up the stairs, holding a document that they handed to the red-suited Ju Yin Chase.
–Has the owner of the Nightmare Train changed? Codename New Matt Chao and Little Matt Chao? He actually took out the Defier. Oh, I see—if it’s him, he could be something like a Summoning Card.–
–A Summoning Card?–
At these words, the mustachioed man leaned in:
–Yeah! New Matt Chao is one of ours? Hey, if that’s him, isn’t he exactly the kind of guy you’ve always been looking for?! Hurry up and contact him through someone in that city.–
–Thank heavens he didn’t leave this world via the Calling Card.–
Ju Yin Chase was about to rush downstairs when the Moxel on his chest faintly flickered to life.
[The mayor told me that stowaways are about to arrive.]
–Stowaways? At this hour…–
Ju Yin Chase lifted his head to gaze at the night beyond the lobby, a flicker of delight spreading across his face.
……
At the same time, at the far end of this Hubville, inside a silent stone house.
Dim yellow light from the streetlamp outside filtered through the frosted glass, carving back the darkness that shrouded the gravel path by just a few meters. Standing by the window, a wooden pipe clamped between his teeth, Ans glanced at the clock on the wall—less than a dozen minutes remained until the sky would grow light.
The guy won’t show up, he thought to himself.
–Brothers, we’ve made it through tonight safe and sound.–
With his chiseled, three-dimensional features, he struck a match to light the wooden cigarette holder.
–That damn Matt Chao, damn it. I’m going back tomorrow.–
–Ah, damn it, if I’d known better, I wouldn’t have coveted that bit of Chronos. A Stowaway isn’t bound by the rules of peace anyway.–
No sooner had he spoken than they felt something was off in the atmosphere.
Several of them looked up and saw that the figure standing by the window, facing away from them, had actually fallen asleep while standing.
The air behind him twisted, as if some distant presence was about to arrive!
–The new Matt Chao is coming!–
One man jumped up in terror from his vintage wooden chair, shouting, –Ans, wake up, quick!–
They fell into a chaotic mess, yet none dared to scatter and leave, for falling asleep instantly would spell their doom.
–I hope the protection here can withstand a psychic attack. This town should be fine, right?– one man said, his voice trembling with tears.
He knew full well that a Stowaway could attack people even within the town’s limits, yet he still clung to false hope.
–Oh god, I need to go back to the city right now!–
After two minutes of panic, they noticed Ans standing by the window had woken, the airflow behind him now calm and still.
–Ah, I dozed off a bit?–
The others shot him a stiff glance.
……
–Brother Morris, can you really convince someone like that to join your team?–
–Our team, you mean?– Morris snapped back to reality, looking at the boy whose hair had become a messy chicken coop.
–Ah, yes, even housemates sharing a rental can form a party.–
–Hold on with those terms from your gaming magazines.– Morris propped himself up on the table with his hands and glanced at the books piled on the nearby desk. Since there were many Asians in this area, books on languages and culture, and even personal files, had become trade goods.
For convenience, the two roommates sometimes shared a single small statue that could store an extra five thousand Chronos.
–Well, in that world, we spent over a thousand years together. Though waking up feels like a dream, I have confidence that this person is a trustworthy teammate.–
Morris turned his head to look at the guy beside him—the one who earlier seemed like nothing more than a grunt work-study machine, but now had become indispensable.
–And while we were there, I’d already brought up the relevant matters. I didn’t extend a formal invitation, but based on his attitude, he wouldn’t be opposed.–
Watching Popoli scratch under his chin with his finger, Morris thought: as long as he has a powerful teammate like Yang Zicang, they could secure a full mail voucher again. Combined with his own Chronos inversion storage ability and Popoli’s innate Moxel talent…
Then the trio’s combined value would far exceed even an entire Grade-A squad of over a dozen members.
–Well, in that world, we spent over a thousand years together. Though waking up feels like a dream, I have confidence that this person is a trustworthy teammate.–
Morris said to himself in an effort to bolster his courage.
When he was in that place, he had never imagined a scenario like tonight—facing the upheaval of an entire city and an overwhelming, unmatched force.
That young man, who had traveled with him through a primitive society for thousands of years, was able to face it all calmly and with ease.
Boboli watched Morris run into his room and called out from outside the door, –Do I need to prepare anything?–
–No need, I’ve already thought it all through.–
……
The train hovered outside this row of streets lined with rock houses perched on the highlands.
Since the train had slowed down before stopping, it didn’t attract much attention—after all, there were few people on the streets in the early hours.
Morris had already arrived ahead of time, accompanied by two doctors and a four-wheeled cart. It resembled the oldest sedan chairs, with open carriage-like seats, and the rear wheels were twice the size of the front ones.
Surprisingly, this was not a conjured vehicle from a nightmare.
As soon as the train’s door opened, the man carrying the young woman eagerly jumped out.
–I appreciate your hard work, but I have little time. Can we do this as quickly as possible?–
[I feel an unwelcome gaze upon me.]
[The master of this city signals for me to leave within an hour.]
A layer of energy swiftly spread and enveloped his body.
The two well-dressed doctors beside Morris stepped forward.
–This young lady?–
–Mm, her injuries aren’t severe, but a minor surgery is needed—about forty minutes can do the trick, and she’ll be as healthy as an average person afterward.–
–Truly a miracle doctor.– Yang Zicang breathed a sigh of relief, praising.
–Ho ho, sir, we’ve all legitimately come here through Crimson Moon-level intersections. As doctors from Earth, with a dose of compatible Moxel enhancement, calling us miracle arts isn’t too far off. Rest assured, she’ll pop up sprightly and sound.–
Watching them leave, Morris said:
–Mr. ZiCang, we meet again—didn’t expect it to be this soon.–
–I didn’t expect it either. I thought I’d have to stabilize an A-level intersection first. By the way, where’s Popoly?–
–Ani’s dodging people right now. You don’t even know the bounty on their head.–
Yang Zicang could imagine the scene.
–Haha, no danger there?–
–Not for those entering here legitimately—for them, danger’s not an issue. Chronos attacks are forbidden on each other. But you need to watch out; you might get targeted. You’re a stowaway, after all.–
Yang Zicang focused briefly, then sensed how it all worked.
Normally, the townsfolk can’t launch Chronos-based attacks. But since he was a stowaway, he wasn’t protected by the town’s defenses at this moment.
–Getting into a leveling contract—how much did you pocket?– Yang Zicang whispered, lowering his voice.
–We sold five copies — take a guess how much we made…– Before Yang Zicang could really make a guess, the man excitedly raised two fingers, then gestured with a four.
–A whole twenty-four thousand five hundred in Chronos!–
–My God.– Yang Zicang couldn’t help but mutter; this was a windfall of a fortune.
Morris’s eyes sparkled with a sharp gleam.
–Mr. ZiCang, let’s form a team together, just like we discussed last time. With my abilities combined with your combat prowess, we can easily survive here for ten thousand years. We’ve already been tempered through battle, haven’t we? And I’ve also got my secret techniques now.–
He revealed the statue in his hand.
–I believe this city won’t last more than a few centuries,– Yang Zicang said with a casual chuckle. –But as for a team, we can certainly establish one together.–
–That’s wonderful!–
After the battle with the Xiongying group, Yang Zicang gained a deeper understanding of the existence of people like Boss Wang.
A team formed by multiple individuals, utilizing precise Chronos control, complemented by exceptional warriors—this is the most fundamental and reliable template.
But… although Boss Wang had over a dozen members, he could not compare with the man before him.
He needed only a few coins or a stack of bills, which already surpassed the large groups raised by numerous fund-raising teams just to hoard Chronos.
Each of this man’s banknotes could store 9999N of Chronos!
Previously, he rarely gave this any thought, simply because he had no idea there was any such thing as a Chronos limit.
–I have a question—not that you have to answer it, I’m just curious,– Yang Zicang said.
–What is it?–
–Since your Chronos per coin is fixed at a maximum of 9,999, how many coins do you actually have to store your Chronos in?–
–Oh, you mean the slots of my ability? Well, thanks to you, my slots have been unlocked for the fourth time, reaching a thousand.–
The man standing under the streetlamp had eyes so deeply sunken that his whole face seemed to laugh with them.
A thousand slots!
Yang Zicang took a deep breath—this guy’s Moxel was practically born to run a Chronos bank.
9,999 slots, each capable of storing 9,999 N!
As far as he knew, even here in Hubville, not many people were willing to spend that much Chronos to unlock a thousand slots. That would cost 9,999 years of Chronos, and that’s not even counting the hundreds and tens unlocked before that.
–Damn impressive.–
He really had no clue what the guy’s former captain had been thinking, to abandon such a talent from the team after reaching a stable A-level zone.
Meanwhile, Morris’s heart was thumping nervously: Finally, I won’t be despised wherever I go.
Though now he too had realized the true power of his ability, there were actually very few people who truly understood it.
But even if others came to realize this in the future and sought to recruit him, Morris would still unhesitatingly choose to form a party with the person before him, solely for –peace of mind.– Here, trust is more precious than gold. And Yang Zicang is worthy of trust.
Morris raised the statue to look at Yang Zicang, and the young man opposite smiled and nodded.
[Morris has invited me to become a member of the Pu Ming Group.]
–Pu Ming?–
–‘Know glory, yet embrace disgrace, to become the valley of the world. Being the valley of the world, constant virtue suffices, and you return to the pu.’ Pu is a fine word in your culture.–
Yang Zicang was momentarily struck speechless.
[I have resonated in frequency with the Pu Ming Group.]
Seeing Yang Zicang join the team, Morris delighted from the bottom of his heart.
……
After discussing the sale of temporary proxy contracts for a while, Morris suggested that the three of them meet up to sort through the contract documents. Yang Zicang was more than happy that the other party was willing to share, so of course, he nodded in agreement.
The sky gradually grew bright, and the train behind Yang Zicang faded into nothingness.
{My time is up. If you need me, find me after 11 p.m.}
Yang Zicang turned to look at it: –Do you know what kind of place it will be after being expelled from here?–
{A desolate, forsaken land. Matt Chao is a regular there. Just stay put in that place until evening, and you’ll be fine.}
Upon hearing this, Yang Zicang finally felt completely at ease.
{Oh, today you can withdraw the platform station. Need it? The next one is three days later.}
The outline of the platform station emerged around the train, like a sudden, incongruous mirage hovering over the town.
–Then withdraw it.–
After the train departed, the platform remained still in its place.
Yang Zicang’s Quad flickered and enclosed it within a selection frame. Like a knitted sweater being unraveled, the platform swiftly retracted along with the beams of light, gradually folding into the Moxel.
……
As more early risers gradually gathered, the air of the town, dotted with stone houses, began to waft with the aroma of cooking smoke and food.
Two strangers, carrying two portions of food and water in their hands, approached with excitement, expressing their appreciation for the generosity from HQ as well as their personal admiration. The headquarters didn’t have many people stationed here, and this town had several streets—it must have taken them quite some effort to track him down.
–I’m such a huge fan of you—could I please have your autograph?!–
–Let’s skip the autograph.–
Though excited, the two kept their composure. After Yang Zicang exchanged a few pleasantries with them, they took their leave. Their main purpose was simply to deliver these supplies—food and clothing.
[The host here informed me that only ten minutes of stay remain.]
Mu Xiaoyu still hadn’t shown up. Yang Zicang felt a twinge of anxiety; it would be terrible if she got forcefully evicted midway through the surgery.
–Not done yet?–
–ZiCang!–
The girl draped in a blanket spotted the figure by the street, tears of grievance welling up uncontrollably in her eyes as she hurriedly ran down from the vehicle.
–Your complexion looks much better now.–
The girl rushed over to hug Yang Zicang, sobbing, –I thought I was going to die.–
Yang Zicang momentarily felt at a loss, uncertain how to respond.
–Doctor Jia Ruoqing, thank you so much. And you too, Doctor Shi,– Morris said.
–Don’t mention it. In the future, if you get any skill books, remember to prioritize us first.–
Yang Zicang watched them leave; everyone here carried an air of unruffled ease.
These two were among Boboli’s former clients. As doctors, they lacked offensive abilities, but now Doctor Jia, having obtained the Delegation Training Contract, had gained a covert means of self-defense—able to heal and fight with equal skill.
Watching them depart, Morris silently flashed a figure-eight sign at Yang Zicang.
Yang Zicang understood—just from them alone, they had granted an extra eighty thousand years of lifespan. For a physician of this level, eighty thousand was indeed not an unattainable sum of Chronos.
–I have a feeling that we shouldn’t stay here any longer.– Mu Xiaoyu sat up from Yang Zicang’s chest, speaking with embarrassment.
–Yes, this town is refusing us entry, because it’s a place where we, as we are now, aren’t supposed to be.–
Mu Xiaoyu, her dark, shimmering eyes wide open, murmured, –Was it you who brought me here?–
–Uh-huh.–
Clap, clap, clap.
Applause, sparse and cold, rang out.
Those who were taking their leave turned to look. A man in a red checkered casual suit approached from behind Yang Zicang.
With his arrival, the sounds in the surrounding air seemed abruptly isolated. Early morning passersby, chatting and laughing, skirted around this spot as if they couldn’t see anything.
–I’ve already heard about you improving the city rank. Well done, Mr. Yang Zicang,– said the newcomer.
Over the past hour, more and more news had reached him, and he had finally gotten a clear picture of the name Yang Zicang. He also realized the opposing party possessed psionic abilities.
Yang Zicang shielded Mu Xiaoyu behind him. –Have you come to drive us away? Just tell us the way out, and we’ll leave.–
Morris hastily cleared his throat, stepped forward, and said in a low voice:
–Zicang, this is ChaseFutown’s overseer, Ju Yin Chase. His appearance here is a good thing—don’t worry.–
Ju Yin Chase waved his hand and said with a smile:
–See, your friend understands me. Let me introduce myself first. My name is Ju Yin Chase, and as he said, I am the Futown Chief of this town. Well, I’m also one of the same kind as you.–
Yang Zicang’s heart stirred:
–Could it be that the managers of this town are all people who came from various cities?–
–That’s right. For example, my city ranks 12th, qualifying me to run for the position of Futown Chief. When your city’s ranking rises to the top, you’ll have similar opportunities in the future.–
So this town not only allows residence but also offers the chance to become its administrator!
The person before him was someone from another city, possessing strong strength, who had earned this position through election.
As for city rankings…
According to information revealed by Morris, it was said there are a total of fifty-five cities like the one they were from, though some say forty-five.
Yang Zicang couldn’t help but sigh for his hometown—so many people had come here.
Mu Xiaoyu looked up at the boy’s lean face:
–It would be great if we didn’t have to go out. Aside from feeling like two or three centuries ago, everything here is almost like Earth.–
She finished speaking with anticipation, then looked toward Morris, as if hoping to find out if the person in front of her was a permanent resident here.
Yang Zicang patted her shoulder gently to comfort the young girl.
Ju Yin Chase nodded:
–Indeed, this place has shops, a market street, inns, and areas for recreation and daily living. If you become residents of this town, you can spend your long remaining time here in peace.–
–But because of that, the qualifications for entry are exceptionally high. Miss, you don’t even have a Moxel yet, yet you somehow know of this place’s existence—truly fortunate. At least you have a goal now, don’t you.–
–Ah, well, it’s not that impressive.– Mu Xiaoyu felt a bit embarrassed.
Ju Yin Chase’s gaze burned as they looked at Yang Zicang, –No wonder. Those skill books that suddenly appeared—you had a hand in them too, didn’t you?–
As the steward of the town, what went on under his nose was crystal clear, and Morris had never considered hiding it.
–That’s right. My friend here played a huge role in making those skill books. Futown Chief, is there something you need?–
–There’s something I need you to do—or rather, something I need you to do for this town.–
Yang Zicang raised an eyebrow and asked, –Meaning we don’t have to get kicked out anymore?–
Hearing Yang Zicang’s question, Mu Xiaoyu nervously clutched his arm in her hands.
Can we stay here? She still remembers the terrifying sight of the city overrun with monsters.
She felt a glimmer of hope, yet feared there might be only one spot, and she would be driven away alone.
–No, you still have to leave. That’s the rule of this town. However, you may come in once a day, for a maximum of three hours. That’s the courtesy I’m extending to you.–
Mu Xiaoyu lowered her gaze.
Ju Yin Chase glanced at Morris, who showed no intention of leaving.
–Originally, I was only interested in your train ability. The previous owner of that subway didn’t belong to our side, but now that you’re its master, I came in person. Never did I expect—never did I expect—that you would successfully subdue a telepathic nightmare, even fully conquering it.–
The lord of Futown lauded endlessly. The person before him was even more impressive than he had imagined, possessing telepathic attacks—no wonder he could send Matt Chao flying.
–Only three minutes left,– Yang Zicang reminded.
–Heh heh, I won’t waste words then.–
Ju Yin Chase stepped forward, pulling a booklet from his chest pocket.
–Inside are records about this matter’s intelligence. If you’re willing, let’s mutually Life Invest, how about that?–
Yang Zicang voluntarily flashed out his Moxel, and after the two investment and return, they were considered acquainted within Chronos.
[Ju Yin Chase invested me 0.01R full authority Chronos, valid for one month—I reckon he can’t enter the place where I’m about to be banished.]
Moxel precisely read his own inner thoughts.
Yang Zicang looked at the booklet.
–This thing is the town’s order letter, able to unlock the communication seal of the Shibin Wastes, allowing your Moxel to contact the outside. The info’s inside.–
[I have obtained the order letter from Silver White Hubville.]
The moment I took it, the book emitted several black, lightning-like trails of smoke that spread outward.
The entire world seemed to collapse rapidly from that point onward; Mu Xiaoyu pressed nervously against him, watching as the surrounding space fractured like cracked glass spreading in all directions.
[Through the order letter, I can become a supplier to Hubville.]
[The Hubville Goods Reserve has the authority to lock onto my location and supply information.]
Mu Xiaoyu felt the town rejecting him.
Yang Zicang looked up.
Morris, Ju Yin Chase, and the surrounding rocky buildings and pedestrians—even the azure sky and the sun—were all swept away by a gray murky wind, vanishing without a trace.
The entire town seemed to come alive.
An indifferent, inhuman voice resounded in his heart, then quickly faded away.
{You have been expelled.}
Mu Xiaoyu suppressed the urge to scream.
As though the space was instantly stretched far away, the town’s silhouette appeared faintly on the horizon.
……
The world was gray and bleak; bare, stubborn trees grew from the deep black earth.
Between the desiccated clumps of earth, black streams flowed, and different scenes appeared on their surfaces like shifting reflections.
–Weird water? How terrifying.–
Mu Xiaoyu, on the verge of tears, tightly clung to the only person he could rely on in front of him.
Yang Zicang looked around—desolate, gray, and bitterly cold.
Beneath a tree lay half a blackened skeleton; from the tattered condition of its clothes, it had been dead for at least several decades.
Slightly bewildered, Yang Zicang had barely glanced at his surroundings when the book in his hand began to corrode with energy, as if spontaneously combusting.
–Hey, I haven’t finished reading it yet!–
He wiped the book on his clothes, then threw it to the ground and stomped on it violently, but it showed no sign of stopping its disappearance. The book transformed into a wisp of energy that floated up. The Paleshade Wyrm, as if catching a whiff of something delicious, suddenly emerged from behind, stretched out its massive head, and gulped down the mist in one bite.
A tiny slip resembling a plastic receipt appeared on the ground.
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