Evening arrived very quickly.
The oil lamp light flickered across the face of Thuong Sinh, who was sitting by the window, the flame swaying with each gust of wind. Looking down from above, the flow of people on the street thinned out, mostly small teams returning after completing their day's missions.
Inside the living area, electricity was restricted, but along the main road, a few high-hanging bulbs were still turned on when it became completely dark. The light was weak, but enough to dispel the feeling of being completely submerged in darkness.
Thuong Sinh watched for a long time.
Not watching people, but watching the rhythm: who walked fast, who walked slow, who always looked ahead, who often glanced sideways, who had teammates following closely, and who intentionally kept their distance.
This was a habit he had formed since he began traveling alone.
"Are you keeping watch for something?"
Lam Thanh Moc's voice rang out from behind; she was tying her hair back, having just finished bathing and preparing to rest.
"No," Thuong Sinh replied. "It's just that evening here is different from the daytime."
She stepped forward, looking in the direction he pointed.
Sure enough, at the opposite street corner, several people stood huddled together, not noisy, not carrying weapons, just appearing to be making small talk.
But they seemed to stand there much longer than normal.
Lam Thanh Moc also noticed, lightly frowning: "People from the Alliance?"
"Not necessarily," Thuong Sinh said, his gaze never wavering. "Could be military people, or those who belong to no faction."
He paused for a moment, then continued, his voice very small but audible.
"But they have one thing in common." "They are waiting."
Not waiting for Zombies, and probably not waiting for a mission—perhaps waiting for an event. Right then, down on the street, a small argument broke out. Two people were disputing something, their voices not loud but enough to draw attention nearby.
One of them pushed the other.
In just a few seconds.
A figure stepped out from the group that was waiting, said nothing much, just placed a hand on the troublemaker's shoulder. The movement was very light, but the opponent immediately fell silent, his expression changing.
That person turned his head and pulled his comrades away.
Thuong Sinh narrowed his eyes.
"Someone is silently controlling the night in Luc Thuy," he said slowly. "Not the Black side."
Lam Thanh Moc looked at him: "Not the military?"
"If it were the military, they would stand somewhere more visible," Thuong Sinh replied. "This is like... clearing the path."
He lightly tapped his fingers on the wooden window frame.
"In a few days, something might happen here."
Lam Thanh Moc was silent for a while, then said: "Then what about us?"
Thuong Sinh turned his head back; the oil lamp light reflected in his eyes—not sharp, but very deep.
"We don't get involved." "At least for now."
He stood up and closed the window. The darkness outside was blocked, leaving only the warm oil lamp light in the small room.
"Tomorrow," he said, "choose a daytime mission, return early." "The night... is not the time for newcomers to stand out."
Out there, a streetlight flickered once and then stabilized.
At the distant street corner, the waiting group gradually dispersed, vanishing into the darkness as if they had never existed.
The next morning, as usual.
Thuong Sinh and Lam Thanh Moc went to the Black side's water filtration plant to receive a mission, but this time he and Lam Thanh Moc encountered something they had never faced before.
As Lam Thanh Moc gripped one side of a mission paper, preparing to take it down, another hand also gripped it—the same paper.
Both turned to glance at each other, evaluating one another. Opposite Lam Thanh Moc at this moment was a woman; her hair was as red as fire. She looked at Lam Thanh Moc and then cleared her throat to speak.
"I already noticed this mission first; you should leave it to me."
Lam Thanh Moc smiled outwardly, but not inwardly, and said:
"I'm so sorry, but I've also had my eye on this mission for a while now."
The red-haired woman narrowed her eyes, staring intently at Lam Thanh Moc; this side was not to be outdone, returning an equally sharp gaze.
One second. Two seconds.
"Ahem, ahem."
At this time, a young man in his early twenties behind the red-haired girl spoke softly: "Lam Vu, we can take another mission instead."
"No."
Her single word made the young man smile bitterly, not knowing what to say. He looked behind Lam Thanh Moc at Thuong Sinh, who was also paying attention to the two people in front of him.
Thuong Sinh currently looked at the two people in front of him, then looked at the guy roughly his age whose eyes were pleading with him.
"Let's just drop it; we can take another mission."
"What do you mean by that?" Lam Thanh Moc at this moment still kept a smiling, calm face, but when she turned her face back to look at Thuong Sinh, it made him feel a slight shiver.
Not knowing from which moment, but this was the first time Lam Thanh Moc showed him a somewhat terrifying face while looking at him, causing him to stop speaking and turn his head away.
The atmosphere before the mission board was pulled taut like a string.
The red-haired woman kept her hand on the paper, her eyes like blades, not evading at all. She was half a head taller than Lam Thanh Moc, her shoulders relaxed but her stance very firm—the type of person used to solving problems with fists if necessary.
"I said it." Her voice dropped, no longer polite. "This mission, I'm taking it."
Lam Thanh Moc still smiled, but the corners of her lips had hardened.
"There is no regulation here that says whoever notices it first gets it." "The mission is hung on the board; whoever takes it first owns it."
The atmosphere went silent for a second.
Several people around had begun to notice, but no one intervened. At the filtration plant, disputes over missions were not rare, as long as they didn't cross the limit.
The young man behind the red-head stepped forward half a pace, his voice lowered: "Don't make a scene here, Lam Vu."
Lam Vu did not turn her head. "You, shut up."
She looked straight at Lam Thanh Moc.
"I don't like arguing."
"This mission is in the western district; the scope is wide, the numbers unknown."
"You're new here, bringing along an unsuitable person."
Lam Thanh Moc slightly narrowed her eyes. "Are you concerned for me?"
"No, I'm speaking the truth."
The hands of the two people still held the paper; neither would let go.
At this moment, Thuong Sinh stepped forward half a pace.
Not fast, not slow, just enough for others to know he was there.
Lam Vu's gaze flicked to him, a very quick glance.
Thuong Sinh opened his mouth, his voice low: "Divide."
Both turned to look at him.
"Divide?" Lam Vu frowned.
"Yeah."
"Clearance mission."
"Divide the sectors."
The young man behind Lam Vu was slightly startled, then his eyes lit up like car headlights.
"He means... each side handles a portion?"
Lam Thanh Moc turned to look at Thuong Sinh, but did not interrupt.
Lam Vu was silent for a few seconds, evaluating him from head to toe.
"Are you sure?" she asked. "This district isn't easy."
Thuong Sinh nodded. "Return early."
Lam Vu let out a small laugh, but not one of mockery.
"Fine." She let go. "I'll keep the mission sheet."
"The northern part of the western district, I'll handle."
Her gaze shifted to Lam Thanh Moc. "The south, for you."
Lam Thanh Moc looked at the paper, then at Thuong Sinh; she also let go.
Lam Vu nodded.
The two sides split.
The crowd around gradually dispersed, the atmosphere returning to normal, as if the recent event was just a small interlude.
After walking a few steps, Lam Thanh Moc spoke in a low voice: "You just now…"
"It's fine," Thuong Sinh said concisely.
She gave a soft huff. "Next time, don't decide for yourself."
He didn't dare argue, only responding: "Mhm."
In the distance, Lam Vu turned her head to glance back once, her gaze lingering on Thuong Sinh slightly longer than normal.
"Newcomers, huh…" she muttered. "Interesting."
Western district, southern edge.
The ground was damp; the old ruined filtration tanks stretched out like a giant corpse with its entrails gouged out. Broken pipes overlapped, foul water dripping incessantly, the smell of rusted metal and rotting moss mixing in the air.
Thuong Sinh had just finished clearing a small mutated nest when he stopped—not because of fatigue, but because there was movement ahead.
At the boundary of the two sectors, a large-sized mutated creature was crawling out of a collapsed filtration pit, its body rugged, skin like limestone mixed with mud, four legs stuck to the cement floor. That thing clearly didn't belong to any specific sector.
"Looks like... we've hit the same target."
Lam Thanh Moc's voice rang out from behind.
At the same time, from the opposite side, Lam Vu led her person out. She also just saw that mutated creature, and her gaze darkened.
The two sides stood about a dozen meters apart.
The mutated creature was in the middle, growling softly, its head turning back and forth as if not knowing which prey to choose first.
No one acted immediately; the atmosphere was tense again.
"The boundary." Lam Vu spoke first. "How does this count?"
Lam Thanh Moc crossed her arms, her gaze cold. "The mission didn't state it clearly." "But it is leaning toward the south."
"The south belongs to you?" Lam Vu smiled faintly. "Or did you just draw that line?"
The two women looked at each other, their gazes sparking; neither would yield.
Thuong Sinh said nothing; he only observed the mutated creature, the way it gathered force in its front legs, and the position of the mutated core protruding vaguely under its skin. Right then, the young man following Lam Vu stepped forward one pace, raising his hand in a gesture of peace.
"Wait, wait." He laughed, his voice quite pleasant. "Let me say a few words first."
Lam Vu glanced at him. "Step back."
"Just a few sentences." He turned toward Thuong Sinh and Lam Thanh Moc.
"I am Trinh Tuan." "I'm with Lam Vu."
Then he looked at Thuong Sinh, his gaze curious but not defensive.
"You two... are newcomers to this district?"
Thuong Sinh gave a very slight nod. "Thuong Sinh." He paused for a beat, then looked to his side. "Lam Thanh Moc."
Trinh Tuan was slightly surprised to see Thuong Sinh was the one who answered first, but still smiled.
"Very glad to meet you."
Lam Thanh Moc gave a soft huff. "What's so 'glad' about it?"
Trinh Tuan smiled bitterly. "At least it's not meeting while fighting each other."
"Not necessarily," Lam Vu coldly cut in. "Are you finished speaking?"
Trinh Tuan raised his hands in surrender: "Alright, alright." "This one isn't weak; if we fight separately, it wastes time." "How about a quick cooperation, and then we divide the shares?"
The two women's eyes immediately turned to him.
"Which side are you on?" Lam Vu asked, her voice dangerous.
"I am naturally on your side," Trinh Tuan replied instantly.
Lam Thanh Moc smiled coldly. "Sounds nice." "But I don't like cooperating with people who are too confident."
"And I," Lam Vu continued, "don't like people who think they are the center."
The two looked at each other; the atmosphere between them seemed to heat up.
The mutated creature in the middle growled louder, its claws scratching the cement floor, preparing to lunge.
Thuong Sinh stepped forward half a pace.
"Attack first."
Only two words, no debating, no picking sides. He had seen that if they were a little slower, this thing would take the initiative.
Lam Thanh Moc and Lam Vu recognized that at almost the same time.
"Tch.", "Hmph."
Two cold huffs rang out from both sides, but no one objected.
In the next moment, the four people simultaneously scattered, creating a loose encirclement around the mutated creature.
Trinh Tuan muttered as he drew his weapon: "Looks like you two really are like fire and water."
Lam Thanh Moc glanced at him. "You talk too much."
Lam Vu smiled faintly: "Keep your own life first."
The mutated creature roared, its massive body lunging forward, the limestone-like skin rubbing against the cement floor, making a spine-chilling grating sound.
Lam Vu was the first to act.
She stomped hard on the ground, her Ability erupting; a deep red flame flared up from her palms—not a wildly spreading fire, but a compressed flame, sharp and neat.
"Get out of the way." A short sentence, not aimed at anyone specifically.
The flame drew a curve, sweeping straight into the mutated creature's front limbs.
Boom—!
The outer skin was scorched, the smell of burning spreading, but the mutated creature only faltered a bit and then roared; the peeling limestone skin revealed the gray flesh inside which was extremely heat-resistant.
"Not an easy meal," Lam Thanh Moc said softly.
Right then, the young man standing behind Lam Vu stepped up.
Trinh Tuan.
Different from his laughing demeanor earlier, his gaze was now completely focused. He raised his hand, five fingers spread wide, and a cold chill emanated.
The surrounding air temperature dropped abruptly.
"Freeze."
With just one word, from beneath the mutated creature's feet, frost erupted, spreading quickly along the cracks in the ground, locking its two hind limbs in an instant.
Crack—crack—
The ice was not thick, but the timing was right.
The mutated creature lost its balance, its heavy frame tilting to one side.
Thuong Sinh was already waiting.
He lunged without needing a command; he rushed forward as if gliding over the ground, his figure blurring for a beat in others' sight.
The sword in his hand was drawn; he didn't aim for the head or the chest.
The target was the gap that had just been cracked open by the fire.
Thud!
The sword blade pierced into the gray flesh, but not deep enough.
The mutated creature shrieked, its muscles vibrating violently, the ice on its hind legs shattering.
At the exact moment it was about to gather force for a counterattack, Lam Thanh Moc mobilized her Ability.
From beneath the cracked cement floor, dark green vines suddenly slithered out like living snakes, their outer surfaces covered in tiny needle-like thorns. They did not rush straight at the body, but tightly wrapped around the moving joints: ankles, knees, waist, and hips.
Crack—!
The vines tightened, making a dry, rasping friction sound.
The mutated creature roared, its heavy body pulled completely to one side; the counterattack it had been building force for was entirely misdirected, only shredding the air.
"Not enough," Lam Vu said coldly.
The deep red flame flared up again; this time she didn't strike the exterior, but pressed it right against the wound gap. The high temperature caused the surrounding flesh to shrivel.
Lam Thanh Moc's vines immediately transformed; the thorns grew longer, digging in another layer to hold it fixed.
"Solidify," Trinh Tuan said deeply.
The cold air surged—not freezing the whole thing, but freezing the very blood that was spurting out, causing the mutated creature's movements to slow significantly.
Three sources of power—fire, ice, and vines—simultaneously pressed it into a state from which it could not escape.
Thuong Sinh didn't wait for more talk; his True Essence mobilized into the sword, the surrounding wind gathering on his blade.
"Blade Wind"
He swung his hand; a green-colored sword-intent strike flew out aiming at the torso, the path of the sword intent shredding whatever it passed through.
Zip—!
Its frame was torn into two halves; the massive body was ripped in two, black blood splattering everywhere. it moved for a moment and then, there was no more sound.
The atmosphere after the battle slowly settled, the metallic smell of blood mixing with the scorched smell of fire. The corpse of the mutated creature lay motionless on the cement, split in two, with no remaining signs of life.
A moment later, someone finally let out a breath.
Trinh Tuan glanced at the clean cut on the mutated creature's corpse, his gaze lingering on Thuong Sinh's sword before retracting his look, saying nothing more.
Lam Vu stood tall, the flame on her fingertips having gone out at some point. She looked at Thuong Sinh for a long time—this time there was no provocation, only the pure consideration of someone who had seen true strength.
"Mission complete," she said, her voice calm. "We owe each other nothing."
Thuong Sinh nodded, acknowledging her words.
Lam Thanh Moc said nothing, only walked to stand behind Thuong Sinh's back, silently looking at Lam Vu with a gaze that said: He is mine.
Lam Vu gave a thin laugh and turned to leave. "Let's go."
Trinh Tuan followed; before fully leaving the area, he turned back to look at Thuong Sinh one last time as if memorizing a name.
The silhouettes of the two gradually vanished behind the row of ruined houses.
The wind blew through, carrying dust and the smell of blood; the boundary area returned to its inherent stillness, as if the recent battle had never occurred.
Only then did Lam Thanh Moc speak, her voice very soft: "They will meet us again."
"Yeah," Thuong Sinh replied; he leaned down, picked up the blood-stained mission marker, and folded it carefully.
In this apocalypse, there is no shortage of strong people, but people who can stand on equal footing… are not many.
Thuong Sinh and Lam Thanh Moc also gradually departed, their backs vanishing behind the abandoned buildings.