The scorching rays of summer shone down from above. Vibrant green leaves shone brightly under the sun. It was almost the peak of summer.
People walked across the street. Their faces glistening with sweat. The fallen buildings that were here when Spring-Autumn first arrived are gone.
Summer was often associated with the vibrant spirit of the sun. The sun would always stay where it is. It was an anchor for every lifeform. When the day came after night, the sun would always be there. In the summer, the heat of the sun would be felt at its peak. People felt like they were closer to the sun than ever.
With the heat of the sun at its peak, the city seemed to be at its peak too. The order was restored. What was fallen had been cleaned up or restored.
Spring-Autumn and Rainmist decided to leave the city by walking. Appreciating the scenery around them. Everything was so orderly that the only significant sign that the apocalypse had come was the lack of cars.
Spring-Autumn held an umbrella to shield them from the bright ray of the sun. With his high stats and Rainmist's above-average stats, the heat of the sun was no longer enough to make them sweat. It did not mean that the bright rays did not annoy them, however. The umbrella acted as a perfect cover from the sun rays.
"We should've left when it was cooler," Spring-Autumn sighed.
"No use crying over spilled milk," Rainmist chuckled and said. She wore a short sundress that showed off her back. It gave her a very youthful elegance.
"True,"
Behind them was the Primo family mansion. Even at the last moments, Sunglow did not say anything. Perhaps they would never meet again. Spring-Autumn gave it no mind. Their relationship was over the moment the old man asked for the rescue of Winter. That favour was enough to make up for what Spring-Autumn owed the Primo family.
Spring-Autumn gave one last look at the gigantic mansion behind him. The mansion that was constructed in a traditional style. He could imagine the old man sipping on his tea, enjoying his life.
In the end, Spring-Autumn was able to get the answer that he sought by coming here.
"From now on, I'm no longer a Primo," He declared.
"You make it sound like you are suddenly a grown man now," Rainmist playfully mocked. She was aware of Spring-Autumn's complicated relationship with his family.
"You've experienced how much of a grown man I am," Spring-Autumn snorted.
"Yes, yes," She laughed.
They approached the city wall. The city wall was no longer an ugly wall of stone. It was now several times thicker with several details here and there to give it a more mighty look. Clearly, Brame had not been slacking in improving his abilities. The creation of the city wall has been done by the man alone.
Spring-Autumn remembered Brame's bald head and sighed, "It's too bad he's bald,"
"Are you thinking of the guy who constructed the city wall?" Rainmist noticed Spring-Autumn's lingering gaze on the city wall. She did not know the names of the important figures of Diamond CIty but she still knew what they looked like. "What if you go bald one day?"
Spring-Autumn touched his head full of fair hair. "That day will never happen!"
The two shared a fair amount of laughter. The banter continued as they approached the exit of the city.
On top of a building, a scout observed Spring-Autumn and Rainmist leaving. He hurriedly ran off to distribute this piece of news.
"Our target is finally leaving the city!"
They arrived at the city wall. This was the resting area for [Users] who were off shift. There were several burly men with their shirts off drinking water to chill themselves off from the summer heat.
There was a familiar figure in the rest area. Winter. His shining blue eyes could be seen from far away. The man would regularly patrol the city wall like a responsible leader to make sure nothing was wrong.
Just as Spring-Autumn spotted Winter, Winter spotted him back as well.
Spring-Autumn continued on his way and paid the man no mind while Winter stood on his spot and waited for Spring-Autumn.
Their paths intersect. Spring-Autumn sent Winter, who was standing still an inquiring gaze.
"Leaving?" Winter asked.
"Yes," Spring-Autumn answered simply.
"I'll see you out," Winter said something unexpected.
"Huh?"
"Don't be surprised. This is the last time we'll meet, no?" Winter said with a weird smile. There seemed to be a deeper meaning behind his words.
"Very well," Spring-Autumn took Rainmist by the hand and continued towards the exit.
There was a strangely liberating feeling when they stepped out the gate. The summer wind blew, causing their clothes to flap upwards.
There was only the green grass in front of them now. Their destination? Unknown. Whatever this new world threw at them, Spring-Autumn would explore with Rainmist by his side.
He enjoyed the feeling of the warm wind brushing against his face. But before he could do such a thing, there was a final hindrance they had to go through.
"Why don't you all come out now?" Spring-Autumn said smilingly.
The grass rustled. One by one, people stepped out. They were well armed with swords, axes, shields, and other various weapons.
Winter was startled. His face hardened as he asked coldly, "What is this?"
The people that emerged weren't [Users]. They were the new group that emerged recently that was made up of ordinary people.
The tall grass continued to rustle and more people stepped out.
10.
20.
50.
100.
200.
300.
400.
500.
1000.
A huge crowd emerged from the grass. They all had a ferocious aura to them from being tempered from going into the dungeon.
"So many people to see me off?" Spring-Autumn laughed. He did not panic even against this many people. At his side, Rainmist clung tightly to his arm. She did not know what was going on.
"The order is to capture you dead or alive," Someone spoke from the huge crowd.
"I see," Spring-Autumn nodded.
Behind him was the city he had just departed from, Diamond City. In front of him was the infinite vast world waiting to be explored. Blocking his way was over a thousand men.
The hot summer wind continued to blow. There was only silence.