The South District's Outer Rim, where Adam stood, was plagued by gangs and illicit businesses, with buses connecting to other districts.
Adam thought, "I've got to head to the West Gate."
Adam, disguised as a girl, swiftly departed, checking the time.
It was 2:33 AM.
With enhanced agility, Adam moved rapidly, leaving behind only afterimages for any onlooker.
Approaching the West Gate, Adam halted, spotting guards posted at the entrance. Teleportation was an option, but uncertainty about nearby cities held him back.
Adam knew backup would soon arrive at the South District Organization base, initiating a manhunt within hours.
Lost in thought, Adam heard footsteps behind him. Turning around, three figures emerged from a dark, deserted street.
"Hey, catch her quickly!" one thug ordered.
The thugs swiftly surrounded Adam, grabbing his hands.
The thugs dragged Adam to a deserted street, but he offered minimal resistance, walking alongside them.
As they entered the desolate area, Adam effortlessly broke free, retrieved a knife from his inventory, and swiftly killed the two thugs.
The third thug fled in terror but was struck by Adam's thrown knife, falling to the ground.
"No, I can't leave this city yet," Adam muttered.
Exiting the deserted street, Adam bypassed the West Gate and headed east.
Every corner harbored lurking thugs, preying on unsuspecting victims.
This layer's numerous slums perpetuated lawlessness. Adam navigated cautiously, able to jump rooftops if needed, though unsure if they could support his weight.
Residents remained vigilant at night, fearing for their families' safety and responsible for their own security.
Avoiding detection, Adam reached the border of the Fourth Layer and chose to stay within its limits.
A massive wall separated the Fourth and Fifth Layers, with four controlled entry points. Transitioning from the Fifth to the Fourth Layer required the Fifth Layer's mayor's permission or use of illicit tunnels.
Adam sought an alternative entry to the Fourth Layer, eager to bypass the Fifth Layer's risks.
The more Adam hid, the more precarious his situation became, surrounded by uncertainty.
Adam activated his Jump skill.
[Host Skill Active: Jump]
Adam teleported 200 meters, materializing beside the dividing wall between the layers.
The Fourth Layer's landscape stunned Adam: two-story houses, immaculate roads, and orderly structures.
At night, most shops closed, except for wine shops with outdoor gardens, illuminating the stark contrast to the Fifth Layer.
This scene underscored the harsh social reality: wealth dictated quality of life, and equality remained an abstract concept.
Adam grasped the profound disparities between layers, his thoughts lingering on the societal implications.
Scene: Umbrella Collective Organization, South District Base
Two figures emerged from the shadows, their worldly attire contrasting with the seedy surroundings.
Lord Edwin's understated elegance reflected his military background, with earth-toned leather, bronze accents, and his noble house's emblem.
A crisp white shirt, fitted breeches, and tied-back dark hair framed his athletic build, strong jawline, and piercing blue eyes.
Lord Vicc's formal attire seemed to absorb light. His black silk shirt, ebony coat, and crimson threading exuded sophistication.
A silver clasp held his cloak in place, bearing his noble house's emblem. Dark eyes gleamed with intensity, sharp features chiseled from shadows.
Both were officers of the Umbrella Collective Organization.
"Everyone, come out... Proceed with caution; we don't know how many intruders there are," Edwin ordered.
Twenty-five executors from the central base emerged, swiftly entering the shop and descending to the base.
Vicc's voice was laced with concern, "What do you think is going on down there?"
Edwin's expression remained neutral. "I don't know."
"We received an emergency signal from Officer Sir Tristan, stationed here," Edwin explained.
Vicc and Edwin waited outside the shop for five minutes.
An executor emerged, his face etched with worry, speaking hesitantly, "S...sir, the base has completely collapsed."
Vicc's annoyance was palpable. "What do you mean the base has fallen down?"
The executor swallowed hard. "Sir, everyone inside... has been killed."
The Edmin's anger flared. "Are you insane? We received the signal half an hour ago, and you claim our base was destroyed in that time?"
The executor nodded grimly. "Yes, sir."
Edwin and Vicc's faces paled as they followed the executor into the base.
Upon entering the training area, they were met with a gruesome scene: 13 executors lay lifeless, blood pooling around their bodies.
The air was heavy with tension and unspoken questions.
Vicc's voice was laced with urgency. "How many people were involved in this attack?"
The Executor hesitated. "We're still investigating, sir. We don't know yet."
"Is Officer Tristan still alive?" Vicc pressed.
The Executor's expression turned somber. "I'm afraid he didn't survive, sir."
Edwin examined the severed heads, his gaze narrowing. "Whoever killed them is a professional assassin."
Vicc produced a pendant and handed it to the Executor. "Deliver this to the Third Prince at the Royal Palace."
"This matter exceeds our jurisdiction," Vicc told the Edmin. "We must involve the Royal Family."
The Executor took the pendant and departed swiftly.
Scene: Fourth Layer
Adam wandered the Fourth Layer's streets, seeking temporary refuge.
As night wore on, Adam searched for a safe haven, navigating tidy roads and two-story homes.
The Fourth Layer's streets were tranquil, with residents sleeping soundly in their homes. Nighttime shops operated quietly, their owners working without disturbance.
Adam, disguised as a handsome young girl via his Mask skill, blended in seamlessly.
He had transformed to evade potential pursuers, leveraging the unexpectedness of his new appearance.
From a coffee shop window, Gobar, a fat man with black hair and brown eyes, spotted Adam. "What's this girl doing here so late?" he thought. "Her clothes suggest she's not from around here... probably a runaway from the Fifth Layer."
Gobar, the coffee shop owner, stood at average height, but his bulky frame and menacing demeanor commanded attention.
A creepy smile spread across Gobar's face as he chuckled, summoning his servant.
Ko, the servant, was tall and lean, dressed in black and white attire, with a slave collar around his neck – a stark reminder of the kingdom's harsh social hierarchy.
Gobar's eyes gleamed with sinister intent as he whispered instructions to Ko.