As they advanced, they reached what had once been a checkpoint for vehicle crossings. Back then, fees were collected for entry and exit. Now, however, it served as the gate to the safe zone. Barricades had been set up everywhere on both sides, leaving only a narrow gap in the middle—just wide enough for two people to pass side by side. In front of this gap stood two guards, gripping their AK-47-like rifles and watching them intently.
"Oh, Sergeant, you're back early," one of the guards said.
"Yes. We found some fresh blood," the Sergeant replied in a firm tone.
The man's gaze shifted to Arda. "This guy doesn't exactly look 'fresh,' though."
Bulut burst into laughter. "Come on, don't be rude." As they reached the guards, they came to a stop. Bulut patted Arda lightly on the shoulder. "He's just someone who's been through some rough times."
The guard smiled knowingly. His earlier remark had been a joke, after all. Everyone knew about Bulut's ability. In fact, he found it odd that someone with such an important ability would willingly go outside. There were scavengers out there. Even though they weren't part of large groups, they could still get lucky and kill him. Sure, he could come back to life—but only up to a point. Eventually, he would end up in limbo, and the group would lose one of its most valuable members. The guard believed Bulut should stay safely behind the walls. But he never said it out loud. He knew why Bulut went outside—it was because of the Sergeant. According to rumors, their relationship went back to before the safe zone was established. He probably saw her as family. That was why, whenever the Sergeant went out, Bulut followed. Not that someone as powerful as the Sergeant really needed an escort…
"So, no need for a check, then?" the guard asked, stepping aside to let them through.
Arda immediately understood what he meant by "check." Strangers weren't allowed in just like that. Even those inside weren't entirely trusted. People could switch sides. If someone brought something dangerous from the outside, it would be a serious problem. Arda didn't know what kind of privilege Bulut and the Sergeant had, but they must have been important. Or maybe they just knew the guard at the gate.
Once past the checkpoint, Arda got a better look at the place and let out a whistle of amazement. "You guys really built a settlement in the middle of hell."
"Hah," the Sergeant chuckled arrogantly. "If it weren't for our Leader, everyone out there would've starved to death. He's a blessing."
"I agree," Bulut nodded, his eyes gleaming with admiration.
Arda grew curious about the leader they seemed so devoted to. He must have been an incredible person.
The Sergeant seemed to notice his curiosity. "You want to meet him, don't you? Well, you won't have to wait long! He personally meets every newcomer. That's how incredible he is!"
"Oh," Arda was surprised. A leader personally greeting new arrivals? Then again, maybe that was why he was a 'Leader' rather than just a 'Manager.' There was a difference between the two. "I wouldn't want to trouble him. I could go to him instead."
"Yeah, that's not happening," Bulut said. "Even if the Leader himself comes to see you, no one is allowed inside his residence. That place is off-limits."
"Wow, why's that? Is your Leader actually a young girl? Hahaha."
At Arda's joke, the Sergeant's expression darkened. Her brows furrowed as she stared at him.
Arda was taken aback. He thought his joke was funny. Or had she not understood it? "You know, like how young girls don't like people barging into their rooms? That's what I meant."
Even after his explanation, the Sergeant's stern expression didn't change. Then, through clenched teeth, she said, "First of all, it's not 'your Leader.' It's 'our Leader.' He's your Leader now, too. Second, yes, she is a young girl. Is that a problem for you? Are you belittling our Leader?"
He hadn't seen that coming.
Was this place really being led by a young girl? He wasn't sexist or anything, but realistically speaking, this settlement stretched all the way to the far side of the variant zone. It covered several kilometers. How could a young girl govern such a large area? Not because she wouldn't be smart enough, but because society wouldn't accept it. No one over a certain age would want to be led by someone who looked inexperienced. Arda hadn't expected his joke to turn out to be true.
Luckily, Bulut broke the tension. "Sergeant, don't you have a report to submit? I'll handle Arda's registration." He placed a hand on Arda's shoulder and led him toward a large tent.
Inside, an elderly woman was waiting for them. Her white hair was tied back in a ponytail, and a pair of reading glasses rested on her nose. She sat comfortably at her desk, flipping through a stack of papers. Even after they entered, she didn't bother adjusting her posture.
Her gaze first landed on Arda, then shifted to Bulut. "A scavenger?"
Arda frowned.
'Do I really look that bad?'
"Haha. No, Aunt Kübra, he just had a rough day. We're here for a new registration."
The woman let out a displeased yawn and straightened up. She looked like she wasn't happy about being disturbed. Reaching for a pile of papers on the desk, she pulled one out and placed it in front of her.
Then, she started asking questions.
His name, age, weight, profession in the real world, and how many missions he had completed.
Once he had answered everything, the woman gave him an envious look. "You're lucky. Since you're not suited for fieldwork, you'll be assigned to repairer."
"Repairer?"
"Haha, I'll explain the rest, Aunt Kübra," Bulut said, grabbing a tag from the table before leading Arda out of the tent.
"What's the repairer?" Arda asked.
Bulut glanced at the tag, then scanned the area before heading in a specific direction. "It's not that complicated. Even though this is a safe zone, it still has a functioning system. Everyone has their own duties. For example, Aunt Kübra was a notary in her previous life. She failed her first mission, so she doesn't have an ability. Because she was a notary, she was put in charge of paperwork. The Sergeant was a high school freshman in her past life. During one of her completed missions, she acquired a powerful handgun, so she's assigned to scouting for new recruits. And you… well, your previous job isn't very useful here. You were some kind of merchant. But bargaining skills don't mean much in this place. You also failed your first mission, so you don't have an ability. That's why you'll be working on repairer the protective walls."
He found it strange to be included in the group so suddenly. He had only come here because he had nothing else to do, but he hadn't planned to stay long. Being assigned to a job right away didn't feel right. Still, he didn't want to go against the system. For now, he would go along with it.
He realized that the "wall" they mentioned was what made this place invisible. "Being a repairer sounds more like grunt work. Why did that lady look so envious?"
"Haha, it's not what you think. You barely have to do anything for repairs. In fact, I'd say you'll be lying around all day."
Working while lying down? That sounded like the perfect job for a lazy person. "How does that work?"
Bulut shrugged. "I don't know. No one does. That job is crucial to the wall's security, so only our Leader and the repairers know what it actually involves." He winked at Arda. "Maybe once you start, you can tell me what it's all about, huh?"
Arda laughed. "Sure, if you give me one of those reward items you keep talking about."
"Pff! Keep dreaming!"
As they talked, they walked past a group of people. Arda glanced around and saw that everyone was busy with something. Some were carrying chopped branches from dead trees. Others were pushing wheelbarrows filled with an orange-colored substance that resembled soil. The rest seemed to be engaged in more stationary tasks, moving in and out of tents.
As they passed one tent, its entrance flapped open, allowing Arda to peek inside. Someone was slicing various plants and stacking them neatly. These plants looked alive, radiating a freshness that contrasted with the otherwise dead atmosphere.
"That's another ability," Bulut explained as they walked past. "That guy you saw, Kubilay, has the skill of slicing. It allows him to cut through anything with precision—plants included."
"I was actually more curious about the plant he was cutting."
"I was getting to that," Bulut replied, leading Arda past the crowd. There were still tents ahead, but no people. He checked the tag in his hand, then continued walking between the tents, each marked with a number resembling a code. "Those plants exist thanks to multiple people's abilities. One person controls plants, another manipulates soil, and someone else controls water. When you combine those three, you get everything needed to grow plants. The only thing missing was seeds. Some selfless people sacrificed themselves to go on missions and trade for them. Thanks to that, we no longer have a food shortage."
'Oh, so that's how they did it.'
Hearing that people had resorted to cannibalism before made him uneasy. He had wondered what he would do if he ever ended up in such a situation. Fortunately, that wasn't a problem in the safe zone. Everything here was well-organized. Their leader must be incredibly capable.
"This is it," Bulut said, stopping in front of a tent. It was about the size of a small room—neither old nor new, just a plain green tent.
"My new home?"
"Yeah, pretty much. Want to take a look inside?"
He pulled back the entrance flap, revealing a simple setup—a single bed and a rug covering the ground.
"Whoa, did you guys know I was coming? Why are these already here?" Arda turned to Bulut. "Wait, don't tell me… another ability?"
Bulut grinned and nodded.
"Damn. You guys really built something impressive here." Arda stepped inside and lay down on the bed. It was relatively comfortable. "I almost feel guilty staying here for free."
"Yeah, I felt the same way. If this were anywhere else, you'd have to work like a dog to earn this. But our Leader is understanding. Even in a hell like this, he gives us the comfort of the old world."
Bulut pulled back from the entrance and glanced toward where they had come from. A wide grin spread across his face. "Ah, speak of the devil."
He widened the entrance, and footsteps approached. A figure entered, and as soon as Arda saw him, he immediately sat up.
Sergeant was a tall man, with golden blonde hair that looked as if the finest hairstylists had styled it. It was neatly tied back, with a single lock falling gracefully over his face. His sharp, intelligent green eyes were locked onto Arda, sparkling with charisma. His flawless skin was only marked by a small beauty spot under his left eye, which somehow made him even more striking. He looked like he had just turned twenty, glowing with youthful radiance.
His white button-up shirt, with the top two buttons undone, gave him a daring look, while his denim pants and leather boots exuded authority—he was the picture of a true leader. As he stepped inside, his posture was upright and commanding.
"Welcome, our new companion in fate," he said with a dazzling smile.
At that moment, Arda's heart skipped a beat. It was a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time.
[The Sinner's Mind Is Shaken]
He saw the message pop up, but he ignored it entirely. Stunned, he scrambled to his feet. "H-Hello."
'Damn it!'
He cursed himself for stuttering. His face burned with embarrassment.
Sergeant chuckled, his voice smooth like a lullaby. "You're adorable."
Hearing that only made Arda blush harder, and he quickly looked down. He had no idea what was happening to him. Normally, he wasn't the type to act this way, but in front of this man, he couldn't help himself.
"You can leave now, Bulut," Sergeant said. "I'd like to speak with him privately."
Bulut didn't argue and left the tent.
Now, only Arda and Sergeant remained. Alone.