"Hello, is someone listening?" a voice called from inside the machine. This system, in Sun Tie’s mind, made the fact less shocking, but it was still impressive. Cole glanced at him sidelong and smirked.

"I bet this seems like magic to both of you," he said, grabbing a round object connected to the radio. It was like a giant egg, wholly made of metal and adorned with intricate metal lines. "I'm listening," Cole said, addressing the radio.

"Do I need to say 'over' when I finish?" the voice from the other side asked with a nervous laugh. It was a woman.

"I don't think so. Who am I speaking with?" Cole inquired.

"My name is Maria. I'm with some survivors. We crashed after the feast and found the ruins of a police station, where we discovered this radio. How about you?" Cole turned to face Sun Tie.

"See how foolish it is to give information to people you don't know?" Cole asked, pointing at Sun Tie.

"Let it go, Cole. We don't have time for your lessons; I've understood already," Sun Tie replied.

"Fine," Cole retorted, bringing the metallic device close to his mouth and uttering, "What's your situation?" Cole had deliberately ignored her questions, unwilling to give away information for free.

"Actually, we're kind of fucked," Maria replied, her voice now fully revealing the extent of her worry. "There's something outside. To be honest, there are several things outside the station, and we can't get out."

"What is outside the station?" Cole pressed.

"You'll think I'm crazy," she admitted.

"Oh, miss, we're way past that," Cole assured her with a chuckle. "Go on, tell me."

"They look like zombies, and they don't stop coming. We have no way to leave the station; they block all entrances, and we are not fighters. Can you help? We are close to a big antenna. I think it's a radio one."

Cole placed the metallic device on the table and crossed his arms.

"What do you say?" he asked.

"You know my opinion. It's not our objective," replied Sun Tie.

"And you, Liv? What do you think we should do, based on what she said?" he inquired.

"I don't know," Liv responded promptly, confusion evident in her eyes. "Why should I?"

"She said they're being attacked by zombies, and you're from a planet with undead wolves, vampires, and abominations," Cole explained.

"Yes, but I have no idea what a zombie is," she retorted, almost upset.

"A zombie is like an undead human who comes to life and likes to eat human brains," Cole stated matter-of-factly. Sun Tie observed the exchange with a strange fascination. All these terms, and he was just so... bored.

"Re-soldiers, you mean," Liv said as if it were obvious.

"Maybe... What are they?" Cole inquired, just as the voice from the radio began calling 'hello?' repeatedly, waiting for an answer.

"Reanimated humans. They fight alongside devilish sorcerers. They're not particularly strong, contrary to popular belief. They're just dead bodies reanimated to fight the living. They're summoned by magic and only stop when ordered, destroyed, or when their life force is extinguished. Their strength lies in their numbers," she explained.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

Cole heard the woman's explanation and remained silent while Sun Tie lost the little patience he still had.

"So, if they just wait, they'll probably be fine after some time, right, Liv?" Sun Tie asked. Liv nodded in agreement.

"Okay, then it's decided. Grab your things, James. We need to go." The big man heard the command and turned his back to collect his portable inventory, where Leigh and Sofia were chatting in one corner of the warehouse.

"Wait a minute," Cole said to the woman on the radio. "I need to check something out."

"Okay, but please hurry up," she replied.

Cole grabbed Sun Tie by the arm and led him outside the warehouse, looking to the horizon. After several seconds, he pointed at it. A giant crooked tower of lined metal stood on the horizon, its red and white colors mixing.

"Look, it's in the same direction as our objective. We'll probably pass by the station."

"Fine, we can just pass by the monsters and follow through," Sun Tie replied promptly. "Enough of heroism; I've done too much of it for a lifetime."

"Nah, you're not seeing my angle. First: Several easy enemies to defeat equals levels and exp. The police station might have guns and ammunition for weapons like the shotgun I used to use before I ran out of ammo. We have almost nothing to lose,"

"Our lives?" Sun Tie asked, raising his eyebrows. "Isn't that enough? And what if it's a trap?"

"I have stealth and my cloak; I can scout and see. We can check it out and decide along the way."

"Okay, that sounds a little less stupid now," Sun Tie admitted, locking eyes with Cole. "You have to stop this, old man. This will be your downfall, and I won’t die with you."

"I'm fine," Cole replied with a grunt, turning his back and walking toward the warehouse.

Sun Tie analyzed the situation. They had been back together for not long, and they were already undertaking heroic feats for the second time. Cole’s habits were starting to tire the Young Master, but when he accepted Cole as a companion again, he knew this would eventually happen. He would stick with the decision he had made. Sun Tie sighed and trailed back, following Cole's steps.

If anything, the Young Master would use the experience to help James with the sword, whether a human or monster fight. If zombies or Re-soldiers were merely reanimated corpses, they would make perfect training dummies, and James would not cringe at the prospect of attacking another human being.

As he entered the warehouse, Cole was already finishing his conversation with the woman.

"We'll be there in one hour. Stay sharp, Maria." From what Sun Tie had seen, it wouldn’t take them an hour to find the antenna. Smart move, old man.

"Finally, we are really parting ways," Sun Tie muttered.

"I bet you'll miss me." It was Sofia talking beside him.

“Yes, I’ll miss the way you ignore me,” Sun Tie replied with a smirk. “Your abilities are truly impressive in that matter.”

“You did yourself no favors when we first met,” she replied. “Why should I care about you?”

“Because I’m a Young Master?” Sun Tie said, locking his gaze with hers.

“Pff... You’re nobody.” Sun Tie's hand went straight to his heart just when he thought she couldn’t offend him anymore. She laughed at his expression and continued, placing one hand on his and laughing. “I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I just meant that titles don’t matter anymore. Who you were on your planet... I don’t think it’s a big deal anymore. We’re all in the same boat.”

Sun Tie nodded at her. He disagreed with her view about his position. He would always be a Young Master of Eternal Wind, no matter if the world had ended or if his core was shattered, but he understood where her argument had come from.

“I want to thank you again for what you did for Liv, her kid, and Cole. It was brave. I was wrong about you,” she said, removing her hand from his gently. “I hope you return with James and Cole soon.”

Sun Tie nodded once more. “We’ll do our best. I’ll reiterate that your presence would be of immense help. I don’t know if potions will be enough after the 48 hours end.”

“No, I need to stay here. They need me more than you guys do. Leigh needs someone at his side.”

“So, you and him—” Sun Tie started to ask impulsively, but she interrupted him.

“No, no! We don’t,” she replied quickly. “We are old friends, and Leigh probably enjoys a man’s company more than mine.” Sun Tie slightly blushed at her comment. Eternal Wind tends to treat such matters with discretion.

“Okay. So, I also hope we can see each other again,” Sun Tie said, bowing his head.

“Me too, Young Master Sun Tie,” she said, bowing respectfully. Sun Tie's smile grew larger. Cole patted his shoulder.

“Okay, time to go,” Cole said, taking the group's lead and walking down the street. James followed closely behind. “Time to kill some zombies!”