Zi-Cheng hoisted the crate onto his shoulder and pushed open the workshop doors.

A wave of heat immediately washed over him.

Even though it was still early morning, the sun was already blazing, merciless and unyielding. The air was thick and suffocating, clinging to his skin like the entire city had been stuffed inside an oven.

With the free clinic event kicking off today, maybe even those who made a living in the shadows would think twice before stirring up trouble.

Ahead, Elena dashed toward the fully loaded carriage, sticking out her tongue playfully. “Guess no one can call my Empathetic Heart and Transference useless anymore!”

Morris, already seated on the driver’s bench, cast her a sidelong glance before remarking dryly, “With that smug look on your face, someone might nab you if they find out what you did.”

Elena blinked. “Huh?”

Zi-Cheng stopped in his tracks. “Wait… are you saying someone might actually come after Elena?”

Morris didn’t answer right away. His expression darkened before he gave a slow nod.

Morris pushed up his glasses, his gaze sharpening. “It’s not just the ones who’d want to use her power for themselves.” His voice carried a quiet intensity. “Even those benefiting from the system won’t just sit back and let this slide. Changing how people see ‘useless skills’ is more dangerous than you think.”

A cold weight settled in Zi-Cheng’s chest.

For so long, he had been preoccupied with keeping his Developer Mode hidden from the world. Not once had it crossed his mind that Elena’s abilities, when used in a way no one had expected, would be just as dangerous.

“Is there really no way to change this?”

The more Zi-Cheng heard, the clearer it became, that the combat abilities and fighter ranks weren’t just part of the system, they were the very chains used to control the people.

Even here, in the backstreets where the workshop stood, countless people had already been forced into poverty, left with no means to survive but to sleep on the streets. Beyond the city walls, monsters and foreign threats lurked, leaving them no real choice. Even if resentment boiled beneath the surface, what could they do? In the end, they could only bow their heads and submit to the powers governed by the Grandmaster.

(In a country where even the thought of resistance is crushed before it can take shape, where people sacrifice everything in the name of 'prosperity and stability', only for that wealth to land in the hands of the privileged few…. Is that really something to be proud of?)

As someone from another world, Zi-Cheng knew there were countless other ways to survive. But in the Kingdom of Izanich, people had been subjected to years of propaganda, drilled endlessly with the glory of the Hero and the threats beyond the walls. Anyone who dared question the system would be drowned out by pressure from those around them, forced to back down. Some, in a desperate bid for personal gain, would even sell out so-called "outsiders" just to secure favor.

And now, with the rumored conscription law looming, things were only going to get worse. The powerless would be fed into this cannibalistic system, trapped in the endless cycle of PvP slaughter.

(When the Hero created this system, did he ever consider it would turn out like this?)

A sickening churn twisted in Zi-Cheng’s gut.

The key to returning home, the one person who held all the answers, was the very architect of this hellish machine.

The realization left a bitter, revolting taste in his mouth.

“Hey Ventus, about that last crate….”

“Oh, yeah, right….”

Zi-Cheng snapped out of his thoughts and handed the last crate of Peach Potion to Morris with an awkward chuckle.

For someone who always looked so composed and refined, Morris seemed to have no problem lifting the heavy wooden crate in one smooth motion. Without so much as a grunt, he hoisted the crate and secured it on top of the carriage like it weighed nothing.

“I didn’t think the medical team guys would be this strong.”

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“As if!” Elena huffed, clearly unimpressed. “It’s because Victor had been dragging him into training—”

Zi-Cheng’s lips twitch.

(Ah, so another poor soul under Victor’s tyranny….)

"All this guy ever does is bury his nose in books. Even the patients call him a first-rate weirdo," Elena added, arms crossed. "Victor couldn’t just sit back and watch, so…"

Up this till moment, Morris pretty much ignored her teasing, but when she kept going, he finally sighed and said, “That’s because I have my medic certification exam next month.”

“Wait, what?”

Judging by the sheer disbelief on Elena’s face, this was news to her.

The Sanctuary Medical Team was one of the most respected organization in Hazelton, its status on par with modern medical organizations. Becoming a certified medic requires passing a series of rigorous exams, so much so that even those without high combat rankings could hold considerable social standing simply by earning the title.

In other words….

“I’ve been an assistant in the medical team for a few years now. It’s only natural that I take the exam.” Morris tried to sound casual, but it was clear that his decision wasn’t just about passing a test.

Elena stood frozen for a second before forcing a smile. “I see… Congratulations, then.”

But the flicker of sadness that crossed her face did not escape Zi-Cheng’s eyes.

(No wonder she’s been so obsessed with proving her skills… So, in the end, she still has feelings for Morris…)

For a moment, Zi-Cheng felt something sink in his chest. It was like a passing weight, almost gone as soon as he noticed it. Then, the realization dawned on him, it was Elena’s reaction.

(What on earth am I even thinking?)

“Ven! You haven’t been to the free clinic event yet, right?” Elena’s voice cut in before his thought could settle. “Why don’t you come check it out with us today?”

A sudden change of topic. Obvious, but the slight squeeze on his wrist left no room for argument.

“Uh… sure, sure. Today’s the opening, right? Guess I’ll tag along.

Zi-Cheng quickly laughed it off, pushing his thoughts aside. Yet, he had no idea this single choice would change everything.

According to Morris, the Sanctuary’s annual free clinic event has gotten larger with each passing year, and finally outgrew the capacity of the Sanctuary Plaza. So, for the first time ever, this year’s event had been relocated to the base of the Sanctuary Hill, where more space was available, and getting there was supposed to be easier.

Yet, as Zi-Cheng stared at the mess outside, he wasn’t seeing any sign of “easiness”.

(This is worse than the mid-day rush at the market district!)

It has been over twenty minutes, but they had barely moved two blocks in the long stretch of carriages and carts. To make matters worse, the carriage was getting insufferably hot under the sun.

“Hey Ven, look over there! That’s the free clinic!”

Little to Zi-Cheng’s surprise, Elena was still full of energy. She leaned out from the carriage window, her voice brimming with excitement as she pointed towards the tips of a dozen white tents in the distance.

Zi-Cheng wiped off a trail of sweat from his face, glancing at the long line of people down the road. There were children, elders, and crippled ex-combatants, all showing signs of exhaustion from the heat. Yet, their faces carried a quiet hope, as if this event was their only chance for relief.

(Can my potions really help so many people?)

Judging by Elena’s fidgeting hands, it seemed she was wondering the same thing. Six hundred bottles of potions, that’s more than they had agreed to, yet… would this really be enough?

“You know, they always tell me things will work out in the end….” Elena said with her usual soft voice, but her tone was laced with uncertainty. “But I’m not so sure about that.”

Zi-Cheng blinked, a little caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation.

“There was a fire many years ago… a massive one. It burned down two entire streets.” Her fingers curled slightly against the carriage door. “I was the only survivor.”

“I was barely alive when the medical team found me. If not for Victor convincing the elders to take me in, I wouldn’t even be here.” Elena’s eyes swept over the street, a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. “But… there were others. People who weren’t as lucky.”

(…...)

“I’m not like Morris, who can make a difference by becoming a medic… and I’m not a fighter. I… I can never earn my keep in the arena.”

For the first time, Zi-Cheng caught a glimpse of the Elena he had never known before.

“Can I really just sit around till things to work out?” Elena exhaled, almost like it hurt to say the words aloud. “But even if I gave it my all… it still doesn’t feel like I’ve done enough.”

Despite sensing Elena’s vulnerability and unease, Zi-Cheng could only sit beside her in silence, helplessly listening.

He had barely found his footing in this world. What could he possibly offer to help?

Thus, a heavy stillness filled the carriage.

Until—

A sudden, piercing whinny shattered the silence.

The eight-legged horse pulling the carriage reared up, its front legs thrashing wildly in the air.

“Whoa!”

Morris yanked the reins, just in time to keep the carriage from toppling. Inside, Zi-Cheng barely caught himself before he and Elena were thrown off their seats.

“What the hell was that?!” Zi-Cheng shouted, his pulse still racing as he looked outside, and what he saw made his breath hitch.

Instead of moving towards the free clinic, a flood of people surged toward them, panic twisting their faces.

They weren’t just running. They were fleeing.

But from what?

“The murderer! The Outsider Killer is here!”

Zi-Cheng’s stomach churned.

(Crimson Plume?)

The very same man who gambled his life, spared him, and on a whim, paid for his bread.

Why would a killer who lurked in the shadows appear in broad daylight?