Chapter 3: Why Were Both Arms Severed?

In front of them stood a relatively intact building, which seemed to have once been a luxurious private apartment. At that moment, Quya and Xi Yan were hiding behind the wall of an unfinished building not far from the apartment. They observed as many people walked into the apartment, all dressed in identical white cloaks, with what appeared to be white clothing underneath.

Each person had their hood up, making it impossible to distinguish anyone’s identity. On the back of each cloak was a large number “Three”.

“Are those people from the main city?” Xi Yan asked Quya.

Quya frowned and replied, “They are. They belong to the third survival zone under the main city.”

Third survival zone. Xi Yan silently memorized their features. Quya had told him earlier that this area had been designated as the ninth survival zone—the last of the nine main survival zones. The rest were unnumbered, countless, and no one knew how many there truly were.

“They’re bringing someone out,” Xi Yan murmured.

“It’s Bai Ke! I never expected he’d be captured by the third survival zone…” Quya’s face showed signs of anxiety.

“He’s the one I mentioned before—the examiner. He can help you save Xiao Lin.”

Xi Yan’s brows knitted tightly. This group before him seemed troublesome, and he was only a level three superhuman, with three cards of little use in his hand.

As for Quya beside him, Xi Yan had no idea what abilities he possessed. “Quya, are you confident you can rescue Bai Ke?”

“Me?” Quya was startled, pulling his lips into a wry smile. “Don’t joke. I’m only level fifteen, and my cards are all support types—nothing powerful.”

Quya’s answer made Xi Yan’s heart sink, but thoughts of his sister filled him with frustration. He couldn’t recklessly charge out. If something happened to him, there would be no one left to save her.

“Have you finished watching?”

Suddenly, a figure clad in a white cloak appeared behind them. This person also wore a white mask, revealing nothing but facial features; no skin, no expression could be seen.

He stood there, as if out of nowhere, and neither had noticed.

“You…” Quya stared at the newcomer, seeming to recognize him. Suddenly, he retreated several steps in terror. “You… you’re Bai Sheng!”

Xi Yan didn’t understand why Quya was so frightened, but the next moment, he did.

Bai Sheng reached out, unlocking a card. Instantly, a prison of light materialized around them, trapping both within its confines.

Bai Sheng unlocked another card, its function unclear to Xi Yan, but Quya’s arm promptly fell to the ground.

Xi Yan swallowed involuntarily. Bai Sheng then removed his mask, revealing a face marred by burns—a grotesque sight, twisted into a sinister smile.

Bai Sheng picked up Quya’s severed arm, turned it into a card, and stored it away.

“Hiss…” Quya clutched the stump of his arm, blood streaming onto the floor. The two remained trapped, powerless to escape.

“Quya!” Xi Yan called anxiously.

“Xi Yan, listen carefully. After you get me out of here, return to my old place. I have traps set up there.”

Xi Yan looked at Quya, puzzled by his instructions. How could they possibly get out?

The next moment, Quya unlocked a card—a simple “Knife.” The blade severed his own arm, which dropped to the floor. Unable to withstand the pain of losing both arms, Quya knelt, trembling.

Sweat dripped from his forehead as he raised his head with difficulty, speaking to Bai Sheng in agony, “This time… is it enough?”

“Quya, until we meet again.” Bai Sheng’s grin twisted even further.

He carded Quya’s severed arm, then dispelled the prison of light, departing without another word.

Unable to bear the pain, Quya finally lost consciousness. Xi Yan, quick to react, caught him and hoisted him onto his back.

Watching Bai Sheng’s retreating figure, Xi Yan felt weak and powerless. He didn’t know why Quya had severed his own arm, but it was clear that Bai Sheng wouldn’t have left otherwise.

Carrying Quya, Xi Yan headed toward the courier point, but trouble was relentless. On the way, several Lost Ones suddenly appeared before him. They were in a wide plaza, leaving Xi Yan nowhere to hide.

These Lost Ones appeared newly transformed, their bodies still intact, resembling humans only recently turned.

Those who became Lost Ones were people who failed to adapt, failed to evolve, or were corpses animated by unknown forces. Even bare bones could become Lost Ones.

The Lost Ones’ eyes were vacant, their bodies covered in black spots. Xi Yan stopped before them, placed Quya safely behind him, and unlocked a card.

“Uncle Chen’s Love: Dropped by D-level Lost One.
Effect: Summons ‘Uncle Wang’ as an ally in combat.
Remaining uses: 2.”

He unlocked another useless card—a sharp wooden plank, merely for self-defense. Its durability was nearly depleted, and it would soon vanish like the “Dagger” before.

After summoning Uncle Chen, Xi Yan immediately ordered him to deal with the Lost Ones.

“Roar…”

Uncle Chen charged forward, engaging the Lost Ones in battle. The fight was brutally bloody, so much so that Xi Yan could barely watch, leaning against the wall to vomit.

Lost Ones were emotionless, thoughtless beings—not truly alive, nor truly dead. Their battles were savage, tearing at hearts and lungs, biting and gnawing until limbs were left shattered and incomplete.

Xi Yan didn’t want to witness such carnage. He quickly picked up Quya, skirted the fight, and headed toward the courier point.

The sweltering heat didn’t make him sweat; he seemed to have adapted to the environment, and carrying another person didn’t feel exhausting.

At last, Xi Yan brought Quya back to the courier point. It was as calm as ever, and Xi Yan realized there were no Lost Ones in the vicinity.

But as he carried Quya through the doorway, he noticed someone inside the building.

“Xi Yan? That’s you, isn’t it?”