Chapter 5: Encountering an Adorable Little Girl

No one knows how the Survival Zones came into existence, but as far as is known, all Survival Zones share one common trait: every space that becomes a Survival Zone was once a place of harsh environment and scarce resources.

To the lesser-known Survival Zones, the resources of the Nine Great Survival Zones are abundant, which is why those from the Main City compete fiercely for them.

Previously, only eight Great Survival Zones had appeared, with one yet to be revealed. The term “Nine Great Survival Zones” was not coined by anyone from the Main City; rather, it automatically appeared on everyone’s control panel, much like a “World” announcement in a game.

Only the Nine Great Survival Zones have a master. The master can level up more quickly, access more dungeons, and face far less danger, all while discovering more resources than anyone else.

There is also an unwritten rule: whoever kills the previous master of a Survival Zone becomes the new master. That person’s name will then appear on every control panel.

After hearing this, Xi Yan was speechless. Level up quickly? It had been more than half a month, and he was only level three. Was that supposed to be fast?

“Xi Yan, I haven’t paid much attention to the control panel messages lately, so I didn’t know what had happened. After Lin Shuang mentioned it, I checked, and you… you really are the master of the Ninth Survival Zone. That puts you in great danger.”

Qu Ya’s expression was far from relaxed now; worry crept over his face.

“Qu Ya…” Xi Yan’s feelings were a tangled mess. “If something really happens to me, could I ask you to save my sister? I’m willing to give you everything I can.”

Xi Yan looked at Qu Ya with utmost seriousness, making Qu Ya feel a little embarrassed.

“You don’t have to say that. We haven’t known each other long, but I really like Xi Lin. I… I once had a sister too, but she wasn’t as fortunate… she didn’t survive…”

A heavy silence fell between them, but Qu Ya broke it a moment later. “So I’ll save Xiao Lin, of course. After all, Xiao Lin is so adorable.”

Qu Ya laughed sincerely. “Alright, don’t be so gloomy. Just focus on getting stronger. You’re the master of the Ninth Survival Zone—what do you have to fear? Use your resources and grow stronger!”

“Mm.” Xi Yan, swept along by Qu Ya’s encouragement, stopped doubting himself.

“So, the master of the Ninth must be just a kid. I bet his level isn’t high, either. Ha!”

A cute little girl in a pink dress with her hair in two buns appeared at the entrance of the courier station. Behind her stood a towering, shirtless man, his muscular body scarred and fearsome.

“Xiao Jin, go kill that pretty boy.”

The little girl perched on the muscleman’s shoulders, her face breaking into a wild grin as she looked at Xi Yan as if he were a delicious steak.

“Pretty boy?…” Xi Yan tugged at the corner of his mouth. No one had ever called him that before; it was a novel experience.

“Xi Yan!” Qu Ya suddenly pulled him aside.

The muscleman’s attack was already upon them, so swift that Xi Yan hadn’t even noticed. If Qu Ya hadn’t yanked him away, the muscleman’s punch would surely have killed him.

“How is he so fast…?” Xi Yan was shocked by the man’s speed.

“He’s a Hunter! And not just any Hunter—he’s in the top ten of the Main City rankings! Run!”

The muscleman had already smashed through the courier station wall, so Qu Ya dragged Xi Yan outside. Behind them, the little girl’s laughter rang in their ears.

“Xiao Jin! Catch them! Hahaha!”

Gritting his teeth, Qu Ya handed Xi Yan a card. “Unlock this. You pilot it, and I’ll hold them off!”

There was no time for hesitation. Xi Yan immediately unlocked the card Qu Ya had given him.

“Rabbit’s Flying Carpet: Dropped by an A-Class Lost One. Effect: Can fly twenty thousand miles. Uses: One.”

As soon as the carpet was activated, the two jumped onto it. To buy more time, Xi Yan also unlocked “Uncle Chen’s Love,” while Qu Ya activated a few cards of his own, though Xi Yan didn’t know what they did.

The flying carpet soared ever higher. Looking down, Xi Yan saw the furious little girl stomping her feet on the ground, but without the power of flight, she could not catch up.

From above, Xi Yan finally saw the city of Luo where he lived. Now, Luo was a city in ruins.

Lost Ones wandered everywhere, and occasionally, survivors could be seen fighting them. The sight of the devastated city filled Xi Yan with sorrow.

The sky was no longer blue; instead, the city was stained with an eerie red—the color of blood. Severed limbs and corpses were everywhere. It was a living hell.

“Thank goodness that little girl didn’t have any flying cards, or we’d be dead,” Qu Ya said, patting his chest, still shaken.

Hearing this, Xi Yan remembered—the card Qu Ya had given him was single-use. “Qu Ya, was that card just now a one-time use?”

“Yes, but don’t worry about it. Your life is more important. We’ll have another chance to get a flying card. I know a dungeon where we can farm one, so don’t worry.”

Despite Qu Ya’s reassurance, Xi Yan still felt guilty. That little girl had come to kill him; if not for him, Qu Ya’s card wouldn’t have been used here.

But Xi Yan wasn’t one to dwell on things. He quickly decided that since the card was spent, he would find a way to make it up to Qu Ya.

Qu Ya had saved him more than once or twice. In this moment, Xi Yan had already made up his mind—some debts couldn’t be repaid with gratitude alone.

“Xi Yan, I’m afraid your days ahead are going to be spent on the run,” Qu Ya said helplessly.

Xi Yan gave a rueful smile. “Maybe that’s my fate. Look at the Lost Ones below. Compared to them, aren’t I much better off?”

“You really know how to comfort yourself.”

“There’s no other way. Life is hard. My sister and I are orphans—we have to find joy where we can.”

As they chatted, suddenly an arrow whistled past Xi Yan’s face, narrowly missing his eye.

Xi Yan looked behind Qu Ya, his eyes widening in fear. “How did she catch up?!”

Qu Ya turned as well and saw their pursuer: the little girl, now astride a winged unicorn, bow in hand, aiming at the two of them.

This time, the muscleman was nowhere to be seen.

“It seems… her abilities have already evolved…”

The little girl glared at them in fury. The unicorn’s speed was no less than that of the flying carpet, and the two were about to be overtaken.