A convoy of armored vehicles belonging to the Darkmoon Guild proceeded through the northeast quadrant of Hammer Port. Stephen and the rest sat in the back of one of the trucks with some of Lucia’s men. 

For the most part, Stephen ignored the men and observed the city. What was once the suffocating hub of business and commerce had seemingly become a ghost town.  

The unilluminated silhouettes of the towering skyscrapers loomed in the distance. Even faraway and in the darkness, they made their presence known to the ones below. 

Stephen only gave the structures a cursory glance though. His gaze was focused on the nearby buildings. The route they had taken cut through the pedestrian markets — the lifeblood of the middle class of Hammer Port.

Tall in their own right, countless mid-rise buildings lined the streets of the downtown area, sectioning it off and creating an unique environment isolated from the rest of the city. 

The luminous lights from billboards, signs, and decorations created a spectacle of light that lit up the darkness. It was the dawn that only existed in the night.

While it excited his peers, it churned Stephen’s stomach. He could see all kinds of products and services being advertised across the various neon signs and colorful billboards. 

The direction of Stephen’s life didn’t allow him to covet things. For some this would have fostered a hidden greed, but Stephen didn’t desire anything material. In its place, there was a hole. A festering feeling between disdain and apathy had grown inside. Those who overindulged were trash.

To Stephen that was a simple fact. 

Stephen glanced at his companions from the corner of his eye. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting or feeling. Instead, he just observed them with a rational state. 

Their expressions reminded Stephen of people who were window shopping.

‘They were allies because of the occasion.’

Stephen closed his eyes, and stopped thinking altogether. At least, he tried to. He felt someone shake him. 

A dog-eared girl was smiling at him. He brushed it off before, but her infatuation was indeed a lie. 

Stephen had spent the majority of the ride up to this point with soulless eyes. He hadn’t spoken either. 

Sophia was looking at him. For a split second, an image appeared in Stephen’s mind. It was an image that illustrated what would happen if Stephen decided to ignore Sophia at that moment. 

Whether because of the image or because of reflex, Stephen felt his facial muscles turn. A gentle smile appeared on his face.

“Look… look….” Sophia's excited voice continued from his side. 

Sophia held his arm and pointed to something with her free hand.

At first, Stephen thought she was pointing to a circular logo that had a red tower embedded in its center; however, after following her gaze, it was apparent that she was actually gesturing towards some signpost decorated by two contrasting catgirls. The words “Chocolate and Vanilla” were written between the two figures.

“It’s the Cafe sponsored by my family,” Sophia pushed herself closer to Stephen as she spoke, practically breathing on his neck. “Usually, people fill up the streets just to enter.” 

Stephen, feigning both interest and understanding, nodded. His recognition made her face brighten. A hint of red could also be seen. 

The only time Stephen visited such shops was to serve the nobles of the academy. 

‘Is this why I feel off?’

Like back at the classroom, Stephen felt a sense of incongruity. Used to being in the background, fighting the undead felt more natural then the realization of Stephen’s current position.

‘I never would have been allowed to—’

Stephen didn’t even know how to articulate his thoughts. The exotic world with all its shimmering lights was foreign to Stephen. 

A modest apartment, the sweat of the training ground, the smell of blood in the State labs, various kinds of battlefields, and the institutional buildings of the academy. These were the scenes that Stephen was familiar with. 

“Hello?” Sophia gave him a look of concern.

“Bastard…” Alex muttered under his breath for some reason.   

“Sorry, darling,” Stephen bit his lip ever so slightly, “I was just thinking.”

“It’s really all empty now, huh?” Gawain said. 

‘True.’ 

The convoy cut through the once bustling streets. That reality enhanced the unfamiliarity gripping Stephen. 

The empty nature of the once bustling streets and stores made it all appear like a fake replication. Perhaps, it only made sense because this was a world that Stephen couldn’t ever be a part of. 

Despite signs of destruction and death, there was a sense of tranquilness to the scene. It was eerily immaculate. There were indeed corpses and blood splatters and some things were knocked off, but with the absence of people the scene seemed clean to Stephen. 

There were no major obstructions. There were no other vehicles in sight that could have potentially blocked the roads.

With public transport, including warp gates, passenger vehicles were not a common mode of transport. The route also included a lot of pedestrian walkways and roads that were often areas closed off to vehicle usage. However, such things didn’t matter anymore so the convoy drove through unabated. 

During this time, Stephen didn’t forget to monitor the surroundings. The undead creatures were present around them. Instead of approaching though, they were slunk back in the darkness. Like animals they seemed to poke and prod, but ultimately unable to an opening, they kept a safe distance. 

Based on the scurrying sounds there were probably hundreds of them spread throughout the various buildings and side streets. Like when they were on the bus, there were also loud noises in the distance. Occasionally there would be a particularly loud shriek and dozens of the skulking zombies would rush off.

Such sounds begin to die off though. The convoy pulled out of the dense buildings and made its way onto a large and open overpass. The elevated road gave Stephen a better view of the city. 

The large highway cut through the entire city. It would lead them directly to the Central District, where the Darkmoon set up their main base of operations. While Stephen was examining the state of the city, one of the men sitting across from him followed his gaze. 

From the vantage point, Stephen could make out thousands of the zombies. Some roads were literally filled with them. 

“There is no need to worry, boy.” A man that looked like a gorilla gave an ugly smile. “Feel free to go back to flirting with your woman. From my experience, the creatures will avoid the strong. ” 

“Is that so?” Stephen said, keeping his eyes towards the surroundings. He took in the sights without bias. If he allowed the information to settle into his subconscious then he could review the data later. 

A clicking sound could be heard from a nearby seat along with the tapping of someone’s shoe.

“And you're strong?” Alex, the source of the sound, cut into the conversation.

“Me, ha, not at all.”  The man shook his head. His wild silver hair that ran down his thick shoulders swayed like the mane of a lion. 

‘Lion-gorilla? Gorilla-lion? Hmm.’ Stephen wondered where this animal-like man placed his trust and decided to tune into the conversation. 

“Hmph.” Alex snorted.

“Boy, I’m sorry if I disappointed you. It is the boss that deserves praise.” 

“I think Mr. Tao has been more helpful though.” Another one of the suited men grumbled. He appeared to be subordinate to the gorilla. 

“You—” 

“What, am I wrong… the boss has been out of it lately.” 

“Ahh.” A loud, exasperated sigh escaped the man’s lips. “Lord forgive me.” 

“W, What!” The large man’s muscles tensed. Stephen could feel the man’s suit crying out from the strain. It was a miracle that the fabric didn’t break open. 

The gorilla lifted his subordinate by the collar of the man’s shirt. The gorilla had no trouble bringing the grown man over his shoulders. 

“Wait. Please, wait!”

The man’s screams continued as he was launched out of the vehicle. The scavengers, the zombies prowling at the periphery, swarmed the man. He finally grew silent.

The gorilla sat back down and rubbed the back of his neck with an apologetic expression. He seemed to be considering his words when Gawain spoke up.

“Don’t you think that was excessive?” There was no disgust or condemnation in Gawain's voice. Rather, he seemed excited. 

There were three other suited men. From among them, a man with a dull, lazy appearance yawned. His black bangs covered his eyes, but he was sure to have heavy bags under them.

“The squad leader is a passionate man.” The lazy-looking man leaned back, stretched his arms back, and gave an obnoxiously long yawn. “Just don’t disrespect our boss, Lady Lucia, and you will be fine. Well, unless you want to be like that dumb new blood who got tossed over.”

“I don’t mind looking after lost little lambs, but I also don’t think we should just accept anyone. Mr. Tao won’t listen though and keeps putting these ungrateful bastards in our ranks.” The gorilla rubbed his chin and then sighed, “I suppose though that given the situation it can’t be helped. We can’t just abandon survivors we come across.”

“Is there something wrong about Mr. Tao?” Gawain asked. 

“No. Not at all.” The lethargic man waved his hands back and forth. 

“Boy, you are High Paladin Urien’s heir, no?”

“Haha.”

“Whether you admit it or not, I recognize you. In honor of your father, I’ll give you some advice: stay away from Mr. Tao.”

“Come on Richard…”

Richard, apparently the gorilla’s name, put his hand up.  “Clerics and healers are always in high demand. I can leave a good word in for you with the boss, so why don’t you come find me later?”    

Perhaps because Richard’s gaze was filled with overbearing passion, Gawain slunk back. It was Ravenna, who for some reason was resting her head on Gawain’s lap, that spoke up. 

“H-he’s my man! I’ve already had enough women try to steal what is mine!” 

Ravenna slurred her words and then plopped her head back down with a groan. It seemed she was suffering from a combination of a perpetual hangover mixed with a bout of motion sickness. 

That said, Stephen knew from experience that Ravenna could sober up instantly. Her family operated a dojo that attracted even the most elite practitioners even though it was well known that the dojo used unorthodox methods. 

The legendary drunken style that her family utilized was just that popular.

Stephen, being a cynic, felt part of the fame could be attributed to the self-indulgent nature of the citizens of Hammer Port. The drunken style would be a good excuse to drink, especially if it was a citizen of a noble background that cared about face. 

Ravenna groaned again. “H-he’s my man! I’ve already had enough women try to steal what is mine! Wait, did I already say that?” Once again she collapsed onto Gawain’s lap. 

‘Atleast, she isn’t growling or hissing like a certain someone.’ Wondering if Sophia would ever do something like that to Richard, Stephen turned towards the dog girl. He gave her freckled face a deep stare, which caused her ears to twitch and her face to turn red. She laughed and then snuggled her head into his shoulder.  

“And this one's my man.” She mumbled.

“Ah, what beautiful youth!” The man, despite his bulky build, wiggled about. “I want all of you~~~!” 

‘It isn’t youth sir… they are just all crazy.’ Of course, Stephen viewed Richard and his men in a somewhat similar light, so he didn’t say any of his actual thoughts and remained a spectator.  

“Hmph. Didn’t you say you weren’t strong?” Alex snorted. 

“Pup.” Richard flexed his pectoral muscles as well as his arms. His shirt seemed to ripple. 

“What did you say?” Alex flared his nostrils while crossing his arms. 

“I’m at least stronger than a no-tooth pup. Don’t worry though, I’ll accept you into the flock because of your friends.”

Richard goaded Alex. Even without interacting much, it seemed the gorilla had deduced Alex’s inferiority complex — or at least he understood he was an easy person to rile up. 

A glove flew towards Richard’s face. It was from a white pair that matched the academic uniform worn by the third years. Alex didn’t typically wear a glove, but perhaps because he liked slapping people with it, he carried it on his person.

The men around Richard groaned as he caught it. Stephen felt an odd, ominous premonition. 

“I’ll gladly ram your ass.” Richard uttered this phrase with a serious expression. 

‘Mercenary types were known for their vulgar tongues…at least his gaze wasn’t perverted.’

“Ah, so he will lose his virginity before me. Haha.” Gawain laughed.

“I, I think we should establish some rules for this duel…” Alex felt immeasurable regret. 

The talk of the duel began in earnest as the associated parties gave their opinions on the matter. 

Meanwhile, Stephen enjoyed the situation. He hoped that his hot headed friend would learn from this event.

Alex didn’t have much going for him when it came to duels. He had his muscular frame, yet that paled to actual martial practitioners. He was a mid range specialist with an abundant amount of mana that let him lob a continuous barrage of spells. Without support though, a close range fighter would bypass his weak defenses.

Alex’s awakened ability, invisibility, was also not of much help in such a scenario. In many ways, the man was a bigger masochist than Sophia. 

‘Did he have a fetish for being beaten up?’

It seemed unlikely. Thinking back, Alex actually won most of his fights. It wasn’t too surprising. Most of his opponents were against spoiled brats that only leisurely studied magic at the academy. It seemed he had just picked the wrong target this time. 

Stephen nodded at his own analysis. He genuinely thought that the environment at the Darkmoon Guild would be beneficial to Alex. The beating would mold him. Stephen saw three outcomes.

If Alex remained stubborn then he would at least be tempered. If Alex bent then he would instead become more flexible. And finally, if he couldn’t handle it altogether then he would break. 

However, the key element was the assistance of Gawain. There was the potential for the two to bond and overcome the hurdle that was Richard together. 

‘Ah youth.’ Stephen couldn’t help but think of Richard’s own words. There was a sense of nostalgia as Stephen reminisced on the education he endured by the State.

It seemed the talks surrounding the duel would continue for a while, so Stephen went back to observing the city. Sophia would occasionally make comments and Stephen would reply to them without much serious thought. It didn’t matter what he said, the dog eared girl was in her own universe — enjoying her delusions. 

The only one quiet throughout it all was Mel, who possessed the moniker the Mute Princess. Because of the contract amongst other reasons, Stephen would have to get her to talk some day; he wasn’t sure how long that would take though.