After witnessing the strange scene in the square, Yoren was noticeably unsettled when he returned to the group.
Vina quickly briefed everyone on the discovery of numerous infected corpses. Yoren stood nearby, occasionally glancing back toward the square, his mind restless despite their decision to move on.
They could tell themselves it wasn't their concern, but how could anyone ignore something like that?
The initial shock had faded, replaced by gnawing curiosity. Yoren's fear dulled into something sharper—questions.
Why had those infected died standing in place like that? What had happened to them?
Could it be… punishment? A group of older infected ladies sanctioned for late-night square dancing?
No, that didn't make sense. No one knew better than Yoren how formidable those elderly dancers could be. Their frailty was a deception, a carefully maintained illusion. When the moment called for it—whether it was picking up grandchildren from school, fighting over supermarket specials, or engaging in fierce square dance turf wars—they became forces of nature. Doors bowed before them. Entire crowds parted in their wake.
But the two eerie "statues" in the square weren't old ladies. They were a man and a woman. And besides, Mandel Square was silent—no music, no movement. Just death.
Yoren let the thought go for now. Their identities weren't as important as the way they had died.
Trapped in place. Frozen.
The infected were weakened by Originium Disease, yet when they activated their Originium Techniques, they became far stronger than most uninfected people. Unless someone like Vina or Kate was fighting them, a regular person stood no chance.
It wasn't the Ursus military; Mandel City had been a forgotten ghost town even before the catastrophe over ten days ago.
Yoren pictured the scene again.
Dozens of lifeless bodies standing frozen in an empty square. And then, a masked figure stepping into view, a sinister melody swelling in the background—
Damn. That sounded like some kind of cult ritual.
The thought sent a shiver through him. Holding people in place, making them unable to move, leaving them to die slowly in pain and fear...
Wait. Unable to move…
His breath caught.
Could it be… ice?
Before he could explore the thought further, Vina received a communication from Indra.
"Vina."
"Got it. How's it looking?" Vina asked.
"I've mapped it out. Cross the square and take MS-2 Street on the far right. You'll reach the river that cuts through Mandel City. Cross the bridge to the North City District, follow MN-4 Street, and you'll reach E City District. That's the fastest route."
"I know where you are now," Vina replied.
"I'm on the tallest building in the northern part of the city."
"See anything unusual?"
"Not yet. Why?"
"We found a lot of infected bodies nearby. Be careful. Something's lurking in this city."
"Understood. Vina, I'm moving alone from here."
"Alright."
Yoren frowned at Indra's last words. "She's not coming back to regroup?"
Vina nodded. "This is how we operate. Indra is strong on her own—better for reconnaissance. If things go bad, she can escape easily. No one can stop her if she decides to leave. And if we run into trouble, she can strike from the perimeter."
Yoren understood.
A classic four-one split. The strongest member roams alone, gathering intel, exploiting weaknesses. If the enemy ignored Indra, she would uncover their positions and movements. If they sent a small force after her, she'd wipe them out. If they sent too many, she'd lead them on a chase and pick them off from behind. And if the enemy focused on the main group, she'd appear out of nowhere, tearing through their defenses.
Vina checked the time.
Past eight. They had been in Mandel City for over three hours.
They were the first to arrive. Whether they would be the first to leave alive was another matter.
"Gather your things. We move now."
"Yes."
As night fell, the snow thickened, blanketing the streets. Every step crunched underfoot.
Guigui clung to Yoren's hand, her small face flushed from the cold.
"Yawn!"
Yoren glanced down at her. "Cold?"
Guigui rubbed her nose. "No."
Yoren wasn't sure why she trusted him so much. She was infected—immune to Originium's sickness—but there was no reason for her to follow him into this dead city. Nothing in it for her.
Still, he couldn't let her go to Kjerag alone. If he did, who knew when he'd find her again—or if he ever would?
"Guigui, aren't you scared?"
"A little."
"Then why did you follow me?"
She hesitated. "Because… I'm more scared of being alone."
Her grip on his hand tightened.
"You're the first person who was kind to me after knowing I was infected. You let me ride in the car. You gave me warm milk. So… I want to protect you."
She looked up at him with an innocent smile.
Yoren felt a warmth in his chest, but it was quickly tempered by reality.
"Guigui, I don't need you to protect me."
"But—"
"Listen. If something happens, if things go bad, don't try to protect anyone. Use your backpack. Protect yourself. And run. Get out of Mandel City."
Guigui lowered her head, her eyes glistening.
"I've never had a companion before," she whispered. "Or a friend. I know I'm not strong, but… I don't want to watch you die."
Yoren exhaled and gave her a thumbs-up, imitating ACE.
"I, Yoren, am not going to die. Just stay safe, Guigui. If you survive, I will find you. No matter what."
Tears welled up in her eyes. She nodded, moved beyond words.
"Okay."
Truthfully, Yoren had just been trying to sound cool.
But the moment the words left his lips, he felt a chill run down his spine.
Why did he have such a bad feeling..?
After declaring, "I, Yoren, will not die, Guigui. You just need to protect yourself. As long as you live, I will find you one day," Yoren immediately regretted it.
What the hell was he thinking?!
He might not believe in ghosts or gods, but flags—those were a different story. As a veteran chuunibyou, no one understood the terrifying power of a death flag better than him.
But the words were already out. The flag was planted. And all because he wanted to act cool in front of Guigui.
Damn it. Now what?
One moment he was confidently giving a thumbs-up, and the next, his face went pale.
Snake Butcher Box gave him a confused look. "Big Windmill, you feeling sick?"
Yoren frowned, mind racing for a solution. He needed to counteract the flag, fast.
Should he take Guigui's hand and say, "I, Yoren, will definitely die. No matter if you're alive or dead, I will never see you again. Let's part ways in peace"?
No. That would only make things worse. Guigui would think he was joking, probably smile, and say, "Brother Yoren, stop messing around. I know you won't die." And then he'd be completely doomed.
No, he needed something else—something drastic.
Then it hit him.
The best way to break a flag… was to double down on it.
With newfound determination, Yoren released Guigui's hand and walked straight to ACE.
"Brother ACE, you know me. I've traveled all over the land, relying purely on luck. Just you wait—nothing will happen to me this time."
ACE blinked, utterly baffled.
Without waiting for a response, Yoren moved on, slinging an arm over Kate's shoulders.
"Kate, as long as I'm with you, I have nothing to fear. We haven't known each other long, but I've really enjoyed our time together. If—just hypothetically—something happens to me, please take care of Guigui."
Kate gave him a long, unimpressed stare. "...What the hell are you talking about?"
Ignoring her, Yoren turned to Vina.
"Vina, listen. Once we're done with this Mandel City mission, I plan to go home and get married."
"Huh? What?!"
Mission accomplished. Yoren skipped back to the center of the group, smiling smugly.
With so many flags stacked up, there was no way the universe could let them all come true.
Vina, Kate, ACE, and the others exchanged glances, each shaking their head.
Turns out, Yoren really was an idiot.
The snow thickened, blanketing the city. Flakes piled onto rooftops, as if trying to bury Mandel City's secrets forever.
Vina led the group north along MS-2 Street. Before long, they reached the central bridge of Indrakou. Once they crossed it, they would enter Mandel City's northern district.
Standing at the bridge's edge, Yoren hesitated.
It was called a bridge, but looking ahead… he couldn't see anything. The other side was swallowed by darkness, like a gateway to the underworld.
"Vina… this bridge. Are we sure it won't collapse halfway?"
Vina shot him a glare. "Crow's mouth."
Yoren wisely shut up.
ACE checked the bridge's integrity before turning back. "Looks solid. Should I go first?"
"No need." Vina waved him off. "Stay close, everyone. We're going together."
"Yes."
Vina knew Indra had already scouted the area. They couldn't waste time second-guessing.
Two minutes later, the group crossed safely.
Mandel City's northern district had a different feel. The buildings were taller, their columns supporting intricate vaulted ceilings. Even in decay, stained-glass windows clung to shattered frames, hinting at an exotic past.
It reminded Yoren of the Gothic or Victorian styles from his old world.
It made sense. Twenty-seven years ago, Mandel City had been a hub for foreigners. At one point, non-natives had outnumbered the locals. This district had likely belonged to merchants from Victoria.
Unlike the south, the northern district had suffered less destruction. The buildings remained mostly intact. Still, no one lived here anymore.
Yoren held a dim lantern as they walked. Since leaving the square, they hadn't encountered a single infected body. The streets were eerily empty.
Eventually, they found a street sign marked [MN-4].
Vina nodded. "This is it. Follow me."
With Indra's reconnaissance, she wasn't too worried about surprises. She picked up the pace, leading them north.
The street stretched on, longer than expected. The buildings grew smaller, the road rougher. It confirmed what Vina had suspected—City E was indeed Mandel's slum district.
Yoren lost track of time. By the time they reached a sign reading [MDER-E-1], it was well past midnight.
At last, they had arrived in City E.
A weight lifted off everyone's shoulders.
They stood at the district's edge. The landscape was bleak—mostly one-story houses, with a few crumbling three-story buildings scattered in between.
Vina surveyed the area before pointing to a relatively intact structure.
"We've been moving all day. Let's rest here. ACE, you and your team keep watch."
ACE nodded. "Got it."
The building had once been a shop, possibly a clothing store. Most of its interior had been burned away by the firestorm, leaving only the concrete skeleton intact.
Yoren led Guigui upstairs. Finding a corner on the second floor, he sat down, exhaustion creeping in.
Vina leaned her hammer against the wall with a sigh. "We'll rest for four hours. As soon as there's light, we start searching for Originium bushes."
"Understood," Yoren mumbled, already sinking into his coat.
Kate lit a fire in the center of the room, cutting through the night's chill.
Guigui curled up beside Yoren, resting her head on his shoulder. He pulled his stolen fur coat around them both. Heavy, but warm. He'd refused to change out of it before they left—it was too good to give up.
His eyelids drooped. With ACE's team on watch, he allowed himself to relax.
Just as he was about to drift off, something caught his eye.
A small, thin object lay on the ground near his foot.
A cigarette butt.
Yoren was too tired to think. His eyes slid shut, and sleep took him.
Ten seconds later, he jerked upright, heart hammering.
Wait.
How the hell was there a cigarette butt in a city that had been swept by a firestorm?