Zen's gaze wandered up the towering wall, so high it looked like it could split the sky.
But...
He watched, slightly stunned, as officers thoroughly checked baggage, scanned IDs, and even poked around inside engines.
Just how dangerous was this city?
Even going inside Dron City wasn't this strict.
Perhaps they are more cautious because it's such a lawless place.
Then, there was a commotion up ahead.
A woman ahead raised her voice, waving what looked like a press badge.
"What kind of absurd rule is this? What hideous secret is the government hiding from its citizens? I'll definitely reveal it!"
A guard coldly pointed at the notice board without blinking.
RULE #1: NO ENTRY WITHOUT AN INVITATION CARD.
He calmly waved and two officers stepped up to removed her from blocking other visitors.
Even as she was dragged away, the woman clung to her badge like a trophy.
"How dare you treat a national journalist like this? I'll expose all of you!"
The guards didn't even flinch.
Clearly, this wasn't the first time handling such people.
The officer at the front turned to the next person in line and tapped an empty basket.
"Take out all electronics and any dangerous items listed above. Reminder: No item brought in can be taken out again."
The man ahead calmly placed a sleek card and a few items into the tray.
He was clearly familiar with the process and was swiftly allowed through.
Then it was Zen's turn.
The guard reached out his palm strictly.
"Invitation card."
Zen started to panic.
No one had said anything about the entry here being invitation only.
Was he going to be dragged out like that lady before?
That would be so embarrassing.
Maybe it's not too late to walk out by himself…
Zen fidgeted with his bag, pretending to look for an invitation card.
He rifled through receipts, crumbs, the charger cord he forgot to wind up. Then his fingers brushed against something hard and smooth.
A card?
No, an envelope. Thick. Black.
The guard's expression was already turning sour when he caught a glimpse of the envelope slipping from Zen's hand.
Something he couldn't be more familiar with. His demeanor changed in an instant.
He straightened like a rod.
"Y-you can head over this way."
He gestured quickly to a smaller door on the side, bypassing the scanners and baskets entirely.
Zen glanced at the direction he pointed.
That... didn't look like a regular entrance.
Was he not supposed to have his things checked?
Still, it was better than getting booted. He gripped the envelope tighter and shuffled toward the door.
Once inside, he stopped.
The space beyond was nothing like he imagined.
A wide, empty asphalt road stretched ahead under a concrete arch. But there was not even a soul in sight. No vehicles. Not even an ant crawling by.
Heh...?
Should he just... go back?
Clank!
The heavy metal door slammed shut behind him.
Zen froze.
... Okay.
A pleasant laugh interrupted Zen's spiraling thoughts.
"Ah! There's someone here after all!"
Zen turned just in time to see a young boy coming right after him.
His name was Hako Lisson.
He bounced toward Zen with easy confidence.
Hako wore an outrageously bright outfit and with a neon green streak through his hair that caught the light every time he moved.
"What year are you? I've never seen you around here before."
Zen tilted his head blankly.
"Huh...?"
Hako didn't seem to notice his confusion. He swung his massive backpack overflowing with gadgets onto one shoulder easily.
His eyes landed on the black envelope in Zen's hand.
"Oh! Lucky! So you are a first year like me. Man, I totally thought you were a senior since you didn't have any luggage."
Then, Hako extended a hand.
"Hello, you can call me Hako. What's your name?"
Zen hesitated, awkwardly reaching out to shake it.
"...Zen."
He wasn't used to people being this enthusiastic around him.
And, he does have a luggage. It's just small, okay!
But Hako had no idea, He proudly pulled out his own envelope and waved it.
"Isn't it cool? Sir Arcan personally came to recruit me! But I'd already submitted my application to SINKE the moment admissions opened."
Oh. Who is that again?
Zen gave a polite nod, just as a sleek black bus rumbled down the road and stopped perfectly in front of them.
Its doors hissed open.
Hako grinned and gestured.
"Come on! We're probably the last ones for today."
Zen followed him in silence, sinking into one of the seats near the back.
To be honest, his mind was still buzzing with questions, doubt, and a faint sense of being swept up in something he didn't fully understand.
But this guy seemed to know a lot.
He turned slightly.
"Hey… how did you know I came to study at SINKE?"
He hadn't mentioned a word about it.
At least, he didn't think so he did.
Hako twirled a strand of neon hair around his finger and simply pointed at the envelope in Zen's hand.
"That. It's pretty well known around here."
Zen frowned. "The envelope?"
"Ah... well, that too. But I meant the color."
Hako leaned in, eyes gleaming.
"Black. Nobody dares to use that color unless you're from Sinilite."
Sinilite.
That was what people called them, the students of SINKE.
"The color? Why is that?"
Zen felt like he asked a very dumb question because Hako stared at him like staring at an alien.
"Why? No reason... Just. Because it's theirs symbol. They own it. It's stated in the law."
Zen just blurted out. "Stated in the law...? Are the lawmakers right in the head?"
What kind of absurd law is that?
Surely, he's got to be kidding.
"Pfft—!"
Hako burst out laughing, clutching his stomach.
"Dude, you're funny! Why are you pretending to be clueless? There's no way you came here without knowing anyth—" ing...
Hako paused, taking in Zen's ignorant eyes.
Umm?
The silence was too loud.
"Don't tell me... You at least know what kind of place this is, right?"
Zen nodded and practically sums up whatever he knew.
"Well… A dangerous place filled with mobs, cut off from the rest of the country, and…"
Hako's eye twitched the more he listened.
That was technically accurate but painfully outdated.
"Bro, that news is like… three years old."
He glanced at his phone, checking the time.
"Well, we've still got an hour before we hit Urachii. So, as your first friend in Sinilite, I don't mind filling you in on the details."
Zen stared.
Friend?
We just met though.
Is it okay to become friends this fast…?
And—
"...Urachii?" Zen echoed blankly.
Heh.
Hako opened his mouth and closed it several times before sighing.
Let's just call this a knowledge exchange, yeah?