Belle and Wise were each busy with their own tasks. The late-night video store sat in quiet stillness.
...
Mars District.
Seventh Lower Zone.
Tap, tap, tap...
Soft footsteps echoed through the quiet street. The air was thick with a distinct scent—the exhaust fumes from the Ether energy plants.
It wasn't harmful to humans, but Zane, catching the smell for the first time, frowned slightly.
The people around him, however, seemed long used to it.
As he walked, Zane took in the scenery on both sides of the road.
Old buildings, dust-covered streets, and the passersby with unkempt appearances—all of it spoke to how different Mars District was.
Suddenly, his eyes met those of a middle-aged man. The man quickly looked away and picked up his pace.
Zane didn't think much of it. Since entering Mars District, this kind of reaction had already happened multiple times.
The locals here always seemed to show a mix of curiosity, caution, and a vague fear toward outsiders.
With his polished appearance, Zane clearly didn't blend in.
He looked up at the sky. It was pitch-black, without a single star in sight.
Just like the Mars District—dark and veiled.
"By the looks of it, there's still a while until sunrise."
His eyes darkened slightly. Due to New Eridu's strict regulations on interdistrict movement, he couldn't just move around unnoticed—unless he faked his identity.
Fortunately, he had already come up with a reason for being here.
Just after entering Mars District, he'd encountered a gang who saw him walking alone and tried to rob him.
They didn't expect him to be someone already capable of channeling Ether energy—even without turning into an Ethereal.
They didn't stand a chance.
After a brief "friendly exchange," Zane walked away with some "generously donated" Dennies and a perfectly good excuse for being in Mars.
Someone had commissioned him to teach that gang a lesson.
If anyone got suspicious, he could just explain it that way. It had holes, sure, but it was simple and believable.
If more details were needed later... well, he'd improvise.
Of course, to the authorities, that kind of freelance justice was illegal.
But right now, Zane was in a legal grey zone—reported, but not yet a registered citizen.
In other words, New Eridu's laws didn't technically apply to him.
They were designed to govern citizens.
Only "engaging in illegal activity without citizenship" could be held against him.
It was a loophole—and he was making use of it.
Zane shook his head. If someone really started digging, maybe Zhu Yuan and Qingyi would be affected—but that was a problem for later.
Right now, with how complicated his identity was, no perfect excuse existed anyway.
Besides, even if something went down at the Defense Force garrison here, who would link it to a lone guy in Mars District "helping clean up gangs"?
...
After walking a bit further, he arrived at the general location Fairy had pointed out.
"The Defense Force garrison..."
He looked around. Nothing stood out. With so few people on the street, he thought he'd ask someone for directions—but the few passersby scattered like he had a plague.
"Sigh... If every stranger I met was like Corin, this would be so much easier."
After another failed attempt, Zane sighed to himself.
Corin's kindness toward others really stood out now.
A world full of matcha cupcakes—just thinking about it warmed the heart.
But there was nothing he could do. He couldn't just grab someone and force them to help. That wasn't his style.
As he wandered through the winding alleyways, he eventually realized he might be lost.
Up ahead, he spotted a place still lit up.
A restaurant?
With no better option, Zane headed for the light, hoping to find some useful info.
But when he reached the door...
"Hades Restaurant??"
He stared at the half-hanging, dust-covered sign.
Half the neon letters were dark. The ones still glowing flickered ominously.
That name... for a restaurant?
Glancing at the shadowy alley around him, Zane felt a sudden chill.
Still, when he stepped inside, he was caught off guard.
The interior was a total contrast—bright yellow lights lit the clean little shop with a warm, cozy glow.
It wasn't empty either. Three or four customers were quietly eating.
Judging by their gear, they were all Defense Force soldiers.
Well then... guess he lucked out?
But walking up to a soldier and asking for directions to their garrison... that might be pushing it.
As his gaze swept the room, he suddenly froze.
White hair. Yellow goggles. A black-yellow-white outfit.
And a backpack next to the table that looked suspiciously like a fuel drum...
Soldier 11?
Zane was surprised. He hadn't expected to run into her so soon.
He'd figured he'd only see her after the incident where someone impersonated "Phaethon" to scam his obsessed fans.
But here she was—in Mars District, no less.
...
"Young man, you don't look like you're from around here. Want to grab a bite?"
A friendly-looking uncle stepped out from the back kitchen.
After serving a Defense Force officer, he noticed Zane.
His words instantly drew the attention of the other diners.
Soldier 11's hand paused mid-meal. Her eyes shifted to Zane.
Zane sighed inwardly. The old man's words had just thrown him under a spotlight.
Not a local but showing up here?
Definitely suspicious.
With no other choice, Zane gave a small nod.
At this point, not ordering something would just make things worse.
He wasn't here to pick a fight with the Defense Force.
"What would you like? Here's the menu. Don't worry—our food comes Defense Force–approved."
The uncle smiled warmly, the very image of a friendly, down-to-earth shopkeeper.
Zane looked at the wall menu, then glanced at the dishes the soldiers were eating.
He pointed at Soldier 11's table.
"I'll have what she's having."
Spicy ramen? Not listed on the menu—but it looked good.
Soldier 11 seemed to be enjoying it, so it had to be decent.
It hadn't been long since his last meal with Belle, and he wasn't hungry—just curious.
"That dish was specially made at the officer's request. It might not suit your taste. Best to choose carefully..."
Hearing the shopkeeper's advice only made Zane more interested.
He glanced at the soup—thick with chili oil and floating peppers—and waved it off.
"I'll take it!"
...