Rin, cradling the unconscious Ye Xue, stepped into the "City of Broken Bonds." This city wasn't named for its geographical location, but because it had once been the "broken" boundary between the organization and the outside world, an abandoned old stronghold. Now, it was a true lawless zone, occupied by multiple underground factions, where chaos and order intertwined, yet forming its own unique rules of survival.
The "City of Broken Bonds" was larger and more dangerous than "Lost Town." Towering, dilapidated buildings stood like the skeletons of monstrous beasts, appearing especially menacing under the dim sky. The air was permeated with the smell of discarded steel and the unique damp, moldy scent of the underground, while the roar of various modified machines and the shouts of street gangs rose and fell.
Rin chose this place because, according to the old "Blade of Demise Recorder," it had once been a secret base for certain "Demise Project" operations within the organization. Perhaps he could find clues about the "Eye of Demise" here. He needed this legendary system to awaken Ye Xue and to expose the organization's deepest secrets.
He carefully settled Ye Xue in a corner of an abandoned warehouse, covering her with tattered cloth and leaving a short dagger for her protection. Ye Xue's condition hadn't improved, but that single tear had given Rin endless hope and strength. He knew she was waiting for him.
Rin decided to conceal his identity, entering the city as an ordinary wanderer. He changed into worn clothing, covered his wounds, and suppressed his "Blade of Demise" aura. He knew that here, any identity linked to the "organization" could lead to death.
He walked through the intricate underground streets, his gaze warily scanning his surroundings. Fierce-eyed gang members, modified humans with strange tattoos on their arms, and hollow-eyed, zombie-like test subjects… everyone carried their own stories and secrets, and their own hatred for the remnants of the "organization."
Rin tried to inquire about the "Eye of Demise" from some black market informants, but every mention drew wary, even hostile, glances.
"Eye of Demise? Hey, kid, that's not something you should be asking about," an informant said with a mocking smile, shooing him away.
Rin wasn't discouraged. He knew that the more secretive something was, the more valuable it likely was.
However, just as he passed through a narrow alleyway, a cold killing intent suddenly surged from all directions!
"It's him! A remnant of the old organization!"
"Don't let him run! Kill him!"
Rin spun around, only to see a group of gang members in mismatched uniforms, armed with makeshift weapons, surrounding him! Their faces showed clear hatred and fanaticism.
Rin frowned deeply. He had hidden himself well, so why was he discovered?
"You can fool others, but not us!" a burly leader snarled, pointing to Rin's waist. "We recognize that scabbard! It's the exclusive scabbard of the 'Blade of Demise'!"
Rin's heart sank. He habitually wore his past life's exclusive "Blade of Demise" scabbard at his waist. Even without a blade inside, its unique material and design were enough to expose his identity!
He had been careless! In his haste and exhaustion from "Lost Town," he had actually forgotten this fatal detail!
"Misunderstanding, I'm not…" Rin tried to explain, but they gave him no chance.
"Less talk! The organization destroyed our homes and turned us into these monstrosities! Everyone connected to the organization deserves to die!" the burly man roared, swinging his iron pipe fiercely towards Rin's head!
The other gang members swarmed him, crude weapons whistling through the air, attacking in unison. They had mistaken Rin for a residual armed member of the former organization, believing he was here to carry out some mission or eliminate dissidents. Their hatred for the organization made them act like madmen, intent on tearing Rin apart.
Rin's face instantly turned cold. He didn't want to reveal his strength here, nor did he want to cause a larger commotion that could endanger Ye Xue. But now, he had no choice!
"Get out of my way!" Rin growled, his figure moving like a phantom. He didn't draw his blade but relied on extreme speed and strength, precisely striking the gang members' joints and vital points with his fists and feet.
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
Dull thuds resounded one after another. The gang members fell one by one, but their numbers were too great, and they charged forward relentlessly, completely fearless of death.
Sweat beaded on Rin's face, and the old wound on his chest throbbed painfully again from the intense struggle. He knew that if this continued, he would eventually expose his full strength, and even attract more powerful enemies.
He hadn't found clues about the "Eye of Demise," and Ye Xue was still unconscious. He couldn't be dragged down here!
Rin's gaze swept around. He had to find a breakthrough quickly, a way to shake off the encirclement and continue pursuing the clues.
The "City of Broken Bonds," this legendary abandoned stronghold, now acted like a massive vortex, completely drawing Rin, the unwelcome guest, into its depths.