The heavy reinforced doors of Takashimaya Mall sealed behind them with a deep metallic thud that echoed through the vast interior. The storm outside faded into a distant roar, giving way to the steady murmur of human activity. Warm artificial light spilled across the atrium, revealing a world that felt impossibly different from the ruined streets they had just crossed.
Inside, the mall had transformed into a fortress.
Large glass windows that once displayed luxury brands were barricaded with wooden boards, slabs of broken concrete, overturned furniture, and welded scrap metal. Thick cables ran along pillars and ceilings, feeding power into rows of overhead lights that hummed softly. The air smelled faintly of rain-soaked clothing, cooked food, and warm electricity.
Jagger walked a step behind his group, boots leaving wet prints across polished marble. His breathing slowly steadied as he looked around, taking everything in. His eyes stopped at the center of the atrium.
The Christmas tree still stood.
It rose high toward the glass ceiling, decorated with faded baubles, tangled fairy lights, and handmade ornaments. Some lights flickered weakly, others glowed steady and warm. Children ran around it, laughing as they chased each other in circles, their voices cutting through the noise like something sacred.
The sight hit him harder than any blow.
A memory surged forward. Him. His parents. His sister. Standing in front of a tree just like this, posing for a picture while strangers passed by. The last time everything had felt normal. The last time they had all been together and happy.
It had only been six days since the Mass Outbreak Event.
His jaw tightened as he forced the memory down.
'Push it down, Jagger.'
Around the tree, makeshift tents formed a loose ring. Hundreds of people moved through the space: men, women, children, even elderly survivors. Many carried weapons. Some were trained with crude spears or knives. Others hauled crates or repaired gear. Despite the danger of the outside world, there was energy here. Liveliness. Faces were tired, but they were not hollowed by despair the way they had been in Jane's camp. There was structure. There was purpose.
Behind him, Ken and Ren slid a massive metal bar into place across the main doors, sealing them shut. The sound reverberated through the atrium like the closing of a vault.
"Where in Dempsey Hill is your camp?" Shin Lu asked as he guided them through the crowd. His voice carried easily despite the noise. "We have been trying to establish contact with as many groups around the city, but distrust and fear have made it difficult."
"I apologize, but I can't tell you until I'm sure that your camp is friendly," Jane replied. Her eyes moved constantly, scanning angles, exits, and elevated positions. Her instincts never rested. She looked toward the second floor, where hunters leaned against railings or watched from balconies. Their posture, their weapons, the calm tension in their movements made it obvious what they were. She could feel their presence as clearly as a blade against skin. Especially from one man, he looked down at them licking his knife as a few other hunters surrounded him. He had a man bun and a beard, and he wore only a leather vest. She didn't like him one bit, he looked more like a brute than a hunter.
An older woman approached Shin Lu and handed him a bottle of water. He accepted it with a respectful nod.
"It's alright," he said, turning slightly back toward Jane's group. "Everyone is trying to find their footing in this new world."
The woman handed out water bottles to each of them. Jane accepted hers politely but did not break eye contact with Shin Lu. Porpo and Lynis nodded their thanks. Jagger bowed his head slightly as he took the bottle, grateful for the cool weight in his hand.
The woman paused beside him for a moment. She noticed his ragged breathing and the way his shoulders sagged. Her expression softened. She gave him a gentle pat on the back before moving on.
Jane took a slow sip. "We came here three days ago, and this place was a slaughterhouse. Infested with monsters."
"I know," Shin Lu replied. "We took this place two days ago. At least this section."
Jane's brows drew together. "Two days? You took this place from the monsters in two days?"
He nodded calmly. "Believe it or not, the hardest part was getting inside. Once we breached the building, it became a process. Floor by floor. Block pathways. Secure resources. It was a long fight, but we got the hang of it after leveling up to fifteen."
Jagger felt a tight knot form in his chest at the number.
'These guys might be the same level as Jane and the others.'
They stopped outside a Rolex store near the escalators. A barricade of shelves, broken escalator panels, and stacked furniture blocked the descent to the basement. The store's glass facade remained intact, reflecting the movement around them.
Aiko stood near the entrance alongside a skinny teenage boy with glasses and a laptop clutched to his chest. A small name tag read Leo.
"Ah, boss. I have good news and bad news," Leo said, pushing his glasses up nervously. "The good news is that we have a stable connection to the city's main power grid. Lights are steady. Water purifiers are running at full capacity."
"And the bad news?" Shin Lu asked, stepping inside.
Leo followed quickly. "The internet connection is a piece of shit. I can't get a stable line to any major news networks or government servers. It's all static and corrupted data packets."
The interior of the store had become a command center. Glass display cases that once held luxury watches now housed laptops, tablets, and tangled cables. Screens flickered with surveillance feeds. A large holographic display hovered in the center, projecting a city map filled with colored markers.
"Keep trying," Shin Lu said. "You'll find a workaround."
He gestured toward the map. "Green dots are friendly groups. Red dots are hostile. Blue dots are sightings of elite or higher threat monsters."
Jane stepped closer, eyes widening slightly. Twenty to thirty dots blinked across the map. Red markers vastly outnumbered the green. Blue markers clustered heavily around the city center, which glowed faintly with ominous crimson light.
"This is only within a two-kilometer radius," Shin Lu said quietly. Most friendly groups have already joined us. The others keep to themselves. Trust is rare these days."
"Eh, how do you manage to gather so much info in just two days?" Lynis asked, circling the room with wide-eyed curiosity. "Chibai, this one damn high-tech sia."
"Leo here is a genius," Shin Lu replied, ruffling the boy's hair. Leo flushed with pride. "He interned at Keiser Electronics before everything happened. He understands the system."
Leo straightened slightly. "It's easier when you can access the city's surveillance network." He tapped a few keys, bringing up a live traffic camera feed. "Most cameras are still operational."
"We also run drones twenty-four seven," Aiko added. "We clear the surrounding buildings methodically. Push monsters out. Leave elite threats for later engagements."
Jane nodded slowly, processing everything. "Who is the group in Lucky Plaza? They are closest." She took another sip of water before adding, "Oh, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Jane. This is Lynis Tank, Porpo Mage, and the guy close to death is Jagger the liability."
Lynis lifted a hand lazily. Porpo gave a small nod, both of them chuckling at the nickname.
Jagger, hunched over a counter, shot Jane a weak glare before drinking again.
Shin Lu's eyes lingered on him briefly. "I am Shin Lu," he said. "This is Aiko, my second in command, Leo, our tech specialist, Hector, our lead scout, and others you will meet later."
"To answer your question, the Lucky Plaza group is a nasty piece of shits. They ar..."
"Before we continue," Aiko interrupted smoothly, "how about you change into something dry and get a hot meal. You are all dripping wet, and I can almost hear the boy's teeth chattering."
Jagger looked away, heat rising to his face despite the cold clinging to his bones.
'I'm weak. So, fucking weak.'