Everyone gathered and walked out of the building.
Come to think of it, this place is huge.
Zen looked around and noticed other students moving in groups, heading in different directions.
He caught up with Hako, he couldn't conceal the skepticism in his voice.
"Are you sure we can get a hundred thousand Rei just by cleaning up an area?"
No matter how he looked at it, it didn't make sense.
It sounded way too good to be true.
Money was never that easy to earn.
They walked at the back of the group. Hako glanced at his wary friend.
"Of course. You'll get used to it. But I doubt we'll even get a sniff of it."
There was no free meal in this world.
And, definitely not in this messed up place.
Zen caught the disdain in his statement.
But before he could ask, someone bumped his shoulder lightly.
A guy walked past them. He must've overheard their conversation, because he paused and said arrogantly,
"It's just false hope. What can a bunch of Zero Class students do? You're just cluttering the place."
That's harsh, Zen thought.
It was that same guy Hako had nailed a duster on.
His jet-black hair gave him a less aggressive look for his eyes were on the brink of irritation.
"Pawen!" Hako snapped. "Can you stop appearing out of nowhere?"
"I was always here," Pawen replied flatly.
"Great. Maybe try making some noise next time," Hako muttered.
It was true. Despite Pawen's sharp presence, Zen hadn't noticed him at all.
Pawen paused at Hako's words, visibly annoyed.
"Why am I lumped in with these losers?"
Hah.
He was one hell of a character.
Zen grabbed Hako's arm and silently pulled him away before he could fire back.
Since when did he become the peacekeeper?
Back home, he was always the first to throw a punch.
As they walked faster, Zen's gaze met Fabasa's.
Though he seemed to be strolling, Fabasa matched the group's pace.
He was currently studying Zen.
In this city, people always kept tabs on each other.
Especially potential enemies… or allies.
They were raised that way.
Hako might act like a goody-two-shoes, but he wasn't the type to make friends easily.
That alone had likely piqued Fabasa's interest.
"Yo, new face!" Fabasa greeted casually. "What's your name? I've never seen you before…"
Zen gave him a look. He didn't expect Fabasa to talk to him.
"Zen Ekindrel," he said.
Then added, "I'm from outside the city. Far away, actually."
Fabasa narrowed his eyes, like he was making mental notes.
"That's interesting," he murmured, then looked away.
What was–?
Zen really wanted to ask.
Why is everyone here so good at keeping suspense?
Just then, a student at the front called out,
"We're here!"
The group came to a stop before a dilapidated archway.
A moldy wooden plaque hung loosely above it, faded paint barely spelling "Willow Street".
As they stepped inside, Zen could feel the slow silence taking over the crowd.
Calling this place a ruin was generous.
Zen had seen rundown places back home — abandoned railway stations, derelict apartments.
But even those had signs of life.
Here, fallen leaves choked the road.
Charred wood marked the skeletons of former homes.
And the dried, brown stains that clung to the broken concrete…
They weren't just from weathering. They marked lives that had once been.
This wasn't decay.
This was desolation.
Fabasa hopped onto a pole, surveying the surroundings with his chin raised.
"What a wreck," he muttered.
Everyone followed his gaze toward the center of the ruined town, where faded, colorful letters still clung to a half-burnt structure.
The bold characters were still visible.
"Dream Haven."
Despite the charred beams and soot-stained walls, the building's framework stood firm.
Which was a good thing, actually.
At least, they're sleeping under a roof tonight.
Zen parted his lips, hesitant. "Should we head inside?"
Kozen stepped forward but paused.
His bodyguard, the short guy who always trailed behind him, took the lead instead.
Braver than he looked.
One by one, they entered. There was no door to block their path. Just shadows and dust.
Zen coughed the moment he crossed the threshold.
The air was thick with decay, spider webs draped from the corners, dead leaves blanketed the floor, and every surface wore a heavy layer of dust.
"We're living here tonight?" he asked, half-hoping for an alternative.
Hako kicked aside a pile of rotting wood and grinned.
"It's fine. We'll have it fixed up in no time."
Pfft—
"In your dreams," Fabasa scoffed from his perch, lounging on a perfectly laid handkerchief as if he were royalty.
Hako ground his teeth. "Maybe you could lend a hand instead of sitting on your pedestal."
Fabasa's expression shifted subtly as he turned toward him. "You must be proud, being in Z Class."
That struck a nerve.
Hako expression cracked.
"Aren't you in the same Z Class?" he snapped back. "How's it feel to be rejected?"
Rejected.
That's what they were.
Hako took a deep breath, swallowing the scream bubbling in his throat.
Zen, meanwhile, had found an old table in the side room. Covered in dust, though with a leg missing.
The only piece that seem be still standing.
He started wiping it down with a filthy rag.
"Oh! That's kingwood!" someone exclaimed behind him.
Zen raised his head.
Kozen's bodyguard, the short guy had stepped into the room.
Then his gaze returned to the table.
Kingwood? No way. That was the most expensive wood in the market. He'd only heard Dan talking about it in envy.
Dan...
Zen frowned and pushed the name from his thoughts. That place was behind him now.
"Let me help," the short guy offered, pulling a brown cloth from his backpack.
"Thanks," Zen muttered.
"It's my duty too," he said cheerfully. "Name's Konan. You're Zen, right?"
Zen nodded.
There was something easy about talking to this guy. Maybe because he knew Konan was also from outside the city.
Just then, Pawen stormed in with a loud groan.
"What a shitty day to be stuck in this dump."
He stopped when he spotted them, eyes narrowing in a scowl.
Zen caught the look but exchanged a glance with Konan.