Zhao Feng winced as he leaned against the rocky outcrop, clutching the fresh bandage Li Ming had tied around his torso. The crimson sun hung low, casting long bloody shadows across the wastes. They had been moving for hours, putting as much distance as possible between themselves and the collapsed cave.“You should have left me,” Zhao Feng muttered, voice rough with pain. “I was dead weight back there.”Li Ming scanned the horizon before answering. “Dead weight doesn’t complain this much. Save your strength. We still have a long way before we can rest.”A weak chuckle escaped Zhao Feng. “You know… when you first saved us, I thought you were just another strong loner looking for cannon fodder. But you pulled me out. Twice now.” He paused, studying Li Ming’s face. “Why do you fight like this? Most people with your power would’ve built a big group by now. Ruled something.”Li Ming remained silent for a long moment, eyes distant. “Big groups attract attention. Attention brings betrayal. I

The Central Plaza was a battlefield of shifting alliances and desperate screams. Factions clashed over control of the Ascension Gate while scattered monsters from the lingering tide still prowled the edges. Li Ming crouched behind an overturned bus, supporting his father with one arm while his mother pressed close on the other side.“We’re too exposed here,” Li Ming muttered, eyes scanning the chaos. “The Gate is two hundred meters ahead, but three factions are fighting over it right now.”His father grimaced, trying to stand straighter despite the pain. “Then we wait for an opening, son. You’ve kept us alive this far.”His mother touched Li Ming’s bloodstained sleeve. “Ming’er… you’re hurt too. That penalty you mentioned — is it making things worse?”Li Ming shook his head. “It’s manageable. Just stay behind me and run when I say. No hesitation.”A massive explosion rocked the plaza as two rival guilds collided near the Gate. Li Ming saw his chance.“Now!”He surged forward, half-car

They walked for two full days through the outer crimson wastes, avoiding main patrol routes. Li Ming led the way with Zhao Feng watching the rear, while his parents stayed close in the middle. The journey was slower than he liked, but necessary. His father’s wounds still ached with every step, and his mother tired easily in Floor 1’s heavier atmosphere.During a short rest under the overhang of a shattered obelisk, his mother handed him a piece of dried meat from their dwindling supplies.“Eat,” she said firmly. “You’ve been giving most of the good portions to us.”Li Ming accepted it without argument. “We’ll find more soon. There are smaller ruins ahead that aren’t heavily contested.”Zhao Feng wiped sweat from his brow. “Boss, the outer regions… what’s waiting for us there? More monsters like those wolves?”“Worse,” Li Ming replied. “But fewer organized factions. We can train safely. My parents need to get stronger quickly. The Vanguard won’t stop looking.”His father straightened a