The first rays of sunlight crept over the rocky hills, slowly chasing away the darkness of the night.
Morning had finally arrived.
Today...
We would enter Helios Reach.
The last major city before the endless Red Zone.
A place heavily controlled by the Empire.
I let out a slow breath as I packed my sleeping bag before stepping outside the cave.
Volt was already awake, checking the T-80 from top to bottom.
He inspected the engine, tightened a few loose bolts, checked the fuel tank, and made sure every compartment was locked securely.
"If this thing breaks beyond Helios Reach," he muttered, "we're walking."
Meanwhile, Blaze quietly sat on a nearby rock.
His blue sword rested across his knees as he carefully sharpened its edge with a whetstone.
The sound of metal scraping against stone echoed softly through the cave.
He looked calm.
Almost too calm.
As for me...
I slung my rifle across my back before checking the magazine one last time.
Loaded.
Safety on.
Then I pulled out my handgun and slid it into the holster at my waist.
Hopefully...
I wouldn't need either today.
Volt eventually walked over carrying three dark-colored cloaks.
"Here."
He tossed one to each of us.
"Wear these."
I wrapped the cloak around my shoulders.
"...Disguises?"
"Something like that."
"It'll help us blend in."
Once everyone was ready, I looked toward Volt.
"So..."
"What's the plan exactly?"
He adjusted his hood.
"We gather supplies."
I blinked.
"...That's it?"
"That's it."
I frowned.
"I thought we already restocked back at Sylph's village."
Volt shook his head.
"No."
"That was only enough to keep us moving."
He unfolded the map across the tank.
"Helios Reach is the last major city before the Red Zone."
He pointed farther north.
"Beyond this..."
"...Nothing."
"No villages."
"No merchants."
"No repair stations."
"No hospitals."
"No civilization."
"Just wasteland."
He slowly traced the route with his finger.
"If we forget even one important supply..."
"...We're dead."
I stared at the map.
The distance beyond Helios Reach was enormous.
It really was our last opportunity.
Before I could reply...
Blaze casually spoke while sheathing his sword.
"And we'll meet someone."
I immediately looked at him.
"...Again with that."
He smiled.
"Who exactly?"
I asked for what felt like the hundredth time during this trip.
"You've both been saying that ever since we left the village."
"Can someone please just tell me already?"
Volt laughed.
"Haha."
"You'll see."
I groaned.
"...Fine."
"Keep your secrets."
Both of them somehow looked amused.
I seriously didn't understand them sometimes.
After making sure everything was packed, we prepared to leave.
Before stepping out, Volt spent another ten minutes covering the cave entrance.
He rearranged rocks.
Pulled branches across the opening.
Spread dust over the tank tracks.
Then activated the camouflage devices once more.
The cave slowly disappeared into the hillside.
I crossed my arms.
"...Are you done yet?"
"Patience, Ryze."
He didn't even look back.
"If someone finds a tank hidden inside this cave..."
"...Say goodbye to our ride."
I sighed.
"...Aren't there vehicles inside the city?"
Volt suddenly became very interested in adjusting a nearby rock.
"...Volt."
He remained silent.
"...Volt."
"...Let's go."
"You're avoiding the question."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
I simply shook my head.
Hopeless.
Eventually the three of us left the cave behind.
The main road wasn't far away.
Soon we merged with countless travelers heading toward Helios Reach.
Merchant caravans.
NPC traders.
Empire soldiers.
Independent players.
Even several Cross Players from games I didn't recognize.
Everyone moved toward the same destination.
From afar...
The city looked magnificent.
Massive stone walls surrounded the entire settlement.
Tall watchtowers overlooked every road leading inside.
Empire banners fluttered proudly in the morning wind.
It looked less like a trade city...
And more like a fortress.
As we continued walking, I quietly observed the people around us.
Nobody paid us any attention.
Good.
Maybe this would actually work.
But then...
The city gate came into view.
My footsteps slowed.
A long line stretched before the entrance.
Every traveler had to undergo inspection.
Empire guards stood on both sides.
Checking identification.
Inspecting cargo.
Questioning suspicious visitors.
"..."
I poked Volt's shoulder.
"...This is a problem."
"How exactly are we getting through?"
Volt kept walking.
"The only problem here..."
"...Is you."
I frowned.
"...Me?"
He nodded.
"Even though Blaze is wanted..."
"The Empire currently prioritizes capturing the Starlinked Sniper."
He glanced toward me.
"So..."
"Just act naturally."
"I've got everything planned."
Somehow...
That sentence worried me more.
The line slowly moved forward.
One group after another entered the city.
The closer we got...
The tighter my chest felt.
I adjusted the hood over my head.
Please...
Don't recognize me.
Eventually...
It was our turn.
"Halt."
Two Empire guards stepped in front of us.
I quietly scanned them.
High-level players.
Veterans.
Probably specialized in PvP.
Definitely not opponents I'd want to fight inside Empire territory.
One guard looked toward Volt.
Then Blaze.
Finally...
His eyes settled on me.
For several long seconds...
He simply stared.
My heartbeat quickened.
Behind him...
The city wall displayed several wanted posters.
Large.
Detailed.
One of them...
Was me.
The guard slowly looked from the poster...
Back to me.
Then back again.
He narrowed his eyes.
"..."
I resisted every instinct telling me to run.
Then—
Volt suddenly stepped forward.
"Sorry, officers."
"We're actually in a bit of a hurry."
He smiled politely.
"If you could let us through..."
"...I'd really appreciate it."
As he spoke...
His hand casually slipped a small leather pouch into the guard's palm.
The guard barely glanced at it.
Then felt its weight.
His serious expression disappeared almost instantly.
A smile appeared.
"...Ah."
"My apologies, sir."
"You may proceed."
He stepped aside.
Just like that.
I stared.
Blaze also blinked.
We silently walked through the gate before either of us spoke.
After putting some distance between ourselves and the checkpoint, I finally looked at Volt.
"...You can do that?"
Volt shrugged casually.
"Of course."
"Money solves a surprising number of problems."
He smirked.
"Especially when it stops people from asking unnecessary questions."
I honestly didn't know whether to laugh...
Or be concerned.
The massive gates of Helios Reach slowly closed behind us.
And for the first time...
I truly saw the city.
It was enormous.
The streets were packed with people.
Merchants loudly advertised their goods.
NPC workers pushed heavy carts through crowded roads.
Empire soldiers patrolled every major intersection.
Blacksmiths hammered away inside open workshops.
Restaurants overflowed with customers.
Everywhere I looked...
Something was happening.
What surprised me even more...
Were the Cross Players.
Players from dozens of different games walked these streets freely.
Different armor.
Different weapons.
Different races.
Different magic systems.
Some looked completely human.
Others had horns.
Mechanical limbs.
Animal ears.
Floating companions.
It felt like every game in the New World had somehow gathered here.
"...Wow..."
Even after everything I'd seen...
Helios Reach still amazed me.
But beneath that wonder...
An uneasy feeling lingered.
I couldn't shake it.
Every passing stranger.
Every Empire patrol.
Every glance in my direction...
Made me wonder.
Do they know who I am?
Did they recognize me?
Are they watching me?
I unconsciously tightened my grip on my cloak.
Then—
Someone gently tapped my shoulder.
I turned around.
Blaze.
He looked at me for a moment before speaking calmly.
"You can relax now."
His voice was quiet.
Steady.
"They're not looking at you."
"They're just living their lives."
I looked around again.
Merchants argued over prices.
Children chased each other through the streets.
Blacksmiths shouted at apprentices.
Travelers hurried toward the market.
Nobody seemed interested in us.
Or me.
I slowly let out the breath I'd been holding.
"...Yeah."
Maybe...
Just for today...
I could stop looking over my shoulder.
But somewhere deep inside...
I still couldn't shake the feeling...
That Helios Reach had more waiting for us than supplies.