Second Path

The line in front of the gates of Aran Base stretched out even further.

The longer line, the one he and his new companions were stuck in, seemed to be growing by the minute. People piled in, dragging their feet, vehicles coughing out puffs of exhaust as they inched forward at a painfully slow pace.

Each new arrival carried a look of frustration like they already knew they'd be waiting for hours. It seemed Xu Feng and his group had arrived at an ideal time as the line only continued to grow more and more exaggeratedly long.

As Xu Feng observed the scene, the light bulb slowly began to click in his mind. That line, the shorter one with the van at the end, was clearly for the more "privileged" people of Aran Base.

It was more than just a difference in cars—it was a clear sign of status. The cars in that line, while still showing signs of use, were in better condition and seemed to belong to people who had more resources at their disposal.