New beginning

As the sleek black car carrying Daelan and Viper disappeared down the long, well-paved road, the remaining trio stood momentarily in silence. The difference between Sector Z and Sector B was jarring. It wasn't just the environment—the clean streets, the towering glass buildings, the steady hum of a city at peace—it was the atmosphere. There was no desperation in the air, no constant tension, no sense that at any moment, someone might try to stab you for your rations.

Tristan, now looking healthier, stronger, and infinitely more confident than the scrawny kid they had once known, turned toward them with an easy smirk.

"Well, hey guys," he said, casually leaning against his car.

Before he could say anything else, Korin lunged forward and rubbed his knuckles hard against Tristan's hair, ruffling it like a long-lost older brother.

"Look at you, man! You look great," Korin said, grinning.

"Yeah, you do," Kirelle added, smiling warmly.

Tristan chuckled, running a hand through his hair to fix the mess Korin had made. "Yeah, well… turns out eating three meals a day and not worrying about getting killed in my sleep does wonders for a guy."

With that, he walked toward the front seat of the car, opening the driver's door.

"Get in, we'll head to my apartment," he said.

Korin immediately perked up. "Apartment?!"

Kirelle echoed the sentiment, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Tristan smirked as he slid into the driver's seat. "Yeah… Eight months ago, I thought the exact same thing."

The twins didn't hesitate. Korin hopped into the passenger seat while Kirelle took the back. As soon as the car purred to life, Tristan expertly merged into the steady flow of traffic.

As they sped through the immaculate streets of Sector B, Korin and Kirelle found themselves stunned into silence.

Unlike the poorly maintained roads of Sector Z, where broken concrete and twisted wreckage were the norm, these streets were pristine. The smooth pavement reflected the soft glow of the streetlights. The sidewalks were lined with trees—actual trees—their golden leaves rustling in the faint evening breeze.

But what struck them the most were the people.

Families were out, walking peacefully, without a single weapon in sight. Couples strolled hand-in-hand, chatting softly, smiling. Children ran ahead, laughing, playing in designated parks—actual parks, with green grass and fountains that hadn't been looted or destroyed.

The sheer contrast was suffocating.

For so long, they had believed all of humanity was fighting the same brutal struggle to survive. That everyone was constantly on edge, one wrong move away from death.

But this?

This was a different world.

Kirelle finally broke the silence. "This is… unreal."

Tristan, keeping his eyes on the road, nodded knowingly. "Yeah. It got to me too."

They continued the rest of the drive in quiet reflection, each of them processing their own thoughts.

*

Tristan pulled into a gated parking lot of a massive apartment complex, the structure towering over them with impeccably designed architecture. The building glowed softly, its mana-infused lights humming gently against the night sky.

As he maneuvered into a reserved parking space, the twins felt a sudden wave of self-consciousness settle over them.

This place was too nice.

Too… clean.

The high-tech security, the rows of luxury cars, the absence of grime and decay—it all felt alien.

Korin cleared his throat. "So… this is your place?"

Tristan grinned as he unbuckled his seatbelt. "Yeah. And now? It's yours too."

Still feeling out of place, the twins followed closely behind him as he led them toward a small office near the building's entrance.

Inside, behind a sleek desk, sat a scrawny, unassuming man—the kind of person most would overlook in a crowd. But the second Korin and Kirelle stepped inside, their instincts screamed at them.

This man was dangerous.

There was something off about the way he sat, too relaxed, as if he didn't fear anything. His eyes were calculating, taking in everything about them in an instant.

The man yawned. "Tristan."

Tristan didn't hesitate. "I'm here to have their fingerprints recorded."

The man's sharp gaze flickered between Korin and Kirelle before he reached under his desk, pulling out a small, glowing crystal ball.

"Place your hand here," he said, gesturing toward it.

Korin, feeling oddly tense, went first.

The second his hand made contact—

BZZZZT!

A shock of electricity zapped through his body, making him jump back with a curse.

Tristan snickered. Evilly.

Kirelle, glaring daggers at him, reluctantly placed her own hand on the crystal.

ZAP!

"What the hell was that?!" Korin demanded, rubbing his hand.

Tristan, still amused, shrugged as he led them toward the elevator. "Verification."

Korin scowled. "You could've warned us."

Tristan smirked. "Where's the fun in that?"

The elevator doors slid open, and they stepped inside.

"What kind of verification needs electrocution?" Kirelle asked, still rubbing her tingling fingers.

Tristan leaned against the wall, his grin widening. "Well, fingerprints alone aren't secure enough, you know. Some shape-shifters can replicate DNA. So here? Your mana signature is also recorded."

The twins exchanged a glance. That… actually made sense.

Before they could respond, the elevator dinged open.

The hallway they stepped into was immaculate—polished floors, soft lighting, soundproof walls that blocked out the noise of the city.

Tristan strode ahead, stopping at Room 567. With a swift motion, he placed his hand on the panel, and the door unlocked with a soft chime.

Then, he turned to face them with a grin.

"Well," he said, swinging the door open, "Welcome to your new home."