Chapter 108: April 5th, Monster Era

The collection of soul fragments across Tingfeng City was proceeding in an orderly fashion. Zhao Nan announced the updated totals every day, urging more people to venture to the edges of the map to hunt monsters. He also revealed to everyone that, based on his own explorations, the yield of soul fragments was significantly higher in these peripheral zones.

While the monsters at the map’s edge were the same level 20 creatures found within the city, no one knew why the drop rate differed. Regardless, since he was the hero who had slain the mutant king and the one executing the restoration of the Soul Crystal, people simply listened to what he said.

In truth, Zhao Nan’s hunting plan was gradually unfolding. His so-called trips to the outskirts were merely a convenient pretext to execute the cannibals out in the wild. Ever since he was ambushed by Sun Baoqiang, the murderous aura he had purged through the "Heart of Time" dungeon seemed to have returned. Finina observed this change with a sense of helpless concern. She knew that if Zhao Nan had truly perished during that incident in the plaza, she would likely have been driven to madness herself.

Another week passed. The collection of soul fragments had exceeded three thousand, a highly encouraging achievement. At this rate, it was estimated that they would have enough fragments in another half-month at most.

During this week, Zhao Nan had not been idle. While secretly identifying the former cannibals, he also began to bring the leaders of the other safe zones under his control by using the "Heart-Eating Bug" lie, all to expedite the process of rooting out the remaining cannibals.

Zhao Nan had his own agenda. He was currently trapped in Tingfeng City, and it would be quite some time before the cities could be reconnected. Having already experienced one fall, the remaining population of Tingfeng City was small, and they certainly could not withstand a second siege. At this stage, all cities were likely suppressing their levels, even after Tingfeng City was restored. He suspected most people would realize this issue and consciously avoid opening new maps to prevent the monsters from becoming stronger during the next siege.

Given this likely scenario, Zhao Nan felt he had only two choices for the sake of future safety. The first was to meet the conditions for connecting cities as quickly as possible. Whether seeking help from other cities or migrating, it would greatly increase their chances of surviving the next siege. The second, more difficult path was to raise the strength of everyone to the highest possible level and unify their combat forces before the next siege began, provided they hadn't yet met the conditions for city connection. A well-trained, coordinated team was far superior to a disorganized, temporary rabble, even if the latter had greater numbers.

Of course, no matter which path he took, Zhao Nan had to keep control firmly in his own hands. Tingfeng City was no longer what it had been before the fall; the tragedy had accelerated the distortion of human nature for many. Perhaps the restoration of the city would allow these dark aspects to be buried deep within, but these grim memories would inevitably accompany them on their journey forward.

Zhao Nan did not want to meet his end within the confines of the Tingfeng City map, so he had to plan for survival. He intended to override the opinions of the majority and open up new maps. Since most cities were suppressing their levels, he would do the opposite: ruthlessly grind levels, hunt more powerful monsters, conquer higher-level dungeons, and obtain better equipment and treasures.

Ten days later, the collection of soul fragments surpassed eight thousand. The restoration of Tingfeng City was within reach, and people spoke more of their future lives. Only a few mentioned those who had gone out to hunt and never returned. They likely would never return.

However, the number of those lost was not high—averaging only ten to twenty people per safe zone. Even though they were ordinary monsters, uncontrollable circumstances always arose. Even before the fall of Tingfeng City, there had been casualties during missions or hunts. Consequently, there was little discussion about these losses.

During this time, Zhao Nan had been rarely seen. Although he had plenty of "Water of No Origin" to cleanse the sin points gained from killing, the reality was that by constantly killing people these days, he had inevitably become stained with a heavy murderous aura. This was a different concept than killing occasionally. Even for a normal person, even if the victims deserved to die, doing it day after day would inevitably lead to a sense of repression.

"How much more is needed?"

In the kindergarten, which had become his private space, Zhao Nan lay with his eyes closed, resting his head on Finina’s lap, his back against the cold floor, his expression composed. This was his method of calming himself. During these moments, Finina would gently massage his forehead.

"Almost there..." Zhao Nan did not open his eyes, his breathing perfectly rhythmic. "The number of cannibals exceeds the amount needed to activate the soul fragments. The concerns I had before are no longer an issue."

Finina’s hands did not stop; instead, they became even softer. She whispered, "Let me handle the rest... you have killed enough."

"I have killed plenty of monsters, too."

"That is different..." Finina stopped and sighed. She carefully adjusted Zhao Nan’s head and let out a breath. A nameless melody hummed from her throat, as delicate as water. Zhao Nan fell into a deep sleep.

Monster Calendar, April 5th.

The remaining players of Tingfeng City gathered around the plaza where the Soul Crystal was located. The plaza itself was empty, save for a single figure slowly walking toward the crystal. This was the day everyone had been waiting for.

Zhao Nan reached the base of the Soul Crystal. Soul fragments shot from his hands one after another, moving with great speed and emitting a soft, white light. As each fragment merged into the Soul Crystal, its health increased by one point. The pace of the increase gradually accelerated.

The sound of the crowd's collective heartbeat began to quicken. The brilliance of the Soul Crystal intensified, shooting into the sky before transforming into colorful specks of light that drifted down like snow, slowly covering the entire city of Tingfeng.

Not many people knew that behind this radiance lay the lives of two hundred people. But those in the know felt that trading the lives of such scum for the future of the masses was a bargain. Yet, no one stopped to consider how they would have activated the Soul Crystal if there were no cannibals in Tingfeng City.

They subconsciously chose not to think about it. And Zhao Nan did not want to, either.

"It’s restored... Tingfeng City..."

Someone shouted aloud, their voice choked with tears. Under that radiance, starting from the plaza, a vibrant vitality began to emerge. At the edges of the plaza, within the cracks of the stone tiles and soil, a small patch of fresh moss began to spread.