"Repeat the experience you had last time with the Scavenger Team..."
"I was wandering in the wasteland, encountered a tentacle worm, and then..."
Zhong Shenxiu lifted his head and saw the narrow, confining, oppressive interrogation room and the familiar yet strange ceiling above him.
In front of him were two stern-faced inspectors dressed in black uniforms, with rigid expressions.
Since the day of the thorough disinfection, every member of the Scavenger Team had been interrogated separately.
There had been many such experiences already.
"Upon joining, you concealed the fact that you were a Demon Hunter. Did you harbor any malicious intent?"
"No, I just... wanted to keep some cards up my sleeve."
Zhong Shenxiu’s face was a picture of innocence, tinged with the irritation and helplessness of being repeatedly interrogated.
Sure, in this regard, he could ’collude’ in dreams with Zola to ensure that their interrogation records showed no discrepancies.
’Considering the target has been continuously provoked by the questioning, and has yet to show certain aggressive and abnormal tendencies, his mental state as a Demon Hunter is remarkably good... hmm, a little anger is a normal reaction, even an ordinary person treated would feel some resentment.’
One of the inspectors methodically recorded everything: "All right, Mr. Li Wei, please wait for our result."
He got up and left the room with the other inspector.
After walking down the dim corridor, he finally spoke: "I think he’s fine or, to put it another way... he can pass according to the inspection regulations, especially with Mengde’s endorsement, he can be accepted as a member of Sky City."
"The lack of a problem is the biggest problem. Am I not familiar with the Demon Hunters of the wasteland? They are nothing but scum, disgusting maggots... monsters that might mutate at any moment!"
The other inspector, with a hawkish nose and a harsh expression, suddenly interjected.
"Chason, watch your language. I know your family died in that accident caused by a Demon Hunter, but some Demon Hunters are part of Sky City."
The first inspector replied helplessly, "Moreover, a Middle-level Vassal Demon Hunter without deformities and a good mental state is a considerable asset."
"I will be keeping an eye on him," Chason replied without the slightest change in his expression.
"That’s your prerogative."
The inspector nodded, and the two parted ways to submit their reports.
Three days later, Zhong Shenxiu walked out of the interrogation room and into the outside world.
Before him stretched a vast swath of sky, obstructed by enormous airships.
This was Sky City, situated high above the ground—truly in the sky!
Outside the inspection building, Rachel and Zola were already waiting.
"Li Wei, congratulations on passing the inspection and becoming a member of Sky City."
Rachel stepped forward and handed Zhong Shenxiu a can of meat: "This is my gift."
Zhong Shenxiu accepted the can of meat he had no desire to touch, understanding it was Rachel’s kind gesture.
Zola then handed him a box containing a complete uniform and identity document: "Li Wei Mojito, from today on, you’re under the jurisdiction of the Resource Recovery Department, as a member of my Scavenger Team."
"Resource Recovery Department?"
Zhong Shenxiu took the box with some surprise.
"It’s just the formal name for the Scavenger Brigade because ’Scavenger’ sounds a bit bad, but we think it’s okay."
Zola smiled: "Come on, let’s take you out for a decent meal to celebrate."
The three of them left, laughing and chatting, and along the way, Zhong Shenxiu learned about the specific structure of Sky City.
It was governed by the ’Council of Seven’, with divisions like the ’Resource Recovery Department’, ’Regenerative Agriculture Department’, ’Medical Department’, ’Supply and Statistics Department’, ’Defense Department’, and so on.
In reality, Mengde’s position was head of the Resource Recovery Department, making him essentially a reserve member of the Council of Seven, one of the top echelons.
"I actually wanted to work in the Regenerative Agriculture Department, at the canned meat factory!"
Rachel’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
"If we let you go there, you’d probably cause so much waste that it would reach an unacceptable level for everyone."
Zola offered the jest lightheartedly.
As they conversed, they crossed a lengthy suspension bridge and arrived at a restaurant.
The restaurant’s surroundings were sparsely populated, a natural consequence in a city primarily operating on a rationing system where few had disposable income.
"This is Rachel’s favorite restaurant. After every mission, she spends a bit here, so she never saves any merit points."
Zola pointed to the restaurant entrance as he spoke: "It’s famous for its honey-roasted chicken..."
Rachel, standing beside them, involuntarily swallowed her saliva.
Seeing this, Zhong Shenxiu laughed without malice.
"Let’s go. Even with our team’s ration of merit points, it’s not easy to come here."
Zola clapped his hands.
Just then, as they were talking, a freckled youth in a gray linen shirt approached from the opposite direction on the street.
As they passed by, the youth’s gaze briefly touched upon Zhong Shenxiu, swept across Rachel’s face, then fixated on Zola for a good two or three seconds.
He quickly seemed to realize something and apologized as he left.
"Do you... know him?"
Zhong Shenxiu watched the youth’s retreating figure, thoughtful.
"Don’t know him... but I think he might fancy me..."
Rachel put on a detective-like face.
"He seems familiar to me," Zola mused: "But I don’t remember him. Perhaps he’s one of those residents yearning to go to the outside world, which is fairly common. They think we’re heroes exploring the old world when in fact... we’re just a bunch of poor bugs picking up trash!"
"Right, none of that is as important as eating."
Zhong Shenxiu looked at the sign and suddenly laughed: "Besides the honey-roasted chicken, there are also small meat plates..."
Complex emotions flitted across Rachel’s face.
"It’s them, it’s them!"
Around the corner of the street, the youth quietly turned his back, hiding in the shadows, his eyes slightly reddened, as though he was about to cry.
He squatted down, his body beginning to tremble and convulse slightly.
After a long while, a low voice emerged: "Captain..."
Moments later, having dried his tears, he walked away from the corner as if nothing had happened.
All the while, he murmured to himself in his heart:
"How nice... nothing has changed, it’s not too late."
"Captain... this time, I definitely won’t let you die first, hiding behind you."
"And greedy Rachel, you won’t die amidst a surge of blood."
"I must prevent the apocalypse, reversing all this!"
"This is why I... Morey Pavilion have been reborn!"