Chapter 31: Cyber-core District

Ram understood how Mai's two professions held great importance. While each one alone might not reach Hero or Lord status, together they made Mai a strong ally or foe.

Arcane Masters had a deep knowledge of spiritual power.

Besides mastering spells, they specialized in various areas like controlling elements, enchanting items, traveling between dimensions, and studying ancient relics.

Their expertise covered both theory and practical use of magic, making them invaluable in academic and real-world situations.

Just then, Sid's hologram materialized, breaking Ram's train of thought. "Sister, what's going on? Are you back?"

Mai turned sharply towards Sid's hologram, her expression a mix of seriousness and relief. "Yes, I've returned unexpectedly to find him here. Didn't I explicitly warn you against bringing strangers here?"

Sid nodded nervously, his hologram flickering slightly "Um, well, sister, don't be upset. I want him to join us for our next mission."

"Mission? What mission?" Mai asked, clearly perplexed.

"The one I told you about, a 'C' level mission with a decent reward, so I brought him along," Sid explained hastily.

"And you think a rookie can actually help us complete this mission?" Mai shot back, her frustration evident. "It seems like the Blood Rage Bear's blood is turning your brain to mush. Perhaps I should find another potent monster's essence to restore your IQ."

Sid shivered slightly as he explained his intentions to her. "Yes, yes, but we need five members to accept the mission, so I was filling the places. Sis, with you by our side, we don't need to fear the difficulty of the mission."

He didn't know why, but since they were kids, he had always been scared of his sister. After their parents passed away, Mai took care of him.

However, he always felt like his sister was a monster in human skin—strict, grumpy, and quick to scold him.

Although she loved him very much, he was still a little scared to make her angry.

While the siblings were still bickering, Ram suddenly felt something. He hurriedly left the cabin, drawn by a familiar yet vague feeling. It felt similar to Thorny but different.

When he reached the source, he found a little girl with tears in her eyes, laughing happily as she clenched her fists, testing her newfound strength coursing through her body.

Just then, an attribute panel appeared before his eyes:

[Name: Xiao Mu] [ Age: 18/79]

[Race: Human]

Ram felt a sense of relief knowing they had a temporary refuge.

Ram marveled at how Sid and Mai had found such a hidden subway station. If it had been up to him, he would never have discovered such a well-concealed place.

It was located right on the outskirts of the city, hidden by natural terrain and forest, making it the perfect hideout. They soon arrived at a busy street filled with people.

The streets bustled with life, filled with people from all walks of life going about their daily business.

However, the scene wasn't pristine; garbage littered the street corners, puddles of rainwater collected in uneven patches, and rats scurried about.

Amid the hustle, beggars and orphaned children in tattered clothes could be seen everywhere, seeking assistance from passersby.

As they walked, vendors called out to passersby, enticing them with goods displayed on makeshift stalls.

The air was filled with the aroma of street food—grilled meats, steaming dumplings, and spicy noodles—that made Ram's stomach growl with hunger.

Not everyone within the city was subjected to strict control by the Shadow Society.

The majority of people in the base had joined the society voluntarily for various reasons: some sought a place for survival, others had been abducted from various underground or surface villages not under the protection of the Empire, and especially some wanted criminals who wished to conceal their whereabouts.

This place where they are now is known as the Cyber-core District.

Most of the buildings in the center were tall, reaching more than 15 to 20 floors each, which included shops, apartments, and stalls offering a diverse range of goods and services, while the rest were residence areas.

The whole city had seven such districts with a population of more than 2 million, most of whom were ordinary people or professionals without any combat skills.

And the Cyber-core district seems to be very famous for mechanics.

Within its bustling streets and towering skyscrapers, mechanical workshops hummed with activity, crafting and repairing everything from simple gadgets to advanced cybernetic implants.

Engineers and technicians were a common sight, their expertise sought after for intricate repairs and innovative creations that pushed the boundaries of technology.

Here, prototypes of flying vehicles hovered above testing grounds, while robotic assistants efficiently navigated through crowds, offering services and information to residents and visitors alike.

The influence of the Shadow Society, though present, did not stifle the spirit of creativity and enterprise that thrived in Cyber-core.

Instead, it provided a backdrop against which innovation flourished, often fueled by the necessity to adapt and survive in a world where technology could mean the difference between prosperity and obscurity.