Zhao Yuan leaned back on her heels and crossed her arms, fixing the system panel with an unyielding, critical stare.
"If you intend to teleport me out there the same way you've been dragging me around this place, how exactly am I supposed to get back?" she demanded. "Or are you planning on leaving me stranded surrounded by flesh-eating infectees?"
The glowing digital interface paused. A faint static hum resonated through the quiet kitchen as the system processed her question. For a few agonizing seconds, the screen flickered erratically before fresh lines of pale blue text illuminated the panel:
'The custodian will be provided with a localized system synchronization device. This wearable interface will enable real-time access to the shelter network, allowing the custodian to acquire necessary supplies, deploy tactical items, and initiate return protocols upon task completion.'
Zhao Yuan raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by the jargon. "Okay then. Where is it?"
The main interface went dark. With a soft pneumatic hiss, the mechanical housing of the panel elevated several inches into the air. A hidden compartment slid open, revealing a sleek, matte-black wristwatch resting on a velvet-lined tray.
Reaching out, Zhao Yuan picked up the device. It was lightweight yet cool to the touch, crafted from a seamless, metallic alloy that looked far too advanced for the rundown warehouse outside. She fastened it securely around her thin, delicate wrist. The dark obsidian casing created a striking contrast against her pale skin, lending the understated piece an unexpectedly elegant aesthetic.
The moment the strap clicked into place, the watch's microscopic display sprang to life, booting up a miniature mirror of the restaurant's primary user interface. Simultaneously, the kitchen panel lowered back into its original housing, lighting up with a fresh directive:
'To be transported to the designated high-priority rescue site, the custodian must proceed directly to the spatial transfer node located at the rear exit of the restaurant.'
Zhao Yuan looked down at her attire—a standard, slightly wrinkled waitress uniform with an apron tied around her waist. She scoffed softly.
"Alright, but can I get a change of clothes first?" she requested, tapping the watch face. "I am going on a rescue mission, not taking orders for dim sum. I doubt a crowd of terrified students will take a woman in a service apron seriously."
The watch face flickered in response, immediately rendering a three-dimensional preview of a dark, tactical outfit. The ensemble consisted of reinforced leather pants, high-top combat boots, and a form-fitting, climate-controlled leather jacket complete with hidden utility holsters.
Nodding in approval, Zhao Yuan tapped the prompt below the hologram.
A subtle ripple of light washed over her body. Unlike the nauseating disorientation of spatial teleportation, she felt almost nothing as her light uniform was instantly replaced by the supple, dark leather ensemble. The material fitted her perfectly, tailored to allow maximum mobility while offering a discreet layer of defensive armor. She flexed her fingers, pleased with the sleek, formidable silhouette she cut in the kitchen's reflection.
Meanwhile, in the massive courtyard outside, the atmosphere had undergone a dramatic transformation.
After the initial panic of being suddenly plucked from the monster-infested streets and dropped behind the shelter's towering perimeter walls, the survivors had finally realized they were safe. The oppressive dread that had weighed on them for weeks vanished almost instantly.
Relief swept through the courtyard like a physical tide. The crowd naturally splintered back into their original travel groups, exchanging breathless, excited whispers as they marveled at the clean pavement, the pristine apartment blocks surrounding them, and the complete absence of bloodthirsty infectees.
The general mood was joyous, almost celebratory—until the silent restaurant at the center of the compound emitted a loud, resonant mechanical chime.
The heavy front doors swung open smoothly.
When Zhao Yuan stepped out of the restaurant frame, clad in her head-to-toe black leather gear, she was instantly locked in the crosshairs of several hundred pairs of eyes. The sheer volume of the gaze hit her like a physical wall, causing her to abruptly halt mid-step.
Looking out over the sea of ragged, dirt-streaked faces, a sudden memory flashed through her mind—a ghost of another crowd, another time, and a betrayal that had left her guarded and distant. Her heart skipped a frantic beat, and her body instinctively stiffened as she took a subtle step back toward the open doorway.
In the crowd, Gu Shinyue stood frozen. She had been shocked when the massive wave of refugees had materialized in the courtyard out of thin air, but seeing the central restaurant open left her utterly spellbound. The young woman emerging from the threshold looked like something out of a myth.
Standing poised in her pristine black armor, devoid of a single speck of dust or blood, Zhao Yuan possessed a striking, heroic presence that commanded immediate respect. In a world defined by grime, decay, and desperation, she looked entirely untainted—almost as if she were glowing beneath the open sky.
Gao Shen pushed his way slightly to the front of his group, his sharp eyes taking in every detail of the woman before him. As a seasoned survivor, seeing someone look so impossibly clean, healthy, and composed under apocalyptic conditions sent a shockwave of disbelief through him. Yet, the sheer reality of her existence within these secure walls provided a profound sense of safety.
Taking a measured breath, Gao Shen stepped forward from the throng, breaking the heavy silence.
"Excuse me, miss... are you the one in charge of this place?"
His deep, grounded voice broke the spell gripping Zhao Yuan, grounding her back in the present moment. She looked at the rugged, exhausted, and dirt-covered man standing before her, then swept her eyes across the weary faces of the crowd. The lingering ghosts of her past faded. She wasn't back there. She was here, and these people were looking for answers.
Drawing upon an effortless composure, she stood tall, her tone calm, authoritative, and echoing clearly across the silent courtyard.
"Yes. I am the custodian of this shelter. However, I have urgent matters that require my immediate attention outside, so I cannot answer your questions right now." She paused, turning her gaze directly onto Gu Shinyue. "Miss Gu Shinyue will guide you through the initial residential protocol while I am away."
Gu Shinyue's eyes widened in sheer astonishment as her name echoed across the courtyard. She stood rooted to the spot, watching in awe as the mysterious custodian turned on her heel and walked back into the restaurant with fluid, commanding grace.
As the doors closed behind the enigmatic leader, the crowd turned back toward Gu Shinyue. Seeing her clean clothes and composed demeanor, the survivors felt a fresh wave of reassurance, waiting eagerly for her to lead the way.