Synergy

The crowd surged wildly, causing Alexander of the Enforcement Bureau to feel a bit overwhelmed. Confronted with so many people, the consequences would be dire if an Infected scratched someone. He couldn't estimate how many people might die.

"Everyone, please go back home. Once we confirm the presence of Infected, the lockdown will be lifted," Alexander shouted loudly, without the aid of a megaphone, his voice unusually powerful. However, the panicked crowd paid no attention.

Someone challenged, "Stop lying! The last time an Infected appeared in Zone F next door, hundreds died! You don't care about our lives and deaths!"

This unexpectedly angered the crowd, and even the wire fence started to deform. Suddenly, a figure darted past Alexander.

"Hey, young man, ever heard of staying away and avoiding the Infected?," 

Duke said to the middle-aged man blocking his path, pointing forward with helplessness. "I know, but I have to go home."

Home? Could it still be called home now? Alexander paused for a moment, then saw Duke sidestep him, accelerate, and leap over the wire fence. People watched in astonishment as someone jumped in from the outside. Did he go mad? Wasn't he aware it's a quarantine zone?

"Hey," a delicate figure squeezed next to Duke, timidly tugging at his sleeve. 

Although somewhat puzzled, Alexander seized the moment of quietness and immediately said:"Look, even children aren't afraid. What are you all scared of? If the situation were truly dire, would I have let him in? Everyone, it's getting dark. Please go home as soon as possible!"

The crowd slightly calmed down at his shouting. As the sun was about to set, people with fearful expressions started dispersing.

Duke and Monica exchanged a glance, understanding each other without words. They were about to leave when they heard heavy footsteps behind them.

"Young man, once you go in, don't think about coming out. Do you think this is all just a game?" This statement came from Alexander, who, compared to his previous optimism, now had a serious expression.

"I know," Duke touched Monica's hair gently; she was still wearing the apron from home.

"But I have to go home." Duke's actions caught Alexander's attention. Speaking softly, Duke looked at the small girl next to him, who seemed as if a gust of wind could blow her away.

"After dark, stay inside, don't go out. The Infected only come out at night."

Upon hearing the term "come out," Duke narrowed his eyes and nodded. People around them were preparing to approach, wanting to hear what Alexander was saying to Duke.

Just then, a black wall appeared outside the wire fence, completely trapping everyone in this dark, foul-smelling slum.

"Please remain calm. The Enforcement Bureau will enter Zone C and lift the lockdown once the Infected are eradicated. Until then, please stay home as much as possible, especially at night. Remember!"

The broadcast continued, but most people wore expressions of despair. The situation in neighboring Zone F made it clear just how dreadful the Infected were.

Now locked in, there was no escape. As the sunset faded, Duke couldn't feel a hint of warmth. He knew that in an hour, it would be dark, and they had to get home quickly.

"Big brother, I'm hungry," Monica nestled against Duke's side. Her wheat-colored hair draped over her shoulders, accentuating her malnutrition in her frail form. Even though the people around were filled with fear, it seemed to have no effect on her.

"Hold on a bit, let's head home first." Duke comforted his sister, and the people around started dispersing. The Infected feared sunlight, so nighttime was their hunting time. Soon, the entire street was deserted.

Many headed home, starting to board up their doors and windows with wooden planks and metal sheets. Children who used to play and laugh were now nowhere to be seen.

Duke and Monica walked two blocks and finally saw a low wooden house. This was the house the siblings had labored for years to afford.

However, as they entered, they froze. Several burly and tough-looking men were inside, smoking. When they saw Duke return, they seemed slightly surprised before their expressions turned to relief.

"Looks like it's just a couple of kids." The scar-faced leader jeered. Duke's pupils contracted slightly, noticing their hands slipping into their pockets. They stood alert, as if ready to take something at any moment. If it had been two adults returning, would they have resorted to violence?

"Do you think this is your home?" the scar-faced man continued, the others laughing along.

Duke shielded Monica behind him, calmly telling the leader, "Are you lost? This is our home."

After exchanging glances, the men suddenly burst into laughter. The scar-faced man spoke sinisterly, "This is your home? Well then, prove it. Is your name written on this place? I'm saying this is my home. Do you have a problem with that?"

The other men smirked, but their gazes fell upon Monica. Despite being only thirteen years old and dressed in worn-out clothes, her innocent and lovely appearance resembled that of a little fairy. As goons who frequently operated in the nearby slums, they had taken over this small house. They hadn't anticipated that the occupants would be two children, saving them the trouble of finding an empty house.

Duke took a deep breath, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes. He lowered his head, trying to conceal his emotions. Although his latent powers could enhance his physical abilities, he was unlikely to overcome these dubious thugs.

Right at that moment, as he held his sister's hand, he felt a surge of immense power. Turning around, he glanced at Monica and noticed a faint red glimmer in her eyes, surrounded by a dark purple glow. Monica's gaze was unusually intense, as if awaiting his command. Duke squinted slightly and then nodded.

  The group exchanged glances and suddenly burst into laughter.The scar-faced man sinisterly remarked, "Seems like you two have some skills."

"Who do you two think you are?" A burly man grumbled discontentedly.

"Forget it, stop arguing," another thug patted his shoulder. 

The scar-faced man gave Duke a glance and sneered, "Since it's your home, don't disturb our fun."

Although displeased, Duke didn't dare to provoke them. Holding his sister, he walked towards the kitchen, enduring the atmosphere in the room for now.

"You have one minute, grab something to eat and get lost," warned the scar-faced man. Duke nodded, then walked into the kitchen.

Inside the cramped kitchen were two cold dishes, sour and spicy shredded potatoes, and scrambled eggs with tomatoes. It seemed Monica had prepared them in advance while waiting for him to return.

Duke looked at the dimly lit kitchen. His gaze stopped on a button, and he squinted slightly. He discreetly turned a black switch to the maximum level.

Beside the scar-faced man, the man with yellow hair grumbled discontentedly, "Boss, you're just letting them go like that? The little girl's not bad-looking. It's been a while since we've had some fun."

The scar-faced man said in a deep voice, "The house is here. Can they run away? We'll deal with this after the Enforcement Bureau eliminates the Infected. We can't stir up trouble now, or we'll all die."

Talking about the Infected, fear was evident on their faces. Duke held Monica's hand tightly and closed the door.

"Where are we going?" 

Duke surveyed the surroundings. The last light of the sun had disappeared below the horizon.

"We're not going anywhere," Duke took a deep breath. They sat on the steps outside their home, leaning against each other. The entire slum was as silent as death at the moment, as if everyone had vanished.

"Boss Scar, did you guys feel a bit uncomfortable? I'm feeling a bit nauseous," the man with yellow hair complained.

The scar-faced man furrowed his brows and said, "Endure it. It's probably due to nervousness."

Before long, the man with yellow hair started feeling drowsy. He noticed the two beside him had already fallen asleep and followed suit.

Over an hour later, Duke looked at Monica's peaceful sleep. He gently supported her and then stood up, leaning against the wall. He took out a dagger from his boots, then opened the door.

Duke's gaze turned icy. He and Monica had depended on each other in the slums for many years, enduring numerous hardships. While he had also been bullied as a child, today's situation was completely different. There were Infected outside, and he had to protect his sister.

As Duke entered the room, several men were sprawled there, two of them foaming at the mouth, apparently poisoned by gas. The scar-faced man struggled to open his eyes, seeing the young man standing in front of him. His eyes were filled with a chilling coldness.

Duke held a dagger, and the scar-faced man felt a splitting headache. His companions were already unconscious. He realized that Duke had intentionally poisoned them.

The scar-faced man attempted to speak, but his voice was feeble. He recalled his companions' earlier nausea and Duke's actions in the kitchen, and he realized it all. This youth had long planned to eliminate them!

"Young man, we can negotiate..."

The blade flashed, and blood splattered on the scar-faced man's face. His expression was full of disbelief. His mouth opened, but no sound came out. Gradually, his pupils lost focus.The dagger was lodged in his chest, and the scar-faced man's body crumbled to the ground, life vanishing in an instant.

Amid the scent of blood, Duke withdrew the knife indifferently. He stood there, his gaze cold and distant, as if the events that had just unfolded had nothing to do with him.