Chapter 24: A Small Alley Feast (1)

"I think you're on the wrong side of town, Slayer."

[Reader of Fate: Mr. Joelz, demands Zero eat them all.]

[Reader of Fate: Ancestor Watchu Lookingat, tells Zero to feast.]

"..." The Readers of Fate seem to be appearing more and more lately, Zero thought as he looked to the side, completely ignoring the 5 men that suddenly blocked his path as he walked away.

But alas, our little zombie seemed to not be aware of what it means to be on the wrong side of town. The Concretespire Safe Zone, like any other Safe Zones, was separated into an invisible cluster. Those that were near the gates were usually the markets, then near the markets is where the Slayer association tower and resident housing were situated.

Further was the headquarters of the guards, as well as the political and wealthier side of the makeshift city– that's why there were a lot of guards when Zero started reaching deeper into the Safe Zone.

But then, even deeper; away from the eyes of the law, was the Red Light District. Guards do not even bother to patrol this part of town needlessly.

The people here were the forgotten dregs of society– much like the zombies just outside the gates of Concretespire. Perhaps that was the reason Zero found himself here?

And so, once again, as Zero tried to walk and move to the side, the 5 men that were blocking his path once again did so– this time, even surrounding him completely.

Zero, was actually quite taller than most of the humans he had met– the only reason why he was not towering over everyone was that under the cloak, his back was still somewhat currently hunched. But here, in the Red Light District, his height stood out the most.

It had only been 10 years since the appearance of the Bubbles– but the humans have already regressed to the point that some of their bodies; even adults, shrunk due to malnourishment. And where else could you find more malnourished people other than with the dregs of society?

But what they lacked in nourishment, however, they replaced with reckless abandon and hostility.

"And where you think you're going, pal?"

And so, even though Zero clearly towered over them, they still chose to surround him.

"Think you're tough just because you're a slayer?"

"..." Zero could only blink as one of the men surrounding him suddenly flicked his cloak for no reason. The people on the side of the streets also only glanced at him and the group for a few seconds, before just casually returning to do whatever it was they were previously doing.

These humans… are weird, Zero thought as he looked at the man directly in front of straight in the eyes.

"Tch, look at this guy. Let's go take him to the boss."

"..." And with that, the men behind him started pushing him; seemingly urging him to walk as they pointed some sort of metal to his head– Zero had only seen one or two of those before, but if he remembers correctly…

…they were called guns?

They made noises that Zero didn't really appreciate, awfully loud and sudden.

"..." Zero had no idea what was really going on, so he did what he always did– go with the flow.

The men seem to be taking him somewhere, and since they were walking deeper into the Safe Zone, Zero didn't really mind as he would have reached this part eventually if it wasn't for the group blocking his path.

The group then pushed him inside an alley– lit up by only a single bulb that was hanging on the web of wires entangled between the murky walls of the buildings.

And as soon as his foot stepped into the alley, more than a dozen pairs of eyes quickly turned to look at him– all of them, almost sharing the same face probably due to the condition of their life. Cheeks, sunken in; the bags of their eyes, almost completely black.

There was one, however, that Zero could smell who was completely filled with life– it was the man sitting at the very end of the alley; not wearing any shirt; his body, chiseled and almost seemingly sculpted.

If he was right, then that man should also be a Slayer. The two standing beside him were also slayers, but their scent wasn't as strong.

The rest, however, were just normal humans.

"You seemed to have brought something interesting this time."

"Sure have, boss. When I saw his weapon, we were sure you'd be interested in seeing what else he has."

"Good work."

The leader of the gang stood up; and as he did so, so did the rest of his men, "So, here's what's going to happen…

…you leave all of your belongings here and we will let you leave and live. How's that sound to you?"

"..." Zero could really only look at the leader of the gang as the man started to walk near him. And now that he was getting close, Zero… was starting to have an idea of how strong he was. He has a similar scent to Hector, the leader of the Wind Mafia… but a little weaker.

Zero hasn't really fought Hector, but he mentioned something about him and Zero being about the same strength. So… doesn't that mean that the leader of this gang was weaker than him?

There also don't seem to be any other humans here besides this group. So maybe…

…it's fine to devour?

[The Readers of Fate are groaning in frustration, 'Finally!' they say.]

And so, almost as if taking the words that popped up in front of him as confirmation, Zero suddenly swung his halberd towards the leader of the gang…

…only for it to hit one of the crates that were scattered in the somewhat tight alleyway.

"Oho!" The leader of the gang quickly leaped back as Zero's halberd got stuck on one of the crates, "Look at that, everyone! He fights ba–"

But alas, as the man was talking, Zero did what he did best– attacking when the opponent's guard was down. Perhaps the leader of the gang thought that Zero no longer held any weapons. But sadly for him…

…he found his throat suddenly wrapped by Zero's jaw.

[The Readers of Fate are nodding their heads in agreement.]