Their entrance into the Iron Sector felt like crossing a gate into a completely different world from the chaos of Zone Z.
The place was polished, orderly, solid… like a mechanical heart beating with discipline amidst the neon madness.
The floor was made of black Osterrite alloy, faintly shimmering beneath the violet ceiling lights.
The air was cold, saturated with the scent of metal, oil, and repressed sweat.
On the walls, screens displayed the names of active mercenaries, mission counts, and sometimes… footage of them dying.
Lin Xian didn't hide his awe. His eyes scanned the surroundings as if he had stepped into the headquarters of a major government, not a faction in an underground black market.
He whispered:
"This doesn't look like some back-alley gang hideout..."
Rai Yu replied confidently, without even turning:
"Of course not. This is the Central Lobby—the external operations hub of the sect.
This is where mercenaries are registered, missions assigned, and your worth proven… if you want access to the Inner Sanctum."
They walked with steady steps toward the reception desk, the place growing quieter with each stride.
The desk was sleek, like a black mirror.
Behind it sat a woman who looked nothing like an ordinary clerk.
Her silver hair was styled in a military cut, her eyes hidden behind transparent Ocular V5 glasses that flickered red with every blink.
Her skin was smooth like living ceramic, her figure perfectly proportioned to the point of discomfort… yet behind that exterior was a hard, cold presence impossible to ignore.
Rai Yu stood before her, offering a polite smile:
"Pardon me, miss… Is this the registration desk?"
She didn't respond immediately.
She ran a finger across the surface, activating an interactive data panel.
Then glanced sideways and spoke in a professional, gentle tone:
"Welcome to the Eastern Dragon Sect, gentlemen. Yes, you're in the right place.
Please provide identification if you intend to join."
Rai Yu pulled out a small metallic card and placed it on the table.
She looked at it briefly, then raised her head and asked:
"What's this, sir?"
Rai Yu answered calmly:
"My ID card."
She raised an eyebrow, her tone bordering on sarcastic:
"Don't you have a wristband?"
Rai Yu let out a soft chuckle and said:
"Ah, yes, I do. Why?"
Lin Xian, standing behind him, watched curiously—wondering why Rai Yu was playing dumb, especially since he had explained the system to them earlier.
But he quickly realized: Rai Yu never leaves things to chance.
The woman looked at him and said:
"You're not from here, are you?"
Rai Yu scratched his head, feigning embarrassment:
"Was it that obvious?"
She scrutinized him, then asked:
"Your name, sir?"
Rai Yu offered a calm smile:
"My name is... Gu Long."
The woman's eyes froze, widening slightly.
She tapped her finger on the glass surface, prompting a data window to pop up.
She muttered:
"Gu Long…? The Executioner of Honichg City?"
Rai Yu laughed with self-satisfaction:
"Has my reputation reached even Zone Z?"
She looked up at him and finally smiled, as if seeing a legend pulled from a dark storybook:
"Of course. Everyone in the Middle Grounds knows the man who slaughtered over a thousand D-rank demons in a single night."
Lin Xian observed with silent disbelief.
Part of him wanted to question Rai Yu—to confront him with the truth.
But another part… was starting to suspect that what he knew about this man was nothing compared to what was hidden.
Rai Yu winked and asked playfully:
"May I know your name, oh lovely voice?"
She smiled gently and answered:
"My name is Liu Feng. A pleasure, Mr. Gu.
And who's the young one with you?"
She gently placed a hand on Lin Xian's shoulder, who flinched slightly—only for Rai Yu to step in:
"Ah, this rascal? He's my nephew. His name is Gu Mo."
She raised an amused brow:
"A handsome boy... He looks like you, Mr. Gu."
Then she stood and gestured gracefully:
"Now, please… lift your arms. Right wrist, correct?"
The two raised their arms.
Liu Feng activated a small scanner that scanned their wristbands.
On the screen, their forged identities appeared, alongside their biometric profiles, and preliminary classification:
"Iron Tier Candidate – Entry Test Required."
She held a sleek data slate and said:
"Data registered.
Now, please follow me to complete the enrollment process."
They walked behind her, as Rai Yu leaned closer to Lin Xian and whispered:
"Be careful, nephew."
Lin Xian replied, quietly but confidently:
"Don't worry… uncle."