Civilization in Retreat

After leaving Hammerfall City’s borders, Zhang Ye and the others finally saw what life was truly like for ordinary people in this world.

The purpose of Zhang Ye’s group of three was Count Nefaria. He had once been the head of the Nefaria Family mafia, but after acquiring ionic energy, he transformed into a supervillain. Not only did he possess Superman’s strength and speed, but he could also fly and even fire laser beams from his eyes.

He was practically a weakened version of a Kryptonian.

Zhang Ye believed that the energy extracted from him would definitely replenish the Time Twister with quite a bit of power.

Ever since the criminals’ victory, Count Nefaria had gone into semi-retirement. If Barton had not mentioned him, Zhang Ye might really have overlooked him.

This was also thanks to Old Hawkeye’s intelligence. With these targets, Zhang Ye’s actions became much more convenient. And among those targets was Moonstone. Zhang Ye remembered that Moonstone had once been a member of the Thunderbolts and was also one of Old Hawkeye’s targets for revenge.

In other words, if he moved fast enough, perhaps both sides could meet at Moonstone’s location.

The journey was not an easy one. The towns of the past had long since vanished, replaced by isolated little settlements scattered across the map.

But even stopping there to rest was not easy, because there was no way to tell whether a town still had living people in it.

Even the broad, flat roads had become a source of income for gangs collecting tolls. If ordinary people wanted to travel any distance, they could only take mountain paths and sleep among wild graves on the hillsides.

Yet those places seemed a hundred times more dangerous than gang territory. No one could be sure who those eyes staring at them from the darkness belonged to.

After crossing the Shemuttem Mountains, they saw a small village nestled at the foot of a barren mountain.

Zhang Ye was not sure whose territory this was, but judging from the village’s appearance, this poor, ruined place did not seem worth a gang’s attention.

From afar, wooden fences surrounded the village. The houses built here had no aesthetic appeal whatsoever, nor did they have any concept of lighting. Some might even have been thrown together haphazardly, because Zhang Ye saw that many roofs leaked, and one had even collapsed halfway.

The road from the barren mountain to the village twisted and turned, with not a blade of grass growing along it. Everything looked desolate. Only the cultivated fields within the village held a few crops, adding a faint touch of life to the place.

Zhang Ye and the other two wore long robes, hiding their faces beneath their hoods. After exchanging glances, they slowly entered the village.

There was no such thing as a "gate" to the village. There was only a wooden sign planted at the edge of the fields, with the name Water Flea Village carved crookedly onto it. Zhang Ye had to study it for quite some time before recognizing it, because one of the letters had been written incorrectly. It was clear how low the level of education here was.

After entering the village, Zhang Ye’s group of three quickly drew the attention of the local residents.

But it was only attention.

They continued working in the fields, merely watching from afar. Not one of them showed any intention of coming over to talk, and none tried to approach Zhang Ye and the others.

They simply watched.

Their eyes held extreme wariness and numbness.

Zhang Ye could not see any humanity in them. They were like a group of programmed NPCs, or walking corpses, lifeless and dead inside.

"Is this really the ‘future’ world?" Pietro sighed sincerely.

"This is the regression of civilization brought about by the wasteland era. Here, everything changes beyond recognition. Those in power hold the greatest resources in their hands, wanting for nothing as they indulge themselves freely. But for ordinary people, this place is no different from prehistoric times," Zhang Ye said quietly.

Zhang Ye had originally considered gathering some supplies from the village, since he was running low on fresh water. Although he had no money on him, he did have some instant food that he could use for trade.

But now, Zhang Ye abandoned that idea. Looking at these villagers who could barely keep living, he only wanted to leave as soon as possible.

As they passed a house, a child caught Kara’s attention.

She was a little girl who looked no more than four or five years old. She was filthy, her clothes somewhat tattered, and her bare feet were covered in wounds and calluses no child her age should have had.

Zhang Ye’s group had noticed her house before they entered the village. It was the ruined house with half its roof collapsed.

Only after getting closer did they discover that it was even worse than they had imagined. It was not just the roof. The entire house did not even have a door, and there was a huge hole in the wall. Through the gap, Zhang Ye and the others could clearly see inside—there was an even younger boy there.

When Zhang Ye and the others looked into the house, the little girl saw them as well. Perhaps because it was her first time seeing outsiders, she was extremely frightened.

Her large eyes were filled with terror. The little girl seemed to want to find somewhere to hide, but unfortunately, the house was too broken. She had nowhere to conceal herself.

Seeing this, Kara’s fists slowly clenched.

Zhang Ye understood that Kara had been reminded of herself and her younger brother. But this was not something he could comfort her over. She could only work through it herself.

Kara stopped walking, took out a piece of candy from her pocket, and stepped forward twice. Her stiff face slowly forced out a smile as she tried her best to show goodwill to the little girl.

The little girl froze at the sight.

Perhaps it was the first time she had ever seen that expression.

After an unknown amount of time, the little girl finally made up her mind and limped out on her scarred little feet.

She was like a fawn. The slightest fright would send her running back into her tiny house, never to open her heart to outsiders again.

Kara continued holding out the candy. As she watched the little girl draw closer and closer, the smile on her face gradually brightened.

The little girl gently took the candy from Kara’s hand, then gave Kara a huge smile.

That was the smile a child her age should have had.

Then, the little girl ran back into the dilapidated house. Under Kara’s astonished gaze, she slowly came back out carrying a bowl of water. Perhaps it was the only thing she had treasured.

The bowl looked old and broken, giving off an unclean impression, but the water inside was exceptionally clear, without a single speck of debris.

Kara accepted the bowl and smiled faintly.

She could not describe how she felt at that moment. She only felt that her heart hurt terribly, while also wanting to lament the unfairness of the world.

Just as Kara raised her hand, preparing to take a sip of water.

Her arm was suddenly grabbed.

Kara turned around and saw Zhang Ye’s calm, expressionless face beneath the brim of his hood.

"…"

And a cold, quiet sigh.

"…There’s poison in the water."