Zhang Chenze’s eyes widened, unable to utter a word as she instinctively stepped backward.
“What’s wrong?” Qiao Jiajin, blocked by Zhang Chenze, couldn’t see what was happening.
The once-proud lawyer staggered back several steps before collapsing onto the filthy ground.
“You… you…” Zhang Chenze pointed a trembling finger at the female shop assistant.
The others followed her gaze and saw the woman holding a small severed arm in her palm—tiny, clearly not an adult’s, with distinct fingers. It was no animal.
It seemed she had indeed cooked…
The arm exuded a tantalizing aroma.
Qi Xia took in the scene, then glanced around the bizarre room, instantly understanding.
“So… this is the ‘piglet’?” he asked cautiously.
“Exactly,” the shop assistant nodded. “Aren’t you eating?”
Qi Xia’s expression darkened. “You said if we slept with you, you’d get to eat piglets. This is what you meant?!”
“Mhm.” The woman stared blankly at him. “Piglets are delicious.”
The room reeked of blood—stains on her thighs and the bed. If Qi Xia guessed right, she’d given birth not long ago.
Sleeping with men was just a means to obtain… food.
“I only get to eat piglets about once a year…” She grinned, revealing yellowed teeth. “I just wanted to ask if any of you would sleep with me. I can trade pig trotters…”
“We—we don’t eat that,” Officer Li shook his head.
“If you won’t eat… then forget it.” She fumbled, stuffing the boiled remains into her pocket and wiping grease from her hands.
Zhang Chenze stared at her coat, now ruined, speechless.
She’d never imagined such “ingredients” could leave so much grease.
Tiantian slowly approached the shop assistant, her expression conflicted. “That… that wasn’t a piglet. It was… it was…”
“Not a piglet?” The woman’s vacant eyes shifted. “But it was. It just… popped out and hurt me.”
The group exchanged uneasy glances, no one daring to respond.
“Heh… I’m hungry again.” The shop assistant perked up. “I’ll go drink pork soup. It’s good to be full.”
With that, she turned and retreated into the employee break room. Before closing the door, she paused, grinning foolishly. “Feel free to browse!”
Then the door slammed shut.
A heavy silence lingered.
Finally, Qi Xia broke it.
“Listen, even if this hellhole doesn’t destroy itself in ten days, we’re never getting back to reality.” He rubbed his forehead. “If we’re stuck here forever, we’ll end up as crazy as her.”
This time, Officer Li didn’t argue.
He hesitated. In this twisted city, under the blood-red sky and sickly yellow sun—how long could anyone stay sane?
From inside the room came the clatter of kitchenware. The woman was serving herself another “delicacy,” feasting eagerly.
Just beyond that door, someone was eating something that should never be called food.
Everything here was beyond abnormal.
“I want to go outside,” Qi Xia declared. “Aren’t you curious? What is this place? Who are these people? Does the city have borders? What’s beyond? How did we get here, and how do we leave?”
Their expressions weren’t curiosity—more like fear.
“I just think it’s dangerous everywhere…” Xiao Ran shook her head. “I’d rather stay somewhere safe than go out and play those ‘games.'”
“Pretty girl, there’s no food or water here.” Qiao Jiajin rubbed his stomach. “Unless you’re planning to eat that ‘piglet’?”
His stance was clear—he’d rather risk exploring than wait to die.
The nine were now split: some wanted to leave, others to stay.
Dr. Zhao glanced at Han Yimo. “Going out is fine, but the injured can’t. He’ll have to stay. As a doctor, so should I.”
“Then I’ll stay with you,” Xiao Ran murmured.
“You lot got a death wish?” Qiao Jiajin scoffed. “A patient, a weak girl, and a doc—planning to settle down here?”
“I’ll stay too,” Officer Li suddenly said.
The trio turned to him, relieved. With his strength, they’d be safer.
Officer Li nodded at Dr. Zhao. “The punk’s right. You three alone? Even that woman could snap, forget the masked freaks.”
Now four had chosen to stay. Eyes turned to Tiantian, Zhang Chenze, and Lin Qin—the remaining undecided women.
“I’m staying,” Zhang Chenze smiled coolly. “I’m a lawyer. Without full intel, I won’t act rashly. It’d cloud my judgment.”
She walked over to Officer Li’s side.
Now Qi Xia and Qiao Jiajin stood apart—like reckless kids eager to explore a deadly world.
Tiantian glanced at Lin Qin, then joined Qi Xia without a word.
No reason needed—her choice was clear.
“Oh?” Qiao Jiajin smirked. “Thought you’d stay.”
“Stay?” Tiantian laughed bitterly, pointing at the floor. “Can’t you see? There’s a wall here. It forces me to go.”
“Wall?” Qi Xia and Qiao Jiajin looked down—nothing.
“On that side: cops, lawyers, doctors, writers. On this side: liars, thugs, prostitutes.” Tiantian tucked a loose strand behind her ear. “Our ‘teams’ were decided from the start, right?”
The men froze, understanding.
Yes. Even as unwilling participants, they still had their own “sides.”
Qi Xia, Qiao Jiajin, Tiantian—all dwelled in the gray, forever outsiders.
Only Lin Qin remained unaligned.
As a “psychologist,” logic said she’d join the other “wall.”
Yet she stepped toward Qi Xia’s group.
Something about her felt off, but Qi Xia couldn’t place it.
“You’re coming?” Tiantian eyed her skeptically. “You’re not like us. With them, you might—”
“But I’m useful.” Lin Qin covered her mouth, smiling. “I understand people. Maybe I can help.”
Qiao Jiajin stretched. “Great. Two pretty girls—me and the liar won’t be bored.”
“Don’t call me that.” Qi Xia scowled. “And I don’t need followers.”
“Fine, fine…” Qiao Jiajin shrugged. “When do we leave? Now?”
“I—”
Before Qi Xia could answer, Lin Qin cut in. “It’s late. I suggest we go tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” They glanced outside—the sky had darkened.
The crimson horizon pulsed with menace.
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