Landing on the Island

[Fallen Zone · Longevity Island, Coastline]

At dusk, a star-energy transport ship slowly sailed across the calm sea.

The transport ship's engine gave off a low hum, its propellers churning the surface and leaving a trail of silvery water in their wake. At last, it came to a complete stop amid the reefs surrounding Longevity Island.

As the hatch slowly opened, the sea wind outside, thick with the salty stench of the ocean and carrying fine spray, rushed in at once. It made the trainees' uniforms flap wildly, and even caused their terminal screens to light up with accidental-touch warnings.

"Alright, everyone. We're here."

The Otter Administrator took the lead, a half-eaten grilled fish clenched between its teeth as it stepped onto the deck.

Its round little paws landed on the wet metal plating, leaving several dark paw prints behind. Its tiny black suit remained spotless.

Seeing this, the trainees inside exchanged glances, then silently followed after it.

Some nervously gripped the star-energy weapons at their waists, their knuckles turning white.

Others could not help peering out at the sea, only to find a sky shrouded by clouds, without even a trace of the setting sun.

Completely unlike the clear blue skies of the New Federation's Floating City, a thick layer of gray clouds always hung over Longevity Island. Sunlight struggled through the gaps in the clouds, and by the time it reached the island, only a bleak dim light remained.

The oppressive atmosphere made many trainees feel inexplicably tight in the chest, as though even breathing had become heavier.

For the 215 people present, they had previously only learned about the Fallen Zones through books and documents.

This was their first time actually entering a Fallen Zone, let alone a newly discovered one that had barely been explored.

It