Luan City was like a ghost town—a ghost town that still teemed with life, yet was utterly lifeless.
Hao Ren and the others advanced deeper along the city's central avenue. The few pedestrians they encountered all dodged them as if avoiding a plague. Even when Lily darted out and forcibly detained two or three passersby who had failed to escape in time, they remained completely consumed by indescribable fear and hostility. Their illogical ramblings were incoherent and yielded no useful information, so in the end, Hao Ren could only let them go.
Most of the homes along the roadside were occupied. However, whether Kalasios or Hao Ren went up to knock and speak with the residents, the attempts ended in failure. One gloomy, guarded voice after another came from behind the doors. The residents were unwilling even to open their doors, let alone tell the strangers outside what had happened here. When Kalasios offered to help, they were even met with vicious expulsion and curses—an inexplicable hostility and fury hung over the city.
Hao Ren couldn't help missing the days when Data Terminal had been by his side. That thing was both annoying and sharp-tongued, but at least all its functions had been useful. If only he could use the life radar to conduct a proper scan, perhaps he could discover what had happened to the city's residents.
The other knights and monks also dispersed, searching the streets and alleys for locals they could speak with and question. When the appointed time came, everyone regrouped on the avenue. The disappointment on every face made it clear that none of their attempts had gone smoothly.
"No one is willing to speak with 'outsiders,'" one monk said with a worried frown. "Even when I revealed that I was a senior cleric, it