The Journey

Yi Chen had never worn such elegant and chic clothing.

Though it was ready-to-wear, its fit was over 90% perfect, not hindering his movements at all, and the fabric against his skin was incredibly comfortable.

However, the shop owner's face, hidden beneath a sheer veil, showed dissatisfaction.

"It's a shame you're not yet a member of the organization, and time is also short.

Otherwise, I could have at least half-customized a more form-fitting and useful outfit for you... For now, wear this temporary 'casual wear.' I hope it won't affect the organization's evaluation of you."

"I'm already very satisfied."

"Once you pass the organization's assessment, you'll receive a free [Full Customization] opportunity.

At that time, you can choose any tailor shop under the organization's banner to have clothes made to measure, and you'll truly feel the importance of attire.

Remember, a perfect outfit can 'stimulate' your spirit and create your own style.

Wrap your body in precious, ancient fabrics, decide what version of yourself to present to the world, and also determine whether you can survive in the current world.

You must invest a lot of energy in perfecting your attire, pursuing the ultimate."

"Understood."

Yi Chen took out a complimentary mechanical watch from his pocket.

Only then did he realize it was nearing noon, with only half an hour left until the carriage's departure.

After quickly bidding farewell to the shop owner, he hurried towards the town entrance.

Although he was in a rush, as he passed a butcher shop, Yi Chen still made time to buy all the pig eyes and cow eyes, totaling thirteen.

No processing was needed.

When he handed these so-called 'grapes' to the black fleshy orb, it directly swallowed them whole, the juice bursting in its mouth as it chewed carefully.

The black fuzz all over its body gently swayed as it ate, clearly enjoying itself.

It ate five in a row before finally being satisfied.

The remaining 'grapes' were also swallowed whole into its body, stored and preserved... to be taken out and eaten only when needed.

Yi Chen asked curiously, "Do you only eat these?"

"Grapes are my staple food; the nutrients contained in the juice are essential for my body.

I can eat other foods, of course, but they're just not as important."

"You don't seem to have a name."

"That's right. I was assembled from incomplete corpse fragments in Graveyard Plot 6, fermented and put together. Those corpses were all nameless, so I certainly don't have something like a [name]."

"In that case, how about I call you [Little Grape]?"

"Okay."

The fleshy orb once again waved its wavy arms, seemingly quite pleased with its new name.

Rushing in the last five minutes, he finally arrived at the town entrance.

Two sturdy brown horses pulled a large wooden carriage, which he estimated could hold at least eight people.

It was noteworthy that

the horses were wearing special breathing masks and were covered in multiple layers of cloth, with only their hooves exposed.

As the departure time approached, the carriage was already crowded with masked and heavily bundled townsfolk.

They were carrying large bags of luggage, preparing to leave Easton Town.

Yi Chen quickly approached the white-haired coachman and quietly presented the graveyard's business card.

Unexpectedly, the coachman, who looked old and frail, quickly cast eagle-like eyes at the young man before him, appraising him from head to toe.

His mouth, holding an old cigarette, slowly opened, releasing white smoke and his voice together.

"You sit in the back. It's a long journey..."

"Understood."

As he stepped into the carriage, perhaps due to his elegant attire, Perhaps it was Little Grape standing on his shoulder.

The townsfolk crammed into the carriage made way for him as much as possible, some even showing fear, their bodies trembling slightly.

They pressed close to each other, leaving a space for Yi Chen, The carriage started to move.

Although the outer layer of the wooden wheels was wrapped with thick rubber rings, a bumpy ride could still be felt, whether strong or weak.

Due to insufficient sleep the previous night, The boring carriage ride quickly induced drowsiness. Yi Chen rested his head against the wooden beams of the carriage and drifted into dreams amidst the jostling and swaying.

After an unknown amount of time, An uneasy commotion within the carriage woke Yi Chen. He habitually checked his watch.

"Have I been asleep for over three hours already?"

Some of the passengers in the carriage had left, presumably having disembarked midway.

The previously crowded space now allowed him to stretch his limbs and move a bit.

However, These passengers appeared agitated, and the fear of death was clearly visible in their eyes.

They took more cloth from their luggage to wrap their bodies, some even winding themselves up like mummies.

Just as Yi Chen began to feel puzzled, The driver's voice came from the front:

"We are about to enter the [Gray Zone]. Everyone, please minimize your breathing and unnecessary body movements, clear your minds... If any symptoms appear, regardless of severity, you will be treated as 'diseased'."

After speaking, The driver outside pulled a thick black cloth to cover the carriage.

Darkness descended, Only the kerosene lamp at Yi Chen's waist could dispel the darkness within the carriage.

[Gray Zone]

Another unfamiliar term.

Analyzing the driver's words, it seemed to be a special area infected with disease.

At this moment, Little Grape relayed a message:

"With me here, and you having accepted a sufficiently high-quality [Pathogen Essence], This kind of relatively common, ordinary Gray Zone poses little threat to you.

The only thing to be wary of are the other people in the carriage. Once you notice anything abnormal, you must act as quickly as possible."

"Got it."

Yi Chen actually wanted to see what the so-called [Gray Zone] looked like.

Unfortunately, the carriage was sealed, so he focused his attention inside the carriage.

As they traveled through the Gray Zone, Besides the sound of bumping, the carriage was silent.

The passengers sat like wooden figures, some even adopting praying or kneeling postures.

An hour, Two hours, The driver's voice never came, and no one knew if they had passed through the Gray Zone.

Just then, An old woman, whose body was wrapped in deep red cloth, began to twitch slightly.

Due to the constant state of bumping, such an anomaly did not attract the attention of other passengers.

However, Yi Chen had already moved his right hand to the handle of the axe at his waist.

A few seconds later, The old woman leaned forward, making a retching motion.

Hiss... black smoke rose.

The mask and cloth worn by the old woman were completely corroded by her own vomit.

Revealing a scarlet mouth with a torn corner and no lips, Even her tongue had become a soft tube, constantly dripping corrosive black liquid.

Hummm!

Yi Chen swung the Silver Axe almost immediately.

Just as the axe blade was about to slice into the old woman's neck, Suddenly, A tiny, rice-sized bullet shot from the front of the carriage, Precisely hitting the old woman's nape and shattering the "Pathogen Abscess" hidden within her windpipe…

With almost no bleeding, The old woman collapsed onto the floor, no longer moving.

At this moment, a stern reprimand came from the coachman at the front of the carriage:

"Did you intend to cut open her neck, allowing the bodily fluids from the arteries to spray out along with residual pathogens, infecting everyone here?"

"My apologies."

After Yi Chen apologized, the coachman's voice returned to normal.

"However… your only method of killing enemies is the axe.

Your reaction time, at least, was decent.

Do me a favor, See that burlap sack under the seat? Pack this corpse up and stuff it into the compartment under the floor."

"Got it."

Perhaps it was due to inheriting the Gravedigger's identity.

Yi Chen was quite skilled at packing corpses, quickly stuffing the bundled body into the hidden floor compartment.

With a thump!

The corpse was thrown out through a chute at the bottom of the carriage, left to dry and disintegrate in the Gray Zone or become food.

Another hour passed, And the carriage finally passed through the so-called [Gray Zone].

The surviving passengers began to joyfully discuss their new lives, They disembarked at various locations.

Yi Chen was the last passenger to alight at the final stop.

"We've arrived… prepare for the Organization's assessment. I hope you survive."