Chapter 262

Efnir knelt down in front of Majian, looking Majian in the eye. "When I arrived, there were only two people left alive in the entire satellite city, but they were Apostle. They used me, entered my city, and turned everything I cherished upside down. They took away my friends, my predecessors, and put the people most important to me in danger."

Efnir's tone remained calm, but the coldness in her eyes was undisguised.

She stared at the stunned Majian. "You're one of the Apostle. Do you think they sent you to Hamikawa City just so you could fight for justice here? You don't actually think you've escaped hell without shedding any blood, do you?"

"You will be judged by someone else, not me. I will guarantee your safety for now, and what happens to you afterward is none of my concern. Don't worry, as long as your hands aren't stained with blood, I don't think they'll kill you."

Efnir stroked the ring on her finger, her smile fading.

"As for me... I have only one reason for coming here: I have a score to settle with the Apostle, a blood debt that will never be settled."

Back at their temporary encampment, Efnir volunteered to take on the guard duty for the first half of the night, while Violet and Flying Swallow hastily heated up some food with portable cooking utensils by the vehicle. The group divided the tasks simply and spent the night there.

Majian sat alone in the driver's seat of the car, his hands behind his head, gazing absently at the boundless night sky through the car window.

She raised her hand and gently brushed it across her neck; faint bruises remained on both sides of her jaw, throbbing slightly.

Even now, she still feels that strange sense of fear lingering in her heart. She tries to suppress her heaving breaths, but her thoughts are in complete disarray.

This was the first time she had felt fear since leaving the Apostle Organization, and the other party was just an agent like herself.

Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Majian buried her face and took a deep breath.

Just then, two soft knocks came from the car window. Majian's heart skipped a beat, and she abruptly looked up.

The person who arrived was not Efnir, but her new recruit, Violet.

Jin brought over some hot food. She was outside the window and obviously didn't notice Majian's subtle expression. She just kept knocking on the window.

"Senior, you haven't eaten anything yet..."

Violet's clear voice was filtered out, becoming dull. Majian clutched her heaving chest, composed herself, folded up her collar to cover the bruises on her neck, and then opened the car window, letting in the cool night air.

"Thank you for your hard work," the car window slowly rolled down, and Majian, resuming her usual demeanor, smiled and waved to Jin. "Come in and rest for a while; it's warmer inside."

"Oh, okay, okay..."

Jin nodded crisply, opened the car door, sat in the back seat, and handed the food and a water bottle to Majian, saying, "Senior, these are for you from me, from Senior Flying Swallow and me..."

As she said this, Jinzai carefully examined Majian's face, instinctively sensing something was off, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

This has been the case ever since Majian met Efnir. Just now, Majian and Efnir went to a separate place, and when they returned, this awkwardness intensified again.

Violet felt anxious from the bottom of her heart, but she didn't know what she should do.

She had absolutely no experience with this kind of thing.

Thanks.

Majian glanced at Jin with a puzzled look, then took the warm box. Inside was a thick porridge and some chopped green leaves, and a faint, hot aroma wafted out.

This is dry rations that have been crushed and seasoned. This kind of thing is a necessity for missions Beyond the Boundary, but it tastes dry, so it is crushed and seasoned.

18. The Secret of the Majian

For Majian, born in this era, the clear night sky without the haze is an unforgettable and beautiful sight. Just by looking up, one can take in the entire sky. This experience is both magical and awe-inspiring.

She had only seen them in photos or videos from the old century.

It's hard to imagine that twenty years ago, humanity was the master of this sky. Their footprints covered the world, and prosperous civilizations were connected by countless roads and bridges. No one would lose their life due to sudden Erosion Disaster. The boundless sky was just an ordinary thing that people at that time would not even glance at, a landscape taken for granted.

But in just twenty years...

Twenty years is but a fleeting moment for a planet that has existed for billions of years. Yet, in this insignificant time, Erosion Disaster nearly uprooted the brilliant human civilization, leaving only dilapidated ruins, much like the ancient Ruins forgotten by time.

Those ancient civilizations that created Beacon, possessed extremely powerful technology, and were hundreds of times more advanced than humanity, have all vanished. Can humanity truly sustain the flame of civilization amidst the ever-increasing White Hole Erosion?

Apostle Organization? Human Federation?

If she had a choice, she wouldn't want to touch either side.

But the world doesn't show favor to any particular person. She could roughly understand Efnir because Efnir's world was black and white. But in fact, as long as you live in this world, you will inevitably face your own dark shadow. In her opinion, this is the normal state of being alive.

"It's really cold outside..."

"After all, winter is approaching. Fortunately, our food reserves this year are sufficient, and things may go more smoothly than last year."

Majian subtly checked the necklace tucked into her inner lining with her hand, started the car engine, and turned on the air conditioning. Majian didn't actually feel cold, but Jin, who hadn't yet mastered the Order Force, already had her hands red from the low nighttime temperature.

Then she picked out some food from the cutlery box and tasted it.

"Hmm... what are these?"

The familiar salty taste was tinged with a hint of sourness, and after swallowing, a very faint sweetness lingered on the tip of the tongue. It wasn't exactly delicious, but compared to the simple, rationed sustenance we Beyond the Boundary every day, the taste of this was quite surprising.

"What are these?" Majian asked, pointing to the specks of green in the box and looking at Jin in the rearview mirror.

"It's some wild vegetables..."

Violet nervously fidgeted with her fingers, sitting ramrod straight. "They're everywhere around here, so I picked some..."

"Really? You know all this?" Majian exclaimed in surprise. "How come I've never heard you mention this before?"

"I... I just happened to come across a book about plants from Beyond the Boundary... it's all pretty useless information, so..."

Don't be so modest, I can't do what you do.

Majian smiled, and Jin was flattered.

Majian considered herself to have received professional training, but she didn't have any particular impression of this vegetable leaf.

There are no humans in the Beyond the Boundary Region. Since human civilization gradually disappeared, plants, fruits, vegetables, and wild animals have become ubiquitous. Agents are agile, strong, and unafraid of most toxins. For them, surviving in the Beyond the Boundary Region is not a difficult task. Naturally, no agent spends much time learning about the plants and animals of the Beyond the Boundary.

So even for Majian, this was the first time she had ever tasted such sweet and sour wild vegetable leaves.

Majian ate quickly in small bites. She was indeed a little hungry. Agents could go for days and nights without eating or drinking and would not die, but the consumption of energy would take away their strength. Appropriate and suitable food replenishment was very important for agents.

"It tastes good."

Majian praised.

The praise filled Jin's eyes with joy, and when Majian took the water bottle, Jin was even more overjoyed—the water bottle was Jin's own, so it was practically an indirect kiss.

Jin rubbed her burning palms, her small tongue unconsciously sweeping across her dry lips. She stared intently as Majian brought the water glass to her lips, watching as Majian's small, lovely red lips were pressed against the rim of the glass, leaving faint lip prints with each breath, and her fair, undulating neck.

All of this captivated her.

"However, this is Beyond the Boundary, so it's best not to act alone under any circumstances—you're not familiar with this area yet."

Majian reminded her in an elder's tone, and Jin nodded obediently, though it was unclear whether she had taken it to heart.

Majian glanced at Jin through the rearview mirror, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

The Majian has two secrets.

One is about her older sister, and the other is about Jin and Flying Swallow.

Like Flying Swallow, Jin was a team member that Majian specially applied for and accepted. They had similar experiences—Jin's family situation was too complicated, which left her with wounds that were difficult to heal, making her the inarticulate person she is today.

But... almost no one knows that Jin and Flying Swallow's misfortunes were partly caused by Majian.

The Apostle Organization needs to absorb new blood, and it needs suitable young girls. Majian's identity can provide them with convenience in their operations.

As for Majian, she also felt responsible for Jin and Flying Swallow's suffering. She felt guilty towards Jin and Flying Swallow. Rather than seeing them as her younger sisters, she was simply looking for comfort.

"You never know how many people will die because of you."

"Some people never think about what they've done, but when they think it's appropriate, they feel that's enough to atone for their sins, and then they forgive themselves. Tell me, which type of person do you think you are?"

Majian remembered what Efnir had said to her. At that moment, she could hardly breathe because she knew very well that she had done something unforgivable to Violet and Flying Swallow.

"She is evidence of the crimes of those hypocrites."

This statement refers not only to Violet and Flying Swallow's parents, but also to Majian herself.

But she had long ago decided never to tell anyone about these things, but... now that Efnir has appeared, she is constantly worried.

After taking another sip of water, Majian tidied up the lunchbox briefly.

"By the way, have you guys eaten yet?"

She suddenly asked.

"Senior Flying Swallow and I have already eaten."

"Oh..." Majian paused, then asked, "What about Efnir?"

Jin paused slightly.

Why are we bringing that person up again?

"Not... not yet..." Violet grew increasingly dissatisfied with Efnir, her voice becoming hesitant. "Flying Swallow said she would go."

No, it's more accurate to say that she didn't want to give it to that person at all, because ever since that person appeared, the senior's gaze had completely shifted away from her.

Violet puffed out her cheeks, thinking unhappily.

Majian's expression froze instantly— Flying Swallow had gone to Efnir alone?!

Majian frowned deeply, his expression becoming complicated.

She was clearly unaware of Violet's thoughts; she had only heard that Flying Swallow had gone to find Efnir, which made her extremely anxious. Of course, Efnir might not need the food, but Majian couldn't ignore Flying Swallow's situation. Violet and Flying Swallow were unaware of Efnir's abilities or Efnir purpose, but Majian had some clues. Leaving Efnir and Flying Swallow alone meant that no one knew what might happen.

"I'll go take a look."

Majian quickly got up, opened the car door, and went to find Flying Swallow.

"Huh? Um, that..."

Jin looked at Majian, whose expression had suddenly become anxious, and a sense of resentment rose in her heart.

I finally got to be alone with my senior, but he reacted so strongly the moment he heard that woman's name. Why is that? What's their relationship?

A bittersweet feeling welled up inside me.

Seeing Majian get off the carriage, Jin mustered her courage and chased after her, stepping ahead of Majian, and hurriedly said, "Senior, please rest here a little longer. If you're worried about Flying Swallow, you can let me go..."

"I'll go."

Majian didn't want anything to happen to Jin, even though Efnir had personally promised not to harm Jin and Flying Swallow, she was still afraid that something might happen.

"S-Senior! Wait a minute..."

Violet called softly, instinctively grabbing Majian's hand.

The warm, soft touch made Jin realize she had made a bold move, so she quickly let go, her cheeks flushing red. She stammered and forgot what she was about to say.

Majian gave her a strange look.

"What's wrong?"

"No... that..."

Looking at the little girl who was a head shorter than her, Violet was momentarily at a loss for words. "Um... what's your relationship with Efnir? No... I mean, you two seem to know each other very well..."

"Well..."

This question truly stumped Majian.

Are we that familiar? Is that how it always looks? Should I brag about my acting skills?

Her expression was complicated, and this was rather intriguing to Jin.

"Could it be... that you mentioned having a very important person in another city... could it be her?"

No, that's absolutely not true.

Before Jin could get carried away with her thoughts, Majian quickly stopped her.

She didn't know how to explain it.

"She and I... hit it off immediately!"

"Ah?"