"What exactly happened here?!" Lin Xin's expression was composed by force, but beneath it lay a greater trace of panic.
"Why has everyone around us disappeared?"
He had indeed stopped, but he was only a dozen meters or so away from the group.
The handsome white-haired man carefully sized Lin Xin up.
"Since you also stumbled in by mistake, stand behind me. I am a soldier of the Imperial Army Fourth Elite Division. Protecting citizens is our rightful duty!"
He spoke with grave seriousness, not as though he were merely going through the motions, but as if he regarded that responsibility as a mission, an honor.
Lin Xin immediately showed a look of solemn respect.
"Thank you, thank you. If there's anything you need my help with, just say the word."
"Alright." The white-haired man nodded. "Come with me now. My source energy senses that somewhere in this direction lies the key—our only way to escape this environment."
"I understand."
Lin Xin said nothing more and joined the group.
The group moved forward slowly, cautiously watching their surroundings.
No one was in the mood to speak.
Everyone was exceptionally wary of this unfamiliar and bizarre environment.
A young married woman beside Lin Xin tried several times to strike up a conversation with the white-haired man, but failed each time.
After walking for another ten-odd minutes, they could finally vaguely see the Red Home supermarket building ahead.
The white-haired man stopped and turned back to look seriously at the group behind him.
"I'm going inside to investigate. Since I'm not wearing my colony armor, I can't protect all of you completely.
"In other words, following me inside may expose you to danger.
"For now, you'd best stay outside. Once I've finished investigating, I'll come back and take you all out with