The authorities sealed off the area around the Cemetery and several nearby cities, forbidding residents from leaving their homes during this period.
The official explanation was that improper procedures at a nearby national research institute had caused a leak of a new virus. Residents were asked to stay indoors and remain calm, and the authorities would send people door to door each day to distribute essential supplies.
Schools closed, companies suspended work, and everyone treated it like the COVID pandemic. Well practiced by now, they understood what to do without being told and settled down at home.
As it happened, for some unknown reason, the weather was gloomy. Black clouds piled up overhead, the threatened downpour refused to fall, and strong winds blew, as though a typhoon were approaching.
Only Anbers and his apprentice strolled along the deserted streets. Anbers studied the city of the Real World with great curiosity.
The crows circled above the city, joined by others arriving from forests and elsewhere, until a surging tide of crows formed overhead.
It looked like the end of the world.
"Teacher, I'm really worried about Mr. 39. Why don't we go back?" Wei Yunmo followed behind Anbers, alert and carefully watching both sides.
His gaze swept across street corners and rooftops, where people from unknown organizations had weapons trained on them, watching them warily.
Yet his teacher seemed entirely oblivious to the Real World's rejection and hostility toward him.
"Go back where? Oh, heavens, look! Is that a hospital?"
Anbers spoke with delighted surprise. His method of identifying hospitals was simple: he looked for a bright red cross on the building.
And the cross and heart symbol on this city's First People's Hospital happened to be particularly conspicuous.
"We must exchange ideas with the doctors here. Perhaps we can learn