Mister Zero, Her Story: Chapter 2 – I Don’t Worship the Witch of Envy
Yan City was a newly established mega-city. Compared to most mega-cities in the Free Federation, which had histories spanning hundreds or even thousands of years, its mere forty years made it seem exceptionally young.
This young city possessed a vibrant, progressive energy, but it also meant a lack of deep roots. For instance, Yan City possessed only one “Ice Coffin Weapon” for strategic use.
However, this single “Ice Coffin Weapon” was incredibly powerful, ranking among the top ten in the entire Free Federation.
Hua Qiling knew Luo Yan was interested in the “Ice Coffin Weapon,” and she was also somewhat curious herself. So recently, she had been looking into publicly available information and sharing it with Luo Yan.
“It’s said that the Yan City higher-ups paid a heavy price to acquire ‘F-03’ from the Free Federation,” Hua Qiling explained. “This was only possible because the Free Federation wanted to support newly established mega-cities, so they relaxed their control over ‘Ice Coffin Weapons’ slightly.”
Not all mega-cities could possess an “Ice Coffin Weapon.” The most important factor in establishing a mega-city was the energy “Ember” located in the core area. The Ember’s strength directly determined the city’s capacity.
Yan City’s “Ember” was very powerful, capable of supporting a population of around three million, and it was far from reaching its limit.
For such a promising rising star, the Free Federation naturally offered support, including providing an “Ice Coffin Weapon.”
Of course, this aid wasn’t free. Yan City had to pay one-third of its annual tax revenue to the Free Federation for thirty years.
However, Yan City was willing to sacrifice some short-term profits for long-term gains.
Now, thirty years had passed, and Yan City was flourishing.
Although the “Peril” level disaster had destroyed all of District Two and slightly affected other districts, Yan City’s current size could withstand it.
After hearing this from Hua Qiling, Luo Yan pondered for a moment and asked,
“What is the Free Federation? From what Grifres said, it sounded like Yan City belonged to the Free Federation, but from what you’re saying, Yan City and the Free Federation are independent of each other?”
Hua Qiling was momentarily speechless. It wasn’t that she couldn’t answer, but this was common knowledge, something she wouldn’t normally explain, so she was caught off guard.
“Ah, let me see… The Free Federation is a loose alliance of hundreds of mega-cities. This alliance has a central council, with representatives from each mega-city serving as council members.
“When major decisions need to be made, they hold a council vote, including matters like aid to Yan City… Does that make sense?”
Luo Yan nodded slightly. “I have a general idea.”
“Well, I don’t really understand these things myself. If you’re interested, you can ask the old man and the others later,” Hua Qiling said, then walked forward briskly, raising her arm behind her, her voice slightly raised. “Anyway, welcome to Yan City!”
Behind Hua Qiling, Yan City’s core area—District One—came into view.
The dense skyscrapers were dazzling, massive, beast-like machines rumbling along steel tracks, small aircraft hovering in the low sky, and numerous banners with slogans—
…Slogans like “Are you okay? Are you okay? Are you okay? If you’re okay, then chew Gulu Gulu Bubblegum” and “Second year, Class Three, Mingzi Li, your mom brought you Loser Milk!”
Luo Yan recognized each character, but the combined phrases made no sense.
At the very center of the district stood a giant tower that pierced the clouds. Even from outside the district, the immense power it contained was palpable.
A whole new world unfolded before Luo Yan’s eyes, and like a country bumpkin, she stared in awe, unable to look away.
However, what confused her most were the slogans…
Were they some kind of special prayers?
Luo Yan frowned, trying to understand.
Seeing Luo Yan staring intently at the advertisements, Hua Qiling coughed awkwardly and quickly said,
“Miss Luo Yan, there’s no need to look at those things. Come this way…”
She couldn’t just tell her that they were advertisements, could she?
That would be too embarrassing for Yan City…
But those businesses were really something. The higher-ups had issued several bans on using drones for advertising.
Unfortunately, it had no effect. These unscrupulous businesses always found loopholes, launching guerilla advertising campaigns.
“Are they some kind of deity worshipped in Yan City? Usually, only prayers are so nonsensical,” Luo Yan asked curiously. “It’s okay, I don’t worship the ‘Witch of Envy’ myself.”
Although she had prayed to the “Witch of Envy,” whose form and power were embodied by the statue in Ghost Town, she had simply been following along.
She had destroyed the Witch’s avatar; it would be absurd to worship her now…
Hua Qiling suppressed her urge to retort and tried to distract Luo Yan.
“Don’t mind those, let’s go.”
Although Luo Yan was still curious, thinking that perhaps there were some religious taboos in Yan City, she didn’t press further.
Hua Qiling didn’t dare delay any longer and led Luo Yan towards the testing facility.
“The streets of Yan City are so quiet. There aren’t many pedestrians. It’s so different from the town,” Luo Yan said, looking around as she followed Hua Qiling. “Even in the town, the mornings were always lively.”
“…”
Although the higher-ups had decided to treat Luo Yan as an ordinary “Calamity Infected,” she was still a key figure in the “Peril” level disaster and a dangerous individual who had caused a major incident in the Disaster Response Department.
So, they couldn’t take any risks. The Anomaly Management Bureau had already evacuated the civilians along the route and tightened security.
Of course, Hua Qiling didn’t say any of this, simply laughing it off.
“Aha, we’re almost there, just up ahead.”
Luo Yan wasn’t stupid. She could tell Hua Qiling was deliberately changing the subject, and with Hua Qiling’s tendency to wear her heart on her sleeve, it was practically an admission that she was hiding something.
But there was no need to dwell on this now. Compared to that, Luo Yan was more curious about her own situation.
Perhaps Yan City’s professional testing facility could uncover some of the secrets surrounding her…
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