Published: March 2, 2025
The guards left, and at the same time, a red document fluttered down onto Mr. Winter, who was slumped on the ground.
Mr. Winter stared blankly, glancing at the torn security door and then at the large characters on the document that read “Zero War Mobilization Order.” After a long pause, he raised his head and forced a bitter smile at his wife and child.
“Zero War Mobilization Order…”
A hoarse voice escaped Mr. Winter's lips, and those few simple words seemed to drain all his strength.
Seeing this, Mrs. Winter hurriedly came forward to help him up. She patted her husband’s back but didn’t know how to comfort him.
The Zero War Mobilization Order...
Mr. Winter understood, and so did Mrs. Winter.
But Little Winter did not understand.
He looked at his parents with a dazed expression on his face.
It wasn’t until his parents returned to the dining table, mechanically moving their chopsticks, that they quickly finished a tasteless meal.
...
That night, the usual peaceful family scene of a loving father, a filial son, and a kind mother did not occur.
Mrs. Winter was busy packing, while Mr. Winter simply held Little Winter on the sofa. After a moment, when Mrs. Winter finished her preparations, Mr. Winter sighed gently. He picked up the child and was the first to walk out through the dilapidated security door.
Little Winter lay on his father's back, watching the corridor of the apartment building, but today, the corridor felt different from usual.
Busy and bustling, every household had their doors wide open, and from inside came cries, shouts, the wails of children, and the screams of women.
At the same time, countless frightened and confused members of the demonic clan emerged from their doors, forming long lines, descending the stairs as if heading to the gallows!
Little Winter had never felt that their apartment building had so many residents...
He straightened up, wanting to see this scene more clearly, but Mr. Winter tightened his embrace, stopping Little Winter's movements.
The numbing atmosphere seemed to infect Little Winter...
He suddenly became anxious, fidgeting until his father’s large hand gently brushed the back of his head.
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid…”
A gentle voice arose, and Little Winter seemed to find reassurance. He buried his head in his father’s shoulder and asked with a somewhat muffled voice.
“Daddy, where are we going?”
“...”
“To another world…”
“Bullshit, another world? We’re going to the battlefield.”
As soon as Mr. Winter finished speaking, a tall frenzied demon walking beside them opened his mouth wide, rudely dismissing Mr. Winter's comment.
He ignored Mr. Winter—this ancient demon with only Level 7 strength—and simply patted Little Winter’s head, saying in a rough voice.
“Kid, are you scared?”
Little Winter didn't understand and instinctively shook his head.
“Good boy! That's the spirit of our demonic clan!”
“Sinan!”
Mr. Winter's deep voice, laced with hidden anger, rang out. Sinan, upon hearing this, merely shrugged and quickly walked toward the front of the line.
It was not long before Little Winter spoke again.
“Dad, what is a battlefield?”
“It’s another world…”
...
“Mr. Winter, Level 7 early stage.”
“Mrs. Winter, Level 4 early stage.”
“Little Winter, Level 2 early stage.”
“I’m sorry to inform you that your family is about to be split into different battle sequences. If you have anything you want to say, say it quickly.”
The military officer sitting behind the table spoke apologetically, but there was no sign of sincerity on his face. However, seeing the confused family of three, especially with the meager bribe Mr. Winter had presented, the officer generously granted them three minutes for a farewell.
Mr. Winter didn’t make good use of the brief three minutes. He rushed to the table and spoke quickly.
“Sir, could you please transfer us to the same battle sequence?”
“Dream on! You know the rules of the Layered Battlefield; this is basic education. With your different levels, even if the lord of the demon spirit came, it wouldn’t be possible to place you in the same battle sequence.”