The moment they crossed the glowing boundary, the air changed.
It wasn't just quieter.
It felt… safe.
Eokimo noticed it immediately. The constant pressure that had been sitting on his chest since entering this world slowly faded away.
"…Oh," he said quietly.
Rye stretched his arms over his head. "Yeah. That's the safe zone barrier."
Dagan stepped forward and tapped the invisible wall behind them with the end of his spear. The surface shimmered faintly.
"Monsters can't cross it," he said. "And neither can most traps."
Lira sighed dramatically and collapsed onto the nearest wooden bench.
"Finally. Civilization."
Eokimo looked around.
The safe zone wasn't huge, but it felt alive.
Stone paths curved between small wooden buildings. Lanterns hung from posts, glowing warmly even though it wasn't fully dark yet. A fountain trickled quietly in the center of the plaza.
And people.
Other people.
Not monsters. Not enemies.
Humans.
Some looked exhausted like them. Others sat around tables eating food. A few groups talked quietly like travelers resting after a long journey.
Eokimo blinked.
"…There are a lot more people than I expected."
Sen finally spoke from behind him.
"This is only one safe zone."
Eokimo turned.
"…Wait, what?"
Sen leaned against a post, arms crossed.
"There are multiple routes. Multiple zones. Candidates and survivors eventually gather in places like this."
Rye smirked.
"Basically, welcome to the only places where you won't die every five minutes."
Eokimo rubbed his face.
"…Great."
Dagan suddenly clapped his hands once.
"First priority: food."
Lira immediately sat up.
"YES."
Eokimo tilted his head. "Food exists here?"
Rye gave him a look.
"What did you think? That the system expects you to fight for weeks without eating?"
"…Honestly, yes."
They walked toward a small building with warm light spilling out of the windows. The smell hit them instantly.
Cooked meat.
Bread.
Soup.
Eokimo nearly cried.
Inside, the place looked like a tavern. Wooden tables filled the room, and a few travelers sat eating quietly.
Behind the counter stood an old man wiping a cup.
He glanced up as they entered.
"New arrivals?"
The old man chuckled.
"Then sit down. First meal's free. System rules."
Eokimo froze.
"…You're joking."
The man slid five bowls of stew across the counter.
"Nope."
Eokimo grabbed one immediately.
"YOU ARE MY FAVORITE PERSON."
Rye snorted.
Lira laughed.
They sat down at a table, and for a few minutes the only sound was eating.
Fast eating.
Very fast eating.
Dagan leaned back after finishing and sighed happily.
"That might be the best meal I've ever had."
Eokimo nodded violently.
"Agreed."
Rye rested his chin on his hand.
"Don't get too comfortable."
Eokimo groaned.
"Let me enjoy five minutes of happiness."
But Rye's eyes had shifted toward the tavern entrance.
Someone had just walked in.
Tall.
Confident.
A strange symbol glowed faintly on their wrist.
Rye's smirk faded slightly.
"…Another Candidate."
Eokimo blinked.
"…Wait."
He slowly turned to look.
The newcomer scanned the room calmly.
Then their eyes landed directly on Eokimo.
The system window flickered to life.
[Ping — System Notification]
Candidate detected nearby.
Eokimo stared.
"…Oh no."
The peaceful atmosphere of the safe zone suddenly didn't feel so peaceful anymore.