The deeper they moved into the zone, the quieter it became.
Not empty.
Not abandoned.
But controlled.
The difference was immediate.
The scattered movement of hunters, the casual conversations, the shifting attention that had followed Adrian until now—all of it faded into something more structured. The people here didn't stare openly. They didn't whisper.
They watched without showing it.
That alone made it more dangerous.
Adrian walked at the front, his pace steady, his expression calm, but his awareness sharper than ever. The system pulsed faintly beneath the surface, not reacting, not warning—just present.
It was ready.
Lyra walked beside him, her usual relaxed posture hiding the tension that had settled in her movements. "Yeah… this place is worse," she muttered.
Kaelith didn't disagree. "Higher-tier territory. Less noise, more intent."
Seraphine added softly, "Everyone here has already chosen their position."
