The world had never been so dull. And the hazy light of the morning sun had never been gloomier.

A flurry of slow, unhurried footsteps echoed as Lucien gently made his way through the untidy and unkempt streets of Zerozone-sector 5.

The young man had one hand in his pocket, while he gently held on to a young Mikky with his other hand.

Silence was abundant between the duo, a silence that seemed to stretch as they walked. But — believe it or not — said silence was in no way awkward, nor was it uncomfortable.

Instead, it was familiar. A silence that arose from familiarity.

The young Mikky skipped as they walked, the sound of the young lad’s footsteps took on another rhythm as he skipped, humming an unfamiliar song.

This action of his attracted Lucien’s tender gaze. And he stared at the young six-year-old, who was dressed in an oversized shirt that reached his thighs, sleeves a bit too long. And, to top it all off, his shorty shorts were... really short.

It made Lucien chuckle. The black-haired boy, with his blue eyes, warm, innocent smile, his rhythmic skipping and his even more rhythmic humming, was the epitome of innocence and fragility.

How did the kid become a calamity?

Lucien knew. It all started with his supposed death.

But now... now that Jacob was in Lucien — now that Jacob was Lucien — he wouldn’t let the event that had desecrated this young child’s innocence to occur again.

He wouldn’t let himself die. And he would raise him well.

But to do that—

Lucien took his gaze off Mikky, staring at the gloomy streets.

No matter what time of the day it was... Zerozones always appeared dark. It was like the sun was hidden from them. And most likely it was, as the clouds overhead were dark.

Hell, birds didn’t even fly here.

Lucien couldn’t see any goddamn bird!

’What the shit is this world, actually?’

The buildings weren’t tall or large. They were modest, old, worn-out, and due for repair. They were old-fashioned and unpainted. The buildings in the big cities were better than the ones here, that was for certain.

’Come to think of it...’

There were no vehicles here. The streets, filled with potholes by the way, were completely devoid of moving vehicles. No cars, buses, trailers, bicycles, bikes... no vehicles!

"What a world."

Lucien began to wonder how Mikky was still happy, still cheerful, still humming. Although he had to know the child wasn’t really focused on all the gloominess. He was used to it.

As long as Mikky was with Lucien, and as long as Mikky had his takeout, life was all good for him!

Bah, but Lucien knew better than that. He couldn’t remain in this damned place.

This was no place to effectively raise a child. Crime rates in zero zones were over the top. In fact, it was a miracle Lucien and Mikky had lived so long in this place without any of them being kidnapped at least once.

Lucien had to leave. He had to leave with his young kid. He had to find the other four calamities.

And he had to find them fast. The time was ticking.

He’d spent just a few hours in this world, but he could already feel the pressure.

He groaned.

Two months until the arrival of Eden.

He had only two months to find the other four.

But...

If he eventually found them, then what? Where would they stay?

Here? In the zero zones? In this damned pit of gloominess and poverty?

Lucien shook his head, a small smile on his lips.

Ain’t no way. No way that would happen—

—When his 5280 Chapters’ worth of memories of this damn world were still active in his mind. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

He would make perfect use of the advantage of future knowledge, and he would exploit every benefit, milk every advantage, squirm into the brightest tunnels...

Just for these kids!

All he needed now was... a plan. And he would settle that part when he got home.

Now, Lucien’s chest deflated, and he exhaled. He could breathe properly.

The man’s mind was clear. His goal all mapped out — find the other calamities in two months.

He indeed needed this walk.

"Are we there yet?" Young Mikky’s voice echoed, pulling Lucien out of his haze of festering thoughts.

The young silver-haired man blinked, taking a calm moment to stabilize himself.

He glanced around him.

Shops were scarce. Shops that sold provisions and goods were scarce. Most of the buildings in the streets were either facilities or unstable homes.

It meant fast food restaurants were even scarcer than normal shops.

But luckily for both the kid and Lucien, whose belly had begun rumbling, he knew a spot.

A kind of joint opened by an old man who always bought foodstuffs and ingredients from smugglers — people who smuggled stuff from the big cities. Quite a lot of people made it big as smugglers here. It was a really ideal but illegal job.

They brought stuff from a place where they were abundant, and people practically didn’t care about them, and then they gave them to the people who lived in places where it was scarce, and the value was sky-high, and they were paid for it.

’I wonder why the original Lucien never thought of... oh, he’s a Zero. Unregistered. Only people who’re registered can pull it off. Assuming they don’t get caught by the authorities, of course.’

Lucien unclasped Mikky’s hand, smiling as he ruffled the boy’s hair while they walked through the streets.

"Almost there."

Mikky smiled, wide blue eyes glistening. Lucien could practically feel the excitement oozing from Michael.

"You’re that excited?" He asked.

Mikky blinked, staring at Lucien. And then, the young boy made a serious expression. But, well, he tried to make a serious expression.

It just came off as a cute imitation of one. He gazed downward.

"I–I’m not excited. I’m cool!"

Lucien blinked, slightly taken aback.

But then he chuckled softly.

"You’re cool, eh?" He asked, his voice all cracked from laughter.

"Stop laughing! It’s not funny, Luci.. I’m cool."

Lucien forcibly calmed himself, his chuckle still sizzling underneath as he cleared his throat, patting the boy’s head.

"You’re such a cool boy. Really, really cool. All the kids your age would really look up to you."

Mikky pouted.

"Now you’re just making fun of me."

"I’m not! Honest. I’m serious. You’re so cool that my palms feel cold just from touching your hair."