Chapter 203

Late at night, a few scattered stars still flickered stubbornly in the sky. The vast firmament looked as though a stingy creator had gathered back all the precious constellations, leaving only a handful of dim, forgotten lights behind.

The wasteland below was drowned in blackness. In the distance, the lights of the city glowed bright and mesmerizing — like a glass citadel standing alone in the barren plains. From afar, it was impossible to make out the outlines of its skyscrapers; everything was washed over in neon, dazzling like a pearl in an oyster. People only saw its brilliance and allure, never the cracks that spoiled its perfection.

Under the city’s glow, the wasteland showed faint shades of reddish sand. Here and there, small fires smoldered, and the air carried a sharp, choking scent.