Morning in Hiangsheng City was loud.
Too loud.
Suspiciously loud.
The kind of loud that made Zian Hausi question humanity as a whole.
She walked beside Hajiara like a tired ghost that had given up haunting people because even ghosts had standards.
Her hair slightly messy, her eyes half-open, her soul completely disconnected from reality.
Why are people awake this early?
Pause.
Do they not believe in sleep?
Hajiara suddenly spun around dramatically like she was the main character of a music video.
"ZIAN!! TODAY WE SHOP!!"
Zian stopped walking.
Slowly turned.
"…For what reason?"
Inside—
Who hurt you?
Hajiara grabbed her shoulders and shook her.
"FOR HAPPINESS!!"
Zian blinked.
"…I don't trust that."
Afianxi, walking behind them, nodded seriously.
"She's right. That sounds fake."
Muanthas crossed her arms.
"Happiness from shopping is temporary," she said.
Zian looked at her.
"…Finally. Someone educated."
Inside—
Adopt me.
Hajiara gasped like she had just been betrayed by the entire universe.
"YOU ALL ARE BORING!"
Zian started walking again.
"I'm peaceful," she said.
Inside—
And tired.
They entered a crowded street.
People everywhere.
Noise everywhere.
Energy everywhere.
Zian stopped.
Looked around slowly.
If someone kidnaps me right now, I won't even argue.
Hajiara froze.
"…WHY DO YOU KEEP THINKING THAT?!"
Zian looked at her calmly.
"Because it's realistic."
Inside—
Also I might get free food.
Afianxi choked.
Muanthas turned away to hide a laugh.
Hajiara held her head.
"I can't do this."
They entered a clothing store.
BIG mistake.
Zian stood at the entrance like she had just walked into a battlefield.
Clothes everywhere.
Colors everywhere.
Mirrors everywhere.
Why are there so many outfits? Are people living multiple lives?
Hajiara grabbed five dresses instantly.
"TRY THESE!"
Zian took one.
Looked at it.
"…This looks expensive."
Inside—
If I wear this, I'll be scared to breathe.
Afianxi nodded.
"Same."
Hajiara shoved Zian into the fitting room.
"NO ESCAPE!"
Zian stood inside.
Holding the dress like it was a dangerous object.
If I wear this…
Pause.
I might become polite.
Immediate panic.
"…I refuse."
She walked out wearing the SAME clothes.
Hajiara screamed.
"YOU DIDN'T EVEN TRY!"
Zian sat down.
"I mentally tried."
Inside—
It didn't work.
Afianxi dropped to the floor laughing.
Hajiara dragged her again.
"JUST ONE!!"
Zian sighed like a 90-year-old.
"Fine."
Inside—
If I die, remember me.
She went inside again.
Changed.
Came out.
Everyone froze.
Zian stood there.
Looking like she had been forced into elegance against her will.
"…I feel like I have responsibilities now," she said.
Inside—
I don't like this.
Hajiara gasped.
"YOU LOOK AMAZING!"
Zian looked at herself in the mirror.
"…I look like I'll attend meetings."
Afianxi: on the floor again.
Muanthas nodded.
"She looks like she'll reject people professionally."
Zian nodded.
"Yes. I can say no in 10 languages now."
Suddenly—
LIGHTS FLICKERED.
Everyone paused.
Zian looked up.
"…Here we go again."
Inside—
Ghost round 2.
Lights went OFF.
Complete darkness.
Someone screamed.
Then everyone screamed.
Zian stood still.
I just wanted to try clothes…
Hajiara grabbed her arm like her life depended on it.
"ZIAN I'M TOO YOUNG TO DIE!"
Zian patted her head.
"Same."
Inside—
But I'm more tired.
Shadows appeared.
On walls.
Moving.
Wrong.
Afianxi froze.
"…Why are the shadows moving?"
Muanthas whispered—
"…That's not normal."
Zian stared.
You again.
Pause.
You really have no life.
A shadow jumped.
Someone screamed again.
Zian covered her ear.
"…Why are people louder than ghosts?"
Chaos exploded.
People running.
Falling.
Crying.
Hajiara clung to Zian.
"DO SOMETHING!"
Zian looked around.
If I don't move… people get hurt.
Pause.
If I move… I get exposed.
Pause.
"…Why is my life like this?"
She grabbed Hajiara.
"Stay here."
Inside—
Don't die. You're annoying but useful.
Hajiara froze.
"…That sounded like a compliment."
Zian walked forward.
Calm.
Shadows rushed—
She dodged—
No one noticed.
Because chaos covered everything.
Still weak.
She moved closer.
The shadows gathered.
Forming something big.
Ugly.
Dramatic.
Zian stared.
"…You brought friends?"
Pause.
"…Group project?"
The thing roared.
Zian sighed.
"I regret leaving my bed."
She turned.
Walked into an alley.
Disappeared.
Moments later—
The shadows attacked again—
Then—
Everything stopped.
The air changed.
Silence.
Because someone else was there.
A figure.
Dark.
Silent.
No thoughts.
Nothing.
The shadows hesitated.
Zian—now hidden—
stood there.
Completely different.
Calm.
Cold.
Deadly.
Then—
She moved.
Fast.
One strike.
Shadow—gone.
Second strike.
Gone.
Third—
Gone.
No sound.
No hesitation.
Like it never existed.
Outside—
Hajiara peeked.
"…What is happening??"
Afianxi whispered—
"…Something's fighting it…"
Muanthas narrowed her eyes.
"…And we can't hear anything."
Inside alley—
Zian stood alone.
Everything gone.
She exhaled.
Then—
"…Still easier than shopping."