When chaos hits, someone has to step up, Nadia thought. She kept quiet, letting Harrison take the lead. Calmly, he recited, "The shadow falls where the lantern hangs." Cloaked in her scarf, Nadia almost burst out laughing but managed to hold it. The gatekeeper, clearly tipsy after a few drinks, was reluctant to handle any complaints and just waved them on. Once inside Regal Residences, they were struck by its sheer size. Fitting in was simple, but they had to discover where the boss was hiding. Nadia paused, thinking, A guy who throws big birthday bashes is bound to be flashy. The main building is clearly the fanciest—definitely his spot. She scanned the area and locked onto the target. Sure enough, the main building was buzzing with activity. Men in sleek suits and women in glamorous dresses moved in and out, radiating wealth and importance.Yet, there was a catch. Nadia and Harrison's outfits were far too plain, and the entrance was guarded. To make matters worse, the party required invitations—poems, of all things. Harrison studied the situation from a distance, noticing repeated verses among the guests. The boss must have grouped the invites, assigning each group a specific poem. Nadia smirked to herself. It looks like the big boss fancies himself a poet. Now, they had to get creative. She pulled Harrison into a quiet corner, removed her bulky coat, and swapped it for a fur one she'd stashed earlier. Seeing Harrison's lack of formal wear, she rummaged through her domain and handed him a military coat. She thought, Hmm, it's a decent size. Hopefully, it fits. As he put it on, she nodded in approval. Not bad—it fits well, giving him a sharp and authoritative look. Since most partygoers arrived in pairs, Nadia linked hands with Harrison to embody a charming companion. Sensing her hesitation, Harrison chuckled softly. "Relax. I'm not going to bite." Caught off guard, she thought, Huh? Did he notice? Later, she shrugged it off. It's fine. Good thing we've practiced together; otherwise, I'd possibly look even more awkward. Determined to appear composed, she took a deep breath. With a practiced smile, she adjusted her posture and confidently walked alongside him. At the main entrance, Harrison calmly announced, "Group six. The lantern's glow guides the way." Jackpot! They passed without a hitch. The guards didn't even pause, simply waving them through. The moment the doors opened, a heat wave hit them like a wall. Nadia hadn't anticipated this at all. She expected warmth, but the stifling heat inside the main building caught her completely off guard. It was so overwhelming that she nearly choked, feeling like it might suffocate her. As they stepped inside, the scene left them speechless. Scantily clad greeters moved among the guests, with men showing off toned abs and women flaunting hourglass figures. Nearby, the couple who had entered just before them emerged from the dressing room. A bald man with a beer belly strolled beside a stunning woman with an impeccably toned figure—an almost comical stark contrast. Nadia's thoughts raced. A bikini party? So that's why it's so quiet outside—no one could fight like this.With everyone dressed in bikinis or swimwear, it's impossible to conceal weapons. She glanced around, feeling cornered. What now? We're already inside; trying to run now would only get us caught faster. Just then, a greeter came over, gave them keys, and guided them to the changing area. "You may select your outfit in the dressing room. Once you've changed, take the elevator to the 28th floor. All weapons must stay in the lockers. Bringing them is a danger to your safety." The dressing room had no gender separation, featuring rows of revealing bikinis on display. Nadia browsed through them, her discomfort growing. Most looked worn, probably reused by regulars. She thought with a shudder, I guess the big boss really loves hosting bikini parties—probably does this all the time. But are these even clean after so many people have worn them? The thought of putting one on made her skin crawl. Then, it struck her—she still possessed a collection of bikinis she'd gotten years earlier from an office building. It was an online retailer offering various clothing items, including swimwear. Digging into her domain, she found a modest one-piece that matched the party's theme. Noticing Harrison's hesitation, she also pulled out a pair of swim trunks for him. Entering a larger dressing room, Nadia carefully checked for any hidden cameras before handing the swim trunks to Harrison. "Here, put this on. I'll change over there," she stated, motioning toward a corner. The sweltering heat had made her sweat, prompting her to enter the domain, shed her heavy layers, and don her bikini. To remain inconspicuous, she applied matte powder to her skin and subtly altered her complexion by adding dark spots and blemishes. When she stepped out, Harrison's look made her pause. His lean, athletic build and well-defined abs were impossible to miss. She glanced instinctively at his midsection. Figures. The so-called "core master" doesn't disappoint. Harrison blinked in surprise, barely recognizing her. "You—" Sensing his discomfort, Nadia averted her gaze and handed him a makeup kit. "You'll need this." They couldn't afford to be recognized—it would only invite retaliation.Harrison stared at it blankly. Military camouflage was one thing, but this? Seeing his hesitation and knowing they had to work as a team, Nadia sighed. However, his height made it tricky for her to reach properly. She requested, "Sit down. I'll do it." He obeyed, taking a seat and keeping his gaze politely fixed straight ahead as she got to work. A disheveled beard, artificial blemishes, and a wig completely changed his appearance. She stepped back and nodded only when she was pleased. Their clothes and weapons were tucked away in the domain, ready if needed. Upon exiting the changing room, a male greeter guided them to the elevator that ascended to the 28th floor. He briefly admired Nadia, which was evident in his gaze, but his expression turned sour when he noticed her face. Harrison noticed and frowned, his irritation simmering beneath the surface.The elevator ride was surprisingly smooth—a rare luxury in their world. When the doors opened on the 28th floor, a deafening roar of chatter greeted them. The scene was surreal. Hundreds of guests milled about in swimwear, a mix of all body types—fair-skinned, tan, brown, and even those sporting round bellies—creating a bizarre and chaotic atmosphere. Nadia inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself and push past the discomfort overwhelming her senses. The air was heavy with the scent of cigars, champagne, and barbecue. Flashing neon lights bathed the room in shifting colors, drawing attention to servers dressed in catwoman costumes and extravagant decorations that screamed indulgence and excess. Nadia's stomach turned. The world outside is divided into two extremes—the desperate and the privileged, the kind and the ruthless. Ordinary survivors are starving, some even eating dirt to stay alive. How can this kind of luxury exist when so many are barely surviving? They're indulging in extravagance more than ever, even after the apocalypse. The crowd clustered closely in the room's center, their energy wild and almost manic. Shouts rang out, and their enthusiasm was so intense that it resembled a drug high. Nadia grabbed a glass of champagne while Harrison lit a cigarette, and the two waded into the crowd. As they navigated the crowd, the pungent, metallic scent of blood intensified, piercing the veil of sweat, smoke, and alcohol. In the center, a circular arena came into view. The noise intensified as two men in swimwear clashed violently—one wielding a spiked wooden stick, the other a short knife. Blood streaked their bodies, but neither showed any signs of backing down. It was a gruesome game staged purely for the guests' entertainment. Bets were made freely, and the winner—if they survived—would walk away with twenty pounds of rice or flour. The fighters were already battered and bleeding, but their desperation drove them to keep going. The need to claim the precious reward drove every swing and thrust. Nadia watched, her disgust growing. The crowd's faces were twisted with glee, their cheers and laughter echoing with savage delight. Humanity seemed absent from their expressions. Then, she wondered, Is this who they've been all along? Has the apocalypse stripped civilization and law's thin mask away, revealing the monsters underneath? Or has desperation turned them into something unrecognizable?