The Gentleman at the End of the World

Chapter 25: The Divine Skin Mansion

As Yi Chen delved deeper into Zion City,

He increasingly marveled at the city's astounding design.

Just the [street district] he had encountered so far was divided into upper, middle, and lower levels,

Different levels connected by elevators, edge stairs, and some indoor staircases.

It should be noted that the area entered through the main gate of the city wall corresponded to the upper street level.

In other words, the middle and lower levels were embedded within the mountain.

Additionally,

Due to the three-layer structure of the street district,

There were significant gaps and intervals in the ground of the upper and middle layers, connected by circular arch bridges.

The residential buildings in the street district still maintained a Gothic style, with tall and slender spires, clear vertical features, vertical long windows, and so on, dark and oppressive.

Some buildings had obvious stacking characteristics, penetrating from the lower level to the upper level.

Moreover,

The design of most streets was not rational,

Lacking convenient accessibility,

Iron gates were even set up at some corners and converging points, giving a sense of winding confusion and intentional division.

Furthermore,

The entire street district did not have a clear main road, more like a multi-layered non-linear maze,

Among inconspicuous buildings, a winding path would occasionally appear unexpectedly, perhaps leading directly to the other end of the street, saving several dozen minutes of travel time compared to other routes.

Yi Chen observed the complex streets while providing relevant analysis.

"I estimate there are two reasons for such street design.

1. This city is not a tourist area, only open to internal members of the organization.

No matter how complex the street structure is, as long as internal personnel are familiar enough with it, it's not a problem~ it might even be more convenient at times.

2. If one day, the disease spreads throughout the world, even reaching Zion.

If infection occurs in the street district after breaching the city walls, this complex structure can be used for effective and rapid zone-based isolation."

Moreover,

With his enhanced senses,

Yi Chen noticed that these people living in the street district walked with light steps, moved concisely, and behaved elegantly, even displaying strength in some detailed movements.

Their attire and appearance were also quite exquisite, with every detail standing up to scrutiny.

"Humans who can live in Zion City must have successfully passed the basic assessment... even the most ordinary residents might be much stronger than us."

Walking through the undulating streets,

Yi Chen also noticed many secret shops, without any signs, but clearly doing some kind of business.

Additionally, some street paths were closed off, guarded by gentlemen in formal attire, for unknown reasons.

He also discovered,

Some gentlemen walking on the streets seemed to be carrying relatively special [pets].

Besides normal pets like parrots and cats,

There were also some small creatures that could be labeled as monsters, such as a 'dog' chained with an iron chain, its mouth shaped like a chrysanthemum without other facial features, or a large spider with human legs and feet.

There were also rather mysterious pet shops along the streets, although their doors were tightly closed, strange cries could be heard from within.

No wonder when Yi Chen met other candidates with Little Grape on his shoulder, everyone wasn't too surprised.

It seems that in the organization,

Gentlemen carrying pets for combat assistance is a common thing.

[Half an hour later]

As the group followed Mr. Jeff who was leading the way,

Walking onto a stone arch bridge connecting to the opposite street, an oddly dressed individual was also approaching from the other side of the bridge.

Wearing the most iconic bird-beak mask of medieval doctors,

The leather material used for the mask was very special, with faintly visible flowing star-like scars,

Also integrated with metal structure eye sockets and nasal components.

Mysterious and noble.

However,

On top of wearing the bird-beak mask, this person was actually wearing a white coat symbolizing modern medicine, walking barefoot.

This image naturally made Yi Chen think of a profession - [Doctor].

Mr. Jeff, who was leading the way, immediately took off his hat and gave a gentleman's bow upon seeing this person.

The accompanying candidates also stopped and bowed.

However.

As this mysterious doctor passed by the group, he suddenly stopped.

Tilting his head,

The metal eye sockets on the bird-beak mask were staring at Yi Chen at the end of the line,

Oozing a gloomy, even somewhat viscous voice from between the breathing filters:

"Death... There's a thin yet real scent of death flowing in you, where does it come from?"

Yi Chen steadied his mind and answered softly: "I come from the cemetery in Iston Town, I've been doing cemetery work before."

"Merely working in a cemetery wouldn't cause death to flow within you... What's your name?"

"William Behrens."

After getting the name, the mysterious doctor said nothing more and turned to leave.

After this conversation,

Everyone, including Mr. Jeff who was leading the way, turned their gaze towards Yi Chen.

The blonde Edmund even directly put his hand on Yi Chen's shoulder,

"Wow! Mr. William, you actually got the attention of the [Doctor]... This situation is very rare, truly worthy of you."

The word doctor,

Immediately made Yi Chen associate it with the organization name G&D, where doctor was one of the important constituent words.

He didn't continue to pretend to understand, and tried to ask:

"My life in the cemetery was basically isolated from the outside world, I'm not very clear about the meaning of [Doctor], can you explain it?"

"Gentleman & Doctor,

To explain it simply,

Gentleman refers to mental purity, eliminating and eradicating negative mentality brought by disease in the world, and also being able to self-examine at all times to ensure the perfection and purity of human nature.

Doctor refers to physical purity, using the most intuitive means, utilizing 'medical instruments' to eliminate the root causes of diseases spread throughout the world.

In the organization,

Gentlemen who can be granted a 'Doctor's Certificate' are all true experts in eliminating the root of diseases.

Of course, some of them are also proficient in treating illnesses and injuries. As long as you're not completely dead, even if you have one foot in the River Styx, they can pull you back.

In short, they are extremely powerful.

Keep working hard, with your talent, William, you might become a doctor one day."

"Thank you."

"We are from the same batch, we should take care of each other in the future."

After some casual chat, they continued walking.

The area of [Zion City] is not too large, but to truly explore every corner would be no easy task.

After about an hour and a half of walking,

The street buildings gradually became sparse,

The winding and twisting street paths gradually widened and straightened, turning into a clear main road,

On both sides of the road were 'gargoyle street lamps' with exaggerated designs - the gargoyle sculptures were about five meters tall, each holding an ever-burning oil lamp emitting white light.

At the end of the main road was a [Black Bridge],

Broad, straight, and long,

Completely different from the previous circular arch bridges, and on an entirely different level in terms of specifications.

The bridge surface was also covered with a layer of mist.

Obviously,

This large bridge belonged to the 'dividing line' separating the street district, and the other end might connect to important areas of Zion.

Crossing the nearly thousand-meter-long black bridge,

The gate at the bridge head was already open,

A massive mansion in the style of an ancient castle stood within,

The large rough-hewn stone blocks used to construct the walls gave a visual impression somewhere between stone surface and skin.

When Yi Chen gazed at this skin-like mansion building,

A sense of palpitation arose spontaneously, for a moment making him think of the fish-scale abyss his consciousness had once visited... There seemed to be some hidden similarity between the two.

Or rather, a sense of antiquity,

A kind of ultimate antiquity far beyond Yi Chen's understanding.

"Is this the 'Divine Skin Mansion'?"

The reason for slowing down the pace here is mainly to introduce in detail the unique structure and architectural style of Zion City, to give everyone a strong sense of immersion upon entering the city... A lot of time was spent learning about this city description (crying voice)

(End of chapter)

Read ahead up to chapter 400 at