Ten years after the blood-red rain washed over the world, Ling Yue swallowed her last spit behind the abandoned supermarket shelves. Her stomach was cramping after not eating for three days, and the gray crystal she snatched from the mutant rat's nest in her palm was her entire bet in exchange for half a piece of moldy bread.
"Ding! The card drawing system is successfully bound."
The moment the mechanical sound pierced her consciousness, she thought it was an auditory hallucination caused by hunger. Until she held the spar and silently recited "draw card", ten kilograms of rice fell to the ground out of thin air, and the white rice grains rolled down on the cracked floor tiles - that was the most luxurious light she had ever seen in her ten years of post-apocalyptic life.
From fruits and vegetables to laser guns, from emergency medicine to defensive steel plates, the card drawing system became Ling Yue's salvation. She took supplies and took root in the chaotic East Third District, used strict rules to screen out thugs, and used fair distribution to unite people. When steel city walls were built in the former refugee area, and when the name of "Lord Ling" spread throughout the ruins, two ragged figures knelt outside the city gate.
"Xiao Yue, dad knows he was wrong..." Ling Zhenbang hunched over, and behind him, Mrs. Ling wiped away non-existent tears, "Your brother is gone, and you are the only relative we have left."
Ling Yue stood at the top of the city, her fingertips running across the cold gun body. When they took their younger brother away with the last bit of food ten years ago, why didn't they think that she was also a relative?
"The door of East Third District is never open to those who have abandoned me." She turned and walked towards the warm lights of the city, shutting out the wind and snow of the past. The card drawing system may bring supplies, but what supports this city has always been the backbone that refuses to bow to fate.
