I inspected the house. The owner clearly loved trendy gadgets—holographic projectors, 3D printers, even antique trinkets filled the space.

I scanned the second-floor hall. Two rooms faced east and west. In Huaguo tradition, the master’s room should be east.

The guy had grabbed wine from the east room earlier. I pushed the door open—it wasn’t locked.

But that nagging smell thickened here. Spotting a small glass bottle and a yellow rubber tube on the bedside table, I instantly knew the source.

“Ice?”

Methamphetamine, or crystal meth, was a potent stimulant drug.

I’d never touched it, but I’d seen spoiled rich kids use it. A little too much could cause wild hallucinations. Recently, news showed a user wielding kitchen knives in the streets. Police finally tased him down.

They said it kept you awake for days, buzzing with energy, killing your appetite. But its aphrodisiac effect hooked them most.

“I’ll never understand the rich.”

Why not travel Huaguo’s beautiful landscapes? Or start a small business? Why waste life on this?

I sighed. Their minds were forever closed to me—a kid with no parents, after all.

I walked to the window, pulled back the curtains. The weird smell faded slowly with the breeze.

The room held simple furniture: a bed, wardrobe, desk, vanity. Yet the owner cared—wall art showed a young couple’s wedding photo under an elegant chandelier.

Everything looked nice, but the stench was heavy. A month of the man trashing this place left thick sweat odors.

I checked around. Ordinary stuff. At the wardrobe, I opened it—dust-free. Empty hangers hung beside men’s and women’s clothes.

Boxes inside seemed for valuables. I skipped them. Keys were usually kept handy.

Near the bedside table leg, metal glimmered faintly. I hurried over, delighted.

“Figured it—keys here.”

I pulled my keys from my pocket. All matched except the car key. Even the keychains were identical pairs.

“Finally found them.”

I exhaled deeply. Next, the underground garage—but what dangers lurked there?

Then I remembered…

“Taser… taser… would it work on Mutant Monsters?”

Biologically, any flesh-and-blood thing feared electricity. Tasers were quiet, efficient, portable. Only downside: hard to recharge. But my solar backpack could handle it.

Still… tasers were heavily banned in Huaguo. Only patrol cops carried them.

“Whatever… not the time for this.”

I pocketed both keys. I’d choose later. The sports bike was better, but if it broke? The Maserati would do fine as backup.

That thought almost made me laugh.

‘Never thought I’d hesitate over which car to drive.’

Keys secured, I turned to leave. The pretty boy still lay unconscious. I picked up the fallen corkscrew, pried open the wooden wine box. Fancy bottle—no idea the brand.

“Creak… creak… pop!”

Twisting hard, I yanked the cork free. Rich aroma drifted from the neck.

No glass—I tipped the bottle back.

“Gulp… gulp…”

“Hah…” Weird taste. Indescribable flavors swirled, then melted into wine.

“Hey!”

I kicked the man tied to the table leg. He barely stirred.

“Whatever… since you won’t wake, I’m out.”

“Gulp… gulp… gulp…”

Three big swallows left half the bottle. I slapped it on the table.

“Not your wine, but thanks for the invite. The rest is yours. Goodbye. Forever.”

No telling how long he’d survive here. In this world, reunions were near impossible.

I headed downstairs. At the stair corner, I glimpsed his eyelids fluttering awake.

By the time I reached the bottom, his furious curses echoed.

Filthy words, utterly vile. I stayed silent. This man was clearly begging for death.

I opened the front door, stepped into the yard. His shouts and screams followed me, sharp and clear. Nearby, sparse Zombie growls answered.

I’d used his things. Drank his precious wine. Guess I owed him something.

I’d never admit those insults sparked this! Never!

At the gate, scowling, I unlocked it. Then I circled the villa’s back.

A tiny iron door—barely wide enough for one person. The rusty lock groaned as I forced the key twice. I slipped out.

I left it open. Drawing my Samurai Sword, I scanned left and right. Zombie sounds neared, but none in sight. I hurried back to the grass under the outer wall, from Villa 13.