The usually quiet Vedanta outpost was now humming with life.
Different packs of visiting alphas were gathered in the outpost's only tavern, discussing the recent spread of the Polluted Zone.
"The 77th Zone has expanded again. How many lives were lost this time?"
"Don't know, don't care. Nowadays, human lives are worth so little, nobody's counting the dead."
"The Polluted Zone is spreading from the Erdtree more and more often. It happens so fast and silently, it's nearly impossible to stop. One of my bros didn't get out in time, and lost his life inside."
As Ren and his crew walked into the tavern, many eyes watched them, scanning their clothes. Some recognized them from the golden patches on their shoulders, a sign only for the royal guard of the Empire's capital, and the local alphas immediately looked down on them.
