The Last Gentleman

Guided by Chamberlain,

they crossed the archway over the street and took the elevator directly down to the *Lower Street*.

The street was divided into three levels, each differing not only in height but in style, density, and predominant commerce.

The lower one goes, the fewer "restrictions" there are, so that in the Lower Street, establishments less suited for "gentlemen" sometimes appear. The atmosphere leans toward leisure and amusement, with fewer formal venues.

At this point, Chamberlain remarked:

"Most of Zion's ‘tailor shops’ are located in the Upper District, particularly along Academy Street, where many have a long history and a strong reputation. However... your hide is a bit different. Even the shops affiliated with the Academy might not handle it perfectly.

I know an old friend of mine who, due to certain circumstances, was forced to open a tailor shop deep within the Lower Street. Over thirty years ago, he achieved the level of a master tailor. His skills are sure to make the best use of this hide. And he loves a challenging task."

Upon hearing this, Yi Chen remembered that his current outfit was also from one of the organization's ‘tailor shops’. The shopkeeper had told him that once he passed his assessment, he could get a free, custom-made outfit.

"Professor Chamberlain, are there many of the organization's tailor shops outside?"

"Indeed, [Tailor shops] are a crucial institution of the organization, a vital supply hub for gentlemen.

Every tailor shop opened outside receives organizational funding, and gentlemen on assignments can enjoy basic services for free:

- Cleansing of diseased bodies

- Repairing damaged clothing

- Accepting related tasks or claiming rewards locally

- A safe house and temporary refuge.

We continuously select gentlemen with tailoring skills to set up external shops to combat the spread of disease and reduce the mortality rate of gentlemen."

"I understand."

During their casual chat, the two squeezed through a narrow gap between buildings, entering the depths of the Lower Street.

*Chasm Street*, as the name suggests, lies nestled between narrow passages, filled with leisure shops. Most of the shops here openly violate Zion's regulations. The gentlemen here appeared more relaxed, wearing masks to hide their faces and expressions.

Chamberlain, who seemed strict, accepted this environment, saying quietly,

"The gentleman's spirit allows us to retain our 'self' in a diseased world, though fatigue is inevitable.

As long as gentlemen maintain enough self-control and view indulgence as a temporary relief and a rational tool for balance, it can actually be beneficial."

"Mm."

Just then, a nearby public phone booth rang urgently. The fixed rhythm of the ringing seemed to convey a message.

In an instant, Chamberlain slipped into the small booth, placing the worn receiver to his ear. He didn’t say a word, simply listening.

When he stepped out, he handed Yi Chen a card bearing an owl's head.

"I've just been called to a meeting. You’ll have to handle the tailoring alone.

The tailor shop is at the end of the street. Though hidden, it’s still fairly noticeable in a place like this. When you arrive, hand my card to the old man; he'll create the perfect outfit for you." ＲÃŊοＢËŜ

"Understood..."

As Yi Chen took the card and bowed, Chamberlain had already vanished.

"Speaking of which, I haven't arranged a place to stay... Oh well, I'll get the suit done first, then think about sleeping—even the street works if needed."

To reduce any trouble, Yi Chen pressed his ten fingers to his face, quickly constructing a green mask to conceal his appearance.

He also created an eco-friendly plant-based handbag, in which he concealed the black box containing the "Gentleman's Skin."

Walking deeper into the lower district, he noticed many peculiar shops lining both sides of the street, half-shuttered without any signs. The air was tinged with scents, some fragrant and others faintly metallic with blood. Suppressing his curiosity, Yi Chen decided these places were better explored once he officially became a gentleman.

Following Chamberlain’s description, he finally arrived at a narrow street corner.

A gothic black building immediately drew Yi Chen’s attention. It had no signboard. He ascended the stone steps leading to the door and prepared to knock.

Creak~

The black-painted front door opened on its own, revealing a dimly lit interior with no signs of life.

“Is anyone here?”

Cautiously, Yi Chen stepped inside.

Unlike the clothing store in Easton Town, this place was devoid of light and didn’t display a single piece of clothing.

Instead, it was filled with hundreds of life-sized stone "human sculptures." They packed every corner of the room, turning the open floor into winding paths that evoked a claustrophobic atmosphere.

Strangely enough, perhaps because their faces weren’t fully sculpted, each statue’s head was draped with a white cloth, giving them a sinister and eerie look.

In addition, there were numerous canvases stacked against the walls, all filled with human figure drawings, some already covered in cobwebs.

“Did I come to the wrong place?”

As Yi Chen questioned whether he’d wandered into a dilapidated art gallery, he felt a slight shift.

A white cloth fluttered onto his shoulder, and a faint breathing sound came from behind him, accompanied by a chilling sensation along his neck.

“Hmm!?”

Reaching instinctively for the hatchet at his waist, Yi Chen spun around swiftly.

Behind him stood an unfinished statue without facial features, its stiff arm inexplicably raised and pointing in a specific direction.

Following its gesture, he saw a narrow spiral staircase leading to the second floor.

Just then…

Tap, tap…

The sound of leather shoes and a cane echoed from the stairwell.

A middle-aged man in a brown beret, half his face covered by a mask, and wearing a sharply tailored suit, was slowly descending the stairs.

What stood out was his suit, split into two colors: black on the left, red on the right, with a flame pattern (his masked side was also his right).

His right hand, clad in a rubber glove, clutched a cane to support his descent.

"Who introduced a newcomer like you here?"

“Professor Chamberlain originally planned to accompany me, but he was called to a meeting midway… so I came alone.”

As Yi Chen prepared to step forward to show his owl-marked card…

Click~

The human statues around him suddenly moved, mechanically raising their arms to block his path.

“Ahem… I can smell the owl scent on you; no need to show proof. Just state your purpose for being here.”

“All right.”

Without further ado, Yi Chen retrieved a 10x10 cm piece of "Gentleman's Skin" from the black box.

The moment he revealed it, all the statues in the shop showed symptoms of “peeling,” as layers of stone flaked off to expose underlying muscles and veins (still made of stone).

The shopkeeper on the stairs widened his eyes, exclaiming, “Such a large piece of 'Original Skin'? Put it away quickly; it’s not suited to be exposed for too long.”

“Understood.”

As Yi Chen returned the skin to the box, the statues immediately ceased their restlessness.

Yi Chen added, “Professor Chamberlain specifically said only you in Zion City can properly handle and manage this type of skin.”

“He wasn’t wrong. Most tailor shops are just full of drunks—entrusting them with such a piece would be a waste.”

“Come with me; the process for a full customization is quite complex, and it will require your patience.”

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