Back in the camp, the atmosphere transformed completely.
They had grabbed Christmas lights from the mall, hooked them up to what looked like a solar-powered battery, and decorated the tavern, turning it into a glowing Christmas tree.
"Amanda, you said electronics from outside stops working here after a while. So why is this still working?" I asked, showing how little I understood.
"Not all," she said with a small shake of her head. "Simple ones like this still work. But advanced devices like computers or phones shut down because of the interference."
I nodded in understanding, but it still bothered me. "Is this why no one tries to build cities inside the tower?"
"Mostly, yes. Long exposure to the tower has side effects. I was worried Hai‑Min would get sick from the energy, but she looks fine, which surprised me."
My mouth fell open. "So you're telling me her lasting this long isn't normal?"
