The entire European part of Russia, which centuries ago was subjected to a powerful missile strike, is now a huge uncontrollable Cauldron, in which wild and unknown life is seething. Cities lie in ruins, dangerous fauna has grown everywhere, terrible animals have proliferated, gangs and clans of savage mutants are on the prowl. The young merchant of the Siberian Trade Guild, Viktor Tesov, nicknamed Zolotoy, is no stranger to long campaigns and risky adventures. But, setting off on the next expedition, he could not even imagine what it would lead to...