The Public Security Sub-bureau

Chapter 32: Public Security Sub-bureau

Higher life.

Destiny Space.

Mechanical City-state.

Alchemy.

And the next step of limb acquisition, occultism exploration, and so on.

Han Dong, lying in bed, was filled with these thoughts. After thinking about it, several hours passed unconsciously, and he didn't fall asleep until three or four in the morning.

As a researcher, he really liked, even became obsessed with, 'new things'.

After understanding the general world situation, he could not wait to go to the Knight Academy to understand deeper things, as well as new things that he could never have accessed in his original world.

Because he slept too late, he slept until he didn't know when... until he was woken up by the argument outside the door.

"What's going on, so noisy?"

Han Dong stretched his lazy body and overheard the conversation by the bedroom door.

He heard a few keywords: 'conscription', 'tax collection'.

"Conscription should be forcing young people to enter Destiny Space... exchanging a large base for a very small number of 'Returners', right?

Nina just said yesterday that because I became a 'Returner', she could avoid conscription. It seems the managers in the common district aren't very well-informed."

Han Dong pushed the door open.

He saw two public security officers, dressed in dark linen suits and wearing five-pointed star badges on their chests, demanding that Nina put on a clockwork device for countdown at the door.

"What are you doing?"

Hearing Han Dong's voice.

The two officers, one fat and one tall, looked at him with confused eyes. Staring at Han Dong's scrawny body, the fatter officer immediately burst into laughter:

"Haha~ You're the 'Returner'? ... With such physical fitness, you can survive in Destiny Space, don't joke!"

The other tall and thin man had a sharp gaze and immediately noticed the clockwork device worn on Han Dong's wrist.

"What!? Wearing a time device... You actually dared to defy the council's order and didn't participate in the last [Destiny Space]!"

In their eyes, elites who could become 'Returners' generally did not come from the common district, let alone a youth who was malnourished and lived in such a poor environment.

Therefore, Han Dong wearing a clockwork device was immediately identified by them as an escapee who feared death and was unwilling to participate in Destiny Space.

According to the charter set by the council, escapees would be deprived of their lifelong rights, sold as slaves, used as human bait for the Knight Order, or directly executed.

The two pushed Nina and her mother aside, took out a simple iron bracelet, and prepared to tie Han Dong up and take him away.

"Let my brother go..."

Nina struggled to step forward and stop them.

"Annoying!" One of them said impatiently and was about to slap Nina when.

In an instant, a gaze filled with killing intent shot over.

Han Dong's bamboo-stick-thin arm extended, stopping the tall and thin public security officer's action.

Even though Han Dong's strength was pitifully small, he possessed a powerful intent originating from his mind.

Through eye contact and the touch of his palm, it was transmitted into the other person's body, making the public security officer somewhat afraid and stop.

"Nina, you stay home with Mom. I'll go with them and come back."

Han Dong showed a carefree smile, just like when he entered Destiny Space before... This made Nina, who was on the verge of tears, slightly calm her agitated emotions. She helped her mother to the side.

The other obese public security officer sneered:

"You still want to come back? This is not just your problem.

Once your crime of escape is established, they are also considered accomplices! Your sister will probably be sold as a female slave, right? It's a pity her skin color isn't good, so she probably won't fetch much money, haha."

"Charles, why are you talking so much? Take this kid back, and we can get a generous reward."

The tall and thin public security officer easily broke free from Han Dong's 'grasp', not taking the momentary fear seriously, and quickly chained Han Dong's hands with iron chains.

"Yeah... let's go to the 'Mona Tavern' tonight! I heard they have new merchandise."

The two became more animated as they spoke, grabbing Han Dong and heading towards the local police station.

During the escort, a voice filled with resentment echoed in Han Dong's mind.

"Do you want to kill them!"

"No... I did it on purpose. It's a good opportunity to understand the local public security policies. Miss Chen Li, you should rest well. I'll call you if there's real danger."

Han Dong felt a warmth in his heart. He hadn't expected Chen Li to be constantly paying attention to his situation.

During the escort.

The tall and thin public security officer, who had been stopped by Han Dong earlier, kept looking back. He felt Han Dong was a bit strange... but they had indeed not received any notice from above.

Generally, if a 'Returner' appeared in a certain street area, the authorities would issue a notice, placing the Returner and their family on a special list for special treatment.

[Samael Street Public Security Sub-bureau]

"Now that the officer is temporarily out on business... you should be careful in the cell with that physique of yours, don't die."

Unlike a typical detention center, the underground holding cells of this public security sub-bureau didn't have individual rooms. Instead, everyone arrested was thrown together.

Men and women were merely separated.

Inside the public security sub-bureau.

A tall, thin officer said:

"Charles, where did the boss go? Why isn't he back yet? I'm worried this kid can't handle it and something might happen if he gets assaulted by a few big guys. We'll lose our bonus then."

"Don't worry, the guys down there aren't idiots. They're just here for low-level theft... If someone dies, it's a different story. It'll be fine. I heard the boss was summoned 'upstairs' early this morning. He should be back after he's done."

These officers weren't particularly skilled individuals. They were just ordinary people from middle-class families. Because a distant relative became a 'Returner', they benefited and, having decent physiques themselves, passed the entrance exam for low-level officers and secured this legitimate job. They had stable income and weren't subject to mandatory conscription. As for courage, they were quite timid and didn't want to get involved with Destiny Space at all.

One hour later.

A horse's hooves announced the arrival at the entrance of the public security sub-bureau. A middle-aged man wearing a tall hat, a black trench coat, and a silver emblem on his chest walked into the station.

"Officer Days! We discovered an 'Escapist' during our house searches today and they're being held downstairs."

Upon hearing this, the officer's anger flared! He despised those who dared to violate the Supreme Charter established by the council and, due to their cowardice, failed to participate in Destiny Space on time. Normally, he would have immediately gone to the detention room, beaten the person severely, and then sent them to the local court.

However, the situation today was a bit different. As the officer entered, his face was beaming with a happy smile... He had been called upstairs temporarily today for just one reason. A 'Returner' had emerged from the civilian area he managed.