Police Bureau

Higher Lifeforms.

Destiny Space.

Mechanical City-State.

Alchemy.

And the next steps of acquiring limbs, exploring mysticism, and so on.

Lying in bed, Han Dong's mind was filled with these matters. As he thought about them, several hours passed without him noticing, and he did not fall asleep until three or four in the morning.

As a researcher, he loved—one could even say he was obsessed with—"new things."

Having gained a rough understanding of the world's overall structure, he was already impatient to enter the Knight Academy and learn about deeper subjects, as well as things he could never have encountered in his original world.

Because he had gone to bed too late, he slept until who knew when... until the argument outside his door woke him.

"What's going on? Why is it so noisy?"

After stretching lazily, Han Dong pressed himself against the bedroom door and listened.

He caught several key words: "forced conscription" and "tax collection."

"Forced conscription probably means forcing young people into Destiny Space... using a huge population base in exchange for a tiny number of 'Returners,' right?

"Nina said yesterday that because I became a Returner, she could avoid forced conscription. Looks like the Slums' administrators aren't very well-informed."

Han Dong pushed open the door and walked out.

Two public security officers dressed in dark linen uniforms, five-pointed star badges pinned to their chests, stood at the door demanding that Nina put on a Clockwork Device used for the Countdown.

"What are you doing?"

At the sound of Han Dong's voice.

The two men, one fat and one tall, turned toward him in confusion. Staring at Han Dong's emaciated body, the fatter man immediately burst into laughter.

"Haha! You're the 'Returner'? ...With that kind of physique, you survived in Destiny Space? Stop joking!"

The other man, tall and thin, had sharp eyes and immediately spotted the Clockwork Device on Han Dong's wrist.

"Hm!? You're wearing a time device... You actually dared defy the Council's order and skipped the last Destiny Space!"

In their eyes, elites capable of becoming Returners generally did not come from the Slums, much less a malnourished young man living in such impoverished conditions.

Therefore, the Clockwork Device on Han Dong's wrist immediately marked him as an escapee who feared death and had refused to enter Destiny Space.

According to the charter established by the Council, escapees would be stripped of all lifelong rights and sold as slaves, used as humanoid bait for the Knight Order, or executed outright.

The two men shoved Nina and her mother aside, took out a crude iron shackle, and prepared to chain Han Dong up and take him away.

"Let go of my brother..."

Nina rushed forward desperately to stop them.

"Annoying!" One of them grew impatient and was about to slap Nina.

In an instant, a gaze filled with killing intent fell upon him.

Han Dong extended an arm as thin as a bamboo pole, stopping the tall, thin public security officer.

Even though Han Dong's strength was pitifully weak, a powerful will from his mind remained.

Through Eye Contact and the contact of their hands, it entered the other man's body, causing the officer to feel a flicker of fear and stop.

"Nina, stay home with Mom. I'll go with them and be right back."

Han Dong wore a carefree smile, Just Like when he had entered Destiny Space before... This slightly calmed Nina, who had nearly burst into tears. She helped her mother over to the side.

The other, heavier officer sneered.

"You still think you'll come back? This isn't just your problem.

"Once your crime of escape is established, they'll be guilty of harboring you too! Your little sister will probably be sold off as a female slave. Too bad her complexion isn't great—she probably won't fetch much money. Hahaha!"

"Charles, why are you wasting your breath? Take this brat back. We'll get a hefty bonus too."

The tall, thin officer easily broke free of Han Dong's "grip." He did not take that brief moment of fear seriously and swiftly locked Han Dong's hands with iron chains.

"Yeah... Let's make time to visit Mona Tavern tonight! I heard they got some new stock."

The more the two talked, the more excited they became, dragging Han Dong toward the local police station.

During the escort, a voice full of malice echoed through Han Dong's mind.

"Do you want me to kill them?"

"No... I did this on purpose. It's a good chance to learn about the local public security policies. Miss Chen Li, just get some rest. If there's real danger, I'll call you."

Han Dong felt warm inside. He had not expected Chen Li to be watching over his situation at all times.

During the escort.

The tall, thin public security officer whom Han Dong had stopped kept looking back from time to time. He always felt there was something strange about Han Dong... but they truly had received no notice from above.

Normally, if a Returner appeared in their Street District, higher-ups would send a notification and place the Returner and their family on a special list for special treatment.

Samael Street Public Security Sub-bureau

"Officer Days had something urgent to deal with and went out... With a body like yours, you'd better be careful in the cells. Don't die."

Unlike ordinary detention centers, the underground holding area of this Police Bureau had no separate cells. All offenders were simply thrown together.

The only distinction made was between men and women.

Inside the Police Bureau.

The tall, thin public security officer said:

"Charles, where did the boss go?

"Why isn't he back yet? I'm worried this kid's body won't hold up. If a few big guys take turns pounding him and something happens, we won't get our bonus."

"Relax. The people down there aren't idiots either. They're only in for minor theft... If someone dies, that's different. It'll be fine.

"I heard the boss was summoned by the 'higher-ups' early this morning. He should come back once he's done."

These public security officers were not extraordinary individuals.

They were merely ordinary people from middle-class families.

Because some distant relative had become a Returner, they had benefited from the connection. Their constitutions were also decent, so they passed the entry-level public security officer examination and got this respectable job.

They had stable incomes and would not be forcibly conscripted.

As for courage, they were even more cowardly. They had no desire whatsoever to deal with Destiny Space.

One Hour later.

With the sound of horse hooves arriving at the Police Bureau entrance.

A middle-aged man wearing a tall hat and a black trench coat, a silver insignia on his chest, walked inside.

"Officer Days! During a search of private residences today, we found an 'escapee.' He's locked up downstairs."

The moment Officer Days heard this, he flew into a rage!

What he despised most were escapees who dared violate the supreme charter established by the Council and, out of cowardice, failed to enter Destiny Space on time.

Under ordinary circumstances, he would have immediately gone to the holding area, beaten the person senseless, and sent him to the local court.

But today's circumstances were somewhat special.

When Officer Days entered, his face bore a delighted smile... He had been summoned upstairs at short notice today for only one reason.

A Returner had appeared in the Slums under his jurisdiction.