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Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Public Security Sub-bureau Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales Higher life form. Fate Space. Mechanical City State. Alchemy. And the next steps of obtaining body parts, exploring mysticism and so on. These topics filled Han Dong’s mind as he lay in bed. Unconsciously, several hours had passed. It wasn’t until three or four in the morning that he fell asleep. As a researcher, he was quite captivated by, even obsessed with, ‘new things’. After gaining an understanding of the world’s general situation, he was eager to delve deeper into new and unfamiliar concepts at the Knight Academy, topics he would never have encountered in his previous world. Because he went to bed so late, he woke up much later… disturbed by an argument outside his door. “What’s all the noise?” Han Dong stretched lazily before eavesdropping from his room. He picked up a few keywords: ‘forced conscription’, ‘tax collection’. “Forced conscription is the forced recruitment of young people into the Fate Space… they exchange a large number of ordinary people for a small number of ‘Returners’, right? Nina just told me yesterday that because I became a ‘Returner’ , she was able to avoid forced conscription. It seems the civilian district management isn’t very well informed.’ Han Dong pushed the door open and headed out. He saw two public security officers, wearing dark linen suits and Pentagonal Star Badges on their chests, trying to strap a clockwork device on Nina—a countdown to conscription. “What are you doing?” Hearing Han Dong’s voice. The two officers – one fat and one tall – looked up in surprise. Glancing at Han Dong’s thin and haggard body, the heavier of the two burst out laughing: “Haha, you’re a ‘Returner’? With that body, you expect to survive in the Fate Space? Stop joking around!” The taller officer, more crafty in his evaluation, immediately noticed the timekeeping device on Han Dong’s wrist. “Hmm!? He’s wearing a time device… You dare to defy the council’s order, you didn’t participate in the last ‘Fate Space’ journey! ” In their eyes, the elites known as ‘Returners’ wouldn’t come from the civilian districts, let alone a malnourished youth living in such poverty. Therefore, they immediately pegged Han Dong, with his clockwork device, as someone who was too afraid of death to participate in the Fate Space test. According to the council charter, deserters are stripped of their rights for life. They can be sold as slaves, used as human bait for the Knight Regiment, or executed on the spot. Pushing Nina and her mother aside, they pulled out a simple iron bracelet, intending to shackle Han Dong and take him away. “Let go of my brother…!” Nina resisted, trying to step in. “Annoying!” Just as one officer was about to slap Nina. Instantly, a pair of eyes filled with murderous intent locked onto him. Han Dong, thin as a bamboo stick, stretched out his hand to stop the tall officer’s action. Even though Han Dong’s strength was pitiful, he had a powerful will emanating from his mind. Through eye contact and palm touch, this powerful will transferred into the officer’s body, creating a sense of fear, causing him to halt. “Nina, you stay home with Mum, I’ll go with them and be back soon.” Han Dong showed a calm smile, just like when he had entered the Fate Space. This managed to slightly calm Nina, who was on the verge of tears. She returned to support her mother. The other officer, the chubby one, sneered: “You think you’re coming back? This is not only your problem. If your crime of desertion is confirmed, they will be guilty of harboring you! Your sister will probably be sold as a female slave, right? It’s a pity, her skin isn’t great. I don’t think she’ll fetch much money. Haha.” “Charles, why bother talking so much? Let’s just take this kid in. We’ll earn a substantial bounty.” The tall officer easily broke free from Han Dong’s ‘grasp’. He didn’t think much of the brief moment of fear he had experienced. Instead, he quickly shackled Han Dong’s hands with the iron chain. “Yeah… Let’s visit ‘Mona’s Tavern’ tonight! I heard they’ve got some new girls.” The two were excited to discuss their plans for the evening as they led Han Dong towards the local police station. During the escort, a spiteful voice echoed in Han Dong’s head: “Should we kill them!” “No… I planned this. It’s a good opportunity to understand the local law enforcement policies. Miss Chen Li, you just rest. If there’s real danger, I’ll call you.” Han Dong felt a warmth in his heart. He didn’t expect Chen Li to be paying attention to his situation all this time. During the escort. The tall officer who had been stopped by Han Dong kept looking back. He found Han Dong to be somewhat peculiar… but they had not received any notification from above. Normally, if a ‘Returner’ appears in their district, they would receive a notice from above, assigning the Returner and their family to a special list for special treatment. [Samay Street Public Security Bureau] “The sheriff is out… You better be careful in the cell, don’t die on us.’ Unlike a regular detention center, the cells in this bureau don’t have separate rooms. Offenders are thrown together. They only separate men from women. Inside the bureau. The tall officer said: “Charles, where’s the boss? Why hasn’t he returned? I’m worried this kid’s body won’t hold up. If those big guys take turns beating him and something happens, we won’t get our bounty.” “Don’t worry, those guys downstairs aren’t dumb. They’re just low-cost thieves… if they cause a death, that’s a whole different story, they’ll be fine. I heard the boss was summoned to the ‘top’ early this morning. He’ll be back when he’s finished.’ These law enforcement officers are not particularly capable or extraordinary. They’re just ordinary people from middle-class families. Thanks to a distant relative becoming a ‘Returner,’ they gained some favor and had decent physical constitutions. They were able to pass the law enforcement examinations and secure these jobs. They have a stable income and won’t be conscripted. When it comes to courage, they’re even more cowardly, not willing to get involved with the Fate Space. An hour later. With the sound of hooves reaching the security bureau’s entrance. A middle-aged man bearing a silver badge, wearing a black cloak and top hat, entered the bureau. “Sheriff Dace! We found a ‘deserter’ during our residential search today. He’s locked up downstairs.” On hearing the news, the sheriff’s face darkened immediately! He had a deep disdain for anyone who dared to violate the supreme charter set by the council, deserters who refused to participate in the Fate Space because of their cowardice. Ordinarily, he would head down to the detention center at once, beat the person up before sending them to the local court. However, today was a special case. When the sheriff entered, he wore a cheerful smile… He had been called away only because of one thing. The civilian district he managed had produced a ‘Returner’..