A vast, dense forest sprawled along the Border Line between the Third District and the Tenth District.
Back in the era when the two districts worked hand-in-hand to build the Northern Continental Economic Zone, the administration over this border area had been incredibly lenient.
However, as public security in the Tenth District rapidly deteriorated, the authorities of the Third District constructed a massive number of Watchtowers along the Border Line. Nominally built to prevent forest fires, their true purpose was to guard against people. A proposal to build another Isolation Wall along the border had even been brought to the discussion table. If not for a lack of budget, the sheer difficulty of construction, and the high risk of sparking diplomatic disputes, the two major districts might have already been physically segregated—just like the Eastern Second-to-Last District and its neighbors.
Today, the mountainous border region was a picture of harmony. Working in pairs, the watchn monitored the forest in shifts with an unprecedented level of strictness and dedication.
Interestingly, their attention was not focused toward the Tenth District, but rather inward toward the Third District.
"It is always like this whenever they issue work orders. They speak so vaguely, leaving us clueless about what actually happened, yet they force us to keep an eye on our own backyard..." One of the watchn complained, expertly sweeping his binoculars over several narrow trails. Aside from a silly roe deer, nothing else caught his interest. "It couldn't be an escaped convict, could it?"
The Walkie-Talkie clipped to his chest crackled with static before a voice transmitted through it.
"If it is an escaped convict, it has been almost a week. They couldn't possibly still be at large, right?"
"Then who else would be running toward the Tenth District? I heard there are gunfights everywhere over there. You could catch a stray bullet just taking a walk."
Stationed in the wilderness, monitoring the mountains and forests was a dull and lonely job. Without communication for long periods, even one's language skills would degrade. The watchn worked in pairs, rotating shifts to ensure soone was always on duty day and night.
"The food will be ready soon. I will call you when I am done eating," his partner at the base of the Watchtower said.
"Do not finish all the food by yourself again."
"How could I? Am I that kind of person?"
"If you hog it all, I will definitely kick your ass," the watchman at the top of the tower joked with a laugh, temporarily turning off the Walkie-Talkie's speaker.
Through the glass in front of him lay a mountain sunset—a sight he was thoroughly accustod to, yet one that remained incredibly brilliant.
The veil of night was creeping over the forest from the horizon, washing away the golden hues lingering on the treetops.
Night fell swiftly in the mountains.
In no ti, apart from this Watchtower and its sisters on the distant peaks, not a single light source could be found in the entire mountain range. Although the stars and moon shone brightly tonight, even the most experienced watchman would never rashly enter the mountains after dark. The more one understood the wilderness, the more reverence they held for nature.
No fires, no suspicious individuals. It had been a good day.
"Alright, co down and eat."
"Coming."
The watchman pushed the door open, braving the night wind at the top of the tower as he stepped onto the suspended walkway outside the room.
The nocturnal gales were fierce, making the entire tower sway noticeably. The watchman was used to this, and he felt his way toward the stairs.
Flap-flap-flap...
A sudden flurry of wings erupted. A massive flock of birds took flight in a frantic hurry, transforming into a dark cloud circling under the moonlight. All kinds of bird calls rang out endlessly, echoing through the dead silence of the mountain forest and stirring up the rustling of even more wild beasts.
The mountain, which had been as quiet as a void just monts ago, was suddenly filled with incessant noise.
The watchman froze. The static from the Walkie-Talkie had also ceased.
They both knew exactly what had happened—sothing in the forest was making a massive commotion, and the birds were warning each other.
The only things capable of provoking such a violent reaction from the flock were either natural predators, or...
The watchman rushed back into the room at the top of the tower and grabbed the pager connected to the high-power radio.
"This is Haier Peak, we have a situation in the forest—" Although he did not expect to see anything in the pitch-black environnt, he still pressed his binoculars to his eyes and leaned close to the glass.
Swaying trees imdiately filled his vision.
Towering pines and spruces shuddered violently. The force was so imnse that it practically shook the silvery moonlight off their canopies. It looked as if so colossal behemoth was violently forcing its way through them. The forest parted to the sides to let it pass, and he could even see entire trees toppling over.
The source of that trembling was charging straight toward the Watchtower.
-----------------
Director Bjorn, the forr deputy of Facility 031, was running for his life.
He knew the Managent Authority showed no rcy to traitors, but it had been three days. Three whole days, and they were still ruthlessly hunting him down!
For the past three days, he had been navigating through the cities, constantly moving toward the border until he finally slipped into the weakly monitored mountain forests. Bjorn had assud the danger period had passed. He was just about to slow down and find a place to spend the night when that roaring steel beast charged out from behind him.
The complex terrain of the forest could not stop it. The Heavy Machinery effortlessly crushed the trees, grinding any roots blocking its path into the mud as it doggedly bit at Bjorn's heels.
Whenever he thought he had finally shaken it off, it would burst into his field of vision from an unexpected angle—in ways that Bjorn, who was unfamiliar with military tactics, could not even fathom. It forced him to clutch the Suitcase tight to his chest and continue his desperate flight.
It had not opened fire, likely out of fear of the item in his hands.
Bjorn's survival up until now likely entirely depended on this Suitcase. 'Hah, the Managent Authority doesn't know what's inside, so they don't dare use force. They are still strictly adhering to their principle of maximizing control over an Anomaly, refusing to destroy a Containnt Object unless absolutely necessary. Now that Facility 031 has been reduced to rubble and is awaiting a lengthy excavation and rescue process, the Managent Authority isn't sure if I took a Containnt Object with !'
This thought gave him hope. Consequently, Bjorn quickened his pace, trying his hardest to shake off the deadly chanical roar.
As long as he crossed the district border, he would reach the chaotic Tenth District. After that, he could head all the way east, cross districts again through the loophole-ridden coastline, and enter the Eleventh District where the Managent Authority's reach fell short. There, he could find the dissidents who had been in contact with him.
They had promised that as long as he brought the Suitcase, they would give him everything he desired.
Most importantly, he could finally be rid of the stubbornly rigid Managent Authority!
As he thought about it, a smile crept onto Bjorn's face.
Right at that mont, the operating noise of the Heavy Machinery rang out once more. The sound of its engine briefly reminded Bjorn of the Humidity Controllers outside the Containnt Room of the Seed of Doom.
'I hope that plant has caused enough trouble for the Managent Authority...' he mused.
Unknowingly, the ground beneath his feet began to slope upward.
Bjorn caught sight of a narrow path winding up the mountain, and right next to a small cabin at the summit, a car was actually parked!
'The heavens are truly on my side!'
When Bjorn and his relentless pursuer climbed the slope, two panic-stricken figures dashed out of the cabin and fled into the forest. Bjorn ignored the two poor bastards. Their only purpose for existing was to provide him with a vehicle—and the car keys dropped on the ground!
Seizing the mont before his pursuers could trample him, Bjorn snatched the keys, shattered the car window with his elbow just like in the movies, and yanked the door open. He scrambled into the driver's seat and drove this life-saving vehicle away, speeding toward the Tenth District.
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