With the passing of the storm came an irrepressible renewal of hope and life. A gloomy atmosphere hung over the group of abnormals, yet they couldn’t help but gaze in admiration at the magnificent sight before them.

Imposing white stone walls illuminated by sunlight, moving silhouettes of soldiers from the Spire’s Guard on the ramparts, and the Spire itself protruding over the lofty walls and reaching far into the clouds. Indeed, Spire’s Base was a city worthy to be the capital of the New World Government.

From a distance, they could see the rows of tamed beasts going in and out of the tall stone gates alongside spectacularly dressed adventurers and explorers on expeditions into the deep forest.

After enduring the wind and rain for so long, the convoy finally arrived at their destination.

“What a sight.”

“It’s so beautiful!”

“It’s so big! And the walls! None of the cities I’ve been to has ever dared to be so grand.”

“Idiot. It’s the Spire’s Base—what do you expect? They are naturally confident in defending it if they dare to be grand.”

“Confident? How confident could they possibly be? They set up base on the number one Forbidden Land!”

“Who can say...”

Whispers and murmurings traveled back and forth among the prisoners as they covered the last stretch to the city.

“Welcome to Spire’s Base, the city under the Spire.” The blonde lady began as they drew near. “Spire’s Base is the safest city in the world, guarded by hundreds of thousands of soldiers. The Reclaimers’ Legion’s families live here, further testifying to its security. Established on the most terrifying Forbidden Land in the world, it has endured hundreds of skirmishes over the years. Yet...”

She pointed at its pristine walls.

“Yet the city continues to stand. The mighty Monster Clan that occupies a portion of our island, the Dragon-scaled Lizard Clan, has been unable to scratch the city.” She paused. She didn’t have to say the rest. Neither will you.

Passing by mounted adventurers and carriages, the entourage arrived at the gate. Guards stood there, recording everyone who entered and left the city. Those who went in received a token, while those who went out returned the token to the Guards.

The deputy captain stepped in front of the group, telling them how things would go from now on. They would step forward in orderly queues to receive unique badges. After receiving badges, they would be sent to the Guard House.

“By nightfall, you will have received new custom-made Bone-embroidered Robes to replace these tattered rags. A banquet has been prepared for you all, so do put forward your best appearance.”

“Uh...” Someone near the back raised a hand. It was a short man in a patchy, plain uniform. An escort. “What about us?”

Eldon glanced at the short man and his nervous friends. Two were from his Camp, known as bullies and torturers. They got to visit Spire Island as a payoff for scheming for years, but now they looked like lost, frightened kids standing close to a raging battlefield where they did not belong.

The deputy shot a glance at them. “You guys can join the Guards for now. You will be sent back in the morning.”

“B-B-But w-what ab-b-out the b-banquet?” The short guy stammered again. The greed in his eyes was evident to Eldon, as was the slight movement of his throat as he swallowed.

The deputy gave him a passing, disinterested glance. Then she turned towards the gates, but after a few tentative steps, she looked back. Her eyes roved, flitting from side to side as she gazed into the horizon, and from the disappointed expression on her face, Eldon knew she found nothing.

Sighing, she hurried into the city.

The rest was straightforward. The inmates got into an orderly queue as directed. A group of soldiers registered them, handing them a small round bronze plate engraved with a number. Eldon also received his. The metal plate was cool to the touch. The number ‘4864’ was engraved on it in flowing letters.

How elegant. This isn’t an object made for Campers, Eldon thought, turning the over. There was nothing on the other side. Cell number? Block number? Room number? He’d find out in a short time.

When all the Campers had completed registration, a squadron of Guards different from those who brought them escorted them into the city. The others had disappeared at some point, presumably to perform other duties. As for the Camp escorts, when Eldon went through the city gates with the other Campers, it was their turn to be registered.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

The Guard House was located near the city wall to allow quick mobilization in an emergency. The Guards marched them through side streets and alleys, preventing the civilians from encountering them. After a few minutes, they were walking through the wrought iron gate of the Spire’s Guard House.

The Guard House comprised many buildings and blocks, just like the Camps. Eldon was familiar with the sight of Guards in blue uniforms milling about with purposeful steps, the arrays of high-rise buildings, and the constant stream of people out of each building.

When they arrived at a complex of similarly shaped adjacent blocks, the Guards stopped.

“Find your room numbers.” One of them said, pointing at one of the blocks. “Your numbers are in that building. Two may have the same number. Wait until nightfall. Do whatever until then. If you disturb others—” The soldier made a slitting motion across his throat. “—you die. When night falls, head to the Spire.”

Eldon glanced at his badge again. Then, he and the other Campers joined the stream of people entering and exiting the residential block.

The streets of Spire’s Base were crowded yet orderly as always. Pedestrians dressed in battle gear and carrying weapons walked orderly, some stopping to purchase items or enter a building. Wooden carriages pulled by tired mules, horses, or other beasts waggled by, creaking, groaning, and saddled by cargo. Once in a while, a troop of Spire’s Guard trotted past, dutifully patrolling the city.

A slender blond woman draped in a purple scarf left the streets and entered a building to the side, from which hung a wooden signboard that said, “Real Coffee Shop.” The lobby was filled with the usual crowd, the smell of coffee, toast, and cigarettes permeating the air.

The woman walked past the rabble, ignored the cheerful greetings, and made her way up the rickety stairs. Walking past a few rooms and staff, she arrived at a black, heavy-looking door. A few decorations were hung up on the door; little notes saying “Dad! I wanna play!”, “Big bully (angry face),” and “Reporting for duty, sir!”; hearts that were drawn in a variety of colors—pink, blue, yellow; a sign that said “OUT OF BOUNDS”; and underneath it all, just barely visible, a small golden tag that said, “Commander Revel’s Hovel.”

The woman stood before the door for a few moments, allowing a smile to cross her face. Then she pushed the door open without knocking.

Thick cigarette smoke filled the air, making it difficult to breathe and, in fact, to see clearly. Books, papers, and other writing utensils lay scattered on the work desk beside the disorganized bookshelves. Sunlight shone in from a window, highlighting the silhouette of a man sitting by it. On the walls and desk were pictures of a young girl smiling happily.

Used to the sight, the woman strode in after shutting the door and crawled into the lap of the man sitting by the window.

Another puff of smoke added to the pollution in the air before the man chuckled.

“My daughter finally remembered she has a father.” His voice was rough and gruff. “Did she miss her old man, or is she here on business?”

The woman looked at her father’s face—his thick eyebrows, unruly hair, and untamed facial hair—and pouted.

“Does it have to be one or the other? Why can’t it be both?”

The man laughed and took a puff. Then he coughed repeatedly until the woman collected the cigarette from him and smothered it before throwing it to the side.

“People will laugh if they find that Commander Revel—the great S-Rank Legion Commander—is addicted to this thing to the point of coughing," the woman said.

“They shouldn’t.” The man cleared his throat and rubbed the woman’s back. “I am still human—mortal—after all.”

“Really?” The woman put a thoughtful expression on, pretending to think. Eventually, she shook her head and laughed. “No matter how I think about it, I can’t imagine you dying at all. Not after hearing of your legendary deeds. You can’t die.”

The man’s face darkened. He stared out the window.

“Linny,” he finally said after a long pause. “There are things bigger than humans in this world. Things bigger than even the strongest of us. Bigger than me.”

A solemn silence hung in the room, like the smoke that lingered despite the open window.

“Oh well,” the man said. “What brings you here? Really.”

The woman sat up. “My squad was sent to escort Camp prisoners to The Base.”

“Yes, I know of that. It’s one of the easiest jobs I could get for you; all you have to do is lead them safely through the Overlap.”

“Yes. We’ve brought in several batches over the past few days, but... Today, my squad’s captain vanished.”

“Hm? Capestone? Isn’t that the talented lad you brought here almost a year ago?”

“It’s him.”

The man pondered a moment. “What happened?”

“The Dragon-scaled Lizards attacked.”

“Hunting? Scaring the humans away?”

“That’s what Alerin said. They attack anyone who passes the Overlap to remind the humans of their existence or to chase them from their territory. But it was different today. The beasts were much more... I don’t know. Determined? Angry?” The constellation of crimson eyes was burned into her mind.

“Interesting,” the man said, leaning back and reaching for another cigarette on the messy table, only for his hand to get smacked by his daughter. He sighed. “So?”

“Alerin stayed behind to hold them back, leaving me to lead the convoy to The Base. We expected him to catch up along the way, but he never returned.”

Commander Revel heaved a deep sigh, his eyes staring into space. His daughter waited patiently. Seconds passed, followed by minutes before her father’s deep voice resounded again.

“Do you remember what I told you just now, Linny, of the things bigger than your father in this world?”

Linny had a bad feeling. She clenched her fist tightly.

“There is a reason the New World Government chose this island as their base from which they would control the world, and there is a reason the island has not been cleared of monsters after so many years. That kid... He must have stumbled upon 'it.'”

The man looked into his daughter’s eyes and said solemnly. “Capestone is dead. There is nothing I could have done to save him, even if I was there. In truth, Linny, even I would have to run for my life.”

Linny froze. Even her father had to run? A great commander—no, the great Commander Revel had to run for his life?

“It will be best not to speak of this matter again.” The man sighed and pulled the girl into his arms. “There is nothing that can be done.”