AZI Volume 1 Chapter 3

Grounded City 012, shortened as GC012, one of the many cities that continue to exist till this day, located in the eastern parts of this imprisoned planet.

With the current state of this world, the idea of race and nation has almost disappeared thoroughly from the minds of the public.

Much like most Grounded Cities, this place is divided into wards, counting ten in total. From a bird's eye view, the shape of the city is round in form.

Crystal clear slabs of colossal stature—barrier devices, surround the city's domain, and act as its borders.

From the sides and top of these slabs, an energy shield that is as thin as paper—but more durable than a diamond could exponentially be, is maintained.

A decade after the start of the Great Immortal Wars, all cities that continued to remain after the initial invasion were equipped with such devices.

The purpose of these large-scaled devices is to defend the fortified cities against the attacks of the Immortals that are brought into this world through the Gears of Descension, and to prevent these same Immortals from manifesting themselves within the city grounds—causing unwanted havoc among the populace.

"…Finally free."

As the sun begins to set, the final day of the school semester ends, and with it the graduating students of S09 are released.

Raising a lazy yawn, 1029-874 walks down the business establishment filled streets of the third ward to get to his workplace.

Right as he crosses the road, his phone begins to ring.

"Zhōu'er?"

Looking at the caller ID that had appeared on the screen of his smartphone, 1029-874 raises an eye as he answers the call.

The person on the other line is his co-worker of the same business establishment, a café called Mirrored Moon.

"Something the matter?"

[Congratulations on graduating, Lóng Huá.]

Long Hua, that is 1029-874's real name outside of school.

"…"

[What's wrong? Aren't you supposed to let me hear a bit more excitement than that?]

"What exactly is there to congratulate about really? Four years spent on something utterly meaningless."

[C'mon don't be like that. At least this will give you more opportunities later down the line.]

"Quit talking like you're the older one. Is there any other reason for this call?"

[I figured that I might as well warn you about the guys tailing you right now. Wouldn't want them coming to the café with you and scaring away the customers.]

Hearing this, Long Hua halts his footsteps and in a natural manner, he moves to the side to lean his back against the wall of a brand-named clothing shop.

"How many?"

[Two, four… Five total. Just what did you do?]

"I cheated a bit when drawing the ballot."

[So, the rumors of them rigging the system are real?]

"No idea, and not interested to find out. I'm just not one to leave stuff like this up to chance."

[Yeah, if you got sent off to the frontlines that could complicate some things in the Guild.]

"On paper these guys aren't official government dogs, are they?"

[They gotta keep some things unknown, so I doubt they'd have anything on them that could be traced back to their employer. Even then, who would believe a Sinner crying wolf or murder, when they tend to be the wolves and the murderers?]

Despite the importance of Sinners to the war efforts of fighting back against the invading Immortals, public opinion in the last couple of centuries has swayed towards designating Sinners to be elements of danger.

Jobs that deal with taking down rogue Sinners that have a record of causing harm to the public are handled by the Disciplinary Bureaus, which are run by Sinners that have formally graduated from schools akin to S09.

As for the task of taking out Immortals that manifest near the city at random, that is also directed to the members of the Disciplinary Bureau.

Naturally, the odds of these manifestations happening are a lot rarer compared to being able to encounter an Immortal on the frontlines every day, but it does still happen once in a while.

"Looks like I'll be a bit late for work today then. Tell that to the Owner."

[Already did.]

"I'll see you two in a bit then. I'm hanging up."

Hanging up the phone and storing it away, Long Hua continues towards his destination with a detour in mind.