I quickly fell in line as the inspection became silent and quicker. Not only that, it seemed that other guards who were just standing and watching from the sides earlier were now being active in delivering their duties.
One of the armed men jogged to me after sizing me up from the distance. I didn't move, but my hands tightened around the handlebars. Why am I nervous? I feel like I'll get caught for a crime I didn't do.
Oh. Wait. I did commit a crime. Dammit.
If they point their guns at me, I will lift the bike and smash it at them. Running away is impossible from a gun anyway.
"Good day, Sir."
The guard began after approaching me, "We're inspecting those who wish to enter. We hope you will cooperate nicely."
I answered, nodding at the greetings of the polite soldier, "Sure, officer. But may I know why there is a sudden inspection?"
"A week ago, there were civilians who entered the city. They sought refuge here from the sudden emergence of those monsters. But they planned to seize control and created havoc within the city, proclaiming the end of the world and that everyone should obey them to be saved."
Could those people be Awakeners whose pride went into their heads and made them self-proclaimed heroes?
I suddenly recalled the soldier's words. My eyes widened. No. It couldn't be. Then, I furrowed my brows. A week ago? What? Is the soldier's brain got smashed and now he was confused?
The soldier continued, "Many citizens were fooled—
"Wait, officer. A week ago? The monsters only existed three days ago, aren't they?"
I interrupted him. Maybe he was just mistaken since it has only been two days after I escaped the penalty given by the system. Adding the day the monsters arrived, my calculation is right. Three days, that's all that passed.
The soldier looked at me with confusion, he then shook his head slightly and answered, "No, Sir. It has been a week. Three days and a week to be exact."
My body paused in shock. Seriously?! A week had passed without me knowing?! Did I somehow sleep in the ghostly town for a week?! That's impossible. How could I sleep that long without waking up for even just a second?
I don't have any recollection of what happened in that missing week. Unless…
Yes, the problem was the system. Could it be…the timeline is different? It only took two hours inside that warped place, but a week had already passed!
Even so, the awakening phenomenon only happened two days ago. For them to know its existence in just a short time, as well as rein them under the government, is unbelievably quick.
I fell into deep thoughts.
"Now, Sir. May I see your ID?"
Since I was busy running my mind, I ignored the kind guard. If only someone hadn't pushed me at the back, I would have kept calculating the hours in my head.
I snapped from my reverie when I heard the soldier's voice again. I blinked to clear my thoughts and focus on what was right in front of me.
"Ah, yes."
I replied, grabbing the tiny sling bag I stole from the town. I took my wallet out and pulled out my driver's license. It was fortunate that I had the habit of always keeping my wallet in my pants, so even after all the things that happened, it wasn't lost even once.
For someone who grew up in poverty, I was always cautious about where to put my hard-earned money.
The soldier checked my card. Eyes inspecting the front and back as though they had some super authentication powers by looking at objects alone.
It made me somewhat nervous, though my identity was real.
I cleared my throat which caught the other guy's attention. Then, I voiced out my intrusive thoughts calmly and politely, so as not to irritate the soldier.
"With all this happening in this world, is there really a need to check someone's identity? I mean…I'm just curious, hehe." Paired with a polite smile, I scratched my head as if I was no other than a prying fool.
The soldiers sighed as if the inquiry had been asked of him many times before. Though his face looked fed up, he still answered civilly, "The more reasons to check them, sir. Cities unaffected by the monsters are beginning to take measures to build survivor camps and accept refugees from other places.
"Aside from mobilizing the national defense unit to protect those cities, we are also tasked in identifying every individual that enters to find any missing person and casualties."
"Oh, is that so? I'm glad the government is quick on the uptake," I replied with a cheerful smile, though it wasn't genuine at all. I then added respectfully, "Thank you for protecting the citizens, officer."
"O-Oh, sure…"
The soldier looked proud and gave back my card, gesturing me to proceed through the gate. I even saw the tip of the soldier's ears become red. Perhaps, it's not every day a civilian got to thank them for their jobs and sacrifice, so the soldier felt slightly shy.
I pushed the bike as I walked. Then, I stopped in front of the little kid. Now, it was the kid's turn to examine me.
The kid, whose height only reached my waist, looked up and gazed at me with his red boring eyes. I forced myself not to scratch my face so hard. Kid, I don't want sore eyes. Look away quickly, I beg you.
"Awakened."
The kid's tiny voice echoed in the area. He blinked his red eyes and looked at the soldier next to him. The soldier, whose build is twice as large as me, held a notebook and pen.
"Name."
"Atlas Sterne."
"Your rank?"
See? They're already aware of the rankings. Or maybe, this person is an awakener too?
"Your rank, I asked."
"Oh, sorry. S."
The soldier frowned. What? Why did he frown?
"Is there something wrong with my rank?" I couldn't help but ask.
"Your rank is too low. A, as the primary alphabet, is the highest rank. Yours is not even in the top fifteen."
"What? Do you know how many ranks are there?"
The soldier looked down at him, "As of now, there are seven, including you. A to F, then, you're the first to have S."
Is that how it works? The farther you are in the alphabet, the lower your rank is…? Is this right? Am I not supposed to be the hero? Or am I a hero who'll get bullied for being the weakest and then slowly rise from the top?
Oh, please, author. That's too troublesome. Rather than making me a respectable protagonist, I'd rather you improve something about my personality.
"Don't share unsupported information yet. There hasn't been an official examination of these ranks and awakeners. What you said is without basis," the kid chipped in.
I agreed with the kid. I ruffled his head and replied, "That's right."
The kid slapped my hand away and glared at me, but I gave him a friendly smile instead.
[Ting!]
[1 Supporting Character Acquired!
>17 remaining]