CHAPTER 119: INTRUSION PLAN

"Uh... Dr. Marshal, are you sure this is going to work?" Shaan asked nervously, watching the two guards standing at the gate, checking everyone leaving the Twilight Sanctum. "I don’t know... maybe we should think of another plan."

"I’m sure it will work. Trust me," Dr. Marshal replied with a smile, continuing to push the cart filled with broken stuff and scrap parts.

"B-but what if they get suspicious?" Shaan whispered, his voice shaky as they drew closer to the guards.

"Just leave everything to me. Right now, your only job is to stay hidden under this stuff and don’t move, understand?"

"I understand."

Dr. Marshal finally reached the gate and began walking through the entrance. But after only a few steps, the two guards immediately stopped him.

"Dr. Marshal, please hold on a second," one of the guards, a man with short brown hair, stepped forward.

’Oh no, they’re coming,’ Shaan thought, taking a long, nervous breath. ’I just have to stay still... and hope they don’t notice me.’

Dr. Marshal paused and looked at the guard calmly. "Yes, officer? Is there a problem?"

"Dr. Marshal, where are you going with all that stuff?" asked the black-haired guard standing to the left of him. "Rules are rules. We can’t let you pass through this gate without a valid reason."

"I’m just taking out some junk from my lab to dispose of it," Dr. Marshal replied calmly. "Is there a problem?"

"Dr. Marshal, you know that, for now, the leader of the Twilight Sanctum has prohibited anyone from going in or out of the gate. It’s dangerous out there," the brown-haired guard explained. "Let us handle the disposal. You should head back home before—"

"No." Dr. Marshal cut him off firmly. "You are not allowed to touch any of these items. It’s dangerous."

’Wait, what?’ Shaan froze beneath the pile of equipment, his body squeezed tight between the objects.

"Dr. Marshal, what do you mean by that?" The black-haired guard furrowed his brow and glanced at his partner. "We don’t understand what you’re getting at."

"Uhm... are you sure about that?" the brown-haired guard said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Because from what I can see, this all looks harmless, just a bunch of broken tools and scrap metal."

Shaan held his breath. ’This is bad... really bad. I think they’re starting to get suspicious.’

"Dr. Marshal, we’re going to inspect these items first before you’re allowed to take them out," said the brown-haired guard as he stepped forward, reaching out to lift one of the objects in the cart. You can wait while we—"

"Stop!"

Dr. Marshal’s sudden shout froze both guards in place. "I’m warning you—don’t touch anything in that cart," he said sharply. "All of it has been contaminated with a dangerous chemical compound that affects the respiratory system. One touch, and it spreads fast through the body. It could even lead to death." He raised his gloved hands for emphasis. "Look, I have to wear these just to push the cart. Do you really want to be responsible if the entire Twilight Sanctum ends up infected just because you wouldn’t let me dispose of this properly?"

’Interesting, I had no idea Dr. Marshal could think like that.’

"This kind of waste needs special handling, and I’m the only one qualified to deal with it," Dr. Marshal added, his voice firm. "Ordinary personnel like you won’t be able to contain it. You’ll only make things worse."

After hearing Dr. Marshal’s explanation, the two guards fell silent and backed off from their intention. Without saying a word, they opened the gates of the Twilight Sanctum and allowed Dr. Marshal to pass through calmly.

"Wow, Dr. Marshal. I never expected them to believe your words so easily," whispered Shaan from inside the pile of stuff. "That’s quite a brilliant idea."

"Of course. I told you this would work," Dr. Marshal said with a satisfied smile. "Now stay quiet, we’re almost out of here," he added calmly. "Don’t give them any reason to get suspicious again."

"Alright, I get it."

Dr. Marshal kept pushing the cart until he finally made it out of the Twilight Sanctum. He continued walking toward a cluster of thick trees and slowly came to a stop in the middle of the trees.

"Shaan, I think we’re safe here," Dr. Marshal said, looking around. "There are no guards here, and you can come out now."

"Ah... finally." Shaan let out a deep sigh. "This is much better. This homunculus’ body is really starting to heat up."

"Shaan, listen to me now," Dr. Marshal said, turning serious. "You just need to keep walking through those trees, and you should find the old water tunnel soon."

"Okay. I get it, Dr. Marshal." Shaan shook his head. "I understand."

"I’ll head back to the lab and keep your body safe," Dr. Marshal explained. "Remember, make sure to keep your communication channel on while you’re inside the tunnel, so we can stay in contact."

"I understand," Shaan nodded. "I’ll activate the channel as soon as I’m inside the tunnel."

"Alright then. Be careful, Shaan."

"I will."

After moving all the items out of the cart together, Dr. Marshal turned and walked back toward the Twilight Sanctum, leaving Shaan alone by the edge of the forest.

"Alright... now I need to move and find that water tunnel."

Shaan took a deep breath and began walking through the trees again, trying to locate the old water tunnel Dr. Marshal had mentioned. But controlling the homunculus’ body still felt incredibly awkward.

Even walking proved to be a challenge. He kept stumbling and falling as he struggled to keep his balance. The problem was the body itself, and it was far heavier than his real one. After all, nearly every part of it was made of metal. Damn. This is not going to be easy.

’Come on, Shaan. You can do it.’

Those words kept echoing in Shaan’s mind, pushing him to keep moving forward. He stumbled several times, but little by little, he started to get used to controlling the homunculus’ body as he walked through the trees.

After a long and difficult walk, he finally reached the edge of the forest. Just ahead, exactly as Dr. Marshal had described, stood an old tunnel entrance. Shaan moved closer until he stood right in front of a worn-out sign that read:

"Twilight Sanctum City Water Tunnel."

"Perfect. This is it," Shaan said with a small smile.

"This is the old water tunnel Dr. Marshal told me about. Now... It’s time to go in and find the proof I need to clear my name."