CHAPTER 30 - 30 – NORTHERN DISTRICT (PART 3)

Chapter 30 – Northern District (Part 3)

Jack exhaled a long, steady breath, feeling the warmth of power spreading through his limbs like a slow-burning fire. His muscles twitched slightly, tension releasing as the surge settled into his core.

"That feels better," he murmured under his breath.

Lune tilted her head, watching him with curious eyes. "So... you chose to enhance your strength and grab the flask instead?"

"Yeah. This feels more important right now," Jack replied calmly, flexing his fingers. "And since I have you with me, I figured healing any injuries wouldn't be an issue."

"O-oh..." she stammered, blinking a few times before coughing awkwardly. A light blush crept onto her cheeks. "Y-you're right... I'm ready to help my husband whenever he needs me!"

Jack said nothing, just blinked at her.

'When exactly did I get used to her calling me that?' he mused silently. It didn't feel weird anymore—just... familiar. Oddly comforting, even. Despite knowing almost nothing about this mysterious woman, her presence didn't irritate him. Unlike everyone else, who usually made him want to leave the room, Lune didn't trigger that instinct. If anything, she made things feel easier. That only further confirmed what he already suspected: she really did know him, from a future he hadn't lived yet. She never did the things he hated. Never pushed too far.

As she wandered around, looking at every little thing with curiosity, Jack caught himself staring. He shook his head and looked away.

"I wonder when they'll be le—"

Before he could finish the sentence, the sharp crackle of loudspeakers rang out from overhead.

"PLEASE HEAD TOWARD THE BUNKERS IMMEDIATELY! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GO ANYWHERE ELSE! FOR YOUR SAFETY, PROCEED TO THE NEAREST BUNKER!"

The voice repeated over and over, echoing through the city streets. A moment later, Jack heard it—the cries of panicked civilians and the thunder of countless footsteps rushing toward the bunkers.

"Here we go," he muttered as he stood and brushed the dust off his clothes. "It's time."

"Are you going to wait for them to pass?"

Jack shook his head. "No. Since the bunkers will fill up quickly, I want to get in before they do. I'll wait until they're close enough that my sudden appearance won't seem too strange." He crept toward the edge of the alley, peeking out to monitor the approaching crowd.

The thunderous stomps grew louder with every passing second.

"Not yet..." he whispered.

STOMPSTOMP

"Not yet..."

At one point, the noise became all-consuming, drowning out even the distant groans of monsters roaming the streets.

"Now."

Jack darted out of the alley, sprinting directly toward the entrance of the massive concrete bunker. His face remained blank, unreadable.

He didn't make it far before a soldier standing guard raised his weapon.

"Stop right there!" the man barked, his grip tense, finger hovering near the trigger.

"I was told this is where I can seek shelter," Jack said, slowing to a halt and lifting his hands. "I don't know where my parents are... I got separated."

There was a beat of silence. The soldiers exchanged glances. Slowly, the man lowered his rifle, though Jack could still feel several laser dots dancing across his chest—snipers posted on nearby rooftops had not lowered their aim.

"Search him, then let him in," the lead soldier ordered.

A man approached, scanning Jack from head to toe, then began a thorough pat-down.

Jack remained still, breathing evenly. His gaze slid sideways to Lune, who was still hidden and holding onto his sword, flask, and everything else that might raise suspicion.

'I figured they'd search me,' Jack thought coolly. 'If they found the flask or my sword, there's no way they'd let me inside.'

The inspection ended without issue. The man gave a nod.

"All clear."

"Good. You can go in, kid. And... we'll do our best to find your parents," the soldier added in a slightly softer tone.

Jack offered a grateful nod. "Thank you."

He stepped through the reinforced gates just as the stampede of civilians rounded the corner behind him.

'Good luck with what comes next,' he thought, slipping inside.

The interior of the bunker was exactly what Jack expected—solid, utilitarian, and unwelcoming.

Thick concrete walls were reinforced with layers of steel plating. The layout prioritized function over form: straight halls, industrial lighting, and no decoration whatsoever. The upper floors had dormitories, cafeterias, lounges, and basic medical bays. Beneath them were mirrored levels, descending deep into the earth—dozens of stories down, designed to sustain life for months or even years.

Generators buzzed softly in the distance, powered by rooftop solar panels. There were indoor gardens, greenhouses filled with crops, livestock facilities, and water treatment zones.

This wasn't just a bunker—it was a self-sufficient fortress.

"Interesting..." Lune mused, her eyes scanning the steel walls. "It reminds me of some old citadels back in Aevum."

"It was originally built for nuclear fallout and world-ending scenarios," Jack explained, walking beside her as they explored. "But I doubt anyone expected it'd be used for something like this... a monster invasion."

Inside, staff members were racing through the halls, shouting orders and carrying supplies. Most of them looked like they'd been woken up minutes ago, still disoriented and panicked. The air was thick with tension.

But Jack ignored it all, heading toward the lounge area—the only space where he could sit down for now.

It was massive. An entire recreational district within the bunker. There were sports courts, arcade machines, cafés, bars, and even an indoor pool. The designers had clearly considered long-term habitation.

'They really went all out,' he thought as he dropped onto a nearby sofa.

"Fuuh..." He massaged the back of his neck. 'I'm more tired than I thought. Fighting monsters isn't like anything I've done before. It takes everything—body, mind, reflexes.'

Outwardly, he seemed composed, but the weight of everything that had happened was still there—pressing on him like an invisible hand. Becoming a Chronist, facing monsters, growing stronger at unnatural speed... It had all happened so fast.

Even someone like Jack couldn't brush it off entirely.

'I'll get used to it,' he told himself with a deep breath. He glanced over at Lune, who sat nearby.

"For now, let's keep a low profile. I want to observe what the military is planning and scout for any vulnerabilities in this place—entry and exit points, weak spots in security."

"You think this place has weak points?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Everything has a weak point," Jack replied, his tone calm and confident. "It's just a matter of noticing it before someone else does."

Lune nodded. "Indeed."

Just as they were settling into silence, Jack heard footsteps echoing from the far end of the lounge. Casual but confident. He looked up, expecting to see a staff member or a soldier.

But instead... it was her.

A familiar figure. A girl with sharp eyes, flowing brown hair, and an expression that always made him wonder what she was thinking.

Jack narrowed his eyes slightly. 'She's here?'

Evelyn Philips.

The girl who once called him her rival. The one he had always found... strange. More than just competitive. Observant. Intense.

She turned her head—and their eyes met.

Both of them froze for a split second, locked in a quiet stare that said more than words ever could.

Lune shifted beside him, her smile vanishing. Her expression darkened almost instantly as she watched the silent exchange.

"What is that girl doing here?" she muttered under her breath, her fists tightening in her lap.

Jack didn't respond. He simply watched Evelyn, waiting to see what she would do next.