The dirt road stretched ahead, sunbeams spilling through the canopy of leaves as the group made their way forward. The sound of boots crunching gravel filled the silence until they spotted a pair of armored figures up ahead—Midnight Rangers, patrolling with rifles slung against their shoulders.
One of the soldiers narrowed his eyes at them, stopping in his tracks.
"You don't look like soldiers," he said, voice guarded, hand resting on his weapon. "The frontlines are right up ahead. Why are you here?"
Yangyang immediately stepped forward. Her short hair glinted under the daylight, and she carried herself with the poise of someone used to being questioned. She produced a small badge from her belt pouch and held it up with practiced ease.
"I am Yangyang, an Outrider of the Midnight Rangers," she said, tone calm but firm.
The soldier leaned in, scanning the badge before nodding. Just behind Yangyang, Jianxin shifted her weight slightly. She looked every bit the warrior in her fitted dress, though her feminine features—sharp eyes and lips pressed in a restrained line—betrayed her worry. Her hand tightened around her gauntlet before she spoke up, her voice softer but edged with urgency.
"Then perhaps you can help me," Jianxin said. "We're looking for someone—Zhiyuan. Have you seen him? Is he alright?"
The soldier hesitated, brow furrowing as if pulling memories together.
"A missing person… Zhiyuan, you said?" He exhaled through his nose, thinking. "I met him once. He's not officially enlisted, but the kid seemed determined to join us. Been shadowing our troops since last year."
Jianxin's lips parted slightly, breath catching. "So… he is alive?"
"I believe so," the soldier replied with a small nod. "Last I heard, a Rearguards quartermaster escorted him away. If he's not in the city, then he must be at their camp. He wouldn't be anywhere else. The frontlines are right up ahead—and trust me, we Rangers would never let a civilian near enough to get himself killed."
Rover exhaled, relief flickering across her features. "I see."
Jeff, standing slightly behind Jianxin, dipped his head respectfully. His tone softened, careful. "Master Jianxin…" He left the rest unsaid, letting the title carry his acknowledgment of her quiet relief.
Jianxin bowed her head briefly, eyes glistening just enough to catch the light. "Thank you," she said, voice steadier now.
The soldier gave a quick, almost sympathetic smile, then straightened. "If you're heading that way, I've got a favor to ask. Outrider," he added, looking to Yangyang. "On your way, you'll run into two Detection Beacons. They've gone offline. Could you check on them?"
Yangyang tucked her badge away, nodding without hesitation. "Sure. We'll take care of it."
"Good." The Ranger tapped at his Terminal, and Yangyang's device chimed with the coordinates. "Stay sharp out there."
The group pressed on, following the patrol route. As they crested a hill, a strange sight met them—one of the Beacons, tall and metallic, but surrounded by figures.
Jianxin slowed, her brow knitting. "Is that the Beacon? Why are there so many people?"
Yangyang's jaw tightened, scanning the strangers. "They don't look like soldiers…"
Instinctively, Jeff's steps faltered. His eyes narrowed, posture tensing as his hand slid toward the pistol at his side. His thumb brushed the grip, muscles coiled, ready to draw at a moment's notice.
Not soldiers. Their clothes were ragged, too thin to belong to Rangers, and their eyes flicked nervously like cornered animals.
Jianxin took a cautious step forward, her long braid brushing against her back as she inclined her head. Her voice was calm, polite, but there was an unmistakable firmness in it.
"Greetings. What might interest you here? It's dangerous."
The group of strangers stiffened. One man—gaunt, eyes sunken—stammered as he forced a smile.
"Oh, we, uh… nothing, really. Just… just on our way south, to the city."
Jeff narrowed his eyes, fingers twitching near the grip of his pistol. His jaw tightened as he studied them, his tone laced with cold certainty.
"Stop fucking lying. Even a dumbass can see through that."
Yangyang shifted her weight, her voice softer but probing. "Excuse me, about this Detection Beacon…"
Before she could finish, the "civilian" blurted out, panic flashing across his face.
"Run, everyone!"
The strangers moved as if to scatter, but Jeff was already pulling his weapon free. The metallic snap of his pistol rang in the air, followed by the crack of shots hitting dirt near their feet. The civilians froze in terror, one letting out a strangled cry.
"Don't even think about it," Jeff warned, voice low, dangerous. "Unless you want bullets in the back of your head. I won't fucking miss next time."
The trembling group turned, fear written all over their faces. One of them—a frail-looking man clutching his stomach—collapsed to his knees.
"I-I can't move… so hungry…"
Another, a woman with shaking hands, spoke through sobs.
"P-please don't arrest us! We… we really had no choice!"
Jianxin's brow softened, her fingers relaxing on her weapon. She crouched slightly to meet their eye level, her voice gentle.
"What happened? Do you need help?"
The frail man swallowed hard, voice cracking.
"The battles up north… they're gettin' real bad. We couldn't live there anymore, so we tried going back to the city. But we ain't eaten in days. Some of us can't even stand straight."
He gestured weakly at the beacon.
"Then we found some expensive-looking stuff here. Thought maybe… maybe we could sell it, scrape together a few pennies."
Yangyang's brows furrowed, her hand tightening at her side.
"A damaged Detection Beacon could cause a sudden TD invasion from the direction it covers," she explained, her tone sharp. "Our frontline troops would be trapped between two assaults. Do you realize what that means?"
The woman shook her head wildly, eyes wet. "We ain't got time for that! If we don't steal, we'll starve before Tacet Discords even touch us!"
Jeff's teeth ground together. He holstered his pistol slowly, bitterness heavy in his chest. I hate people like this. People who think only of themselves, who gamble with others' lives. People like them are the reason why I lost so many comrades. And yet… I can't even fully blame them either.
Jianxin straightened, her face unreadable for a moment. Then, to everyone's surprise, she reached into her satchel. She pulled out several flatbreads wrapped in cloth and a small pouch of coin.
"You shouldn't be stealing public property," she said firmly. "Please return the parts. There's still some distance to Jinzhou. Take these. My food, and some money. It should be enough to get you to the city."
Jeff shot her a look, jaw clenching. Damn, that's nice of her. But naïve. Greedy, desperate people like them won't be satisfied with scraps. I already know where this is going.
The man stared at the bread in disbelief, his hands trembling as he accepted it.
"You're giving us… all of this? Thank you. Thank you so much!"
"Oi!" another snapped, shoving a younger one forward. "Say thank you before you eat, brat!"
Jianxin smiled faintly, her eyes softening. "It was nothing. My Master once told me: The sage takes care of all men and abandons none."
But before the warmth could settle, one of the men lunged forward, a glint of steel flashing from his sleeve.
"Watch out!" Rover barked, blade flashing as she intercepted, steel ringing against steel. She stepped in front of Jianxin and Jeff, sword raised.
The man sneered. "Hmph, tough nut, aren't you?"
Jianxin's eyes widened, her chest tightening. "I just helped you. Why attack us?"
Another snarled, teeth bared. "You think bread and pennies feed us all? Hand over your goods—or face the consequences."
Jeff's lip curled. Ungrateful fucks. He drew his pistol again, his movements sharp and deadly. Three shots cracked in rapid succession. One man screamed as his weapon in hand dropped, another clutched his shoulder, a third fell to his knees with a cry, thigh bleeding.
Jeff lowered his gun only slightly, eyes cold. "Try me again, and next time I won't hesitate to kill you."
The group staggered, terror overtaking their bravado.
"W-we surrender! Please! Take us in!"
Jianxin's voice broke through the tension, still calm but lined with disappointment. "Why attack us when I gave you food and funds? Do you have others—mouths to feed we don't see here?"
Jeff exhaled through his nose, already thinking. There's a limit to kindness, Jianxin. People like this don't deserve second chances.
Yangyang's eyes narrowed, her stance tense. "They seem trained. These aren't ordinary civilians."
Rover stepped closer, her blade still drawn. "Talk. Who are you?"
An older man, clutching his bleeding arm, raised it in surrender.
"O-of course we're ordinary people! Just… just joined the Exiles, that's all!"
The truth spilled quickly after: they had fled, starved, turned to stealing. They even dared to ask Jianxin for more.
Jeff nearly spat, but before he could, Jianxin's voice rang out, firm but still gentle.
"What I gave you is more than enough to reach Jinzhou. I know how much it takes to survive—I once traveled alone after leaving my Master."
Her gaze softened but did not waver. "Pain comes with coveting. He who knows he has enough is rich."
Jeff blinked, caught off guard by the weight in her words. Well said.
The exiles grumbled, cursed, but eventually limped away, dragging their injured.
As they vanished into the distance, Yangyang crossed her arms. "The military base isn't far. We should fix these Beacons before moving on."
Rover nodded, voice curt. "Okay."
They moved toward the next Beacon, where thorny vines had grown like a wall around the machinery. Jianxin frowned, tilting her head as the sunlight caught her serious expression.
"These thorns… they're strange. Sharp. We'll need to clear them before we reach the Beacon."
She looked back at the group, her braid sliding over her shoulder. "Please be careful. Maybe we can find something nearby to help."
Together, they set to work—clearing the path, restoring the Beacon with thorns—and continued their journey toward the Rearguard base, the tension of the encounter still lingered but hope they don't run into anymore trouble.