Chapter 161: The Boy Behind The Camera
The crimson motorcycle raced through the empty streets.
Buildings blurred past Nobody on both sides as the cold night air pushed against his helmet. The city had become quieter. Most stores had already closed. Only scattered streetlights remained illuminated, casting long shadows across the roads.
Nobody leaned slightly forward. His hands remained firmly on the handlebars. "System."
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[System Window]
Yes?
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The window appeared beside him. "How far?"
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[Destination]
Eastern Industrial District
Distance:
8.7 Kilometers
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Nobody nodded. "That’s not too far."
The System immediately displayed another notification.
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[Warning]
Target location remains concealed.
Possible interference detected.
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Nobody frowned. "Still concealed?"
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Yes.
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"Can you trace him through the facility network?"
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[Attempting Network Analysis...]
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A few seconds passed.
Then another notification appeared.
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[Analysis Failed]
External encryption detected.
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Nobody stared at the message.
"...External encryption?"
The System remained silent.
Nobody’s eyes narrowed. "So higher being even doing encryption stuff to stop me."
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[Probability:
87.4%]
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Nobody sighed. "Great." He twisted the throttle. The motorcycle accelerated. "I rescued two people and suddenly I need to become a hacker to save 3rd one."
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[User does not possess hacking skills.]
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"I know."
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[Then why mention it?]
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"Because complaining makes the journey shorter."
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[That statement is statistically inaccurate.]
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Nobody shook his head. "Just let me have my moment."
The motorcycle continued through the city. After several minutes,the bright streets gradually disappeared. The buildings became older. Factories and warehouses replaced shopping centers. The roads became narrower.
Nobody slowed down.
A large sign appeared ahead.
EASTERN INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT
Nobody looked at it. "...We’re here."
The System immediately appeared.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
[Search Area Entered]
Target:
Rian
Possible Locations:
27
Search Priority:
High
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Nobody nearly stopped the motorcycle. "Twenty-seven? You’re telling me I have to search twenty-seven places?"
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[Correct]
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Nobody sighed. "Could’ve at least given me twenty-six."
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[That would be incorrect]
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"...Never mind."
He parked the motorcycle behind an abandoned warehouse. Nobody stepped off.
The area was almost completely deserted. No pedestrians nor traffic. Only the distant sound of machinery from a few active factories.
Nobody looked around. "Something feels wrong."
The System responded.
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[Environmental Analysis]
Human Presence:
Low
Security Cameras:
12
Armed Personnel:
Unknown
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Nobody frowned. "Unknown?"
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[Unable to determine.]
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Nobody slowly pulled out his frost crowbars. "Then let’s investigate."
He moved toward the nearest warehouse. Instead of entering through the main entrance, he walked along the side of the building. A small security camera rotated above him.
Nobody stopped. He looked directly at it. "...Hi."
The camera continued rotating.
Nobody smiled. "Definitely not suspicious." He continued walking.
After several meters, he found a small side entrance. The door was unlocked. Nobody slowly opened it. The interior was dark. He stepped inside. The air smelled like dust and old machinery.
Nobody looked around. Several empty crates were stacked against the walls. An old conveyor belt stretched across the room.
Nobody walked deeper inside. "System."
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[Yes?]
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"Scan for the kid."
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[Searching...]
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The System remained silent.
Nobody waited.
Then...
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[No Target Detected]
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Nobody frowned. "Next." He exited the warehouse.
The System marked the first location as cleared.
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[Location 1/27]
No Target Detected
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Nobody looked at the map. "Twenty-six more." He started walking.
The second location was an old storage facility. The third was an abandoned mechanic shop. The fourth was a closed textile warehouse. Again, nothing like the first and second locations.
Nobody rubbed his forehead. "How many of these places are empty?"
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[Twenty-three remaining.]
"That’s not what I asked."
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[Still twenty-three.]
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Nobody sighed. "You’re technically correct."
He continued.
Location five. Nothing.
Location six. Nothing.
Location seven. Still nothing.
Nobody’s patience began disappearing. "This kid better be hiding somewhere important."
The System suddenly interrupted.
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[Warning]
Unusual Energy Signature Detected
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Nobody stopped. His expression changed. "Where?"
A marker appeared on the map.
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Location:
Warehouse 14
Distance:
312 meters
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Nobody immediately started running. He moved between the warehouses until he reached a large steel building.
The main entrance was locked.
Nobody looked at it. "...Again?" He raised one crowbar.
Then stopped. A small side window was already broken.
Nobody smiled. "Finally."
He climbed through. The interior was dark. But this time... Something was different. There were small footprints on the floor.
Nobody crouched. He examined them. "...Child."
The System confirmed.
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[Footprint Analysis]
Estimated Age:
10-12
Possible Match:
Rian
Probability:
79.2%
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Nobody stood immediately. "We found him."
Then he noticed something else. The footprints weren’t alone. Several larger footprints surrounded them.
Nobody’s smile disappeared. "Someone brought him here."
The System displayed another warning.
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[Hostile Presence Detected]
Count:
Unknown
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Nobody slowly tightened his grip. "Of course."
He moved deeper into the warehouse. The footprints continued along the floor. Nobody followed them. The building became darker the farther he went.
Then he heard something. A faint sound. Someone humming.
Nobody stopped. "...What?" He listened. The sound came from somewhere ahead. It was a child’s voice.
Nobody moved forward. The humming became clearer. Then he heard a sentence.
"He’s coming."
Nobody froze. His eyes narrowed. "...Rian?"
The humming stopped.
Nobody stepped forward. "Rian?"
A small voice answered. "...Are you the bunny?"
Nobody smiled. "Depends."
There was a pause. "Are you Rian?"
"...Yes."
Nobody immediately relaxed. "Good." He looked around. "Where are you?"
"I’m inside."
"Inside what?"
"The room."
Nobody stared. "...That’s not very helpful."
A small laugh came from somewhere ahead.
Nobody blinked.
The child sounded strangely calm. "Follow the lights."
Nobody looked around. There were no lights. Then one bulb flickered on. At the far end of the warehouse.
Then another. A path slowly illuminated itself.
Nobody stared. "...Okay."
The System appeared.
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[Warning]
This lighting system is externally controlled.
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Nobody looked at the ceiling. "So they’re still watching."
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[Correct.]
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Nobody continued forward.
Each light turned on as he approached. It felt almost like someone was deliberately guiding him.
Nobody didn’t like it. Not at all.
He reached the final door. There was no lock. Nobody opened it. The room beyond was small.
A single chair stood in the center. Rian was sitting on it. He looked younger than Nobody expected. His hands weren’t restrained. There were no obvious injuries. He was simply sitting there. Holding a small toy rabbit.
Nobody stopped. "...You’re Rian."
The boy nodded. "You’re the Crimson Bunny."
Nobody pointed toward his helmet. "That’s what people call me."
Rian stared at him. "You came."
"Yep."
"Why?"
Nobody paused. Then answered simply. "Because you needed someone."
Rian looked down at the toy. "I knew you would come."
Nobody frowned. "What?"
Rian looked back at him. "I saw you."
"When?"
"On the camera."
Nobody stared.
The System immediately appeared.
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[Anomaly Detected]
Target possesses unusual awareness of surveillance systems.
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Nobody slowly crouched. "Rian."
"Yeah?"
"How long have you been here?"
The boy looked toward the ceiling.
"I don’t know."
"Did anyone hurt you?"
Rian shook his head.
"No."
"Did anyone talk to you?"
"Sometimes."
"Who?"
Rian became quiet. Then whispered. "The man."
Nobody’s expression hardened. "What man?"
"The one behind the screens."
Nobody stood. "Did he tell you his name?"
Rian shook his head. "No."
"Did you see his face?"
"Not clearly."
Nobody nodded. "Okay." He extended his hand. "Come on."
Rian looked at it. Then slowly reached forward. His small hand grabbed Nobody’s.
The moment their hands touched...
The System suddenly displayed a massive warning.
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[CRITICAL ALERT]
Unknown Ability Detected
Source:
Rian
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Nobody froze. "...What?"
Rian looked up at him. His expression had changed. The calmness disappeared. Fear suddenly filled his eyes. "He’s coming."
Nobody looked toward the door. "Who?"
Rian squeezed his hand. "The man."
The lights inside the warehouse suddenly went out. Total darkness swallowed the room. Nobody immediately pulled Rian behind him.
The System appeared.
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[Hostile Presence]
Multiple Targets Detected
Estimated Count:
14
Distance:
47 meters
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Nobody slowly raised both crowbars. Moonlissa had been rescued. Rian had been found. But the person controlling the facility had finally decided to stop watching.
Footsteps echoed through the darkness.
One.
Two.
Three.
Then many more.
Nobody stood between Rian and the approaching shadows. He smiled beneath his helmet. "...Alright."
The faint red glow of emergency lights slowly appeared in the distance.
Nobody raised his crowbars. "Come get your kid."
The footsteps stopped. A man’s voice echoed through the warehouse. "That’s exactly what we wanted you to say."
Nobody’s smile disappeared.
Rian whispered behind him. "...Bunny."
Nobody looked back. "Yeah?"
"Don’t let them take me."
Nobody turned toward the darkness. His expression became completely serious. "They won’t."
The System appeared one final time.
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[Mission Update]
Target Rian:
Located
Rescue Status:
In Progress
New Threat:
Unknown Organization
Primary Objective:
Escape With Target
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Nobody tightened his grip. "Then let’s get you out of here."
The shadows ahead began moving.
And this time...Nobody wasn’t walking into the enemy’s trap alone. He had someone to protect.
.........
Rian’s hand remained tightly wrapped around Nobody’s. The footsteps in the darkness became louder.
Nobody slowly shifted his stance. "Stay behind me."
Rian nodded.
Several shadows appeared beneath the faint emergency lights.
Nobody counted them. "Fourteen." He sighed. "Couldn’t you guys send five?"
The System appeared.
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[Enemy Formation]
Hostile Units:
14
Recommended Strategy:
Protect Target
Escape Route:
Pending
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Nobody raised both frost crowbars. "Alright. Let’s make this quick."
The first figure stepped forward. Nobody’s eyes narrowed.
The man smiled. "Crimson Bunny."
Nobody tilted his head. "Yeah?"
"You really don’t know when to stop."
Nobody smiled beneath his helmet. "Actually,I do." He glanced at Rian. "But tonight isn’t one of those times."
The man stopped smiling.
Nobody took one step forward. The frost around his crowbars began spreading across the floor. "No one touches the kid."
The lights suddenly flickered.
And the shadows began moving toward them.