Chapter 69: Infiltrating the Tower

Walking away from the hostage tent where Anna, Thomas, and Captain Garz were held, I proceeded with my plan to investigate the tower and uncover its secrets. I didn't possess any specialized skills in infiltration, but I could draw inspiration from the actors I had seen on TV. It might not be the most effective method, but it was better than doing nothing.

I quickly took the black suit from the guards I had defeated earlier and changed my clothes. I chose a guard with a similar build to mine to improve my chances of blending in. After donning the suit, I looked at myself using the reflection of a sword from one of the fallen men in black. My appearance was different, but luckily, their masks covered their mouths, which would help me remain inconspicuous if I was careful.

Next, I stored Darkmoon inside the tent where Anna was and asked her to look after it for me. I couldn't use magic or project my mana energy here, so Darkmoon would only draw unwanted attention. Instead, I equipped myself with the weapons of the fallen men in black. While they might not be as powerful as Darkmoon, they would suffice for now.

With my disguise in place, I set off toward my target—the tower machine. I estimated it would take me around 10 minutes to reach it from my current location. As I walked, I observed the surroundings, ensuring that I didn't attract unnecessary attention.

In a short amount of time, I arrived at the periphery of the tower machine. I was approximately 10 meters away, but this was as close as I could get without drawing suspicion. The security around the tower was tighter, indicating its importance.

Studying the tower closely, I noticed that it was built atop a white pagoda, serving as its base. Steel and various parts were connected to create this massive machine. This detail had eluded me when I observed it from a distance before.

Another crucial piece of information I gleaned was the current location of Jack. He was inside the tower machine, surrounded by the most trustworthy members of the men in black. That explained why I hadn't sensed his presence earlier from my vantage point atop the tree.

"What is he doing inside?" I wondered, eager to unravel the purpose of the tower machine.

The tower's function had always been a mystery to me, and it was one of the reasons why I had decided to investigate this place. However, I knew that simply asking one of the men in black wouldn't suffice. Even if they knew, they might not be willing to share that knowledge. Furthermore, I risked blowing my cover if I asked the wrong question.

Considering my limited options, I realized that discreetly bypassing the tower guards and sneaking in might be the most realistic choice. Although I lacked the skills and abilities for infiltration, I relied on my instincts and resourcefulness in the past. If I wanted to gather more information, I would have to rely on those strengths.

Pondering my plan, I decided to return to Anna's location once again. Sneaking around and prying for information wasn't within my abilities. Given my current skill set, this was the best way for me to gather information discreetly. If I wanted more, I would have to rely on my instincts and improvisation.

I arrived once again at Anna's location. As I entered, Anna looked at me and asked, "So, any clues or anything?"

"Unfortunately, no. But at least I know that Jack is occupied right now, and we aren't in immediate danger until he finishes whatever he's doing," I replied, sharing the information I had gathered.

"Good. At least we can plan our escape more easily with him preoccupied," Anna responded, relieved by the news.

However, my instincts were telling me that something ominous was looming. I couldn't shake the feeling that running away wasn't the right course of action. I had to investigate further; otherwise, it might be too late. I had to get to the tower and find the answers I sought.