If it’s anything like human society on Earth, this would be the best time to sneak in, since it’s late at night.
I made my way to one of the entrances. There were very few people around, and everyone entered by tapping a metal card of some sort.
Guess this isn’t a good way to get in…
Large, floating truck-like vehicles were going in and out of the domes on the other side. Probably merchandise and supplies for the people living there. I followed the truck-like vehicles as they went through inspection before entering the domes.
Security is quite light. I tried to make sure I wasn’t being watched. Not a single human was around. The vehicles opened their loads, which were scanned before closing and departing. I quickly snuck onto one of the trucks that had just finished inspection. This one was filled with vegetable and fruit-like items. I hid behind one of the boxes, and the truck closed its load. Before long, the truck started moving.
The vehicle was extremely smooth; not a single item shifted with the starts, stops, and turns. When we finally arrived, tiny eyes lit up on the bottom of the boxes. The truck load opened again, and tiny robots woke up and carried all the boxes of food off the truck. I quickly followed and hopped off.
It’s still very late, but it’s brightly lit under the dome. I’m finally inside. This place is unbelievably clean and beautiful. As I walked along the street, there wasn’t anyone else around. However, robots were everywhere, cleaning and maintaining the city.
I can’t believe this is just a small mining city.
Wandering around on empty streets isn’t a good idea; I’m going to draw too much attention to myself. I promptly made my way into a small alley. I’ll need to find a pawn shop of some sort to get some money for the gold ores.
Suddenly, I realized something. Although there are stark differences, why is this isekai so similar to Earth?
Everything should be worlds apart. Humans are still here with the same universal language… The creatures are different, but there are still lots of similarities. Humans are a lot more technologically advanced.
Annunaki… those are Mesopotamian gods… Are they real? Even the native people here are called Mesoselenians…
Well, I know there’s an afterlife. Is there really a creator too?
As I pondered this reality, the night went by quickly and quietly. When the morning sun rose, the dome slowly came to life. The robots had left the streets, and people had started their days.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Interestingly, no one seemed to be in a hurry. Unlike the world I’m from, where everyone seems to be rushing somewhere in the morning, here, everyone moves at a more relaxed pace.
I wandered the streets carefully, trying not to draw any attention, before arriving at a business-looking district. I saw a massive building but soon realized it wasn’t a shop. A gavel and a sign that read “Petralis Auction House” hung above the entrance. Not exactly what I was looking for. A little disappointed, I was about to leave.
“Good morning, honored guest,” a voice stopped me. A tall, slim man quickly came in front of me and bowed. I quickly shut my eyes before he looked up.
“Esteemed… guests… My apologies. You have arrived at the Petralis Auction House. The commencement of the auction is not until noon; your arrival precedes it by some hours. Might I arrange for a conveyance to return you to your lodgings? Or, should you have accommodations reserved in conjunction with the auction, I would be pleased to escort you there to await the proper time,” the man asked in a very sophisticated and polite voice.
“I’m not here for an auction,” I said, confused, still keeping my eyes shut.
Do I look like a million bucks?! Maybe if I still had that adamantine…
“My deepest apologies. I confess, observing your… exceptional attire, I presumed you were here in anticipation of the auction. A regrettable misjudgment on my part,” the man continued.
These furs and leathers are extraordinary?!
“Well, I see you’re a man of great fashion sense!” I replied, bolstering my confidence. Pretending, of course. “Well, I’m looking to sell some stuff. Do you mind telling me where a pawn shop is?”
“A… pawn shop?” The man sounded utterly shocked. “I must implore you. Should you possess items of value you wish to divest yourself of, I urge you to consider our establishment. Our appraisers are without peer, and we assure you the most advantageous valuations for your treasures. Our commission rates are, I venture to say, the most reasonable within the city,” the man said with a gentle, guiding touch to my arm.
“Alright, alright… I’ll show you what I have to offer.” I couldn’t say no to someone like this. “Arrarrha!” I heard a faint laugh from the little creature hiding in my hair.
“Could you also get me a pair of dark shades? As you can see, my eyes aren’t well,” I asked the man.
“Indeed. It would be my honor.” The man escorted me inside and led me to a room. I had to keep my eyes shut the entire time. If anyone saw these eyes, god knows what would happen.
Moments later, he returned and handed me a pair of dark shades. I asked to use the bathroom to put them on. Can’t be too careful.
In the bathroom, I made sure I didn’t sense anyone else nearby before opening my eyes again. The pair of shades the man gave me looked very elegant.
When I put them on, they suddenly changed and morphed into a perfectly fitted shape for my face and eyes. The change almost gave me a heart attack—if I had one.
Wonder how much these cost.
I left the bathroom, and the man was patiently waiting outside. “Thank you for the shades.”
“Please, allow me to show you about.” The tall, slim man showed me around the auction house, including the auction room and the VIP guest lounge. We ended up in a large, extravagant meeting room.
“If you would be so kind as to wait a moment, I shall summon our master appraiser.” The man bowed and backed out of the room.
Rexy came out of my hair. “What do you think he wants from us?” I played with Rexy’s tiny chin.