(Julius POV)

We soon arrived at the city after nearly an hour in the carriage. It was a sprawling metropolis with many tall buildings and roads leading in toward the center. A massive wall surrounded the entire city. However, instead of following the roads, we were moving away.

"Why are we going off the road."

"We are criminals. We won't get a permit and we'll be arrested on the spot. We will have to use unconventional measures to get in. But unfortunately, you won't be seeing that.

Everything soon went dark.

***

"Uh... what happened?

I opened my eyes groggily. I felt like I had the worst sleep of my life.

"Took you long enough."

I looked around and I could see the big city. It was nothing like the town I previously lived in. I also noticed we changed vehicles

"We were smuggled in. I couldn't show you how though. It's a trade secret."

"Anyways, welcome to La Empresa. It is one of the biggest cities in Califordia. It is one of the biggest cities in this state. It is nothing compared to the small town you grew up in country boy."

I was surprised at the technological level of this civilisation.

It was just as advanced as my previous life. Trams were running alongside us while we sitting in our fancy car.

After driving through the city for some time, we arrived in front of a massive building with neon signs. From the looks of it, I guess it was a casino based on the movies I used to watch.

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I didn't know what we were doing here as I was underage, but I followed Heron. He walked to a security guard and flashed an ID.

The guard noticing this nodded and lead us inside the back entrance, skipping all the procedures we would usually have to go through. We then followed him to a hidden elevator and went down.

"This kid is being awfully cooperative."

The guard questioned Heron.

"He's got sharp senses and knows it is futile to resist. He is a smart one unlike the others we have brought. Though someone talented and smart like him won't stay quiet for long. But that is the buyer's problem, not ours."

Heron answered. I was awkwardly standing in the corner. I didn't know what to feel about this situation. I wasn't in any real danger. It felt almost unreal how relaxed I was.

Humans are extremely adaptive, so when they experience the same scary situation over and over again, they get used to it. Maybe I have gotten used to these kidnapping situations.

Though it didn't mean I wanted to be a prisoner. I didn't care what happens to me, I will escape and be free no matter the consequences. If I am strong enough, nothing can hurt or stop me anyway.

As the elevator opened up, I saw rows of seating all facing toward the centre stage. It reminded me of an amphitheatre. There were guards lined up on either side wearing all black with their weapons on the ready.

We exited the elevator. The security guard we came in with went back up the elevator.

I guess this is the place the auction is going to be held. I was brought backstage where I saw many valuable artifacts, gems, and even paintings. This was easily worth billions of Sonas.

However, they were all guarded and surrounded by a massive artifact. I didn't know what the consequences of walking in without deactivating the artifact were, but it wasn't going to be pretty.

Behind all that was a room with lots of other people here and most were chained up.

'All of the guards are strong.'

All the prisoners looked surprised when a kid like me entered this area.

"Oh great, now a kid is being sold. How low can you go Vision?"

An older man spoke icily at Heron. Every word that came out of his mouth was dripping with acid. Heron ignored him though and focused on me.

"Ok country boy, you stay here. I know that you are smart so you won't do anything stupid here. You probably can tell already, but all of these bodyguards here all as strong as Carl, and their team leader is even stronger than me. So don't try to escape or anything."

As he was leaving a guard asked,

"Are you not going to tie him up, sir?"

"He is just an F rank, he cannot do anything. Let him roam around but keep an eye on him."