Stepping through the towering gates of Everlight was like stepping into a different world. Forget mining towns, with their perpetual smog and lingering aroma of coal dust - this place was alive with enough vibrant energy to make an RPG hub city feel dull.

The air hummed with a symphony of sounds and smells that assaulted his senses in the best possible way. Like someone had cranked up the saturation slider on reality, the colors of buildings, banners, and even the people themselves were almost overwhelming.

The city walls rose like gleaming white cliffs, towering over him with the kind of architectural flex that would make a Dark Souls level designer weep. Guards clad in polished armor that probably cost more than his entire previous existence stood watch, their expressions a mix of boredom and the kind of world-weariness that comes from dealing with endless tourist questions.

Status effect detected. Culture shock.

Recommendation. Try not to stare.

Warning. Local guard detection range increased.

Zaro approached with a swagger he did not quite feel, trying to project an air of confidence that would hopefully mask the fact that he was basically a clueless newbie with void powers and questionable life choices.

State your business, one guard barked, his voice gruff enough to make a troll cower. His beard was so thick it could probably house a family of squirrels.

Just passing through, Zaro replied, trying to sound nonchalant. Heard Everlight was the place to be for a young, up and coming adventurer with a questionable past and a knack for finding trouble.

The guard raised an eyebrow, his suspicion deepening. Adventurer, eh? What kind of adventurer?

The kind that is not afraid to face danger, explore the unknown, and occasionally poke a sleeping dragon with a stick, just to see what happens, Zaro said with a grin. You know, the fun kind.

The guard grunted, then surprisingly stepped aside. Just try not to burn the city down, he warned. We have had enough excitement for one week. Some idiot mage tried to summon a demon last Tuesday. It did not end well for the demon, the mage, or the unfortunate bakery that happened to be in the blast radius.

Zaro chuckled, picturing a demon covered in frosting and screaming about the indignity of it all. I will do my best to keep the demonic summoning to a minimum, he promised, stepping through the gates and into the heart of Everlight.

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The streets were a whirlwind of activity that made his old mining town marketplace look like a graveyard. Merchants hawked their wares from stalls overflowing with exotic goods: gleaming weapons that shimmered with enchantments, bubbling potions in a rainbow of colors, strange artifacts that pulsed with otherworldly light, and even a few questionable snacks that looked like they might have been extracted from a giant spider nest.

He approached a merchant, a dwarf with long hair styled in what looked like a mullet with a rune shaved into the side. Time to see what Aetherium was worth in the local economy.

The dwarf's eyes widened briefly at the sight of the small crystal before he snatched it for inspection. It is a small piece, what do you want for it?

What is it worth? Zaro countered.

The dwarf muttered to himself, carrying numbers and adjusting for what was probably an imaginary inflation rate. Ten pieces of gold, he offered with a crooked smile.

Twenty, Zaro said with a stern look, completely bluffing.

Fine, the dwarf counted out the gold with the air of someone who knew he was still getting a bargain.

New currency acquired. Gold x 20

Basic economy access unlocked.

Note. You actually got a decent price.

Warning. Don't spend it all in one place.

Zaro spent the next hour exploring the market, carefully balancing his new wealth between necessities and gear. A new outfit to replace his mining clothes. Some dried meats and fruit for the road. A water skin. And most importantly, a proper field dressing kit that made his inner hunter very happy.

Item acquired. Basic Field Dressing Kit

Quality. Common

Contents. Skinning knife, gut hook, sharpening stone

Note. Much better than using rocks.

The rest of the city was a sensory overload in the best possible way. Adventurers clad in mismatched armor swaggered through the crowds, weapons gleaming with enchantments. Mages with robes that rippled like liquid starlight argued about theoretical principles that would probably melt his brain. A group of goblins haggled over the price of a fish, which was slightly disconcerting considering their usual dietary preferences.

The buildings were tall and imposing, their architecture a blend of different styles that somehow worked together. From gothic spires that seemed to pierce the sky to ornate domes that shimmered with an iridescent sheen. Colorful banners fluttered from windows and balconies, adding a festive touch to the bustling atmosphere.

Magic was woven into the fabric of everyday life, a seamless blend of the mundane and the fantastical. Enchanted lanterns illuminated the streets, casting a warm glow that banished shadows and made him wonder if the Everlight City Council had a lucrative contract with a very powerful firefly farmer.

Golems, their metallic bodies gleaming in the sunlight, hauled carts laden with goods through the crowded streets, their movements surprisingly fluid and graceful for beings made of metal and magic. It was like watching a tech demo for a physics engine that ignored the laws of reality.

The aroma of roasted meat, exotic spices, and freshly baked bread mingled with the scent of flowers and freshly cut grass. It was a culinary symphony that made his stomach rumble with anticipation. A far cry from the plain fare of his mining days.

Achievement unlocked. City Slicker

First major settlement reached

Reward. Enhanced reputation gain

Note. Try not to look like a tourist

After securing a room at a decent inn with some of the gold, Zaro found himself at a tavern called The Drunken Gryphon. The common room buzzed with the kind of energy you only find in a fantasy tavern. Adventurers compared battle scars and embellished tales. Bards competed to be heard over the general chaos. A group of dwarves were engaged in what appeared to be a combination of arm wrestling and philosophical debate.

Zaro claimed a quiet corner to sort through his purchases and plan his next move. He had survived his first day in this new world, made it to civilization, and even helped a family along the way. Not bad for someone who started the day by missing a wolf with his first void bolt.

The city held countless opportunities, but also dangers and mysteries he had barely begun to understand. Something told him the tutorial phase of his adventure was definitely over.

System notification. Basic settlement guide complete.

Major city features unlocked.

Warning. Higher

level zones detected.

Recommendation. Level up before exploring everything.