Chapter 12: Moon Capital
"I finally made it," Nova commented between heavy breaths, with his palms, resting on his bent knees.
No doubt he was tired with his exhausted face, his whole body was drenched in sweat, so much so that he looked like he had just stepped out of a shower.
But even so, a triumphant, happy smile adorned his still round, fat face.
In front of him, a scenario unfolded that was straight out of a fantasy video game...literally.
Two large wooden doors stood wide open, making a stark contrast to the arrow-shaped holograms that read "Welcome to Moon Capital."
The contrast of an ancient wooden door and futuristic blue holograms had a unique charm that could catch anyone, and if it was an artist had to watch such a scene, he would kneel banging his head multiple times on the floor, crying with happiness and singing of thanks to any angel in heaven for being born to see such a scene.
But that could not be compared to just a glimpse of a city that could only be defined in two words: futuristic and fantastic.
The lighting of the city was exaggerated as if it were China or Japan itself, but even more futuristic, with commercial holograms, and huge skyscrapers that even surpassed the clouds themselves, passing them by.
If that wasn't enough, music was the most heard thing in that place. Pop, K-Pop, and Rock music, that was the genre that could be heard in every corner of the city and even Nova, who had not yet entered the city, could hear those sounds.
That's how loud they were, or maybe it was his now enhanced Intelligence, one wouldn't know.
Nova's eyes were bright with excitement at the sight of such a scene, all his fatigue had vanished in an instant.
"It was completely worth it to run with all my might," he said. "Look at those streets, they don't have a single crack in them, everything is perfectly clean!".
Nova advanced, excited, not only advanced, but in one fell swoop passed the large wooden gates that welcomed him.
Having one foot inside the city, the difference between the grass and dirt outside with the solid fine, and smooth street made Nova's body soften with satisfaction. The feeling only increased as he now possessed no shoes.
But with that feeling of satisfaction and delight, came also a strong pressure on his shoulder, so strong that Nova could not move a single muscle, he had to stay in the same position, with his right foot in the city and his left foot out of it.
"Good evening, to what do you owe your visit?" a hoarse and deep voice entered Nova's ears, who could only shudder.
With the pressure on his shoulder, Nova couldn't turn around when he saw the person stopping him; still, just by listening to his gravelly voice and the familiar setting he was in, he could guess who it was.
'HE'S THE GATE GUARDIAN!!!', Nova shouted inwardly. 'I had completely forgotten there was one.'
In the game, the gatekeepers are the ones who oversee anyone passing through the city gate, they are very powerful, as every major local Top hero takes turns being the gatekeeper.
They demand the highest possible security from the Capital, which is why living in the capital of a royal domain was so enviable by anyone.
The gatekeeper is so powerful that even one from a real domain capital would be extremely challenging for Lord Noah, Nova's avatar in the game.
Breaking out in a cold sweat in his mind, Nova quickly found an excuse, one that wouldn't even be a lie.
"I came to this capital to sell some energy stones," he continued after a pause. "I just killed a ferocious beast and ended up like this."
Trying to sound as respectful as possible, while inwardly he was screaming curses.
'Even in this world, I'm haunted by these bastards'.
Trying not to grit his teeth from the rage and frustration he felt, one would have to know that Nova hated the guards because they were a big problem for him when he played.
It was like having a cop and lawyers in a mobster bar; they couldn't let you do what you wanted, even threatening the law.
In this case, the gatekeeper was the cop and the mobster bar was Nova, always frustrated at not doing what he wanted, otherwise he would have long since had a nickname like "The Destroyer" or something like that.
At the same time, Nova was cursing in his mind, the Gatekeeper, a man of about 28 with red hair, stood in the shadows, watching Nova with his glowing golden eyes that seemed to want to see through Nova's soul.
Nova, sensing the guardian's gaze, shuddered.
After all, he was releasing a slight murder intent, which quickly disappeared, but even Nova almost peed all over himself.
Memories of his past life flashed through his mind, the killing intent meant that he was releasing memories he was trying to repress.
'Don't succumb here...', trying to calm down, Nova removed all those memories, locking them deep inside his again.
At that moment, the pressure on his shoulder and his entire body disappeared completely, replaced by his former freedom.
Taking a step towards the city, Nova touched the shoulder where the guardian had held him, only to turn his head back.
"There's nothing.", whispering, he saw not the guardian holding him captive, but the path he followed to reach the capital.
Nova decided to ignore it's done for now, he didn't have much time anymore and he had to carry out his plans tonight.
"First, sell these stones, then buy a skill book, and lastly, enter the recruitment of the Eclipse Organization", remembering his plans, Nova walked into Moon City and immediately attracted several stares.
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