The RV slowed to a stop just before the towering gates of the Nagoya dorm. The guards stationed at the entrance were a rough-looking bunch, their faces shadowed under helmets adorned with glowing visors. They clutched rifles modified with bio-energy cores, and their sharp gazes assessed every inch of the vehicle and its passengers with suspicion.
Shikaku stepped out first, his movements calm and calculated as he approached the guards. His presence immediately drew their attention, the sharp lines of his face and the confident way he carried himself marking him as someone not to be trifled with.
One of the guards, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, raised his hand to stop him. "Halt. State your business," he demanded, his voice rough and authoritative.
Shikaku offered a disarming smile, though his tone remained firm. "We're just travelers," he said smoothly. "Looking for a place to call home. We've been through hell out there, and Nagoya's reputation precedes it as a safe haven. Surely you can sympathize with that."
The guard narrowed his eyes, his gaze flickering to the RV behind Shikaku. "Travelers, huh? What's to say you're not carrying trouble with you? Or worse?"
Another guard leaned closer, his visor reflecting the faint glow of the RV's headlights. His attention lingered on Lady Naga and Ino, who had stepped out to stand beside the vehicle. Their presence immediately shifted the atmosphere. Lady Naga's aura of authority and confidence made her stand out, while Ino's more carefree yet striking demeanor added an edge of unpredictability. Both women possessed an undeniable allure, their postures graceful yet commanding, which didn't escape the guards' notice.
The second guard cleared his throat, his gaze drifting lower than it should have. "And who are they?" he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion and something else entirely. "They don't look like your average travelers."
Lady Naga crossed her arms, her emerald eyes narrowing slightly. "We're survivors," she said coldly, her tone cutting through the guard's leer. "Nothing more, nothing less. Do your job, or are you wasting time sizing us up instead of protecting your precious gate?"
The guard flinched at her words, his confidence wavering.
Shikaku stepped forward again, his expression hardening. "Listen," he said, his voice low and steady. "We're clean. No infections, no weapons pointed at your heads, and no intention to cause trouble. But if you'd rather test us…" He let his sentence hang ominously in the air, his hand resting subtly on one of his own blades.
The lead guard raised a hand to his comrade, silencing him. He stared at Shikaku for a long moment before sighing. "Fine," he said gruffly. "But if you so much as sneeze the wrong way, we'll deal with you. Understood?"
"Crystal clear," Shikaku replied with a faint smirk.
The gates began to creak open, revealing the bustling interior of the dorm—a maze of neon-lit streets, makeshift markets, and fortified structures. As Shikaku turned back to the RV, Lady Naga cast one last withering glance at the leering guard before getting back inside.
Ino leaned closer to Shikaku as they walked back. "Well, that was fun," she whispered sarcastically. "Think they'll be dreaming of us tonight?"
"Don't push it," Shikaku muttered under his breath, though there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
Inside the RV, Ashiro and the others watched the gates swing fully open. As the vehicle rolled forward into Nagoya's chaotic haven, Ashiro couldn't help but glance nervously at the guards they left behind, who were still watching them with varying levels of suspicion and curiosity.
"Welcome to Nagoya," Suguru said dryly, leaning back in his seat. "Let's hope they don't regret letting us in."
"Let's hope we don't," Hanabi murmured, her expression pensive as she stared out the window.
The bustling atmosphere of the Nagoya dorm hit them like a wave as the RV rolled through the gates and into the heart of the city. Ashiro's jaw dropped, along with Suguru and Kyoto's, as they beheld the lively urban sprawl. Towering neon-lit skyscrapers loomed above intricately designed streets bustling with people, markets, and street performers. Hawkers shouted, trying to sell their wares, while holographic advertisements floated above their heads, adding an otherworldly charm to the city.
"Wow..." Ashiro muttered, his eyes sparkling with awe as he leaned against the window. "This place looks like it came straight out of a movie."
Hanabi, seated beside him, gave him a knowing smile but kept her guard up. "Don't let the lights and glamor fool you. Beneath the surface, places like these often hide darker secrets."
Lady Naga remained calm and calculating, her sharp gaze scanning the streets from the driver's seat. "Stay alert," she warned. "We aren't here to sightsee."
The RV came to a halt near a secluded alley, dimly lit and surrounded by crumbling buildings in stark contrast to the vibrant cityscape behind them. The mood shifted instantly as they stepped out of the vehicle. The air was heavier here, the distant sound of muffled conversations and clinking metal echoing through the narrow passageway.
As they approached the meeting point, a shadow emerged from the depths of the alley. A wiry man in a patched trench coat, his face partially concealed by a hood, stepped forward. His sharp eyes darted between each member of the group before settling on Shikaku.
"Shikaku," the man rasped, a crooked grin appearing on his weathered face. "You actually made it. Thought you might've been torn apart by now."
"Not yet," Shikaku replied with a faint smirk, his tone devoid of humor. "Do you have what we need?"
The informant glanced around cautiously, ensuring they weren't being followed, before producing a small holo-chip from his coat. He held it out to Shikaku.
"This has everything you need to know about the auction. The bio dual blades are the highlight, but security will be tight. You're not the only ones interested in that prize."
Lady Naga crossed her arms, her presence radiating authority. "Anything else we need to know?"
The man nodded. "The blades are expected to go for a high price, but there might be...other ways to acquire them. Just be careful. The people at this auction won't hesitate to eliminate competition if they sense weakness."
Ashiro gulped as a chill ran down his spine. The once lively spark in his eyes dimmed slightly. He exchanged uneasy glances with Kyoto and Suguru, who were equally on edge.
"Let's move," Lady Naga commanded, breaking the tension. She slipped the holo-chip into her pocket and led the group back to the RV.
As they moved out of the alley and closer to the auction house, Ashiro couldn't help but look back, a sense of foreboding settling in his chest. Something about this city, despite its beauty, didn't sit right with him.