For over four grueling days, Oliver wandered through the vast, uncharted wilderness, searching desperately for any sign of civilization.
The endless sea of trees and the unchanging scenery were starting to gnaw at his patience.
At some point, he even thought to himself that a trial—with all its dangers and clear objectives—would have been preferable to this aimless wandering.
He had fought monsters along the way, steadily building his strength.
But the forest seemed to be filled mostly with weaker creatures, barely any above Rank 2, and those were few and far between.
Every fight and every kill, added a few precious drops of Meta Essence to his reserves—now sitting at 750.
It was progress, but a far cry from the 5,000 required to reach the next level.
Then, finally, a break. In the distance, something caught his eye—a glimmer of stone cutting through the earth—a road.
Without hesitation, Oliver broke into a run, closing the distance quickly.
When he reached it, he took a moment to appreciate the sight.
A simple, stone road, well-worn by countless footsteps and wheels, cutting a clear path through the otherwise wild forest.
"Where there's a road, there are people," Oliver thought, hope sparking in his chest.
He followed the path, each step lighter than the last, until at last, the forest began to thin, and his reward appeared—a city.
It was surrounded by a massive wall, tall and sturdy, stretching as far as his eyes could see.
Each cardinal point had a large gate, wide enough for caravans to pass through. The northern gate, the one closest to Oliver, was a hub of activity, with a steady stream of people entering the city—far more than those leaving.
A long line snaked its way toward the entrance, filled with adventurers, traders, and wanderers alike.
With no other choice, Oliver joined the back of the line, his sharp eyes scanning his fellow travelers.
As Oliver's turn finally came, he stepped forward to face the guard standing at the gate.
The man was a wall of muscle, towering over most of the people in line.
His armor was a combination of metal plates and thick leather, designed for both flexibility and protection.
A scar ran down his left cheek, and his eyes—sharp and unyielding—seemed to pierce right through Oliver the moment their gazes met.
For the first time since entering the Main World, Oliver felt a faint sense of threat from a fellow human.
This was no ordinary man. This man was strong.
The guard's voice was deep, like distant thunder. "Entry pass."
Oliver froze. Entry pass? He didn't have anything like that.
"I… don't have one," Oliver admitted, trying to keep his expression neutral despite the uncertainty building inside him. "Is there another way to enter the city?"
The guard's stern face didn't change, but he gave a small nod.
"You can purchase a temporary entry pass, but it'll only be valid for a day. After that, you'll need to go to customs to apply for a permanent pass. No exceptions."
The guard took a moment to explain the process, how all newcomers had to either present a pre-approved entry pass—usually given to those with affiliations—or purchase temporary access until they were registered as proper inhabitants.
Even in a different world, bureaucracy thrived.
Oliver couldn't help but chuckle internally.
In a fantasy world filled with monsters and magic, there were still customs.
If nothing else, it proved that no matter the world, humans would always create systems to control their borders.
After paying the three gold coins, Oliver was handed a small token.
The token was black, with a single horizontal silver line running across the center. Simple, yet authoritative in its design.
Stepping past the gate, Oliver's eyes widened as he took in the city beyond.
Rows of buildings lined the bustling streets, ranging from stone inns with colorful banners to market stalls overflowing with goods.
The air was filled with noise—merchants shouting their wares, adventurers exchanging stories, blacksmiths hammering metal in the distance.
It felt like something out of one of those fantasy anime he used to watch, except this was real.
After allowing himself a brief moment to take it all in, Oliver followed the guard's instructions and made his way to customs.
His temporary pass was only good for a day, so getting the permanent one was a top priority.
The customs building stood apart from the livelier sections of the city.
It was a tall, rectangular structure, its exterior made of dark stone with narrow windows that gave it a more serious, almost oppressive air.
A large metal plaque hung above the entrance, engraved with the words:
"City Customs & Registration Bureau"
Compared to the vibrant city streets, the area around customs was quieter, with only a handful of people entering and exiting.
Taking a deep breath, Oliver stepped inside.
The inside of the customs office was a stark contrast to its somber exterior.
The moment Oliver stepped in, he was greeted by a surprisingly lively atmosphere.
The wide lobby was bustling with activity—several people sat on long wooden benches, filling out forms or chatting quietly among themselves.
Others stood in line at various counters, each attended by clerks dressed in matching professional uniforms.
The walls were adorned with informational posters, some explaining the registration process, others warning against illegal activities within the city.
The floor was polished stone, reflecting the light from the large crystal chandeliers hanging overhead.
Despite the bureaucratic nature of the building, there was an odd sense of welcoming order, like a place that had processed thousands of newcomers before him and would process thousands more.
Oliver approached the nearest counter, where a young woman stood behind it.
She had blond hair neatly tied back, and her clothes were professional, a clean white blouse tucked into a dark skirt, with a small silver badge pinned to her chest.
The warm smile on her face made the whole process feel a little less daunting.
"How can I help you today?" she asked, her voice friendly and professional.
"I'm here to apply for a permanent entry pass,"
The woman tapped the surface of her desk, and a holographic screen materialized in front of him. It displayed a series of fields, asking for:
Name
Age
Gender
Occupation
Place of Origin
Special Abilities (Optional)
Affiliated Guild (Optional)
Most of the fields were marked as optional, meaning Oliver could skip them if he wanted.
He filled out only the basics — his name, age, and gender, leaving the rest blank.
Why are they so lax about a person's history when applying for citizenship? Oliver wondered, but the answer came soon enough.
The woman reached under the counter and brought out a smooth, clear orb, about the size of a grapefruit.
"Please place your hand on this orb. It will check for any criminal history or active bounties."
She explained that the orb would glow black if the person was a criminal or had committed serious crimes in the Main World, and would glow white if they had a clean slate.
Oliver didn't hesitate, placing his hand on the cool surface of the orb.
He had only been in this world for a week, so there was no chance he'd have any kind of record.
And as expected, the orb glowed a pure, soft white, indicating he was clear.
The woman gave a small, approving smile before retrieving the orb and placing it back under the counter.
With a few more taps on her screen, she processed his application and, after a minute, handed him his permanent entry pass.
The pass itself was platinum in color, with a simple circular symbol engraved at the center — a design that likely represented official city citizenship.
It was lightweight, yet felt sturdy, a clear indication that it was magically enhanced.
"Your initial registration is free, but if your pass ever expires, you'll need to pay for renewal," she explained.
Oliver nodded in understanding, quietly slipping the entry pass into his inventory.
The woman's smile widened slightly as she offered a polite farewell. "Welcome to Darwin. We hope you enjoy your stay."
"Thanks," Oliver replied with a brief nod before turning and walking out of the building, ready to see what the city had in store for him.