Ch 126

  Five days after being captured, Matt was utterly exhausted from the relentless pace set by his five captors. They had only paused to rest once during the entire ordeal, and the only way Matt could gauge the passage of time was through the cooldowns on his organizational abilities. Fortunately, these abilities confirmed that Apricity had safely returned to the others. Although they were displeased with the turn of events, they wisely refrained from recklessly pursuing him. As Matt emerged from the oppressive darkness of the dungeon and stepped onto the world's surface, he was momentarily blinded by the intense light. He blinked rapidly for about a minute, his eyes struggling to adjust, while the wolfman leader chuckled, shading his own eyes from the brightness. This only served to irritate Matt further.

  "Keep your head on your shoulders," warned the wolfman leader, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "You've been so cooperative up until now; it would be a shame to ruin your chances of walking away from this alive."

  "Why do you want me to live anyway?" Matt questioned, as his vision gradually returned.

  "It's simple. The strong deserve to live, and you're definitely strong. The question is whether you're too much of a headache to let live," the wolfman leader replied with a sly grin.

  "If you just ignored me, I'd be out of here the moment my world is ready for whatever the system has planned," Matt retorted, his tone defiant.

  "That's the only reason you're not dead after what you've done," the wolfman leader retorted sharply. "It's one thing when someone like myself culls the weak who are foolish enough to mouth off to me, but you went and killed our members and even stole a few from what I've heard. Not to mention the instance dungeon that was snatched away."

  "It's not like I wanted to do any of that," Matt countered grumpily. "We had no idea what those doors led to until after opening them, and all our fights were in self-defense."

  The wolfman shot Matt a look of incredulity before shaking his head and replying, "You need to understand how things operate under this system if you want to survive. It's obvious you've been sheltered from the harsh realities of how things work. All that matters is the power you wield. Who cares if you obliterate an entire world if no one can stop you or punish you for it? That’s why every world needs an organization’s protection, and why the strength of that organization is crucial. Just keep that in mind when you’re summoned to meet with our leader here."

  "Do you have any idea when that will be?" Matt inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity.

  "No," the wolfman responded, "and if I were you, I'd use whatever time you have to get yourself presentable because your gear is in shambles. Not that I blame you, given the circumstances, but when was the last time you washed yourself?"

  Matt shrugged, his weariness evident. "It hasn't really been a priority since fighting for our lives has taken precedence over everything else."

  The wolfman nodded knowingly. "Yeah, well, you were very easy to track with how ripe you smell."

  Matt didn’t respond to that as they continued to walk down narrow streets, just wide enough for a single compact car to fit through. However, there were no cars, no carts, not even any horses to be seen. Instead, everyone carried what appeared to be rucksacks or bags, which Matt was certain contained a spatial pocket for storing items. Rucksacks were far more common than the other options. Along each side of the road stood various types of buildings, clearly indicating that the area around the dungeon catered to those entering and exiting it. These structures eventually gave way to expensive-looking homes, increasing in size and land usage, as Matt realized they were headed toward the more upscale part of town.

  Finally, after over three hours of walking, they arrived at what had to be the most opulent location yet. The estate sat on a plot of land at least 20 times the size of the next largest property Matt had seen along the way. It boasted towering walls that made the walls of the fort Matt technically still owned look diminutive in comparison, with guards patrolling its entire perimeter. It was evident that even the wolf leader wasn’t willing to test his luck, given the stiffness with which he moved toward the gates where two armed guards stood and spoke.

  "I've returned with Matthew Pierce, as ordered."

  "Ah yes, the one who humiliated you, Hanklin. Alright, we’ll take it from here."

  Hanklin, as Matt now knew the wolfman leader's name, merely clenched his fist and turned away as one of the guards stepped forward and gestured for Matt to walk.

  "Don’t get yourself killed before I get another chance at you," muttered Hanklin, as Matt passed by him.

  The guard merely snorted, leaving Matt unsure of how to interpret the exchange as he passed through the gates and got his first glimpse of the inner side of the wall. Before him stretched a vast field, lush with grass and adorned with wildflowers on either side of a stone path that led to a second gate. Curiously, the absence of a grand castle with towering spires rising behind this second wall made Matt wonder what he was about to discover, as an unsettling feeling crept over him, making him feel like he was being led to a prison.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  “Don’t look so worried,” the guard remarked with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Even if you end up condemned to death, there’s no reason to treat a D rank as a threat. You’re going to be staying as a guest of the vice leader in charge of this world. As long as you behave, no harm will come to you, beyond losing time that could be spent increasing your strength. However, if you play your cards right, you might find that even that sacrifice is worth it.”

  “What do you mean?” Matt asked, struggling to see how this situation could possibly benefit him.

  “You’re alive, which signifies you have value. Godfrey Enterprises doesn’t squander valuable resources if they can be utilized for their benefit,” the guard explained with a knowing look.

  Matt didn’t respond to that suggestion, as he had boundaries he wouldn’t cross. He felt that agreeing to even the idea of being useful at this point was sheer foolishness. No, his focus needed to be on keeping his options open and forcing them to make the first compromise, just as he had done with Tempormr. Speaking of Tempormr, a part of Matt was relying on his connection with him to navigate through the current situation.

  However, all thoughts of that vanished from Matt’s mind as they passed through the second set of gates, and it seemed as though they had stepped into an entirely different world. Instead of the medieval atmosphere Matt had been expecting, it felt as if he had entered the modern world. Before him lay a massive pool, where various humanoid species were swimming. This surrounded a sprawling villa, which Matt noticed even had what appeared to be electrical lights, and he was fairly certain he could see translucent screens displaying movies or some kind of entertainment. Swallowing hard, Matt couldn’t overlook the smug look the guard gave him before motioning for him to follow once more.

  With each step, Matt found himself reevaluating his current situation, pondering the subtle pieces of technology that far surpassed anything he knew from Earth. The devices on many wrists resembled smartwatches but also seemed to function as spatial storage units. Floating trays gracefully glided through the air, efficiently delivering items to their destinations. This advanced technology made Matt question whether the primitive lifestyle he had witnessed on his journey was truly how most people lived under the system, or if this level of sophistication was, in fact, the norm.

  These questions would need to wait, as after taking a larger version of the floating trays across the shimmering pool, Matt found himself standing before a cat woman with sleek black fur, dressed in a pristine maid uniform. Once again, Matt pondered how much of Earth's culture had been influenced by the effects of those who were preparing the world for its integration. However, he didn’t have much time for contemplation as the maid opened her mouth and began to speak.

  “Greetings, Mr. Pierce. While you are here, I will be at your service should you need anything.”

  “Anything?” questioned Matt, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

  “Yes, should it be within my power to grant, I have been instructed to provide any services you might wish for. You can even ask for my body or that I aid you in leaving this place, but know once you leave, I will be forbidden from helping beyond the inner gates.”

  “I see,” replied Matt, choosing to ignore the provocative offer. “Do you at least have a name that I can call you by?”

  “Naomi. I have yet to be mated, so I have no last name to speak of.”

  “I see, it seems that I will need to understand some customs before we proceed.”

  “Feel free to do that after the handover is complete,” interjected the guard impatiently. “I trust that you will not mislead Mr. Pierce in an attempt to leverage him in any way.”

  “Of course,” replied Naomi with a graceful curtsy. “I will strive to ensure Mr. Pierce is fully aware that within these walls he is a valued guest and potential business partner to Godfrey Enterprises.”

  “Good,” the guard nodded in approval. “Make sure he is bathed and gets some new clothing, as I can’t see many welcoming him as he is.”

  “Of course. If you would please follow me, Mr. Pierce, I will show you to your private quarters. If you have any questions along the way, I’ll be sure to do my best to answer them.”

  Naomi pivoted and strode off the moment the guard departed, and Matt’s tired legs scrambled to keep up. His mind raced—exhaustion mingling with bewilderment at the sudden shift in surroundings—so he couldn’t even form a question before she halted at a door in a corridor lined wall-to-wall with identical portals. They were packed so tightly that he expected each to conceal little more than a narrow passage.

  Instead, when she opened one, he stepped into a chamber larger than his entire cabin back home. High ceilings arched overhead, crystal sconces cast a soft golden glow on polished stone floors, and the polished walls rose unbroken for what must have been at least thirty feet. Matt took an involuntary step forward, his boots echoing in the spacious room.

  Before he could speak, Naomi’s voice floated across the emptiness. “This will be where you reside for the duration of your stay. If you follow me, I’ll show you to the bathing area and help you freshen up.”

  He paused beside a low marble table, running a hand over its smooth surface. “Hold on—’we’?”

  Her cheeks flushed faintly. “Yes. Each guest room is assigned a servant to maintain it at all times. If you prefer privacy, I can leave—but I’ll wait in the hall outside until you need me again.”

  Matt blinked, processing her offer. Clearing his throat, he managed, “I couldn’t ask you to stand around while I bathe. Just give me space to clean myself—and to get some sleep.”

  She tilted her head sympathetically. “I’m sorry, but I must be present in the room to activate the shower—and to keep it running. I can avert my gaze if that would make you more comfortable.”

  He drew in a steadying breath. “All right, but before we go any further—have you been ordered to seduce me?”

  Her brows rose in genuine surprise. “No. Servants where I come from routinely wash their masters.”

  “I’ve never had servants—and I never will,” Matt said firmly. “Is there any way I can bathe without you standing by?”

  Naomi considered, then nodded. “I could fill the tub for you—you’d step in yourself, though the water would grow murky.”

  “Fine,” he said. “Fill the tub and bring me a bucket, a few washcloths, and some soap. I’ll handle the rest.”

  She dipped into a formal curtsy. “Very well. Please ring if you need anything.”

  Matt shook his head with a wry smile, grateful Greg wasn’t here to witness the awkward exchange. “I think I can manage. Just know I only want conversation, guidance, and practical help—nothing more.”

  “As you wish, Mr. Pierce.” She turned and left him in the gentle glow of the room.