Standing before the gate, Ash was feeling both anxious and excited.
Not having interacted with people for what felt like half a year Ash knew that it will feel liberating to do so.
As he stepped closer to the gate, he was able to truly get a sense for just how large this gate truly was.
It dwarfed the one they had back in Blackheart.
Soon low mechanical sounds started coming from the gate as it slowly opened.
Behind the gate stood a large reinforced room, with another gate that would probably lead to the "city".
'It seems their security is also a step above Blackheart's.'
Stepping through the first gate, Ash surveyed his surrounding and was able to spot a reinforced glass panel at the corner of the room.
Walking to it he found himself face to face with a person for the first time in a long time.
Behind the glass panel stood a tough looking man, with a beard, wearing a military uniform.
Once Ash was close enough, the man didn't hesitate to speak up.
"Identify yourself."
Ash found himself momentarily flustered, unsure of what to say, in the end he simply stated his name.
"I'm... Ash."
The man behind the glass grimaced for a second before he raised his hand to his forehead.
"Listen... Ash. Why are you here? No better question how are you here?"
Hearing the question Ash decided to answer only the first one, but he did so truthfully.
"I want to get something to eat and drink, that's all. I'm just stopping by while going to Primus."
The man unsure of what to say, but decided not to question Ash further on that point.
"Okay, just state your strength and then I can let you in."
The man asked, though doubt was still showing on his face.
"Im a rank two."
The man completely lost his cool hearing this and quickly started shouting.
"A RANK TWO? Who are you kidding? There is no way that..."
That was when a skinnier, and well off looking man appeared behind the shouting soldier, putting his hands on the mans shoulder.
"Calm down, Anders."
Then he looked at Ash with a somewhat doubtful expression.
"You can come in, I just... don't want you causing any trouble. I hope you didn't lie about your intentions."
Ash nodded his head as sign of understanding.
"OPEN THE GATES."
The man shouted.
In the next moment the giant inner gates also slowly opened.
That was when the slender man spoke up again.
"Welcome to Fiamma."
...
Walking through the gate Ash was welcomed by the sight of the "city".
Fiamma as it was called, was much larger than the likes of Blackheart. While places like Blackheart only housed around twenty thousand people, this place seemed capable of housing a million.
Still by the International Standards, this place was still only recognized as a town, and not a city. This was thanks to a ruling back at the beginning of the Dawn Era. It stated that all settlements in the wasteland be called as "towns" and that only the large megacities be allowed to keep carrying on the city name.
Still this law was deemed pointless by most, as such many non megacities still chose to call themselves cities around the globe.
Fiamma was one such place, with most of its residents still calling it a city despite its official title of being a town.
Looking around he could even see some skyscrapers in the distance.
This place was huge.
The entrance where he stood now looked to be a place of great splendor.
Trees, bushes, marble statues. It looked like a nice park or a presidential garden.
Just as Ash was taking in the sights of the city, the man from before appeared, walking towards Ash.
"I didn't get the chance to introduce myself Mr. Ash. I'm Silvester Fontana. I'm the branch manager of Marchetti Electronics."
Ash looked at the man, with a confused expression.
He clearly seemed to be of high rank, as he was able to let him in town, but he was just some branch manager from a corporation he'd never heard of.
Still Ash knew he should be courtious in these types of situations, so he extended his hand to the man.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Fontana."
The man reciprocated shaking Ash's hand with intensity.
"Ohh the pleasure is all mine. When I heard that a lone stranger was by the entrance I knew I had to check it out. To think I'd meet someone of your standing."
The man seemed to be of the chatty type, which Ash wasn't a fan of. But more importantly it also seemed like the man was having a misunderstanding all by himself. Still Ash felt no need to correct him.
"I hope you didn't mind my prior comments."
Ash wasn't sure which comments he was talking about, but he naturally didn't mind them at all.
"No offense taken."
The man continued with an excited expression.
"We just have to be careful, lone wanderers are rare these days, and most of them are very powerful. You also seem like someone powerful, especially with how young you look."
Ash's brain glitched for a moment upon hearing this, but didn't say anything.
"To look so young, you must atleast be a Rank 6 Master, truly a rarity."
'Ahaha... What is this guy on about?'
"As such we hope we can offer our utmost service to you."
Ash's expression didn't change, but inside he was already smiling.
'I was just wondering how I was gonna get through the problem of money, but to think such a person would appear. I am truly blessed.'
The one sided conversation, or sucking up continued on for a few more minutes, before Silverster realised he'd been talking for so long.
"Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to speak for so long."
"It's fine."
Ash replied, now with more confidence, trying to keep up the persona Silvester had created for him.
"Oh I remember you mentioned, wanting some food and water right? I can see that your supplies have run out."
'There weren't any in the first place.'
"Would you like to go to a restauran..."
Ash answered before Silvester could even finish.
"Yes."
...
Ash could feel himself sweating bullets as the elevator just kept on going up.
'How tall is this building?'
That was when it stopped at floor number fifty.
Soon as they stepped out from the elevator a couple of servers came hounding in on the two.
"Oh Mr. Fontana welcome to Sunrise. Would your usual seat be okay?"
Silvester answered without missing a beat.
"Yes, but please prepare an extra chair."
"On it Sir."
The servers quickly dispatched.
Looking around Ash saw luxury he didn't think possible before.
Golden chairs, crystal lights, marble floors. This restaurant seemed to be the height of what this city had to offer.
Slowly the two were led to their seats located on the balcony.
Taking a seat Ash could see just how high up they were, from here he could see the entire city. With all the buildings and cars below looking like mere ants.
Soon Silvester sat down opposite to him too and then their menu was delivered.
The two quickly decided with Silvester asking his usual and Ash opting for a nice cut of beef steak.
While they waited, Silvester was the first to break the silence.
"Mr. Ash, I feel I've been talking too much."
'You most certainly have.'
"So now I'd like to hear you to talk."
"Yes?"
Ash asked somewhat confused.
"I mean a figure such as yourself must have quite a few stories to tell. People of such high Rank are a rarity, so it would be an honor to be able to hear a part of your story."
Ash was frozen solid for a moment, unsure of what his next move should be.
Should he just make up a story, or maybe he should just stay quiet and try acting mysterious?
Quite frankly Ash had no idea how a powerful person was supposed to act.
He knew powerful people like Adam and Floch, but Adam was just a kind priest while Floch was... uhm Floch.
After a bit of thinking he decided to speak up.
"I don't have many stories to tell."
Silvesters eyes lit up hearing this, instantly trying to push further.
"It's fine you can just tell me one."
Ash slowly swallowed before speaking up again.
"Fine I guess I can tell you one story."
Silvesters reaction was instant with him suddenly looking like an excited little kid despite already being a grown man with a family.
"This was back when I had just started my journey as a User. Back then I was just a foolish child, enjoying the joys of everyday life living in my hometown, but that was when everything changed."
Silvester became even more focused as he closely listened to the story.
"Suddenly recruiters from SCC came and I was selected to become one of their new recruits. Life was great, I was able to land a good job, working for a famous corporation, but then..."
Silvester was now even more invested.
"Then a powerful User came to my town and turned all it's residents into monsters, with me being the sole survivor. In the end I had to fight my way through the whole town of monsters by myself."
Hearing the story Silvesters expression became serious, them it turned into something like doubt.
"Could I ask the name of your hometown, Sir?"
Ash swept up his story telling didn't think in the moment and answered instantly.
"It's Blackheart."