The Transmigrated Author-Chapter 288: Central City (3)

"Something doesn't feel right," Valencia muttered, her eyes scanning the massive walls that loomed ahead.

The sun beat down mercilessly as Valencia and her companions approached the central city's imposing gates.

After months of separation and battling through their respective territories, their reunion should have felt triumphant.

Instead, tension hung in the air like a gathering storm.

The gates stood open, but unlike the other territories they'd encountered, there were no armed guards, no visible security measures.

Instead, a small welcoming party awaited them as five men dressed in simple but elegant clothing appeared before them, with their faces bearing friendly smiles.

"Travelers! Welcome to our humble city," the tallest of the group called out, his voice carrying an artificial cheerfulness.

"We've been expecting you!"

Jan exchanged a quick glance with Bazz, whose hand instinctively moved closer to his weapon.

"You've been expecting us?" Jan asked, keeping his tone neutral despite his suspicion.

"Of course!" The man spread his arms wide in a gesture of welcome.

"Word travels fast in these lands. The heroes who cleansed the outer territories! We've prepared accommodations for you all."

The group's leader stepped forward, extending his hand toward Valencia.

"I'm Darren, at your service. Please, allow us to escort you to our leader. He's most eager to meet such accomplished warriors."

Valencia hesitated before accepting the handshake.

"How kind of you. Since we aren't familiar with the city could you lead the way for us please?"

As they moved through the streets, Jan couldn't help but notice the city's strange composition.

Unlike the medieval architecture of the outer territories, the central city was a bizarre fusion of ancient structures and futuristic technology.

Holographic displays adorned stone buildings, and sleek metallic vehicles shared cobblestone streets with horse-drawn carts.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Darren said, noticing Jan's wandering gaze.

"Our leader values both tradition and innovation. He believes there's wisdom in the old ways and power in the new."

"Your leader sounds fascinating," Camila remarked, her voice carefully measured.

"What's his name?"

"All in good time," Darren replied with a smile that sent chills down Jan's spine.

"He prefers to introduce himself personally."

As they walked deeper into the city, more men joined their escort—all smiling, all courteous, all male.

Jan noticed with growing unease that they hadn't seen a single woman since entering the city.

The new escorts positioned themselves strategically around their group, particularly close to the women.

One slipped his arm around Lyra's waist as if guiding her, while another placed his hand on the small of Valencia's back.

"You'll find our accommodations most comfortable," one of the men said, his fingers brushing against Camila's arm.

"Especially for such lovely guests."

Jan's patience snapped. He stopped abruptly, causing the entire procession to halt.

"Stop," Jan commanded, his voice cutting through the idle chatter.

The entire procession halted, all eyes turning to him.

Valencia shot him a questioning glance, but Jan kept his focus on their escorts.

"Your men are being inappropriate with our female companions."

Darren's smile didn't falter, but something cold flickered in his eyes. "I assure you, we're merely being hospitable."

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"Hospitality doesn't require touching," Bazz growled, stepping protectively closer to Camila.

The atmosphere shifted instantly. The escorts' friendly demeanor evaporated, replaced by predatory stares.

They didn't back away from the women; if anything, they moved closer.

"You misunderstand," Darren said, his voice hardening.

"In our city, all visitors submit to our customs. Our leader has expressed particular interest in your female companions."

Jan placed his hand on his sword hilt.

"That's not happening."

"Then you oppose our leader's wishes?" Darren's question hung in the air like a death sentence.

"If your leader's wishes involve treating our friends like property, then yes,"

Darren sighed dramatically.

"How disappointing. We'd hoped to make this transition peaceful." He snapped his fingers, and instantly, the men surrounding them took several steps back.

"By opposing our leader, you've chosen violence. So be it."

Jan glanced around, suddenly noticing something that had been nagging at him since they entered the city. "Where are all the women in your city?"

Darren's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Our leader prefers to keep females... segregated. For their protection, of course."

"You're slavers," Valencia spat, her hand already moving to her weapon.

"We prefer the term 'collectors,'" Darren replied smoothly. "And you'll make fine additions."

Without warning, the ground beneath them trembled. Panels in the street slid open, and from the depths rose sleek, metallic constructs – humanoid in shape but clearly mechanical, their silver bodies gleaming in the sunlight. Each stood nearly seven feet tall, with glowing blue cores visible in their chests and arms that terminated in various weapons instead of hands.

"Meet our security force," Darren announced proudly, backing away. "The latest creations from our workshops."

From nearby buildings, more figures emerged – not mechanical this time, but biological horrors.

They appeared once-human but grotesquely modified, with extra limbs grafted onto torsos and cybernetic enhancements protruding from torn flesh.

Jan's hand moved to his sword in one fluid motion, drawing the blade with a metallic whisper that seemed too soft for the chaos that was about to unfold.

Around him, his companions did the same—Valencia with her katana, Bazz with his gauntlets, the others with their respective weapons.

"Back-to-back!" Jan called out, but the command came too late.

The mechanical constructs had already positioned themselves strategically, cutting off any attempt at formation. They formed a perfect circle around the group, their weapon-arms humming with energy as they powered up.

"You have no chance of victory," Darren announced from a safe distance, his smile grotesque with anticipation.

"Our master has prepared for your arrival most thoroughly."

One of the constructs raised its arm, revealing a cylindrical device that began to emit a pulsing blue light.

The air shimmered as an invisible field expanded outward, washing over the group like a wave of static electricity.

WOM!!!

"What is this?" Alice gasped, her hands suddenly trembling as she tried to summon her ice magic.

Where normally the ice shards would leap from her sword, now only faint wisps of smoke appeared.

"My magic..." Jae's voice was strained as she tried to enchant her arrows.

"It's not working!"

Lyra and Camila faced similar struggles as their magical abilities were reduced to a fraction of their normal power.

"An anti-magic field," Valencia muttered, her eyes narrowing.

"But aura should still work."

She was right. While her companions with magic-dependent abilities faltered, Jan and Valencia found their aura-based techniques relatively unaffected.

Jae, too, though hampered in her magical enhancements, could still rely on her archery skills and the physical manifestation of her aura.

"Jan! Valencia!" Bazz shouted, his voice tight with strain. "You'll have to take point on this one!"