Deraka Town

It took a bit longer than I expected to reach the town, mostly because of the little troublemaker perched on top of my head—my bond, Umbra.

This mischievous creature simply couldn't resist stirring up trouble. Once or twice wasn't enough; he had to provoke every single monster we encountered along the way. From small critters to larger beasts, Umbra leaped into action at every opportunity, forcing me to deal with the aftermath.

As much as I cherished him, there were moments like these when I wondered if bonding with an otherworldly Dark Dragon had been a mistake. What should have been a simple five-hour journey turned into an exhausting eight-hour ordeal. But despite the delays, we finally reached Deraka Town.

The Town of Deraka felt more well it felt even more larger than any city I've ever been to in my previous life it dwarfed them all except Blightfalls.

Calling Deraka a "town" felt like an understatement. By Earth's standards, it could easily qualify as a sprawling metropolitan city. With its towering buildings, vibrant marketplaces, and densely packed streets, it was a hub of activity.

The population was equally astounding—19 million people, including not just humans but a mix of other species as well. From elves and dwarves to beastkin and other rarer races, the streets of Deraka were a melting pot of diversity.

I couldn't help but marvel at the sheer scale of it all. Back on Earth, a city like this would be a wonder, but here, it was just another settlement. For the people of Xylaris, this was normal.

The High Republic alone was vast, its territory spanning an area larger than all the surface landmass of Earth combined. The numbers were mind-boggling.

Take Blightfall City, for example. It boasted a staggering population of 340 million. The entire High Republic housed 11.5 billion people. Yet, even that wasn't the largest human nation.

The Imperium of Sol had a population of 46.7 billion, a behemoth in its own right. But the true titan among human nations was the Falk Dynasty, an ancient empire with a population of 4.3 trillion. Yes, trillion—4,300 billion humans under a single banner. It's pretty surprising despite having so many souls under it the Dynast was barely part of the 50 Strongest Nations in the World.

I shook off my inner musings as we neared the city's barrier. A shimmering purple dome encased Deraka, a protective shield powered by what I recognized as a Rune MK5-Class Mana Core.

Town Defenses were more like a Super Fortress defenses.

The sight of the barrier brought a pang of curiosity. In the ancient days, mana cores were simple—the bigger the core, the better. But with the advent of runic inscription, even smaller, weaker mana cores could outperform their non-runic counterparts.

Deraka's barrier wasn't the only impressive piece of defensive technology. Lining the outer walls were massive mana turrets, each the size of a bus. Their sleek, metallic forms hummed with latent energy, and I had no doubt they could unleash plasma beams powerful enough to melt through the defenses of even Rank 4 and 5 beings.

Smaller anti-air turrets were also positioned strategically across the city, ready to intercept any aerial threats. The combination of barriers and weaponry made Deraka a fortress, capable of withstanding formidable assaults.

As we approached the city gates, the rumbling sound of engines filled the air. A patrol fleet of aerial warships descended upon us, their cannons swiveling to lock onto the incoming travelers.

The sight was enough to send a shiver down anyone's spine. These ships weren't just for show—they were instruments of war, capable of leveling entire battalions with their firepower.

A Smooth Entrance was more or less guranteed for me.

The patrol fleet began inspecting each traveler meticulously, their officers combing through paperwork and scanning for suspicious activity. I braced myself for a long wait, but as soon as the patrol commander glanced at my vehicle registration, everything changed.

With a respectful salute, the commander waved me through without hesitation. I could see the recognition in his eyes—the Blightfall name carried weight, every where.

Before leaving, I issued a quiet request to the commander: "Keep my visit incognito. The town governor doesn't need to know I'm here."

The commander nodded, understanding my intent. I didn't want my presence to cause a stir. If the bandits caught wind of my arrival, it could jeopardize the entire mission.

Deraka's Leadership and Challenges were tumultuous.

As I passed through the gates and into the city proper, I couldn't help but reflect on Deraka's leadership. The town's governor was a Low Rank 5 mage, a position of considerable power. Supporting him were five Mid Rank 4 elites.

Yet, despite their strength, the infamous Iron Fang Syndicate continued to terrorize the region. The question was, why?

The answer, as always, lay in politics and self-interest. The Rank 4 elites were more concerned with their own agendas than the well-being of the town. They had little incentive to chase after bandits, especially when it didn't directly benefit them.

Even the Rank 3 Transcendents who had attempted to capture the Iron Fang Syndicate had failed. Every time, the bandits managed to escape, slipping through the cracks like shadows in the night.

Rumors pointed to an insider aiding the syndicate, feeding them information and ensuring their survival. But I suspected something more. If their leader, Garrek the Butcher, truly had a rare precognition ability, that would explain their uncanny ability to avoid capture.

Whatever the case, it didn't matter now. I had accepted the quest, and it was my responsibility to see it through.

The Inner District

The streets of Deraka were alive with activity as I made my way to the inner district. Merchants called out to passersby, their stalls overflowing with exotic goods. Children darted through the crowds, laughing and playing.

Despite the vibrant atmosphere, I remained focused. My first priority was to gather intelligence on the bandits. But that would have to wait until tomorrow.

The journey had taken longer than expected, and the sun was already dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city. For now, I needed rest.

I found an inn in the heart of the inner district, a cozy establishment with warm lighting and a welcoming atmosphere. After securing a room, I ordered a simple meal and retreated to my quarters.

As I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind raced with possibilities. The Iron Fang Syndicate was a formidable opponent, but I was confident in my abilities.

Umbra curled up at the foot of the bed, his dark sleek scales blending seamlessly with the shadows. I reached out to scratch behind his ears, earning a contented purr.

"Tomorrow," I murmured, "we hunt."

The thought brought a smile to my face. The thrill of the hunt, the challenge of the unknown—it was what I lived for. With that, I closed my eyes and let sleep take me, ready to face whatever awaited in the days to come.

To be continued...