Megacity

Leo drove into the open plain, the barren landscape stretching endlessly beyond the factory gates. His eyes darted around, scanning the dry expanse through the car window. It was the first time he had been outside the oppressive confines of the factory since waking up in that grim room. He needed to assess his surroundings quickly and find a way to blend into this world, whatever it was.

The road ahead meandered along a low hill, and Leo couldn't help but shake his head, trying to process the reality of his situation. The sparse number of buildings and the scattered people didn't give off the vibe of an uncivilized backwater. Instead, as he sped along the winding road, a sprawling city loomed in the distance, its towering skyscrapers piercing the sky like jagged teeth, forming a forest of glass and steel.

Every instinct told him that hesitation would be dangerous. The longer he lingered, the more likely he would meet a grim fate. With a surge of determination, Leo pressed harder on the accelerator, closing the distance between himself and the city. The scenery grew increasingly foreign, the closer he got.

After over an hour of driving, the city's outskirts came into view. Neon signs flickered, massive billboards blared advertisements accompanied by upbeat music, and sleek airships drifted lazily across the skyline. The vibrant cacophony was both mesmerizing and overwhelming.

[A leader in cutting-edge industry. Welcome to Balkan, a megacity leading the future of magical engineering.]

Leo squinted at the massive billboard that displayed the message. "Balkan, huh?" he muttered, the name sparking a faint memory. The Balkans on Earth had a rich, tumultuous history. But this Balkan, with its futuristic aura and magical underpinnings, felt like something from a surreal dream.

He let out a low whistle as a streamlined bike zipped past, leaving a trail of light in its wake. The city was a strange blend of advanced technology and something else—something arcane.

"I knew this wasn't Earth," Leo murmured, eyes tracing the unfamiliar characters on the signs and the strange, otherworldly architecture. The realization settled heavily on him. This wasn't even the game world he knew. Could it be the newly updated WORLD 3.0? If so, the developers had taken some serious creative liberties.

The landscape before him was more advanced than Earth's civilization, but it exuded a chaotic energy. In this near-future society, he couldn't tell if having magical talent was a blessing or a curse.

As he reached the city's edge, Leo eased off the accelerator, letting the car coast. His eyes scanned for any signs of pursuit, but everything seemed clear. "No one's followed me… yet," he muttered, though he remained wary. Maybe the chaos of the union visit had bought him some time. Escaping during such a high-pressure event had been a smart move.

Traffic thickened as he approached the city proper. The roads widened, and cars of every shape and size crowded the streets. Only now did Leo realize that the sleek two-seater he had commandeered, with its intricate design, was relatively ordinary compared to the vehicles around him. The modifications on his car were standard, not the quirky preference of the factory supervisor as he had initially assumed.

Had he driven the old gray van instead, he might have stood out like a sore thumb.

The gridlock slowed him to a crawl, giving Leo a chance to observe his surroundings more closely. He fished a cigarette from his pocket, lighting it with a steady hand, and peered at the pedestrians on the sidewalks.

The city's population was diverse in both appearance and style. Clothing ranged from practical to flamboyant, and many people sported unique accessories—prosthetic limbs, floating spectral companions, or simply futuristic fashion statements. Despite the bustling atmosphere, there was a sense of order. The people seemed at ease, hinting at a semblance of security that Leo hadn't expected after his experience at the factory.

"Looks like this place isn't as chaotic as I thought," Leo noted. The city, while strange and otherworldly, was far from lawless.

The subtle glow of magic flickered at the edges of his perception. It was woven into the city's infrastructure, seamlessly blending with the advanced technology. The neon lights, the machines humming in the background, even the gadgets in people's hands—all carried traces of magic.

"I'll need time to get a handle on how things work here," Leo mused, taking a long drag from his cigarette. This world might resemble Earth on the surface, but its integration of magic meant its history, technology, and society were likely very different.

His head throbbed slightly, a reminder of his body's fragile state. He needed rest—soon. The cigarette helped stave off the immediate effects, but he knew it wouldn't last. He had pushed himself to the brink during his escape, and the toll was catching up.

When the traffic finally cleared, Leo turned off the main road, guiding the car into a quieter, more secluded alley. The once pristine streets gave way to narrow, grimy paths. Dilapidated buildings loomed on either side, their cracked facades hinting at years of neglect.

He stopped near a crumbling apartment complex, the structure sagging under its own weight. It was a far cry from the neon brilliance of the city center, but it was exactly what Leo needed—a place to lie low.

Leo exhaled, feeling the last remnants of his magic ebbing back into his veins, just enough for a single spell. He brought his hands to his face, channeling his energy into a simple but effective illusion.

Disguise.

His features twisted and burned as his appearance shifted to that of a middle-aged man with a stern expression. He adjusted the sunglasses he had swiped from the break room and stepped out of the car, tossing the keys inside. He couldn't risk using the car again—it was too easy to track.

The searing sun blazed overhead as Leo walked away from the vehicle, its harsh light a stark contrast to the dark factory he had fled. He blinked, momentarily disoriented by the brightness. His body ached, his legs wobbled, but he forced himself to move. Every step was a reminder of his weakening state.

Leo's gaze landed on a small, discreet hotel just down the street. It was unassuming, with a quiet lobby and staff that looked far too uninterested to ask questions.

Perfect.

He entered without hesitation, making his way to the counter. The receptionist barely glanced at him. "100,000 cells per night," they stated flatly.

Leo didn't bother to haggle. He slid the cash across the counter, took the key, and headed to the elevator. By the time the doors closed behind him, the weight of exhaustion had already begun to pull him down.

He stumbled into his room, dropping to the floor as darkness overtook him. His body, pushed beyond its limits, finally gave in.

For the first time since arriving in this strange world, Leo slept.