The Market City
Ruuuumble!
With a heavy, grinding groan, the East Gate slowly swung open.
Muzark kept his eyes glued to the car window. Beyond the gate, which had remained stubbornly shut for so long, the reality of Orangeline was finally revealing itself. Even the desolate stretch of road ahead looked entirely different to him now.
"Are you nervous, Oppa?"
"I suppose so. A bit nervous, but also excited."
"Hehe. It'll be different, but I'm sure you'll adapt in no time, Oppa!"
She pumped her tiny fists cutely, her round eyes sparkling with adoration. Disgusted by this display of coyness from a sibling he had barely seen in his life—and had no desire to see now—Rio made a gagging sound.
"Absolutely repulsive."
"You're dead."
"Watch your language, both of you, you rotten brats," Muzark grumbled.
He didn't even bother to crack a bitter smile at their usual bickering anymore. He had long since grown accustomed to it. On the other hand, Yen, who had been bedridden until now, was still in the process of adjusting to the lively atmosphere.
—What an amusing bunch. Your days ahead are bound to be exhausting.
"As long as they get along. It's better than them being awkward around each other."
—Usually, relationships like that end with a massive blowout and cutting ties completely.
"Keep your curses to yourself."
Before they knew it, the vehicle had fully crossed into Orangeline.
Perhaps because the road connected directly to Redline, it was poorly maintained. Only the occasional road sign stood lonely and hollow, like a scarecrow in an empty field.
"Don't get your hopes up too high," Aiden said, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel.
"Surely it's better than Redline."
"To be honest, I think that's the wrong comparison to make. From my perspective, Orangeline is simply a place that has the bare minimum of a modern urban infrastructure."
"If you were to look down from Greenline, two tiers up, you'd probably think, 'What kind of primitive monkeys live down there?' Of course, I've never actually been there myself."
Suddenly, a memory flashed through Muzark's mind.
—The mana reaction coming from that tiny, booger-sized house is over thirty. Isn't it suffocating? It's smaller than my pony's stable. If it were me, I would've died of frustration!
—It's cramped, it smells, and the air is filthy. If you stay here, even the magic that used to work probably won't anymore.
It was a memory Harmensales had allowed him to view. A young girl, presumed to be Sariella Prision, a mage from Blueline, had been looking down at Yellowline and complaining.
"Besides, that's just how humans are. Discomfort lingers, but comfort is quickly taken for granted. Once you start noticing the flaws one by one, you'll naturally want to climb higher."
"You too, Aiden?"
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't have ambition. It would have been fine if I lived in total ignorance, but as an investigator, my job requires me to travel between the upper and lower districts. Yellowline felt incredibly comfortable to me."
A faint, barely perceptible smile played on Aiden's lips.
"My son is still young. If possible, I want to provide a better environment for him. Yellowline is specifically tailored for a mage's research and growth, after all."
Muzark glanced at his right shoulder. He had never been one to wear his emotions on his sleeve, but ever since the demon had entered his body, his expressions had become entirely unreadable.
"Then what kind of place is Orangeline?"
Redline was a dump, and Yellowline was a research city. What was the 'theme' of Orangeline, where he would have to live for at least the next few months?
"If I had to describe it in a single word..."
Aiden paused briefly in thought before answering.
"A market. That would be the most fitting."
Ding!
[Scenario No. 004]
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS on entering Orangeline! 🎉
After a desperate struggle, you have finally escaped the cesspool!!! ٩(๑>ꇴ <๑)و
Muzark let out a dry chuckle at the cute, bubbly font.
'The average mage's standard is certainly something.'