Another Stupid Isekai

I noticed a bunch of tall buildings, with walls of glass. Behind were hiding small offices. What for? I had no idea.

There were a bunch of restaurants and bar chains from many places around the world. Some local ones too. I picked on some brand names placed above the door, suggesting those were some kind of shops. Which I found very strange, as one could easily get anything using the device.

– Those are exchange points – said Tihana.

She clearly noticed what I was looking at intensely.

– They buy crystals from the hunters and then sell them to regular people. Usually old and wealthy, so they can get rid of their diseases, and injuries, or do other stuff – she explained.

– Some also work with charity foundations to organize the crystal necessary to treat people with terminal diseases or with heavy body dysfunctions. Hunters usually donate small amounts for free – Daniel added to what my fake daughter said, painting a better picture.

– That’s… Noble, but…

– You smell corruption? – he quickly jumped on my words. – Yes, there have been some cases of the stones disappearing, but William is really monitoring those people now, so it’s actually legit.

– Good. I might donate some myself – I said, briefly looking at him.

His confidence killed my worries.

– So, where are you going now? – Daniel asked.

– To Will. I want to say hi.

– Say Hi to him from me as well. I’m gonna check up with Marcella – he informed me.

I nodded shortly to his words, and then we separated. I and Tihana mixed with the crowd of people walking around the city center.

Before, this wouldn’t be possible without attracting a lot of attention, but now I was a regular nobody, so people only briefly glanced at me, as I was passing by.

– I could get used to this – I mumbled more to myself, than to my fake daughter.

– To the anonymity? – she still reacted to my words. – I guess the fame can be annoying, but now a bunch of assholes can pick on you because they will think you are some weakling.

– Oh, I’m counting on that – I chortled like an evil mastermind. – Smacking a few idiots always feel nice.

She straight up laughed out loud at my words.

– I missed you soo much, dad – she then added.

It made me feel strangely warm on the inside. I would say, that even kinda embarrassed. Me being a dad? I thought that I had that part already behind me, but the long separation made me again feel weird about our relationship.

– I missed you too… – I added after a moment spent thinking. – Daughter.

I guess she liked what I said a lot, because she suddenly grabbed my arm, and hugged it. I’m not gonna lie, her reaction put a smile on my face.

Like that, we crossed the city center and finally ended up on the training grounds. The whole structure of the complex changed. The arena was now longer, still put below the ground level, and more shaped like a football stadium, with stands chiseled directly in stone, like we were back in ancient Rome times.

There were several groups of people down there, training. Striking one another with wooden weapons. Practicing combat in groups, and other stuff.

Beyond the sandpit was a long hall of gyms, placed one by the other. All had their names and glass walls so people could watch the crowds training inside.

Further, on the left, was an archery field where rows of humans repeated the same moves, over and over, sending the arrows to the targets. Next to it was an obstacle field, also belonging to the archery part of the complex. I saw a few hunters, or soon-to-become ones, running around, and shooting at targets at the same time. It was quite… cinematic.

Separated from that, on my left, placed before the sandpit, but further away from where we were standing, was a big office complex. A fancy building, stretching a few dozen meters high, with walls of glass allowing one to peek inside. It was kinda twisted in its construction, or at least made to look this way.

Tihana led me there, and inside we had to pass through the reception. A row of pretty women was standing behind the counter, with only their heads peaking over the monitors of their computers. Some were occupied, but few seemed to be free.

– How can I help you? – one of them asked us.

– We would like to see uncle Will – said Tihana, before I opened my mouth, as we got closer.

The woman chuckled.

– I believe you know where to find him, but I have to make an appointment. There is a long line of people who want to speak with him – she said with a smile. – What names should I put? Tihana, and?

She looked at me, expecting an answer to her question.

– Peter.

– Peter what? Surname, please.

– Just Peter. He will know who I am – I began to feel annoyed after her questioning. – You know what? Just call him, and say I’m here.

My words made her hesitate. I noticed a shift in her body, as she moved her hand over the phone, but she still had to look at Tihana for some weird confirmation.

My fake daughter bit her lips to stop the smile but nodded firmly.

I’m not gonna lie, I felt quite annoyed by that point and considered, briefly, just blasting straight up via shadow walk. Then yelling at Will for creating this bureaucratic nonsense. Tihana noticed something, because she stepped on my foot, bringing my thought back to reality. Then I saw the receptionist speaking on the phone.

It took her a while. She was whispering. I still was able to hear her words easily, but it felt wrong, so I did my best to avert my attention.

– He will see you – she informed me with a big smile on her face, after a few minutes I had to wait.

Tihana took those words as a signal to start and pulled me toward the elevators on the right. There was a long corridor out there, with many doors after a set of previously mentioned elevators.

We boarded one of those, and my fake daughter pressed the correct number, making an annoying music start.