I decide to tail one of these behemoths, observing the inspection process.


    The security seems surprisingly lax. I keep an eye out for any watchful eyes, but there’s not a single guard in sight – human or otherwise. The vehicles dock, their cargo holds open, and some kind of scanning device sweeps over the contents before they close and the vehicle moves on. It’s all very efficient and… unattended. Perfect.


    Seizing the opportunity, I dart behind a stack of crates on a truck that’s just finished inspection. This one’s loaded with what look like giant, alien looking fruits and vegetables. I huddle behind a particularly large, pulsating melon looking fruit, and the cargo hold smoothly seals shut. Moments later, the truck hums to life and we’re off.


    The ride is surprisingly smooth. Not a single piece of produce shifts, even with the occasional start, stop, and gentle turn. When we finally come to a halt, tiny lights blink on at the base of the crates. The cargo hold opens again, and small, industrious robots emerge, efficiently unloading the cargo. I take my chance and hop off, blending into the shadows as the robots begin their work.


    I’m inside! Even though it’s still late, the area under the dome is brilliantly lit. The air is crisp and clean, and the architecture is stunning. I can’t help but gawk a little. The streets are empty of people, but small cleaning and maintenance robots are everywhere, silently going about their business.


    “This is a mining city?” I whisper to myself, shaking my head in disbelief. It looks more like some kind of utopian paradise.


    It definitely puts the old dirty polluting coal mines back on Earth to shame.


    Wandering around these empty streets isn’t a good idea. I’m going to draw too much attention to myself. I promptly duck into a narrow alleyway. I’ll need to find a pawn shop or something similar to exchange these gold ores for some local currency.


    Suddenly, a thought strikes me. This isekai, despite its alien sheen, feels… oddly familiar. It’s like someone took Earth, gave it a futuristic, sci-fi makeover, then liberally sprinkled it with ancient mythology.


    I mean, shouldn’t everything be completely alien? Yet, there are humans, chatting away in English. The creatures are definitely… different, but you can still spot familiar biological blueprints. And then there’s the tech. These guys are eons ahead of us, sure, but the underlying principles feel… similar.


    Annunaki… those are Mesopotamian gods, right? Are they actually a thing here? And the locals are called Mesoselenians? Seriously? It’s like they’re not even trying to be subtle.


    The map, as I vaguely recall it from my brief glimpse, looks completely different from Earth at first glance, but… the oceans, the continents… they’re all still there, just rearranged a bit.


    Okay, so I know there’s an afterlife. I’ve, uh, experienced that firsthand. But a creator? Is there some cosmic puppeteer pulling all the strings? Or am I stuck in some ridiculously elaborate simulation? Maybe I should start looking for glitches in the matrix. Or maybe I’m the glitch.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Lost in these existential ponderings, the night breezes by. When the morning sun peeks over the horizon, the dome slowly awakens. The cleaning bots vanish, and actual people start appearing on the streets.


    Interestingly, no one seemed to be in any particular hurry. Unlike the world I’m from, where everyone seems to be perpetually rushing to some unseen appointment, here, everyone moves at a more… civilized pace. It’s almost unsettling.


    I wandered the pristine streets cautiously, trying my best not to attract any unwanted attention, before stumbling upon what looked like a business district. I spotted a massive, imposing building. A gavel and a sign that read “Petralis Auction House” hung prominently above the entrance. Not exactly the pawn shop I was looking for. A little disappointed, I was about to move on.


    “Good morning, honored guest,” a voice stopped me. A tall, slim man quickly came in front of me and bowed. I quickly shut my eyes before he looked up.


    “Esteemed… guests… My apologies. You have arrived at the Petralis Auction House. The commencement of the auction is not until noon; your arrival precedes it by some hours. Might I arrange for a conveyance to return you to your lodgings? Or, should you have accommodations reserved in conjunction with the auction, I would be pleased to escort you there to await the proper time,” the man asked in a very sophisticated and polite voice.


    “I’m not here for an auction,” I mumbled, still blinded, trying to figure out if this guy was a threat or just ridiculously polite.


    Do I look like a galactic trillionaire? Maybe if I still had that adamantine… never mind.


    “My deepest apologies. I confess, observing your… exceptional attire, I presumed you were here in anticipation of the auction. A regrettable misjudgment on my part,” the man continued, his tone laced with just a hint of bewilderment.


    These furs and leathers are extraordinary?!


    “Well, I see you’re a man of great fashion sense!” I replied, puffing out my chest a little. Fake it ‘til you make it, right? “Actually, I’m looking to sell some stuff. Do you mind telling me where a pawn shop is?”


    “A… pawn shop?” The man sounded utterly shocked. “I must implore you. Should you possess items of value you wish to divest yourself of, I urge you to consider our establishment. Our appraisers are without peer, and we assure you the most advantageous valuations for your treasures. Our commission rates are, I venture to say, the most reasonable within the city,” the man said with a gentle, guiding touch to my arm.


    “Alright, alright… I’ll show you what I have to offer,” I conceded. I couldn’t exactly refuse someone this eager. “Arrarrha!” a faint giggle echoed from Rexy, nestled in my hair.


    “Oh, and one more thing,” I added, gesturing vaguely at my face. “Could you also get me a pair of dark shades? As you can see, my eyes aren’t exactly…”


    “Indeed. It would be my honor,” the man replied in a satisfied voice. He then escorted me inside, guiding me carefully to a private room. I kept my eyes tightly shut the entire time. If anyone saw these eyes, god knows what would happen.


    A few moments later, he returned, presenting me with a pair of sleek, dark shades.“If you would prefer some privacy…” he offered.


    “Perfect,” I mumbled, taking the glasses. “Be right back.” I ducked into the bathroom, carefully checked for any lingering presence before finally opening my eyes. The shades the man had provided were unexpectedly stylish, crafted from some dark, polished material that seemed to absorb the light around them.


    The moment I slipped them on, they shimmered, then subtly reshaped themselves to perfectly contour to my face. The change almost gave me a heart attack—if I had one.


    Wonder how many arms and legs these things cost, I mused, adjusting the now-perfectly-fitted frames.