Dapper ordered a new taxi using Elena's phone, and soon enough, a taxi driver with a stubby beard pulled up.
"Please, hop in," the driver said—and both Dapper and Elena did just that.
The driver wasted no time, zooming off from the main city of Lutava toward its outskirts. The car sped faster than anything Dapper had ever seen in this world, the speed alone making him blink in disbelief. But at least the roads were tiled all the way, so he wasn't too worried.
Curious, Dapper slid open the small barrier at the center console that separated the driver from the backseat.
"Excuse me," Dapper began, "why are you going this fast?"
The driver's eyes remained glued to the road, his expression hard. "You must be new here. Driving through these roads is a risk in itself. Monsters lurk in the outskirts. You don't want to get intercepted—especially by a strong one. Let me show you something."
The tinted windows in the back suddenly turned transparent, and at the same time, the barrier fully lowered. What Dapper and Elena saw next wasn't the vibrant greenery of life—it was ruin. Buildings crumbled, forests growing out of abandoned homes, and decay had overtaken everything. Roaming the area were monstrous, jagged-toothed mice—each one about the size of a housecat from Earth.
"This," the driver said grimly, "is the risk we take every damn day. It's also why the ride was pricey. Since you're new, I'll tell you a little story."
He lit a cigarette, his hands briefly off the wheel.
"This place used to thrive. Peaceful, almost crime-free. Lutava was once one of the safest cities. But then… the monster hordes started. At first, people fought back and won. But then a horde of Rank 3 monsters attacked. Everything collapsed. People died. Businesses crumbled. Families shattered. I watched my wife get her guts ripped out."
He puffed a long cloud of smoke before continuing.
"Eventually, the Empire came in to evacuate the survivors, but the damage was done. Most people moved to what we now call the 'main city' of Lutava. Some couldn't afford to move, though. And after that Rank 3 horde, only low-tier monsters remained—Rank 1s. People decided they could live with that. So some areas, like the cinema you're going to, were secured again. Funny how life goes on. Young love... it's beautiful," the driver said with a weary smile, looking at Dapper and Elena through the rearview mirror.
"I'm truly sorry for your loss," Dapper replied softly. "I hope you find love again."
He glanced at Elena beside him—her face was red, and she was nervously fidgeting with her fingers.
'The hell? Is she blushing because of what the driver said?'
Suddenly, the vehicle shook violently. The engine sputtered, and the speed plummeted.
"What's going on?"
"What is happening?" both Dapper and Elena asked in unison, their eyes snapping to the driver, who now wore a panicked look.
"I-I'm so sorry," the driver stammered. "The mana crystal's depleted. I'll cancel the charge for this ride, of course."
He veered to the side and stopped the vehicle, rummaging around the front.
"What do you mean you won't charge us? How the hell are we supposed to get where we're going?" Elena snapped, her tone sharp and fierce. It was as if another person had taken over her.
Dapper blinked at her, shocked. She caught his gaze and instantly toned it down.
"I… I was just worried about us," she muttered. But Dapper had seen it—her real temper.
"I-I didn't mean it that way," the driver said quickly. "I've got a spare mana crystal. I just need someone to cover me while I swap it in."
He looked towards Dapper.
"I would also appreciate if you stayed in the car, miss," he added, glancing at Elena.
The next moment, the driver stepped out with something that looked like a toolkit. Dapper followed.
At the rear of the vehicle, the driver opened a hidden compartment beneath the trunk, revealing a transparent, dulled crystal the size of a volleyball—clearly drained of mana. He opened his kit, pulling out a glowing blue crystal of the same size.
Just as they were about to swap the crystals, a sharp, squealing noise split the air.
Dapper turned and saw one of those rat-like monsters approaching. Its jagged teeth gleamed as it crept closer. And it wasn't alone. Six more emerged behind it, all creeping toward them.
"Shit… they found us. Seven of them…" the driver muttered in horror.
"What are those?" Dapper asked, his heart racing.
"Murkpaws," the driver hissed. "Fast little devils. One of them can pin down a grown man and tear him apart with those teeth."
Without hesitation, the driver drew a handgun and fired.
*BANG!*
The nearest Murkpaw's head exploded.
But the rest shrieked.
*SQUEAAAAAK!*
They charged forward in a frenzy.
"FUCK! THEY'RE CLOSING IN!" the driver roared, unloading his gun in rapid shots.
*BANG! BANG!*
None of the bullets hit.
Seeing the situation spiral out of control, Dapper clenched his fist and took a deep breath. He remembered something—then stretched out his palm and visualized fire.
"Fireball."
A massive sphere of flame, as large as five footballs stacked together, erupted above his hand. He hurled it at the Murkpaws.
*SQUEEEEEE!*
Two of them were instantly consumed by the flames, their bodies charred. But four were still charging, closing the distance fast.
[Ding! You are low on Mana. Less than 10 Mana remaining.]
[Pushing yourself further may result in unconsciousness.]
Suddenly, dizziness hit him like a truck. A piercing headache bloomed in his skull as reality spun. He stumbled, clutching his head.
The Murkpaws were now just two meters away.
"Incinerate."
That was all Dapper heard.
A massive wave of fire exploded in front of him, incinerating the remaining Murkpaws in an instant. The heat was so intense that both Dapper and the driver staggered back, shielding their faces.
When the flames died down, Dapper saw her—Elena—walking toward him through the dissipating smoke.
"Are you okay?" she asked softly.
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[A/N: We are contracted now, guys! Please, support me with power stones and golden tickets.]