Level-Up Apocalypse: Surviving With The Assimilation System
Chapter 183: The Lavish City

"You're completely correct once again, Finn. This is something the populace is not permitted to see. We're afraid knowledge of this would only stir up…unrest," Nikko answered.

"Then what's the point of showing us? I could've gone without seeing a squad of soldiers getting flattened," Jasper pressed further as well.

With the questions being asked, the large screen was folded back into the ceiling as Nikko strolled through the marble complex.

The engineer ran his palm against the suspended helm of a disassembled Radegast, "I'll be transparent. I would kindly request that you three aid our forces in eliminating the threat of the Moon."

"What kind of answer do you expect to get after showing us that? I'm not facing something like that just to be killed," Charlotte protested the request adamantly.

Finn was surprised to hear the usually meek woman speak up like that, though he shared the same thought, "I agree. You can't just ask us to go fight something like that."

"It's downright insanity to expect anybody to willingly go face that," Jasper added in, waving his hand as if entirely dismissing the proposal.

"Unless your idea is to try and force us," Finn accused the man in glasses.

Nikko laughed softly, "Listen, I'm not going to force you to participate in this. I won't stop you three from just hightailing it out of the city and going on your way. All I ask is that you hear me out first."

"Is that right?" Finn questioned with a raised eyebrow, keeping his hand ready to summon his dagger at any moment.

"I understand you might have your own preconceived notions about militaristic organizations. I can assure you that the goal of New Moscow isn't to force others under our rule. We only want not only to preserve mankind, but advance it–that does require strong and willing allies," Nikko explained.

While it didn't seem that Nikko had any malicious intent, the idea of fighting something as strange and enigmatic as the "Moon" was something Finn couldn't decide. It had been a long string of life-and-death battles recently for him; he felt burnt out from it all–wanting some kind of break.

"Hey, you don't need to decide today," Nikko told them with a wave of his hand. "Why don't I take you around New Moscow? You three are more than welcome to stay here in the meantime."

"That sounds nice?" Charlotte responded, glancing at the other two as if asking them if they were up for the offer.

Jasper shrugged and spoke his mind, "I'm down if you show us around a restaurant with some barbeque."

The condition reeled a small laugh from Nikko, "Sure, there's actually a great place nearby for that. They've got fantastic hot links and salmon."

"My stomach is rumbling already," Jasper said as if already sold.

Charlotte looked over at the quiet assassin, "Finn?"

He didn't know yet how he truly felt about the enclosed city or the offer proposed by the engineer, though he at least felt that his companions needed some leisure time. It was the same for him–it sounded like a fine time.

"Sure, that's fine. I'm interested in seeing what this place is like, anyway," Finn agreed.

Your next journey awaits at mvl

"Great," Nikko happily said. "Give me a minute to get out of my work uniform and we'll be on our way."

While it sounded like the engineer was taking a quick shower, Finn peered out of the sky-high windows overlooking the city. He glanced over, seeing that Jasper was poking around at the robotic parts while Charlotte scoped around the kitchen, discovering fresh produce that seemed like a long gone concept.

After some minutes, the asian-canadian engineer reappeared, though in a completely different attire. Nikko was dressed casually, wearing a black hoodie and pants, hardly looking as important of a figure as he was.

"Ready?" Nikko asked the three, grabbing his keys.

"Starving," Jasper answered.

Following the engineer down the elevator and back to the base of the stygian building, Finn walked beside Nikko, replaceing that just about every person working within the skyscraper greeted him. It seemed like just about every second, Nikko was waving and returning words to somebody that passed by.

"Sure are popular, aren't you?" Finn remarked, passing through the front doors of the building.

Nikko laughed, "Well, I'd like to think my work in this city is pretty important."

"You build those big ass robot suits, so I can't disagree," Jasper added in, glancing around just as the city was entered again.

"That, and the power grid for the city. Along with the retractable dome, the WiFi system in place, electrical powered appliances–ah, well, among other things. I've been busy," Nikko clarified bashfully.

"WiFi? Did I hear that right?" Finn questioned.

"Sure did. Why?" Nikko asked.

"Shit…Place might actually be paradise," Finn mumbled.

The quiet remark sparked lighthearted laughter from the others as they walked down the small steps leading to the sidewalk, following Nikko to a parked, sleek vehicle ready to go. It was a spotless sedan with tinted windows.

"Here we are," Nikko said, stepping to the driver side of the vehicle as the locks clicked.

"Nice car," Jasper complimented, looking at his own reflection in it.

"It's a custom model–well, I did some tinkering on it. Come on in," Nikko gestured for them to enter as he slid into the driver seat.

Jasper got into the shotgun while Finn took to the right of the backseat, and Charlotte beside him on the left. The interior was pristine with furnished leather, soft and cushioned to the touch. As the key was put into ignition and turned, the car was woken up, though Finn immediately felt a warmth beneath him.

"Seat warmers? Fancy," Finn remarked, feeling the heat resonate through the leather seat.

"I can definitely get down with it," Jasper let out a relaxed sigh, practically slouching over in his seat.

Nikko laughed as he steered the car out from its parked spot, entering the street as the drive began, "This car could survive an attack from monsters, if need be. The exterior is made of the same material I use for the Radegasts."

"Got your own Batmobile going on, huh?" Finn remarked, trying not to show how comfortable he felt with the heated seats.

He looked over to replace Charlotte fiddling with the seatbelt, tugging on it before clicking it in. She had a proud smile after successfully putting it on, to which he gave her a silent thumbs-up.

It seemed unnecessary to wear a seatbelt, seeing as there weren't all too many cards on the street. A couple passed here and there, but most seemed to get around by foot.

As much as he remained steadfast in suspecting everything, Finn couldn't help but feel nostalgic, sitting there as the car cruised through the streets, passing by people texting on cell phones, overlooked by towering buildings that played advertisements.

'Is there really a chance things can go back to the way they were?' He thought.

Glancing over to see Charlotte with a childlike smile on her face while gazing out of the car window, seeing that sort of carefree glee was something that granted him his own warmth. Even if he had his reservations, if it made them happy, he resolved it'd be best to hear Nikko out.

"How many people are living here? In New Moscow," Finn asked.

The car had come to a stop at a red light as a couple people used the crosswalk to go to the other side of the street.

Nikko answered before continuing forward as the light turned green, "Right now, about five thousand."

"That's a lot," Charlotte said in surprise. "Practically everywhere we go…it's lifeless."

It was certainly the truth that Finn couldn't help but agree with, seeing as entire cities were empty of all life, yet this one was bustling in all regards.

"Our patrol teams work hard everyday to locate survivors. It's not just around the area–Radegasts are even sent to other nations to try and replace whoever they can. Though sometimes those expeditions can last weeks," Nikko explained, using a turn signal as a left turn was taken.

"Sounds like a difficult job," Jasper remarked.

"It is. Sometimes we lose Radegasts out there, but it's a worthwhile venture for humanity," Nikko reasoned.

Some amount of turns later, the car was parked along the side of a street in what appeared to be the heart of the downtown district, right in front of an establishment that oozed a delicious aroma. The smell of freshly-grilled barbeque food; that tangy, savory scent escaping the open door of a restaurant certainly brought with it a sense of nostalgia and impatience to eat.

"Oh yeah, I'm going to pig out," Jasper rubbed his hands together, not waiting to walk into the open establishment.

"Careful. Don't get too full," Charlotte warned with a small laugh.

"Listen, it's not everyday anymore I get to experience the delight of freshly grilled, sauced meat—I'm taking advantage of it," Jasper declared, sitting himself down at a table.