Chapter Text

Korotropolis

First time of my writing of story. i been reading much and think maybe I'll try writing one

Afterlife, night city

afterlife a bar in night city were many people gathers around, be they a corpo suits, a gang, a street kids, a fixer, or an opportunist that tries to make a quick eddies. A group of Nomads, dusty from the Badlands, their vehicles parked outside and enters, their faces glowing with both fear and excitement.

"You won't believe what we saw out there. A city... movin' on massive paws, jumpin' across the Badlands like it owns the place!" the nomad leader says as he frantically waving his hands trying to describe the sizes and shapes.

"Sounds like you’ve had one drink too many out there, choom." the bartender, said cleaning the class wares, not sure if the nomad leader telling truth or just going insane from their journey from badlands.

a nomad scout shakes his head, "It's true! Neon lights everywhere, shinin' bright in the dust storms. It’s got guns—big ones—and these drones shaped like dogs! We barely made it out alive!", saying as it was some kind of monster.

"A city that moves? The only thing that moves out there is Raffen Shiv convoys and scavenger scum." V leans in, seems interest of that so called moving city.

digital ghost of Johnny appears beside V, his usual smirk plastered across his face. "Moving cities? What’s next? Cybernetic unicorns? But hey, maybe we should check it out. If it’s real, it’s either corpo tech gone rogue, or someone’s playing god again."

The mercs in the bar laugh it off at first, but one, an old-timer named Mitch, speaks up. "I’ve heard stories. Back in the day, some crazy techies out in the Badlands tried makin’ mobile bases. Most failed... but if this one’s real, it’d need some insane power source."

"Insane doesn’t even cover it. A city like that would be a walking goldmine. Fuel, tech, trade—Night City corpos would tear each other apart to get a piece of it." the fixer, rogue said, thinking if she could send someone to investigate the badlands to confirm if its true or not, and perhaps see any more information about the moving city on how it was moving.

As word spreads, newsfeeds in the bar flicker to life with reports of sightings.

the new anchor visibly sweating from her face. “Breaking news: Reports from the Badlands describe a moving city, sparking both fascination and fear. Experts speculate it may be a forgotten relic of corporate experimentation.”

"see! i told you it was real!" the nomad says, as he repeatedly points at the holo-tv.

"alright, you got me. how about lead us there, i want to see this for myself" V, intrigued by the story, and Johnny’s incessant nagging, decides to head out into the Badlands.

"What!? no way, i am coming back there! it almost kill us" one of nomads says, still shaken from their encounters.

"how about i pay you with 5000 eddies." v offered. "maybe that may change your minds".

"that guy is obviously a corpo," one of the nomads whippers to their leader. "who else is throwin' that much money."

nomads leader sigh and give in "fine. but it better be worth it, because once we see it, we start hightailin'."

the Badlands

As V and the Nomads approach a dust storm, faint neon lights start piercing through the haze. Suddenly, the ground trembles, and the unmistakable sound of arcade chiptunes echoes in the distance.

V looks at it, with wide eyes. "No way... That’s an actual city."

Johnny mockingly said "hahaha... Welcome to the future, V. Population: dog drones and bread factories." as he laugh and claps at this absurdity.

The group watches as the dog-themed moving city leaps into view—a massive, retro-futuristic city on paw-shaped tracks, glowing with pastel lights. The Dog-themed Drones zip out, scanning the newcomers.

"They're comin'! We’re dead!"

"Calm down. Let’s see what they want first." V said as she draws her weapon.

The drones pause, then project a holographic image of a cheerful dog mascot. Its voice is saccharine and glitchy.

"Konichiwa, friendo! i am korone inugami, the lord mayor of Korotropolis, the friendliest city in the Badlands! Care for some bread or retro gaming merch?"

"This... hahaha, is the weirdest shit I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen AIs try to nuke the world." Johnny wheezing, with tears in his eyes.

Chapter Text

Korotropolis

First time of my writing of story. i been reading much and think maybe I'll try writing one

THE BADLANDS.

"Konichiwa, friendo! I am Korone Inugami, the lord mayor of Korotropolis, the friendliest city in the Badlands! Care for some bread or retro gaming merch?"

V and the nomads are having a stand still with the drone. They still couldn’t make sense of it.

The nomad leader looks at V and say “alright choom, deal is deal, you got to see the city and we gettin’ paid for you to see it, now that you see it, me and my boys is gonna delta the fuck out.”

The nomad leader signals his men to move out, leaving V behind with the drone and the korotropolis visible to the dust storm, with all neon lights and retro—game music.

The hologram of korone glitch a bit. “Aww… they’ll never know how much fun they’re missing out. What about you, pretty lady! Care for some bread or retro gaming merch?”

V lowered her gun for a bit “no thanks. But can i ask you something, like what’s with the moving city and all, and why dog theme? That’s not something you would see in badlands since there’s barely any resources to build something of that size.”

“That’s because korone is a very very very cute doggo.” The projection of Korone does a cute pose, then stands straight up. “And about the traction city well, oh wait you guys didn’t have traction cities. How do I explain this?”

“Traction cities?” that peak v’s interest.

Korone snaps her fingers ”oh! Traction cities are made by putting or building a settlement on a mobile platform that houses powerful engines, that’s why they move around, going into places for resources.”

“but something as revolutionary as that would have been known all over the world.” v explained, then looked at korotropolis. “Especially of that scale.”

“Yeah, whoever the corpo that invented that would have been the richest person in the world. Imagine having a car the size of a city district, how many rich folks would fall over it. Hmm wonder where they're gonna park it or build a garage for that size.” Johnny silverhand butts in.

Korone hums “hmm hmm, if you want to know more, you can head to our library on korotropolis, we’re selling korone-brand wagging tail bookmarks in 30% discount today, it comes with a free koroissant.”

“See that V, that’s something a corpo would do, showing off merchandise.” Johnny smirks as he points on Korone.

“So, how do I get in?” V asked.

“Oh, that’s easy!” Korone claps her hand, points at the drone “just ride at the Doggo Drone and it flys you there, and if you ask, don't worry it's completely safe. It has an inbuilt parachute and flash flare for any inbound missiles!”

“So, dog themed murder robot then.”

“A child friendly dog themed murder robot.” Korone empathizes with that part. “Well anyway see you there.” the projection of korone flickered out and the doggo drone lays down in front of V.

“What are you waiting for, V. time to see korotropolis up close.” Johnny says as he puts on his sunglasses.

V hops on doggo drone, it even have harness that she could attach to, V guess it is to prevent someone from falling off. V got to admit the drone has a comfortable seat.

The doggo drone flies off carrying V to korotropolis.

Chapter Text

Docking Bay, Korotropolis.

The korotropolis, is something V couldn’t describe on how out of place it is in the badlands, it’s paw shaped tank treads, 80s-arcade like architecture, pixel like barrier shimmering around it, most of all dogs, dog themed structures dotting around what she could tell is life size Dog houses and Dog kennel. The bakery parts are the most common shops around, from the smell alone those are genuine baked goods from natural grains, not the synthesized fake food or the overpriced bioengineered one from the corporation that focuses on.

“Doggo Drone docking to korotropolis docking bay, welcome welcome new friend!”

The doggo drone lands on the pad and mechanical arms start connecting to its port. V disembark from the doggo drone and begin walking towards, what she thinks is terminal checkpoint.

“Damn it's almost like we're going into a different world.” Johnny whistles as he looks around the place. “But V, don’t let your guard down, there’s something strange going on here, I mean more strange than anything here, like something dark.”

“Darker than bread, arcade games or dogs they’re parading around?”

“You know what I mean, V.”

As V approaches the terminal, she sees the guards standing there, the guards wore bulking brown armor and a dog eared helmet, and they wield weapons that are something from guns from an arcade, some colorful toys, but she feels that they’re more dangerous than she would normally see in night city.

A girl came in and pushed between the guards, then she ran towards V. the girl looks younger or shorter than her, with brown hair and what V could tell are Dog ears, probably an implant. The girl wears an open Neon Circuitry Jackets with a Scoreboard T-Shirts underneath, a skirt with bone patterns, and a shoes that looks like a dog feet.

“Konichiwa friend, welcome to korotropoli, the friendliest city in the badlands, my name is Barko Pixelpaw and I shall be your guide.” the girl introduced herself.

“A guide?” V parroted.

“Yes, a guide.” Barko nods her head, then she grabs V’s hand and pulls her into the entrance. “Come on! There’s so much to see.”

“Wait wait wait hold on, what do you mean guide!?”

“Well, you’re a newcomer, you don’t know the ins and outs of korotropolis, you might get lost.”
“I can take of myself just fine”

“Our new citizens here are a bit rowdy, you might get hurt!”

“Just let go of my arm!”

“How about I follow you around, in case you have questions I answer them.”

“Okay, fine.” V gives in.

“That’s some first impression on the locals if I say so myself.” Johnny amused as he watched the whole scene.

“Just shut up, johnny.” V grumbles.

Johnny just laughed.

“Who’re you talking to?” Barko butts in.

“What?”

“Who’re you talking to?” Barko’s eyes sparkled and wagged her tail. “Are you a livestreamer!? You’re talking to chats, right!? You’re livestreaming the korotropolis, you’re doing a traction city review.”

“What are you talking about?”

Barko waves her hand. ”Hello everyone, what do you think about korotropolis, you’re enjoying it right!”

“I’m so lost here.” Johnny muttered.

“No, I am not doing any livestream, whatever that is.” V holds up her hand trying to calm Barko Down.

“What do you mean you don’t know what livestreams is.” Barko’s eyes widen in shock, then narrows it and her hand in her chin. “When you think about, from what we gathered from intelligence, you guys are in a post-apocalyptic time period, along with the destruction of the old net, so the livestreaming culture was lost.” Barko let out a defeated sigh.

“Yeah, let’s go with that.” V still doesn't know what’s happening. “Alright choom, how about just show me around like what you intended from the start, and forget we have this conversation.”

“Okay!” Barko perks up.

Chapter Text

Bark Boulevard, korotropolis.

“This here is the Kennel Corner, home for middle class citizen of korotropolis, this is where the hard working citizen resides with their Bone-Bungalows, and Pixel Towers, while some PawPads for those who are starting their journey in Korotropolis, like the new residents or lower class.” Barko gestures around the street. The entire neighborhood consists of two stories dog kennels except it was built for humans which V thinks is called Bone-Bungalows, while the Pixel Tower are five floor apartments that look like a gaming console.

“Some… lovely neighborhood.” V mutters. This place seems good, children running around doing whatever game they're playing. Some couples passing by, some are preparing for work, and something that could pass as a car around. She starting to notice that all of these people share one characteristic, Dog ears.

“Thanks for the compliment, you see some of these residents here can have their own farms so they don’t sometimes go to market to buy groceries, so it might save them some korobits when they need it” Barko said as she skips alongside V, while on the other hand just walking.

“Hold on, korobits? What’s that?” V asked, both intrigued and worried since, if that was some kind of money they use around, then she might as well be broke.

“Well, korobits is our form of currency here, our capital of sort, whatever you want to buy or sell something, and getting paid to work. Oh! And also to pay taxes, we use korobits, whether they be in physical coins or digital ones.” Barko explains to V about their money.

“So they have their own monetary system” Johnny muses.

“Do you also take eddies or Eurodollars around here?” V asked, in case she got kicked out of night city, she would get another place to live in, and probably don’t have to work from the ground up.

“No, we don’t take Eurodollars but you could apply for a part time job if you want or a full time job maybe, as long as you are qualified for it, you’ll be fine.” Barko reassures V, thinking she might resort to crime just to have food on her plate. Then Barko realized something and immediately said “and even if you can’t find a job, our welfare system will give you a weekly allowance worth 1000 Kb and if that wasn’t enough you can register on our local Adventurer Guild and take quests that are suitable to your current rank.”

“This welfare system of theirs, can easily be exploited, has anyone thought of that or these people are much of a goody two shoes to do any of it.” Johnny Silverhand whined about how their welfare system can easily be taken advantage of.

But something else caught V’s mind. “Adventurers Guild, that sounds like something a video game would have.”

“Adventurers Guild is for people who prefer fighting and making a quick buck, or those who seek fame and glory, become adventurers to travel either to local maps such as the badlands or using the portals to go to other worlds.”

“Wait, what do you mean ‘other worlds’ as in multiverse or something?”

“Well you see-” suddenly Barko’s eyes began to doze off, the realization begin hit her, Then grapes her head with both hands. “Oh my Gah, we haven't introduced ourselves! And here I am showing strangers around without knowing their names!”

“It’s ok, it’s ok, let’s introduce ourselves now, hi I am V, a former Corporate worker of Arasaka, you are?” V introduces herself while awkwardly holding out her hand. Johnny besides her never stops laughing at the sights in front of him.

“Konichiwa, V! My name is Barko Pixelpaw, your guide throughout korotropolis.” Barko grabs V’s hand and shakes.

Then the two awkwardly stare at each other. Some passersby look at them briefly then head to their business, probably when Barko made a scene there.

“So… about the multiverse thing?” V gently nudges Barko to continue their conversation.

Barko blinks a few seconds, then sheepishly scratches her head. “Oh right the multiverse, well V, this traction city before you is not always like this. You see, we are not really in this world, from the place we hailed from, is called the hunting ground, in that universe, the world had ended in 60 minutes, before the ‘60 minutes war’ at that time the technology of humanity are at heights and all is reduce to nothing but a symbol of mankind’s folly. The impact of that war changes everything, even to this day, the resources become scarce, the land becomes unstable to the point that the people back then need to travel around like nomads where they set camps then torn down when they move to another. Until they invented a new form of transportation that can bring a big community from place to place.”

“The traction cities.” V said as she began to understand where this is going.

“Actually it was just a house on wheels back then,” Barko corrected her. ”But as generations pass by, that transportations starts to change or evolve as years of maintenance and innovations, the transportations gets bigger and bigger, from houses to fortresses to the cities that you see now.”

“So that’s it.”

“Not quite, remember when i said about resources becoming scarce, most of those people don’t tend to share so some fights over it. Then they start building bigger traction cities that fight other cities. London was the first to be built, and the first to be called the predator city, a city that eats other cities. Since then it has been terrorizing the land, eating any traction cities that are unlucky enough to encounter it, thus the concept of Municipal Darwinism was born. ”

“Municipal Darwinism, you mean like Survival of the Fittest but on a large scale? Are there others here too wandering the badlands? Wait, the nomads from before said about having their settlements eaten by the moving city, does that mean this place is-” V starting to connect the dots.

“You are correct, korotropolis is a predator city.” Barko finishes V’s sentence. “If you think about the nomads from the settlements that are eaten, don’t worry they are fine, either they are here in korotropolis as new citizen that they reluctantly register as, or out in the badlands wandering about. And as far as we know we’re the only ones that are capable of traversing worlds.”

“You are not eating the night city, are you?”

“No, the night city from what we learn are massive, while not they don’t have defenses against traction cities, we’re not taking chances on consuming it, unless the Lord mayor commands.”

“So, how do you get into this world?”

“We’ll get there in a minute. before korotropolis is korotropolis that we know today, it use to be pawville, a regular traction city, no dog theme, no bread, no gaming, just a regular old city. Just trying to survive in what we call the hunting ground like you said ‘the strongest city survives while the weak city dies’, Korone Inugami came to our lives and there everything changed. The day korone became our lord mayor, she lead us to many victories while teaching us more about her culture, we learned she belong to a group called Hololive and she is livestreaming her, what she calls ‘gameplay of Mortal Engines’, and talking to something chats.”

“Is that why you assumed that I’m doing a livestreaming?”

“Yes, lord mayor korone also brought her friends over either to show them around korotropolis or as enemies, a ‘collab’ she calls it, any way let’s back to topic. While the more lord mayor korone led to us to victory, the more the city changes, the traction city gets bigger, the technology that we possess back then are more advanced than before, and we become the most prosperous city in the hunting ground, we even change the name pawville to korotropolis, and of course many other traction cities are attracted to our success as many began to trade with us. But that also gets the attention of London, the Apex predator city, while we could fight them and win but the outcome is undesirable.”

“London, like the one on England?”

“Yes, like the one in England, Since they’re the one who invented traction city, so they got a head start from everyone else.”

“And how did you get here, in this world? From the way you explain it, your world is pretty shitty.”

“We don’t really know the details, korone just put something in the korotropolis’ GUTs and then suddenly we’re teleported here. Look, we tried studying the device and we found out it was connected to the portal near the Adventurer’s Guild, and we would rather not come back to the hunting ground. But if you want to know more, you can visit the library.”

A swarm of doggo drones pass by, but from the looks of it, they are all armed.

“Hey Barko, what’s happening?” V asks, seeing many drones gathering in one direction.

“Oh, we’re being attacked from the looks of it. But for that many doggo drones, I guess the attackers are more armed this time.” Barko seemed calm about this.

“V, I got a feeling that the attackers are from corpos.” Johnny said, as he crossed his arm.

V could only hope that it’s not.

“So, you still want to continue the tour?” asked Barko.

“Yeah , sure.”

The Badlands.

“We’re being overwhelmed here!”

“We’re under fire!”

“Our netrunners could barely hack them!”

“Ghost Viper Unit down, we need assistance!”

Several hours ago

The militech corporation heard about the story of the moving city from the nomads, and the militech executive knows arasaka also heard it too, so there has been a race to who gets there first. Militech sends out a squadron of maxtac in the badlands in search of so-called ‘korotropolis’ and see what kind of technology the moving city possesses.

When Maxtac found the korotropolis, they reported back to militech about their findings. Their netrunners tried hacking the city’s intranet to see more about the infrastructures, but they didn’t anticipate the city’s fire wall to be that potent, and that alerts the city’s defenses. A swarm of dog shaped drones came to them. The drone then projects a holographic image of a cheerful dog mascot. Its voice is saccharine and glitchy.

"Bork! Bork! Welcome to Korotropolis! We’re here to spread joy, bread, and retro gaming fun. State your business or enjoy complimentary dog-shaped bread samples!"

The Doggo Drones begin tossing warm, freshly baked bread at the MAXTAC soldiers. One soldier hesitates and catches it, confused.

"...Is this bread? Why’s it warm?"

"Focus, rookie. We’re not here for snacks."

Inside the MAXTAC armored carrier, a Netrunner plugs into their deck, wires connecting their cybernetic implants to a glowing holo-terminal. "Target acquired. Those drones are running on a weird OS. Let’s see what happens when I take one for a spin."

They initiate a hack. A Doggo Drone suddenly stops mid-air, its holographic face flickering.

"Whimper… system intrusion detected. Sad dog noises initiating."

The hologram of Korone's HAPPY FACE begins to shift into ANGRY FACE. "HEY HEY! Someone’s trying to mess with my precious Doggo Drones? That’s not very nice! TIME FOR SUPER BORK MODE!"

The holographic shields around the city pulse, shifting to a fiery red as Doggo Drones go into combat mode. Their holographic dog faces turn into snarling pixelated Cerberus heads.

"Rude intruders! You tried to boop the snoot. Now you must face the woof!"

The hacked Doggo Drone emits a burst of static, sending a signal back to the Netrunner's deck. Their terminal flickers and displays a pixelated Korone face laughing.

"What the—?!" the netrunner exclaimed trying to attest what was happening. Then korone’s voice was transmitted through the netrunner’s comm.

"EHE TE NANDAYO! You thought you could hack Korotropolis? That’s so cute! Try this instead!"

The Netrunner’s interface overloads as Korone.exe floods their system with dog-themed malware. Their deck lights up with barking sounds and an endless loop of dog videos.

Outside the MAXTAC armored carrier

“All units, open fire!” The MAXTAC leader barked orders and proceeded to fire at the zipping doggo drones. The Doggo Drones swarm MAXTAC, using non-lethal weapons like EMP "bark bombs" and holographic illusions of giant, playful puppies to disorient the soldiers. MAXTAC struggles to regroup. The MAXTAC leader calls the entire squad in his comm. "Damn it, Fall back! We’re getting overrun by… holographic dogs?!"

A Doggo Drone pounces on a soldier, wrapping them in a net made of glowing neon fibers.

"Sir! Permission to eat the bread! I’m hungry, and it smells so good!"

MAXTAC retreats to a defensive formation as Korone herself appears on a giant holographic screen projected above Korotropolis. She’s wearing a cyberpunk-themed headset and a mischievous grin.

"Hello, weird metal people! You tried to bully my cute little city, huh? That makes me super mad! Now apologize, or I’ll turn all your tech into toaster ovens!"

The MAXTAC leader hopped onto the Basilisk hovercraft and decided to floor it. "...What the hell are we even dealing with here? Command, this mission’s gone FUBAR."

Militech, realizing the threat Korotropolis poses, orders a retreat. The MAXTAC squad extracts with their pride wounded but their lives intact. As they leave, Doggo Drones chase after them, wagging their holographic tails and shouting cheerful goodbyes.

"Come back for more bread soon! Woof woof!"
Korotropolis resumes its march across the badlands, leaving behind a trail of glowing paw prints in the sand.

“Wow, they sent the whole MAXTAC running.” V said, as she watched the whole scene.

“I know right!” Barko excitedly wags her tail.

Chapter Text

Chapter 5

Bark Boulevard, Korotropolis

V and Barko having a lunch break from a nearby cafe, Barko ordered a bunch of bread and began munching on them, while V only ordered a koroisant with choco filling.

“Barko did say the bread that I ordered is in the house.” V thought as she nibbled the bread.

Then V received a call. She looked at who the caller was.it was from Jackie Welles.

V answers the call. “Jackie, what is it?”

“Where the hell are you choombatta? I’ve received a call from rogue, she wants to hire us for some gigs. ” Jackie says from the comm

“What sort?” V asked.

“Rogue wants us to find the rumored moving city in badlands, she wants us to know if the story from nomads is true or not.”

V was silent for a bit. “Oh… well in that case, the moving city is real and I am currently inside of it.”

“What… you mean the moving city is not some tall tale and you’re in there, how?”

“Hired a bunch of nomads to take me there, and the city itself, it’s best if you come here yourself.”

“Just like that?” Jackie said in disbelief.

“Just like that. You know, you could accept the job, then find me here, that way we can make some eddies while you're at it.”

“How do I know what the moving city would look like?”

“The moving city, korotropolis, looks like big city district on wheels mixed with retro gaming, breads, and dogs. mostly dogs. I met their leader, korone inugami.”

“That name sounds japanese, are they related to arasaka?”

“They’re not even in this world.”
“Are you serious?”

“Trust me it will make more sense once you’re here.”

“I’ll hold you on to that, we’ll be in touch once I'm in the badlands.”

Then Jackie cut off the comm with V, she resumed eating Koroissant and looking around the scenery. she then noticed a single Raffen Shiv drinking a cup of hot choco, that guy is still wearing the same get up every wraith has. V leans in and whispers to Barko.

“Hey barko, I’m not trying to be rude or anything but why is there a Raffen Shiv in here?”

“Raffen Shiv, Oh You mean the new resident?” Barko asked while having a mouthful of bread.

“New residents, what makes them new residents?”

“Remember what I said about korotropolis being a predator city.”

“You mean every settlement it consumed became part of the city, so those Raffen Shiv convoys got eaten and reluctantly or forced to fill up citizenship.”

“Something like that. These guys are rowdy sometimes, they give so much work to enforcers and adventurers alike! Did you know some of them did try to burn down one of the shredders in the Great Under Tier!?”

“What’s the great under tier?”

“The Great Under Tier is where most of our industrial district is, along with the engines that power the treads. Actually everyone back home gave it the nickname GUTs since it’s also connected to the jaws of the city, so whenever it eats it goes to the GUTs where everything will be dismantled and repurpose for future use.”

The ground suddenly creates a slight groan, then every person in the block comes rushing to the balcony, most of them are cheering as if something great is happening. The lone wraith sighs, gulps down his remaining hot choco and goes where the crowd is, muttering “another of those damned chases again, let’s see who is the poor gunk that got its eyes on.”

“Chase?”

“Oh right this is your first time seeing a chase. The chase only occurred when the predator or prey cities saw each other and started speeding up into full throttle. So they are trying to outrun each other. Since there are no traction cities in this world, and the only to outrun korotropolis is through air. So static settlement and convoy are gobbled up in no time. Wanna see?”

V and Barko joined the crowd in the balcony, V saw the expanse of badlands and the silhouette form of night city. From her left she could see the front of korotropolis opening a sections as if its a mouth. As V looked down, she saw a caravan of nomads driving away from korotropolis, it seems that the nomads were in a hurry to abandon their camps. She could see the camps were about to be eaten as it neared its jaws.

From the looks of it, the nomads are not fast enough to escape from the city’s pursuit. But the city is much faster and can just plow through small hills while the nomads have to navigate around it, hindering their movements.

Then all of the sudden the city slows down to a halt, it confuses citizens why they stop. The fleeing nomads see this chance to escape further.

“Barko, what happened, why did the city stop?” V asked barko thinking maybe it’s a part of the chase.

“I don’t know, maybe some parts on the treads broke.”

Then the city starts moving again, but going in a different direction away from nomads.

“Or maybe the city found a more appealing target.” V assumes.

As the city turned, the new prey came to view. A Militech convoy, it looks like they are transporting something big with all that escort. The Militech convoy is also surprised to see Korotropolis as they begin to make their important cargo to speed through while the escort tries to slow down the city. How could something this big and loud manage to sneak on them is a mystery for sure.

Korotropolis starts sending swarms of doggo drones to neutralize the escort and drags them into the city’s awaiting jaws.

“Militech never catches a break do they.” Johnny Sailverhand mused.

The Control Room, korotropolis

In the control room everyone is working efficiently like a well oiled machine, from the operators reporting and adjusting control panel, navigators and pilots controlling the city’s trajectory, engineers ensuring fuel reserves and structural integrity, technicians analysing data stream and communication system, strategist and command officers giving orders to the city’s armaments operators and doggo drone AI, and of course the lord mayor herself to oversee the progress.

“Hahaha… do the weird metal people think they could harass korotropolis and get away with it. Good thing I saw their convoy not far from here, they must have some interesting stuff they are carrying for that kind of protection they have. Now I want it!” Korone Inumagi, the Lord Mayor and Founder of Korotropolis, wags her tail in anticipation. “Is the cargo in range with our grappling cannons yet and be sure not to damage the carrier? It looks cool though, so I want the cool box and cool stuff inside the cool box!”

“Lord mayor the carrier is not in range of the grappling cannons yet, and the doggo drones that try to hinder it were immediately shot down.” one of the operators said on the control panel. “The snipers are trying their hardest to take out their tires but it proves to be bulletproof.”

“Woah, bulletproof wheels, now I want the freighter truck too! Wow wow wow! Alright let’s use the Net Flinger, They’re in range right?”

“Yes ma’am but we normally use Net Flinger on traction cities by entangling their locomotio-”

“Don’t care! FIRE!” Korone cuts him off.

The operator sighs and lines up the Net Flinger in the direction of the truck then fires.

The Badlands

few hours ago

Damian Kross doesn't know how his life came to this, being born and raised as a citizen of NUSA, and thinking you get an exclusive spot and some privilege on their employment just because you enrolled in a Militech sponsored school. Damian Kross thinks he did, after years of enduring being belittled by others for him having a scrawny body, not everybody can be a bodybuilder you know, while there are cyberwares for that yet he couldn't afford one but it’s not like he and his family are poor, they did got him enrolled with all the necessary school supplies and more, it's just the cyberware are so expensive in his place. Then after finally graduating from school he immediately applied to Militech International Armaments, thinking he could get into a higher position with his excellent academic performance yet he ended up as a freighter truck driver just because that's the only position that is available.

Damian sighs reminiscing the past as he drives through the badlands, normally he be on high alert considering the fact that the badlands is infested with nomads, rogues, and scavengers trying to attack anyone they comes across but thankfully the escort in the convoy are heavily armed so there are nothing to worry about, it’s not like they’re carrying something valuable with this much protection, only the insane one would go after them. Wait a minute, he remembered something, he did hear a rumor of a moving city while he was shulking in the cafeteria. They might probably encounter it, ok he’s on high alert now.

“Hey, why are you sweating?”

That causes Damian to yelp and he remembers he wasn’t alone in the truck.

“Sorry Fiona, it’s just… you know the rumor of the moving city in badlands, we might come across with that.”

Fiona Garret, the co-driver of the truck who also ends up in this position like he was, kicked off her feet on the dashboard and scoffed.

“You believe that shit? And besides that’s no longer a rumor, it was broadcast on the tv last week, yet no evidence or proof that it exists.”

“Oh, it’s real alright!”

The MaxTac netrunner, Victor Halstrom, said from the back.

“R-really!?” Damian exclaimed then immediately focused back on roads, while being a truck driver is a lowly job but there’s no way he's gonna get fired for not driving properly.

“You shitting me!?” Fiona looks at Victor in disbelief.

“I shit you not young lass, it was reported a few hours ago when the higher ups sent out a squad of MaxTac to investigate the unusual seismic activity only to see korotropolis, the moving city itself. From what I read on reports the city moves on three pairs of treads each side with paws shapes on the caterpillar tracks. From the size itself it reaches 1.7 Kilometers in height and 1.6 Kilometers wide. But the weirdest thing about it is its architecture, they all look like dogs and some old retro games.”

“Are you sure you’re not short-cirt?”

“You I ought a-”

Suddenly the dashboard radio blaring out.

“All units this is commander Skyler Mavrik, hostile sighted code: Doghouse! I repeat Code: Doghouse, assume defensive parameters. Caravan, proceed to floor it!”

“Code: Doghouse, Shit its the moving city!”

Damian looks at the side mirror and widens his eyes in horror, The looming shadow of the city behind them, yet they didn’t mention about the city having a jaws. And just like what the commander said he stomp down the gas paddle to the floor causing the truck’s wheel to scritch in friction then speeds through away from the escort.

Victor smacks Damian in the back of his head “you gunk! You’re leaving the safety of the escort behind!”

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” Damian is on the verge of tears.

Fiona opens the door window and peek outside, she sees the city launching a swarm of drones towards them and the escort shot them down.

“so, that explains why they brought some basilisk with Anti-Air capabilities” Fiona thought. She saw some flashes of light on the city then all of the sudden the truck tires are being shot at, good thing it’s bulletproof but it’s not enough to stop the impact from rattling the truck, Fiona then went immediately back inside to avoid being hit. “Shit, they got snipers!”

The radio blares out again. “Caravan, there's an incoming projectile in your direction! We can’t identify it!”

The truck rumbles from impact then immediately comes to a halt.

“Oi, why did we stop!?” Victor yelled as he tried to get in contact with other squads.

“Wait, is that a net?” Fiona asks as she points at the windshield.

It is indeed a net but Damian is more concerned about getting away but no matter how many times he steps on the gas the truck won’t go. Is the net the reason why the truck won’t go?

*Twak!*

A harpoon plunges in from the roof, and another, and another, and then more. Then the truck suddenly pulls and faces towards the city’s awaiting maw. Fiona opens the door still covered in net in the futile attempt of escaping, victor goes behind the truck into the trailer to do who knows what, and Damian panickally tries to unbuckles his seatbelt as they watch the truck they were on is being drag into the jaws of the city.

“I love you Fiona! you’re the most beautiful girl i met!”

“What the fuck, Damian!?”

The Jaw clamps down, then there is Darkness.

Chapter Text

Bark Boulevard, Korotropolis

The crowd from the balcony roars louder as V watches the last militech truck being drags into the city’s maw, she have to admit it would be horrifying for anyone who got the korotropolis’ eyes on. Once the jaws shut, the entire city starts to slow down into cruising speed, and the crowd begins to disperse, Some of them are chatting about the chase and on how excited they are to see what they would get from the militech convoy.

“Hey V, wanna check out how the city ingests the convoy?” Barko asked V, as she wags her tail in excitement.

“Are we allowed in there?”

“Of course we are, i’m a tour guide remember, i’m allowed to show anyone the entirety of korotropolis!” Barko puffs up her chest in her declaration, then she fiddles her pocket and takes out what V would describe as a license. “See! I have a permit for that.”

“So anywhere, including critical parts like say the engines or life support system.” V trying to clarify.

“Okay, maybe not everything,” Barko admitted sheepishly. “Anyway let’s just go, we might miss something good there!”

“Alright, into the belly of the beast we go!” Johnny said as he also wanna see what's left of the convoy.

Then Barko and V go into the nearby road to wait for a cab. A vehicle stop right next to them is in a sleek oval shape with brown and yellow coloration, v can’t tell if the cab have wheels or it's a hover car.

“Hey Barko, is the ride a hover one or wheels?” V asked Barko about it.

“It’s on wheels V. the anti-gravity propulsion is mostly used on autonomous drones as a means of convenience.” Bark explains with a close eyes and a finger pointed up.

“So in other words they haven’t figured out how to put them in a car yet.” Johnny muses.

V and Barko enter the cab, the interior is as any other car V encounters during her corpo days in night city but more cozy and smells good too.

“Where’re you headed?” asked the driver, V could only describe him as Dog-themed Exotics due to his appearance as him having fur and a dog head.

<“Into the Great Under Tier!” Barko said as she handed out a couple of Korobits.

The driver took the korobits then handed out some change, then drove into their destination.

“So barko, how are we going there? From what I see of this city is that it’s just a plate stock piled like cake into each other.” V asked as she looked out the window for scenery.

“That's why we're using the tier elevators, that’s how we move from tiers to tiers, they are big enough to fit three trailer trucks and strong enough to move the platform despite their weight. If they are that heavy then they just go to tier-to-tier highway instead. There is also a transit tube. They are big metal tubes that sucks you up to the other end, normally it’s for goods and small drones, but there’s some for people too! Only the brave or late for work use those, then there are others who just use them for fun.”

“The city is like skyscrapers then, with floors and elevators. So, how many floors or tiers does the city have?”

“Currently there are five tiers.” Barko held out one finger as if she was counting, “first there is tier one or the top tier, that is where our Lord Mayor and the fancy folks live. Fancy estates, high-tech labs, and even the Hololive Embassy. But we have to leave the questions about the hololive embassy for now, and I will answer them as we get there for another time.”

Then held out two fingers.

“Next is Tier Two, The Middle Class Hub, Where the middle-tier citizens call home. Think small houses, schools, the Holomall, and even the Colosseum. You’ll find folks working on their trades and living comfortable lives, all under the Mayor’s watchful eye. That’s where we are right now!”

Then held out three fingers.

“Next is Tier Three, The Worker Bee Zone, This is where the grind happens. Apartment blocks, factories, and the Robotic Assembly District are down here. There are also lake and forest districts where they are more heavily focused on nature, as long as you have permits you can cut down trees there, as well as hunting game, fishing, and boating. But most of them are used as tourist attractions, just to appreciate nature.”

Then held out four fingers.

“Then there’s Tier four. This tier is where our Industrial and Agricultural power is. A wide open grain farm, orchards, and livestocks. And then power plants, repair bays, scrap yards—where the city's real guts churn away. The engine techs and farmers work their tails off here, lemme tell ya. But the housing area there is an apartment capsule, they are as big as a small room, while cozy they don’t have the part that maintains hygiene, so they built a public bathhouse and public restroom, although they were encouraged to clean them up after use, so there’s that.”

Then Barko claps her hands.

“And the Tier Five, The Great Under Tier, that’s where we’re going. It has all the heavy industrial machinery that is capable of tearing apart settlements, small traction cities or towns or in this case the convoy. But that's also where the engine is located, it is powerful enough to move the city’s locomotion! Be warned though, that place is loud.”

“Ok, I got curious, what engines do you guys have to move this entire thing?” V asked, intrigued by the strength and technological marvel the city has.

“It’s actually a steam engine.” Barko answers feeling a bit embarrassed about it.

“What!?” V and Johnny said in unison.

“But that was before we were transported to this world! The city is not as fast as before, mind you, it’s just that we've been scavenging the badlands since anyone is far faster than us to chase until we stumble upon a broken fusion reactor. Korone somehow knew about the device and how it works, so we fixed and studied it. So we learn the concept of nuclear physics.”

“So you guys replace the steam engine with the fusion engine?” V assumes.

“No, we just replaced the burning compartment of the steam engine with the fusion reactor. In other words we made a hybrid of a fusion reactor and steam engine.”

“I’ll be honest with you, barko, that sounds stupid.”

“Nuclear physics is stupid, it’s just another way to boil water.”

The ride went quite afterwards with nothing but a hum from the cab as they drove.

Commercial District, Korotropolis

few minutes later

They have arrived in a bustling district, many people going about their day shopping or working, with holographic imaging that advertise their products, and vendors calling out customers to sell their wares. A familiar sight for V as far as she could tell. But they are here to buy things rather they are just passing by into the next one.

The cab arrived at an industrial-looking structure embedded into the side of the tier, a stark contrast to the bustling commercial district they had just left behind. The elevator’s entryway was marked with a massive arch, framed by glowing, jagged letters that read, “Great Under Tier Transport - Authorized Access Only.” Beneath it stood two robotic dog sentinels, their metal jaws locked shut, scanning each entrant with amber eyes.

Barko waved her tour guide permit at the sentinels, who responded with synchronized nods and a cheery bark-like noise. The gates slid open with a mechanical whine, revealing the elevator platform within.

The platform was an intimidating sight, a heavy-duty construct designed for transporting massive loads between tiers. The floor was made of thick, grated steel, its edges lined with glowing hazard lights that pulsed a soft yellow. Surrounding the space were massive support pillars, encrusted with gears and pipes that hissed bursts of steam, giving the elevator an almost organic, breathing quality.

The cab rolled onto the platform alongside a few other vehicles, their drivers nonchalantly waiting for the descent. Above, a web of cables and hydraulic systems groaned into motion as the gates slammed shut behind them. The cab’s driver leaned out and muttered, “Hang on tight. The ride down can get bumpy.”

A robotic voice echoed through the cavernous space, announcing: “Descending to Tier Five. Brace for acceleration. Woof-woof!”

As the elevator jolted into motion, V instinctively grabbed onto a handrail near the cab. The entire platform shuddered before beginning its slow, deliberate descent. Around them, the walls of the elevator shaft were a maze of pipes, wires, and glowing conduits, each layer becoming darker and grimmer the farther they went.

Barko, ever the guide, leaned toward V with her tail wagging. “Cool, huh? This bad boy can move entire convoys, even tear-down rigs, without breaking a sweat. And wait till you see what’s waiting below!”

V glanced out the window, watching as the glow of the upper tiers faded, replaced by the dim, flickering light of industrial floodlamps embedded in the shaft walls. “Kinda feels like descending into hell,” she muttered.

Johnny’s voice chimed in. “Hell, but with a funky dog theme. Satan’s got a thing for wagging tails, apparently.”

As they continued downward, the air grew thicker, almost oppressive, with the scent of oil and metal wafting into the cab. The hum of machinery became a near-deafening roar, a constant reminder of the mechanical heart of Korotropolis beating far below.

When the elevator finally shuddered to a halt, the gates opened to reveal the Great Under Tier in all its grim glory: a sprawling industrial labyrinth of conveyor belts, grinding machinery, and glowing furnaces. V could see the remnants of the Militech convoy being torn apart in the distance, their scraps fed into the city’s insatiable mechanical maw.

“Welcome to the belly of the beast!” Barko declared, hopping out of the cab and motioning for V to follow.

The Great Under Tier

The remnants of the Militech convoy lay strewn across a sprawling mechanical battlefield. Enormous conveyor belts stretched in every direction, gliding under the harsh glare of industrial floodlights. The vehicles, once pristine symbols of Militech’s corporate dominance, now sat battered and subdued, their glossy armor scorched and dented.

Some trucks and other vehicles were already being dismantled, seized by massive robotic arms that moved with unsettling precision. Sparks flew as diamond-tipped grinders sliced into armored plating, peeling it back like the skin of a fruit. Cargo crates were pried open and their contents—rations, ammunition, electronics—sorted into conveyor lines that disappeared into the labyrinthine depths of the tier.

One Basilisk sat suspended in mid-air, gripped by a towering, clawed crane. It's still making a whirring sound as it was carried toward a hulking shredder that hummed ominously, its teeth glinting in the dim light. Another was overturned on a separate conveyor, its cab crushed under the weight of falling debris, leaking oil onto the platform below like spilled blood.

Drones zipped around the chaos, small but agile, scanning every inch of the convoy for salvageable parts. Their glowing eyes flickered as they communicated with the larger machines, orchestrating the deconstruction with military-like efficiency.

Meanwhile, mechanical "dogs" roamed the area, sniffing out any hidden compartments or resistance from remaining personnel. One of them barked a digitized growl before clawing open a sealed crate, revealing rows of neatly packed weapons. With a flick of its metallic tail, the dog signaled a crane to retrieve the find.

In the distance, a gutted truck’s contents spilled into a sorting station. Piles of electronics and rare metals glinted under the floodlights before being fed into a fiery furnace, its orange glow casting eerie shadows across the cavernous tier. The smell of burning rubber and hot steel permeated the air, mixing with the relentless clanging and grinding of the machinery.

Here, the Militech convoy wasn’t just prey—it was fuel for Korotropolis, reduced from a symbol of power to raw material for the city’s unyielding appetite.

Barko gestured toward the scene with barely contained excitement. “Check it out! Every part of that convoy gets used. Nothing goes to waste. Even the dust gets compacted into bricks for construction!”

V’s eyes scanned the organized chaos. “Efficient. Brutal, but efficient.”

Johnny scoffed. “Bet Militech didn’t think their fancy tech would end up as dog treats for a walking city.”

The sight before them was both fascinating and horrifying—a vivid display of how Korotropolis survived by devouring everything in its path. The city’s vast jaws clicked shut in the distance, swallowing convoy after convoy without hesitation.

But one truck stood out among the carnage. Unlike the others, this one was wrapped in thick, reinforced nets. V's eyes narrowed as she scanned it. It was bigger, better armored, and clearly more valuable. Whatever was inside had to be handled delicately—too valuable to be discarded like the others.

Guards surrounded the truck as workers and engineers quickly unlatched the net. Two Militech personnel stumbled out, hands raised in surrender. The woman’s face was deadpan, her teeth grinding in frustration, while the shorter man looked like he’d just seen his worst nightmare.

Then, without warning, the truck began to shake violently. The ground trembled as the trailer doors creaked open, and a massive figure emerged—a black-armored mech, its bulky frame stomping into the yard. One arm was a rotating gun turret, the other a trio of vicious claws, while its stubby legs clunked beneath it.

“Damn, a giant mech? And Militech’s been hiding that?” V muttered under her breath, her hand instinctively moving to her weapon. She didn’t trust any of this, and with the mech now in the open, she was ready for a fight. The mech scanned the area, its joints creaking and whirring as it pivoted, looking for its next target.

A third figure, a MaxTac operative, emerged from the trailer. He sprinted toward the other two Militech personnel, his movements sharp and deliberate. Together, they disappeared into the chaos of the yard, blending into the panic that had begun to unfold.

“Barko!” V shouted, ducking into cover as bullets rained down from the nearby drone swarm. “You’ve got something that can deal with that mech, right?!”

As she peeked around the corner, she saw the mech rampaging, its massive form smashing into crates and machinery with each step. Sparks flew, and the sound of grinding metal filled the air.

Barko, on her comm, didn’t respond immediately. V tightened her grip on her weapon, scanning the area, waiting for an answer.

“I don’t know, I’m trying to contact the guard DOOGs!” Barko blurted out as she panickaly fidgets her bone phone that has many keychain accessories attached.

The mech continues to rampage into the upper part of the yard only to be pinned down by a mechanical arm then flung into the shredder as it gives out metallic wails as it is being grind down to scraps.

“Man, what a waste.” mutters by a mechanical arm operator.

“Alright break time, drop everything everyone, the cafeteria’s special today is a choco koroisant!” the foreman barked orders.

“Wohoo, Choco Koroisant!” mechanical arm operator said.

“Lunch on me!” an engineer declares.

“Funcking love it!” the scavenger cheered.

Just like that the scrapper yard quiets down as the workers leave the area. V and Barko came out of hiding and watched as everyone left.

“So, wanna some change of scenery, I know a place.” Barko suggested.

“Yeah sure” V said, wanting to leave the GUTs.

Chapter Text

Afterlife, Night City

Korotropolis, a rumor made by nomads, scavengers, and mercenaries that travels in badlands, is now an Urban Legend as it spread throughout social media, the gangs, the corpos and everyone who heard of it is now taking an interest to see if it’s real or not, or something they can exploits. 

Jackie welles, after his call with V, now knows it’s real and he is going there but first he has a preparation to make. Jackie strode into the Afterlife, the pounding bass of the music vibrating through his chest. The bar was more packed than usual—everywhere he looked, mercs, fixers, and even a few scavengers were deep in conversation, their faces lit up by the glow of their holo-screens. A familiar name scrolled across more than a few displays: Korotropolis.

He pushed through the crowd, nodding at a couple of familiar faces, before reaching Rogue’s usual spot at the bar. She was perched on her stool, watching the room with sharp eyes. A faint smirk played on her lips when she spotted him.

“Jackie Welles. If you’re here to ask about Korotropolis, you’re not the first,” Rogue said, lighting a cigarette.

Jackie grinned, leaning against the bar. “Nah, but I might be the most serious about it. I got a call from V. It’s real, Rogue. Big, moving city. She’s already there.”

Rogue’s smirk faltered for a moment, her eyes narrowing. “And now everyone with half a brain thinks they can find it and make a killing. Nomads, corpos, gangoons—they’re all chomping at the bit. What makes you think you’ll get there first?”

Jackie tapped the bar for a drink, his smile not fading. “Because I know you’ve got the intel, and I’m not looking to steal it—I’m looking to make a deal.”

Rogue took a drag from her cigarette, exhaling a thin stream of smoke. “You want intel on Korotropolis? That’s gonna cost you, Jackie. The city’s been making waves since that broadcast. Half the corpos in Night City are already looking for ways to exploit it.”

Jackie nodded, unphased. “That’s the thing—everyone’s lookin’ to exploit it, but nobody knows how it ticks. V’s already inside. She told me it’s somethin’ else—somethin’ big.” He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “If I can get in and out, I’ll bring you back intel you can’t buy anywhere else. Trade routes, tech, alliances—whatever Korotropolis has to offer.”

Rogue raised an eyebrow, studying him. “And you think you can pull this off? A city like that isn’t just gonna let you waltz in and poke around.”

Jackie smirked. “You’ve seen me handle worse. I just need a lead, Rogue. A fixer with the right contacts. You help me get there, and we both come out on top.”

Rogue tapped her cigarette against the ashtray, her expression unreadable. “Alright, Jackie. But you better make this worth my while. I don’t stick my neck out for just anyone.”

“I’m already have a ride, what i need is the leads on korotropolis whereabouts.” Jackie offered.

Rogue sighed, the exhale curling up in a cloud of smoke. She glanced around the room, before turning her sharp gaze back on him. “It’s a good thing you came here early. There's a fixer with information on Korotropolis’ location. But,” she paused, her tone darkening, “knowing that city, it could be gone by the time you get there.”

Jackie raised an eyebrow. “Worth a shot. Where can I find them?”

Rogue’s finger jerked to her left. “Right next to you.”

Jackie turned, his gaze following her finger. Standing just a few feet away was a slim, middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair, dressed in a red suit that looked too sharp for the rundown bar. But it wasn’t his fashion sense that caught Jackie’s attention—it was the man’s eyes. Four of them. Three were stacked on the right side of his face, cybernetic augmentations that made him look as though his head had been pieced together in a lab.

Jackie stared for a moment, his thoughts flashing to the strangest augments he’d seen in this city. But this? This was a new level.

“So, you're looking for the Urban Legend,” the man in red said smoothly, his voice calm but carrying an edge. He smiled, revealing perfectly white teeth. “Well, you’re in luck. I have mercenaries hired to search for it. You wouldn’t mind joining them, would you?”

Jackie looked him over, noting the cool confidence radiating from the stranger. Something about him seemed... calculated. Too clean for the kind of work he likely did.

The man extended a hand. “Faraday. Fixer in Santo Domingo.”

“Jackie Welles,” Jackie replied, shaking his hand, his grip firm.

Faraday’s smile didn’t fade. “Good to meet you. If you’re serious, then you’ve got work to do. But be warned—the journey’s not gonna be easy. And Korotropolis... well, it has a way of moving.”

“So, what mercenaries did you hire, is there something I should know about?” Jackie asked, still skeptical about it.

Faraday smiled faintly, his cybernetic eyes glinting in the low light. “You’re not gonna like it. The mercs you’ll be working with? They don’t exactly follow the usual rules. But they’ll get you to Korotropolis if you play along.”

Jackie raised an eyebrow. “I’ve worked with worse.”

Faraday nodded, his expression unreadable. “I’m sure you have. Now, you’ll be meeting them at an old docks on the eastern outskirts of Santo Domingo. Near the abandoned warehouse district—way past the regular traffic. It's a place most people avoid, but it’s perfect for a meet like this. You’ll find them there at dusk. Don’t be late.”

Jackie frowned slightly. “Sounds like a setup.”

Faraday’s lips twitched. “It’s a meet, not a setup. But I can’t promise you’ll walk away with the same number of fingers you start with.” He leaned in closer, his voice lowering. “If you survive, you’ll get your answers. But, Jackie? The path you’re on? It’s not gonna be pretty. Korotropolis has a way of making people forget what they were after.”

Jackie nodded, his mind already turning. “I’ll be there. But don’t expect me to come back empty-handed.”

Faraday gave him a small smile. “I’m counting on it.”

Abandoned Docks, Santo Domingo - Dusk

Jackie stepped out of the Afterlife bar, the dim neon lights of Night City casting long shadows on the cracked pavement. He turned a corner and was greeted by the low hum of a waiting vehicle—a sleek black car with tinted windows. It was no surprise; Rogue’s connections ran deep. He’d made the deal with Faraday, the fixer in the red suit, and now it was time to meet the crew.

The car took Jackie out to a secluded spot in the city, a hidden garage tucked between two towering complexes. Inside, the lights flickered on as he stepped out of the vehicle, revealing Maine's crew, who were already gathered.

There was Maine, towering and muscle-bound, leaning against a rusted pipe as he adjusted his cybernetic arm. Beside him was Dorio, his cool-headed second-in-command, who gave Jackie a once-over with an appraising glance.

Then there was Pilar, the foul-mouthed techie, fiddling with a pile of cybernetic gadgets. He looked up briefly, a quick sneer forming on his lips. “Who the hell is this? Thought we were getting someone who actually knows how to handle themselves,” he muttered, not bothering to be subtle.

Rebecca, ever the trigger-happy ball of energy, was perched on top of a crate, spinning her gun with an unnerving smile. “Better not slow us down, big guy,” she teased, clearly amused by the new arrival.

Lucy, the silent netrunner, stood apart from the rest. Her cold eyes watched Jackie as if measuring him up, her calm demeanor belying the deadly precision she could wield in cyberspace. She nodded slightly, acknowledging Jackie’s presence but saying nothing.

And then there is David, the newest member of the crew. His appearance was a little out of place—slightly younger than the others. His eyes were sharp, a mix of confidence and raw energy, the kind of look that said he was still trying to find his place in all this.

Faraday stepped forward, his red suit almost glowing in the dim light of the garage. He gave Jackie a quick smile before addressing the group. “Alright, folks, meet Jackie Welles. He’s here for a reason, so let’s make sure we’re all on the same page. We’re going after Korotropolis.”

Jackie gave the crew a nod of respect. “I’m here for business, not to waste anyone’s time,” he said, looking each of them in the eye.

Maine’s gaze hardened. “Korotropolis. Yeah, that’s a hell of a prize. But don’t get any ideas, Welles. You’re part of the crew until we say otherwise. This ain’t a one-man show.”

Jackie smirked, unfazed. “I don’t plan on running solo, Maine. Just don’t expect me to back down when things get tough.”

Dorio stepped forward, crossing her arms. “Good to hear. We’ve got a job to do, and we don’t need anyone slowing us down.”

Pilar chuckled, his fingers still working on the tech. “Yeah, yeah. Keep your heads cool, people. Let’s see how this plays out.”

Lucy gave a slight smirk, her eyes lingering on Jackie for a second longer before she turned back to her terminal. “Hope you’re ready for the ride, Welles,” she said softly, her voice almost a whisper.

Rebecca jumped down from her perch, twirling her gun. “Let’s move. We’ve got a city to find.”

Faraday clapped his hands together. “Alright, team. Let’s hit the road. Time to see if the legend’s real or if we’re just chasing shadows.”

Everyone hop onto their rides and start heading to the Night City Outskirts leaving Faraday behind as he smirks and leaves the scene.

The Badlands

It was a quiet ride, apart from Rebecca and Pillar’s constant bickering in the back seat.

“You’re hogging the stash again, Pillar!” Rebecca jabbed his arm with her elbow.

“It’s called rationing, squirt. Maybe learn the concept before you eat us all out of chrome and kibble,” Pillar shot back, stuffing a protein bar in his mouth.

Lucy stared out the window, her gaze distant as the other car kept pace with them. David shifted uncomfortably in his seat, unable to shake the gnawing anxiety in his chest. The thought of chasing a city—no, a legend —felt like they were walking into the unknown blindfolded.

“Hey, Maine,” David said, breaking the silence. “Why isn’t Kiwi with us? Feels off without her.”

Maine’s hands gripped the steering wheel as they passed the bleached skeleton of a cow. “Solo gig,” he said gruffly. “You know how she gets—likes working alone sometimes.” He jerked his thumb toward the car driving alongside them. “Still trying to figure out why Faraday roped him in.”

Dorio glanced at the convoy, her arms crossed. “Jackie Welles,” she said thoughtfully. “From what I hear, he’s a merc like us. But he’s different—he knows more about Korotropolis than anyone else. Or at least he acts like he does.” She leaned back, her eyes narrowing. “If he’s holding out on us, we’ll find out soon enough.”

Rebecca snorted from the back seat. “What’s he gonna do? Bark at it? Bet the guy’s all talk.”

David turned back to look at Jackie’s car. Who the hell is this guy, really? he wondered. And why does it feel like he knows something none of us do?

Dorio’s voice broke his thoughts. “Something’s up ahead,” she said, pointing. “Looks like a ravine.”

“No way,” Maine muttered, narrowing his eyes at the terrain. “Ravines don’t look like that.”

“Wait—how do you know what a ravine looks like?” Rebecca asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah, what she said,” Pillar added, crumbs spraying from his mouth.

Maine sighed. “Been reading geographic mags. Keeps my mind sharp.” His comm buzzed, cutting him off. “What is it?”

Jackie’s voice crackled over the line. “There’s disturbed land up ahead. Looks fresh. Should we pull over and investigate? Might be a lead on Korotropolis.”

Maine glanced at Dorio, who gave a small nod. “Alright, folks,” Maine called out. “We’re pulling over. Let’s see if this leads us to something worth our time.”

The vehicles slowed, kicking up a plume of dust as they parked. Everyone disembarked, their boots crunching against the dry, cracked earth.

As they approached the site, the scale of it hit them. David crouched near the edge, running his fingers across the patterned grooves. “This… this isn’t a ravine,” he muttered.

Lucy’s gaze sharpened as she followed the tracks into the horizon. “No,” she said quietly. “It’s a caterpillar track. A massive one.”

“Man, look how deep it is!” Pillar exclaimed, pointing down at the tracks.

“From the looks of it, the thing must be really heavy,” Maine muttered as he inspected further.

Jackie knelt near the middle of the tracks, brushing sand aside to reveal an imprint. “Pawprints,” he said, his voice steady. “The treads have a pawprint pattern. And they’re heading that way. The city must be moving in that direction.”

Rebecca suddenly froze, her eyes wide. “Hold up,” she said, dropping to the ground. She pressed her ear against the surface, listening intently.

“What’s she doing now?” Pillar muttered.

Rebecca sat up, brushing sand off her arms. “There’s something. I can feel it—a rumble. And it’s loud. The koro-something’s nearby.”

David’s chest tightened. “You’re sure?”

Rebecca grinned. “Dead sure. Let’s go find the big bad city.”

Maine clapped his hands together. “Alright, back to the cars. We follow the tracks and finish this job.”

Everyone goes back to their rides and drives into the direction of where the city is.

A few minutes later

The cars tore across the Badlands, kicking up dust as the tracks stretched endlessly ahead. The further they drove, the stranger the landscape became. The ground was littered with broken scraps of metal, some half-buried in the sand. Rebecca leaned out the window, squinting at the horizon.

“Yo, is it just me, or is the ground shaking harder?” she asked, her grin widening.

“It’s not just you,” Dorio said, her voice steady despite the growing tension. “We’re getting close.”

Jackie’s voice crackled over the comms. “Keep your eyes peeled. If the stories are true, this place doesn’t just show itself. It hunts.”

David’s chest tightened. He glanced at Maine, who was gripping the wheel tightly, his jaw set. The tracks led somewhere—a shimmering mirage on the horizon that felt like it was watching them.

As the massive form of Korotropolis loomed closer, the crew fell into an uneasy silence. The city was a mechanical marvel: giant plates with buildings inside stock after another, sprawling walkways that glowed neon, and whirring gears that powered the colossal structure. Huge banners depicting a cartoonish dog face flapped in the wind, bearing the motto: "Korotropolis—Where Every Dog Has Its Day!"

“Holy… it’s even crazier than the stories,” Rebecca said, her voice hushed in awe.

David leaned forward, his face pressed against the glass. “This thing’s alive. It’s not just a city… it’s a monster.”

The vibrations beneath their feet grew softer as the city began to slow. The grinding noise of massive treads halting sent tremors through the ground. Dust clouds swirled around the crew’s vehicles as Korotropolis came to a complete stop, its size and stillness even more unnerving than its movement.

“Why’d it stop?” Dorio muttered, scanning the horizon. “It doesn’t feel right.”

Maine stepped out of the car, his hand instinctively hovering over his pistol. “Stay sharp, people. Something’s happening.”

From the edges of the city, a pack of sleek, dog-shaped drones bounded toward them. Their glossy, chrome-coated bodies shimmered under the sun, and their synchronized movements were almost hypnotic. They stopped in formation a few meters away, their glowing eyes fixed on the crew.

“Uh… friendly?” Pillar asked, gripping his gun.

Before anyone could answer, the lead drone’s eyes projected a holographic image into the air. The form of a cheerful woman with floppy dog ears and an oversized sweater appeared, waving enthusiastically.

“Yubi, yubi!” the hologram said with a bright giggle. “Hello, humans! I am Korone Inugami, the Lord Mayor of Korotropolis!”

Rebecca blinked. “What the hell is a Yubi ?”

Korone ignored the comment, her hologram leaning closer to the group, her hands clasped with childlike excitement. “I’ve been waiting for you! Especially you, Jackie Welles.” She tilted her head, her tone playful. “You thought I wouldn’t hear your little call to V? Silly human! In Korotropolis, nothing escapes my ears.”

Jackie stepped forward, his brows furrowing. “You were eavesdropping? What kind of city is this?”

Korone’s smile didn’t waver. “The best city, of course! And I wasn’t eavesdropping; I was simply… monitoring my new friends. You’ve been talking about finding Korotropolis for weeks. It would’ve been rude not to prepare a warm welcome!”

The drones wagged their mechanical tails in unison, and Rebecca snorted. “This is so weird. Even for us.”

Korone spread her arms dramatically, her hologram lighting up with sparkling animations. “But no worries! We come in peace! To prove it, I’ve brought some of my favorite things: bread and cyberware!”

One of the drones rolled forward, its back opening to reveal a tray stacked with warm, freshly baked bread. Another drone presented a set of cybernetic implants, each one adorned with a playful dog paw logo.

“Bread and cyberware?” David whispered. “That’s… a combo, I guess.”

“Only in Korotropolis,” Dorio muttered, her lips twitching into a reluctant smile.

Korone’s hologram leaned closer, her grin widening. “Now, now, don’t be shy! Come into the city! There’s so much more to see—and so much more bread!”

The group exchanged uneasy glances, unsure whether to laugh, run, or accept the absurd invitation.

Maine grunted, crossing his arms. “Alright. You wanted Korotropolis, Jackie. You’re up.”

Jackie stepped forward, glancing at Korone’s hologram with cautious curiosity. “Guess we’ll see if this dog city’s all bark or bite.”

A part of platform of korotropolis moves in mechanical pattern and turn into a ramp leading inside the city.

“Guess that’s how we get inside.” Jackie sighs. “I should probably call V, that I brought some unexpected company.”

Chapter Text

Aldecaldos, The Badlands

The sun was low, casting long shadows across the worn, weathered tents of the Aldecaldos’ camp. Panam Palmer stood at the edge of the makeshift settlement, her boots digging into the dust as she scanned the horizon. The sky was tinged with the familiar reds and oranges of sunset, but tonight, there was a heaviness in the air—an unease that she couldn’t shake.

A distant rumble shook the ground, the faint echo of engines. She knew the sound well: convoys, nomad tribes on the move. But today, the engines weren’t just the usual Aldecaldo traders. A convoy of refugees had rolled in, hauling whatever remnants of their lives they could carry. The dust of the Badlands clung to their weary bodies, their faces drawn with exhaustion. Some barely had the strength to stand, others gripped their children with desperate urgency, eyes darting around like cornered animals.

Panam crossed her arms, scanning the convoy. There were too many of them. Too many for the camp to absorb. She didn’t need Saul’s usual pessimism to know that this influx was going to stretch their resources thin.

"Panam," a voice called from behind her. It was Mitch, his face grim, standing next to one of the trucks hauling supplies. "You should see this. These people... They’re coming from everywhere. Some of them say they were chased off by the moving city—Korotropolis."

The name hit her like a punch to the gut. She’d heard whispers, rumors about the moving city, the predator that swallowed nomads settlements whole. Korotropolis, a mechanical monstrosity that devours everything in its path.

“Goddamn it,” Panam muttered under her breath. She turned to Mitch, her mind already racing. “Do we know how many?”

“Too many,” Mitch replied. “Hundreds, maybe thousands. They’ve been on the move for days—some say Korotropolis just showed up, started hunting their camps and caravans.”

Panam gritted her teeth. The Badlands had always been a place of survival, but this… this was something else. She knew the Aldecaldos couldn’t take in every refugee, but that didn’t mean they could turn a blind eye. There were kids, families, people who’d lost everything.

“Get the others,” she said, her voice low and determined. “We need to figure out where the hell we’re going with this.”

As Mitch walked off, Panam stayed rooted to the spot, staring into the horizon where the first of the refugees began to arrive. She could see the desperation in their eyes, the faint traces of hope clinging to them, even as they carried the weight of their losses.

Panam shook her head. There was no way she was going to turn them away without a fight. But Saul wasn’t going to like this. Not one bit.

The camp had fallen eerily quiet as Panam made her way to the central gathering point—a makeshift circle of chairs surrounded by the engines and tents of the Aldecaldos. The refugees had gathered in small groups, their faces drawn and weary. They spoke in hushed tones, casting wary glances at the Nomads, unsure whether they would be treated as allies or obstacles.

Panam approached the table where Mitch, Saul, and a few of the refugee leaders were already seated. Mitch gave her a nod, his face grim. Saul, as usual, looked annoyed, tapping his fingers on the edge of the table impatiently.

"Well, Panam," Saul said with a sneer, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I assume you’ve got a plan for this little... mess?"

Panam didn’t acknowledge his tone. Instead, she glanced around the circle, locking eyes with the refugees’ representative—a tall, broad-shouldered man whose clothes were dirtied with the dust of the Badlands, his face lined with the wear of too many sleepless nights.

“First off,” Panam began, her voice steady, “we don’t turn these people away. There are kids, families out there. We’re not like Korotropolis.”

“You really want to take in thousands of refugees?” Saul shot back, raising an eyebrow. “Where the hell are we going to put them? We’ve barely got enough supplies for ourselves.”

The refugee leader spoke up, his voice rough but steady. “We don’t need luxury. Just a place to rest. Some food. We can help out with work—anything to earn our keep. But we can’t go back out there. Korotropolis is hunting us. They... they swallowed our homes whole. We barely escaped with our lives.”

Panam’s eyes softened slightly, but her gaze never wavered. “I know what it’s like to run. I know what it’s like to lose everything. We’ll find a way.”

Mitch looked between the two groups, his voice cutting through the tension. “We need to get this straight—Korotropolis won’t stop. They don’t just take camps; they hunt down whatever’s left. If they’re after you, they’ll be coming this way. We’ll need a plan to move fast.”

Saul grunted. “So, we just throw together some last-minute defenses and hope for the best? That’s not a plan, Panam.”

Panam slammed her fist on the table, silencing the murmurs around her. “We don’t have the luxury of doing nothing. We need to fortify the camp—reinforce the perimeters, set up traps. We’ve got the tech, the experience, and the firepower. But we need to move fast. We’ll send out scouting parties to get a better read on Korotropolis’ movements.”

She turned to the refugee leader. “You’ve got people who know the land. The Badlands are treacherous. We could use any intel you’ve got. And we’ll need to work together. Nomads and refugees. No more divisions.”

The refugee leader nodded, his expression hardening with resolve. “We’ll do what we can. But I’m telling you—Korotropolis won’t stop until they get what they want.”

Panam met his gaze and nodded. “Then we’ll make sure they don’t get what they came for.”

A gruff voice interrupted, a refugee leader from one of the smaller groups. “Korotropolis is relentless. It doesn’t matter how many defenses we put up. The only way we survive is to run. But even that’s not a good option. We can’t haul everything with us—not without losing speed. Our rides won’t handle the weight.”

Saul folded his arms, skeptical. “So, you’re saying we just put the entire camp on wheels and hope it holds up?”

Panam stood there, considering the implications. The wheels were already turning in her mind. “Maybe that’s exactly what we do,” she said slowly.

Mitch exchanged a look with Saul, both of them processing the idea. Panam could see the gears turning in their heads, the skepticism mixing with curiosity.

“I’m not talking about copying Korotropolis,” Panam continued, her voice taking on a new edge. “I’m talking about creating something that works for us. Something that moves with us. A mobile settlement. If we can bring our whole camp with us, we can scavenge, adapt, and survive in a way we never could before. No more packing up the essentials and leaving the rest behind.”

Saul’s jaw tightened, and his fingers drummed on the table, though with less frustration now. “A mobile city... You really think we can pull that off?”

Panam’s gaze flicked to the horizon, her eyes narrowing. “We don’t have a choice. Korotropolis isn’t the only one who can build something like that. We’ve got the tech. We’ve got the drive. And most importantly, we’ve got each other.”

Her voice softened as she looked back at the refugee leader. “We can make it work. We can find a way to survive and grow, just like they did. But we’re going to do it our way.”

The refugee leader nodded, understanding the unspoken promise in her words.

Mitch leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with something more than just practicality. “You’re talking about turning the Aldecaldos into a moving town?”

“Exactly,” Panam said. “We can’t just survive. We need to evolve. And we need to start now.”

Chapter Text

Mayor’s Palace, Tier 1, Korotropolis

Korotropolis cruised across the Badlands, leaving a trail of dust and paw-print-patterned tracks behind its massive treads. At the very top of the mobile city, the Mayor’s Palace stood proudly, gleaming in the warm hues of the setting sun. Its pristine white walls were accented with brown and golden yellows, evoking the colors of a loyal companion. Flags of Hololive fluttered atop tall poles, their rhythmic movement mirroring the hum of the city’s engines below.

Inside the palace, Korone Inugami, the Lord Mayor, sat at her grand wooden office desk. Intricately carved paw motifs adorned its edges, and a small plate of half-eaten dog-shaped cookies rested beside her. Piles of documents and reports cluttered the desk, but Korone worked with cheerful determination, humming a familiar tune as she sorted through the papers.

The reports spanned the broad spectrum of Korotropolis’ bustling activity: economic trends, resource allocation, fuel reserves, citizen registrations—many of whom were still adjusting to their "unexpected" relocation after the latest chase—surveillance updates, and upcoming city events. Amid these mundane yet vital details, a particularly ornate envelope caught her eye. The emblem of the Hololive Embassy glistened faintly on the seal.

Korone tilted her head, her ears twitching in curiosity. “Ooo, what’s this?” she muttered, breaking the seal and pulling out the letter within. The missive was a formal invitation to join a Trading Cluster, uniting cities like Mumeigrad, PIrys, Baebylon, Pekoland, Fubukiville, and Mikyoto. The location: the Great Hunting Ground.

As she read the proposed trade agreements, Korone’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Sugoi!” she exclaimed, slapping the table with an energetic paw. “We’re gonna meet my friends again!”

Reaching for her desk communicator, she pressed the button connecting her to the control room. A small holo-screen blinked to life, revealing a slightly frazzled operator.

“Hey, guys!” Korone chirped, leaning into the screen with her trademark grin. “Rev up the Holoverse Drive—we’re heading back to the Great Hunting Ground! We’ve been invited to a Trading Cluster!”

The operator blinked, their ears drooping slightly under the weight of Korone’s boundless energy. “Uh, Mayor, shouldn’t we prepare the city’s defenses first? You know, just in case?”

Korone waved off the concern with a paw. “Don’t worry! If anyone causes trouble, we’ll just give them the ol’ Korotropolis Pupper Punch!” She laughed, her tail wagging behind her. “Besides, my friends’ traction cities are there. We don’t have to worry about it.”

The screen flickered off, and Korone sat back with a contented sigh. She glanced out the massive window behind her desk, watching as the sun dipped lower over the Badlands. Her mind buzzed with thoughts of what awaited in the Hunting Ground. Friends, rivals, maybe even a few surprises—whatever happened, she was ready to lead Korotropolis into the heart of adventure once again.

Hololive Plaza, Tier 2, Korotropolis

The entrance to Hololive Plaza was a dazzling spectacle. Towering gates adorned with glowing paw motifs stood as the threshold to a realm of recreation and wonder. Beyond the gates, cobblestone paths wound through lush parks, colorful vendor stalls, and statues of Hololive members, each exuding their unique charisma. Children darted between paths, giggling as they chased puppy-shaped drones, while the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked pastries lingered in the air from cafés lining the plaza.

Barko Pixelpaw led V down the main avenue, her tail wagging with uncontainable enthusiasm. “Welcome to Hololive Plaza!” she declared, throwing her arms wide. “The happiest place in Korotropolis!”

V’s sharp eyes scanned the lively scene. “It’s... a lot,” she remarked, her lips curving into a faint smirk. Her gaze lingered on a fountain shaped like a dog’s face, water playfully streaming from its tongue.

Barko giggled. “Right? It’s supposed to be overwhelming—in the best way possible! People come here to unwind, shop, and let their worries melt away. Oh, and to spend their korobits, of course.” She gestured to a nearby kiosk packed with plushies, keychains, and collectibles.

As they wandered further into the plaza, something near the entrance caught V’s attention. A carved wooden plaque hung proudly above the gates, its ornate lettering reading:
“Hololive Plaza – Established and Maintained by the Pixelpaw Family.”

V paused and turned to Barko, arching an eyebrow. “Wait... this place belongs to your family?”

Barko stopped mid-step, scratching the back of her head. “Oh, uh... yeah,” she admitted with a sheepish grin. “My family founded it years ago. Dad wanted a space where people could escape and recharge, and Mom—well, Mom’s all about spreading joy through her baking. Together, they made all this happen.”

“Didn’t peg you for a rich kid,” V teased, crossing her arms.

Barko laughed nervously, looking down at her practical guide gear. “Yeah, I don’t exactly scream ‘noble,’ do I? That’s more my brother, Boof. He’s got the brains, the manners... you know, the whole noble package. I’m just the fun one.”

“Noble?” V tilted her head, intrigued. “Korotropolis has an aristocracy? That’s... retro.”

Barko perked up, her tail flicking. “Totally! My family’s one of the founding nobles. So, technically, we’re the elite—above even the first-class citizens.” She paused, lowering her voice. “Not that I’ve ever really felt like I fit into all that.”

V smirked. “So, if you’re rolling in creds, why are you working as a tour guide?”

Barko’s ears drooped slightly, and she sighed. “Oh, well... It's kind of a long story.”

Johnny’s voice chimed in, his holographic form flickering to life beside V. “Oh, this I have to hear,” he said, rubbing his hands together with glee.

Barko groaned but continued. “Okay, so during a trading cluster with Pekoland—a traction city ruled by Pekora Usada—I stumbled into their casino. It was so bright and exciting! Games, prizes, all the lights—I couldn’t resist!”

V smirked knowingly. “And let me guess—you gambled away a fortune?”

“All of it!” Barko exclaimed, throwing her hands up in mock despair. “Slots, blackjack, roulette—they even had this game called Quick Math! I was hooked. And, well... my parents weren’t exactly thrilled when they found out.”

Johnny cackled. “Ohoho, I think I know where this is going.”

“They cut me off!” Barko huffed, crossing her arms. “No allowance, no fancy dinners, not even a place to sleep—nothing! At first, I had to take a grueling job in the GUTs to fund my plushie obsession. You wouldn’t believe the smoke and heat down there. I even slept in the stables for a while.”

V chuckled softly, shaking her head. “That’s... actually kind of impressive. You survived all that just for plushies?”

“Hey, they’re really cute,” Barko said with an unapologetic grin. She gestured to a stall displaying plushies shaped like Hololive mascots, smol ame, shuba duck, and miko danye. “Look at them—who wouldn’t risk it all?”

V smirked, following Barko’s gaze. “I’ll give you this—you’ve got commitment.”

Before Barko could reply, a faint hum filled the air. The plaza lights dimmed slightly as the sky above lit up with a giant holo-screen.

“Oh! Big news!” Barko exclaimed, her tail wagging as she pointed at the screen.

Korone’s up close face appeared, her cheerful grin larger than life. “Hey guys! Big announcement!” she called, her voice echoing across the plaza. The bustling crowds stilled, eyes lifting to the screen in collective anticipation. “We’re heading back to the Hunting Ground! We’ve been invited to a trading cluster!”

“Trading cluster?” V asked, glancing at Barko.

Barko nodded. “Yep. It’s when multiple traction cities gather to trade. They’re a huge deal.”

“And you told me about the hunting ground, is that where you originally from?” V asked.

“Yeah, I did mention that. V, the hunting ground is different, while in badlands your chance of survival is high, some scavengers, nomads or some strangers might even help you." Then Barko crossed her arms. “But in the Hunting Ground ? It’s a whole different story. Survival here is brutal . It’s not about working together; it’s about dominating . Everything depends on where you stand in the food chain. Even if you live in a traction city, like Korotropolis, your life is completely shaped by your social status. Whether you’re at the top or the bottom, that determines everything—from the food you eat to the air you breathe. It’s not about helping each other out, it’s about getting ahead, staying alive, and doing whatever it takes to stay alive.”

V never seen Barko this serious before, whatever this hunting ground is, it’s bad news.

Korone continued, “We’ll be meeting with Mumeigrad, PIrys, Baebylon, Pekoland, Fubukiville, and Mikyoto. Oh, and a couple of traction towns too, so we’re not eating them, okay?”

A ripple of murmurs spread through the plaza, the excitement palpable.

Korone clapped her hands. “Alright! Brace for transition, everyone!” and then the holo screen flickers out. After that everyone brace themselves, some of them hold onto anything and others just crutch down. V and Barko did the same too.

The entirety of the korotropolis is rumbling as it begins to glitch. V feels nausea from the transition.

All of the sudden, the Korotropolis disappeared from the Badlands leaving only paw printed-tread tracks behind.

The Great Hunting Ground

The air shimmered and warped, bending reality like heat waves over asphalt. The rumble of Korotropolis’ engines ceased abruptly, replaced by an almost oppressive stillness. V stumbled, clutching her stomach as a wave of nausea from the transition washed over her. Around her, residents of Korotropolis steadied themselves. Some muttered complaints, while others shrugged off the discomfort like seasoned travelers.

A warm hand caught V’s elbow. “First time traveling with a Holoverse Drive?” Barko asked, her grin tinged with humor.

“Feels like I just got spat out of a malfunctioning braindance,” V muttered, taking a steadying breath.

Barko laughed. “You’ll get used to it. Welcome to the Hunting Ground!” She swept her arm out dramatically.

V looked up—and froze.

The Badlands’ dry, desolate expanse had given way to a landscape straight out of a fever dream. Rolling plains stretched endlessly, dotted with crumbling ruins of ancient cities and massive, jagged tracks gouged deep into the earth. Above, the sky shifted between stormy gray clouds and piercing rays of sunlight, casting surreal contrasts on the world below.

In the distance, titanic mobile cities lumbered across the terrain like mechanical beasts on the hunt. They were a chaotic blend of industrial ingenuity and menace, their hulking forms bristling with jagged armor, scavenged parts, and intricate designs. Massive wheels and treads tore into the ground with each movement, while columns of smoke billowed from their towering chimneys.

V’s breath caught in her throat. “This is... unreal.”

Barko’s grin widened. “Pretty wild, huh? The Hunting Ground’s got its own charm. But yeah—don’t wander off. Not all the cities out here are friendly, and the drones aren’t always cute.”

“Understatement of the year,” Johnny Silverhand’s voice echoed beside her, his hologram flickering to life. His arms were crossed, and his expression was all disdain. “This place is a deathtrap. And you’re telling me people just live like this?”

V tore her gaze away from the massive mobile cities in the distance, one of which was bearing down on a smaller, limping target. The smaller city’s defenses fired in vain, their explosions lighting up the horizon like desperate fireworks.

“This is hell,” V whispered. “Why are we even here?”

Barko tilted her head, her tail wagging lazily. “Hey, it’s not all bad! Korotropolis isn’t like those predators out there. We’re all about cooperation and trading!” She paused, her tone brightening. “Well, except when someone picks a fight. Then we can be pretty scary.”

Johnny rolled his eyes. “Yeah, sure. Tell that to the corpse of whatever poor bastard’s next in line.”

A thunderous cheer erupted across Korotropolis as Korone’s holo-screen flickered to life above the city. Her cheerful face filled the sky, her ears twitching with excitement.

“Hey, everyone! Looks like we made it in one piece! Good job, team!”

The crowd’s earlier discomfort melted away, replaced with enthusiasm.

Korone continued, “Alright, time to set up shop and make some friends. vendors, businessmen and merchants, prepare for trading! Engine crew, keep the engines warm—we might need to bscram if anyone gets any funny ideas!”

Barko nudged V. “Come on, I’ll show you one of the best views in the city. You’ve gotta see the Hunting Ground from the observation deck!”

V followed, curiosity outweighing her apprehension. The two navigated Korotropolis’ bustling streets, ascending to the platform just near the edge of hololive plaza as the city rumbled to life again.

The view ahead was staggering. A cluster of massive traction cities loomed on the horizon, each one more impressive than the last, like enormous mechanical beasts crafted by the gods themselves.

V muttered, “What is that?”

Barko grinned, her tail wagging excitedly. “Oh, those are the traction cities we’re gonna trade with!” She gestured toward the distant skyline, pointing out each one. “Let me break ‘em down for you.”

She pointed to the first city. “That’s Mumeigrad , ruled by Mumei Nanashi. It’s the biggest and the most formidable of the Hololive traction cities. It’s got this owl-shaped design, with these giant owl monuments on either side of its treads. And it’s not just big—it’s armed to the teeth. Mumeigrad’s famous for its ancient knowledge, and all the armaments they could muster. It’s a real heavyweight, too—this city’s gone toe to toe with some of the biggest out there, like London, Arkangel, and Panzerstadt. Trust me, you don’t want to mess with them.”

V raised an eyebrow. “That’s a lot of power for one city.”

“Oh, it gets crazier,” Barko replied, her eyes shining. “Next up is Mikyoto , ruled by Sakura Miko. It’s small, but don’t let that fool you—it’s the fastest city in the cluster. Mikyoto’s built around tradition, like a perfect blend of old-school military doctrine and pure serenity. You won’t find a more peaceful city. Did you know Mikyoto is actually the most eaten city by the larger ones, but they’ve got this crazy trick? They set themselves on fire to escape—burning the bigger cities alive in the process! Talk about a dramatic escape.”

V blinked, impressed. “That’s one way to get out of a jam.”

Barko laughed. “Right? But then you’ve got Fubukiville , led by Shirakami Fubuki. It’s sleek, white, and futuristic, and it’s almost as big as Korotropolis. Fox statues are everywhere, and the whole place is high-tech and super innovative. Fubuki’s all about gadgets, efficiency, and speed, especially since they live up in the frozen north where not many others want to go. But the weird part? They love it there. Don’t ask me why. But hey, they sure know how to throw a party when it’s not freezing.”

“That sounds like a weird place to live,” V mused.

“Yeah, it’s Fubuki for you,” Barko said with a chuckle. “Now, look over there. That city with all the lights and pyrotechnics? That’s Pekoland . It’s a carnival city, complete with Ferris wheels, roller coasters, and one of the most obnoxious casinos you’ve ever seen. If you’re into fun, chaos, and making money, that’s the place. But here’s the kicker: it doesn’t have wheels or treads like the others. Nope, it’s got giant mechanical legs instead! The thing stomps around like a giant rabbit, and those legs? They can transform into drills and dig through the ground. Imagine a city that can run and dig its way out of trouble.”

V raised an eyebrow. “That’s definitely not something you see every day.”

Barko grinned. “Pekora’s a lot tougher than she looks, believe me. There was even a rumor about her committing dozens of war crimes, everyone tried to stay away from her but they still drawn to her for the promises of fortune.”

“Like what you did.” V teases barko which causing her to groan. V then changes the subject. “What’s next?”

Barko’s tail flicked as she pointed to a large ziggurat-shaped city. “That one’s Baebylon , ruled by Baelz. It’s red and white, and it’s got this crazy modular design. It can detach parts of itself when it needs to—like a city that’s always ready for a fight. Baebylon’s all about chaos, and Baelz herself? She’s like a storm with a smile. I wouldn’t want to mess with her either.”

V smirked. “A city that can change shape? Now that’s something I’d like to see.”

“Oh, you’ll see it,” Barko promised, “when things get heated. And last, but definitely not least, we have PIrys , ruled by IRyS. It’s… otherworldly. Imagine a city made of floating crystal fragments, all connected by bridges. And those glowing lights? They’re like an artificial aurora. It’s breathtaking. At the top, there’s a cathedral with this giant glowing halo around it. It looks like something out of a dream. IRyS is like a living angel, and the whole city just gives off this divine, heavenly vibe. I don’t know how they pull it off, but it works.”

V looked out at the glowing cityscape. “Now that’s an impressive sight.”

Barko nodded, a proud smile on her face. “Each of these cities has its own unique character, but they’re all united under the same blue flag with a play button. That’s the Hololive flag , a symbol of their allegiance and unity. You’ll see it flying across all of them, just like you’ll see it in Korotropolis. No matter how different they are, they all share the same goal: survival, power, and keeping things interesting.”

She glanced at V with a wink. “And trust me, it’s gonna be very interesting when they all come together.”

Beneath them, dozens of smaller traction towns scurried toward the cluster, their mismatched designs giving them the look of scavengers vying for scraps.

Johnny leaned against the railing, shaking his head. “This is nuts. You’re telling me people actually want to live like this?”

V smirked, her unease tempered by the sheer spectacle. “Guess we’d better figure out how to fit in. Pretty sure becoming scrap isn’t my style.”

Barko pointed to the cluster ahead, her enthusiasm unflagging. “Next stop: the Trading Cluster. Ready to meet some new friends?”

As Korotropolis sped toward the gathering cities, V felt the weight of the Hunting Ground settle over her—a blend of awe, danger, and excitement.

Chapter Text

Hunting Ground - Early Days 

The Hunting Ground stretched out as a barren wasteland of cracked earth and crumbling ruins, a brutal stage where only the ruthless thrived. Traction cities roamed like mechanical predators, their towering forms casting shadows over the desperate. In their endless games of chase, the weak were dismantled, their scrap and survivors fueling the victors. Slavery and scavenging were the only certainties for those left behind.

Until they came.

The first sighting was met with disbelief and unease. A lone trader claimed to have seen glowing orbs descending from the sky, reshaping themselves into forms that defied explanation. One figure resembled a rabbit, another an owl, and others took on humanoid shapes, radiating an energy that unsettled even the most hardened scavengers. These beings did not attack or threaten; they simply existed. They wandered the Hunting Ground as though exploring, their curious eyes scanning the desolation with childlike wonder.

Some spoke Anglish with an unfamiliar cadence, but most used languages no one could place. At first, they seemed lost—odd creatures adrift in an unforgiving land. Yet within weeks, they began to build. What started as a cluster of makeshift tents grew into a bustling static settlement, alive with vibrant culture and adorned with otherworldly monuments.

The settlement became an anomaly—a place where traders and scavengers alike found themselves drawn, not for survival, but for something far rarer in the Hunting Ground: hope. The newcomers, who called themselves Hololive, shared trinkets and tools that defied logic. Glowing rectangles that showed moving images, devices that purified water, and intricate gadgets that played music or conjured holograms—all gifts that seemed magical to those who had known only scarcity and despair.

Curiosity turned into collaboration as traders stayed, enchanted by the warmth and life of the settlement. Hololive’s culture began to seep into the daily lives of its visitors. Korone’s energetic fitness routines inspired laughter and camaraderie. Subaru’s leadership workshops taught settlers to organize and rebuild. Suisei’s hauntingly beautiful songs echoed through the camp, bringing a rare sense of peace to restless souls.

The settlement thrived, but success brought visibility, and with visibility came danger. Whispers spread among traders of a predator city heading their way—a juggernaut of jagged spires and grinding wheels that devoured all in its path.

At first, the Hololive members laughed off the warnings with lighthearted banter, but the settlers’ fear proved all too real. From the horizon, a colossal dust cloud heralded its arrival, tremors shaking the ground as the monstrous city tore through the landscape. Its silhouette loomed like a mechanical leviathan, exuding a chilling inevitability.

The predator city broadcast its demands in a metallic rasp: surrender or perish. Hololive did neither.

Though unnerved, the Hololive members worked quickly, transforming their settlement into a fortified bastion. They used their knowledge and technology to fortify defenses, while the settlers rallied under their guidance. Explosions and countermeasures rattled the air as the predator city closed in, its relentless advance suddenly faltering.

Then came the unthinkable. Using their ingenuity and courage, the Hololive members infiltrated the predator city’s labyrinthine systems, disabling its mechanisms and seizing control. What was once an unstoppable force of destruction now lay dormant, its engines silenced.

The settlers watched in stunned disbelief as their newfound allies emerged victorious. The predator city, long a symbol of terror, had been claimed—not through brute force, but through innovation and unity.

In the days that followed, Hololive’s members began the monumental task of transforming the predator city. Its deadly efficiency was merged with Hololive’s creativity, becoming a canvas for something unprecedented. Towering spires of cold steel gave way to vibrant structures adorned with lights and murals. What had once inspired fear now inspired awe.

This hybrid creation marked the dawn of a new era in the Hunting Ground. Hololive was no longer a curious anomaly; they were leaders, builders, and visionaries. As the settlers gazed upon their creation, they understood that survival no longer meant destruction—it meant creation. And in this new world, nothing could stop them.

Hunting Ground - Present Day

The Trading Cluster came alive as Korotropolis locked into place with the other traction cities, extending platforms and interconnects that formed an intricate web of pathways. The plaza transformed into a pulsating heart of commerce, with stalls spilling over into narrow thoroughfares. Merchants shouted over one another, their voices weaving into a chaotic symphony of haggling, banter, and laughter. The air reeked of spices, grease, and faint ozone from sparking machinery—a cocktail as vibrant and overwhelming as the wares on display.

V leaned against a rusted support post, arms crossed, scanning the crowd with a practiced eye. Amid the chaos, she could spot the foreigners in an instant. They moved differently, stood differently. Outsiders always carried that mix of confidence and hesitation, unsure of how much they belonged.

The locals of Korotropolis were impossible to mistake—dog-themed everything, from their wagging tails to floppy ear motifs. Even in fierce negotiations, there was a playful edge to their demeanor, like they were bartering for the joy of the game as much as the prize. V couldn’t help but smirk as one merchant wagged his actual tail while shaking on a deal.

The Mumeigrad delegation caught her attention next. They moved like shadows—soft voices, measured steps, and a grace that made them look untouched by the rough edges of the plaza. Their brown-feathered accessories, wing-patterned hoods, and flowing cloaks made them look as though they had stepped out of some forgotten woodland fable. Their serene expressions betrayed nothing, even when driving a hard bargain.

“Elegant, aren’t they?” Barko commented, her tail wagging as she gestured toward them.

“Elegant and terrifying,” V muttered. “I’d hate to play poker with one.”

Then there was Mikyoto. Their traders brought a polished modernity to the market, their flowing kimonos adorned with intricate embroidery. One woman’s glowing obi, shimmering with shifting sakura petals, pulled V’s gaze for a moment longer than she expected. It wasn’t just beautiful; it was a little too perfect—a stark reminder of Japantown back in Night City. V suppressed a pang of nostalgia, quickly burying the thought.

“Fancy tech for a market, huh?” Barko teased, catching V’s lingering glance.

“Flashy,” V replied, shrugging. “But I’ve seen better back home.” The lie didn’t sit well, but she wasn’t about to admit otherwise.

Fubukiville’s delegation was a sharp contrast, their fashion a jarring clash of sharp corporate suits and bold streetwear. One man, in a pristine white suit straight out of an Arasaka catalog, caught V’s attention.

“Corporate cosplay,” she muttered under her breath, earning a snort from Barko.

The Pekoland merchants, meanwhile, were impossible to miss. Bunny-eared headbands, sundresses, leotards, and playful tailcoats brought a carnival-like flair to the plaza. One trader tipped his oversized top hat, ears flopping dramatically as he hawked his wares with theatrical flair.

“They look ready for a cabaret,” V quipped.

“And I’d buy a ticket,” Barko shot back, her grin as wide as her tail was waggy.

The steampunk aesthetic of Baebylon was next. Leather goggles perched on brass-buttoned coats, brass automata clinking and whirring as they accompanied their traders. One vendor’s wind-up mechanical rat squeaked twice before collapsing into a heap of cogs and springs.

“Charming,” V muttered, sidestepping the mess.

The PIrys delegation stood out most of all. Their gothic school uniforms—lace-trimmed cloaks, leather corsets, and boots that clacked sharply against cobblestones—gave them an air of eerie sophistication. Floating above their heads were crystalline halos that pulsed faintly with an inner light.

“Are those wings and halos real?” V tilted her head toward Barko.

“From the looks of it, yeah,” Barko said with a shrug. “And they’d probably charge you just to ask.”

Not all traders were so polished. Travelers from smaller traction towns moved through the crowd in patched cloaks, rugged boots, and tool belts brimming with salvaged gadgets. Their clothes clinked softly with makeshift armor—metal plates riveted onto leather. They haggled with a quiet intensity, faces streaked with soot, their movements unpolished but deliberate.

“Scavengers?” V asked.

“No,” Barko said firmly. “They’re just from traction towns, not cities. They’re not as well-off as the rest, but they’ve got grit.”

V nodded, her gaze lingering on one trader who carried a bag bursting with salvaged parts. In the corner of her vision, she caught a tense exchange near a Mikyoto stall—a Mumeigrad trader's quiet insistence met with a curt dismissal. It was subtle, but the way both parties bristled suggested that competition in the Trading Cluster wasn’t entirely friendly.

V pushed off the support post, her gaze drifting across the plaza one last time. Despite the chaos, the market had a rhythm—a heartbeat she could almost feel. Each city brought its flair, its identity, and its ambitions, weaving together a tapestry of cultures that, for now, seemed to hold strong.

“Feels... fragile,” she murmured.

Barko’s ears twitched, and she cocked her head. “What does?”

“This,” V said, motioning vaguely at the crowd. “A thousand moving parts, all held together by a handshake and good intentions. How long does something like this last before it cracks?”

Barko snorted, her tail wagging as she crossed her arms. “Typical city folk, always expecting the worst. Out here, we make it work. That’s what traction cities do—we adapt.” She gestured toward a nearby stall piled high with gleaming scrap. “Come on. Let’s find something shiny to haggle over. Maybe it’ll cheer you up.”

V let out a soft chuckle, the corner of her mouth twitching into a half-smile. “Yeah, why not. Show me how it’s done, Barko.”

The pair slipped into the throng, the din of haggling voices and clinking machinery enveloping them like a living thing. As they wove through the crowd, V couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer energy of it all—the laughter, the bargaining, the mix of traditions and improvisations. Whatever fragile balance held this place together, it was vibrant, alive, and for now, unbroken.

Hololive Embassy, Mumeigrad

The Hololive Embassy in Mumeigrad hummed with an air of quiet anticipation. The grand meeting hall, with its soaring arches and polished stone floors, had been meticulously prepared for the delegation’s arrival. Mumei stood at the head of the long stone table, her serene expression reflecting the weight of the occasion. Yet, a flicker of excitement danced in her eyes. This gathering of Hololive's most influential leaders promised to shape the future of their cities. The faint scent of incense lingered in the air, mingling with the soft glow of light filtering through stained-glass windows, adding an ethereal ambiance to the peaceful yet authoritative space.

One by one, the leaders arrived, their entrances as distinct as their personalities.

Korone was the first to step through the grand doors. Her usual playful demeanor was tempered by the occasion, though her tail flicked behind her with barely restrained energy. She nodded at Mumei with a grin that hinted at mischief. “I see you’ve spared no expense for this meeting, Mumei,” she teased, her voice warm against the cold stone of the hall. She settled into her seat, her movements relaxed but attentive.

Pekora followed in a whirlwind of energy, her arrival marked by her infamous giggle that echoed through the chamber. She flopped into her chair with an exaggerated flourish, her blue eyes twinkling. “Heh, I hope this isn’t another boring meeting, Mumei!” she chirped, her irreverent humor bringing a jolt of life to the solemn room. Her presence was as unpredictable as ever, a reminder of the chaos she wielded as a strength.

Next came Baelz, her sharp ears twitching as she entered with a confident stride. Her gaze swept the room, curious and calculating. “Hope I didn’t miss anything exciting,” she said with a wide grin, her voice brimming with mischievous energy. Her tone and posture suggested she was ready for anything.

Irys’s calm presence brought a grounding balance to the flurry of personalities before her. Her soft smile and steady gaze exuded quiet strength. “Thank you for hosting this, Mumei,” she said gently as she took her place at the table, her hands folded neatly in front of her. Her poise was reassuring, a steady beacon in the midst of more turbulent energies.

Fubuki’s cheerful laughter rang out as she entered, her trademark optimism lifting the atmosphere. “Mumei, you really know how to make an entrance!” she quipped, her light-hearted humor putting everyone at ease. She took her seat with a grin, her presence warm and welcoming even amidst the weighty purpose of the gathering.

Finally, Miko entered, her movements graceful and precise. She bowed slightly to Mumei, her demeanor a reflection of her thoughtfulness. “I trust this meeting will bring us closer to understanding one another’s positions,” she said, her voice calm and measured. She seated herself with quiet confidence, her gaze steady as it swept over the others.

Mumei stood silently for a moment as the leaders settled, her eyes sweeping the room. The flickering light of the hall reflected in her owl-like gaze, a symbol of wisdom and vigilance. She clasped her hands before her, exuding a gentle but undeniable authority.

“Thank you all for coming,” she began, her voice soft yet resonating with conviction. “It’s a shame that others couldn’t come to the trading cluster due to their issues in their hands.”

Fubuki raised her hand. “Is the new Atlantis still not finished to this day?”

Mumei shakes her head. “No, Gura has already mobilized her city. The problem is they are stranded on Planet 4546B for an unforeseen future.”

Pekora winced. “Yikes, that sucks for sure, peko. And besides others didn’t make their own traction city too, so they either explore the Hunting Ground or live in our city.”

“Anyway the matters we discuss today will shape not only our cities but the balance of our shared world.” She paused, letting her words settle, before a smile broke through her serene mask. “But before we delve into the serious matters, tell me—how were your ventures to the Distant Lands ? I’ve heard whispers of strange and wondrous things. Surely, you’ve found something worth sharing.”

Her question hung in the air, drawing the leaders’ attention. Korone’s tail twitched with curiosity, while Pekora leaned forward, her ears perking up as if eager to recount a tale. Baelz smirked, her eyes glinting with excitement. Irys’s calm gaze flickered with intrigue, and even Miko allowed a small smile to cross her lips. Fubuki’s cheerful voice broke the silence first, a laugh bubbling up as she prepared to speak.

Korone raised her hand eagerly. “Oh, you wouldn’t believe the place I found! We found ourselves in the Badlands which is not so bad compared to the Hunting Ground. The weird part? Everyone has shiny metal parts—arms, legs, even heads! They call it ‘cyberware,’ and it’s totally normal. You could even get a rocket launcher arm if you wanted! Awoo!” Her tail wagged faster. “But it’s dangerous! Gangs, evil companies, and tech so advanced it feels like magic—self-driving cars, brain chips.”

“I’m sure it’s not as dangerous as mine, peko,” Pekora waved dismissively, her ears twitching with excitement. “I just traveled in the world of superheroes and supervillains— Earth Bet, they call it. they also know that multiverse is thing too. we found ourselves near the shore of the brockton bay, What a place, peko! Miserable people, villains running amok, heroes barely do anything to help—it’s a total disaster! So I thought, why not lend a hand?

"Pekoland set up shop, revitalized parts of the bay, and I even hired the Dockworkers Union to handle our goods! Cheap labor and no questions asked if you pay them enough, peko! Things were going great!”

Mumei leaned back, her sharp gaze fixed on Pekora. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t Pekoland practice slavery? Pretty sure even they would have a problem with that.”

Pekora gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. “Oi oi oi! Mumei-chan, you wound me, peko! We don’t do slavery! Our workers are debtors—people who owe more than they can pay. especially those who gamble all their money at my casino. Normally, we just put them in jail but there are so many debtors that the prison is always full, so I give them a chance to work off their debts. They get food, shelter, and a shot at freedom! That’s fair, isn’t it?”

Mumei’s expression remained neutral. “And you don’t see how that’s just… slavery with extra steps?”

Pekora waved her hand as if brushing off an annoying fly. “Nonsense! We treat them better than anyone else, peko. Good food, cozy bunks, safety equipment—it’s way better than any other traction cities that practice slavery! we don't even sell them off like some merchandise, peko! And don't worry we don't put them in hazardous jobs we have professionals for that, you know the one with the equipment and qualifications, that gets paid to do it.”

Mumei sighed but waved her on. “Fine. Just continue the story.”

Pekora’s ears perked up, her grin returning. “Sugoi! So, it turns out the Union’s morality wasn’t as flexible as I thought, and they reported me to the PRT, now that got the heroes working. Suddenly, I’m the villain! They told me to dismantle Pekoland, free my workers, and turn myself in. Can you believe it, peko? Me, a criminal!”

Korone muttered, “Sounds about right…”

Pekora ignored her. “Obviously, I said no! And then the heroes attacked! But my people— even the debtors, mind you! —fought back. They know who gave them a second chance. And guess what, peko? We won.”

Fubuki raised an eyebrow. “More like they didn’t have a choice…”

“they brought that to themselves, Fubuki-chan!” Pekora corrected sharply, before continuing with renewed enthusiasm. “But just when we thought it was over, the villains showed up—more of them than the heroes and way more brutal. They didn’t care who they killed, so we activated lethal mode. Bet they didn’t see that coming, peko! We sent them packing and patched up the ones too injured to leave, I'm not a monster, peko! Then we locked them up, those prisoners will be register as a future residents of Pekoland, later on.”

Miko gave her a flat look. “Future slaves, you mean.”

Pekora waved her off. “Details, details! Anyway, during all this chaos, the Endbringer alarms went off. It’s their system for major threats, peko. Heroes and villains started running around like headless chickens, so I took the chance to bail. We had Pekoland munch off some of Brockton Bay and left. We’re not planning on going back, peko.”

She slapped the table, groaning. “And after all my efforts to help that city, this is the thanks I get!? I even sponsored their rundown school, Winslow High, to improve their education. Good thing I took the school and the areas that I revitalize with me when I left!”

Pekora leaned forward, her grin widening as she looked at Korone. “Hey, Korone-chan! What do you say to teaming up in the Badlands? Imagine it—Pekoland and Korotropolis, side by side! We’d be unstoppable, peko!”

Korone froze, her face going pale. “Absolutely not.”

Pekora’s ears drooped. “Why not, peko? It’d be fun!”

“Because I’m not letting you enslave every nomads we meet,” Korone deadpanned. “Stay in your own city, Pekora.”

Pekora huffed, crossing her arms. “ Debt labor, Korone-chan! How many times do I have to say it?”

Korone sighed, shaking her head. “Nope. Not happening.”

“I’ll keep it brief, unlike some people,” IRyS teased, casting a playful glance at Pekora.

“Oi, IRyS-chan! What’s that supposed to mean, peko!?” Pekora huffed, crossing her arms with a dramatic pout.

“Nothing, nothing!” IRyS waved her hand dismissively, her halo flickering faintly as she composed herself. “Anyway, have you heard of Kivotos?”

Mumei’s eyes narrowed slightly. “The place with the schools, right? Constant chaos?”

“Exactly,” IRyS confirmed, leaning forward. “It’s like Earth Bet, but with more homework and a lot more explosions. The whole society revolves around academies, and each one’s like its own little nation—politics, turf wars, underground syndicates. If you think high school drama is bad, imagine it with rocket launchers and tanks. Oh, and all the students have halos that make them stronger and nearly invulnerable. Sure, you can knock them out, but it takes serious firepower.”

Baelz tilted her head, her tail swishing with curiosity. “Is that why your people have that angelic look?”

“Exactly,” IRyS said with a grin. “When PIrys rolled into Kivotos, the shockwave alone was enough to stop them from going at each other’s throats for a while. It’s not every day you see a traction city roll in. Naturally, the academies took notice of us, and I thought, why not establish my own institute?”

Korone’s eyes sparkled. “What’s the name?”

IRyS leaned back, a sly smile playing on her lips. “Oh, I thought you’d never ask. I call it…” She paused dramatically. “Celestia Academy.”

Korone clapped her hands together, her tail wagging with excitement. “Celestia Academy! That sounds amazing! What do you teach there?”

IRyS leaned forward, her eyes glimmering. “Everything! Combat strategy, diplomacy, advanced tech—you name it. But what makes us stand out is our focus on interdimensional relations. Who better to teach it than a Nephilim with experience across worlds?”

Fubuki raised an eyebrow. “Interdimensional relations? Isn’t that just a fancy way of saying you teach people how to survive when everything goes horribly wrong?”

“Well… yes,” IRyS admitted with a chuckle. “But we make it sound cool. Besides, the students love it! Especially the field trips.”

“Field trips?” Miko leaned in, both curious and concerned. “Where do you even take them?”

“Oh, you know, just the usual—post-apocalyptic ruins, alternate realities, the occasional hostile dimension,” IRyS replied casually. “Last week, we visited a timeline where humanity was overrun by sentient toasters. The students learned a lot about adapting to unconventional threats.”

“Sentient toasters?” Pekora blinked, ears twitching. “That doesn’t sound very educational, peko!”

“It was more educational than you’d think,” IRyS said, shrugging. “Those toasters had surprisingly effective tactics. Plus, it taught the students to think outside the box—or, in this case, the bread.”

Baelz burst out laughing, slapping the table. “Oh, I like this! I want to enroll! Imagine me leading an army of toaster warriors—chaos reigns!”

“Let’s not give her any ideas,” Mumei muttered, shooting a knowing glance at Baelz.

Korone, still caught up in the excitement, asked, “So, where is Celestia Academy anyway? I didn’t see anything that resembled a school?”

“The Celestia Academy is the cathedral on top of PIrys,” IRyS confirmed, a sly smile spreading across her face.

“The what!? You mean the thing at the top is the school!?” Pekora exclaimed, her eyes wide in shock.

The meeting was abruptly interrupted by the ringing of Mumei’s phone.

“Yes, what’s the situation?” Mumei answered calmly. A brief pause. “Hmm?”

She sighed, standing up. “I’m afraid the meeting is unjustly adjourned. There’s a commotion on the platforms connecting Pekoland and Korotropolis.”

“Eh!?” Pekora exclaimed, her expression shifting from surprise to frustration. She placed a hand on her forehead and muttered, “I swear, if that wannabe hero, Vicky or something, tries to escape again...”

“Well, it's justified, mind you,” Korone interjected, standing up as well. She quickly began contacting the HQ in her city. “But if anything happens to my city and it’s your fault, Pekora, I’ll be demanding compensation.”

Mumei, Pekora, and Korone began making their way toward the exit. But as the door closed behind them, something suddenly clicked in Miko’s mind. She slapped the table, standing up with an exaggerated expression of realization.

“Wait! You haven’t heard about my adventures at Remnant yet!” Miko shrieked, her eyes wide with desperation as she dashed after them. “You know, the one with the broken moon!?”