The Extra-dimensional Pioneer Of Fiction [Draft]

[Ataraxis: Residential District]

Arlo settled into the sleek hovercar beside Aria as they left Aerith Tower. He watched the buildings glide past, still processing everything from the orientation. It felt like someone had handed him a rulebook for an RPG, but with the stakes dialed up to max. Every rule, every restriction—all of it felt ominously real.

Their destination turned out to be a striking example of neo-brutalist architecture—a massive cubic complex rising twenty stories high. The building's exterior featured a geometric pattern of interlocking grey panels, some transparent, others opaque, creating an ever-shifting facade that seemed to change depending on the angle you viewed it from. Illuminated strips of blue light traced the edges of each cube, giving the whole structure an otherworldly glow. This place to what Aria have is in the Residential District.

"This is your new home," Aria announced as they landed. "The Quantum Cube Complex. Not the fanciest place in the Hub, but it's clean, secure, and the rent won't drain your future earnings."

Arlo glanced around, nodding in approval. "Looks... solid. Way better than the cramped dorm I had back in college."

A tall man with silver-streaked hair and a neatly trimmed beard approached them, his posture radiating professional courtesy. "Miss Hartman," he greeted with a slight bow. "Welcome back to the Quantum Cube."

"Mr. Franky," Aria nodded. "This is Arlo Leeroy, your new tenant. He's a fresh recruit under my guidance."

Mr. Franky extended a hand, a welcoming smile on his face. "Good to meet you, Arlo. Heard you're one of the new Pioneers. Exciting life you've got ahead."

"Yeah, that's one way to put it," Arlo replied, shaking the man's hand. He liked Franky immediately; the guy had that no-nonsense, grounded vibe. The type who probably had a million stories up his sleeve if you gave him the time.

They took a transparent elevator to the twelfth floor, the city's perpetual twilight visible through the clear walls. Arlo watched the ground shrink away, trying not to think about the engineering that kept this impossible building standing.

Mr. Franky nodded, obviously used to this arrangement. "Come on, I'll show you to your place." He led them down a corridor with walls lined in soft, pale lighting, which gave off a calming vibe. No signs of dirt, clutter, or chaos—everything was as precise as the System itself.

Aria got straight to business. "Mr. Franky, as we discussed, Arlo will be staying here, and the Association will cover his rent for the first three months."

The apartment itself was exactly what Arlo would expect if someone told him to imagine "basic future housing." The main room was a perfect square, roughly twenty feet on each side, with walls that seemed to absorb and emit light in equal measure. A bed that looked more like a floating platform than a traditional mattress occupied one corner, while a minimalist desk and chair setup took up another.

The kitchen area was a marvel of efficiency—appliances that folded into the walls when not in use, surfaces that could apparently heat or cool on command, and what looked like a food synthesizer straight out of science fiction. The bathroom, though compact, featured technology that made Earth's finest hotels look primitive.

"It's one of our standard units," Franky explained, gesturing around the space. "All the necessities a Pioneer needs, plus some amenities you might find familiar from your home world. The environmental controls are fully customizable, and the walls can display any scenery you prefer."

Aria turned to Arlo. "Well? Will it work for you?"

Arlo nodded, still taking in the seamless blend of functionality and futuristic design. "Yeah, this is more than good enough." He'd lived in much worse places during his student years.

"Excellent," Aria said, then addressed Franky. "The Pioneer Association will cover three months of rent upfront. Standard arrangement."

Franky's professional smile widened slightly. "Much appreciated, Miss Hartman. We'll process everything immediately."

"Get some rest," Aria told Arlo as she prepared to leave. "Training starts tomorrow, and you'll need your energy."

She tapped her BrainLink screen, and Arlo's brainLink pinged with a friend request. "Accept that so we can stay in contact. I'll send you the details for tomorrow's session."

After they left, Arlo sat on the edge of the bed which was surprisingly comfortable despite its unusual design. The events of the day crashed over him like a wave: waking up in this impossible place, the orientation, and now this apartment that looked like something out of every sci-fi show he'd ever watched.

He lay back, staring at the ceiling where a subtle pattern of lights pulsed in a rhythm that seemed designed to induce relaxation. Part of him wanted to explore every feature of his new home, to test every piece of technology that would've been impossible in his old world. But exhaustion won out over curiosity.

"I'll figure it all out tomorrow," he mumbled, closing his eyes. The room's lighting automatically dimmed in response, and Arlo drifted off to sleep, his dreams a mixture of the familiar world he'd left behind and the extraordinary one he'd stepped into.

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[Residential District: Quantum Cube Apartment Complex]

The first rays of sunlight broke through the blinds, piercing right into Arlo's face. He squinted, groaning as he turned over. For a second, he forgot where he was. The bed was softer than he was used to, and as he glanced around, he remembered: the Hub, the Pioneer Association, the orientation—it wasn't a dream.

"Alright, new day, new life," he muttered, sitting up. His stomach growled, snapping him out of his half-awake state. He couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten anything, and the list of things he needed to get done was growing longer by the second.

Dragging himself out of bed, he headed to the bathroom. The setup was clean and efficient, with a minimalistic design. The shower was unlike anything he'd seen before, with multiple jets and a touchpad that let him adjust the temperature, pressure, and even something called "purity level." Curious, he hit the start button, and the shower burst to life in an even, relaxing spray.

"Now this is futuristic," he murmured, stepping in. The water felt almost too perfect—like it had been optimized for relaxation. He wondered if the shower had been set to "calibrate" mode or if it just knew how to deliver the ideal experience. Either way, he was impressed. Ten out of ten would bathe again, he thought with a smirk as he rinsed off.

After his shower, he wandered over to a small washing machine tucked into the corner of the apartment. It had no visible dials, just a glowing blue panel. Tentatively, he loaded his clothes inside and tapped a button. The machine hummed softly, and within minutes, his clothes came out fresh, folded, and with a faint scent of something that reminded him of spring.

"This place just keeps getting better," he muttered, slipping into his clean clothes. One thing's clear—convenience is a big deal here. Now, if only they had teleporting breakfast...

With that thought in mind, he left his apartment, only to run into Mr. Franky in the hallway. The landlord gave him a nod and a small smile. "Good morning, Arlo. Adjusting to the Hub life?"

"Yeah, more or less. Actually," Arlo paused, scratching the back of his head. "I was wondering if there's a spot nearby where I can grab some food."

Mr. Franky nodded. "There's a convenience store just west of here. They've got everything from snacks to microwavable meals. Decent quality for the price."

"Perfect, thanks, Mr. Franky." With a quick wave, Arlo headed out, following the directions. It didn't take long for him to find the store a small, sleek building with the kind of subtle design that blended right in with the neighborhood's futuristic aesthetic.Inside, he marveled at the variety. Shelves lined with foods he recognized, along with others he didn't. The prices ranged from 1 to 10 credits, with the most expensive items being full microwave meals. His eyes landed on a packaged meal that looked like it had real chicken and grilled pork with a side of rice.

"Expensive, but worth it," he mumbled, grabbing it. He tossed in a cup of ice cream for dessert, then made his way to the checkout, paying with a quick swipe of his wrist device. The transaction was seamless, a reminder of just how different this place was from his old world.

He walked over to a sleek microwave station near the back and popped his meal inside. While he waited, he glanced around the store. Only a couple of other customers were milling around—one of them, a man in a long coat, seemed absorbed in browsing, while the cashier looked half-asleep.

The microwave beeped, pulling him back. He took the food out, savoring the aroma. The grilled pork was thick and juicy, while the chicken looked perfectly tender. He took a seat at one of the small tables and dug in, savoring each bite. The flavor was incredible a mix of smoky and savory, with the kind of richness he'd rarely had back home.

"Alright, best meal I've had in… maybe ever," he murmured, barely noticing the people around him as he ate.As he took another bite, his wrist device buzzed. He glanced down, seeing a video call request from Aria. Guess my break is over. He accepted the call, and her face appeared on the small screen, looking as serious as ever.

"Arlo," she greeted him, her voice clear through the device. "I'll be arriving at the apartment complex soon. Be ready to start your training."

He swallowed a mouthful of chicken and nodded. "Got it. I'll be there."

"Good," she said, her tone as matter-of-fact as always, before ending the call.

Arlo glanced down at his meal, quickly finishing the last few bites. He wouldn't waste good food, especially since he didn't know when he'd get another relaxed breakfast. Standing up, he tossed his trash and made his way out of the convenience store, feeling the weight of the day ahead of him.