Transmigrated With A Thrifty System

11 – Hostile presence approaching fast!

He notices something familiar about the stranger staring at him—a tall muscular figure wearing dark sunglasses over bright green glowing irises. He appears to be roughly in his thirties.

There wasn't much else visible beside the strange eye color; otherwise, he appears normal. No distinguishing features stood out making him look rather nondescript.

[Race detected: Aethalinae – Humanoid race]

[Realm: Earth]

'Not fully human, then.' Aiden thinks carefully, deciding not to say anything since nothing seems wrong yet.

[The Aethalinae were once humans whose ancestors found a way to cross and live thousands of years ago in Azeroth. They possess magical abilities due to being descendants of a cross-breed of humans and a mythical beast long gone. Their powers included telepathy, teleportation, healing spells, and illusion casting]

Pointing upward, the man communicates telepathically, saying, "Beware of the Unseen Assembly!" Then vanishes instantly.

A whirring sound echoes throughout the area as Aiden turns toward the sky. Above, a large silver disc hovers silently overhead. Its surface glows faint blue under its light source.

It slowly descends closer to ground level, stopping right across from him. With a loud clunk, it opens wide enough allowing him entry inside.

'Another weird gateway to Azeroth, huh?' He wonders aloud.

[That's right]

Inhaling deeply, he steps forward entering its blinding light.

Zwp!

–––––––––––

In Draenor,

After passing through several layers of security checks, he finds himself standing within what seems to be some sort of a waiting lounge. There aren't many people around save for those sitting patiently awaiting transport.

Standing near the entrance, another young woman stares intently ahead watching her monitor display showing various destinations available via gateways.

Her hair falls loosely past shoulder length covering most of the pale skin exposed underneath. Dark circles surround both brown almond-shaped eyes giving off an eerie appearance. It makes sense why she'd wear glasses given how sensitive their vision must have become living underground during daylight hours.

'Why am I in a subway?' He questions his system.

[You've arrived at Gate #1 (Draenor)]

[Gateway destination selected… You're now connected to Gateway Network. Please wait momentarily...]

While still wondering why exactly he ended up in a subway, he hears someone calling his name.

Looking behind, he spots two guys approaching him. One stands slightly taller than the other sporting a short black spiky hairstyle. The second wears a suit made entirely of leather armor including gloves, boots, and belt buckle. Both stand close together looking like brothers.

Wrapping their hands around his neck, they pull him firmly between them, speaking simultaneously.

"Do you feel alright?" The shorter guy asks first. His voice sounds vaguely familiar though Aiden couldn't quite put his finger on it.

As if answering his question, the taller guy adds, "We heard you got your ass kicked."

Both laugh loudly, slapping Aiden's back repeatedly.

With that said, they release him and step back away letting go completely.

Standing alone again, Aiden looks closely at these guys trying hard to remember meeting either of them previously, but the memory uploads he received seem incomplete.

'I don't know anyone here,' he realizes sadly.

Turning abruptly towards the exit door leading outside, he walks quickly over to leave. But something stops him mid-stride.

He turns sharply facing the pair and asks the first that comes to mind, "have I been summoned?"

"Brad, would you like to go first? We'll follow behind," offers the shorter.

Shaking his head, Brad replies, "we shouldn't speak of it here; let us walk separately then meet later somewhere safe once our business has concluded."

Greg nods, agreeing with the plan soiled in secrecy. They exchange knowing glances before walking apart heading in opposite directions.

Leaving the station, Aiden follows along beside the building exiting onto a busy street lined with shops selling everything imaginable.

Traffic roars incessantly above making conversation impossible.

Greg waves toward one side, saying, "we should take care not to lose sight of each other." Then points further north beyond the buildings lining the road.

Pointing southward, Greg continues: "There's always plenty happening downtown, especially since the Horde invaded."

'Lyris? Nothing to input? What about my new friends?' asks Aiden confused.

Nothing appears on the screen except for a blinking cursor.

[Do not make the mistake to ask random questions, if it's important, I will tell you directly, host]

–––––––––––

They continue following separate paths crossing streets occasionally exchanging brief words about random topics.

Finally converging upon what seems to be some sort of park area filled with people enjoying themselves under bright sunny skies.

It takes several minutes to wait patiently among throngs of strangers standing shoulder to shoulder packed tightly against walls surrounding open grassy areas.

'Do these people have a thing for gathering to meet something?' Aiden complains.

Then suddenly, everyone begins moving forward slowly through narrow openings formed by others passing ahead. After stepping inside, the group moves deeper within the structure eventually coming across stairs descending below ground level.

Once downstairs, another long line stretches endlessly, stretching far enough to block visibility.

People move steadily past holding signs indicating how many were killed during recent battles. Many carry pictures showing loved ones lost forever due to war atrocities committed by the Unseen Assembly. Others hold placards demanding justice and peace.

'What the fuck is going on here?! Why am I even involved in shit like this?!' Thinks Aiden angrily.

[You are the right-hand man of the resistance leader, Mr. Smith, who happens also to have ties to Rydel, host.]

Lyris' voice interrupts his thoughts.

The mere mention of his father's name makes him pause momentarily and stare down blankly at nothingness. The pain is still fresh despite being gone almost three years ago.

'What sort of mess were you into, dad?'

Nudging him on the side, Greg whispers, "you okay buddy? You have been zoning out."

Aiden shakes off the painful memories and smiles before responding. "Never been better!"

Turning around and looking straight ahead, he sees dozens of men dressed similarly wearing black suits and carrying guns strapped securely beneath their arms. Each wears a badge identifying himself as part of the Lyridian Resistance Force (LRF). Their mission consists primarily of protecting civilians living near the Unseen Assembly's headquarters located nearby.

It wasn't uncommon to see bodies lying dead everywhere throughout town—some burned alive, shot repeatedly, dismembered, decapitated.

It seemed that every day brought something worse. And yet these guys seem unfazed!

Brad walks over next to them, he turns to Aiden and asks quietly, 'How do you feel today?"

Aiden replies honestly, "like hell, actually…but thanks anyway…"

There is a loud bang followed by screams erupting from somewhere behind them.

Brad looks back and then shouts, "We're getting close, let me know your status once we reach our destination."

Turning away again, he yells, "Movement detected two blocks west; enemy forces have penetrated our security perimeter. Repeat, enemies breached outer defenses and are advancing rapidly towards inner sanctum!"

[Warning, host! Hostile presence approaching fast]