**Chapter 11**
Before the gates of the Golden Capital, Jin had finally arrived. This was his first visit to the capital—a city of legends he had heard so much about, yet never imagined he would see with his own eyes.
He stood before a massive gate, surrounded by mountains on all sides, guarded by armies clad in armor, watchtowers stretching into the sky, and moving staircases endlessly carrying people and goods upward.
Jin approached the main gate, his steps slow but steady.
**Guard:** "Your identification."
Jin silently handed over his card.
The guard glanced at the ID, then raised his eyes to Jin. The discrepancy between the photo and his current state was stark—his hair was longer, his clothes worn, as if years had passed since the card was issued.
**Guard:** (Skeptical) "What's your name?"
**Jin:** (Calmly) "Jin. Born outside the Golden Capital."
The guard fell silent for a moment, then opened the gate. **"Enter."**
---
The moment Jin stepped through, he was met with a small military encampment belonging to the Allied Forces. Knights of various races moved about—talking, training, exchanging messages—as if they were the beating heart of the city.
Jin ignored them and headed straight for the moving stairs, ascending upward.
But then—a light tap on his back made him turn.
A girl with short pink hair and matching eyes smiled playfully at him. She clasped her hands behind her back and leaned in.
**Girl:** "First time here, right?"
Jin took a slight step back, answering calmly without looking at her: **"Yes, first time."** Then he turned away again.
**Girl:** "I'm Neomi. And you?"
Jin remained silent.
**Neomi:** (Smirking) "Oh… Playing the tough guy, are we?"
But he didn't answer. His silence was as if she didn't exist.
**Neomi:** (Sighing lightly) "Well then… Everyone has their reasons."
She pulled out a small card and placed it in his hand despite his reluctance.
**Neomi:** "If you need help, contact me. This is my shop's card. Your swords look amazing… Come by sometime. My father is the best blacksmith in the city."
The elevator arrived, and Neomi stepped off first. She threw him one last glance, winked with a warm smile, and disappeared into the crowd.
Jin sighed and muttered to himself, **"Strange girl…"**
He glanced at the card, tucked it into his pocket, and entered the heart of the capital.
---
The moment he left the elevator, he was stunned—a colossal city with unending lights, towering buildings, upscale shops, and air so pure it felt unlike anything he'd ever known.
It was as if he'd stepped into another world, one untouched by war. While thousands died daily beyond these walls, the capital remained unscathed, oblivious to the chaos outside.
Jin continued forward, dazed, taking in the Golden Capital in awe—its beauty was breathtaking to the point of disbelief.
People laughed, children ran and played, vendors called out their wares… As if nothing was happening beyond these walls, as if they lived in a world entirely separate from the suffering and death devouring the lands outside.
Jin made his way to a famous landmark—the Ancient Tower of Magic, now known as the **"Mages' Guild."**
He stood before the towering structure, its intricate design and lavish ornaments making it seem like a relic from another world. Its façade reflected the grandeur of the past and the enchantment of the present.
Jin pushed open the door and stepped inside…
Wooden tables filled the space, and chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a magical glow that radiated comfort.
But the moment he entered, he felt every eye turn toward him at once—the tension in the air was palpable. No one here knew him, but this was his first time entering the guild. And the bigger issue? He was a swordsman, with blades visibly strapped to his back.
**"What's a swordsman doing in a magic shop?"** That was the look he read in their eyes.
Jin ignored them all and strode confidently toward the counter, where a man in formal servant attire stood behind an ornately carved desk.
**Clerk:** (Forced smile) "How may I help you, sir?"
**Jin:** (Quietly) "I need a storage ring… Do you have one?"
A moment of silence.
The clerk scrutinized Jin from head to toe—his ragged clothes, unkempt hair, bandaged hand—he looked like he'd just crawled out of a warzone.
But he remembered his job and the guild's rules: **No discrimination against any person or race.**
**Clerk:** (Coldly polite) "Sir… Do you even know how much a storage ring costs?"
**Jin:** "No. How much?"
The clerk let out a short, mocking laugh.
**Clerk:** "Thirty gold coins. Not silver—**gold.**"
Jin froze for a second. He didn't have that kind of money—not even close.
Embarrassment flickered across his face, but he steadied himself and replied calmly:
**Jin:** "Thank you."
He turned and left the guild, his steps slower, heavier than before.
Exiting the building, he lifted his gaze to the sky and sighed.
**"I need to earn money… What was I thinking? I came here with only fifty silver coins…"**
**"Where can I find work now…?"**
Jin whispered to himself as he wandered the capital's vast streets. Lost in thought, he suddenly remembered the card Neomi had given him.
He began to wonder:
**"Should I go to her? Maybe she can help me find work… She must know the capital better than I do."**
Jin pulled the card from his pocket, examined it, then began asking passersby for directions to the shop. It didn't take long before someone pointed him the way.
---
Standing before the gate of the shop labeled **"Khalidore's Smithy,"** Jin hesitated. He stood frozen, staring at the heavy wooden door, a twinge of shame gnawing at him.
**"I ignored her completely earlier… And now I'm coming back to ask for her help?"**
He nearly turned away—but before he could, a voice whispered behind him:
**"What's on your mind?"**
Jin flinched and spun around.
Neomi stood there, smiling at him as usual, her pink eyes brimming with energy.
**Neomi:** "You finally came. I knew you'd need help."
She stepped past him lightly, pushed open the shop door, and grinned.
**Neomi:** "Come on in."
Jin's face flushed slightly, but he entered. Inside, he found a small shop, its walls lined with swords of every kind, the scent of iron and fire thick in the air.
In the corner sat a short, burly man, engrossed in hammering a blade over an anvil.
**"A dwarf?"**
Jin was taken aback. He glanced at Neomi, then at the man, questions swirling in his mind.
But she laughed, as if reading his thoughts.
**Neomi:** "That's my father… Adopted."
She giggled, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Jin processed this, then stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
**Jin:** "Greetings, sir. I'm Jin."
No response. Khalidore remained absorbed in his work, not even lifting his head, continuing to hammer the sword relentlessly.
Jin looked at him, then at Neomi in confusion.
She smirked and teased:
**Neomi:** "See how annoying it is when someone ignores you? He's acting just like you did. Maybe you'll learn not to brush people off next time."
Then she turned to her father.
**Neomi:** "Dad, this is my friend. I met him earlier on the moving stairs. He might need something from the shop… His swords are incredible! Take a look!"
Khalidore's head snapped up instantly, as if he trusted every word his daughter said, and he studied Jin intently.
But instead of showing his swords, Jin gripped them behind his back and took a step back, as if refusing to let them see.
**Neomi:** (Gently) "Hey, relax…"
Khalidore finally spoke, his voice gruff:
**Khalidore:** "If you want your swords maintained… you'll have to show them to us."
But Jin muttered:
**Jin:** "Who said that's why I'm here?"
Neomi looked at him, concerned.
**Neomi:** "Then… why did you come?"
Jin lowered his head and admitted sheepishly:
**Jin:** "I… I just need help finding work. I need money, and I don't know where to start or where to find jobs."
Neomi stared at him—then suddenly burst into laughter, clutching her stomach.
**Neomi:** "Hahaha! You're really something!"
She lifted her face, her smile brighter than ever, cheeks flushed.
**Neomi:** "Alright then… I'll help you get a job."
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**(End of Chapter 11)**