It was darkness everywhere...
Is this what death feels like...?
I sigh as I look around this vast void of darkness.
Seongji then thought about Vin, and the others.
"Vin... I hope they're okay."
Seongji said as a single teardrop fell from his eye. He then sat by himself, reminiscing the good memories he had with them.
He was always alone in his life until he met those misfits that are tormented by society, just like him. He smiled and laughed by himself.
"Those kids..."
"What am I going to do now...?"
He asked himself that question before a light shines upon him. He covered his eyes to reduce the brightness.
"What the...?"
The light then becomes brighter and engulfs him whole. Seongji then closed his eyes accepting what is going to happen to him. He anticipated that he was going to either heaven or hell.
'Sujin... I'm coming.'
He thought about his own student who was like a daughter to him before he was engulfed by the light.
...
...
...
...
...
His eyes then opens quickly as he felt that he's in heaven or hell. Or at least he thought he was.
Seongji was floating in a pond with the same outfit he was wearing. He then got up quickly as he looked around the surroundings.
"Where the hell am I?"
"This isn't... Hell or heaven."
He then noticed that the sixth finger that was injured was completely... healed? He couldn't believe it. Something or someone brought him in this place.
The first thought that came to his mind is that he isn't in Korea anymore or anyplace on Earth.
*Sigh* "I should probably get out of this pond. I'm wet."
Seongji dried himself after he got out of the pond.
The night was quiet and insects are making peaceful noises.
*Chirp*
*Chirp*
*Chirp*
"It's quiet..."
Seongji then noticed a luminous light in the distance. It was visible because it was glowing in the night.
"Civilization... Maybe I can get some help and information on where I am."
He then began to walk towards the direction of the light. He moved through the branches and trees that blocked his path, good thing he had his strength as an advantage.
Noises of crowds and people get more louder and louder as he was nearing at the end of the tree area.
As he got out of the tree area, he was meet upon a sight of a dirt road. Seen in most fantasy genres and stories.
"What...the...?"
Seongji was surprised and stunned as he was met by a sight of a city guarded within a wall. He can hear most of the noise of the people.
"What is this place?"
"Where have you sent me, God?"
Cold chills then hits his body as he was wearing his black tank top. He basically looks like a homeless person.
He then noticed that the main gate of the wall that guarded the city was guarded by multiple guards. They were wearing armors that you can see in most fantasy type stories, they even wield Spears and swords.
He figured that those are supposed to be the checkpoint dock.
"Now... How am I going to get in?"
Seongji was in thinking pose before he heard footsteps of a horse. He turned his head and it was carriage carrying wat supposed to be things that can be sold or traded.
The driver was an old man in a hat.
"Hyah!"
"Come on, girl!"
The old man commanded his horse. It was struggling to walk as the carriage was heavy as heck.
Seongji then gets an idea and approaches the carriage. He hid behind a bush and waited for the carriage get passed him.
After that, he then ran up behind the carriage and got up in there. Seongji then hid behind the things that the carriage was carrying.
*Phew* "That was close..."
The old man felt the carriage was heavy but brushed it off.
"Woah!"
"The carriage sure feels heavy today."
The carriage continued towards the docking point as checkpoints proceeded.
The guard then commands the carriage to stop.
"Stop. State your business!"
"Oh stop, it's just me, Gunther!"
"Old man? You're back early."
"Hoho! Business was fast today, so I will take that chance to rest."
As the conversation between the two continued. Seongji kept quiet as he listened to the conversation as he find clues.
"Old Man, mind if I check your carriage? Part of protocol."
"Sure, sure. Just make sure you don't break anything! These trinkets are rare and expensive.
*Laughs* "Don't worry, I won't."
As Seongji heard it, he then made sure he was hidden. His heart was beating faster as he was getting nervous of getting caught.
The guard then checked the crates and boxes of the carriage.
'Just breathe, Seongji.'
'Breathe...'
The guard stopped himself as his suspicion grows but he brushed it off and tells the old man, he's free to go through.
"Ok, you're free to go!"
"Told you, there is no illegal stuff I will sell."
Seongji sighed in relief as he was holding his breath to avoid being caught.
The guard then commands to open the gate.
"Open the gate. Let him through!"
The guard that opens the gate nods and activates the mechanism to open the gate. The old man then thanked the guard.
"Pleasure talkin' to ya."
The old man then continued his way inside as the gate opens. Seongji kept quiet as he knows that his plan succeeded.
The city was full of people and it was lovely. Seongji then gets out of the carriage quietly and jumps down. The old man then feels his carriage feel a bit lighter.
"Weird. It was heavy last time."
"Eh, it's probably nothing."
The carriage continued its way to its destination.
Seongji got up and was in awe of how big the city is. The bustling lights, crowded people, vibrant buildings and infrastructures. This made Seongji think he was not in Earth anymore.
"What is this place?"
"It's so big."
He was standing in the middle of the street and people around eyed him as they are weirded out by his clothing. Whispers then began.
"Who's that?"
"He looks handsome."
"He must be a slave."
"A slave? With that kind of looks?"
"Six fingers...?"
Seongji then heard the response around him and he then walks away from vicinity.
'Better get out of here.'
After that, he arrives in a alleyway and leans against the wall to catch his breath. Everything was new to him.
A 6'6 monster like himself isn't gonna be able to blend in with the people of this city.
"Apple here! Only for 1 gold!"
Seongji then shot up his ears as he heard the voice. He could ask that man some information on where he is.
"Uh, excuse me."
He runs up to the vendor.
"Oh, a fine customer! What can I get ya?"
"No, I'm not here to buy some apples. Mind if I ask?"
"Sure.... Ask away."
'Holy shit! Look how tall he is! Wait- he has six fingers?!'
Seongji then asks.
"Where am I right now?
"Oh! You're a newcomer. Well, you're in the city of Isil. In the Beast district to be exact."
'Isil... Yeah, I'm not in Earth anymore.'
Seongji then thanked the vendor.
"Thanks, I would've been lost around here."
"No problem. What's your name young man?"
Seongji paused on that question before answering it.
"Seongji. Seongji Yuk."
"Seongji? That's a name I've never heard before... Anyways, mine's Albert. Pleasure to meet you."
They shaked hands.
"Oooh! You got a grip there."
"Oh, sorry."
"Nah, that's alright. So what bring you here in this fine city?"
"Well, I'm here to f- "
Before Seongji could answer. A yelp is heard across the street. A man with a chain on his neck was whipped in the back.
"Come on! Move it you damn slave!"
"Please... I beg you."
"Shut your trap!"
*Whip!*
Seongji then gets a short flashback of his memory being the sacrifice of that cult. Stones was thrown at him everywhere.
Seongji's expression then changes into a serious and angry.
"What are they....doing to him?"
"Oh, he's just a slave. That always happens in thi- hey wait. Hey! What are you doing!"
Seongji turned his head.
"The right thing to do."
'Sounds cheesy as hell.'
"Oh come on! You'll get yourself killed! No offense."
"If the people in this city isn't going to do anything. Then someone has to."
Seongji then continued his way towards the slave being whipped. The vendor was bewildered.
'Who the hell is this guy?'
The whipping continues.
*Whip!*
"Move it!"
"We paid a lot of gold for your sorry ass!"
"Then you shouldn't have..."
"You talking back now?!"
The man then readies his whip to strike the slave.
*Whip!*
...
...
"I believe that's enough."
Seongji caughts the whip with his hand. The man was shocked and whispers of the people watching spreads.
"Isn't that the same guy?"
"He didn't even flinch!"
"Look at those muscles..."
The man then asks Seongji.
"Who're you supposed to be?"
Seongji then glares at the man.
"Your worst nightmare..."
He then pulls the whip with his immaculate grip and slams the man into the ground, making a crack in it.
*Wham!*
"Gughh!"
The man grunted in pain and the people watching was in silence on what they just witnessed.
The male slave then looked up to Seongji.
"Who...are you? Kind stranger...?
Seongji then looks at him and smiles.
"A kind monster..."
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Thanks for reading the chapter! I hope you like it.