Chapter 23 - Otherworld

As she continued to stand there, Emilia's imagination ran wild. She envisioned herself as an ethereal being, with an elven nose that added an enchanting charm to her appearance.

It was a symbol of her newfound freedom, a testament to her ability to shape her destiny.

Before long, a luxurious car pulled up beside her. Ah, they must be offering a ride. Despite her damaged face, her body still possessed an undeniable allure.

As the car came to a stop, Emilia hesitated for a moment, her heart racing with a mixture of hope and fear.

She knew she couldn't stay on the street; it was too dangerous after her confrontation with Jansen. This might be her only chance to escape.

She quickly moved closer to the luxurious car, trying to conceal her ruined face as best as she could. Her long, flowing hair provided some cover, but it couldn't hide all the scars and disfigurements.

She took a deep breath and leaned towards the driver's window, hoping they wouldn't recognize her.

"Shit!"

The curse escaped her lips involuntarily as she saw the occupants of the car. They were Jansen's henchmen, the very people she needed to avoid. Panic surged within her as she realized the danger she was in.

The man in the driver's seat leered at her, a sinister grin stretching across his face. "Well, well, what do we have here? You thought you could run, huh?"

She was too late to escape, and cruelly, they dragged her into the back seat of the car. Inside, Emilia was met with two other men who appeared equally rough and menacing.

She struggled fiercely, attempting to break free, but her legs and arms were held firmly. A rough hand quickly covered her mouth, silencing her screams.

Meanwhile, the driver of the car started the engine, indifferent to the commotion unfolding in the back seat.

In an instant, all of Emilia's luxurious clothing and jewelry were forcefully stripped from her.

Everything was taken away.

Emilia let out piercing screams, fearing that they might go as far as to harm her physically.

The surgery she had for her breasts, which had been financed by Jansen, flashed in her mind, making her feel more vulnerable than ever.

"They've got her completely naked," one of them commented as he took photos of Emilia to document her condition for Jansen.

"Get her out by the crowded roadside," he continued.

Emilia's face contorted in a mixture of anger and humiliation. She kicked and fought against them as they dragged her out onto the bustling street, her nakedness exposed to the shocked onlookers.

"Stop resisting, or do you want us to take the silicon from your chest as well? That'll be our next action if you ever show your face in front of Mr. Jansen again," one of them threatened as he lightly scratched Emilia's firm, silicon-enhanced breasts.

They finally tossed her onto the street, amidst the crowd of astonished pedestrians. Emilia desperately covered her breasts and genitals, trying to shield herself from the prying eyes of strangers.

They snapped photos of her, probably to add to their report to Jansen. The car then sped away, leaving Emilia cursing and screaming in fury.

"Damn you all! Damn you, Jansen! You're a coward! F*** YOU!!!" She shouted at the top of her lungs, her voice a mixture of anger, humiliation, and despair.

Emilia's humiliation knew no bounds as she stood naked on the bustling sidewalk, surrounded by a sea of gaping strangers.

The cacophony of gasps, murmurs, and stunned expressions painted a vivid tableau of her degradation.

Some passersby hurriedly averted their eyes in embarrassment, while others shamelessly gawked at her exposed form, their smartphones poised to capture this surreal spectacle.

The weight of their judgmental stares bore down on Emilia, amplifying her sense of vulnerability.

Desperate to shield her modesty, she crouched down, her trembling hands frantically covering her breasts and genitals.

Her heart pounded like a war drum in her chest, and the flush of humiliation seared her cheeks. Tears welled up in her eyes.

As the car carrying her tormentors disappeared into the distance, Emilia's cries of anger and despair echoed in the hearts of those who had witnessed this grotesque act.

She was left there, battered and broken, her dignity stripped away, a victim of cruelty and vengeance in a heartless world.

***

Timeline: flashback, Jansen's accident

The notion of an "otherworld" or a dimension beyond our conventional understanding has long fascinated and perplexed humanity.

It represents a realm where the rules of time and space might differ significantly from our own, sparking both intrigue and apprehension.

This concept often teeters on the fringes of scientific comprehension, leading to speculation that can seem fantastical or even superstitious.

When confronted with phenomena or concepts that defy the boundaries of our current scientific knowledge, it's natural for human imagination to take over.

In such instances, the human mind, in its quest for understanding, often resorts to creating stories, myths, or mystical beliefs to fill the gaps in its knowledge.

These fantastical interpretations might involve tales of parallel universes, alternate dimensions, or even time travel, all of which stem from the yearning to make sense of the unexplainable.

While these ideas can be captivating and imaginative, they may not always align with our empirical understanding of the physical world.

In the realm of science, when faced with the intricacies of quantum physics or the mind-bending principles of relativity, it's not uncommon for people to seek refuge in more comprehensible, albeit less accurate, explanations.

This is where superstition and irrational beliefs often emerge, offering a comforting yet misleading lens through which to view the mysterious and unexplained.

Thus, the concept of the "otherworld" or dimensions beyond our comprehension continues to be a source of fascination and speculation.

It illustrates the delicate balance between our insatiable curiosity and the human inclination to craft stories and myths when the boundaries of science are stretched to their limits.

Much like the average human, Viktor's limited comprehension proved to be his blind spot, rendering him oblivious to the unfolding events when Jansen and Emilia faced their calamity.