As the first light of dawn crept through the dusty windows of Kong's house, Silver stirred on the worn couch where he had spent the night. Despite the uncomfortable accommodations, he had managed to get some rest, albeit fitful, filled with strange dreams of swirling shadows and whispered voices.
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Silver sat up and stretched, feeling the stiffness in his limbs from sleeping in such an unfamiliar place. The snores of Kong echoed through the cramped house, a testament to the man's deep slumber. Silver quietly rose from the couch, careful not to disturb his host, and made his way to the door.
Stepping outside, Silver blinked in the early morning light, taking a moment to adjust to the brightness after the dimness of Kong's house. The streets were still quiet, the hustle and bustle of the city yet to fully awaken. Silver took a deep breath of the cool morning air, feeling a sense of anticipation building within him as he prepared for the day ahead.
As Silver stepped outside Kong's house, he was greeted by a stark contrast to the slums he had grown accustomed to. The air felt cleaner, devoid of the heavy scent of decay and desperation that lingered in the slum's alleys. Instead, it carried hints of freshly baked bread and brewing coffee, a tantalizing aroma that spoke of a different way of life.
The streets of this part of the city were wider and cleaner, lined with sturdy stone buildings that towered overhead. Compared to the ramshackle huts and crooked pathways of the slums, these structures stood as proud monuments to civilization, their facades adorned with intricate carvings and colorful banners fluttering in the breeze.
Silver's eyes widened in wonder as he took in the sights around him. People moved along the streets with purpose, their clothing more colorful and finely crafted than anything he had seen in the slums. Some carried strange contraptions that hummed and whirred with unseen energy, while others conversed animatedly with small devices held to their ears, their voices carrying in the crisp morning air.
As Silver observed the bustling streets of the more civilized part of the city, he couldn't help but notice the absence of familiar modern-day conveniences. There were no cellphones buzzing in people's pockets or glowing screens illuminating their faces with digital distractions. Instead, the focus seemed to be on the physical world around them, with individuals honing their bodies to chiseled perfection.
In this world, strength and prowess were prized above all else. The people he saw walking the streets had bodies sculpted through rigorous training and discipline, their muscles rippling beneath clothing tailored to accentuate their physical form. It was a stark contrast to the sedentary lifestyles and reliance on technology that had characterized his own world.
It was a culture shock compared to both of the places he came from, the shop stall owners looking over from one another talking about what they had for the day, he even overheard some conversations about the prices agreeing to sell certain things today for a few silver more than they did yesterday due to certain lack of resources.
Silver didn't notice the glint of disdain in his eyes at first. To him, the few silvers these people were talking about could have meant a small amount of meat for one of the children in the slums for the next three years. Shaking his head, he let go of the resentment. He knew he couldn't fix everything as they were, feeling powerless rather than powerful. Then again, he didn't delude himself into thinking he was a paragon of virtue. If given the silver to eat meat, he would have likely used it all on himself.
"I'm a hypocrite," he admitted to himself. "They're just living their lives. They don't know about the struggles of others and probably have struggles of their own." Reflecting on his own life, he acknowledged its comforts but also his lack of altruism. The feelings churning in his gut were a product of his circumstances, he realized.
Turning away, he re-entered Kong's place with a newfound perspective on the world, allowing the bodysuit to wrap around his body once more. Kong was already there, observing him as he stepped in. "Man, I have never seen a young child go through about twenty emotions in about two minutes, but I understand your view. You just came from the slums, that acceptance at the end is something you'll need from now on unless you gain control of the guild itself."
Silver wasn't sure when Kong had woken up or when he had started watching him. With a nod, Silver stretched his body before asking, "Master Kong, are we going to get me registered soon?"
"Impatient, you should learn to do things in order from now on. We'll be eating breakfast first, then getting you washed up—you stink like the backside of a monkey," Kong retorted, wrinkling his nose in mock disgust before laughing and tossing a bunch of things from the counter to the kid, taking a bite of a large stick of dried meat.
As Silver bit into it, his eyes lit up with anticipation. This would be the first time he had washed himself since arriving in this world, and he knew he felt dirty, his skin covered in oils. The body suit had taken care of some things for a time, ensuring dirt and grime didn't reach his skin, but it couldn't mask his current odors. He might have been the best-smelling child coming out of the slums, which wasn't exactly something to boast about, but he would take what he could get.
"You act like an old man, you know that? Usually kids would be asking so many questions with excitement trying to get everything they can from me. Instead it's always 'yes master kong'" The bigger man rolled his eyes, "If I didn't know better I'd think you were raised as a noble."
Kong took out a bottle of alcohol, pouring it down his throat as he looked at the boy, his eyebrow raised the strong scent filling the room, "At first I thought it was the shock of killing someone yesterday, but considering your body is about half way tempered to the second layer you are overly cautious. I think your bodysuit is influencing you, you should really take it off from time to time."
Silver savored the taste of the meat, his mind racing with thoughts. He had mentioned that the body suit helped calm his mind, allowing him to attribute his strange personality to it. But he didn't know what to ask; he had nothing to base his questions on.
"Honestly, I just don't remember much from before the guild. My family sold me off because I was a burden. I don't want to be one again."
He could tell that Kong didn't take his words to heart. Kong likely knew he was lying, and that much of what he had said was complete nonsense. But it wasn't something Silver would correct. There were too many secrets he had to keep.
Sighing, he felt a push to finally speak his mind for once. "Okay, fine. I don't trust any of you. Not this guild, nor you. Giving you more cards than I need to doesn't seem beneficial to me in the least." He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. "I don't want to stand out because it'll make me a target and expose my weaknesses. Taking someone by surprise has already saved my life once."
"Finally, something completely truthful from you, kid. You're going to make a great enforcer with that mindset," Kong remarked, a smile playing on his lips as he took another swig from his bottle. "They don't like idiots, and only an idiot would show someone everything they can do."
"I still don't see why you keep pushing me to be an enforcer. It seems like a dangerous job that will force me to reveal more of my abilities. Why not something safer, like delivery? My stamina would be perfect for it," Silver interjected lazily, chewing on the meat in his mouth.
"Delivery is safe?" Kong burst into laughter, his belly shaking with amusement. "That's one of the most dangerous jobs out there. Let's just say I think it'll help with some of the conflicts I see in you. It's an adult's job to guide."
Silver wanted to retort that he wasn't a kid, but considering he still hadn't hit puberty, he swallowed his words before they could escape. "Fine, I'll trust your judgment on this, Master Kong. But… I want that wash first."
Kong laughed heartily again, holding his belly as he slowly nodded. "Fine, fine, kid. You can use my bath. Take your time, too. You at least need to smell like me by the end of it, and I stink like booze and old leather. You got used to your smell, you little shit."
A genuine smile spread across Silver's face for the first time since he had been transported to this world. He wanted to retort, but he simply shrugged. He didn't know Kong well enough for such banter, so he shoved the rest of the food into his mouth instead.