When I was four years old, I explored the diverse places of the Kingdom of Aurum. As a member of the royal family, I was never allowed to roam around alone. However, one day, my naive and curious nature got the better of me, and I secretly snuck out through the castle gates.
Inside me, a mix of emotions brewed. While the gate guards were occupied with a one-star beast, I furrowed my brow, gritted my teeth, and moved forward with trembling legs, leaving the safety of the castle behind. Although I had successfully sneaked out, I remained cautious and carefully planned my temporary escape. Fearful of being caught, I hastily moved through the dirty bushes. Despite the grime and filth, I forced myself to continue.
When I finally emerged from the bushes, a powerful blue ray of sunlight greeted me, accompanied by a gentle breeze. I stood still for three peaceful minutes, organizing my chaotic thoughts.
"Hmmm…" I muttered as a memory resurfaced. My small body relaxed, and any lingering traces of fear disappeared from my face.
I had often been told about Aurum's strength and authority. It was known as one of the most powerful and wealthy nations to ever exist. These stories always brought a smile to my face. Suddenly, a delicious aroma interrupted my thoughts. Within seconds, I identified the source of the smell.
"Three-star roasted skewers?" I mumbled, my mouth watering, as my stomach growled loudly.
Ahead of me lay a bustling marketplace filled with various foods and goods. I had never seen so many people gathered in one place. The last time I visited this market with my uncle and his bodyguards, it was much less crowded, and the people were scattered. My small legs carried me into the throng of people as I squeezed my way through to see what was happening at the center of the crowd.
After a grueling ordeal of pushing and ducking, my frail body finally reached its destination. My expression immediately changed—I was both horrified and shocked by what I saw.
In the middle of the assembly stood a tall, slender man dressed in colorful clothing that resembled the attire of a jester. His pale white face was partially concealed by a black-and-white mask, covering his nose, cheeks, and eyebrows. His turquoise-green hair looked artificial, likely dyed. However, what shocked me the most were the injured, naked people. They were chained by heavy metal collars and looked no different from livestock.
A loud announcement interrupted my stunned thoughts.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I, Meruem Psy, present to you these wonderful, tamed slaves!"
As he spoke, Meruem tactlessly grabbed the chest of a pale, lifeless-looking female slave. The woman gritted her teeth and let a tear fall. Next, he yanked her golden hair with force, making her shut her eyes tightly as her tears formed a small puddle on her chest.
With an open mouth and a hint of disgust on my face, my four-year-old self fled the scene as quickly as possible. That was the first time I witnessed the dark side of Aurum.
---
After about two hours of processing the horrifying images in my mind, I managed to think clearly again and arrived at the last destination of my journey for the day: the Great Forest. Recently, I had been feeling increasingly bored and had started taking greater risks, like sneaking peeks under the skirt of my well-endowed swordsmanship teacher. But today, my curiosity led me toward the dense, mysterious forest.
When I entered the vast, thick woods, my body was overwhelmed with fear and dread. Every inch of my skin was covered in goosebumps as I ventured deeper. Yet, alongside my fear, I also felt a spark of excitement. I discovered many new things—plants I had never seen before and strange insects I had never encountered.
As I spotted a small caterpillar, I spoke to it:
"Hey, little guy, are you all alone too?"
Of course, it didn't respond. I crouched down, extending my tiny arm toward the caterpillar.
"Ouch!"
The caterpillar pricked my thumb with its tiny stinger, causing a small swelling.
"Ahh, darn it…" I muttered in frustration.
Suddenly, about eight tall silhouettes appeared in the distance.
"We can't let our biggest prize escape!"
"Yeah, I know that, idiot. Where is the little prince?"
"Shut up, you fools, or he'll hear us!"
Hearing their voices made all my internal alarms go off. Filled with panic and fear, I hid behind a wide Emperor Tree, trying to get a better look at the strangers. After a short while, I recognized some of them.
"It's the slave trader!" I realized instantly.
As the slavers got closer, I began running as fast as my little legs could carry me.
"There he is!" one of them shouted.
Crying and sobbing, I sprinted deeper into the forest. Exhausted and desperate, I noticed the men closing in on me. Suddenly, I turned sharply to the right and dived into a bush full of blood-red roses. The thorns pierced my small, frail body in over twenty places.
"Mmhrr…" I muffled my cries by holding my bloody hand over my mouth, making no sound.
"He was here last!"
"Damn it… We've searched everywhere!"
Dejected and angry, the slavers eventually gave up and left the forest.
---
Two hours after the men disappeared, I woke up. All I saw was darkness. As I opened my mouth, dirt and tiny worms fell inside.
"Ugh, disgusting!" I exclaimed, spitting out the filth.
Stretching my sore body, I furrowed my brow, trying to piece together what had happened.
"I was being chased… I ran, turned, and hid in a rose bush."
"Wait a second…"
My eyes widened as I remembered why they couldn't find me. The roses had protected me! Suddenly, a strong green aura surrounded me, and I felt an unfamiliar power brewing inside me.
"No way…"
At that moment, I realized I had become a cultivator of the "Gardener" class.