#Announcement#
[A nine-feet tall orc, a small hobbit, a sleeping beauty, theoretically you can become anyone you desire here. The body transformation process is difficult and takes time to adjust to your form, here i'm talking about the form of your soul. The only way for you to ascend, is to forge the shape of your spirit through various methods. Some people struggle to perfect skills defining their existence, some lock themselves up, to witness the shape of their soul, and the most common (or the most popular choice) is to walk the path of trials created by the *Selim Horde*.]
[The world concists of matters and forms. Matter, as in the physical material of objects, for example skin, blood, bones for humans or stone and minerals for mountains.]
[Forms are the existences of those materials. A human is not a human just from having skin, bones and blood, a human is the form which merges those materials and creates the *essence* which we call souls.]
[A soul (or a consciousness) inhabits your body, but when it does, it cannot migrate to another one.]
[Multiple souls (consciousnesses) can inhabit one body.]
[The one that truly changes is not the matter, but the form, that is why no matter how much you train and try to change your body, nothing will happen without ascendence of your soul.]
#End of Announcement#
*****
Buildings reigning above mountains, coral gardens hanging from the clouds, flying horses and carriages shining brighter than suns. The metropolis of "Cerothine", my first day in the land of dreams and redemption. 'I need to find a way to ascend as soon as I can. Even a scrawny guy like me' I thought to myself while marching through the hologram displaying the announcement.
"Get your evaluation, best in town!"
"Potions, Instant potions. Today a special bargain, two in the price of one!"
"Hey maaan… are you looking for some fun?"
"Oh no thanks" - I replied. "" "Today is just my first day, besides I don't have any cash."
"Is that sooo… In that case, come by later I'm sure we'll work something out. - Hehe."
I was so thrilled. I couldn't have imagined a more exhilarating start in a new world. I realized, - "That's right, I am in another world'
*****
Through the crowd gathering to recruit the newcomers, I saw a person who piqued my interest, a young boy with a hood on his head, about the same age and hight as me, maby 5"6. But what caught my attention was his ears, they were sharp and longer than the average human.
"Didn't we tell you last time to not show yourself here again!"
A rough voice raised towards the guy I've taken interest in. I watched as he hid his head behind his hood, and begun to walk away quickly.
"Where do you think you're going boy!"
Three people rushed towards him, and before I knew it my body head in their direction aswell. I wasn't sure what was the problem or what were the customs of this place, but something didn't feel right, leaving him alone like this. '…' My mind was blank, I approached the men and blocked them while tripping and falling at the same time. "Ugh!" "Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there. Are you alright?" I said trying to stand up but i felt a harsh push on my back and fell on the ground again.
"You fucking prick, do you know whose way you just blocked."
"I already said that I'm sorry, geez." "Are you talking back now!?"
A croud started gathering around the commotion I caused - 'Purrfect just as I planned' - I thought. (I didn't plan it)
One of the guys beside him muttered. - "Stop Cain, don't waste time on this looser."
"That's right, remember that were here to do that." - Another one said.
"Tsk"
I looked at the boy with the hood as his face distorted with the gang following him again. He had a strong posture but his eyes begged to help him. A sight of a desperate young man, with no power to escape the rough situation.
"Thats right, listen to your Ass-kissers!" - I tried to sound as firm as possible, but to be honest, I was shitting my pants - 'Shiiit'
He looked at me, and then nodded. - "Hmm, so that's how it is" "…" "I don't think I've heard you clearly enough, why dont you rep…"
"Oh no I think you heard clearly when I said Ass-kissers. Or should I sweeten it up so you can hear better?" "…" "I said, Li-sten-to-your-Ass-kissing-Flattener-Boot-Licking-Lackeys since you cant control your actions yourself." - 'Goodbye cruel world, may you remember me as the good guy this once…' I cried to myself.
"Youuu ugly bastard!" —'It hurts more when I know it's true'
Before I could process what was happening, a boot connected with my stomach, launching all the air from my lungs. The world spun as I doubled over, my knees hitting the ground with a thud.
'Okay... maybe insulting the angry guy wasn't my brightest idea...'
"You've got quite the mouth on you for a newcomer." Cain cracked his knuckles, taking a step closer. "Though could I, even make you look worse than you do?"
My vision was still swimming when another kick came flying towards me. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for impact—but it never came.
"HALT!" A thunderous voice cut through the crowd. "By order of the Selim Guard!"
Through watery eyes, I saw three figures in gleaming silver armor pushing through the gathered onlookers. Their badges caught the light, displaying the city's emblem.
Cain froze mid-motion, his face twisting into something between anger and fear. "Guard Captain Vale, this isn't—"
"Isn't what, Cain?" The captain's voice carried steel in it. "Isn't you causing trouble with newcomers again?" She turned to her companions. "Detain them."
The other guards moved with practiced efficiency, their armor clinking as they surrounded Cain and his group. I noticed his lackeys suddenly didn't look so confident anymore.
'Well... that worked out better than expected,' I thought, still trying to catch my breath. 'Though I could've done without the kick to the gut.'
"Guard Captain, thank you for your assistance I don't know what I would've…"
"Him too" She said.
'Huuuuuuh…' I felt my hands being taken behind my back. "I'm sorry but I believe that there is a slight hickup, I wasn't the…"
"Shut your mouth"
"Yes maam"
*****
"Hey! Anyone there? I really need to use the bathroom!" I called out for what felt like the hundredth time in the past hour. The stone walls of my cell echoed my voice back mockingly.
'Maybe if I'm annoying enough, they'll let me out just to shut me up.'
"Guard! Guaaaaard! Did you know that in my world, we have this song that never ends? It just goes on and on, my friends! Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was..."
A guard's heavy boots stomped towards my cell. "By the Ancient Ones, will you PLEASE be quiet?"
"I will if you let me out!" I chirped, putting on my most irritating grin. "Or I could tell you about the time I counted all the threads in my sock. It was fascinating, really. Started with the big toe section—"
"Ugh!" The guard slammed his fist against the wall. "Captain Vale! The newcomer is doing it again!"
I heard the distinct sound of authoritative footsteps approaching. Captain Vale appeared before my cell, her silver armor gleaming even in the dim light. Her expression was caught somewhere between amusement and exasperation.
"I've received seventeen complaints about you in the last two hours," she said, crossing her arms. "That's a new record."
"Only seventeen? I must be losing my touch." I leaned against the bars. "Though in my defense, I've been working with limited material. Would you like to hear my rendition of—"
"Enough." She raised her hand. "I'll interview you now, if only to give my guards some peace."
The cell door creaked open, and two guards flanked me as Captain Vale led the way to an interrogation room.
'Well, being annoying actually worked. Note to self: add that to my list of useful life skills.'
We entered the dark room with one desk and two chairs, along with a chirping light above.
"ew" i said.
"Sit down" "…"
"So tell me, how did you manage to get yourself into a fight on your first day?"
"That's the thing captain, It wasn't a fight but a brutal beatdown."
"Let me rephrase" She said already annoyed. "Why cause such a commotion on the first day?" "I may be ugly, but I didn't do it on purpose. See I was simply walking where…"
"We know about the elf and the bounty, but how did you?" She leaned forward
'Bounty? Elf!?' I thought—"Unfortunately but I don't know about such thing"
"Then why did you help the elf escape" "…"
A moment of scilence arrived and though I had another joke on standby, this wasn't the time for it.
"I didn't want to see it, on my first day… I mean."
"…"
"Since I came here I thought that this world might be different, and that this land might not be as sorrow as the one where I lived." I paused "Even for a guy like me, I felt like I could feel freeier in my body." —'Yes I'm not really, much handsome, Happy!?'
"I just… I didn't want to see that poor boy beat up"
She sighed - "In any case, you managed to help us catch Cain, the Newbie Bull."
'HAH! What a dumb pseudonym' I thought out but instantly locked in due to the seriousness of this moment.
"So whether you're lying or not doesn't matter but keep in mind that we will have strict surveilence on you for a while." She leaned back and let out a deep breath
"Yes maam, I fully comprehend" - 'They might be a bother but at least I'll be free of thugs for a while'
"And don't call me maam"
"Yes, Mrs Guard Head Chief"
"I'm a dude you know"
"…"
*****