"...So what the hell was that?" I turned towards the chaos that has been created.
Rael brushes off the dirt from his cloak as he responds with, "A mess."
"That Phantom guy, disappeared without leaving a trace." Surprised I was.
"Yeah, that's kind of his thing." Rael responded.
First of all, how did I get transported to this world? And why? In a moment I was in my room, and the other moment, I found myself in the market...
This doesn't make sense, not to mention I have zero survival skills!
"What are ya spacing out for?" He glared at me as I was dumbfounded.
"Nothing."
"Let's get outta here."
"Huh? Why should I follow you?"
"Stop being unappreciative, let's be real. You dunno a thing 'bout this place right?"
Fuck.
The bastard's right on that.
"Stop spacin' out." He started walking ahead, and flicked his wrist, signaling me to follow.
"Let's get outta here slowpoke, before we get caught up in another mess."
Without waiting for my answer, he kept moving.
I got nowhere to go anyway, I guess... I'llfollow.
The alley was a total mess, trash were scattered probably due to the gust of wind that had hit earlier. Rael took a smooth turn back to the alley where we had met.
"You dunno a thing about this place," He stated as we walked forward, "so where did ya came from?"
To his question, I responded, "A country called Japan."
"Japan? Hm..." He stopped, "Never heard of it." He responded as he started moving again.
I wonder why he hasn't heard of a place called Japan in this world.
Hehe.
The main road where the marketplace was located, was near. "I ain't an expert 'bout this city, I have only been here for a few days," He paused as he observed the market which was left into chaos.
A merchant shouted in frustration, his voice carried with rage. "That was a whole week's worth of stock! Who the hell's gonna pay for this!?"
"Did you see that fight? Phantom just vanished into thin air!"
"I heard he took down a knight like it was nothing. Cedric, of all people!"
"The Knights should've done something! What are they even paid for?"
Gossip ran through the market, about the fight that had just happened.
"This shit has been destructed badly, anyway this place's supposed to be the main trade center of Kaldor."
"Trade center? I heard that this place's also known as city of wolves?" I questioned, it was bright sunny noon, we had just exited the alley.
"City of wolves? Probably cuz it ain't safe at night."
That's what I heard from that old guy as well.
He continued, "If you stick alone, you're probably gettin' robbed or even worse."
"It's a mess here." I muttered.
He heard me, "Of course it is, you genius."
Guards?
Guards, a group of them had arrived, observing the mass wreckage, "Tch, of course we arrive after everything's already ruined."
"We've had three disturbances this month alone. The Commander's gonna have our heads."
"... Fuck. I don't want to report back to the Commander."
"No sign of Phantom, huh? Figures. That bastard's quick like a rat."
"Forget finding him, just keep the people calm and clear the wreckage."
An old man approached the guards, kneeling on the ground and begging them, "Please, sirs, have mercy! That stall was all I had, my life's work! How am I supposed to feed my grandchildren now?"
"At least give me something… anything! The city should take responsibility, shouldn't it? I paid my dues, my taxes, now I'm left with nothing!" He lowered his head further, his forehead touching the dirt. "I beg you… I won't last another week like this…"
As we left the market, gossips could still be heard, it didn't calmed down. "You know, it wasn't always like this. Kaldor used to be a place where people felt safe."
"Another day, another disaster. Isn't this the third time this month?"
Rael laced his fingers behind his head, as he walked, a casual gesture meant to keep himself at ease. "Just to make it clear I ain't your tour guide."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it." I scoffed.
I noticed a sign, which read 'Vertheris',
Heh? This isn't Japanese, doesn't seems like it's English either... I can read it?
This doesn't make any sense... Come to think of it, I can also understand their languages.
I read another sign to confirm it wasn't a fluke, I could read it.
What the fuck?
Due to me being lost in thoughts, I hadn't noticed my surroundings beforehand, where now I found myself with crowd again, footsteps and chatters. But the people had a different vibe compared to the people I saw in the town previously.
He stopped, "Here we are," he took a deep breath, "Vertheris the center of the town, also known as the hub of passerby."
Hub of passerby? A common place where travelers cross paths? Possibly.
"So exactly, why did you brought me here?"
He headed forward, "There ain't no particular reason, I just got business to do."
"Business?"
"I made it clear I ain't your tour guide," He paused, "you follow me around cuz you dunno where to go." he said as he approached a guy that seemed like he was in his mid 20s, "Not to mention ya owe me one."
The man he approached was just a little taller than me, who wore a green cloak under his long black coat. His face seemed tired and had a messy brown hair that seemed overgrown.
It's hot in here, how can he wear such clothing? He earned my respect, what a dedication, trying to look mysterious as possible!
"I haven't see ya in a while, Dain!" Exclaimed Rael.
The guy glared at Rael as if he was annoyed to his presence, "We just met a few days ago."
To his response, Rael stated "Ain't that was about several days ago." No response came back from Dain, "Anyway how long are we gonna stay in this town?"
"Don't know, but probably for more days."
Rael put his hand on his chin, "I see..." He continued, "Anyway, I met this broke ass who got lost."
I was not satisfied with that description of me, "That's a rude way to put it."
The guy took a glance, "I am Dain Rutherford." He said in an expressionless tone, his name sounded European. "Yuma Tanaka, nice to meet you."
Near me was a stall, I heard the sizzle of meat and my stomach growled painfully. Dammit, I hadn't realized how hungry I was.
And to make matters worse, they noticed my stomach growl,
"You broke ass right?" I didn't realized when but Rael brought and tossed a wrapped piece of bread at me.
"Eat, dumbass. Can't have you passin' out on me." No matter how much I can be unappreciative to this guy, I had to appreciate, on this matter.
As I ate the bread and sat on the bench of one of the stalls, I noticed Vertharis was different than what I had seen from Kaldor. Wandering Traders were present, different traders probably from different cultures wore and sold different stuffs. Instead of locals, travelers were more common here, they occupied the rows of the food stalls, the shop stalls, and the rest of the place.
Aside from my far surroundings, near me I noticed Rael went off somewhere while Dain was in front of me, "Strange clothes you got there." Dain's eyes turned to my clothes.
Track pants and a black t-shirt with a brand logo on it, of course it'd look strange to people in this world. I probably look suspicious.
"Yeah, I am not from around here."
His face had a look which felt like he was not buying it. "You see, I was robbed and it lead to me being broke."
"Oh, I see." He replied keeping his response calm.
I overheard a group of people, "You know how Phantom appeared here today right?" said one, he continued. " I actually saw him today, he single handily defeat the knight Cedric."
"Didn't Phantom made a wreck? Why didn't the Umbrals appear?" Questioned one of them.
He responded with, "I heard they only appear at night."
"Umbrals?" I muttered.
"It's not worth of a much thought into it, I heard they are sacred beings that protect the city during twilight and night." It was Rael, he had came back.
Sacred beings that appear during twilight and night?
"Unless you're some crazy bastard, who has done some crazy shit to piss them off, they won't target you."
"Anyway, where did you wander off to?" I got up, I had just realized the bright sun's color turned orange, it was evening.
"None of your business."
I scoffed, shoving my hands into my pockets. "I see."
"You're still running those errands? One day it's gonna catch up to you. It's better to figure out ourselves."
Errands?
"Dain, got a place to stay? It's almost time for night fall." Skipping his question.
Come to think of it, it's getting colder, compared to the warm air I had experienced a while ago.
And then I noticed a tall figure at the far end of the street.
What the hell is that? It looks like a tall wolf?
"Yeah," Dain responded to Rael.
Rael kept walking unconcerned. "Lead us will ya? This guy and I am kinda homeless ya know?" Then I noticed another up at the rooftop, it felt like it was deeply glaring at me.
"The hell is that?"
Rael turned to the figure, his expression barely shifted, "That shit is kinda scary ya know?"
Is that what they call the Umbral?
The Umbral descended down from the roof, breaking one of the tables of the other stall,
*CRACK*
*CLAK*
The sound of the table breaking, and the glass rang through my ears,
"Run!", "What is going on!?" Voices of panic ran through the market,
"Hey what the hell?" I spoke out in confusion.
Another one appeared from the back, and the one at the far end of the street from the front had started moving closer.
"Shit, what's going on here?" Rael shouted.
Dain's tone shifted from calm to a sense of carrying unease. "This is strange..."
The nearest Umbral dashed and lunged, slashing his sharp claws through the air.
I dodged it, barely. My body moving before my brain could process it. I turned, another one leaped. I ducked, legs nearly giving out as I stumble back, narrowly avoiding its claws.
The fuck? They are only targeting me? What have I done?
I got no time to think, move!
I ran.
Fast as I could, I got an adrenaline boost, the sound of footsteps, no something faster, but it was not theirs but mine. They didn't create any sound.
I dodged left and right continuously.
Fuck! Shit! Shit! I will be dead at this point!
Then,
*BAM*
I slammed into someone. Hard. My balance gave out, legs twisting. The world seemed to tilt.
Shit! I'm falling!
Not here, Not now!
Huh? My momentum stopped?
A hand grabbed my collar, pulling me back up.
"Hey slowpoke! Why the hell are they chasing ya?"
It was Rael, his voice, at least. But in the next moment, he was gone."
"Fuck!" My heat beat thumped fast,
"As if I know!" I shouted back, but I wasn't even sure where to aim my voice.
Another leaped, slashing it's claws if I had been a second late, my head would've been cut off by now.
Too fast. Too many.
I can't keep this shit up!
"Your rate of survival is low!" A familiar voice came, but from where? I had no time to analyze that.
"You don't have to tell me that!" I shouted back.
A blur to my side, one of them cut me off. I got no way out.
I hit the ground hard, there was no escape. The weight of the Umbral pressed down, its smoky, shifting claws ready to tear me. I stared into its hollow, glowing eyes.
I am dead.
It was a fun time living.
Then, I saw a flash of silver, and a sound of metal which hit the ground.
*Clank~!*
A knife fell onto the ground.
From above a voice rang out, "Pick it up or you'll die, dumbass!"
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