Finally, Duan finished explaining everything.It had taken him several hours to answer all the questions the others had asked.
Of course, I didn’t sit there with them the whole time.I wandered around the hotel and ate more food, even responding to Izel’s sarcastic comments.
Now, I was sitting at the bar while the hotel owner prepared a cold drink for me.
Suddenly, someone came and sat in the chair beside me. Without turning, I knew it was Elliot.
"Are you sure you’re going to do this alone? It would be better to join us instead of risking your life."
I didn’t answer him. Instead, I lifted the glass of beautiful blue drink and took a sip, while Elliot kept chattering beside me.
"Did you even hear anything the officer said? You’ve been playing here and there for the past hours."
I drank the last of my glass and set it down, then forced myself up from the chair.
When Elliot saw I was leaving, he hurriedly asked:"Where are you going?"
I looked at the door leading outside and headed toward it."Outside, for a walk."
I waved to the others, who still seemed to be discussing, before their gazes stopped on me."Good luck, guys."
I reached the door and went out. The last thing I heard was Izel’s voice:"Make sure to die quietly in a dark corner."
...
I walked through the dilapidated streets of Karthen, blending in with the residents.
It was six in the evening, and the sun began painting the sky with colors.
I walked toward the southern part of the city.
As I watched the beggars scattered along the roadside, wearing tattered cloth rags and holding up their hands to anyone passing by,
it reminded me of the neighborhood I lived in during my previous life,where gangsters and drug dealers had spread, making ordinary people’s lives constantly troubled.
"Even in another world, life is still the same."
While walking, a bakery selling pastries caught my attention. My stomach growled as I smelled the aroma escaping from the store."A little snack before starting won’t hurt."
After a few moments, I left the store with a paper bag containing some warm pastries. I walked a little while holding a piece, and in one bite I devoured half of it.
As I enjoyed the flavor, I felt a slight tug at my pants.I lowered my head to see a small child.
He looked to be five or six years old, wearing rags, with fingers red and swollen from the cold, and his small face covered in dirt.
His lips trembled, and in a weak, soft voice he said:"I’m hungry... please..."He pointed to the bag in my hand, his expression pleading.
It was obvious he had experienced better days.
It reminded me of those painful days, and of the reality of this world... where these people die every day, and no one cares.
I sighed and handed the bag to the child. With trembling hands, he held it tightly, as if it would fly out of his hands at any moment.He even bowed to me.
"Thank you, sir."
The next moment, he ran into a certain alley, while my eyes followed him from where I stood.
There were many children like him, little girls standing barefoot, blood seeping from their feet.
Once he reached them, he began distributing the contents of the bag among them, leaving nothing for himself.From here, I could see the happiness on their faces as they bit into the pastries.
Others sat in corners seeking warmth, exhaustion clear on their faces.
"For the nobles to get a fancy slice of meat, dozens starve in places like this."
This didn’t mean I opposed it... after all, that’s how the world works, from beginning to end.
I turned and returned to the bakery.
After a few moments, I came out with several large bags.
I walked to that alley, and many passersby stared at me.I entered, the heavy smells filling my nose, while all the children turned toward me, most looking at me with fear painted in their hollow eyes.
"Come here."
My voice echoed in the dark alley.
They looked at each other, unsure of what to do, except for one child who stepped forward.It was the same one I had given the bag to.
I extended the bags toward him."Take these and distribute them to your friends."
Without hesitation, he reached toward the bags... or so it seemed.
Instead, he grabbed my hand, his small fingers curling around it.He smiled at me... a confused smile... but beautiful.
"You’re a kind person, sir."
After these words, he took the bags and went to distribute them to the other children.I watched him for a few moments before a soft laugh escaped my lips.
"Heh... me? Really?.."
I waited there for a few moments, then felt them.
Two people approached me from behind, surrounding me, one from the right and the other from the left.
"Look at what we have here... a young man with noble manners distributing food to these poor kids."One spoke, throwing his arm over my shoulder and leaning against me.
When the children saw this, they froze in place, fear etched on their faces.
"He seems rich, impossible to miss someone like him. Maybe he’s new here."He said to his companion.
I showed my tension and fear on my face.
The other approached me, grabbed my face, and pulled it close."Oh... what a beautiful face. Maybe the boss will like this one."I even smelled his foul breath.
I tried to push him away like any normal person would."Get away from me."
But he looked at me and then stepped back calmly, a malicious smile on his face.
The other tapped my shoulder."Listen, you might be new here, so you don’t know how things work... fine, I’ll explain."
"We are the Southern gang. We control this place... we are the law and judges here. Everything we say is enforced, or... you won’t like it."
I nearly failed and rolled my eyes at his words.
Classic.
I froze in place out of fear, while the other tapped my shoulder, speaking in a malicious tone:"Look at him, he’s frozen in place."
Then he gestured to his friend."Listen, you’re lucky today. We’re in a good mood... so come quietly, buy us some drinks, and we’ll let you leave safely."
"Really... you’ll let me go if I do that?"I asked in a trembling voice.
The two men nodded."We promise."
I pointed toward a direction in the street."There’s a pub there, then let’s go there if you want."
One of them smiled and looked at his friend before turning back to me."No... not there. We know a better place, so come with us."
"F... fine."
One of them wrapped his arm around my neck and dragged me away from the alley, while I could only follow quietly.
We walked through the streets, and people stared at us with pity, muttering things like:"Look at that poor young man... seems like they’re going to make him their toy tonight."
Their toy? What do you mean, you scum?
Anyway, I walked with them until darkness engulfed the streets, while they talked to each other as if I weren’t there."We’re really lucky today... feels like we got a golden fish."
We walked until the buildings dwindled and people disappeared completely.
We arrived in front of a four-story building. Light shone from all its windows, and even outside we could hear the loud noise inside.
"Is... is this the place?"I asked in a trembling voice.
They didn’t answer me. Instead, the one holding me pushed the door open and dragged me inside.
The tables were scattered chaotically, while many intimidating people sat at them.They were shouting at each other and laughing, spilling drinks everywhere.
Even as we entered, the place fell silent.
Everyone stared at me... with hungry eyes, smiles forming on their faces as if they had gotten a new toy.
Me too.
I smiled.