The Cursed One : The Darkside of The World

The Beginning Of New Adventure

Jin is ready for his adventure. He starts to walk towards the empty roads. No travelers like him or any chariots that he sees on the road right now. "Miss Youra, Please wait, I will come and this time I won't have to go again." Jin said to himself. He can not wait to meet Youra again after 6 years apart.

***

"Is this the right way to En City?" Jin asked to himself when he meets a crossroad inside a forest in front of him. Jin has to go through mount Gaja, En city, and Baika forest before he can arrive at Sinmu City, the closest city to the Golden Flames sect's location. Jin turns his head in all directions to find anyone that he can ask for but the crossroad is empty of humans. The evening almost comes, that's why no one is seen on the road. At this time, most travelers prefer to stand a basecamp if they are in the middle of the forest or renting an inn if they are inside the city. It's very rare for them to travel during night time. The dark of the night will hinder their travel and it is dangerous for the horses as they might fall into the unseen holes along the road.

Jin had an idea, he climbs a tall tree to see Gaja Mountain, but from this position, Gaja mountain is covered by a thick mist and clouds, he can not see it at all. No choice, he has to pick one road and run as fast as he can to get into the city or the village before it is too dark. Jin prepares the stance and, "Syuuuut." He dashes forwards with magnificent speed and choosing the right path.

After running a few thousand steps, Jin sees a city in front of him. He stops his run and prefers to walk to avoid any suspicion. Jin reports himself to the guards at the city gate and asks the name of the city.

"Pardon me, Sir. What city is this?" Jin asked.

The guard seems surprised by the questions because he feels it is strange a person doesn't know what city they are heading to, but he keeps answering it. "This is Xian City, why were you asking? Are you lost or something?" The guard asked to make fun of Jin who he thinks is a funny person.

"Err... Yes, actually I am lost, Sir." Jin answered while smiling. The guard is surprised again by Jin's answer because he initially only asks that question to mock Jin.

"What is your name? How can you get lost? You are old enough to know the directions." The guard is curious now.

"My name is Jin, Sir. I want to go to En city, but I was lost at the crossroad inside the forest. I just pick randomly and here I am now." Jin said honestly.

"En City? Then you choose the wrong direction, young man. You should pick the left road. En city is on the other side of the big lake." The guard answered.

"I see, thank you, Sir. I will take a rest in this city." Jin answered and walk to get inside the city.

"Stop! Where are you going?" The guard stopping Jin from moving.

"Is there anything else, Sir?" Jin is curious about the guard's act.

"Anyone who wants to enter this city must pay 2 bronze coins for protection money. That's the rule." He said while opening his palm to get the money from Jin.

Jin is surprised because all this time, no other city guards that asking money before entering the city. "This is new to me, usually, we can enter any city for free." Jin trying to negotiate as he knows the guard is blackmailed him.

"That is the rule in this city, if you want to enter, then pay, if you don't want to then get lost." The guard becomes harsh to Jin.

"I am sorry, Sir. But I don't have any money at all."

The guard is looking at Jin from the top to the toe. "Get lost if you don't have the money! You just waste my time." He said harshly.

Jin doesn't have options except to walks away from the gate. He walks encircled the city walls to find the spot to jump inside, but all the part of the wall is being guarded tightly. The easiest way to enter the city is from the front gate.

Jin goes back to the front gate and the reception guard noticing his presence again. "Hey! Why are you still in here? Get lost before I put you in jail for disturbing our duty." He threatened Jin.

Jin looks at the front gate and he sees 3 other guards are standing but they seem bored and only chatting with each other without noticing his presence. While one guard that scolded him is sitting behind a desk. Jin walks close to the guards at the desk. That guard seems unhappy with Jin's presence.

"What do you want?! I will count to three, if you don't get lost, I will assume you want to breach into the city and I will attack you." That guard threatened Jin again.

"I just want to inform you there are some suspicious things on that part of the wall." Jin said while pointing his finger in a direction that he pick randomly.

The guard becomes curious and stands up to see the direction that is being pointed by Jin's finger. "Where is it? Don't try to fool me or you will get the consequences."

"No, Sir. Just look carefully in that direction." Jin said with a serious tone that makes the guard more curious and focusing his eyes on the direction that Jin is pointing.

After focusing his eyes for a brief amount of time, he still can not see the suspicious things that Jin was mentioned about and he becomes angry. "Hey! Are you trying to make fool of me?!" He scolded Jin again. He turns his head as he wanted to see Jin's face and beat him, but he is shocked when he can not found Jin's presence at all. He tries to look around but can not see Jin anywhere, this makes him confused, and scratches his head. He looks at his friends to ask if they saw a young and shabby man. "Hey, guys, did you see a young man with dirty clothes around here?" He asked to make sure if he was not dreaming or hallucinating.

"What are you talking about?!" One of his friends answered.

"I just talk with a young and dirty man and he just... He disappeared just like that!" He tells their friends.

Their friends didn't pay attention when he is talking with Jin before, they were too focused on their conversation, that's why they didn't notice Jin's presence. "No, we didn't see anyone. Maybe you are hallucinating, are you drinking some wine before going to work?" One of his friends doubted him.

"No, seriously guys. I am not dreaming and not drunk either. I saw and talked to a young man just a few moments ago." He insisted on what he saw. Suddenly, his mind says, "How if he was a ghost? And I have scolded a ghost! How if he comes to me tonight for a revenge?" He suddenly worried by his own thoughts and imaginations.

***

Inside the Xian city, Jin walks slowly while looking at the crowd situation. Previously, he intended to prank the guard who scolded him by making him confused with moving so fast until the guards unable to saw his movements. He entered the city through the gate right in front of the guards' noses easily without they were able to see him.

"Kruuuukkk!!!" Jin's stomach is trembling, he feels hungry as he still not eating any food since the early morning before Hyung Jae arrived at Airi's village. When he met Hyung Jae, he actually wants to borrow some money, at least for buying food today, But, his pride stopping him because of shame in front of Airi, and now he regrets it.

Jin decides to find temporary work for tonight, at least he needs money to eat and to sleep. He walks around the bustling city while looking for any work available. He sees a big food tavern and planned to apply for a job there, but he suddenly sees an old woman that is getting difficulties putting her big bag, which is heavy, to top of her chariot. Her chariot is pretty unique because it is not pulled by a horse, but by a donkey instead. Jin decides to help the old woman first before applying for a temporary job. Jin runs a little bit when sees the old woman almost falling because of the heavy weight of her bag. Jin managed to catch the old lady right before she falls down.