Soul Land: A Foreign Fantasy

[Wang Jin's perspective]

Where am I? 

As I slowly opened my eyes, the remnants of a deep, restless slumber clung to me like a heavy mist. My body throbbed with pain, each movement igniting sharp darts of agony that coursed through my limbs. It felt as though I had been crushed beneath an avalanche of debris, the weight of the world pressing down on me. No, "trapped" would be a more fitting word for my predicament. I strained to look around, but the oppressive darkness enveloped me, swallowing any semblance of light or hope.

My body was far from whole; I could barely manage a twitch, let alone a coherent movement. A sense of despair washed over me as I pondered my circumstances. I couldn't shake the thought of Sheng Zhi. I prayed fervently that he was safe, that he hadn't met a fate worse than this. What kind of cursed luck had befallen us?

I scanned my surroundings, my heart racing as I frantically searched for the ring I had brought with me. It was my only hope—a glimmering promise of escape—if I could just find it and absorb its power. But given the cruel twist of fate I seemed to be entwined with, what were the odds of stumbling upon it in this vast desolation?

Sheng Zhi had warned me, his voice echoing in my mind like a distant memory, cautioning against absorbing the ring right away. He believed it could have dire, irreversible consequences for me. Yet now, faced with the grim reality of my situation, finding the ring felt like an impossible task. Each shadow felt like a mocking reminder of my plight, while I grappled with the growing weight of despair.

Ah, how profoundly I long for those carefree days when Chen and I would engage in our daily quarrels, our heated exchanges ringing through the air like a symphony of youthful defiance. Shieng Zhi would always intervene, a calming presence amidst our playful chaos, reminding us of the bonds we shared. How much has changed since those vibrant times!

Since arriving in this new world, my entire existence has been turned on its head. I've found a family, and remarkably, I've been reunited with those two once more—such a serendipitous twist of fate. Yet, amidst all this joy, the sigil of Gilgamesh weighs heavily on my heart. It evokes bittersweet memories, a reminder of trials past, yet it also stands as a formidable treasure.

I had dreamt of immersing myself in the wonders of this realm, Soul Land, alongside my friends, relishing every adventure together. However, it seems that my destiny is steering me toward a different path, and I can't shake the feeling that my time here is drawing to a close.

Crash*

"you seem to have some fight"

Hun? What's happening? It seems someone's voice is coming through these walls.

"Sheng Zhi, is that what you call yourself"

Sheng Zhi! He is there, he is alive. I need to move.

"So sad, you will die today."

What?

Sheng Zhi?

Die?

If I heard that voice on a more normal occasion then I might have been scared, but he, SAID THAT HE WILL KILL MY BROTHER!

Anger surged through my veins like molten lava, and as the throbbing pain in my body began to fade, a shimmering golden aura enveloped me, flickering like a flame in the darkness. For a fleeting moment, I sensed its warmth, but there was no time to ponder its significance. The voice echoed relentlessly in my mind, compelling me to act. I pushed forward, hurling myself against the rubble with every ounce of strength I could muster, but my efforts appeared futile; the debris yielded not an inch.

As I scanned my surroundings, illuminated by the radiant glow of my golden aura, my eyes fell upon the Ring of the Golden Beetle. Memories flooded back, warnings of its dangerous allure flashing in my mind. Assimilating with the ring could be a perilous gamble, but did that truly matter? I thought of my brother, and the chilling reality set in: a perfect body at the cost of his life—could I bear to make that choice? Would it even matter at all?

I grabbed its ring and immediately assimilated with it, the golden aura shone even more profoundly.

I could feel strength surging through me. With the knowledge of the emperor, I had I shouted, "Chain of heavens!"

Multiple golden chains appeared from the Gate of Babylon, piercing all the rubble that lay ahead.

I rushed hoping that I wasn't late. And indeed I wasn't.

Sheng Zhi stood tall bleeding from various wounds. i scanned the room and locked eyes with him—an almost ethereal figure with a vaguely defined shape. I might have looked weak, but look at Sheng; that was far from the truth. Did it even matter anymore?

With unwavering confidence, I stepped into the battle, determined to show everyone my strength and assert my dominance. Filled with courage and pride, I spoke up, ready to command their attention and respect, "How dare you, mere MONGREL!"