Chapter 28: Fluffy Fantasies/Arc 4.3

A young man ran as fast as he could, maneuvering around the trees as he raced for his freedom. His breathing was ragged and he was covered in dirt from his previous falls.

The clouds blocked the moon, causing the dense forest to seem pitch black. The little light shining through was all he could count on to make out what was in front of him.

His greasy hair blocked his face, only allowing his almond green eyes to peek through. The figure was a bit short, struggling to climb over obstacles in his way. His black hair, reaching his waist, was like a trail behind him as he dashed across the biome.

Every once in a while, he would look over his shoulders to check if his pursuers were near. His skinny legs were in excruciating pain, unused to traveling long distances.

His vision was growing blurry as exhaustion took its toll on him. Just as the stumbling figure could no longer hold on, he burst through the forest, out at last. Before the joy and relief could settle in, he noticed the view before him.

A cliff, not too high, not too low, but impossible for his feeble body to withstand. As the thoughts of turning around entered his head, he heard the shouts of the pursuers and the howls of their hounds.

Panic flashed across his face before he grit his teeth in frustration. There were only two choices left but he was reluctant to choose any.

A cry from a hound shocked him out of his daze and guided his decision. Taking a deep breath, he braced himself before jumping, his face filled with resentment and determination.

One thought crossed his mind as he fell, before hitting the ground, rolling and bumping against rocks and bushes half-way down. Bruises formed, blood flowed as he tumbled. He would have cried out with some regret for he greatly feared pain but by then,

He was dead.

_______________

A young boy covered his face once he awoke, trying to adjust his eyes to the light. The sun's warm rays embraced him and the songs of the birds welcomed him. As he sat up, he felt the soft grass beneath him as the sound of water rushing filled his ears.

His legs cried in pain as he struggled to stand up. The bruises on his body were covered in dry blood making his appearance even more pitiful. His hand pushed back the greasy hair blocking his view and he scanned his surroundings.

Hearing the rush of water, he walked towards the source, gritting his teeth when his blistered feet touched the ground. Soon, he came across a river and bent down on the bank.

Scooping up some water, he washed his muddy face before looking at his reflection. Almond green eyes stared back at him as he got down to business.

[ System, hurry and transfer the information. ]

[ Y-yes host. ]

[ …Why is it so easy this time? ]

[ Well, the higher ups were very satisfied with your efficiency and decided to give you a vacation world. Though I still think it's a bit hard. ]

[ Of course not. Once I find my slave he'll handle it for me in a few days. Ha, looks like I'm really on vacation. ]

[ … ]

The system gave up.

Chen Xiang smiled to himself as he planned what he'd do in this world. As he thought it over, he read over the information, trying to come up with a way to reveal his past to Zhou Jian once they met.

_ _ _ _

In this world, he was a human named Chen Xiang. Apparently the world had not only humans but also beast men. The original Chen Xiang was an unfortunate boy born into a poor family.

His kind mother got sick and passed away when he was six. His father on the other hand, was a cruel man who used to abuse his wife daily.

His mother would protect him, so the original had never been abused until she died. After her death, his father's drinking habits worsened and he badly abused the original for years.

When he turned 18, his father sold him to a slave owner, who took in the original as a sex slave. It had been 3 years since then and Chen Xiang could no longer take the abuse.

Instead of committing suicide, he escaped but was soon found out and chased. In the end, Chen Xiang chose to jump off the cliff instead of being captured and died from the fall.

_ _ _ _

Chen Xiang read through this and smirked. He had a hunch that Zhou Jian was growing suspicious of him so he needed to dispel the other's doubts.

He was sure that he could use this vacation world to deepen the man's feelings for him. Chen Xiang knew that there love couldn't last if it kept being cut short.

He'd died way too often for him to pass it off as a coincidence any more. Chen Xiang was also worried that the sharp Wang Tao would realize something and tell the other. Even if he had already, Chen Xiang was sure that it was nothing big yet.

[ Mmm, I'm sure Zhou Jian would love to have a lover who was dependent on him. After all, he's of high status and power so I'm sure he's the type whose ego would get a boost from that. I've tried it and seen it before in my original world, those men are really like that. ]

The transmigrator took from his previous experiences and labelled his slave as such. The fact that the man had fallen for him after he changed to being more obedient in the first world added to his confidence. It also gave him confidence that the older man would never fall for Wang Tao.

His hatred for Wang Tao had grown when he saw how close the two were in the third world. He'd tried many things but Zhou Jian seemed to trust the other greatly.

It had caused the transmigrator great frustration but now he could comfort himself. Chen Xiang laughed, remembering all the scenes of Wang Tao fighting in the second world, showing his great skill and independence.

[ Mm, now I need to find my slave. ]

Chen Xiang asked the system about the two's whereabouts before heading in that direction. He felt that he was extremely lucky when he heard the two were nearby. He quickly plotted something as he made his way there.

______________

Zhou Jian and Wang Tao strolled through the forest, observing ere surroundings. The two were on their monthly visit to the place where they grew up, something they'd been doing since moving out.

Nearing their cave, two pairs of ears twitched as they picked up on a cry. Glancing at each other, the two rushed towards the area. Arriving, they spotted a young man being chased by a tiger. It was right on his heels and was about to dive for the bite.

Zhou Jian jumped down from the tree they were perched on and gave a hard kick to the tiger. The beast was immediately sent flying, colliding with a tree before slumping to the ground. After a few seconds, it managed to stand and the animal fled with speed.

Ensuring that it was gone, Zhou Jian turned around to look at the young man. Wang Tao descended and walked up to the two, just in time to see the Zion's expression of surprise.

"Thank you so much good sir. I thought I would be dead."

His eyes watered as he thanked them profusely. He seemed to have been scared badly. Zhou Jian felt a pinch in his heart looking at his bruised lover and quickly comforted the other. Chen Xiang took the tissue handed to him and wiped his tears.

Wang Tao lowered his eyes as he waited for the two to finish. He already knew where this would go. Just as he suspected, Zhou Jian asked about the other and the boy answered vaguely, before admitting he had no where to go.

The loyal man of course offered for the other to come with them. His heart was in pain looking at the malnourished and injured figure in front of him and he was dying to stuff his lover with plates and plates of food.

Once the boy agreed, his green eyes shining in delight, the love struck fool held his hand as they left the forest and travelled back to B City.