Ch1 - So, I read some manhwas...

Lately, I've been really into reading Korean manhwas, especially the ones about martial arts and murim. It's interesting how they take typical storylines and actually make them enjoyable every time.

There are a few of them that combine medical into the genre too which makes it even more interesting... But I'm not talking about Chinese Manhuas.

They tend to repeat the same plot: the protagonist trains, faces challenges, defeats the bad guys, gets the heroine, defeats the bad guys again, obtains another heroine that will be forgotten after 5 chapters, and the cycle repeats. Even when it's a comedy genre, the main character usually gets a "system" that bosses them around like a slave.

(A/N: at this point, I'm just ranting about how manhuas are bad in general. So I guess I should stop...)

So... why did I bring that up? Well, as you can see...

"I just wanted to read some manhwas..." That was me, expressing frustration at the bizarre situation I found myself in.

Firstly, my body has shrunk. And no, I don't think I ingested any mysterious drugs like a certain high school detective. Secondly, my hair is long, reaching down to my waist. The last time I checked, it was never this long.

Thirdly, "WHERE THE HECK AM I!?!!!" I yelled that part out loud. It was a wilderness, with dry ground and sparse wild grass, but what really caught my attention was the presence of numerous dead bodies!

I noticed some wood fragments scattered around, along with two carriages and three wagons, all overturned as if ambushed. The outfits on the lifeless bodies were unforgettable—they were dressed in Chinese hanfu, just like the ones seen in manhuas.

And now as I glance at my attire, it's quite similar... But mine has more embroideries compared to their plain ones, even with the dirt on my clothes they're quite visible. Am I really in Murim right now? Or is this one of those situations where you transmigrate into Murim manhwas!? Hopefully, it's not a Xianxia...

*Clip-clop-clip-clop-clip-clop* A loud noise echoed around. I couldn't be sure how others heard it, but to me, it sounded like the thunder of galloping horses. It seemed to come from the west. How could I tell? Because I glimpsed groups of men, or rather their silhouettes, riding on galloping horses against the backdrop of the setting sun.

But as soon as they arrive closer, I think it's time for me to worry about myself. Their appearances are rough, tattered, and equipped with shabby equipment. In a worse-case scenario: they might be bandits.

"Hey! One guy's alive!" shouted the man leading the scruffy horse riders, pointing his curved sword at me.

Then he glanced at the guy next to him. "What... Wait, boss! I thought they were all dead a few hours ago!" Another younger, but scruffy-looking guy shook his head under the leader's angry gaze.

I was right—they're bad guys. They were talking about attacking some carriages. When they arrived, they saw me, a messy kid sitting among the dead, looking confused.

"Tch, Oi... what was it about that group who buys slaves that you told me about?"

"Boss... Those groups left a few days ago, we won't be able to sell this kid." I suppose this is the part where I run away... Hm??!

*Zing*

"Wh- what the hell is that?!!" It happened so suddenly—a swirling vortex appeared right in front of me. It was a mix of purple and blue, spinning like a whirlpool, just like something out of a protagonist's adventure story.

It was a portal.

"Shit! Boss, I think that kid is someone from a sect!" Immediately they throw all kinds of speculations at me. Finally something.... no, someone come out from it. Two figures emerged from the cliché portal.

One was a big, muscular guy with copper skin. He wore a dark cape and had blonde hair. He had a wide grin on his face and folded arms, showing off his arrogant attitude.

The other was a girl... or maybe a guy? She had long platinum-blue hair and golden eyes. They looked incredibly beautiful. Despite wearing an all-black fur coat, their demeanor didn't quite match. If I took a closer look at their faces, I might have noticed they looked alike, maybe they were siblings?

"Ku-"

eh??

"KU-HAHAHAHA! We've finally arrived, it has been such a long time since we had the classic good ol' Veldora and Rimuru's adventure!!"

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A few minutes later...

"AAAAAKHHH!!!!"

"KUHAHAHA! REJOICE! FOR YOU ALL ARE BLESSED TO WITNESS MY 『Veldora's Killing Arts!』"

It turned into a massacre shortly afterward. How? And why?

Well... I was quite confused on that part too. I couldn't fathom how they managed to pick a fight with those two mysterious figures who emerged from a portal. One thing was clear: they possessed powers, though it was obvious they weren't martial artists.

Even then, the bloodbath I saw that day was spectacular...

"Hey there, are you okay?" a woman asked as she helped me to my feet. Despite a few scratches, I could stand, but the background screams and a creepy laugh made my skin crawl.

"Yeah, I'm okay... Thanks for rescuing me," I replied, grateful I didn't have to face bandits just after arriving in this strange place.

She smiled warmly. "Here~" she said. *Pop* I was quite surprised. Suddenly, a blob formed in her hand and exploded, covering me like slimy water. Strangely, I felt my injuries heal as the slime enveloped me. It was like a potion...

Even though their voice was girlish, their mannerisms were more neutral. In general, they looked like someone who could be both male and female. I look over to the bloodbath caused by the topless slaughterer. He kept screaming "Veldora's Killing Arts" or whatsoever...

Even though I doubt that's even an actual martial art. Hmm? Martial arts? Right, I think some memories of this body are coming back to me now..."Veldoraaaa~ Don't kill them okaay~?" The girl stated playfully. I suppose that guy's name is "Veldora" then...

"Hey, I'm Rimuru, what's your name?" Once again she smiled and looked at me.

Rimuru...? Veldora? Obviously, with names like that, I doubt they're from this world either, just like me. "I... I don't really remember my name," I admitted, truthfully.

Even my name before transmigrating wasn't in my memories either. I can make up some random name but what name am I supposed to say when we're inside this Murim world? Kim Jong-un?

"Hmm?" (S)he tilted her head to the side. "Well, can I just call you 'Haruto-kun' for now? Since you were in this situation, I take it you're in trouble as well?" In trouble? Well, I am. They were bandits, after all.

Aside from that, Haruto? Why did she give me a Japanese-origin name for some reason? "I think you should come with us for the time being. Besides, we just got here, we need a guide--- not that we expect anything from someone with no memories though..." Thus, she stated.

"Sure..." Suddenly, it got quiet."Rimuru! I've dealt with them," Veldora declared, appearing with folded, bloodied hands. For some reason, he was levitating, looking like a character straight out of Dragon Ball.

Despite his claim, I doubted the bandits were dead, as I could still see some of them moving.

"Good work~~ " Rimuru responded as if they were coworkers who just finished some overtime work.

It's weird... somehow I can communicate and understand their words. As if any of their voice can be immediately translated- No, as if I understand their words without knowing any of their vocabularies.

And... -kun? -san? I suppose those are Japanese suffixes? How am I even understanding their words?

"Well then... I guess this shall be the start of our little vacation, Right Haruto-kun?"

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To be continued