Chapter 15- Scenery Inside the Portal
Jhin was teleported out of the room through unknown method.
"Carrot and Stick huh?" He sighed, the statue's way of doing things made him recall his past. Usually, it was him who punishes his workers and employees while also giving them rewards for their efforts. He didn't expect that such event would occur to him.
He wanted to curse the statue for making him a slave. However, the more he pondered about the statue's actions, the more he sympathizes it. No matter which angles he looked at it, Jhin realized that the statue's method was to his approval.
Given the chance to turn back time, he would certainly create restrictions to the people around him. Perhaps, except from his parents who wants nothing but his good, he would've guarded himself to everyone.
Life is full of deception. Everything is uncertain. If even a God couldn't evade a vomit, how could a mortal escape the control of fate – the unknown string that facilitates everything. Even the person whom he gave his heart and commitment stabbed him on his back.
In the end, Jhin could only sigh repeatedly, "Life is really interesting. It's full of plot twists."
He stared ahead. At the countless ashen clouds with golden hue that littered the sky and were reflected in the clear and calm lake underneath.
As he scanned his surrounding, Jhin realized that he was standing in a wide platform made of grey stones. At its every corner stood a huge and ancient gate.
"What a beautiful sight. Too bad, all beauties are passing." Jhin said as he took off his gaze away from the sky. "Inspect the gates."
Like a blur, three black figures materialized around him before instantly shooting towards the three gates while he himself had the ink soldier carrying him move towards the last gate.
After he escaped the horde of monster, Jhin was left with only 11 inks. Fortunately, he was able to summon four of them. Now, he was reserving the ink drops to sustain the regenerative ability of the soldiers.
"I wonder where's Crystal right now…" Jhin sighed as he checked the master's rune on his wrist. Even now, there was still no connection. Unlike the slave rune where he could directly feel the cat's existence on his summons's shoulder.
As he walked, the fading sun transformed the large clouds into a mythical beast of red and purple hue. A beautiful sight to behold. Especially as it was reflected by the still water below.
Jhin rearranged his thoughts. Another goal was added on his list.
Originally, his primary goal was to return into Earth, to find out the truth and make up with his regrets. So that when the time for his death comes, he would be able to close his eyes in peace.
Now, a new goal was added; severing the slave contract with the cat. To that, the first thing he must was to become a Tier 2 existence and learned the information.
For these goals, he need strength. And the fastest way to do that was to kill. Kill and obtain inks, improve the system as well as improve his knowledge about the world.
"I really need to carefully plan all these." Jhin sighed. He realized that he has tons of things to do to accomplish these goals. "If only servant is here. Aiyah~ Where are you? I badly needed information from you."
While lost in his thoughts, Jhin found himself standing in front of the huge gate. At its center swirls a vortex of light. It started spinning before revealing a breathtaking scenery.
"Is that a city?" He murmured.
What laid in front of him was a view of a towering wall with houses built inside. Wide pavemented road with ancient design reminded of the medieval cities written in the history books.
"Eh? This…"
Suddenly, Jhin's vision shifted to one of his summonses and he was surprised by the scene inside its gate.
In a lush and vibrant forest, a group of people were scurrying their best to run away. Chasing behind them were countless humanoid figures. The dying rays of the sun revealed the tragic state of the soldiers. Some had their limbs cut off…
In but an instant, Jhin realized that it was Crystal's army. However, her thousand-men were reduced to only a hundred or so. Every now and then, arrows and spell would land upon the army, with the perpetrator's beings the golems behind.
[Ding! A quest has been generated.]
Quest name: Power Simulation
Description: Use the Power Tutorial and save the human army
Time Limit: 1 hour
Reward: Exit to the shrine
Punishment: You'll be trapped inside the shrine forever
"Again?" Jhin sighed exasperatedly. "If only I hadn't forgotten this part, I would've design it in a much better way. Like giving missions according to my will."
Worst of all, there was no refuse button. It appears every quest was compulsory with stakes also being too high, he couldn't refuse.
"Sighs~ I'm being controlled. Not just by the system, but also by the black cat Tooba huh." Jhin wondered to himself. Fortunately, the quest given by the system didn't deviate much to his goal. Moreover, Tooba hadn't commanded or ordered him anything. Except from the occasional punishments.
Commanding the ink soldier to walk towards the gateway where Crystals and the others were chased, Jhin visualized some scenes from the Epic of the Generals. Particularly, the battle formations and assaults.
He was curious about the ink army's might while he also wanted to try some of those miraculous formations from the paintings.
"Well, this is interesting. I wonder how I'll set up the battlefield later." Jhin mused as he entered the gate.
The instant he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a platform situated atop a hill. Behind him stood a large gateway.
From his position, he could see both forces and the direction they are moving. A sharp glint flashed inside Jhin's eyes, and he murmured, "About three minutes huh?"
Merry Christmas Everyone, here's my little gift to you all. If ever no one has gifted you for this christmas, then I'll gladly take the first place. Hehe, enjoy and don't forget to support me.