Chapter Text
Klein found himself on a bridge. It was fully deserted, with remnants of rubble; the bridge was obviously destroyed by something.
Klein lampooned inwardly.
It’s as if something’s always out to get me. However, this place…seems to be in modern time?
A few kilometers away, a huge sea monster could be seen, swimming in and out of the waves.
However, Klein wasn’t concerned. It would be laughable if he died from a sea serpent, rather than at the hands of say, Zarutul or Amon.
Even if it’s stronger than how it looks, I’ll still be able to teleport away with Creeping Hunger—
summoning via Historical Projection—
.
Why am I reassuring myself…
Picking up a brisk pace, Klein quickly arrived at the end of the bridge.
….
Do I need to jump? It’s not like I can’t do that.
Just in case, Klein placed his hand in his pocket and grabbed a coin. He then flipped it into the air, before snatching it and seeing it land heads up.
It was always better to be prepared, than to abruptly die while doing a simple action. These things weren’t necessarily common, but it wasn’t unusual either in his (should he say his original world?).
Ignoring the sea serpents and monsters, he flew across the gap, pressing his half top-hat to his head. Flicking out a few cards, he shot it towards some monsters that were reminiscent of those in the Forsaken Lands of the Gods.
I should start by searching around. There should be some suitable candidates for my marionettes.
Klein glanced back to the bridge. He saw a broken subway train in the distance, as well as sky that looked like it came out from an apocalypse.
Thinking back on it, wasn’t this his actual real transmigration? It was ironic, transmigrating to a world that was more like the era he had come from, than the world he had woken up in.
Why is the sky so dark? There are no stars, and I don’t see the moon.
Don’t tell me the Primordial Moo- no, the Mother Goddess of Depravity is here too?
Immediately, Klein felt chills on his spine. However, no matter how much he looked at the crumbled city and the rubble, there were no signs of the outer deities, at least for now.
Speaking of which, why did he appear in Seoul? Wasn’t this in Korea? Why wasn’t he in China?
Klein’s mouth started twitching. Really, I’m too unfortunate, maybe it’s time to check up with Will Auceptin?
du-dun, du-dun, k-kluck
The sound of his shoes walking on the road —It was more like a mixture of stone, gravel, and glass— echoed in the empty Seoul. He felt a bit despondent. Was there nobody here?
The thought of going to Sefirah Castle and seeing if he could connect with some members of the Tarot Club flashed through his mind, but he decided against it. There was no telling what would happen if he summoned a foreign power into this world.
It might very well bring the Outer Deities to this Earth, and he didn’t want to bring a catrasophere to the unsuspecting people —if there were any—.
Is it possible for another me to be here? I should go to China as soon as possible so I can see. If it means I can see my parents and family just once…
He quickly scanned around. The depression that hit him after he realized the truth of his “transmigration” was dissipated.
A few hours later, after confirming that the people left here were either all dead —from an unknown source— or turned into monsters—which he quickly and quietly killed— he ran into a broken throne.
It was a big throne that was absolutely shattered. Klein wasn’t a stranger to odd things, but he couldn’t figure out why a throne would be in Gwanghwamun. Was this a memorial?
He crouched at the edge, bringing out a small piece. Later, he should do a divination. The dead bodies, monsters, and this throne caused his suspicion -as well as anxiety- to skyrocket.
A few seconds later, his Cognition was activated, as he whirled around, pressing his hand to Death Knell.
A raspy, incredulous voice rang out.
“You, how are you alive?”
What? Why is this man- no- being asking me that?
A few yards from him, an ugly man stood. There was a big lump bulging out of his check, like some sort of baby (Klein was reminded of that time when Amon turned pregnant and shuddered).
Both of them looked at each other, equally surprised.
“There was that guy, and now another one?” The being (or person)’s expression wrinkled.
Just as Klein formulated an answer, as well as questions, that man opened his mouth.
“What story are you going to trade? The Bureau imposed harsh sanctions so I’ll have to use more probability than usual.”
Story? What story? What does that mean? How am I supposed to trade a “story”? What kind of fucking world is this?
Klein decided to take on the persona of Gehrman Sparrow, as he opened his mouth.
“What is the ‘story’ you’re speaking of?”
Inwardly, Klein wished he ran into Bai Ze * or something. Shouldn’t transmigrators have some privileges? If Roselle was here, no doubt he would have told the man in front of him to kneel down to his “benevolence”.
A hoarse laugh came out from the throat. The lump on his cheek moved with the vibrations, causing Klein to look away.
“Story? How did you survive past the tenth scenario without basic knowledge? I think I can assume you have no offers to trade?”
… What should he do now?
“Wait! I want to ask just wha-“
chh-chunk chh-chlink
The man-with-a-lump peered over his shoulder, as well as the big golden eye turning around. Murmuring something to himself, he faced Klein again.
“The cleaners seem to be here, so now I’ll be off. I’m not sure how you managed to survive in the abandoned scenario, but you better find a way out quick.”
As soon as he finished talking, there was a bright white flash, and he disappeared.
Only Klein stood in the desolate city of Korea, stumped.
* Bai Ze is a creature in Chinese mythology that was said to have aided (virtuous) leaders in overcoming and defeating evil supernatural creatures with its vast knowledge.