Garden Of The Abyss Chapter 7
Advertisement
The entire atmosphere of the ghetto was dreadful, at some point, he stopped fearing for his safety and just felt pity for their situation. A single storm would wash away the barely standing "houses", some of which were just pieces of tattered cloth propped up on wooden planks.
"Is your guild really located here?"
"Yeah, we're not very far now--patience isn't a strong suit of yours, is it?"
"If you are asking if the guy who just got transported into a different world and is being dragged through the ghetto in the dead of night is patient, then no."
The somewhat clean, large shack sat at the end of the dirt road was unmistakably the guild. At the very least, it was built with consistent materials. Standing in front of it, however--his brain began to negotiate for him to walk the other way. There was not a semblance of light peeking outside of the guild house, only the ominous whistling of the nightly wind welcoming him inside.
"Huh--? Wait--"
Ren watched as Adelaide pushed through the entrance, disappearing inside without saying a single word. It felt like a test of courage more than anything, in which--he couldn't wimp out in front of Adelaide.
"--Fine then, here I come!"
He mustered up whatever strands of courage were stored within him, clenching his eyes shut as he stomped up the stairs formed of rotting, splintered wood. Conjuring the abrasive confidence of a delinquent, Ren pushed through the doors as a layer of dust greeted him. After the tickle of dust reaching his throat caused him to cough, he opened his eyes. It was as dark as he expected, unable to even see a step in front of him.
"Adelaide…?"
He asked quietly, nearly jumping out of his own skin as the doors closed behind him. The fact that his trousers weren't soaked with warm, golden liquid was already a commendable feat.
Advertisement
A pair of hands suddenly grabbed him and held his arms behind his body as a cloth bag was thrown over his head, the disgusting unison of stenches, composed of what smells like feet and mildew, pelted against his helpless nostrils.
"What the hell is going on--?"
Ren yelled out, left in total darkness as he was left to the devices of whoever was holding on. He could make out the heavy breathing and grunts of grown men, further confirmed by the heaviness of their footsteps against the faltering wooden planks below.
"Answer me--!"
He tried to ask again, this time earning a hit to the cheekbone as a response. It stung, but the adrenaline flowing through his veins subsided the pain as he continued to squirm, trying to free himself from the grasps of his unknown captors.
"--Adelaide! Adelaide!"
"Put him out, Abe! He's a fuckin' loud one!"
The rugged voice of the man holding him from behind called out, followed by another, stronger impact against his nose this time.
"--Ngh!"
Another hit followed, crashing against his already bruised chin, likely fracturing it as he felt something crack. That last hit caused his knees to no longer respond to him, giving out from underneath him as the lights in his head flickered.
--Two times in one day...what kind of scam of an otherworld journey is this…?
"--You didn't have to be so rough with him, you had him under control."
"He was being fuckin' loud, Ad."
He listened to their voices as they became distant, sounding as if he was floating farther and farther away until finally, it all went black.
Coming back to the world of consciousness, Ren was still left in darkness as the cloth mask was draped over his head.
Advertisement
"...ngh…"
It felt like a nail was being struck into his head by a hammer, although that was probably to be expected after being clobbered twice in one day. Attempting to move his hands, they were tightly roped behind the chair, squeezing the life out of his wrists.
--Seriously, if I didn't have CTE the first time, now I do.
"--Are you awake?"
A moment was needed for the groggy young man to realize it was Adelaide's voice, just hearing her voice was enough to somewhat relieve him.
"Adelaide? What's going on? Are you okay?"
"--"
"Adelaide?"
He could feel her presence in the room, but she wasn't responding to him.
"You're slow on the uptake, Ren. I'm not in any danger, and I'm not your ally here. There is no "Demon King", and you aren't some sort of chosen hero."
"--What? Adelaide, just tell me what's going on!"
The cloth was lifted from his head, revealing the room he was being held in. There Adelaide stood, surrounded by a couple of thugs who looked even scummier than the ones from the alleyway.
"Poor guy, look at his face! He must've thought ya' were fond of him, Ad!"
The goon on the left with a bald, scarred head, with a body like a gorilla, let out a hearty laugh.
"Be quiet, Klaus."
"Yes, ma'am."
The gorilla-thug, supposedly named "Klaus" quickly shut his mouth, listening to Adelaide like a loyal dog. As Ren was about to open his mouth again to demand answers, Adelaide kneeled down in front of him, gently pressing her delicate fingers against his forehead.
"--Eh?"
"Gaia--Heal."
A verdant light emanated from her touch, particles of mana danced about the air, falling into his skin soothingly. All of the pain that radiated through his body disappeared as he found himself entranced by the girl, as she kept her eyes closed while holding the spell.
"...I'm sorry, Ren."
She whispered to him as she slowly opened her eyes, the healing light dissipating into a thousand minuscule particles of green.
"Sorry for what? Just talk to me, Addy, please…"
Ren felt helpless as he saw that melancholic look in her emerald irises. Instead of an answer, she left him with a kiss on the cheek before she stood back up.
Advertisement
- In Serial14 Chapters
So I'm a cat, what now?
It seems I've reincarnated into a fantasy world as a cat. What now? This is my first publically published story, and I would love feedback in any form as I have no idea how well the quality of my writing holds up. This story will have light litRPG elements, though I won't dig into numbers much, since I don't enjoy fiddling with them. The tone will be generally light, and I willl probably try to throw some comedy in there as well. The beginning will be Slice of Life, and unless I come up with a longer plot that I like it will stay that way.
8 101 - In Serial24 Chapters
Event Horizon
Warning: the first blue box appears at chapter 24. David always lived his life, looking at the world through a film of grey. He knew he was dull, he knew he was worthless. And the world was too. His life ended in an instant, hit by a truck. Then he woke up again, and the System gave him a mission. Pretty standard isekai, so far. The only problem was that whenever he died, he respawned. After agony and pain, he would come back reforged. And so he died, again and again. And when he completed his mission, another one awaited. On and on. But his life had meaning now.
8 224 - In Serial86 Chapters
Legend of the Seven
Humans were cast out of Eden for committing the original sin. Now Seven will answer, should Humanity live forever? But first, join Team Six in their rescue mission turned daring prison break from death. Author's Corner: Welcome to the Legend of the Seven series #LOTSseries, my Guardians.This is my first novel turned webnovel. I'm returning to this fictional world after a 6-year hiatus with a lot of personal growth and insight. Insights gained from being a lifetime reader.I was the kid who read Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. I was the new adult who read I Shall Seal the Heavens and Ark. I've lost count of how many fictional worlds I've visited and lived through for I grew up on western novels but discovered eastern novels in my college years. This is my attempt to marry those two literary styles.It's my hope that this journey becomes more than just a book. If you're reading this simply expecting an ego power trip then turn back. There'll be action but with a lot of metaphysics and discussion on life with its accompanying issues. I strive to ground and make this webnovel relatable with verisimilitude. This webnovel is about choice. Freewill and its consequences. I give my characters autonomy to do and be themselves which sometimes leads to me rewriting and replotting because of pleasant surprises from my characters. Even the character who dies within the chapter they are introduced can have a massive impact with several ripples. So, there'll be stories on love and loss, hope and despair, but most importantly, it'll be a story. Release schedule: M, W, F - I aim for afternoon (1pm to 6pm) MST. I'm working on a project, codenamed "Guides' Sanctum", to make LOTSseries even more alive with special voice-overs, extra stories, behind the scene stuff, and so much more. But it can only come online when certain benchmarks are reached. The listed goals will help us get there. Goals:50 readers will unlock 4 chapters a week - Extra release on Thursday100 readers will unlock 5 chapters a week - Extra release on Tuesday250 readers will unlock 6 chapters a week - Extra release on Saturday500 readers and Project Guides' Sanctum comes online!Links:Lotsseries.blogspot.comSocial:@tonyswag0 - twitter@lotsseries - FacebookI'm thrilled at what is happening and what is still to come. Never be afraid to drop a comment. My DM is open. I'll work to keep this work free to access but I ask you to enjoy it from official sources so that you can be part of the discussion. There's magic in reading together to form a shared experience.Again, welcome aboard, my Guardians.
8 144 - In Serial20 Chapters
Creation Records
A boy got reincarnated in Another World. With the power he regained from his forgotten past, he used it to create a mighty force. Will he become an Anti-Hero that would dominate the new world? And will he become the world's strongest? This is a story of a boy reaching the top of the world as he recovers the memories of his mysterious past.
8 122 - In Serial12 Chapters
Master's Doll
Follow Rea, a young boy whose face was as gorgeous as a doll. His whole being captivated a doll maker named Taurent Brialle and brought him in to live in his manor to take care of him. Taurent's obsession to everything beautiful made the house feel similar to a prison. Yet, Rea had decided to devote his life as to repay the chance given by Taurent to continue living. What can I do without you? You are the most beautiful creation I had - Taurent Brialle Are you really living or are you just a mere shell that is controlled by threads? - Haemi Kral Haemi Kral, a son of a lord who wanted to make friends with Rea, noticed something was off with the relationship between the boy and the doll maker. As a young boy filled with sunshine and justice, he wanted to bring Rea out of the world he was trapped in and live as a real person with his own mind and will. Rea was forced to choose whether to stay loyal to the master who saved him or to go along with the will to once again live as a real person? A living doll was given the chance to think between living an easy life or to strive in a world as a proper human.
8 129 - In Serial28 Chapters
The Briar Rose
An empire fractured, the continent turmoil. Sir Edwin Saker, knight commander to the late Queen Leone had carved his fortune in the continental wars. His rise from a foreign mercenary to kingmaker is a tale told from the Blackstone Isle to the Imperial Reich. He is the Briar Thorn, the Crowns censure, warlord of the nation. As conflict with the Reich once again looms over the Auburn Kingdom, the Briar Thorn is once again recalled to the Crowns service. With the Reich ascendant and his debt to destiny due, the Briar Thorn answers the call. This is the story of his rise and fall.
8 67