Cold. Wet.

  Something squished under his cheek—something alive.

  Jin Yu jerked upright with a groan, thorns scratching his skin as he tumbled out of the bush. His arms were scraped, his ribs ached, and every muscle in his body screamed in protest.

  “The hell…?” he muttered, glancing around. No street signs. No honking cars. Just tall trees, distant stone buildings, and the faint murmur of unfamiliar voices.

  He staggered to his feet. Barefoot. Bruised. Dressed in unfamiliar robes.

  “Did someone mug me at a cosplay convention?”

  He slapped dirt off his sleeves, scowling. “What the hell is this robe?”

  Then, his eyes narrowed. “And who the hell beat me up? Why am I so bruised? It must’ve been those bastards. If I catch you—you're gonna regret ever messing with me.”

  Ptong!

  He spat on the ground, grinding his teeth as he scanned the surroundings.

  “And why are the trees so green? I didn’t know Shenhua City had such pristine wildlife.”

  He walked through the forest for a few minutes before spotting an opening ahead. Rounding a bend, he stepped out—and stopped cold.

  Gone were the paved roads, flickering streetlights, and towering glass buildings of Shenhua City.

  In their place stretched a dirt path lined with crooked stone houses, their tiled roofs sagging with age. Wooden carts rattled past, pulled by beasts that looked like oxen—except they had three eyes and tails shaped like spears.

  People in layered robes milled about, speaking a dialect he couldn’t place.

  No phones. No engines. No LED screens or neon signs—just smoke from chimneys and the distant clatter of blacksmiths at work.

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Jin Yu stood frozen.

  “What kind of... medieval LARP event is this?”

  A child noticed him and pointed. “Look! He’s alive!”

  Heads turned. Conversations died. The crowd slowly parted—not out of respect, but like they were dodging a walking plague. Some turned away. Others whispered hurried prayers and scurried off.

  A woman yanked her child aside, hissing, “Don’t look at him. Keep walking.”

  Jin Yu stepped forward. They stepped further back.

  His fingers curled. “What? Do I have a sign on my head that says kick me or something?”

  His voice echoed, unanswered. Only wary glances followed him.

  Then, from behind, a voice broke through the silence.

  “Young Master Jin?!”

  He turned sharply, already prepared to snap.

  A plump, short-haired boy jogged toward him, panting. His eyes darted nervously between Jin Yu and the crowd.

  “You’re alive! I—I thought… someone said a group of men beat you to death…”

  His voice trailed off, growing quieter with each word.

  “A group of men?” Jin Yu muttered, fuming. “I knew it! That damned Chen bastard! I’ll smash his head in when I see hi—wait. Who the hell are you?”

  He stopped mid-rant, squinting at the boy.

  “What’s with the ‘Young Master’ nonsense? Who put you up to this? What kind of messed-up street play is this?!”

  “I-I don’t understand, Young Master…” the boy stammered, backing up, fidgeting.

  Jin Yu blinked. The kid was actually scared. He cleared his throat, trying again, less hostile this time.

  “Where am I? What is this place? Why are we all wearing robes? Is this some huge cosplay prank?”

  He tugged at the long fabric trailing off his arm. It looked good, sure—but it felt way too real. Too weird.

  The boy blinked, visibly confused. He eyed Jin Yu’s face, then cautiously glanced at the top of his head.

  “We’re still in the city, Young Master,” he said slowly. “And… you’ve always liked robes, so...”

  Confusion wrinkled his brow as he stared.

  Jin Yu’s temper flared. “What nonsense are you spouting?! You trying to mess with me too?!”

  He stepped forward. The boy yelped and fell on his butt.

  “Y-Young Master, I really don’t understand!”

  Jin Yu stared at him, breathing hard, then muttered, “You know what? Screw this. I’ll figure it out myself.”

  So he wandered the streets aimlessly. But the more he saw, the more fear crept into his chest. Strange creatures roamed freely. Everyone wore medieval clothing. And everywhere he went, eyes followed him. Uneasy. Suspicious.

  A fruit seller yanked her cart away the moment he passed. Children scattered like mice when he walked by.

  “...Okay. This play’s getting way too real.”

  Goosebumps crawled up his skin.

  The strange boy kept following him, still confused and silent.

  When Jin Yu finally stepped out of the small market square, his heart stopped.

  In the distance, figures danced down a stone-paved road, their robes fluttering. Some trailed light, magic crackling from their fingers. Others moved at speeds that made his eyes blur.

  People bustled around as if nothing was odd—but everything was.

  Panic surged. He spun, spotted a tall building, and bolted toward it, shoving past confused pedestrians. Shouts and curses chased after him, but he didn’t stop until he’d climbed to the top floor.

  Then he looked out—and trembled.

  Far in the distance, a city sprawled across the horizon.

  Rows of traditional buildings flowed in perfect harmony, their curved rooftops shimmering with jade tiles and golden ridges.

  Towering pagodas pierced the sky, supported by crimson pillars etched with glowing talismans. Grand pavilions rose between them, decorated with swirling calligraphy and sparkling threads of light.

  Bridges of white stone arched over clear canals, and floating lanterns drifted through the air, carried by unseen forces.

  Jin Yu stared, trembling harder than before.

  “This… isn’t Earth,” he whispered.

  “Where the hell am I?”