WebNovels

Chapter 9 - Trying New Experiences

Kharvos let out a booming laugh and gave Hyun-Jae a hearty pat on the back. What was meant as a friendly gesture nearly sent Hyun-Jae stumbling forward; the force of it felt like getting hit with a hammer. Before he could protest, Kharvos straightened up with a grin full of pride and stomped away down the corridor, clearly satisfied with his grand introduction.

Hyun-Jae stood frozen for a moment, rubbing his sore shoulder. That guy doesn't even realize his own strength… he thought, wincing. With a sigh, he decided there was no point in staying cooped up inside his stuffy little room. Maybe if he explored the area, he'd have a chance to get his bearings—and hopefully run into Soo-Min.

Hyun-Jae stepped onto the teleporter platform, inhaled, and braced himself. The moment his hand pressed against the glowing surface, his body was pulled forward in that same strange weightless yet heavy, like his insides were being flipped inside out. A blink later, the light receded, and his feet hit solid ground. He staggered forward and let out a sharp breath.

Even after being using the machine earlier in the day, the sensation still made his stomach knot. He wondered how anyone could ever get used to it.

When he looked up, the plaza spread out before him, wide and dazzling under an artificial sky that shimmered faintly like morning sunlight. The entire area buzzed with energy and chatter. Marble-like tiles gleamed underfoot, arranged in precise patterns that stretched across the square. Towering crystalline structures dotted the plaza, pulsing faintly with light as if they were alive, humming with some unknown power.

And then there were the people or rather, the beings.

Hyun-Jae froze. Everywhere he looked were creatures unlike anything he had ever seen in his life. A massive, horned figure with skin like stone lumbered past him, every step sending faint tremors through the ground. Slender beings with silvery-blue skin walked in groups, their movements fluid, like they were gliding rather than stepping. One species floated entirely, their feet never touching the ground, wrapped in robes that shifted colors depending on the angle of the light. He even caught sight of knight-like figures with wings folded against their backs, their bright eyes reflecting the plaza's glow.

The air carried scents he couldn't place. His ears caught snatches of languages he didn't understand, a jumble of tones, clicks, and hisses that somehow blended into a rhythmic background hum.

Hyun-Jae's throat tightened. He'd seen aliens before on broadcasts, but seeing them on a screen and standing among them were two completely different experiences. His instincts screamed at him to run back into the safety of the building, but he forced his feet to stay planted.

They're not enemies, he reminded himself, clenching his fists at his sides. They're here for their planets too. If they're in the same realm, that means… they're allies.

He exhaled slowly, his shoulders loosening just a little. That thought gave him a sliver of comfort. Still, as his eyes swept across the sea of unfamiliar faces, he couldn't help but wonder how someone like him, a boy who had only just signed up days ago was supposed to stand alongside them.

As Hyun-Jae made his way deeper into the plaza, he realized he wasn't the only one uneasy. Scattered through the crowd, the other humans stood out instantly, wide eyes darting from one towering figure to the next, their bodies stiff, their movements cautious. Some whispered to one another in hushed tones, their voices carrying that same tremor of doubt he felt in his own chest. He caught sight of a boy his age clutching a bottle of water tightly in his fist as if it were a lifeline. Another girl stood frozen near the edge of the plaza, her face pale, trying not to draw attention to herself.

So it's not just me, Hyun-Jae thought, a little comforted, though the atmosphere still felt overwhelming.

He turned a corner and found himself in front of what looked like a food court if a food court had been designed by a dozen different civilizations. The stalls shimmered with strange symbols, their signs glowing in colors his brain struggled to name. Steam rose from one stand, carrying a spiced, earthy aroma, while another emitted a chilling mist as bowls of crystalline cubes were passed to waiting customers.

His stomach growled before he realized how long it had been since he ate. Almost without thinking, he joined the line at one of the busier stalls. The attendants were humanoid, dressed in sleek uniforms, their fingers moving quickly as they handed out trays piled high with alien dishes, some wriggling, some glowing faintly, others giving off sweet fragrances.

When his turn came, the attendant turned to him with a practiced smile."What would you like, competitor?"

Hyun-Jae hesitated, staring at the menu displayed on a hovering panel above the counter. He didn't recognize a single item. His throat went dry, and after a pause, he leaned closer. "Do you… have any food from Earth?"

The attendant blinked, its smile stiffening. It tapped at the tablet embedded in the counter, scrolling through something Hyun-Jae couldn't see. After a moment, it shook its head."No. Earth's cuisine has not been added to the system yet."

Hyun-Jae frowned. "Then why do some of these stalls have food from other planets already? I saw stuff from five different places just walking here."

The attendant's expression softened slightly, as though it were explaining something to a child. "Because their worlds are… well-connected. Many realms trade and share goods frequently. But Earth… Earth is considered a recluse planet. Its people rarely participated in interplanetary matters, and there are no close neighbors who would request your food. Therefore…" he gave a polite shrug. "There has never been much demand."

Hyun-Jae's chest tightened. A recluse planet. It made sense, in a way. Humanity had only learned of the Celestials and the what other life lies beyond their reach ten years ago. Compared to the species around him, Earth was barely a dot on the map. No wonder nothing familiar was here.

He looked again at the alien menu. Only to realize just how far from home he really was.

Hyun-Jae slipped away from the stall with nothing but a plain water bottle in hand. The thought of choking down something that might still be alive on his plate didn't sit well with him. He twisted the cap open, relieved that at least water was still universal, and stepped back out into the plaza.

The moment he took his first sip, a heavy smack landed square between his shoulder blades. He nearly choked as he spun around then let out the breath he'd been holding when he saw who it was.

Soo-Min.

"You should really stop doing that," he muttered, clutching the bottle.

Her lips curved into an easy smile. "Sorry. Couldn't help myself." Then, tilting her head, she added with playful mischief, "Were you looking for me? You know… like a lost puppy?"

The words hit just as he was gulping down his water. Hyun-Jae spluttered, spraying a mouthful onto the plaza floor and coughing in embarrassment. His ears burned red as he wiped his mouth with his sleeve, avoiding her gaze.

Soo-Min laughed softly, covering her mouth with one hand. "Guess I hit the mark, huh?"

Hyun-Jae groaned under his breath, wishing the ground would open up and swallow him whole.

Hyun-Jae cleared his throat, desperate to shake off the embarrassment. "I was just… walking around. Exploring the area, that's all." His words came out stiff, though the heat on his cheeks gave him away.

"Mm-hm, sure," Soo-Min teased, folding her arms. Then her expression softened. "Well, for what it's worth, I was looking for you. Friends have to stick together in a place like this, right?"

"Y-yeah. Friends," Hyun-Jae replied quickly, nodding a little too hard.

Her eyes gleamed with amusement, but she didn't push him further. Instead, she glanced toward the line of teleporters humming quietly in the plaza. "So? Aren't you going to show me where your room is?"

"My room?" Hyun-Jae blinked.

"Yeah," she said, smiling as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "C'mon, don't tell me you're hiding something in there already."

He sighed, pretending to be reluctant. "Fine. But don't expect much."

Together, they stepped into the teleporter. That same dizzying flicker of light and weightless sensation pulled at them before spitting them out into the hotel-like facility. Hyun-Jae led her down the hall, his palms sweating more than he'd like to admit, and finally opened the door to his room.

Soo-Min stepped inside, looking around at the plain, boxy walls and the stiff-looking bed. She tilted her head, then smirked. "Huh. Mine looks exactly the same."

Hyun-Jae gave a small shrug, as if it didn't matter, though part of him was relieved—it meant her space was just as underwhelming as his.

Soo-Min walked over to the bed without asking and plopped down, bouncing slightly on the stiff mattress. She leaned back on her palms, her expression thoughtful.

"You know," she began, glancing at him, "I found out something interesting earlier. Turns out, we humans aren't the only ones powerless in this realm."

Hyun-Jae froze mid-step, the water bottle still in his hand. "Wait… what do you mean?"

"I mean there are other races here who are in the same boat as us. Weak, compared to the stronger realms."

Hyun-Jae's brows furrowed. "So… we're just being sent out there to die alongside them?" The words slipped out harsher than he intended, but the weight of the thought pressed against his chest.

Soo-Min didn't flinch. Instead, she gave a small shrug, her lips quirking with something that wasn't quite a smile. "That's why we're supposed to wait until tomorrow. Apparently, the Celestials will do something to "even it out".

Hyun-Jae blinked at her. "Even it out? How?"

She pushed off the bed, standing now, and dusted off her hands as if to shake the conversation away. "Who knows? They love being cryptic. Guess we'll find out soon enough, whether we like it or not."

Soo-Min stretched her arms above her head with a little yawn. "Anyway… I'm getting kind of sleepy now. I'm gonna go rest." She pointed at him as she moved toward the door. "Find me tomorrow, alright?"

"Fine," Hyun-Jae replied, his tone flat and normal.

She paused, tilting her head at him. "Why do you look so glum? Don't tell me…" Her eyes narrowed mischievously. "Were you expecting me to stay here with you tonight?"

Hyun-Jae's ears went hot instantly. "W-What? No, of course not!" he sputtered, fumbling for words like he always did around her teasing.

Soo-Min's laugh was soft, almost musical. She gave him a wave as she pulled the door open. "See ya, Hyun-Jae."

And just like that, she was gone, leaving him standing there red-faced and flustered in the quiet room.

The door clicked shut behind her, and the room fell into silence again. Hyun-Jae stood there for a moment, still feeling the warmth in his cheeks from her teasing. With a small sigh, he shook his head and muttered to himself, "She really needs to stop doing that…"

He kicked off his shoes, set the half-empty water bottle on the desk, and lowered himself onto the bed. The sheets felt stiff and unfamiliar, but it didn't matter, tomorrow was going to be even stranger. Pulling the blanket over himself, Hyun-Jae stared up at the ceiling, his chest tight with nerves.

He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly, bracing himself for whatever the Celestials had in store. Sleep came quickly and heavy. Tomorrow, everything would change.

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