Chapter 6 :A Strange Sream

Suddenly, I opened my eyes to find myself in an entirely different world, surrounded by lush greenery. Looking around, I saw no one; only the melodious chirping of birds filled the serene air. The vibrant colors of the leaves and the vivid blue sky seemed almost surreal, creating a picturesque landscape. I tried to grasp the reality of my situation. Was this some sort of dream or a bizarre twist of fate?

Then, I heard a noise nearby. Startled, I looked up and saw a massive creature soaring through the sky, resembling a dragon. Its large wings flapped powerfully, and the sun glinted off its scales, making it shimmer like a jewel. As it approached, I realized it wasn't just something that looked like a dragon; it was a real dragon, and it was flying straight towards me. Panic surged through me, and instinctively, I ran, seeking refuge behind a large tree. My heart raced, pounding in my chest like a drum.

Just then, the dragon unleashed a torrent of fire from its mouth, scorching everything in its path. The heat was intense, and I felt the flames brush past me. I barely managed to escape the inferno. After a moment of sheer terror, I looked around, and to my relief, the dragon flew away, disappearing into the vast sky. I took a moment to catch my breath, my body trembling from the adrenaline rush.

As I began to walk slowly, I was surrounded by nothing but trees and dense foliage. The stillness of the forest was eerie, yet somehow comforting. Eventually, I spotted a village in the distance. It looked remarkably like something from a historical Chinese comic, with ornate rooftops and bustling streets. I was amazed; everything appeared so vivid and real. My heart ached as thoughts of my wife, Ji-yu, flooded my mind. What was she doing? Could she cook something to eat? Had I died in my world? What had happened to me? Or had I gone mad?

Before I could contemplate further, a group of rough-looking men approached me, their faces twisted with malice. They began to beat me, their fists landing painfully against my body. I struggled, but there were too many of them. They captured me, dragging me away and selling me as a slave to a nobleman. My days in that place began to pass in a blur of work, just labor and more labor. I toiled under the hot sun, performing menial tasks that felt utterly degrading.

One day, everyone in the household was buzzing with excitement, talking about the nobleman's daughter who was returning soon. "She's finally back!" they exclaimed. "She's a wonderful girl who looks after her slaves!" The excitement in the air was palpable. She had just graduated from the academy, and everyone felt a sense of pride in her achievements. Meanwhile, I felt utterly lost, exhausted from working in a world that wasn't mine. Oh, how I suffered!

A few days later, a girl approached me with a sense of urgency. "The nobleman's daughter is arriving! You need to bring all her belongings to her room!" she instructed. I hurried to her quarters, only to be greeted by an overwhelming sight—items were scattered everywhere, from clothing to trinkets. As I sorted through them, memories of Ji-yu flooded back to me, as she often ordered similar things online. It felt like a cruel reminder of what I had lost.

I began to bring the items inside, one by one, my heart heavy with longing. After what felt like an eternity, I managed to complete my tasks. Once I finished, the girl told me, "The nobleman's daughter has sent you some clothes as a reward." She handed me a few coins before leaving. This girl was a servant of the nobleman's daughter, just like me.

Days turned into weeks, and I found myself becoming accustomed to my life as a slave. But then one day, as I was cleaning the courtyard, I spotted a girl who looked exactly like Ji-yu. My heart raced. How could Ji-yu be in this world? I couldn't believe my eyes. It was as if she had stepped straight out of my memories.

Instinctively, I took her hand and led her away to a secluded spot, away from prying eyes. "What are you doing here? How long have you been in this world? Are you okay? Has this world's people made you a slave too?" I asked, my voice trembling with a mixture of hope and fear.

She looked at me, puzzled, and replied, "What are you talking about? I'm Elena, the nobleman's daughter." I was taken aback. "What are you saying? Don't joke like that! We need to find a way to escape this world together!"

Suddenly, she slapped me. "What are you talking about? This is your world, isn't it? Have you lost your mind? Just because you're a slave doesn't mean this world isn't yours." She added, "You shouldn't speak like that anymore," and walked away, leaving me stunned. From that moment on, whenever she saw me, she would smirk as if she knew a secret I didn't.

Days turned into weeks, and I continued my labor, my heart heavy with thoughts of her. One day, she approached me again, a serious expression on her face. "I like you. It feels like my heart is about to stop." I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. "What are you saying? I'm just a mere slave. I have no worth. There are many noble suitors waiting for you to choose from."

Her gaze softened, and she said, "If you don't love me, I will be devastated." My mind reeled at her words. Was she serious? This felt like a scene straight out of a dramatic play. I couldn't bear the thought of losing her, and compelled by her emotional declaration, I reluctantly accepted her feelings.

We spent several days together, exploring our emotions and forming a bond that transcended our dire circumstances. But then one day, while we were lost in our newfound affection, my father-in-law—the nobleman—caught us together. His face turned a shade of red with fury, and he ordered my execution. "If you kill him, I will die! I cannot live without him!" she pleaded.

The cruel nobleman replied, "Very well, your wish will be granted." He then ordered the guards, "Execute them both. This is my final command!" As we began to scream in despair, I felt a jolt and suddenly woke up, realizing I was back in my own room.

Relieved, I let out a huge sigh, thinking it had all been a dream. But just then, a foul smell filled the air, bringing me back to reality. Something was amiss, and it quickly became clear that the nightmare wasn't entirely over.

I glanced around the room, trying to make sense of my surroundings. The familiar sight of my walls did little to quell my anxiety. The air felt heavy, as if laden with the weight of impending doom. My mind raced with thoughts of the dragon, the village, and the nobleman's daughter. Had it all been a mere figment of my imagination, or was there something deeper at play?

As I stepped outside, the world around me was still filled with greenery, but it felt different. The colors were duller, and the chirping of birds was now an unsettling sound. A sense of foreboding washed over me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. I took a few steps forward, determined to explore this strange reality further, but with each movement, the tension grew stronger.

I decided to head towards the village I had seen earlier, hoping that perhaps some answers awaited me there. The path was overgrown, and the trees seemed to close in around me, as if trying to keep me from reaching my destination. After what felt like an eternity, I emerged into the clearing, and the sight of the village took my breath away.

It was bustling with life, but the people moved with a sense of urgency, their faces grim. Whispers of fear and worry filled the air. I approached a group of villagers, hoping to gather some information. "What's going on?" I asked, my voice barely breaking through the noise.

One woman turned to me, her eyes wide with fear. "The dragon has returned," she whispered. "It has been attacking the village, demanding tribute. We fear for our lives." My heart sank at the news. The dragon I had encountered was not just a dream; it was a very real threat looming over this village.

Determined to confront this danger, I set out to find a way to protect the villagers. I knew that I had to face the dragon again, to confront the fear that had gripped me since I first saw it. I couldn't let fear control my actions any longer. As I prepared to face this beast, my thoughts drifted back to Ji-yu and Elena. They were my motivation, and I would fight not just for myself but for those who had become part of my life in this strange world.

I steeled myself for what was to come, knowing that I had to summon every ounce of courage to confront the dragon. My heart raced as I stepped forward, ready to meet my fate. Would I be able to save the village? Would I find a way to return home, or was I destined to remain in this strange world forever?

After a while I opened my eyes and saw that it was morning . I looked around and it was my room. That means everything was a dream ? Whaaaaat ?