Judgment day?

The night's darkness had begun to fade, and along with it, the shadow cast by its grim and gloomy atmosphere. At long last, the next day arrived, with all the possibilities it offered, waking many from their slumber, though to others, it was a sign to recede until the return of night.

Hyosung, however, was neither of those people. Unable to get a wink of sleep, he laid on a soft mattress placed in the middle of a large, box-sized room with fairly decent ventilation. His mind was active throughout the night, contemplating whether his decision to reject the system's offer was the right choice as he recollected the previous night's events.

{Dear Hyosung slay, you've met the criteria required to become an official author. You will receive exclusive benefits as well as rewards for every task you complete. This offer is valid for 48 hours after which will null. Do you want to become an author?}

[YES]. [NO].

"A system? Or at least I think that's what this is," he thought initially. "If so, then... could this be the plot armor I need to finish this nightmare alive?" His mind pondered.

He wasn't very fond of systems, but then, only a fool would reject such an offer in a world as dangerous as the one he was in. Accepting was the only logical action, and thus Hyosung had to set aside his pride to...

"Hyosung! Why are you still outside? Do I need to come out there and drag you in?" Urane yelled in annoyance.

"Uhh...no!" He replied in a shaken voice. "I'll be right in, Ura..."

{Ding! Ding!}

{Dear Mr. Hyosung slay, you have rejected the contract. Thank you for your time.}

{System shutting down......}

"I wasn't even talking to the system, bro," he murmured with a pained voice, his face frowned and squeezed as though he had taken in something bitter, as his mind returned to the present.

He couldn't help but moan and grumble at the current string of bad luck he'd been getting over the 2-3 days he was there, though there was no point in crying over spilt milk. The loss of his only plot armor left a small ache at the side of his heart.

"Hyosung, get ready in the next 30 minutes. I'm going to be taking you somewhere," Urane ordered Hyosung as she walked into the small room, holding brand new clothes for him.

Though he felt a sense of glee to finally be able to change out of the outfit he'd been wearing since the previous day, he couldn't disregard the worrying look on Urane's face. Her eyes stared at him with an intense glare, her brows furrowed on her slightly wrinkled face. She had a more serious expression than usual, unable to crack a smirk even once, though her shivering lips exposed the tension built up within her.

Unable to read her fully, shivers ran through Hyosung's body, and his regrets about the previous night's events grew, though they were tucked at the corner of his mind. "All right, Urane, just give me a few minutes," his voice shook as he spoke.

Hyosung wasted no time getting ready, as he was on pins and needles about what his luck had in store for him today, though he already knew it wasn't going to be something good. Thus, he rushed through the creaking floorboards, leaping out the door like he was in the Olympics, just to meet Urane, who had been sitting outside in anticipation.

"Let's go," she ordered Hyosung, not even turning her head to catch a glimpse of his face.

"Hm!" He replied as he nodded in agreement.

Though the journey was lengthy, Hyosung's body began to weigh little by little, though he couldn't identify whether the cause was his fear or exhaustion. However, he did realize the odd and malicious stares the residents and passersby gave as they went.

It was as though he were being scorned silently by the people, as none of them uttered a word in his presence. This wasn't just the everyday snoopy behavior of a few shop owners and bench warmers, since this was the same treatment he received everywhere he and Urane went, despite not knowing more than the majority of the people.

Their glares started making him feel uneasy to the extent that he had to lower his head as they walked past the shops, alleys, homes, and littered streets of the poverty district, with the majority of the poorly kept and unclean residents turning their trip into a spectacle to behold.

"We're here, Hyosung," she said, yet unease filled her voice, with her still unable to look him in the eye.

At the end of it all, he and Urane had reached their destination, meaning there was no need for Hyosung to keep his head bowed any longer.

"What the heeeeecck!" He exclaimed loudly as his slightly raised head viewed their "destination."

He was struck in absolute awe at the sight, the words that came from his mouth gibbering and stuttering until he became speechless. What was before him was a towering 60-70 feet wall from his point of view, which could have been larger, separating the districts of the rich and poor from each other.

Urane, however, was unphased, though she found the sound of Hyosung's expression silly, such that a slight curve occurred on the edge of her face as she walked towards the towering wall.

"Clank! Clank! Clank!"

"Okinda, open up!" She yelled as she banged on what sounded like wood in a specific section of the wall.

"Yo, Urane, wassup?" Okinda replied in a smooth tone as he slid open a small door to the gate. "Your private access is now open, the transport awaits right beyond these gates." Having a way with words seemed to be his specialty.

Hyosung was smitten by his words, unlike Urane, who was unimpressed. Suddenly, a giant beast with hair as white as snow, firmly polished nails, and eyes so gentle one could mistake it for a puppy...

Upon seeing this, Hyosung wretched in disgust, raising his brows highly above his eyes in confusion, with his face squeezed tightly together, his eyes and mouth widened in shock. He was unable to understand or comprehend what his eyes were looking at, yet it was enough to make his belly ache... unlike Urane, who was filled with glee looking at the creature.

"I hope we don't have to get on that... That... that thing..." He asked.

However, Urane paid no heed to his words and shrugged it off completely as she walked towards the direction of the creature.

"It's called a salaybo. Remember that next time, as I won't be tolerating any disrespect towards it," she said as she climbed on its soft and silky white fur, expecting Hyosung to follow.

Despite her vague choice of words, Hyosung understood what she meant utterly, as it was obvious she wasn't just referring to the salaybo but to Hyosung in regards to his safety, thus encouraging him to climb on its back, yet his body remained iffy with each footstep heavier than the last.

"Wooooosssssshhhhhh!"

A small gate with a dark color opened before them, swirling like that of a wormhole, forcing the dust around them to split as it blew out a heavy force of wind. Surprisingly, Hyosung's expression was the same before and after, utterly unimpressed. Perhaps it was due to his experience reincarnating, or the fact that he'd seen and gone through crazier in his short stay, a mere portal couldn't phase him.

The creature stood, its height growing enormous to the extent that Hyosung's heart slowly raced, as though it would jump out of his chest, yet the creature's size was the least of his problems as it approached the wormhole, preparing to leap in.

"By the way, this portal moves at the speed of sound. It's pretty fast, so if you don't hide under the salaybo's protective fur, you'll die!" She informed Hyosung, though her warnings were partially covered by the portal's noise.

"I wish you both good luck. Especially you, Hyosung slay," Okinda spoke as he watched them depart.

"Did he just say my full name?" Hyosung's mind wondered, though he couldn't be completely sure of anything due to the portal's whooshing, which reverberated through the walls and floors.

"Bip Bip!" The salaybo called before carrying its huge body, lunging itself along with the two into the portal.

Meanwhile, in the Rich District of Hadon, at the highest peak of Sylza Tower, something big was brewing. Sylza Tower, made mainly of glass and concrete, was known as the highest and largest building in all three districts, possibly greater than the size of the middle & poor districts, which on their own were the size of cities. The name of this court was referred to as κρίση.

Atop the tower's roof was a large court, arguably the size of a small town at least, with tiled floors and wooden seats positioned near small plateau-like structures that blocked the roof's edges. This place was referred to as The iméra - krísi, where souls were judged on its grounds, and their fates determined by Hadon's three elders.

"Mr. Ein Hel Loben, do you have anything to say in your defense?" the spokesman asked as he stood upon an altar slightly beside where the three elders sat.

"I have nothing to say in my defense," he replied. His clothes were finely tailored, with his long gold chain that swayed to and fro on his neck, his long wavy hair hiding his dread quite well, while he tried to put on a brave face for the audience. It was obvious he was a man born and raised in the rich district, though it was very uncommon for them to undergo conviction.

"So, do you accept your actions and account for your crimes?" he asked once more.

"I do. There's no need for a trial. I... I accept I'm guilty, and I'll take any punishment as long as it's inflicted on only me!" he pleaded, with tears that dripped down his cheeks. Not even his long hair could hide the grief.

The crowd maintained silence. With the majority of them feeling Loben's pain, a few even holding back tears that welled in their eyes. Within the crowd, the women had already begun to sob for him, their faces painted with bitter, sorrow-filled expressions, while they poured out tears in silence.

"Now that you have confessed to your crime, there is no need for a fair hearing of any kind. You have been found guilty of any AND ALL allegations set against you. Now the elders shall decide your punishment!" His voice echoed throughout.

The crowd remained silent, though their feelings of grief filled the air.

While the three elders continued to whisper amongst themselves, contemplating on a punishment, their gray hairs and beards may have danced lightly to the rhythm of the gentle breeze, but their every whisper was like dice, unpredictable yet capable of bringing joy or utter ruination.

The third elder, who wore a black robe, swung his palm, signifying they had made a decision. Hence, it was time for the man's judgment, and the result was whispered into the spokesman's ear.

He cleared his throat slightly. "Your penalty is death!" His voice rang through the floors and walls, especially through the hearts of many, yet not a single argument was raised.

Ein Hel's lips shook repeatedly, but oddly enough, a large smile stretched across his face, and though the smile itself was clearly a facade, it made his emotions more obvious.

Suddenly, a strange silhouette appeared behind him, yet it belonged to that of a female. He needn't look her in the eye to understand his next step, thus he went on both knees, then positioned his head forward, ready for beheading.

"Why are those stairs so looong? And why did Urane leave all the way at the bottom floor? This place is huge!" Hyosung grumbled quietly as he climbed the last few flights of stairs, only to be met with the unsightly view.

Though it took time for him to piece things together, his mind was in complete disarray. The first thing he saw was White standing beside what seemed like a wealthy man, about to unsheathe her sword.

"Do you have any last requests before you go?" she asked in a soft tone, her gaze colder than the usual heated looks she gave Hyosung.

"Siiiuuuuu..." The sound cut through the silence, as well as the people's hopes.

"None that haven't been fulfilled. But if I were to ask for one small favor... please make it quick," he requested politely.

However, unknown to him, his last request was fulfilled before he had asked, with his head already on the ground as he uttered those words.

Ein Hel was oblivious to the fact that he had already been beheaded until his eyes lost their shimmer, all life seemingly disappearing from them. His hair no longer blocked his face, but instead of dread, his face shone in glee, despite his lifeless eyes.

White had already unsheathed and returned her sword within the blink of an eye. Her skin appeared slightly darker than it previously did, with her eyes lifeless than that of Ein Hel, yet her emotions unreadable. Unfortunately, her job wasn't concluded just yet.

The spokesman cleared his throat once again. "Now it's time for the next case. Can the accused HYOSUNG SLAY please come to the center of the court!" he yelled.

His words made the heads, emotions, and tension of the audience turn towards the direction of Hyosung, which brought about a variety of glare

s and looks more intense than when he left the poor district. Indeed, rejecting the system was a mistake that would cost him dearly.