Fish

For now Jin decided to not become more of a wage slave than he already was. With the world going through such a massive change, it could end for all he knew tomorrow, while unlikely he first wanted the world to stabilize before he got another job. 

After searching about soul cores online, and getting no information other than some speculation that it would make you stronger or give you powers, he closed his phone as he had to prepare for uni. 

Arriving on campus less students walked the halls than usual, the class also had a strange mood, as no one could really focus and instead discussed the night's previous events, even the professor seemed distracted. 

This was happening all over campus and the director decided to give everyone the week off, to get their bearings or grieve, while statistically not many had died, some still did and people grieving could be visibly felt. 

As the Incident was happening around the globe Jin did not want to think what the total death toll was but he could only suspect it to be in the millions. 

After University he still had to work a shift at a cafe, he was a waiter. 

The cafe was empty. Not a single customer. Most people were staying home, huddling with loved ones, afraid of what might come next. His manager sent him home early.

By 5 PM, Jin was back in his apartment with something rare and alien, free time. Jin was excited and immediately went online consuming any kind of content he could but it all felt hollow. Normally he could push the feeling down or ignore it as he was always busy. But now…. It frustrated him, his exasperation peaked after he lost a game of solitaire. 

'What am I doing' he muttered to himself as he stared at the ceiling

The only thing that really drew his interest was…. The other world. Scrolling through more articles, he found that researchers had figured out the time difference, one hour on earth was equal to four hours there. Even more bizarre, injuries in the other world didn't carry over. Cuts, bruises, even lost limbs, gone upon return.

Jin didn't want to know how that had been tested. Still, it sparked a dangerous thought. 'Even if I get injured I won't necessarily die. And as long as I'm careful, it shouldn't be a problem'. 

Jin sat at the edge of his bed, gripping his phone tightly. He thought of his mom. The promise he made to her, to stay safe. But he also thought of the stillness in his chest, the strange emptiness couldn't be filled. And with this article it sealed the deal for him, he couldn't ignore the pull any longer.

He silently asked his mother for forgiveness. And with the time difference, he'd be back before she even noticed.

Laying on his bed, he fell asleep. 

Jin awakened in the shelter. Exiting his room he was surprised as the once bustling plaza was empty with only twenty or so people roaming about. 

Making his way down he got a clearer picture and saw that most were just wandering around trying to do various experiments; it seemed they were scientists or reporters of some sort. 

There was also a group of four discussing something near the exit. As Jin passed them, they stared. Not with recognition, but disbelief, watching him step beyond the threshold and disappear into the forest.

He chose the forest over the plains, as it had more cover. Being extremely careful he wandered for 20 minutes before encountering his first prey. 

It was a flock of birds, pheasants of some kind, well flock might be an exaggeration. There were three of them, their bodies were brown while their heads were red, the bird reached up to his waist, making it certainly large, though not particularly threatening. 

After some contemplation he came up with a plan of attack, if they flew off Jin certainly had no ability to chase them so his strike had to be instantaneous, and he only had one way of accomplishing it which was by throwing his dagger. 

Jin crept forward, his heart raced yet his breath was slow and steady. He flung the blade. 

It struck the bird's head, but with the hilt as it bounced off. 

The other birds, hearing the commotion, flew off while the remaining one was dazed from the impact, seeing his chance, Jin summoned the dagger back to his hand and slashed the stunned bird's throat.

Bleeding out the bird squawked a few times before dying. 

[Common Beast Razor Pheasant slain. Absorb Soul core for Ascension] 

'No beast armament this time'. Jin frowned briefly, but the disappointment faded, he had confirmed something crucial, he could re-summon his weapon even if it was not in his hands.

Dissecting the pheasant he found the soul core in its head and quickly absorbed it. Feeling a cool rush spread through his system, he pressed on. 

Jin did not find the other pheasants and after an hour of searching stumbled upon a pond fed by a trickling waterfall. It seemed there was even a small cave hidden in the rockface, Jin took in the beauty of it. 

In the city, everything was steel and stone blocks. Even the parks were boxed in. But here, it was raw, untouched nature. Trees swayed. The air felt alive and vibrant.

Looking at the pond he saw a few fish swimming peacefully. Jin had no intention to attack, he couldn't anyway and from what he could tell the fish were as long as his arm with sharp teeth sticking out from their mouth. A few were even swimming close to the shore bank, seemingly hoping he would fall in. 

But otherwise Jin thought it was peaceful, and he felt at ease. Throwing a small pebble in the water to see what the fish would do, he noticed something in his reflection, it was a blur of yellow. 

'Fuck.' 

Whipping his head around, his eyes went wide. Behind him stood a feline creature of some sort, easily two meters tall. It was covered in amber fur and had big canine teeth, with spikes jutting from its spine. 

Their eyes met, Jin shivered, a predator's gaze, cold and unblinking. It had managed to stalk up behind him, without making a sound. 

It was less than three meters away. Drool dripped slowly from its jaws. Jin could just barely hear its breathing, slow, deliberate. Each exhale sent a shiver crawling up his spine.

He needed to run, but where? He was stuck between a rock and hard place, in front, whatever abomination that was and behind a pond of man eating fish. 

The feline stepped forward. It no longer bothered to stalk, there was no need. Jin wasn't going anywhere.