The First Realm: Lee Ki Jung's story
Copyright© 2019 by Diederik Rask
Chapter 4: Dong Kyu
It is after dark, and the stars are out when she finally reaches a gate in the outer wall of the city. There is a fee of 15 coppers to enter, but as she has no means of paying it, she is required to sign a magically binding contract. The contract will take the entrance fee from any money she earns, up to 50% at a time, until it is paid off. This does not make her happy, but she doesn’t want to stay outside the walls another night.
Without coin, she isn’t able to afford to stay in an Inn. Thus Ki Jung is relegated to the slums and once again sleeping under the stars. Luck remains on her side. The weather continues to be comfortable for sleeping outdoors.
In an open space next to the outer wall, Ki Jung makes herself comfortable. Pulling her parka over herself like a blanket, she is about to fall asleep when someone kicks her foot, hard.
“That’s my space your in! Get up! Either pay the fee for it or move on.”
Ki Jung is instantly alert. She expected something like this might happen. Bullies are everywhere. And, when you are new and unknown, one is likely to show up and do their best to make you miserable.
Yawning, Ki Jung stands up and looks this cretin up and down like he’s a worthless toad. He is slightly taller than her, but he has significantly more mass. He is carrying a basic cudgel that he is taping against his off-hand. Behind him are three others of similar status. From their appearance and body language, they are with him.
“This is your spot? Well, I don’t see a name on it, and no one else said it belongs to anyone. So, how about you just leave me alone and move on. I’m tired and want to sleep,” she tells the person attempting to menace her.
This causes the man to growl and in response, he says, “Don’t you know who I am? No one messes with me. Now get out of here or pay me for using my space!”
“I’m sorry, but I will have to decline,” is Ki Jung’s response. If you allow bullies to cow you, they’ll never stop.
“Why you damned bitch, I’m going to beat you until you beg me to stop, and then I’m going to use you like a cheap whore,” he bellows as he steps forward taking a swing at her with the cudgel.
Ki Jung isn’t impressed by his words, but they do ignite a fire in her belly. She watches the man intently and unconsciously exudes a menacing aura. Using her Qi is second nature now, so she follows the flow of his energy with it. When he swings at her, the world seems to slow down in her mind. Stepping into him, she grabs and throws him to the ground with a mighty thud. Without letting go, she takes hold of his wrist and twists it while applying pressure to it in a way that has him screaming in pain.
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