Fragile Phantasy

Part 8

KC was stunned as Kryge lunged for an attack, his mind racing with memories of the people who used to bully him, making his body sweat and his nerves raw.

Without thinking, KC threw a punch fueled by anger, but Kryge easily dodged it and countered with a punch to the stomach that sent KC groveling in pain. "Just like I said," Kryge sneered. "You're weak, magicless." He followed up with a strong axe kick KC quickly rolled out of the way, causing the floor to crack under the force of the attack.

KC seized the opportunity to strike, but Kryge's posture immediately changed, as if he had no intention of blocking KC's attack. "Flame field," Kryge intoned, and in an instant he was surrounded by fire.

KC quickly backed away, shaking the flames from his hand. "Hot, hot, hot!" he exclaimed.

"It's time to get serious," Kryge said as he lunged for another attack. KC tried to retreat and escape, but Kryge moved faster than him. "You can't run!" Kryge's fist was closing in on KC's left cheek.

"Burning knuckles!" Kryge cast flames that engulfed his hand, and he punched KC with his flaming fist.

"Burning art-contact explosion!" KC was thrown backwards reeling on the floor, splashed with flames and half his face on fire. "Hwuaaaaaaaaaaaaahh!" he screamed, trying to extinguish the flames.

KC lost consciousness as all the worries and fears of the past came flooding back. He was still no different than he was all those years ago, still a loser.

Kryge approached him, his face full of contempt as he lifted KC up with ease. "I don't want to see your face here again," he snarled before tossing KC outside of the guild like a piece of trash.

Lying on the ground, bruised, burned, and humiliated, KC realized that he had to become stronger if he ever wanted to survive in this new world. He couldn't let himself be defeated like this again.

The cheers and roars of the crowd echoed through the guild as kc lay there, weak and defeated. Suddenly, the guild lady Kristel emerged from the crowd and approached him, offering a magical medicine to ease his pain.

"Drink this," she said kindly, wiping away the blood from his face. "Thankfully, they didn't kill you."

Weakly reaching for the medicine, kc drank it, feeling a small glimmer of hope that his broken bones and blisters might be fixed. Kristel continued to tend to him like a supportive nurse, explaining that the medicine was only effective for the magicless and that he must bear the pain he felt. She then advised him to never return to the guild for the sake of his well-being.

"Thank you, ma'am," kc said with gratitude, although the pain still lingered, he felt a sense of relief that his injuries had been somewhat alleviated.

Meanwhile, Kryge went back to drinking heavily, lost in thought. "It's the harsh reality," he mused. "There is no equality in this world. It's not good for one to hope for something that they cannot reach. My father believed that the weak could become stronger, and that was his big mistake. I will not be like him. I will teach the magicless the lesson they need, even if it's harsh."

Despite the pain, KC focused on his goal to save enough money to buy an adventurer's card so he could access valuable information. He remembered the eateries in the western part of town and force himself to stand-up to made his way there.

The eateries was bustling with customers, and KC approached one of the food stalls to apply for a job. Despite his battered appearance, they accepted him quickly and gave him a uniform to start working right away. As he began his new job.

As soon as KC stepped into the kitchen, he was greeted by a strange-looking chef with a mustache that resembled a broom. "Your job is to take orders, send out dishes, and entertain the customers. Don't frown, and make sure you're approachable. Start quickly, and your salary is 500 silver a day," the chef said, barely giving KC a chance to catch his breath.