C6 The Pampered and Exposed Me
Lee Yu offered no resistance.
The tiny device shone at him, seemingly detecting something unusual, yet the woman refrained from drawing her sword for a direct confrontation. Her words suggested that the device was checking eligibility for the stage test.
So, Lee Yu's primary concern at the moment was gauging the woman's strength. Astonishingly, she hoisted him up with one hand, tucking him under her arm effortlessly as she strode toward the stage without so much as a blush or a breath out of place.
"Could we possibly switch positions? This one lacks a bit of grace..." Lee Yu winced as the woman's movements caused him to bump into sensitive spots.
The crowd parted for them, and in no time, the woman had brought Lee Yu to the foot of the stage.
"Just wait for that young man to step down, then you can go up and see the old gentleman, alright?" she said gently, pointing to the elder atop the stage to ensure Lee Yu understood.
Lee Yu: ...
Did she truly take him for a simpleton?
Yet, after a brief pause, he nodded in agreement. The crowd's attention to the test was a clear indication of its significance to the locals. By participating, Lee Yu might blend into this world with ease. Besides, many on stage had failed to elicit a response from the stone—adding one more to their number wouldn't be shameful.
Lee Yu was unfazed by the prospect; his thick skin was well-suited for such minor embarrassments.
Relieved by his nod, the woman saw the boy descend from the stage and nudged Lee Yu, "Hurry, the elder has some treats for you."
Upon reaching the stage, the old man's voice was a gentle balm, "Don't be nervous."
With the elder oblivious to any anomaly, Lee Yu's tension melted away. He nodded, mimicking the others by bowing his head to facilitate the elder's actions.
The elder placed one hand on the stone, channeling a steady flow of spiritual energy into it and coaxing forth its mysterious power. His other hand rested atop Lee Yu's head, infusing the stone's energy into him.
"This feels amazing," Lee Yu beamed, basking in the warmth radiating from the elder's hand, a comforting presence enveloping him.
Suddenly, an unexpected change occurred!
The night was pierced by a series of loud booms. The elder looked up in astonishment as lightning streaked across the sky, thundering in an instant.
A continuous warmth flowed into Lee Yu, and he sensed something amiss. This power was pouring into his body, coursing through him.
Crucially, the Thunder Bloodline he had acquired at registration seemed to be responding to a call, bubbling up and revealing itself within him. Lee Yu felt a searing heat throughout his body and an unparalleled strength surging within.
Opening his eyes, Lee Yu's gaze shimmered with a deep blue light.
"What's this?" he wondered, noticing his body enveloped in a web of lightning, crackling with energy. Then, his attention was drawn to the oddities in the sky.
"Huh, looks like rain. Why isn't anyone rushing to bring in the laundry?"
The elder was shaking as he stared at Lee Yu.
"Did the lightning zap this old guy silly?" Lee Yu mumbled to himself, a touch of concern creeping in. He hoped he wouldn't be held financially responsible for any mishaps.
"Thunder Bloodline! It's the Thunder Bloodline!" the elder bellowed, turning to address the hushed crowd in the square.
The next moment, a roar louder than any previous shouts filled the air.
The crowd erupted in a frenzy of cheers, as if they were witnessing a miracle unfold before them.
The system's electronic voice chimed in, and Lee Yu understood the cause of the commotion. He scratched his head, realizing that the Thunder Bloodline he'd signed up for was quite the coveted asset here.
Below the platform, a group of guards in white armor were keeping order. At the elder's command, four of them dashed onto the stage and securely encircled Lee Yu.
"Elder Mu, we'll escort him away now," one of the guards, a man in his forties, announced.
"That won't do. Leave five... actually, three will suffice to keep the peace here. The rest must ensure his safety," the elder instructed with a furrowed brow, "Take him straight to my residence!"
"Understood."
Lee Yu remained silent, feeling as though he'd done nothing to warrant this attention. He had been thrust into the spotlight to have his talents tested, half-expecting to drop a defiant quip about the fickleness of fortune. Yet, without lifting a finger, he had become the center of adoration, his safety now in the hands of his guards.
No, he had certainly made an effort. He had even taken a taxi to the city library to check in.
After descending from the stage, the middle-aged man felt the need for speed and, without hesitation, scooped up Lee Yu before swiftly exiting the plaza with a group in tow.
Lee Yu: ...
If I must be carried, I would've preferred it to be by that young lady from before.
Once they were out of the plaza, the middle-aged man picked up the pace. The wind generated by their rapid movement whipped against Lee Yu's face, stinging his enhanced skin.
Having taken the Purification Pill, which boosted his physical condition, Lee Yu found the wind so strong that he couldn't even open his eyes.
Minutes later, a disoriented Lee Yu was set down by the middle-aged man.
Lee Yu: Ugh...
The armored guards who had followed burst into laughter.
Lee Yu: ...
Damn it, don't think I won't just throw up on you if I have to!
As he began to recover, Lee Yu surveyed his new surroundings.
Truth be told, infiltrating the plaza or stepping up on the stage for the test was nothing compared to this direct encounter. Before, he could bluster his way through, but now he needed to be sharp.
He took a moment to observe the people around him. This was his first real interaction with individuals from the Otherworld, and Lee Yu was keen on making a good impression. Although he could leave immediately, vanishing on the spot might lead to unforeseen consequences.
What if they were to wait for his return?
Lee Yu mentally rehearsed his backstory, just in case someone inquired about his origins.
He then turned his attention to the environment, trying to ignore the overwhelming presence of the people around him. The shortest among them stood no less than 1.8 meters, with the tallest likely surpassing two meters. Their bulging muscles exuded an intense pressure.
Even at a height of 1.8 meters, thanks to the Purification Pill, Lee Yu felt diminutive in comparison due to his build.
He felt like an utter weakling.
Then, one of them caught Lee Yu's examining gaze and flashed a friendly smile, which to Lee Yu, seemed as though he was about to be devoured.
"Are Night Pearls considered worthless in this world?" Lee Yu mumbled to himself, noticing the multitude of Night Pearls embedded in the walls, casting light all around.
"Could I possibly capitalize on the differences between the two worlds to make some money?" Lee Yu pondered aloud. "After all, Night Pearls are quite valuable in my world."
While Lee Yu's mind wandered, a loosely formed circle of guards parted, allowing the old man from the high platform to approach.
Lee Yu took the opportunity to scrutinize the elder more closely. The man's snow-white beard nearly reached his waist, and his face bore wrinkles deep enough to tuck a finger into, as he leaned on his wooden staff, unsteady on his feet.
This was a stark contrast to the commanding presence he had on the platform.
"System, what did he say?" Lee Yu asked with a smile, his inner voice frantically prompting for a response.
He's inquiring if you're from around here.
"System, how do you always know the right thing to say?" Lee Yu wondered silently.
Lee Yu nodded at the elder, conveying the system's message verbatim.
Outwardly, he maintained his composure, but internally, Lee Yu was on high alert, ready to bolt back to the real world at the first hint of danger. After all, nothing was more precious than his own life.
He remarked that the locals aren't usually so soft and fair-skinned.
Lee Yu: ...
"I've given myself away with my pampered appearance," he conceded.
