I looked up at the grey sky as the clouds darkened and drops of rain fell on my cheeks. The salty water trickled down my old wrinkled face and soaked my clothes all the way down to my feet. 

“Mister, How many times do I have to tell you? You’re going to catch a cold if you stay out in the rain like that!”

I looked down at the young girl with her pouted red cheeks. She pulled my sleeve with both her hands until I finally limped out of the rain and I sat down on the wooden deck of my house. The young girl quickly went inside and came out with a towel. She dried off my wet hair while nagging me about taking care of my health.

"You're not young like me anymore, Mister! You need to take care of yourself!"

Her name was Eris, and she was the only daughter of my neighbors. I had been living in this old village since she was born, so we were as close as real family.

I continued to watch the rain fall until it stopped and the clouds began to clear up. Golden sunlight shined through and the blue sky revealed itself. Through my blurred vision, I vaguely saw the outline of three suns in the sky. 

‘It's already been 60 years since I fell into this world…’

I looked down at my wrinkled hands. I knew I was close to the end of my life. Perhaps that was why, but for the past few days, I began to dream of the past. Of the day when I first fell into this world.

The last moments I remembered of Earth, was being on the rooftop of my highschool together with my best friend. I think... we wanted to eat our lunch outside for a change. We never did get to eat our lunch because the kids who used to bully us were already there, and I don't remember the reason why, but they started beating us up.

I think the worst part of it... was that my ex girlfriend was also there to see it.

I must have been hit hard, because I lost consciousness on the rooftop. 

And when I woke up, I was already in a dark cave in another world.

For better or worse, it wasn't just me.

Everyone who was on that rooftop was there. 

Surrounding the cave, was an endless forest, with no hope of us getting out.

I remember us starving for days, unable to find anything to eat. 

But compared to the worries we had, most of us found a way to escape the forest. One by one, our group went down in number every time a powerful being came for them. They seemed to recognize a hidden potential in us. It was apparent to me after the first 3 of us were taken, that we were special somehow.

The last to remain in the cave was my best friend and I.

At first, I believed someone would come to save us too.

But after a month went by, and our bodies grew weak, I knew I was wrong.

When we tried to leave on our own, we almost died to the monsters living in the forest.

Just as we were losing all hope, a large fox came to our cave. She introduced herself to us as the guardian of the forest. We were terrified by her monsterous appearance, but still begged for her help in escaping.

The fox agreed to help us in exchange that we give her an arm. I was too afraid...so my best friend offered his. I still remember his cries from that day.

As promised, the fox sent us to a city where other humans lived. 

I carried my bleeding friend to a hospital and started working in order to pay the doctor. I cleaned at inns, washed dishes in kitchens, looked for herbs, and cut wood.

Once my best friend woke up and was healed from his wound, he started working together with me. Although we never awakened a special talent or skill, I was satisfied with my life. I was glad I had my best friend and it got me through the hard times.

Years went by, when one day, my best friend came home with a book in his hand. It was a book that the people in this world used to train and get stronger. I could never understand it, but my friend was immediately drawn. 

He read and read. When there were no more to read, he started to write his own.

It wasn’t until I saw him fight for the first time, that it hit me.

My friend was also special.

He contined to grow stronger with each day, until he caught the eye of a famous house in the area. They wanted to hire him as a guard, and was willing to pay him well for it. 

My friend was overjoyed when telling me, but I decided not to follow him.

He couldn’t understand why... but it was because I felt ashamed. I was jealous of him.

I wanted to grow stronger with him, but it didn't matter how many times I read or trained. I had no talent in it.

My heart grew more jealous with each day and every time I saw his missing arm, the jealousy would turn into guilt. It was a pain that ate away at my soul.

So, I left.

I went far away from the city, in search for a new home. I wanted to find a place that was quiet and safe. I had saved up quite a lot of money by then, enough to survive for the rest of my life. 

But this world was not kind to the weak. On the road, I was ambushed by bandits who stole all my belongings and money. 

If it was my friend… that would never have happened.

While trying to fight against the bandits, I damaged my left leg and was still limping to this day. I barely managed to drag my body to a village and passed out infront of a house. The house belonged to a man and his pregnant wife.

They cared for me until I was well again, and helped me settle down in the village. The house next to them was abandoned by the last owners, so I was able to move in without any money.

From that day, I lived the rest of my life gathering herbs and trading them for crops. 

And 50 years went by.

“What are you thinking about so deeply, Mister?”

Eris asked while she swung her legs back and forth. Her green eyes were wide open with innocent curiosity.

“…I was thinking about my life.”

“Hmm~”

Erin hummed playfully.

“Did you think about your friend again? The golden sword king?”

“That’s right.”

“Tell me more of his stories!”

“You’ve heard them all already.”

“Pleeease!”

I chuckled and began to tell Eris about my friend’s life. He lived an unbelievably shining life compared to mine. His stories were talked about across the country, reaching even my ears in this small village.

10 years after I left him, the kingdom we lived in entered a state of war. He led the army to victory, and was given the title of duke.

Another 10 years later, I heard stories of him traveling the world and challenging strong people. It wasn't long before he was know across the lands as the strongest man on the planet.

Those who've seen him fight, spoke of the warm golden energy around his sword. This got him his title as the 'Golden sword king'.

News of him died out during his travels, and many rumors went around of how he made a family and settled down. 

“…I think it’s time to go to bed now.”

“Awwww!”

After I finished the story, I sent Eris home and I laid in my bed with the windows open. I liked looking up at the night sky, because the singular moon reminded me of Earth.

“So it’s today…”

Somehow I knew that today was my last day.

I looked at the bright moon lighting up the dark sky, as I closed my eyes. Although it wasn’t full of wonders and there was suffering, it wasn't a bad life.

My conscience slowly faded as my life ended.

---

“Wake up, Yun!”