The Humiliation

"It was the day of my 21st birthday.

On this particular day, we were enjoying ourselves in none other than the Land of the Dragon A.K.A. China.

( SCREEEE~~~CH~)

I stepped on the brakes as an unholy-looking hole opened right in front of me on the road.

'Should we check what's inside?'

I asked while looking at the crack in the space that had opened right in front of me.

I only needed assurance from my partner.

Coincidentally, little Pudin was already excited, just like me.

We couldn't see the other side of the portal through its opening, but that didn't stop us.

'Mhuuum. ( Let's Go! )'

I changed gear with an exciting smile, and the truck accelerated faster than I had wanted.

Was it the force of my feet on the accelerator, or was the Truck able to feel my excitement?

I will never know as in an instant, the truck passed through the portal, and we appeared on the other side.

Not to mention running over an old man who was wearing a loosely fit robe and a sheathed sword on his side.

( Mhuum. )

"I didn't intentionally murder that old man."

Little Pudin was already putting the blame on Iwan.

I really hadn't hit him intentionally, and even though I hadn't confirmed the 'accidental' death of the old man, I still knew that no one could survive such a kind of collision with the hood of my truck.

But, that is when I heard a noise.

( Oh, not bad for a massage. This old demon would like to thank the guest and also welcome the guest since you are the first from your World to enter this place. Would you kindly show your face to me before I drag you out of this monstrously ugly-looking vehicle? And, pluck out your descendant-making machine with a flick of my finger? )

I shivered as I heard a ghastly sound coming right out of the hood of my truck. Even though I wasn't afraid of ghosts or old demons, I still got out of the truck, instantly, because of my gentle and giving nature.

That was when I saw the man who had just been struck by my truck a moment ago. That old man looked fine as he walked towards me while wobbling but there was not a single scratch on his body nor a patch of dirt on his clothes.

To me, it looked like there was something more than just the aftereffect of getting hit by the truck. The old bat looked like a drunkard showing his deadly walk that would even give the ladies a heavy nosebleed.

I shivered as I looked at the old man's walk. While Pudin was sweating profusely but his nervous demeanor was hidden by his godly layer of fur.

Then, the old man spoke to me again.

( Do you know where you are? Answer me correctly; otherwise, your parents will leave you. )

The old man folded his hand and questioned me.

The moment I heard the name of my parents and the condition that the old man was setting forth, I knew that I had to answer it incorrectly.

Looking around, I could only find a castle that was way behind the old man and the barren dried-up land we were on.

I thought to myself, 'The old man said that he was an old demon while he was wearing a loosely fit robe. He also survived a 'hood on' clash with my truck. The answer can never never be the Demonic Sect. Haha, just wait, old man.'

I answered the old man with a confident tone while knowing that I would fail successfully since my parents had already left me ages ago.

'This is the Demonic Sect.'

I smirked as my answer left my mouth, but the expression on the old man's face rapidly changed.

( You are right. This is indeed the Demonic Sect, and I am the leader, The Old Demon. )

The Old Demon told Pudin and me and then went on to stare at us for a whole disastrous minute.

Sadly, I could feel myself being thrown naked in front of thousands of wolves that were only allowed to drool but not devour me.

Then, the old demon said the cursed words.

( You have no talent for my martial arts. So, Get Lost! )

With his words, a gust of wind pushed me, Pudin, and my Truck out of the portal in a moment.

I understood one thing after the short yet scary interaction.

'The portal contained a martial sect. One of the most infamous evil sects, The Demonic Sect. It's unbelievable, but that's what it is.'

I told Pudin, who was also raising his paws, to acknowledge the truth that had left my mouth.

Even though I understood the portal's secret, I knew it was time for that.

'It was indeed an unbelievable experience. Who knew learning about the martial society and martial arts on this trip would bring us to this but Pudin, I think it's time, so should we?'

'Mhuum!'

I questioned Pudin, and he already agreed with me as if our thoughts were connected.

I shouted at the top of my lungs.

'I understood what this portal was and what it contained. But it's time for me to wake up from my sleep. It's time to say goodbye to this successfully failed dream.'

I threw a straight punch at the little bear's face while his small yet thick paw struck my nose.

An instant later, we both cried because of the pain that was traveling like a bolt of lightning throughout our bodies.

'Pudin, It's still there. It wasn't a dream.'

'Mhuum.'

After a moment, we tried entering the portal again, but something blocked our way from entering this particular hole."

Iwan stopped and looked ahead.

Right in front of his eyes was the truck, that his father used to drive. The same truck that he had used to earn his living and travel the World.

"Did you try the other portals?"

The beautiful lady wasn't ready to allow Iwan any breathing time as she couldn't handle the suspense.