Chapter 3 - Wonderland-2 (1/2)

Chapter 3: Chapter 1 Wonderland-2

Wonderland had been home to the outlaws and the insane; however, it still had rules.

First, don't piss off anyone stronger than you. Second, you couldn't commit any crimes in the neutral zone. Third, the trash from the slums would be left to rot in their own territory.

However, like the rules of any world, there were always exceptions.

The Caucus race. It was a race to kill or be killed in the streets of the slums. The winner among the tens of participants who took part in the competition would become the slums' leader.

Heart, looking down at the street, was sitting on top of the roof with his feet dangerously dangling. He had been nervously watching the roads in anticipation of his favorite event, the Caucus race.

A shadow hidden in the darkness fidgeted like a bug. Heart smiled widely with his long red lips.

Growling, Heart said, ”I'm looking forward to this.”

Heart's senses became aroused as his pheromone-filled voice wafted through the air. The prostitutes he had called to enjoy during his climax were cheering and squirming. Just then, from the rooftop, someone could be seen through the door. His face was sickly pale. His lips moved beneath his black mask. ”When do we start?”

Casually, Heart retorted, ”You acted like you weren't interested. I'm surprised you came out, White Rabbit.”

While walking toward Heart, White Rabbit snorted and replied, ”When?”

Upon seeing the enormous rectangular sword slung diagonally across White Rabbit's back, Heart's minions stopped him. White Rabbit shrugged and said, ”Can you calm your minions down? I'm a neutral party.”

”Is the rabbit barking?” Heart asked haughtily.

”Such a way with words,” White Rabbit said, rolling his eyes.

White Rabbit raised his elbows, mumbling. As he buried his face into his arms, White's hair fell onto the handrails. His childlike behavior suited him; he was small, thin, and young-looking.

”So, when are we starting?” asked White Rabbit again.

”Soon… Hmm?” Heart said while locking his gaze on a single point.

Someone was walking toward them. Someone who was wearing a black suit and had white hair. Heart nudged White Rabbit's arm with his shoe. White Rabbit angrily lifted his head.

”Sh*t. What?” White Rabbit asked in annoyance.

”You'll regret it if you don't see this,” said Heart.

Still annoyed, White Rabbit asked, ”What could it possibly be…? Huh?”

White Rabbit squinted in the direction of where Heart's shoe was pointing. White Rabbit saw white-blonde hair and a black suit; attached was a colossal sword unsuitable for someone with such a small and thin stature. The frame was a bit different, but a person who was remarkably similar to White Rabbit was standing there. With a neatly pressed suit and a walk full of hope, White Rabbit could sense that this was an outsider of Wonderland.

Progressively losing his composure, White Rabbit asked, ”Since when did we have something like that? Have you seen that person before?”

”Stop acting like a bunny. Are you afraid of losing your identity?” Heart asked.

Now angry, White Rabbit yelled, ”Have you seen that person before?!”

”I haven't,” Heart replied calmly.

There was nothing that happened in Wonderland without Heart being the first to know about it. If Heart hadn't seen the person before, then there was a 100-percent chance that the person was a newcomer.

White Rabbit growled under his mask and said, ”I'm killing that.”

”Let's put our fate in the rest of the race,” said SoYoon.

Heart laughed out loud, stuck his arms out, and bowed mockingly at the reaction towards the newcomer. White Rabbit, however, yelled, ”Get off me!” in response.

Heart turned his head and spoke to the newcomer. ”Hey, blondie.”

1. Wonderland (Parts 5-8)

Mere feet away from the edge of the Wonderland billboard, SoYoon stopped and looked up at it. The sign reminded her of an amusement park, with such an impactful presence. Just a few more steps until entering Wonderland.

SoYoon moved slowly toward it. One step, two steps, three steps. And on the fourth step, she breathed the Wonderland air in deeply.

Ah, I am now free.

Overjoyed, she didn't recognize the gloomy atmosphere of the place. Thinking that she should find an empty house, she shuffled forward, humming a soothing tune.

”Hey, blondie.”

At the research facility, SoYoon was called by various nicknames other than her name, such as, ”Hey, you,” or, ”Number 137.” ”Blondie” was another nickname she had heard before.

She looked up to where she sensed people watching her. Atop a three-story building, a man stood on the roof—red hair muddled by the darkness, and a handsome face. He wore an indigo suit with a deep red handkerchief and an open-collared shirt, uninhibited by a necktie. With such limited information, SoYoon was unable to decipher this man's identity.