I'd already deduced he was a king that wasn't respected. One that might be disregarded and loathed.
After all, he died with no one by his side. According to the system, he'd been dead for some hours, yet no one had come to recover his body.
A king, yet, no proper care. He was being neglected.
With a smile still plastered to his face, Ash pulled ajar the hefty doors and stepped out, eager to see and learn about his new life.
But… he hadn't even taken a step forward when the system's desperate voice, loud and strong, pierced his ears.
[Don't!!!!]
Ash's hands reflectively flew up to cover his ears, feeling the ache.
"What the hell is wrong with—"
[Ding!] a notification alert interrupted him.
[Host has acted out of character. Host will be punished]
Huh?!
[Concluding Penalty]
[Commencing Punishment]
[Insufficient points to buy pardon. Penalty starts in 10…. 9… 8….]
Huh? Agh? W-wha— Ash could only turn and pace, utterly confused as to how he had already acted out of character.
[I'm sorry host. I regret to tell you, but you weren't supposed to leave the room,] the system revealed sluggishly as if it felt pity.
"Fuck why? And why didn't you tell me earli—"
Ash, a.k.a Koul, felt his words caught in his throat when his surrounding instantly turned black and felt his feet sinking into a swamp.
But this didn't last any second longer as he opened his eyes to meet an all familiar environment, the tower.
Once again, he was kneeling. But unlike the first time where he was bare, he was still in his silky garment.
Why have I been brought here again now?
Hmm? He seems to have bound perfectly with his new body.The figures, that is, the judges cloaked in black, started.
Indeed, he looks refined like he isn't the obnoxious guy a few hours ago.
At this, Koul's brow twitched, but he said nothing. He was more concerned as to why he had been brought back to the so-called Tabernacle of Decree.
But why's he already here for a punishment? It's not even been a day yet he has done something wrong.
Hmph! Even in his new body, I guess his unrefined behavior can't help it.
Tsk! Are they here to do their work or cuss me out?
Gazing up at them, Koul was tempted to speak. To ask them to unleash whatever punishment he was summoned for, but he knew not to. If he didn't want to risk angering them once more.
Recalling the past event, his eyes hastily darted to the spot that woman sat. The one who manhandled him just for speaking back.
His Amethyst eyes landed on her green piercing ones, and the skin between her brows drew together when they made contact.
Haha! She's displeased. He smiled softly, oddly comforted by the woman's displeasure.
So? Who's going to handle his punishment? Should I do it?One for he judges asked.
No, let me. I kind of bear a grudge since the first time he was here and looked at us as if we were below him,Another replied.
If we base it on that, then I'm pretty sure everyone here holds a grudge.One chipped in.
I see we are all itching to punish him.
Am I now a livestock being bidded on for punishment?
Why don't they just pass me around and have their way with me? Disgusting bastards!
As soon as he said that within him, he felt the woman's green eyes piercing him more coldly.
He tilted his head toward her, catching her tight expression of irritation and anger.
C-can she read minds? A shiver of panic shuddered his body along with cold sweat.
Unleasher!A man among the judges, sitting very high up the platforms, called coldly.
From the side of the tower, down where Koul knelt, a bulky man materialized into view, dragging along a hefty chain that was strapped around his body.
And a spiky whip in one hand.
I do not know why you all find it hard to do the necessary without complicating things,the man said, staring at his colleagues.
I for one do not like unnecessary waste of time. So I will oversee the punishment as it should be.
With a stretch of his hand toward Koul, he said.
Strip,and Koul's garment came half done, pouring to his waist level and revealing his bare chest and back.
Then he said, Be bound!
And thick, wooden vines immediately roped through Koul's arms, spreading them apart and binding them tightly to an invisible frame.
Seven strokes,the man said and the bulky man started walking toward Koul.
Wait what? Strokes? With that whip full of spikes?
"Wait, no! I don't even know what I did wrong! All I did was step out!" He yelled, gaze darting here and there desperately.
He had wanted them to decide his punishment the fastest they could a minute ago, but now faced with the reality of it, he wasn't ready.
As the bulky man inched closer, his heart pounded heavier.
"Is the king a handicap that cannot walk? Is that why I cannot leave the room? How can you punish me for something I don't even know?!"
Koul's pleas, however, fell on deaf ears as the moment the man reached, he lashed out the rope and—
WHIP!
Koul's words caught in his throat, almost choking on his saliva as he felt his flesh tear under the spiked whip.
He hadn't even digested the first whip when the second landed, drawing a sharp scream of agony from him.
In response, the judges laughed, finding the situation amusing.
With every cry Koul met the agonizing whips, mocking laughter was what the judges gave.
At the fifth count, Koul slumped forward, weak from the pain and energy he used to scream. His garment had soaked up blood. His back, a mess that couldn't be looked at twice.
Torn flesh mixed with blood.
After the seventh count, the vines binding him freed him, allowing him to drop to the ground with a thud.
His body shuddered painfully from his wounds being exposed. His back rose and fell with each shallow breath he struggled to draw, trying to adjust to the pain.
[Ding!]
[Host has cleared his punishment: Seven Strokes]
Let this serve as a warning to you mortals with little to no brain cells,a judge said just as Koul's consciousness diminished.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Reopening his eyes, Koul found himself back in the vast empty room he was before. He was laid face first, his wounds exposed.
As he recalled everything, his face tightened with anger.
Fuck the ones who stabbed me to death! I'm killing the judges first!