Kirin Hunting-Kirin Hunting
CIS, Kenny Jeong, Fiction: Group 4
T
he sun rose over the horizons of the Gobi desert, its light illuminating the flaxen sand of
the barren landscape. While the vermillion crimson sphere cast its light over the gentle
dunes of the Gobi, the world lay still, fast asleep. The desert land possessed an intense
aura: vibrant with energy and yet so elegantly composed and stable. The desert was
home to people, creatures, stories and products that would travel along the Silk Road. Among the
unique creatures that had adapted to live in this extreme climate was an animal called the Kirin,
a chimera that truly emanated the energy of the Gobi desert, with its majestic appearance and
vigorous energy.
Kirins are majestic creatures, with the torso of a robust horse and the head of a dragon that
is embellished with antlers. Their torsos are wreathed with iron scales that are lustrous in color
and yet resonate with resistance, while their impressive heads boast antlers that are rumored to
be the key ingredient in the elixir of life. However despite the Kirin’s magical properties, one fact
that has been noted by the people who have encountered one is that the fire this creature breathes
does not kill, but freezes a man alive. The man will be turned to cold stone while still conscious,
waiting for his soul to wither away.
However the creature had not been spotted for many years and life within the Korean state
of Goguryeo was normal. The streets of the city were bustling with businesses selling a myriad
of different goods. From avocados from the Middle East to silk from China, the streets were filled
with products from the Silk Road attracting customers of all kinds. Simultaneously, underground
trade within the city flourished and bloomed. Businesses specializing in narcotic sales and
smuggling thrived. Among the underground illicit businessmen, there were three brothers who
specialized in one specific trade - smuggling alcohol and exotic creatures.
One summer day, in an underground rice wine cellar, the three brothers discussed the next
heist that they would perform. The dimly lit wine cellar in which they confined themselves reeked
of poorly brewed alcohol, stale sweat and the metallic odor of rusting coins in the corners. The
setting was perfect for the illicit activities that they would engage in. From fine alcohol imported
without taxes to the trade in exotic animals, these men were the finest among all smugglers in
the lands of Goguryeo but other than smuggling a few caskets of white alcohol, they had been out
of work for the past six months. Little did they know that the next job they would be presented
would change things forever.
“Gentlemen, good news or bad news?” asked the man dressed in the black coat.
“Ming, just tell me it’s a job that is liquefiable. It’s been six months since we had any work. We
should be hunting white tigers off in Bengal, or hunting exotic swordfish off the coast of Japan.
Or, we could smuggle more illicit alcohol from Japan and sell it here. We did it for ten years and
the market is even more profitable now. I got bills to pay. Ming find us a job please,” sighed the
man dressed in the white coat.
“Kay’s got a point. Please, I mean please tell me we are not stuck in this state forever, because
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