A faint light spilled from the gaps in the curtains of a long window in a two-story house. The wooden structure, quite large, could accommodate many people. Yet, no one would ever want to live here. Just look for yourself! The appearance of the house was worse than a dog's kennel. The front door looked worn and difficult to shut properly unless propped up. The walls were cracked almost throughout the entire building, as was the roof, riddled with holes. Some of the wooden floorboards were rotten and frail, threatening to make one stumble and fall through at any moment. No one even knew whether the toilets still worked or were clogged. Spider webs covered every corner, making the building look abandoned. Believe it or not, this dilapidated old structure was the headquarters of the infamous Kelam Malam hunter group in this city.
It was located in the slums of the city, an area neglected by the authorities. A perfect place for a cunning hunter group to hide away. No wonder the crime rate here was incredibly high. One could lose their money pouch with just a moment's distraction. Even if you screamed, no one would come to help, nor would anyone care. Nearly all of the residents here were criminals or ordinary folk blind to the crime around them.
Only the law of the jungle prevailed here, where the strong could trample over the weak. It was a common sight to witness thefts or robberies in these parts. Yet, none of the criminals dared to disturb the 'Kelam Malam' headquarters, which was barely standing. The reason for this was Grussel.
No matter how cunning the thieves or robbers in this area were, none of them had the courage to disturb the former warlord of the kingdom. He was a master of martial arts and skilled in the use of all kinds of weapons. Likewise, all his subordinates had inherited his combat techniques. Anyone with any sense would avoid the lair of such a fierce tiger.
However, among the few, there was one madman who dared to challenge Grussel. He even yelled loudly and slammed his hands on the table right in front of him.
"We need to save Anggi, Boss! She's been gone for two days. Two days, Boss! I'm tired of waiting!!" Dimas shouted, his emotions boiling over.
All the hunters were stunned by his actions. In an instant, silence filled the room. This was the place where the hunters held their briefings before going out on hunts. But unlike usual, they weren't discussing a hunting plan today. Instead, they were deliberating over the fate of one of their own.
"You need to think carefully, Fool! From the start, there was nothing we could have done to save her," Grussel replied firmly. His gaze was so sharp it could freeze the courage of anyone.
But not Dimas. The young man glared at his leader even more fiercely. "Is this how a leader treats his subordinates? Do you see us as pawns to be discarded at will!?"
Grussel, enraged, rose and punched Dimas in the face with all his might. The poor man was sent sprawling backwards, crashing into Igresti, who had been leaning against the wall. The sound of the punch echoed in the air as Grussel kicked the table aside, sending it crashing into the wall. His footsteps rang out, making everyone's hearts race.
Then, he grabbed Dimas by the collar and lifted him up. "How dare you speak to me like that, you filthy brat! I consider you all my FAMILY!! I'm being harsh on you to teach you how to survive in this harsh world. Of course, I feel a loss. But you need to act logically!"
"Listen to this, you idiot! Anggi is probably already taken to the city of Ruvia, in Elvian territory. It's difficult for us to save her now. Yes, I was once the strongest in the kingdom. I could have breached enemy lines and destroyed their defenses. But I can't be the strongest forever!"
"Remember that, Dimas! Not forever! If I could, I wouldn't spend the rest of my life hunting animals with a bunch of chickens like you. What do you expect from an old man who's slow and weakening like me, huh? I won't let you or anyone here risk your lives going there. I've already lost one person. Don't make me add to my worries. Do you understand, you damn fool!?"
The young man, still hanging in midair, was silent for a moment. It was as if something clicked in his mind. The pain on his face seemed to open his eyes, or perhaps... it was his leader's words that struck a chord and awakened him. This caused not just Dimas to be stunned. Igresti, Jaester, as well as two other female members, Nina and Diana, appeared moved by Grussel's words.
As the leader of a wild hunter group, Grussel was a figure of strictness and harshness. He never showed any expression except anger and frustration. His daily demeanor was often flat and indifferent. The attention he gave was usually limited to brief phrases like "Oh, I see!" or "Is that so?" or just a glance, after which he would lose interest. Who would have thought that being cornered by Dimas would reveal the true feelings of such a stern leader?
The other four hunting members were either orphans or people who had run away from home, with no one else in the world. It was no wonder that Grussel's words, calling them family, touched the hearts of all four of them. Deep inside, their loyalty and admiration for Grussel only grew.
"But... I'm really worried about Anggi. I'm afraid something bad happened to her," Dimas said softly. "She's been my friend since childhood. I grew up with her. I really don't want to lose her."
Seeing the sorrow in Dimas's face, Grussel let him down and allowed him to stand on his own feet. He then looked him in the eye.
"Dimas, you're overthinking it! Even though the Long-Ears despise humans and all their kind, they won't have the heart to kill a rare race like the Haier-Elvian for some ridiculous reason. If she truly is in Ruvia, the Elvians will likely just imprison her."
"If that's the case, then we—"
"Trust in her! You once said Anggi is the most determined person when she sets a goal. So, this time too, she will surely find a way to return," Grussel said with a heavy voice. All of Dimas's objections froze on his tongue. "Now calm your mind and rest! I'm going back to my room."
The sound of footsteps, sharp and deliberate, no longer terrified the others. After seeing this softer side of their boss, there was no longer any reason for them to fear the aura he usually exuded.
Meanwhile, Dimas hung his head low. The young man slumped into a wooden chair, exhausted. Reluctantly, he had to place his trust in Anggi. On the other hand, he hated himself for being powerless to do anything for his best friend. Just waiting, doing nothing, was something he couldn't bear while his companion was in danger.
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*CLANK!
The sound of an iron lock opening forced me out of my dream. A vague shadow appeared in my vision. Someone was opening the door to the room where I was imprisoned.
After being captured by the Elvian soldiers, I had been thrown into a dungeon. There were no windows or clocks here, so I had no idea if it was day or night outside, nor how much time had passed. They locked me up here, hands and feet chained in iron. The Elvians were determined not to let me escape, no matter what happened.
My stomach growled with hunger, my body weakening. I hadn't eaten anything since before I was imprisoned. They gave me food, but not real food. The Elvians treated me like a pig, feeding me leftover scraps and rotten fruit.
Every few hours, the leader of the special forces came to interrogate me. The tall man continuously questioned my motives for infiltrating Elvian territory. Even though I told him I had accidentally been caught in a merchant's cargo, he accused me of lying. He even went as far as to accuse me of being a spy for the Kingdom of Lurivia, trying to uncover the weaknesses of the Elvian West Kingdom. It seemed he would continue to think I was lying unless I answered exactly as he wanted.
Whenever I repeated my answer or remained silent, he didn't hesitate to punch or kick me. My face was struck repeatedly, my empty stomach wounded deeply from his kicks, and my hair was often yanked brutally. He frequently carried a whip and lashed my body. Bruises, scratches, cuts, and punctures covered my whole body. No matter how much I screamed or begged for mercy, he didn't care.
Thinking of this made me want to cry. If only my tears hadn't dried up, I would have cried. Recently, I found myself crying more often. The pain and humiliation were worse than any bullying I had ever experienced.
My entire body hurt, my joints felt as though they might snap. My body felt drained. I lost consciousness repeatedly and often vomited blood. I would rather sink into the world of dreams than face reality. For in dreams, I could live in peace with the ones closest to me. Fate is cruel. Once you touch the wrong thread, everything bad can happen to you. If I could turn back time, I would choose a different path. If only I had dared to leap out of that cargo, none of this would have happened.
But it seemed that was not to be, as long as I remained trapped here. Being in this prison only brought me closer to death. My head hung weakly, and I could only gaze at the floor, resigned to the torture that awaited me.
*CRACK!
"There! Young Master, the girl is really here!" shouted someone at the door.
A moment later, the sound of several feet entering the room reached my ears. I heard their voices filled with surprise. Then, someone stepped closer to me and crouched down. His hand gently cupped my cheek and lifted my head, allowing me to see his familiar face.
It was the Elvian with the ponytail I had met earlier. A handsome man with long, fluttering lashes, like a woman's. He bit his lower lip, his gaze soft, as if he was witnessing the saddest memory of his life.
"... So it has come to this," he whispered. "Can you still hold on?"
I did not answer.
The man stood and drew a sword from its sheath. A second later, he swung it and cut the chains binding my hands and feet. My body almost collapsed to the floor if he hadn't caught me. For a moment, I felt a peace I hadn't felt in ages. In this hell, the warmth of his embrace made the fear in my heart vanish.
I gripped his clothes tightly, leaning my face against his chest, and tears began to fall. Though I didn't know this man, his gaze and care were so warm, making me instinctively seek refuge in him amidst all the madness.
"Where are you taking the girl, Prince Keylan?"
A familiar voice rang out from the door. The fear surged through me again, creeping into my body. I buried my face deeper into his chest, terrified the voice would reach my ears once more.
"It should be me asking. What have you done to her, Captain Iurga?" replied the Elvian with the ponytail, who was still holding me. "I distinctly remember giving the order to capture this girl alive. Was I unclear, or do I need to pierce your ears again for you to understand?"
"My men and I did capture her alive," Iurga answered.
"Yes, but you acted alone, hiding her and nearly killing her. Clearly, this is disobedience." The voice of the Elvian with the ponytail rose. When I glanced, his sharp gaze was fixed on his interlocutor.
"I think you need to be reminded again, Young Master. My special forces work for your brother, His Royal Highness Prince Crown. We are loyal only to him. So I am not obligated to follow your orders."
"YOU ARE PART OF THE MILITARY, AND I AM YOUR COMMANDER!! SO CARRY OUT MY ORDERS PROPERLY!!"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. The Haier-Elvian could be a threat to us, Young Master. Your brother won't be happy about this."
"So it was all his doing. That bastard..."
"..."
After that, I couldn't hear their conversation anymore. My vision faded. All my senses dulled. My consciousness slowly slipped away. Yet, I felt strangely calm and peaceful this time. Perhaps it was the presence of the Elvian with the ponytail that brought a warm light to my despair.