A glimmer of dim light shone from the sidelines of the window curtains of an elongated house. This two-story building made entirely of wood is quite large. It was able to accommodate many people, but no one would want to live here. Look at here! This house was worse than a dog kennel. The front door looked old and difficult to close properly without a stone wedge, the walls were cracked almost all over the building, as was the roof with holes in it. Some of the wooden floors were already brittle and rickety, which could make your foot suddenly fell. Plus, no one knew if the toilet was still working. Believe it or not, this old building was the headquarters of the city's famous 'Dark Night' hunter group.
Located on the outskirts of a slum city and less attention by the government. This was a perfect place for sneaky hunters like them to hide. So don't be surprised if the crime rate here was very high. You could lose your wallet if you looked away, even for a moment. Even though you screamed, no one would help and care. Almost all the residents here were criminals or people who were blind to any crime.
In here, only jungle law applies, where the strong could oppress the weakling. It had become a common sight when there was theft or robbery in this place. However, none of the criminals dared to disturb the Dark Night's headquarters, which had almost collapsed. It was because of Grussel's existence.
Even though it was the most shrewd thief or robber in this area, no one had the balls to harass the former royal warlord. He was skilled in martial arts and good at using various weapons, likewise with all of his subordinates who inherited his martial arts techniques. Anyone with common sense wouldn't go near that tiger's den.
But out of a few people, there was one insane person who had guts to growl at Grussel. Even to the point of screaming loudly and pounding the table right in front of his nose.
"We have to save Anggi! It's been two days she hasn't come back. Two days, Boss! I'm tired of waiting!!" shouted Dimas while venting his emotions.
All members of the hunter were shocked by what he did. In an instant, silence enveloped the room. This place was where the Dark Night hunters held their briefing before going hunting. But unlike now, they weren't talking about hunting plans. They consulted to discuss the fate of one of their fellow member.
"You have to think carefully, dumbass! From the start, nothing could be done to save her," said Grussel persistently. His gaze was so sharp, it could shrink the guts of others.
But it didn't work for Dimas. The young man looked at his leader even more fiercely. "Is that the proper attitude of the leader towards his subordinates? Do you think of us as pawns that can be thrown away as you please!?"
Provoked by emotion, Grussel got up and immediately punched Dimas hard in the face. That poor young man immediately bounced back and bumped into Igresti, who was sitting on a wooden chair. A loud crash echoed through the air as Grussel kicked the table aside and crashed into the wall. His loud footsteps sound seemed to pound everyone's heart.
Then Grussel grabbed Dimas by the collar and lifted his body up. "How dare you talk to me like that, Dimas! I consider all of you as MY FAMILY!! I act firm to teach you how to survive in this harsh world. Of course, I feel lost. But you have to act logically.
"Listen to this, airhead! Anggi had probably been carried over to Ruvia City in the Elvian region right now. It's hard for us to save him. Indeed, I used to be the strongest in the kingdom. I used to break through to the enemy's territory and break down the enemy's defenses. But I'm not always the strongest.
"Remember that, motherfucker! Not forever! If only I could I wouldn't spend the rest of my life in a remote place hunting animals with chicks like you guys. What do you expect from a sluggish and weakened old man like me, huh? I'm also not going to let you or anyone else here go endanger yourself there. It's enough to lost one person, don't try to give me heavier thoughts. You understand, you damn brat!?"
The young man hanged in the air pondered for a moment. As if aware of something. The pain on his face seemed to open his mind, Or maybe… it was the leader's words that pierced his heart and woke him up. It made not only Dimas who was stunned. Igresti, Jaester, and two other female members Nina and Diana, seemed touched by Grussel's words.
As the leader of a group of poachers, Grussel's figure was firm and severe. He never showed an expression other than angry and annoyed. On the daily days, he often puts a flat face. The attention he gave was only short sentences like 'Oh, I see!' or 'Really?'. Sometimes Grussel only gave one or two glances, after that he was no longer interested. Who would have thought, being cornered by Dimas actually revealed the true feelings of a firm leader like him?
The other four members were lone children or people who have run away from home and have no one else. Of course, Grussel's words that considered them as his family made the four people's feelings touched. Deep inside their heart, their loyalty and admiration for Grussel increased greatly.
"But… I'm really worried about Anggi. I'm afraid something bad will happen to her," Dimas said quietly. "She's my best friend since childhood. I continue to grow with her. I really don't want to be able to see her again."
Seeing the sadness on Dimas's face, Grussel put Dimas down and let him stand on his own two feet. Then looked at him deeply.
"Dimas, you are thinking too much! Even though that Long Ears hate humans and all their descendants. They wouldn't have the heart to kill an extremely rare race like Haier-Elvian with ridiculous reasons. If it is true that she is in Ruvia City, the Elvians might just imprison her."
"Then we—"
"Just believe her! You once said Anggi was the most unyielding person. Then this time too, she will definitely find a way to come back here," shouted Grussel in a deep voice. Making all the objections that Dimas wanted to throw out stuck on his tongue. "Right now calm your mind and rest! I'm going back to my room."
The sound of footsteps echoing the air did not immediately startle everyone's heart. After seeing the gentle side of their Boss, there was no longer any reason for them to be afraid of the aura he gave off.
Meanwhile, Dimas looked down. The young man sat on a wooden chair limply. He was forced to put great trust in Anggi. On the other hand, he hated himself for not being able to do anything for his best friend. Just standing still and waiting for uncertain news, is something that he couldn't be done while his partner was in danger.
===============================
*KLANG!
The sound of an iron lock opening forced me to wake up from my dream. A faint shadow floated in my sight. Someone was opening the room door where I was locked up.
After being caught by Elvian soldiers, I was thrown into a dungeon. There weren't any windows or clocks here. So, I didn't know the alternation of day and night outside, nor how long the time had passed. They locked me in this place with my hands and feet shackled in iron chains. The Elvians were reluctant to let me escape from here no matter what.
I was starving, my body became slightly thin. I haven't eaten anything since being imprisoned. They fed me, but not food. That Elvian treated me the same as a pig, they gave me leftovers and rotten fruit.
Every few hours, the special forces leader came to interrogate. The tall man continued to question my motives for infiltrating Elvian territory. Even though I told him that I was accidentally carried away by the trade cargo, he kept accusing me of bragging. He even slandered that I was a spy for the Lurivia Kingdom who wanted to find out the West Elvian Kingdom's weaknesses. It was as if he would keep considering I was lying if I didn't answer as he wished.
When I repeated my answer or remained utterly silent, he wouldn't hesitate to hit or kick me. I was often hit in the face, my empty stomach was injured inside and out from his kicks, my fingernails were pulled out, and that man often whipped my body. Bruises, scratches, cuts, and punctures filled my whole body. Not to mention humiliating my pride. He purposely didn't let me go to the toilet and forced me to piss in my pants right in front of his eyes. After that, he would laugh and insult me with disgusting words.
Remembering that made me wanna cry. If my tears hadn't dried, I would have done it. Over the past few times, I've been shedding tears more often. This pain and humiliation were worse than any bullying I had ever experienced.
My whole body ached, my joints seemed to be about to fall off. My body became weak. I lost consciousness many times, not infrequently also vomited blood. I'd rather be immersed in a dream world than in real-time. Because that was where I could live in peace with those closest to me. Fate was cruel. Once you touched the wrong thread, all bad things could happen to you. If allowed, I'd like to go back in time and choose a different line.
But it looked like that won't happen as long as I was still confined here. Being in this prison actually made you often close to death. My head hung low, I could only stare at the floor. Gave in to any torment that would come to me.
*CRACK!
"She's here! Young Master, that girl is right here!" someone shouted in the doorway.
A second later, the chaotic sound of several people's footsteps entered the room. My ears heard a series of shocked voices from their mouths until the sound of someone approaching here. Then he crouched down. His hand grabbed my cheek and lifted it up so I could see his familiar face.
It was the Ponytail Elvian I met earlier. A beautiful man with long, curly eyelashes like a girl. He bit his lower lip. His gaze looked so sad. It was as if he was witnessing the most miserable memories of his life.
"... it has to be like this," he mumbled with a soft voice. "Hang on! I'll save you, so stay with me!"
I didn't answer.
The man got up and drew his sword from its scabbard. A second later, he slashed the chains that bound my hands and feet. I would almost fell to the floor if he hadn't caught me. For a moment, I felt calm. In this hellish room, I can finally felt the warmth of a hug. Like a healing medicine, that Ponytail Elvian's presence lifted the fear that was in my heart.
My hands gripped his shirt tightly, I leaned my face against his chest and started to cry. Even though I didn't know this person, his gaze and concern were so warm. Making my mind automatically made it a place to lean on in the middle of all this madness.
"Where are you taking the girl, Young Master Keylan?"
A familiar voice rang out from the exit. Re-triggered the fear that was so great and spread throughout my body. I buried my face in that Ponytail Elvian's chest. Fearing as that person's voice would enter my ears again.
"I should be the one asking. What did you do to get her like this, Captain Iurga?" replied the Ponytail Elvian while holding me. "I clearly remember giving the order to capture this girl alive, and bring her back to me safe and sound. Am I not clear enough or do I need to pierce your ear to get it?"
"My troops and I did catch her alive."
"Yes, but you acted alone by hiding this girl and making her half alive. This is clearly defiance." The Ponytail Elvian's voice rose. When I glanced, his sharp gaze was directed at the interlocutor.
"I think you need to be reminded one more time, Young Master. My troops and I work for your brother, we are only loyal to him. So I have no obligation to obey your orders."
"YOU ARE PART OF THE MILITARY, AND I AM THE HIGHER COMMANDER!! SO DO MY ORDER WELL!!"
"Yes, yes, it's up to you. That Haier-Elvian could be a threat to us, Young Master. Your brother will definitely not be happy with this."
"So this is all his doing. That bastard…!"
"..."
After that, I didn't know what else they were talking about. My vision went dark, all my senses became dulled, my consciousness began to fade slowly. But I felt so calm and peaceful this time. Perhaps it was the presence of the Ponytail Elvian that became a warm radiance in despair.