The muscular figure barked, 'Hey, you! Get over here,'" as MK swiftly placed the basket of assorted vegetables on the ground and approached the trio of intimidating men.
MK's unwavering gaze assessed their uniforms, unmistakably identifying them as members of the Iron Flux. Yet, it was not just their attire that revealed their allegiance.
A mere glance at their self-assured demeanor and the distinct insignias adorning their chests left him with no doubt that they were not mere Actants; they occupied a loftier rank, quite possibly that of Sages.
The resolute expressions etched on their faces painted a vivid picture of their no-nonsense disposition, leaving no room for doubt in MK's mind.
With a resounding voice that echoed authority, one of them demanded, "What brings you to this place?" They could tell at a glance that MK bore no allegiance to the Iron Flux, he's too plumpy for that, nor did he don the uniform of the Healers, a customary symbol of affiliation and recognition.
"I-I'm just picking vegetables for soup," he stammered, his voice trembling as he struggled to conceal the growing fear gnawing at him.
The mere thought of encountering the Iron Flux sent shivers down his spine, for he held the firm belief that many among them were ruthless, capable of inflicting harm without the slightest hint of remorse.
"You're no Iron Flux, and you sure don't look like a Healer. So, spill it – how'd you end up in this neck of the woods? Oh, and by the way, those plants are more of a gourmet meal for the critters," one of them chimed in with a playful smirk.
With an earnest attempt to prevent an upcoming banter, MK responded, "I can't say I have a clue about the grasses' grand purpose for my master. I'm just following orders."
The third person couldn't resist a chuckle before asking, "Alright, wise guy, who's this enigmatic master of yours?"
"Ah, the great 'Maestro,'" MK sneered, hoping to provoke some reaction from the trio. However, they responded with a burst of mocking laughter, their eyes clearly reveling in ridiculing Maestro.
"Another culinary masterpiece for the 'Non-mighty Maestro,' I'm sure," one of them shot back, turning up the intensity of their earlier mockery.
Amidst the banter, a fresh face emerged – a tall young lad, clad in the unmistakable Iron Flux uniform. Though he appeared to occupy a lower rank as an Actant, his budding muscles hinted at a promising future.
There was no trace of a smile on his face, only an air of seriousness and determination as he reprimanded, "That's hardly a respectful way to address an elder, you know."
The three individuals swiftly redirected their focus towards the Actant, their eyes seething with anger. The first one thundered, "And what authority does an Actant possess to lecture me on manners and respect?"
Unyielding and brimming with determination, the young lad retorted, "Responsibility, wisdom, and righteousness aren't bound by social standing. It's a matter of mindset, one that can be altered."
"Why don't you step up and try to fix mine then?" the first guy slightly short in stature roared, charging forward with a face contorted in anger. Closing the gap, he unleashed a thunderous blow at the young lad's face.
To his astonishment, the boy stood firm, unyielding. With a grin, the young lad taunted, "Is that the best you can do?"
The formidable short man, who had unleashed the attack on the young Actant, remained rooted in astonishment.
His thoughts raced with disbelief, "How can a recently recruited Actant withstand such an assault? Could he have ascended from a lower Actant to a higher Actant in this brief span? It's unheard of; the process typically takes months. Well, let's witness if he can repel this." His determination to test D3's abilities mingled with an undeniable intrigue.
Before he could throw a second assault, a distant horn blared urgently.
"Leave him, Oza. It's time for the training grounds," the second taller Iron Flux commanded, starting to walk away, with the other thin man following, albeit with a hint of reluctance.
With a venomous sneer, Oza who had launched the attack on the young lad turned to depart.
However, as he walked away, he couldn't help but cast a parting glance filled with disbelief and bewilderment back at the lad, his facial expressions reflecting the turmoil of his thoughts.
"Are you alright?" MK inquired, casting a concerned gaze toward the young lad as the men departed.
"Better than ever," the lad replied with a bright smile, extracting a lengthy piece of paper and a small black writing stone from his pocket. As he inscribed something on the parchment, MK's curiosity got the better of him. "What's the purpose of that paper?" he asked, genuinely intrigued.
"This is the roster of the unrighteous," the young lad replied, his smile still intact.
As MK leaned in to examine the list, he discovered roughly fifty names, some of them already crossed out and canceled. Confusion clouded his face as he inquired, "What do you do with their names, then?"
The lad's smile remained enigmatic as he answered, "Let's just say I mete out their punishment."
Intrigued, MK pressed further, "And what form of punishment are we talking about here?"
With an air of solemnity, the lad declared, "The wages of sin is death."
MK's eyes widened in disbelief, and he asked, "So, you mean you've ended the lives of those whose names you've crossed out?"
The lad simply responded, "Somewhat."
A look of incredulity crossed MK's face as he directed his attention to the conspicuously written "Layd Sohs." "Why is 'Layd Sohs' so prominently displayed?" he questioned.
With a steely resolve, the lad replied, "Let's just say he deserves a much harsher fate," before folding the paper and tucking it into his pocket.
As the young lad prepared to depart, MK couldn't resist introducing himself, saying, "I'm MK. And you?"
"Dracos Draxler Demparker, or you can simply call me D3," the lad replied.
"I'll go with D3," MK decided as he observed D3's departure.
Intrigued and slightly bewildered, MK swiftly retraced his steps to where he had initially set down his vegetable-laden basket.
The encounter with D3 had left him with a sense of curiosity and a touch of confusion as he hurried back to what was known as "Maestro's kingdom" to fulfill his task of gathering vegetables for soup.