Chapter 25 - Embark

Deep within the serene confines of Elf Forest stood a rustic village hut, its thatched roof blending harmoniously with the lush greenery surrounding it. Inside, the atmosphere was cozy, illuminated by the gentle flicker of candlelight casting enchanting shadows upon the wooden walls. Seated around a worn wooden table were four spirited young women and a man named Rizki. In the center of this gathering lay an exquisite blade, its beauty undeniable, but it appeared that Rizki had reservations about this remarkable weapon.

Rizki's dissatisfaction couldn't be concealed as Eva, one of the vivacious women, proudly proclaimed the name of the blade. He countered, "Blade of chaos sounds better!"

Eva, a spirited and sharp-witted woman who seemed to understand Rizki all too well, responded with a hint of amusement, "Blade of Chaos, huh? Do you have a thing for chaos, Rizki? Well, if you can impress the grand master, maybe I'll consider it."

Rizki, visibly taken aback by her comment, retorted with a touch of frustration, "I don't even know what you're talking about! I've been nose-deep in my studies for the past three years!"

Eva's tone softened as she tentatively inquired, "You don't have any intention of marrying her, do you?"

Rizki's response was swift and unequivocal, "Hell no! I'm not interested in an older woman!" With that, he abruptly stood up, leaving the gathering with a dismissive wave of his hand. The women exchanged puzzled glances as he muttered, "I'm in a hurry. I need to report to your..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a sudden and forceful thud struck him squarely in the groin. The excruciating pain sent him stumbling backward into the hut, leaving the women bewildered and wide-eyed.

From his undignified position on the floor, Rizki's gaze fell upon the heavy gray bag that had delivered the painful blow. His face reddened, not just from the pain but also from embarrassment. Evelyn, one of the women, couldn't resist making a teasing remark, "Well, it seems like someone just lost his manhood."

Eve chimed in with a smirk, "So, does this mean you won't be joining us on our first night?" Everyn nodded in agreement, while Eva added with a sly grin, "No worries, we can make do with your hand!"

Rizki, disbelief etched on his face, retorted, "You girls are insatiable!" He winced, clutching his aching groin, and muttered, "Dammit, Faye! I told you not to throw it at my head, and now you've thrown it at... well, you know where!"

After a moment of discomfort, Rizki regained his composure and nonchalantly tossed the bag aside, creating a resounding thud that piqued the curiosity of the quartet. Eva's eyes glittered with a hint of greed as she exclaimed, "Money!"

Evelyn sighed and shook her head, well aware of Eva's penchant for gambling. Rizki felt the need to remind them, "You do realize that gambling is illegal, right?"

Undeterred by his comment, Eva held up two gleaming bars of gold and challenged him, "So, you don't want this gold?"

Rizki replied firmly, "Not over my dead body."

Everyn chimed in with a timid reprimand, giving Rizki a gentle slap on the chest, "Hey! Stop talking about killing yourself. It's not a good idea."

Rizki chuckled, clarifying that he was using a metaphorical expression to convey his unwillingness to part with the gold. Eve nodded in understanding, while Evelyn, always eager to learn, remarked, "Ah, I just learned about that. Okay, got it." Meanwhile, Eva's unblinking gaze remained fixed on the alluring gold bars.

With finality, Rizki declared, "I'm going to step out for a while. Whether you choose to join me or not is entirely up to you." Without further ado, he departed, vanishing into thin air.

The four women exchanged glances, and after a brief pause, they collectively decided to follow him. However, as they rushed outside, Eva couldn't resist swiping a few of the gold bars, prompting a yelp of pain from someone. It was Eva herself, protesting, "Don't pinch my ears!" Rizki's response was simple and straightforward, "You are asking for it."

The group of five, consisting of Rizki and the four lively women, strolled through the scenic wonders of the Elf Forest. Their journey was punctuated by animated conversations, laughter, and the occasional remark about their surroundings. As they continued along their path, the dense forest gradually gave way to a familiar sight—an elegant elf named Liora Nightshade.

Liora's presence prompted warm greetings from Rizki, who acknowledged her with a respectful nod. In response, Liora greeted him with a serene smile. However, it was apparent that this encounter held more significance than a simple exchange of pleasantries.

With a gentle and concerned tone, Liora began, "I'm glad to see all of you here. I have some important news to share." Her words carried an air of gravity that hushed the conversation among the group.

Eve, the eldest among the women, exchanged a worried look with her sisters. It was evident that this wasn't an ordinary conversation. Rizki, too, wore a serious expression as he waited for Liora to continue.

Liora's gaze softened as she shared, "I regret to inform you that your father's health has been deteriorating rapidly in recent days. His condition is quite serious, and it's crucial that you visit him as soon as possible."

The news hung heavily in the air, casting a shadow over the group and replacing their previous cheer with concern. The girls exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from curiosity to worry. The well-being of their father weighed heavily on their hearts.

Eve, with a tremor in her voice, asked, "Is it... Is it that bad, Liora? What can we do to help?"

Evelyn, the practical one, added, "We'll go to him right away. Please, tell us where he is."

Everyn, the compassionate soul, nodded firmly. "We can't waste any time. Family always comes first."

Eva, usually full of vivacity, remained unusually quiet, her eyes mirroring the unease that gripped them all.

Rizki, showing respect for the family's situation, allowed the girls to express their intentions. Once they had, he added, "We will visit your father, but there's something important we need to discuss afterward."