In the vast expanse of the elven realm, a conversation was unfolding that would have far-reaching consequences. Liora Nightshade, her silver eyes brimming with curiosity, stood before Chief Varian, her mentor and the guiding force of their community. The air was thick with intrigue as Liora questioned Varian's decision to spare Rizki's life and the motivations driving his actions.
"Why is this necessary, Master?" Liora's melodious voice carried a hint of fascination, her steadfast gaze fixed on him.
Varian, his demeanor maintaining an air of tranquility amidst the natural beauty surrounding them, began to unravel the intricacies of his plan. "Rizki exudes an aura of heroism, but such heroics can prove detrimental to our well-being. Moreover, I am unwilling to soil my hands with his blood."
A soft smile graced Liora's lips, a blend of admiration and respect shimmering in her eyes. Varian's unconventional perspectives on matters of strategy and honor had always resonated with her. "Your resilience remains a constant source of inspiration, Master," she murmured, her voice touched with reverence.
Varian's expression grew more solemn as he raised a cautionary finger. "Nonetheless, Liora, do not permit complacency to take root."
Amidst this exchange, Liora's presence emanated a timeless grace. She exuded vitality, a manifestation of grace that transcended the passage of years. Her oval face, radiant with a fair complexion, seemed to absorb the gentle sunlight. Her cascading azure hair mirrored the sun's embrace, framing features suffused with an air of mystique and intrigue. Her form possessed an exquisite blend of grace and allure, with gentle curves and angles that entranced the observer. Her silver eyes held an ethereal charm, reflecting the enigmatic depths of the elven realm. Arched red eyebrows added an element of fascination, framing her pointed nose. Her entire being embodied ageless beauty, a testament to the enduring allure of the elven lineage.
As Varian and Liora conversed, the elven community flourished around them. Elves of diverse ages collaborated in the creation of weaponry, engaged in trade, and nurtured their land. Treehouses interconnected by bridges symbolized unity and agility, while an ancient tree with a hollow interior stood as an emblem of the fusion between antiquity and the contemporary.
Yet, the conversation took an unforeseen turn as Liora divulged her intention to explore a nearby cave. Varian's hand instinctively halted her, his eyes holding a sense of purpose. He revealed a calculated test he had devised for Rizki, a trial that would ascertain his character. Liora listened, her heart quickening at the audacity of the proposition.
"So, Master, this is the rationale behind his entry into the cave?" Liora's voice wavered slightly, revealing her concern.
Varian responded with measured thoughtfulness; his gaze unswerving. "I have faith that my daughters would not assist malevolent individuals."
He then gently scratched his left cheek with his thumb, a thoughtful gesture that underscored his contemplation. "Furthermore," he continued, "if he were to emerge from the trial as someone who aligns with our values, I would consider offering my daughters' hands in marriage to him."
Liora's expression reflected a blend of disbelief and amusement. "Master, doesn't that..."
Varian anticipated her reaction and interjected with a hearty laugh, his voice resonating with a melodic combination of valor and entertainment. "I knew you would voice such concerns," he chuckled, continuing, "However, rest assured that if my daughters choose him, I believe he possesses the qualities to rise to the challenge."
Liora joined in the laughter, finding solace in the lightheartedness of the notion. "But Master, wouldn't that place a considerable financial burden on him?"
Varian's laughter resonated heartily in response. "Indeed, it would. Yet, it is a trial he would need to overcome. Life is, after all, a grand adventure. If he proves himself worthy, he will undoubtedly find a way to surmount any obstacles."
Meanwhile, within a distant cave, tension escalated as Rizki confronted a group of beastmen. Driven by a determination to liberate the captives, he squared off against a menacing creature with a lizard-like demeanor, which had subjected them torment. A gunshot pierced the cave's confines, signifying the creature's defeat.
"Release them! They are not your playthings!" Rizki's voice brimmed with resolve as he brandished his gun, trading lethal force for the liberation of the remaining captive beastmen.
However, the quadruplets were giving him some serious side-eye, one of them looking at him like he'd sprouted another head, while the other beastmen were just staring him down.
He waved that gun around like it was a wild party, but the thing was, none of his shots actually hit the mark.
"You couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with those magic attacks," the eldest of the quadruplets chimed in, her voice dripping with mockery as she lounged on the left side of the cage.
Rizki came to an abrupt halt, a sense of unease creeping in. It was like something was off, and then it hit him – not a single shot had actually landed on target.
He glanced at the beastmen, who were somehow unscathed, and a half-nervous smile tugged at his lips. He muttered under his breath, "Oh boy, I'm in deep trouble," his mind racing with a mix of disbelief and fear.
The female tiger beastman flashed a grin, casually remarking that Rizki could make a pretty penny as a clown – talk about entertainment. But her comment hit Rizki's last nerve, and he shot back, "Have any of you ever heard of human rights? You do know that slavery is a big no-no, right?"
As Rizki let those words slip, the female tiger beastman lunged at him with a fury. But in that split second, Rizki's lips curled into a sly smile, and he quipped, "Looks like my bluff paid off!"
Swift as a lightning strike, he planted his foot right on the tiger beastwoman's head, causing her to let out a pained yell. Rizki's voice turned low and dangerous, as he issued a threat that cut through the air, "You won't stand a chance against a guy who's danced with brawls like having a lunch, you hear me?"
The beastwoman swiftly shifted her footing, her powerful claws grazing Rizki's foot and drawing a bit of blood. But for a seasoned brawler like him, a little blood was hardly a concern. He just brushed it off like it was nothing.
Reacting with the instincts of someone who'd seen their fair share of scuffles, Rizki seized the moment. He dropped low, evading the beastwoman's attempted strike, and as she straightened, ready to deliver a punch, he moved in like lightning. Using the gun as an impromptu shield, he intercepted her fist, the gun flying out of his hand in the process.
Undeterred, Rizki's next move was even more daring. In one fluid motion, he snatched up a bike chain from the ground. With a deftness that showcased his street-smarts, he looped the chain around the beastwoman's neck, tightening his grip. The intention was clear – he was attempting to subdue her with a stranglehold.
Rizki quickly stepped back, his actions sharp and calculated. With a determined pull, he tightened the bike chain, causing the beastwoman to writhe in pain as it constricted around her neck.
From within the cage, the other girls erupted into cheers, their voices a chorus of admiration. Rizki's display of dominance in the fight had them completely awestruck, their eyes shining with amazement at his prowess.
In response to the escalating situation, the bear beastman sprang into action. He forcefully opened the cage and dragged out another girl, who appeared timid and vulnerable. With a sinister edge, he brandished a sharp object and lightly cut her right ear, prompting a cry of pain from the girl.
"Everyn!!" The remaining three girls were a mix of shock and fear, their cuffed hands rendering them powerless to intervene.
"Release our leader, or she'll meet her end!" The bear beastman's voice held a lethal undertone as he issued his threat.
Seeing the dire straits of the situation, Rizki's grip on the chain tightened, increasing the pressure on the unconscious beastwoman's neck. He stood there, his resolve unyielding, even as his grip pushed the boundaries of life.
Eventually, he released the chain from the lifeless form. Despite the bleeding foot and the grim scene, he managed to retort, "Aren't they your merchandise?"
Rizki let out a sigh, almost reflexively reaching for a nonexistent cigar. It was a habit he couldn't break, even in this unfamiliar world. Then, he attempted to lighten the mood, asking, "Anyone up for a smoke?"
However, the tension took a darker turn as the bear beastman repeated his cruel act, slicing the girl's ear again, eliciting anguished cries.
"Please, help us. We'll do anything to keep our sister safe!" The second girl pleaded with Rizki, while another girl rebuked her for begging a human. In response, Rizki's voice grew solemn as he stated, "You don't have to bow or beg to me for this. Because what's happening here is messed up."
With a swift motion, he aimed and fired the gun he'd recovered earlier, taking down the wolf beastman who had been poised to attack.
"Attacking from behind? Not the most honorable move, is it?" Rizki jeered as he looked at the motionless wolf beastman.
As the tension hung in the air, the focus shifted to the bear beastman who remained. Rizki posed a question with a twinge of dark humor, "So, how much for all four of them? Before I decide whether your life is worth discussing – I do want to chat about business."
Upon hearing Rizki's inquiry, the avaricious bear beastman relented, pushing the injured girl back into the cage and reuniting the quadruplets.
Unbeknownst to the beastfolk, Rizki had already taken out the bear beastman with a well-aimed shot.
"Greed has a funny way of turning against you," Rizki remarked, a hint of warning in his voice. He then retrieved a cigar and a matchstick with a traditional look from the deceased wolf beastman's belongings. After a brief puff on the cigar, he added, "Greed can be just as lethal as a gun."
"Sorry to rain on the parade, sir human, but smoking isn't exactly healthy," one of the girls piped up from the third position on the left.
Rizki chuckled, extinguishing the cigar and admitting, "You're right, my bad."
Following the intense ordeal, Rizki's body couldn't hold on any longer. He collapsed, fainting from the blood loss he had endured.
Several days passed, and Rizki slowly regained consciousness. As his eyes opened, he found himself dressed in a simple pair of black shorts, revealing a muscular physique adorned with scars – evidence of his past life as a seasoned brawler in high school.
His gaze fell upon a woman he recognized, and disbelief colored his words, "You! The one who hauled me in out of the blue?!" A hint of shock resonated in his voice. Gathering his thoughts, he continued with a touch of desperation, "I don't have a visa, I swear!" He clasped his hands together in a praying gesture, almost instinctively, hoping it might appease the situation.
Amid his astonishment, the woman, an elf known as Liora, introduced herself, her words washing over him, "I should be the one apologizing instead, benefactor of the quadruplet elf princess. My name is Liora Nightshade. I hold the position of leader within the Elf Forest Guard."
Feeling a mix of embarrassment and urgency, Rizki quickly apologized to Liora for his visa-related oversight. He understood that he was supposed to have a visa to enter this realm, and he was fully aware of his mistake.
Liora, however, appeared perplexed at the mention of the word "visa," her confusion evident in her expression.
As Rizki glanced around, he suddenly realized that he was back in the same room where he had been resting in the Elf forest. The familiarity of the surroundings struck him, emphasizing the disorienting nature of his current situation.
Liora, in her gracious manner, approached him with a cup of tea, recognizing the fatigue he must have been experiencing. She gently spoke, acknowledging his efforts, "You've worked hard. It's time to let our guards take over and rest."
With Liora's departure from the room, Rizki's attention returned to his phone. He quickly spotted it near the table where Liora had set the tea earlier. As he reached for it, a sense of anticipation began to build. However, the moment he unlocked his phone, a surge of shock coursed through him.
[99+ Messages]
"Oh crap!" he exclaimed, his reaction a mixture of surprise and a touch of mild panic. Without wasting any time, he tapped on the notifications to reveal their contents, hoping to uncover the reason behind this overwhelming response.
To his surprise, every single message was from the goddess, each one bearing a single word: "Bump." The seemingly endless repetition of the word gave Rizki a surreal feeling, as if he had stumbled upon a peculiar and persistent phenomenon.
At the bottom of the messages, he came across a voice note which played the voice of the goddess,
"Chat me when you are available."
In response, Rizki mustered the courage to send his own voice note, his voice tinged with uncertainty, "I don't know how…"
Then, a voice that seemed strangely familiar echoed inside the room that recorded in it as well,
"Two weeks…"