The medics attending to Rizki were left puzzled by his unexpected question. Rizki, still recovering from his recent brawl, felt the need to explain himself.
"I've been crashing here for three years, even Took the four princess away as my wives. But it seems none of you hold any grudges. Is there a way I can repay you guys?" Rizki asked, genuine curiosity in his voice.
One of the male medics responded with a friendly grin, "Just staying healthy and safe is thanks enough for us, and you've managed that." He deftly treated Rizki's remaining injuries and encouraged him to stand.
To his surprise, Rizki found himself able to stand without any discomfort. The medics had done a great job, and he silently appreciated their skills.
Meanwhile, outside, the elf princesses were getting attention from the guards. Rizki was alone with the medical equipment, making it the perfect time to make a call. He picked up his smartphone and, as he unlocked it, something alarming caught his eye – "99+ missed calls."
His heart raced as he quickly dialed the number responsible for all those missed calls – the goddess.
On the other end, a voice filled with both relief and concern greeted him, "I thought you had gone off the deep end! Are you okay, Rizki?"
"Barely," Rizki replied, a touch of frustration in his voice. "And you didn't even lend a hand."
The goddess, Faye, offered a sincere apology, "Divine intervention is a no-go, Rizki. I can't interfere unless things are truly dire."
Rizki couldn't help but express his irritation. "You say that, knowing that twenty children were abducted by him?"
Faye sighed on her end as she looked at a massive screen in her realm. "I wish I could help, but I really can't. That's why I reached out to you. But when the time came for action, you had already vanished, nearly becoming the scariest villain I've ever seen."
Rizki countered, his frustration clear, "Then don't label me a villain with four wives. I should've fondle your whole body before I left, as the repay for you giving me these stupid task."
Faye, with her playful tone, teased, "You can have it if you do me a favor." She playfully emphasized her charms as she continued, "I'll come to The Land of Bastion. Let's put everything else aside and meet there."
Intrigued, Rizki decided to dig deeper into the matter. "I've got another question for you, Faye."
"Shoot it," Faye replied casually while slurping the noddle that caused the sound of it to be heard in the background.
Rizki's curiosity was piqued as he asked, "What's the deal with the Land of Bastion?"
Faye's expression turned serious as she began to explain, "The Land of Bastion is the core of Acra, where the gods united and made a pact after my sister, Zadkiel..."
Her voice trailed off as she mentioned her sister's fate, her tone heavy with sorrow. "She passed away."
Rizki offered his condolences, "I'm sorry to hear that. But what's the plan, and why did it lead to the death of one of the gods?"
Faye's voice took on a determined tone as she continued, "We're trying to wipe out The Dark Alliance. My sister's divine vessel can only hold them for the next four thousand years."
After a brief pause, she continued, "I wish I could stop them, but my powers are limited. That's why I need a villain – someone who's ready to do whatever it takes to take down heroes driven solely by their desires. I want heroes who can team up to annihilate The Dark Alliance. Not some sort of freeloaders who only knows to have sex and system or whatnot!"
Intrigued, Rizki pressed for more details, "Tell me about The Dark Alliance."
Faye divulged, "They're a bunch of troublemakers, created by the fallen gods. They thrive on profit, engaging in treachery, terrorism, war, slave trade, gambling – you name it. Back in your world, a hero once wiped them out, but they've set up shop in this realm, Acra."
Faye continued, "Their intentions remain shrouded in darkness, a sinister force we can't fully comprehend."
Faye then revealed the extent of the danger, "Many still pay their respects at my sister's grave, but the corruption caused by The Dark Alliance, sealed beneath her, has grown increasingly malevolent. It's slowly reducing my sister's remains to mere bones. So, I'm beseeching you for a favor. I'm offering you everything in exchange, even my divine form."
Rizki sighed, fully grasping the gravity of the situation. "Looks like the villain gig is over." After a moment's thought, he made his decision. "I'll go to The Land of Bastion, but I want to bring everyone I know."
Faye, however, issued a stern warning, "You can bring Alice, but it's vital that you leave your wives behind."
Perplexed, Rizki sought clarification, "Why's that?"
With a serious tone, Faye explained, "Corrosion."
As Rizki considered the weight of Faye's request and the treacherous nature of The Land of Bastion, a memory from years ago resurfaced. It was a conversation he had with Liora, deep within a secluded forest. Inside a rustic hut, he had posed a question that had long intrigued him.
"Now I wonder, how do you manage to come and go from that land, especially when you said it was full of corrosion?" Rizki inquired, genuine curiosity in his eyes.
Liora, the wise and enigmatic figure, replied, her voice carrying the wisdom of experience, "I underwent rigorous training for it. It took me fifty years to learn how to navigate its dangers safely."
Intrigued, Rizki posed another question, "What if I tried to go there now?"
Liora's gaze turned somber, and she spoke with a hint of concern, "You might be okay, but any girls accompanying you would face great danger on the journey. There's a sinister aura along the way, one that's hard to explain."
Back in the present, Rizki found himself torn between his desire to help and the memory of Liora's warning. Aware of the ominous aura that threatened those who dared to cross it, he realized that venturing into The Land of Bastion alone was the safest option.
With a heavy heart, he made his decision, his voice reflecting both hesitation and determination, "Alright, I'll go there alone. See you there."