"Any problem, Master Neo?" Amarok entered the room. Neo currently sat at a desk deep in thought.
He glanced at Amarok uncertain whether he should tell him. He didn't want Amarok to feel pressured.
"Nothing. Why aren't you training?" he asked.
"I'll return immediately," he said after some thought. Then he left, taking Wisdom and Kinty along.
"Where are we going?" Kinty questioned in curiosity.
"To look for work," Amarok said seriously. "Have you fallen on your head? What for? Have you forgotten what Neo said? You should be training," Kinty said, halting his steps.
"Master Neo will never say it, but we are broke. We have used all our crystals for the house. If we don't find something quick, we will be in deep trouble," Amarok said.
"Who embarks on a journey without crystals? It's stupid," Kinty was speechless.
"We will have to ration everything if this continues, especially food," Amarok said with a serious expression while smirking inside.
"What can we do?" Kinty hastily said. Rationing? That was out of the question. He couldn't accept that.
"Glutton," he murmured. "Let's find Rik. He might have something for us," Amarok said. Kinty took the lead. Wisdom followed behind.
After a quick talk with Rik, they found out that Namboo produced a lot of bamboo. That was the most precious resource of the town.
They would sell the bamboo-made materials outside Namboo to other towns to earn a living.
But it was a little special; very few dared to venture into the bamboo forest right now. People had been disappearing one after another there in the past few months.
Many felt scared and would seldom go into the bamboo forest anymore. They would rather work in the plain and farm something else. Although it was less profitable, it was less risky.
They heard Valdo was the only person who dared to venture into the bamboo forest. He would bring back bamboo and give it to Namboo for liquor.
With time, he had earned the title of Valdo the bamboo cutter. That was also the reason why he wouldn't be disturbed and even be offered free liquor.
Amarok and Kinty were uncertain. According to Rik, cutting bamboo was the fastest way to earn crystals but was also the riskiest way.
On the other hand, farming was an option but was slow and not that profitable but at least was safe.
"What should we do?" Amarok questioned. Wisdom raised his head and started walking in a certain direction. They were both confused and decided to follow.
Since the episode at Alden city, Wisdom had grown considerably. He looked dazzling with his deep dark moon fur.
His tail had also grown. He was growing fast. Right now, he resembled a typical moon cheetah. Very soon, Amarok wouldn't be able to hide it.
Wisdom attracted a lot of attention as they walked. He went all the way out to the entrance of the bamboo forest. He roared, his fangs protruding.
"What is Wisdom doing?? Does he feel something from the bamboo forest?" Kinty was perplexed.
"It's not the first time he behaved this way. Even facing the Jaguarwing wings, he acted strangely," Amarok was confused too.
Suddenly, a stern voice came from behind. "Hey, little brat, where do you think you're going?" Valdo approached from behind.
His steps were straight, and his head upright. He looked sober, they thought. "Wisdom feels something from the bamboo forest. We will take a look, and we need crystal," Amarok said nonchalantly.
"Do you have the slightest idea of what is found in that bamboo forest? Do you even have an idea of how we collect bamboo? Hey, kids, don't get on my nerves and scram," Valdo said, his features twisting in a frown.
"It's just a bamboo forest; there's nothing to fear in it," Kinty said. He didn't understand why they were so serious about it.
"You wouldn't survive there alone. If you really want to go, then follow me," Valdo said and then turned to return to town.
Amarok and Kinty exchanged glances. Wisdom was still intensely staring at the bamboo forest and wouldn't budge.
"Wait for me here," Amarok said after some thought.
Valdo took them to a house slightly isolated from all the others in town. The house looked pretty usual.
The interior of the house was minimal. It was spacious but in a very disordered shape. A yellow gold fabric extended from underneath the bamboo table.
Valdo lazily shoved it under, completely using his leg. Kinty was frowning. "Are you living here? He couldn't convince that. It sounded crazy; Mom would never allow him in such a place. Thinking of her, he couldn't help but smile.
"Any problem? I just forgot to make some cleaning one or two times," Valdo said, staring at them.
"One or two times. An eternity, you mean," Amarok said. Then, he was sent biting the ground, a bamboo chair on the head.
"Yes, what was I saying... first, you need to change," he said. "You will also need a special axe... finally, some skills."
When he was done, they resembled typical people from Namboo, dressed in fine bamboo shirts and trousers with sandals.
Amarok couldn't help but notice the strange mark on Kinty's left chest side. It was a symbol he had never seen anywhere. It resembled a man sitting on a throne with a pile of dead underneath. Amarok was a little surprised such a thing could be on him. Taking Kinty just by his words, he indeed sometimes sounded arrogant, but looking at Kinty's face, Amarok knew clearly he was a thoughtful and sensible person, or at least better than him in that aspect.
Despite his curiosity, just like for the scar on Valdo, he didn't ask after Kinty dismissed his questions.
They had a light one-handed axe. It was very easy to wield and almost light. Its edges were sharp but with a hint of age.
Wisdom was turning more and more impatient but rapidly jumped back to his feet when he saw them returning. He had a strange look observing them.
Amarok, Kinty, Wisdom, and Valdo set off and entered the bamboo forest.