A very peaceful moment. A feeling that had been lost for a long time. For the first time since I entered this cruel world, here I felt how wonderful it was to breathe without feeling any pain in my body.
"What are you doing, son. Sit down," said the physician, as if knowing I was perfectly fine.
"You are a tough child, your body is very unique. It's as if it refuses to die," said the physician.
I was still confused. The only thing I remembered was the pain continuously gnawing at my body, then hunger, and... I couldn't remember anything at all.
"C-can I ask a question?"
"Please, what do you want to ask?" he answered softly.
"How did I get here?"
"Some young men came late at night knocking
on my door. They said they were from the Red Eagle Squad," said the physician while taking a small plate. "I don't know the details of why, but they were the ones who brought you here," he continued while pouring potion into a bowl.
"Here, eat this first. You've been unconscious for 2 weeks."
"Whaaat... So, was I really—"
"Yes, you're right. Your body healed in an unnatural way. Everything is normal. It's as if you were never injured at all," the physician continued. "You are a child blessed with a powerful body, son."
Blessed. Yes, maybe for some people this body of mine is a blessing. But not for me, who has been through all those cruel hells. If I were given a choice, I would rather die than have a body that only becomes a sack for beating, I murmured in my heart.
With a gentle movement, the physician opened the drawer of the table next to him and took something out. "Here, son. The person who brought you here left this for you."
"What is this?"
"Try opening it."
AZURE CLOUD SECT REGISTRATION FORM.
A letter. Maybe ordinary for some people. But for me, this is an invitation to enter that cruel hell again.
"The choice is in your hands, son."
I was very confused. This world was still too foreign to me. I still couldn't distinguish between friend and foe. Everything was so grey. On one hand, maybe I would be safe if I joined a sect. But on the other hand, maybe this would lead me to new suffering. Honestly, I was very confused.
"If you are still hesitant, don't force it. All decisions are in your hands."
"S-so when exactly is this held?"
"In about 3 months."
"May I stay and ask for food here until registration day?"
The physician smiled lightly.
"With pleasure. It seems my days won't be lonely for at least the next 3 months," said the physician.
The days passed so quickly. I spent every day gardening, hunting deer, and occasionally accompanying the old physician to the next village to treat patients. This body turned out to be quite helpful. Maybe the work of 5 people could be finished by me alone. Well, although my food consumption for one meal used up a week's portion for a normal person.
That morning, as usual, I was helping Mr Bagus carry sacks of rice to the warehouse.
"Karman, you are so strong! One sack weighs almost a hundred kilos, but you can carry three at once!" exclaimed Mr Bagus, shaking his head in amazement.
"Ah, it's nothing, Sir," I answered while carefully lowering the sacks.
"Nothing, you say? Young people these days are truly amazing. Oh yes, this evening my wife is cooking rendang. Come to our house for dinner with our family."
"Thank you, Mr Bagus. But... won't it be troublesome?"
"Troublesome, what? You've helped us a lot. Additionally, my wife is delighted to have guests. You must come, okay!"
That evening, at Mr Bagus's house, I was warmly welcomed by his family. Mrs Sari, Mr Bagus's wife, offered me a large plate of rendang.
"Karman, don't be shy. Eat as much as you want. You're so skinny, you need to eat a lot," said Mrs Sari with a soft smile that reminded me of my mother.
"Thank you, Ma'am," I said softly. This warmth... it had been so long since I last felt it.
Their daughter, Sinta, who was about seven years old, sat beside me, staring at me with sparkling eyes.
"Brother Karman, Father said you can lift three sacks of rice at once! Is it true?" she asked enthusiastically.
"Ah, that... yes, maybe because I practice often," I answered with a small smile.
"Wow, that's amazing! Teach me later, Brother, so I can be strong too!"
Seeing Sinta's innocent smile, my heart felt warm yet painful at the same time.
The next day, I assisted Old Man Darmo in fixing his leaking roof. The old man refused to let me work alone and insisted on helping, even though he was already advanced in age.
"Grandpa, just let me go up. You watch from below," I said, worried.
"Young people these days, looking down on the elderly. This old man is still strong, you know!" he snorted while still nailing the roof tiles with trembling hands.
I could only smile and make sure the ladder remained sturdy.
After finishing, Old Man Darmo poured me some warm tea.
"Karman, you are a good boy. At your young age, you are not arrogant and are willing to help an old man like me. Your parents must have raised you well."
Hearing that, my chest felt tight. My parents... My mother... Her face was growing blurrier in my memory. "Thank you, Grandpa. But... my mother..."
"Oh, forgive me, son. I didn't know," Old Man Darmo patted my shoulder gently. "But remember, as long as you remain a good person, your mother must be proud of you up there."
I could only nod, unable to say anything.
Weeks passed. I became more familiar with the villagers. Every morning, Aunt Ijah, who sold vegetables at the market, always set aside the best vegetables for Physician Sugeng and me.
"Here, Karman. The water spinach and spinach are fresh this morning. For Physician Sugeng, take it, no need to pay," said Aunt Ijah while putting the vegetables into my basket.
"Auntie, I can't do that. Let me pay—"
"Enough, enough! Physician Sugeng has often treated my husband without asking for payment. Consider this repayment. Besides, you've also helped the villagers a lot. Just think of it as our gratitude."
Warmth like this... made me almost forget the pain I had experienced. It almost made me believe that this world wasn't entirely cruel.
One evening, I sat under the big tree in the middle of the village with some children who asked me to tell a story.
"Brother Karman, where are you from? Why did you suddenly appear in our village?" asked Toni, a ten-year-old boy.
"I... from a faraway place," I answered while looking at the twilight sky.
"So, do you have a family?" asked Sinta, who was sitting next to me.
"I used to. But now... there's no one left."
"In that case, you can stay in our village forever! We're already your family!" exclaimed Toni enthusiastically, followed by nods from the other children.
Hearing that, something gripped my chest. Warm, but also painful. Family...
"Yes, maybe so," I murmured softly with a smile.
Everyone in that village indeed welcomed me without any suspicion. A warmth that I rarely felt in the world I used to live in. For a moment, memories of my mother or my friend Adul flashed by. But their faces were becoming blurry. If only I hadn't done that stupid thing, maybe I could still taste my mother's cooking every morning.
But this is the reality I must face. The risk I must bear for doing something beyond the limit. Now, only I and regret remain.
"AAAAAAAAACK!"
A scream from the edge of the village followed by a towering plume of smoke.
All the villagers panicked. It seemed peace was just a false hope in this world. Even at dawn, when the sun had not yet shown its light, someone had already committed a crime.
I had to hurry. On the way, Mr Bagus came running, panting heavily.
"Karman, quickly take Physician Sugeng away from this village!"
"What happened?"
"A bunch of bandits are looting the village!"
My mind went blank. I had to hurry and take Physician Sugeng away from here. The sound of horse hooves was getting closer. There was no more time. No matter how fast I ran, it wouldn't be fast enough. Only one way came to mind.
"Stop!" I said while spreading my arms.
"Look, a rat is blocking our path," said their leader, who wore an eye patch.
"Boss, just leave him to me," said a man with a face like a monkey.
"Finish him quickly," said their leader.
"Hey, kid, in your next life, learn to be obedient," said the monkey-faced man while twirling his machete in his hand.
I, who was already sick of this world, had solidified my resolve that I must become strong and brave to gain true freedom. "Come on," I said.
As soon as I finished speaking, a machete pierced my chest. Blood spurted from my mouth. However, I, who was used to pain many times worse than this, still maintained my sanity. I gripped the man's hand tightly. The machete was stuck in my chest. A headbutt was what I did.
Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow!
Our heads kept colliding until blood soaked my face. Until a cracking sound made the monkey-faced man go limp.
This fight didn't deserve to be called a fight, except maybe a street brawl.
A kick hit my chest. I was thrown dozens of meters. Physician Sugeng, who saw me bleeding, immediately ran towards me, but it was too late. The bandit leader had unleashed his ultimate technique right at me.
Seeing me bleeding profusely, Physician Sugeng immediately handed over a bag of money so the bandit would leave and release me.
"Here, take it! But please release this child!"
"Hey, how dare you order me around!" said the bandit leader. Then, before he turned his horse away, he slashed Physician Sugeng's chest. "Remember, next time you waste my time, it won't be your chest that gets slashed, maybe your head!"
I, who had started to recover from the bandit's attack, stood up. Heading towards Physician Sugeng, I saw he was in critical condition. I hurriedly carried him home and performed first aid. This couldn't be left alone. I had to find the nearest clinic to treat Physician Sugeng immediately.
With a carrying tool on my shoulder, I carried Physician Sugeng as I ran towards the nearest city.
My feet kept running without stopping. MyPhysician Sugeng, on my back, was getting weaker, his breathing becoming irregular.
"Hold on, Physician. Please, hold on," I murmured while continuing to run through the bushes.
This forest was dark and dense. Branches scratched my face and hands, but I didn't care. What was important was to keep moving forward.
The day began to turn to evening. My stomach started to growl. The familiar hunger began to bite. In between running, I saw a large snake crossing. Without thinking, I caught it with my bare hands and bit its head off.
It felt disgusting. Snake blood flowed in my mouth, its scales rough on my tongue. But I had no choice. This or faint in the middle of the road.
I kept running while eating the snake raw. Its cold flesh felt strange in my throat, but at least the hunger lessened a little.
"Forgive me, Physician. I have to eat to be able to take you to the city," I whispered to Physician Sugeng, who was already unconscious.
Night fell. The forest became even darker and more dangerous. Strange sounds echoed in the darkness. Shining eyes behind the trees. Wolves.
A wolf jumped from the bushes, but I kicked it hard without stopping my run. My body moved automatically, as if already accustomed to danger.
Dawn broke. I reached the edge of a very swift river. The water was brown and murky, flowing at a terrifying speed. The bridge that was supposed to be here had collapsed.
There was no other choice. I had to cross.
Carefully, I stepped into the water. The river current immediately dragged my feet. So strong! I struggled to maintain my balance while protecting Physician Sugeng on my back.
"Hold on, Physician!" I shouted against the roar of the water.
The water was already up to my chest. The current grew stronger. My feet almost lost their footing. But I kept pushing my body forward. Fighting the current with all the strength I had.
Almost... almost there...
CRACK!
A large log hit my ribs. Pain shot through me, but I bit my lip and kept moving. Couldn't stop. Couldn't give up.
Finally, my feet touched the ground on the other side. I pulled myself out of the river, soaked and shivering.
No time to rest. I had to keep moving.
Dawn of the third day. I had passed the forest and started climbing the rocky mountains. The path was steep and slippery. Many times I slipped, my knees bleeding from hitting rocks, but I got up again and kept climbing.
Physician Sugeng was getting weaker.
"Please, hold on just a little longer. Just a little more," I whispered hoarsely.
On the mountainside, I found a large scorpion. Without hesitation, I crushed its head with a rock and ate it raw. The bitter taste and crispy texture were utterly disgusting, but I forced myself to swallow it.
Other insects I found along the way also didn't escape my pursuit. Grasshoppers, crickets, even large hairy caterpillars. I put them all in my mouth without thinking.
I no longer cared about taste or danger. What was important was to fill my stomach, so I wouldn't faint.
During the day, I reached the mountain peak. From here, I could see the city in the distance. A big city with tall buildings and sturdy walls.
"Look, Physician! We're almost there!" I shouted with a hoarse voice.
But there was no answer. Physician Sugeng's body felt colder.
No! Can't be late!
I ran down the mountain at a crazy speed. Sharp rocks tore the soles of my feet, which had been without shoes since the second day. Blood flowed, but I didn't feel it.
All the pain had merged into one. All I had was one determination: reach the city. Save Physician Sugeng.
Evening approached. My feet finally stepped onto the stone road leading to the city gate. People who saw me jumped back with frightened faces.
Of course. My appearance must be terrifying. Covered in blood, mud, and filth. My face was bruised, my clothes tattered. I looked like a monster, not a human.
But I didn't care.
With the last of my strength, I kept running through the city streets. People screamed and avoided me. Children cried in fear.
Finally, a clinic!
"Help! Nurse! My parent!" I said to the receptionist in a hoarse voice.
"Alright, the cost is—"
I was confused because I had no money. I begged the receptionist. "Can you treat him first? I'll pay the cost later."
"Do you think this is a charity? Get out of here! Guards, take this kid out!"
In the midst of my confusion, and with Physician Sugeng's condition worsening, I had lost all hope. Suddenly, a procession of horse-drawn carriages passed through the main road in the city. With my mind already at a dead end, I stood and intercepted the procession, hoping they would notice my presence so I could ask for help, even if I had to sell my organs.
"Hey, you crazy beggar, move aside!" said the guard of the procession.
"Please, help me! Help us!"
"Oh, so your madness only realises it after being hit."
I was beaten by that guard. "Fine, go ahead and hit me. However, please pay for Physician Sugeng's treatment after this. I beg you!"
As they were about to hit me again, suddenly a voice from inside the carriage ordered them to stop.
"Stop! What are you doing, causing a commotion in the middle of the crowd?"
"Forgive us, Miss. We were cleaning up trash blocking the road."
"What did you say?"
Then the carriage door opened, and a young woman with golden blonde hair was seen descending the steps.