In a large city, the marketplace bustled, filled with grand and luxurious buildings. Lamps and lanterns adorned every corner. Amidst these castles stood a tiny, yet well-maintained shack. A gathering place for unimaginable power.
"Before we begin, I want to thank our younger brother for maintaining this place so well," said the red-haired man.
"It's nothing, Elder Brother. This is my duty," replied the slender man gently.
"HAHAHA... Straight to the point. I don't need to explain, do I?" The red-haired man addressed the five people present. They sat at a round table, one chair left empty.
"Actually, I feel somewhat empty, especially since the Eldest Brother never attends," said the exceptionally beautiful woman.
"That fool? HAHAHA! Whether he's here or not changes nothing," retorted the red-haired man.
"You!" the woman shot back, releasing a wave of oppressive qi. "You know what happened the last time someone sat there."
"Hoho... It seems Fourth Sister has grown up," said the red-haired man, countering with his own qi pressure.
The shack shook. The others remained silent, as if this were a common occurrence. But...
"Enough..." said the Youngest Brother, sweeping his ink brush without qi, yet dispelling all pressure within the shack. "If this shack collapses, prepare to die without a burial," he said with a friendly, smiling face.
The atmosphere calmed once more, and their meeting continued.
"I'm sure you've all heard. Isn't it a bit too lively this time?" the red-haired man said thoughtfully. "What's our next move?"
"Isn't that good? Perhaps we need to give it a little push," said the fat man who had been quiet until now.
"I agree with Third Brother. We must truly take advantage of this moment," said the man with a long moustache.
"Hasn't that taken too long already?" The red-haired man stood up. "I'll verify it myself," he continued.
"Hey, don't cause trouble," said the beautiful woman, Fourth Sister. "Because of your foolishness twenty years ago, we've had to wait all this time."
"What do you mean? It was an honour for him to die by my hand. He was too weak," the red-haired man stated firmly.
"Elder Brothers and Sisters, I have an idea," said the Youngest Brother softly.
The room fell silent. Usually, the Youngest Brother never offered opinions. But this time, for the first time, he dared to speak up.
"HAHAHA, it seems our little brother has grown up. So, speak," said the red-haired man, sitting back down.
Their discussion continued, with the old shack as their witness. Perhaps this time, the world order would truly change.
---
Finally, our party managed to escape safely. Although we returned with many injuries, at least we were still breathing.
I sat in the clinic corridor with mixed thoughts. Why is my heart so hard? I felt no worry, no anxiety when I saw my friends in danger.
All I felt was selfishness. Prioritising myself over my friend's safety. When the White Tiger attacked, my first thought wasn't their safety, but my desire to defeat that monster. Even when Putri fell, my feet stepped forward, not turning toward her. At least I'm grateful I still have sane logic as my boundary.
"Karman, what are you thinking about?" said Elder Hartono, who was beside me without my noticing.
"Ah, greetings, Master," I said, startled.
"I understand how you feel. But problems are never solved by regret alone," said Elder Hartono.
"B but..."
"I understand perfectly how it feels," Elder Hartono cut me off. "Never blame circumstances. Blame yourself for not being strong enough to change them," he continued.
Then Elder Hartono approached and handed me a piece of paper.
"Write your regrets and apologies on this paper. From now on, we will begin our real training. Perhaps a year, twenty years, or a day, it all depends on your talent."
I was shocked. So all this time, I've been a frog in a well. I have been careless. And I've resolved that this time I will change, at least I won't cause any more trouble.
"Very well, Master! I will be serious," I said, taking the paper and pen to write a farewell letter.
"To my friends, forgive all my carelessness and mistakes. Because of them, you were injured. Perhaps for a while, or years, or decades, we cannot meet temporarily. And I promise, when we meet again, I will be a Karman you can rely on."
Then I placed the letter on a small table next to Tono and Bonar. Meanwhile, I delivered Putri's letter personally to the Sect Leader's private clinic.
---
After several days unconscious, Tono, Putri, and Bonar finally woke up. The pressure from the White Tiger still felt like a bone-chilling cold. Even in their unconsciousness, that event haunted them day and night.
[Tono's POV]
AAAAAACCCKKK!
I woke up startled. That terrifying creature haunts me day and night.
But... Am I still alive? I said, feeling my body, then pinching my cheek.
Ow! I'm alive. I survived. Next to me lay Bonar. So it wasn't a dream. But the next second, I realised something was missing. KARMAN! Where is Karman? Did he survive? Is he...
Ngiiinngg!
My head hurt from thinking too much after waking up. Then the room door opened.
"Ohhh, you're awake," said a sect physician carrying some herbs.
"Physician! Where's Karman? How is he?" I asked, wanting to confirm his condition. I don't want to lose him again.
"You should be thinking about yourself," said the physician while sorting herbs. "Karman was the one who brought you here. His condition is better than yours," he continued.
"But where is he now?" I asked, curious.
"I don't know. The last time I saw him, he left with Elder Hartono."
"Thank goodness," I said with relief. I can't imagine what would happen if something were to happen to Karman because of my foolishness in taking him to Kidang Alas.
"But before leaving, he left a letter," said the physician, pointing to the small table next to my bed. I read it slowly.
"To my friends, forgive all my carelessness and mistakes. Because of them, you were injured. Perhaps for a while, or years, or decades, we cannot meet temporarily. And I promise, when we meet again, I will be a Karman you can rely on."
Karman... you. You're not wrong at all. This is our fault for dragging you into danger, I thought to myself, tears falling.
---
Days passed, and my body fully recovered. Although that bad memory continues to haunt me day and night.
Finally, I, Putri, and Bonar met again in the canteen. The atmosphere was quiet and awkward. We just focused on the food on our plates.
"So," said Putri, stopping her eating momentarily. "I'm sure you've all read Karman's letter. What are your plans?"
I was silent for a moment. "I... I no longer want to be a burden. It seems I'll go into seclusion," I said firmly.
"Me too. Perhaps you think I don't care because I rarely express my feelings. But I also don't want to be a burden to Karman," said Bonar, who was usually quiet.
"Alright, it's decided. Let's train and strengthen ourselves. And meet here again, stronger, before the tournament."
This concluded our conversation. And the beginning of our separation and strongest bond, with a promise we held firmly.