Chapter 9
Ray felt a long-lost warmth in his heart as he witnessed his mother's concern. Despite his wavering emotions, he remained determined and reassured his parents. Ray engaged in a lengthy discussion with his mother, Yuvra, doing his best to convince her not to worry excessively.
After numerous difficulties, Yuvra finally agreed to Ray's request, albeit with several terms and conditions attached. With his mother's approval secured, Ray bid farewell to the two little ones he had been playing with, oblivious to the conversation that had taken place.
"Okay, Esubi and Haruza, behave yourselves while I'm gone. Listen to Mother and stay safe," Ray said, trying to be a responsible older brother.
Initially, the two little ones listened playfully, but as the words sank in, Haruza, the usually cheerful little girl, cast sad and unbelieving glances at Ray.
"Ah, big brother, are you leaving Haruza? Is it because Haruza is naughty?" she questioned, her voice tinged with sadness.
Ray wanted to refute his sister's words, but before he could respond, a heart-wrenching cry escaped from the typically sweet girl's lips.
"Waaaah! Waaaah! Big brother doesn't love me anymore! I'm not a good sister! Waaaah! Brother is leaving Haruza!"
Witnessing this scene, Ray felt a profound sadness engulf him, momentarily causing him to reconsider his plans. However, after a while, his determination resurfaced.
With renewed resolve, Ray made every effort to persuade his sister. He didn't forget to reassure her that he would only be away for two days.
After spending sufficient time using sweet words and explanations, Ray finally managed to win over his sister. He hurriedly left before the young girl could change her mind.
Outside the gate, Ray observed the pained expressions on his mother's and younger sister's faces. Esubi, although silent, displayed reluctance in his eyes as well. Seeing this, Ray made a mental note to bring back thoughtful gifts for his family upon his return.
Ray swiftly headed south, and after some time, he spotted a distinctive bus stop in the corner of his vision. Confirming the information on his watch, Ray felt reassured and boarded the bus that had just arrived.
Sitting in a corner seat next to the window, Ray allowed his body to relax before glancing at the watch he had been fiddling with. In this world, cell phones were a rarity, and people relied on advanced smartwatches instead of traditional communication devices. The watch's versatility made up for the absence of unnecessary features, as people in this world valued practicality above all else.
Ray had to adjust to this new habit of using a smartwatch, which initially felt unfamiliar. However, with practice, he became proficient in utilizing its basic functions. While toying with his watch, Ray searched for information about the area he was heading to.
After a comfortable 25-minute bus ride, Ray alighted at a stop resembling the one he had seen before.
Walking westward, Ray encountered a towering wall that obstructed his view. As he approached the post guarded by a group of soldiers in military uniforms, one of them barked at him in annoyance.
"Hey, brat! What are you doing here?"
The soldier's displeasure stemmed from the mischievous children who often disrupted his peaceful duties for their amusement. So, upon seeing a child of Ray's age approaching, he immediately displayed a blatant intimidation tactic.
Ray, slightly taken aback by the soldier's attitude, chose not to respond in the same tone.
"Sorry, sir. I'm here to request permission to leave the city," Ray calmly stated.
Hearing this, the soldier's expression changed to one of disbelief, as if he had encountered an unusual individual.
Observing the soldier's passive demeanor, Ray took the initiative to continue speaking.
"I have the approved documents from my guardian. You can verify them to confirm my purpose," Ray said, displaying the file on his communicator's watch.
Ray had made prior arrangements and asked his mother to provide a suitable statement if such a situation arose.
Sensing the young man's seriousness, the soldier questioned him in a perplexed manner.
"Are you alone?"
"Ah, well..."
"Fine, follow me."
The soldier directed Ray toward a checkpoint, where he underwent an extensive interview session with the checkpoint staff. After each document was reviewed and approved, Ray was finally liberated from the tedious administrative procedures.
Having obtained permission, Ray made his way to a public restroom to attend to a matter.
After five minutes, Ray emerged from the restroom donning a fully black tactical outfit, excluding the helmet that remained off his head.
If it weren't for his youthful appearance, Ray could have easily been mistaken for one of the military personnel guarding the frontier.
With all the necessary preparations completed, Ray set off from the familiar city.
...
"Ngitt."
The sound of brake discs grinding echoed from the young man's motorcycle.
"Ah, this bike is worth every penny!" Ray exclaimed with a smile, although a tinge of bitterness lingered in his heart.
After leaving the town, Ray swiftly embarked on his new motorcycle, which he had recently purchased.
According to Ray, the vehicle he was riding couldn't be considered a conventional motorcycle. It was lightweight and featured a frame reminiscent of bicycles on Earth. Instead of a protruding fuel tank, there were only small slots to accommodate the Aether core for energy.
Looking around, Ray nodded in satisfaction.
The sky had already darkened, and the young man had hoped to find a suitable campsite before three o'clock in the afternoon. However, unexpected events unfolded, starting from his visit to the school health unit to the emotionally charged drama involving his mother and younger sister.
Ray surveyed the surrounding area once again, feeling assured that there was nothing to be concerned about. With that, he began to move and created a circular boundary around him.
After some time, a simple tent materialized on a flat patch of ground.
"Phew, everything is finally ready!" Ray exclaimed.
He then settled in front of a crackling bonfire, surrounded by wood and rope. Despite the busyness of his actions, the young man appeared relatively calm. This was because, regardless of his activities in this location, he had no intention of hunting wild animals or beasts.
Ray had set up an array that concealed his scent, appearance, presence, and other variables within a ten-meter radius, ensuring that the forest inhabitants remained unaware of his presence.
Continuing his tasks, Ray spent a full hour meticulously working on his crafts. Eventually, he stood up straight and surveyed his surroundings with confidence.
With a light step, Ray walked in a particular direction, carefully setting traps near his tent. Despite the darkening sky, the ordinary young man displayed no signs of fear. He knew that the creatures in this area were not monsters but rather real animals brought by humans and allowed to breed and evolve in this environment.
Furthermore, the military group regularly patrolled the outer areas, ensuring the safety of the city by warding off intruding monsters or sky falls. The outskirts of the city served as an introduction and training ground for young individuals learning to become hunters in the face of real falling skies.
After an hour of setting traps, Ray finally returned to his camp, contemplating his next plan. He prepared some light dishes and pondered his options within the campsite. Eventually, he decided to get some sleep.
Though initially too excited to doze off, Ray closed his eyes forcefully, hoping for a better tomorrow.
...