Chapter 6: After One Day
(After one day )
(At the Association Office)
It was almost evening. The whole office was in a state of chaos, with everyone rushing, grabbing documents, and speaking loudly in tense, concerned tones. Something big had clearly happened.
ZE1708 entered an office labeled 'Official Seniors' Working Room', where ZE0098 was diligently working, and said, "Sir, we found out who the culprit is behind the Givnu tax increase."
"Who is it? Tell me," 0098 demanded in a serious tone.
"Sir, we checked every year's reports, but the tax increase started fourteen or fifteen years ago, shortly after the group of bandits attacked Givnu. Although Karnol, Mira's father Hira, and her mother Rema saved them, we found that no bandits died that day, and no one informed Samuh about the attack. Gilbo, the supervisor of Givnu, is behind it. He's the one collecting the extra tax and trying to kill all the people of Givnu Island to take control of it. However, we still don't know why he wants to do this," ZE1708 finished his report.
"Gilbo, you say? It looks like nothing we need to worry about just yet," 0098 said, already returning to his work. "Okay, send this report to Givnu with the bill, and collect all the fees they owe us—including association fees and immediate search fees for this report. And calm everyone down—it's not a serious problem."
But just then, the sound of someone running echoed down the hall. ZE2510 burst through the door, his expression tense and shocked. He hurriedly announced, "Sir! Sir! It's an emergency!"
"What happened? Have the tornadoes started again?" 0098 asked.
"No, sir. It's the second report HQ sent about Givnu. Fifteen years ago, Mira's parents saved Givnu, but they also died in the process. One year later, someone named David filed a complaint about a man who killed Mira's parents, but David went missing after a few days. The Samuh Police also tried to find the killer but stopped the investigation when they couldn't find him. However, when we asked for the report, someone had already stolen it. After some investigation, we were able to find the killer's name, and through further inquiry, we found out who had killed Mira's parents."
ZE2510 continued, "Sir, we also found out that someone has been trying to unfertilize Givnu's west and east side lands so they can't produce any crops or other resources. Also, the boat fees are very high, so very few people can go to other islands, and many are forced to stay there. Someone has disturbed the forest monsters many times, and the monsters have been attacking them at least once a month for the last nine years."
He paused, for some seconds.
then continued, "They need to pay money to the hunters who save them from monsters or provide security. On top of this, if someone is unable to pay the tax or fees on time, they're punished—and the punishments are very strict. Some people are even killed for opposing the rules."
"What?! Fifteen years ago? It's been like this for fifteen years? Why didn't someone file a complaint or report this to us—or to any other association—for help?" 0098 yelled, his voice thick with fury.
"Sir, I think they don't have enough money to give personal commissions to us or to ask anyone to come there and post quest or request papers. And even if they did have the money, they probably believe we wouldn't help them when even their own government is ignoring them. They also have no connections to any official hunters or guilds, and they don't even know where the association office is, sir. That's what I think," 2510 said.
"Then how are they able to pay tax every month?" 0098 asked in a humble, sympathetic tone.
"It's Mira and Hina who pay seventy percent of the whole island's tax with the help of Timini. The villagers use Timminy for sea transportation and other work, but even with Mira and Timminy helping from the sea, it's almost a miracle they're able to pay off the tax and survive," 2510 concluded.
"Send this report to HQ first. If they allow it, then send it to the Samuh Kingdom, and tell me who's behind all this. I'll go and report to Sir Riizo immediately. We have a serious problem now," 0098 said as he stood up, taking his sword in hand.
"It's Karnol who's behind it. He's the one who killed Mira's parents fifteen years ago—and the man behind all of this," 2510 stated gravely. "We also found out that all the hunters who help or attack Givnu were working with Karnol or his men. Only Serbhij doesn't have any contact with him. We can say that all the tax and money were probably looted by Karnol, and only the minimum required amount was paid off to keep Samuh from investigating."
"Karnol!" 0098 roared. "Someone report all of this to Shunya first, then get ready to meet on the ground!" he commanded, sprinting toward Sir Riizo's office.
(On the Roadway Toward Eastport Village, Givnu Island)
Two coaches were traveling at high speed.
Vibho was with Grandpa and Grandma, returning from the Northport Market after some shopping. Grandpa and Grandma had wanted to buy some wood and clothes, but because of frequent monster attacks, they took Vibho with them—to keep him safe and to give him some sightseeing. On the way back, Vibho started running on foot, trying to find any monsters.
"Hey, Vibho, run slowly! The horses can't run faster than this!" Grandma shouted as the coach's horses struggled to catch up with him.
Vibho turned and saw the horses out of breath. He stopped and let the coach draw even, then asked, "What happened? Why are the horses short of breath? Is there a problem?" he asked, dumbfounded.
"No, we'll just take a short break, that's all. Want some water?" Grandma said as she and Grandpa stepped down from the coach.
"Yep," Vibho said, taking a cup of water from Grandma.
"We've completed all the work. We just need to return home on time, or Hina will scold us for being late," Grandma said.
"Yes, but I still have a headache from last night's party," Grandpa muttered, rubbing his temples.
Everyone had a big feast and partied all through dinner, and wanted to continue, but before they could, Hina stopped them, saying, "No more beers!" in a strict voice. Not even the elderly men dared to argue; it seemed she was always firm about such things. So, they all left. Vibho was so full that he'd fallen asleep right on the table.
"I just miss Mira here. Wait—I forgot to give her the flash pigeon," Grandpa said emotionally.
"What are flash pigeons?" Vibho asked curiously.
"They're pigeons who fly very fast and deliver letters. Their color changes depending on the message they carry. If it's happy news, they'll be white. If it's normal news, they'll be blue. If it's sad or dangerous news, they'll be red," Grandpa explained.
"Why are you getting emotional right now? It's not like she's gone forever—she just had some urgent work, that's all. And I already gave her a flash pigeon, so don't worry about her. You should worry about your old bones," Grandma teased.
Both of them laughed.
Vibho also started laughing—he didn't understand much, but he laughed with them anyway.
Three men were chatting inside one of the coaches.
"Hey, it's almost lunchtime. What are you eating today?" the first man asked.
"The same as always—lunch special from Hina's Restaurant. It's delicious, after all," the second man answered.
"Hahaha, true," the first man agreed.
"Anyway, did you hear some rookie hunters just destroyed a hunter headquarters in the South Sea?"
"What? Stop joking! That can't be true," the third man said. "A hunter headquarters has almost two thousand soldiers and one commander. If some rookies destroyed it, they must be very strong—or that headquarters must've been weak."
"Yes, if the headquarters was weak, maybe. But where did you hear this?" the first man asked.
"Oh, some travelers had it in a newspaper and were telling their friend—I overheard it," the second man replied.
"What were the rookie hunters' names?" the third man asked.
"I forgot all but one. There were five of them, and one was named Raone."
"Raone... I think I've heard that name somewhere before."
"Don't tell me you also heard about someone who destroyed a kingdom all by himself," the third man said.
"Yes, and I also heard about a fish that can eat an entire island in one bite," the first man added.
"But that fish is nothing compared to the man who can destroy a planet with one punch," the second man scoffed.
"Stop it, all of you. These are all fake news. Don't read that nonsense. We've left the monster area—we'll arrive at Eastport Village soon. Help me by giving the horses water," the driver ordered in a strict tone.
Just then, a fiery red pigeon came flying in at top speed, making a frantic "pi pi pii pi pi" sound.
Grandma's face turned pale and full of tension when she heard the pigeon's cry.
"It's Mira's flash pigeon!" she whispered, her voice trembling. Her expression twisted into one of abject fear, as if her world had just shattered.
"What!!!" Grandpa cried—and immediately fell unconscious.