It was a very peaceful moment. It was a feeling that I had lost a long time ago. For the first time since entering this cruel world, I felt how wonderful it was to breathe without pain.
"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 unique. It's as if it refuses to die," the physician said.
I was still confused. The only things I remembered were the continuous pain gnawing at my body and the hunger. I couldn't remember anything else.
"Can I ask a question?"
"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," the physician said while taking a small plate. "I don't know the details, but they were the ones who brought you here," he continued, pouring a potion into a bowl.
"Here, eat this first. You've been unconscious for two weeks."
"What... 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, my body 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's only good for being beaten up, I thought.
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 it's ordinary for some people. But for me, it's 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 tell friend from foe. Everything was so gray. On the one hand, maybe I would be safe if I joined a sect. But, on the other hand, it might lead to more suffering. Honestly, I was very confused.
"If you're still hesitant, don't force it. All decisions are in your hands."
"So, when exactly is this held?"
"In about three months."
"May I stay here and eat until registration day?"
The physician smiled lightly.
"With pleasure. It seems my days won't be lonely for at least the next three months," he said.
The days passed quickly. I spent every day gardening and hunting deer. Occasionally, I accompanied the old physician to the next village to treat patients. This body turned out to be quite helpful. Maybe I could finish the work of five people alone. Well, I did consume a week's worth of food for a normal person in one meal.
That morning, as usual, I helped 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!" Mr. Bagus exclaimed, shaking his head in amazement.
"It's nothing, sir," I answered, carefully lowering the sacks.
"Nothing, you say?" Young people these days are truly amazing." Oh, and 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? You've helped us a lot. Also, my wife would love to have guests. You must come, okay!"
That evening at Mr. Bagus's house, his family warmly welcomed me. 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 more," Mrs. Sari said with a soft smile that reminded me of my mother.
"Thank you, ma'am," I said softly. It had been so long since I last felt this warmth.
Their seven-year-old daughter, Sinta, 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, well, maybe it's because I practice often," I answered with a small smile.
"Wow, that's amazing! Teach me, Brother, so I can be strong, too!"
Seeing Sinta's innocent smile made my heart feel warm yet painful at the same time.
The next day, I helped Old Man Darmo fix his leaking roof. He refused to let me work alone and insisted on helping, even though he was advanced in age.
"Grandpa, just let me go up. You watch from below," I said, worried.
"Young people these days look down on the elderly. This old man is still strong, you know!" he snorted, nailing the roof tiles with trembling hands.
I could only smile and make sure the ladder remained sturdy.
After he finished, Old Man Darmo poured me some warm tea.
"Karman, you are a good boy. At your young age, you're not arrogant, and you're willing to help an old man like me. Your parents must have raised you well."
Hearing that, I felt a tightness in my chest. 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. "Remember, as long as you're a good person, your mother must be proud of you up there."
I could only nod, unable to speak.
Weeks passed. I became more familiar with the villagers. Every morning, Aunt Ijah, who sold vegetables at the market, set aside the best vegetables for Physician Sugeng and me.
"Here, Karman. The water spinach and spinach are fresh this morning. These are for Physician Sugeng. Take them; you don't need to pay," said Aunt Ijah, 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 helped the villagers a lot, too. Just think of it as our gratitude."
This warmth made me almost forget the pain I had experienced. It almost made me believe that the world isn'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'm from a faraway place," I answered, looking at the twilight sky.
"Do you have a family?" Sinta, who was sitting next to me, asked.
"I used to. But now, there's no one left."
"In that case, you can stay in our village forever! We're your family now!" Toni exclaimed enthusiastically, and the other children nodded in agreement.
Hearing that, I felt a grip on my chest. It was warm but also painful. Family...
"Yes, maybe so," I murmured softly, smiling.
Everyone in that village welcomed me without suspicion. It was a warmth that I rarely felt in the world I used to live in. For a moment, memories of my mother and my friend Adul flashed by. But their faces were becoming blurry. If only I hadn't done that stupid thing, maybe I could still enjoy my mother's cooking every morning.
But that's the reality I must face. It's the risk I must bear for going beyond the limit. Now, only regret remains.
"AAAAAAAAACK!"
A scream from the edge of the village, followed by a towering plume of smoke.
The villagers all panicked. Peace seemed like a false hope in this world. Even at dawn, before the sun had risen, a crime had already been committed.
I had to hurry. On the way, I saw Mr. Bagus 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 get Physician Sugeng out of there. 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 option came to mind.
"Stop!" I yelled, 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 whose face looked like a monkey's.
"Finish him quickly," their leader said.
"Hey, kid. In your next life, learn to be obedient," the monkey-faced man said while twirling his machete.
I, already sick of this world, solidified my resolve to become strong and brave and 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, accustomed to pain far worse than this, remained sane. I gripped the man's hand tightly. The machete was stuck in my chest. I head-butted him.
Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow!
Our heads kept colliding until my face was soaked in blood. Then, a cracking sound made the monkey-faced man go limp.
This wasn't a real fight, just a street brawl.
A kick hit my chest. I was thrown dozens of meters. Physician Sugeng saw me bleeding and immediately ran toward me, but it was too late. The bandit leader had unleashed his ultimate technique on me.
Seeing me bleeding profusely, Physician Sugeng handed over a bag of money to the bandit, who then left and released me.
"Here, take it! But please release this child!"
"How dare you order me around!" the bandit leader said. Then, before turning his horse away, he slashed Physician Sugeng's chest. "Remember, next time you waste my time, it won't just be your chest that gets slashed, maybe your head!"
I, who had started to recover from the bandit's attack, stood up. As I headed towards Physician Sugeng, I saw that he was in critical condition. I hurriedly carried him home and administered first aid. This couldn't be left alone. I had to find the nearest clinic to treat him immediately.
With a carrying tool on my shoulder, I carried him as I ran toward the nearest city.
My feet kept running without stopping. Physician Sugeng, on my back, was getting weaker; his breathing was becoming irregular.
"Hold on, Physician. Please hold on," I murmured, continuing to run through the bushes.
The forest was dark and dense. Branches scratched my face and hands, but I didn't care. The important thing was to keep moving forward.
The day was turning into evening. My stomach started to growl. The familiar hunger pangs began. While running, I saw a large snake crossing the path. Without thinking, I grabbed it with my bare hands and bit its head off.
It felt disgusting. Its blood flowed into my mouth, and its scales felt rough on my tongue. But I had no choice. I could either do 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 my hunger lessened a little.
"Forgive me, Physician. I have to eat in order to take you to the city," I whispered to the unconscious Physician Sugeng.
Night fell. The forest became darker and more dangerous. Strange sounds echoed in the darkness. Shining eyes appeared behind the trees. Wolves.
One jumped from the bushes, but I kicked it hard without stopping. My body moved automatically, as if already accustomed to danger.
Dawn broke. I reached the edge of a swift river. The brown, murky water was flowing at a terrifying speed. The bridge that was supposed to be there had collapsed.
There was no other choice. I had to cross it.
I carefully stepped into the water. The current immediately dragged at my feet. It was so strong! I struggled to maintain my balance while keeping Physician Sugeng safe on my back.
"Hold on, Physician!" I shouted over 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. I fought the current with all my strength.
Almost... almost there...
CRACK!
A large log hit my ribs. Pain shot through me, but I bit my lip and kept moving. I couldn't stop. I couldn't give up.
Finally, I touched the ground on the other side. I pulled myself out of the river, soaked and shivering.
There was no time to rest. I had to keep moving.
It was the dawn of the third day. I had passed through the forest and started climbing the rocky mountains. The path was steep and slippery. I slipped many times, and my knees bled from hitting the rocks. But I got up again and kept climbing.
Physician Sugeng was growing weaker.
"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. Its bitter taste and crispy texture were disgusting, but I forced myself to swallow it.
The other insects I found along the way didn't escape my pursuit either: Grasshoppers, crickets, and even large, hairy caterpillars. I put them all in my mouth without thinking.
I no longer cared about taste or danger. The important thing was to fill my stomach so that I wouldn't faint.
During the day, I reached the mountaintop. From there, I could see the city in the distance. It was a big city with tall buildings and sturdy walls.
"Look, Physician! We're almost there!" I shouted, my voice hoarse.
But there was no answer. Physician Sugeng's body was growing colder.
No! I can't be late!
I ran down the mountain at breakneck speed. Sharp rocks tore the soles of my bare feet. Blood flowed, but I didn't feel it.
All the pain had merged into one. I was determined to 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, frightened.
Of course. My appearance must have been terrifying. I was covered in blood, mud, and filth. My face was bruised and my clothes were 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, I saw a clinic!
"Help! Nurse! My parents!" I said hoarsely to the receptionist.
"All right, the cost is...."
I was confused because I didn't have any money. I begged the receptionist. "Could you treat him first? I'll pay later."
"Do you think this is a charity? Get out of here! Guards, take this kid out!"
Amidst my confusion and Physician Sugeng's deteriorating condition, I lost all hope. Suddenly, a procession of horse-drawn carriages passed through the city's main road. At my wits' end, I stood and intercepted the procession, hoping they would notice me so I could ask for help, even if it meant selling my organs.
"Hey, you crazy beggar, move aside!" said the guard of the procession.
"Please, help me! Help us!"
"Oh, so you only realize your madness after being hit."
I was beaten by that guard. "Fine, go ahead and hit me. But please pay for Physician Sugeng's treatment afterwards. I beg you!"
As they were about to hit me again, a voice suddenly ordered them to stop from inside the carriage.
"Stop! What are you doing causing a commotion in the middle of the crowd?"
"Forgive us, Miss. We were cleaning up trash that was blocking the road."
"What did you say?"
Then, the carriage door opened and a young woman with golden-blonde hair descended the steps.