The evening sky was a pale orange, as if the sun itself was too tired to shine with full spirit. Construction dust still clung to Ryan's hair and clothes as he lowered the last sack of cement from his shoulder. His hands trembled slightly—not from fear, but from exhaustion that had built up since before dawn.
The foreman's voice echoed faintly behind him, telling the workers to come even earlier tomorrow because the construction target had to be finished before the end of the month. Ryan only nodded quietly. His body felt heavy, but his mind felt even heavier.
Three months.
He had been working as a construction laborer for three months now. The pay wasn't much, but it was enough to save a little bit at a time. At least, that was what he always told himself.
He walked out of the construction site, passing the rusty tin fence that creaked as the wind pushed against it. Outside, the streets were growing crowded with people heading home from work. Ryan slung his small bag over his shoulder and let out a long breath.
"Yan!"
A voice called from behind. Ryan turned and saw Dika, one of his fellow workers, jogging toward him.
"Let's grab some coffee! The guys are gathering at the stall near the alley. Budi's treating today," Dika said with a hopeful grin.
Ryan gave a faint smile. He knew exactly what "treating" meant in their circle. It meant the drinks were paid for, but cigarettes and snacks were still on you. And often, after one person treated, the others would feel obligated to chip in too.
"I can't, Ka. Got something to take care of," Ryan replied softly.
"What kind of business? Relax once in a while. Life isn't just about working."
Ryan scratched the back of his neck. He couldn't exactly say that he only had twenty thousand rupiah left in his wallet for transportation and a simple dinner.
"Maybe tomorrow," he said at last.
Dika stared at him for a few seconds before patting his shoulder. "Alright. Take care on your way home."
Ryan nodded and continued walking.
The evening breeze blew gently. Near the traffic light, a young man stood handing out flyers to passersby. Most people shook their heads or pretended not to see him.
Ryan almost walked past him. But when he saw the young man's face—sweat dripping down his temple, a forced smile despite being ignored—his steps slowed.
He knew that feeling.
Before becoming a construction worker, he had done the same job. For every thousand flyers he handed out, he earned one hundred thousand rupiah. It sounded easy, but it wasn't. People avoided him, threw the flyers away, some even scolded him.
It took more than five hours to finish a thousand sheets.
Ryan sighed and accepted one.
"Thank you, sir!" the young man said brightly.
Ryan only gave a small nod.
He walked on, folding the flyer without looking at it. Memories flickered in his mind—long, hot days under the blazing sun, standing at intersections, hoping people would accept the thin piece of paper that meant a meal for the day.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
Ryan stopped walking. His heart pounded strangely. He stared at the screen for a few seconds before answering.
"Hello?"
"Ryan?" A woman's voice sounded rushed and anxious.
"Yes, this is Ryan."
"It's Lia… from the orphanage."
Ryan immediately straightened.
"What happened, Auntie?"
"Grandma Tia… she suddenly fainted earlier. She's at the hospital now. Can you come?"
The world seemed to stop spinning.
"W-what? Fainted?" His voice trembled.
"Yes. The doctor is still examining her. Please come."
Without thinking, Ryan ran toward the nearest bus stop. His chest felt tight. Cold sweat trickled down his temple.
Grandma Tia.
The only person he truly considered family.
The trip to the hospital felt longer than usual. Every red light felt like punishment. Every second felt like torture.
When he arrived, Ryan nearly stumbled as he rushed inside. He approached the receptionist desk, breathless.
"Excuse me… patient named Tia… which room?"
The receptionist checked the computer briefly. "Second floor, room 207."
Ryan thanked her and ran up the stairs. He was too anxious to wait for the elevator.
In front of room 207, he paused. His breathing hadn't fully steadied. His hands trembled as he reached for the doorknob.
Without thinking, he pushed it open.
"GRANDMA—!"
The loud bang of the door startled the elderly woman on the bed. An apple she had been holding fell and rolled across the floor.
Ryan froze.
On the bed, Grandma Tia stared at him wide-eyed.
"Oh my goodness, Ryan! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" she scolded.
Ryan immediately lowered his head. "Sorry, Grandma! I panicked…"
Lia, who was sitting beside the bed, sighed in relief. "You almost scared her to death."
Ryan quickly picked up the fallen apple and placed it on the table.
"How are you, Grandma? Aunt Lia said you fainted…"
Grandma Tia smiled gently. Her face looked paler than usual, but her eyes were still warm, just like always.
"Ah, it was just a brief fainting spell. At my age, that's normal. I'm sixty-six, Ryan. This body isn't made of iron."
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes. The doctor said it's just exhaustion. A few days of rest and I'll be fine."
Ryan finally let out a small breath of relief.
He sat in the empty chair beside the bed. They talked for quite a while. Grandma Tia asked about his job, whether the foreman was strict, whether he was eating enough.
As always.
It was always about him.
Never about herself.
Time passed unnoticed. The wall clock showed eight in the evening when Ryan stood up.
"I'll go home now, Grandma. I'll come again tomorrow."
She nodded. "Be careful on the way. Don't stay up late."
Lia stood as well. "I'll walk you out."
They walked together through the quiet hospital corridor.
The white lights felt cold. The smell of antiseptic filled the air.
After several silent steps, Ryan finally asked, "Aunt… what's really wrong with Grandma?"
Lia stopped walking.
Ryan turned and saw the forty-eight-year-old woman lower her head. Her shoulders trembled slightly.
Tears fell slowly.
Ryan felt his heart tighten.
"Aunt?"
"Ryan…" Lia's voice broke. "Grandma… didn't just faint."
Ryan went still.
"The doctor said… she has a brain tumor."
The world collapsed.
"What…?"
"She needs surgery. If not, her condition could get worse."
Ryan felt as if the floor beneath him had vanished.
"Then… let's do the surgery!"
Lia gave a bitter laugh through her tears. "It's expensive, Ryan. And she knows our situation. She refuses. She says she doesn't want to burden her children and grandchildren."
Ryan lowered his head. His hands clenched.
How much had he saved?
Two million rupiah.
Three months of backbreaking work.
It probably wouldn't even cover the initial examination.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier…" he murmured.
"She didn't want you to worry."
Ryan stared blankly down the corridor.
After a while, he said goodbye and walked out of the hospital.
The night air felt piercingly cold. Streetlights illuminated the nearly empty sidewalk.
He walked aimlessly.
His mind was empty.
His heart was full.
Finally, he sat on a bench near a trash can along the sidewalk. He lowered his head, covering his face with both hands.
Old memories surfaced.
He was seven years old.
Standing in front of Grandma Tia with sparkling eyes.
"Grandma, for my birthday… I want a birthday cake. With candles."
He still remembered her gentle smile.
"Yes, I'll make one for you."
That day came.
A simple cake, but enough for all the children in the orphanage to have a taste. For the first time, Ryan blew out candles. For the first time, he felt like he truly had a special day.
He was so happy.
But two days later, as he was about to go out and play, he accidentally overheard Grandma Tia talking to someone.
Her wedding ring.
Pawned.
To buy Ryan's birthday cake.
At that moment, little Ryan felt as if his chest had been stabbed.
From that day on, he stopped asking.
Stopped wanting.
He learned to hold back.
Learned to work hard.
Learned that happiness often came at a heavy price for someone else.
And now…
The person who had sacrificed everything for him was seriously ill.
And he had nothing.
The night wind blew hard.
A crumpled ball of paper flew from the top of a trash can and landed near his feet.
Ryan snapped out of his thoughts.
The paper rolled slightly, as if stopping right in front of him.
He stared at it for a few seconds before picking it up.
He unfolded it.
A flyer.
Not the one he had received earlier.
This one looked different.
The image was strange—a man holding a sword, drawn like a kindergarten crayon sketch. The words at the top were large and striking.
WANTED: WORKERS FOR DUNGEON EXPLORATION
All ages.
Must be strong.
Salary up to 100 million rupiah.
Ryan frowned.
Dungeon?
What was this, a game?
A salary of one hundred million?
Obviously a scam.
He almost crumpled it up and threw it away, but something made him stop.
At the bottom of the flyer was an address and a contact number.
The handwriting looked sloppy.
Ryan let out a small, bitter laugh.
"What kind of idiot would fall for something like this…"
He stared at the flyer for a long time.
The night wind blew again.
His mind returned to Lia crying.
To Grandma Tia smiling as if everything was fine.
One hundred million.
An impossible amount.
But even if it were just a tenth of that…
Ryan looked up at the night sky.
"What kind of idiot…" he muttered softly.
Then a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"…What kind of idiot, if not me?"
His hand tightened around the flyer.
For the first time in his life, Ryan felt he had no choice but to become a fool.
And perhaps, that was exactly where his destiny would begin.