Reborn As A Haier-Elvian: The Blood Hunter And The Warlock (Replace To New Account)

Chapter 13 "The Most Beautiful Sunset"

The night is getting late, but the atmosphere in this food stall is getting crowded. Some of the workers who just came home, stopped by here just to relieve hunger and fatigue. From the double door leaf that was wide open, more often people were coming over rather than going out. Make this shop more compact. So it is not uncommon for them to join others at one dining table. The frenetic sound broke out incoherently. Making our meeting not conducive. It seems like our choice of place and time was wrong.

I am currently with Dimas, Sister Shella, Vian, and Vani in a meeting. Only this is present. Because we're the only ones still living in Glafelden. The rest, mostly men, enlisted into the royal army in the country's capital. Or become an assistant to a traveling merchant.

We just finished eating. Leave the dirty dishes on the long table. I gathered them here to pass on the information that I just obtained a few days ago. About the Spirit Crystal. I also mentioned the two solutions given by Almira, and asked for their opinions.

"That's very dangerous, Anggi! Breaking into the capital of the Western Elvian Kingdom was a crazy thing that no one had ever thought of, including Grussel. Who knows we'll be arrested as soon as we get to their town." Dimas was the first to protest in a split second. Without thinking.

"We're not. But me," I said. My voice was almost swallowed by the fanfare in this tavern, but I was sure they could still hear it.

"I disagree with that even more. What can a stupid hunter like you do? I'm sure you'll be tempted by that white rabbit again and screw it up."

"Cannot be. No one repeats a mistake except a fool."

"That idiot is you!" pekik Dimas's.

If it were just the two of us, I would've beaten this fucker. But I purposely held it. I don't want to start a fight in public. Especially with your friends, it's stupid. Just like Dimas said.

"Here you go, Anggi, Dimas! Don't make a fuss like that!" Sister Shella is trying to mediate. Then throw a glance at me. He looked at me in silence for a moment. "I don't agree with you either, Anggi. An exit that's too risky is not the solution."

"A chance like this won't come twice. Maybe Elvian could have opened the border and accepted humans with open arms. But when? It could be decades or hundreds of years. Or maybe it won't happen until the world is destroyed. Don't you want to go home?"

Sister Shella fell silent. Hearing the last sentence seemed to make his tongue out. Mute a thousand languages and clench their eyelids, pretending not to know. I looked towards the twins.

"What about you guys? You two must want to go home too, right?"

The two stared at each other for a moment. Then both nodded.

"of course. But the words of Sister Shella and Dimas are true. We can't act without careful preparation." Vani, who was jolly in nature, opened her mouth. While her silent twin sister only took a slow beard.

"That's why I'm asking for your help right now. Make a great plan so I can infiltrate the Elvian capital."

Pltaac!

A moment later, my back head hurt a lot. I gripped slowly while holding it. Throwing a sharp look at Dimas who was sitting next to me.

"What are you doing, you idiot?"

Before I could protest more, he had already opened his voice. "Can't you, you're eliminating the stubbornness of your head! Calm down a little and think clearly. You realize no, that this is too dangerous? We don't live here, it doesn't mean we want to. Of course we want to go home.

"Each of us must miss parents, relatives, or friends in the world of origin. But this is not the way. Forcing yourself into danger is foolish. Whether I, Sister Shella, Vian, Vani, or any of our friends, don't want any of us to be in danger. What if you don't come back later? It's free to go home, but not together. If it had to be like that, I'd rather stay here with everyone."

"But ... otherwise now—."

Pltaac!

Again, Dimas nailed me hard. This time on the forehead. The heat is left there. I'm sure my forehead is very red right now.

"Stupid! Do you understand, no, if we're worried about you? Is that your attitude toward a friend who thinks about your safety? With a head like a child? Don't you think a little bit of our feelings are anxious when you're in danger?"

Heart melos. His words right pierced my chest and made a hole there. That's something I didn't think of. When they saw the other three, they nodded. I never knew they were all worried about me. This is embarrassing me. Because all I can think about is myself.

I lowered my eyes to the dining table. Smilingly. "You guys are really good. I think you're gonna keep blaming me, who brought us all into this world."

Sister Shella hurriedly took my hand and clasped tightly. "How many times have I told you, Anggi! We're not gonna see you like that. And stop blaming yourself. We live in this world together. In the past, we ate and slept together. We're fateful. For this reason, we need to pay attention to each other, care for each other, and love each other. I'm sure one day we can find a way back without putting ourselves at risk."

Unable to see the sincerity in his jewel-like eyeballs, my head bowed. From the deepest recesses, I thank you for being awarded friends like them.

"Now, promise not to do anything dangerous! And forget the crazy idea of infiltrating the Elvian capital."

I turned to Dimas.

"You're usually hard to tell. That's why I want you to promise."

I nodded slowly and sighed. "Okay, I promise!"

Everyone smiled widely, relieved that this matter had been resolved. So did I, happy with everyone's feeling so strong. Perhaps with this bond of friendship I can understand the true meaning of life.

Come to think of it, all their words are true. Acting without a mature plan and hurrying is foolish. As a hunter, I should know that for sure. Perhaps this opportunity will soon be lost and will not come a second time. But as long as you keep trying, nothing is impossible. Miracles only come to those who never give up.

==============

The days passed unnoticed. It has been almost a week since the sentence given by Grussel—the expulsion from headquarters— ended. Tomorrow night is hunting day. The 'Dive Night' group will be back in action. What I heard from Dimas, our target was a tiger-like beast named Orska. I've only heard of it. From the illustration picture given by him, this tiger-like animal was large in stature. Almost as tall as an adult. They were hunted for their long fangs. Orska at first glance is similar to the ancient beast Smilodon or the sword-tooth lion. This hunt looks challenging, after a few days of being unemployed at Bibi Saantya clinic.

I stepped out of the kitchen, having just helped the clinic staff wash the dirty dishes. The sun is still warm. Suitable time for daily activities. I've been going to the library for a few days. Almira's house has also been visited too often, to the extent that the host will kick me out when he sees my face at the door. Now, I'm confused what to do.

Bored, I thought.

Half an hour passed by sitting daydreaming on the bench of the city park. Silence is mute like a stone. Staring blankly at the squirrels gnawing at the falling fruit under the tree. Although I didn't actually notice it.

Suddenly my instinct tells me if there's someone behind. I haven't looked around yet, that person has already pulled my hood slowly. As if curious as to what is enclosed behind it. I hurriedly held it with my hand and moved away. Stand five steps away from him and throw a sharp glance.

The man grinned.

"Oh my goodness, Dimas! Couldn't it, not surprise me like that?" I beat with anxiety. If only he had really pulled the hood I was wearing, my long ears would have been the center of attention in this crowd. That's not a good thing to joke about.

"Mistake yourself dumb." He shrugged his shoulders relaxed. Then sit on the bench, then give a packet of pastries that have been brought since. "You?"

I finally sat down with Dimas while eating the snack. Hey, I know this. These pastries are sold next to the city library. I often buy it after reading a book there. The texture of this cake is crisp and sweet. They also have other flavor variants. Like fruit and fish.

It was lucky that Dimas brought me this cake. My finances were running low after almost a week of no income. For me who is currently just an unemployed person, this ten-piece bronze cake became a luxury snack.

"What a son!" gleeful say. "The taste of green apples is really the best!"

"Since you've been choking me on this food, I've loved it."

"I told you, right? Once you try, it'll be addictive."

Dimas. We stayed in the park until we finished all the cake. I looked up. Looking at the clear blue sky without clouds as far as the eye can see. The wind was blowing slowly on my face. Provides the freshness needed before starting the activity.

On that bench we talked about the daily 'Diving Night' when I was not around. The man said almost nothing had changed at all. It was as if I had never been there.

Before I started grumbling, I cursed Grussel all sorts of things. Dimas had already explained that the old bastard actually cared about me. Sometimes he would ask Dimas for my news. 'Where is he now?' 'Did he mess up at Saantya's place?' 'Hopefully he's getting smarter after living there.' Those words really can't be used to ask someone. He seems to have no intention of asking me.

"Not caring. That is the only attention that can be given to him. Nothing more. If he does not want the impression of ferocious and firm it faded in front of his own men," explained Dimas. "You can imagine if Grussel was too attentive. Imagine if he smiled at you kindly and always said very softly. Every time I ask you the news of today and your circumstances."

"That would be so disgusting" I said. For a moment, my body was shivering like a nightmare.

"really, right? You need to be more sensitive! Be aware of the little things around you."

"All you have to do!" I said with ketus.

"Oh yes, Anggi! Tomorrow afternoon before the hunt, you're already allowed back by the boss. So you'd better say goodbye today to Sister Shella and Aunt Saantya."

I muttered slowly. "Is that so? Maybe I should buy them something later as a sign of gratitude. I've been troubling them for a week."

"You are a hassle! Just realized now?"

His unpleasant grin and laughter made me throw an empty pack of pastries at his face. He dodged it deftly. Then keep laughing at me on my own. I who do not accept to throw a fist into his body, but avoided as well. That is our habit of fighting. Rather than being called a fight, it was more appropriate to say a joke. Because we never got serious about fighting.

I went to different places in the city with him. Spend a lot of time to places of interest all around the corner of Glafelden city. I just found out that there's a large flower garden to the east of town. Also a fish pond with artificial rivers in the south.

This town is quite big. The gate that protected this city was almost round in shape with a diameter of about twenty to thirty kilometers. Ever since I entered this city, I have never surrounded it in any direction. This is my first time.

At the end of the day, where the sun begins to fall on the western horizon. We both still took the time to relax and observe the sunset in a tower near the south gate. It is part of an old abandoned building site. It was far away from the nearest inhabited building, so there were rarely people here. This tower could exceed the height of the gates surrounding the city. Makes me feel free to enjoy the sunset.

"Kau tahu? Pemandangan sunset di dunia ini adalah yang terbaik," ucapku dengan mata yang terpaut ke depan. "Setiap kali ada kesempatan, aku pasti melihatnya."

"Mengapa kau begitu menyukai sunset? Bukankah sama saja dengan dunia kita?"

Aku menoleh sejenak ke arah laki-laki itu, lantas kembali menatap matahari yang mulai terbenam separuh. "Memang. Tapi di dunia ini, kau bisa melihat hamparan bintang luas begitu malam tiba. Lihat di atas sana! Sudah terlihat, kan?"

Setiap detik matahari meluncur turun, langit gelap semakin menguasai angkasa. Langit seperti terbelah dua, antara siang dan malam, gelap dan terang. Bintang-bintang bermunculan di sisi gelap.

Dimas memanggut-manggut. "Benar juga, sih. Di sini kita bisa melihat jelas dengan mata telanjang hamparan bintang dan debu angkasa yang berwarna-warni. Berbeda dengan kota asal kita yang terlalu banyak polusi cahaya."

Kami terdiam sejenak. Asyik mengamati pemandangan yang menakjubkan di atas sana. Sampai akhirnya mataku terpaku pada sesuatu.

"Dimas, lihat itu!" seruku dengan girang.

Aku kembali menunjuk ke angkasa, di mana ada enam buah bintang yang paling terang. Bila kau menarik garis yang menghubungkan keenamnya, akan tercipta sebuah bentuk mirip sebuah anak panah yang siap dilepaskan oleh busur..

"Apa itu?"

"Rasi bintang Celebrus. Rasi bintang yang paling terang dan dapat dilihat jelas mulai menjelang malam. Seandainya kau tersesat di hutan, lihatlah arah yang ditunjukan oleh anak panah itu. Ia akan membawamu ke arah barat."

"Kau tahu banyak soal rasi bintang di dunia ini, ya?"

"Begitulah," jawabku bangga. "Aku mendapat banyak hal menarik dari buku-buku di perpustakaan, termasuk ilmu astronomi."

"Itu hebat sekali!" puji Dimas. Ia menyunggingkan senyum yang menampilkan gigi putihnya. "Kau benar-benar berbakat menjadi pemburu. Mungkin nanti aku bisa bergantung padamu."

Aku membalas dengan senyum kecut. Entah sungguhan atau ia hanya mengejekku. Aku masih ingat saat beberapa hari yang lalu ia menyebutku sebagai pemburu bodoh. Namun kali ini aku tidak merasakan adanya lelucon dari kalimatnya. Karena ia tak menggodaku setelahnya. Pria itu terkadang punya kejujuran yang sulit ditebak.

Beberapa saat kemudian, matahari yang perkasa benar-benar tergelincir di balik ufuk barat. Meninggalkan semburat cahaya jingga yang masih tersirat di angkasa. Menciptakan garis cahaya yang amat panjang. Langit gelap langsung menyelimuti. Ditemani hamparan bintang dan debu angkasa yang beraneka warna. Terkadang tampak pula satu atau dua meteor yang berpindah.

"Kita pulang sekarang?" tanya Dimas. Ia bersiap-siap menuruni tangga menara.

"Masih ada yang ingin kulakukan."

"Apa itu?"

Sengaja tak langsung kujawab pertanyaanya. Menunggunya membuat ekspresi heran dan kebingungan. "Aku ingin berburu."