The Destruction of Batana

THE CREATION OF MONSTER 5

As Dio (the kid who sat next to me during class) said last week, it turns out that Ador can really take someone out if his mood is happy. We crossed the hallway and arrived at a door leading to the outside world. The door rippled and a light whizzed in filled the hallway. Although actually the hallway is already brightened by lights, anyway. It's just that the sunlight is more soothing and feels warm.

We crossed the empty road. There were several office workers in suits wearing masks and carrying suitcases everywhere. One or two people were followed by a drone. Maybe in this city drones are very trendy to be an assistant. Giant banners filled the street corners. We crossed the pedestrian sidewalk until we arrived at a stop. Honestly, it was my first experience to see a real city. A bus pulled over. People started to ride the bus. Ador and I sat by the window. Once all the passengers had boarded, the bus roared and began driving through the streets.

The bus started to enter the city center. Vehicles are starting to look crowded. Banners are increasingly visible here and there. Sunlight clearly scoured between the buildings. Make the buildings look magnificent and shiny. I kept imagining what it was like to be on top of those tall buildings.

“Ador, why don't you ever invite other kids?” I decided to ask.

“That's because I'm afraid they'll come back to remember their past.” Ador answered briefly.

“Doesn't that mean you locked them up? Honestly, I feel uncomfortable if I continue to be in that stuffy laboratory.”

“You call my lab stuffy?” Ador glaring.

I shrugged my shoulders and turned my face. Look out the bus window.

“My words were serious earlier. They have no desire to travel to the outside world. I could see it from their eyes. I think they all depend on me now. But again I know you're different.”

“Where do you know that? Or maybe all this time you are a psychic?” I put my hand in front of my chest as if I was surprised to hear what he said.

“This child, it seems like you really want me to snitch, huh?”

I just smiled smirkingly. There is a pleasure in fooling Ador. He was easily humiliated.

“Because I'm an old man, that's why I understand what it's like. How could a little kid like you understand an adult like us?” Ador rubbed his face.

I shook my head. “For what do I understand? After all, understanding will only make us feel more pain. It is better to know nothing than to know. Like better we do not understand how bitter this world is than we should know the bitterness of the world.”

Ador was stunned and whispered softly. “How can you say it in a public place like this.”

I just realized some people were looking at me and whispering softly. Ador just nodded brokenly at them while rubbing his hair. Again I don't care.

We arrived at a simple restaurant. It's a noodle restaurant. The restaurant was dominated by a bright red color with its writings white. The building is also classic style with brick walls. We entered the restaurant, the smell of delicious sauce was very strong. Making anyone's stomach can churn asking for food as soon as it smells. We sat on one of the bamboo mats. I have never had an experience like this. Although simple, all this feels very comfortable.

Someone approached us. His skin looks white with narrowed eyes, wears a red headband and wears black gloves. The man greeted Ador and waved his hand. Ador greeted back while chuckling.

“Who is the kid next to you?” Ask the man while looking at me.

“Ah, this child. You could say he is my best student at the moment.”

The man nodded. “I guess I'm only a Master's student. Apparently there was another child. Well, because Master has come all the way here to visit this simple restaurant with bamboo mats, I will make a new menu that we have not entered on the menu list.” The man looked down respectfully and then left us.

“She was also one of my patients.”

Eh? Though seen from his face at least the man was twenty-five years old. Didn't Ador ever say that the first patient to survive the trial was Bastian? Why is there someone else we don't know about?

“You must be wondering about that guy, right?”

I'm nodding.

“Bastian was indeed my first patient, thanks to him I ventured to open an illegal clinic.” Ador lowered his voice. “You think where can I get money from, huh? Of course I didn't waste my talent while I was in that lab. I also opened a clinic illegally. That can only be seen from the dark internet network. And Gyo aka the guy came to me one night. He has almost the same fate as you. Both of his hands were paralyzed by an accident that burned his hands until they had to be amputated. If it's not wrong, the accident happened in the kitchen. He forgot to turn off the gas stove so there was an explosion that scorched his restaurant.”

“I still remember once how he begged me to return his two sick hands. He came to me as soon as he saw my video showing Bastian wearing my bionic body. He claimed to have never witnessed a bionic body technology as smooth as mine. So he decided to ask me for help. Huh... Though he came in a state of bankruptcy and did not have any money. Out of pity, I decided to fulfill her request. But there is one condition, in the future, he must be successful and pay all his debts to me. Gyo agreed to the terms. Be I make a bionic hand for him.”

“But Gyo is too shy to show people that he is disabled. He therefore covered her with a long-sleeved shirt and black gloves. He has qualified me. In brackets of two years, he slowly but surely restarted his restaurant business. My technology has made him more proficient in cooking. Whether it was his original ability or thanks to my invention? That's what he always thought. But I always say, all my inventions started in the brains of its users. Of course it was pure talent that could not be denied. Be him a great chef who creates a simple taste but uploads tastes.”

“Then, there must be many people who also use your artificial technology, right?”

“Not much. There were only about five people from outside the laboratory. And their average age is in their twenties and above.”

“Does Gyo still owe you?”

“Of course still. More precisely a debt of gratitude, son, son,. The debt was paid off a year ago. But he was unceasingly sending money to me.” Ador whispered back. “You taught me how to build loyalty to others?”

I rolled my eyeballs. “For what builds loyalty to others?”

“Hey, don't pretend to be you. Building loyalty is important. By building loyalty you can get help easily in times of trouble. You can also receive more affection and attention by building a loyalty. It's easy, son. First is a look. You should be able to subdue someone through a gaze. What's with the look? Through our gaze we show others that we are not people to be humbled or trampled upon. The second thing is action. Deeds are a big influence in building loyalty. How should we treat others? How do we embrace others? All those things are part of the deed.”

“Then science. The more you learn then everyone will be more amazed and respectful to you. The smarter you are, everyone will follow you wherever and whenever. That's why science is so important. We need to be smarter to build loyalty to the hearts of others. The last one is words. Words can also build loyalty. There are a lot of words that say a word can kill someone. That's not wrong, son. Because that word can be a deadly weapon. In addition, words can also be a gold if valuable and meaningful.”

I nodded in understanding. It can be recorded. It might be useful for me someday.

Our food has arrived. We were served a bowl of noodles with reddish-colored sauce and its pleasant aroma. The noodles are equipped with cuts of meat, slices of boiled eggs, and mushrooms. We ate the noodles up the toilet. Back to the laboratory.

Throughout the journey we were quieter. Ador, the old man is sleeping beside me. I looked out the bus window more. The city is not as bad as I thought. I want to live in a place like this and be important people like them. I don't want to keep hiding behind shadows like I said last time. Thus I will know what it feels like to be on par with all of them. Enjoying a luxurious life with treasures. No, I don't want to be equal to them. I want to be higher above them all. Didn't all the residents in this city subconsciously contribute to the elite development projects in the slums? Didn't they build a mansion on top of my ruined house and under it the grave of my brother? No, it can't happen. All of those people should feel what I feel. They had to witness how terrifyingly devoured the fierce flames were. They must feel how hard they breathe in the thick smoke and dust that flies. I won't let them all feel comfortable in the warm sunshine. At least for once, I want them to take shelter in the cold rain and feel how painful it is to lose. At least once.

We have arrived at the laboratory. The other children were busy crowding me and wondering where I was coming from. I just grunted softly while waving my hand. Acting tired and pretending to yawn so they don't bother me. Who now dares to bother me since my battle with Bastian.