The Power Enthusiast

MINERVO 50: Laughing

Paul could not hide his surprise when he saw who was the one who had visited Abbas' house, just imagine, after you opened the door, there stood an old man accompanied by a row of white-robed troops, who was the leader of the old man, anyone would be surprised to see it. Moreover, the grandfather presumptuously said that he was going to purify the owner of the house, isn't that annoying? What will he purify? After all, what was the meaning of 'purifying' that he said? There are still many possibilities that can be interpreted from the term, but clearly, definitely not something good.

Unable to stand the words of the grandfather who seemed to underestimate them, Paul also began to dare to speak, no matter if the opponent this time was not only ten-twenty people, Paul also began to speak out, almost a hundred people.

"Bags like you, it is strictly forbidden to enter this house! So better you guys," exclaimed Paul with glaring eyes and an imposing tone. "Get out of here!"

When Paul said so, the white robes lined up neatly behind the grandfather, raising their hands together, like they were about to throw the stones they used to do to finish off the enemy. Seeing this, Paul broke out in a cold sweat, almost terrified, and he realized that his words had enraged the white robes, but Paul was still acting bravely, by putting up his braing face as usual, so that his fear can be hidden.

"Calm down, Children," The grandfather swung his left hand, gesturing to his entourage not to do things that had not been commanded. "You cannot hurt them, we are not here to kill people, we have come here to purify the evil spirits that are in them" said the grandfather in a gentle tone, it looked like he was calming his mischievous grandchildren. "So, put your hands down, Children."

Hearing that, the hordes of white robes that were about to attack Paul, simultaneously, undo his intentions by lowering his two hands each to their original position, hanging near the hips.

"Now, you understand, right?" the Grandfather whispered to Paul and Abbas who stood before him, as if hinting that they should be careful of him, because of every decision they made, it could lead to a brutal assault from a horde of white robes. Paul and Abbas have to keep their attitude when they talk to Grandpa, or they could die silly here. "It's good that you understand" the Grandfather smiled faintly at Paul and Abbas, who looked stiff. "But, it feels like I smell the scent of two other spirits inside this hut, is that your friend?"

Paul and Abbas caught up to hear it, at first glance they glanced at each other, worried about the condition of Colin and Nico who were still inside, until finally, Paul only showed his flat face with a sigh. The sound of rain still rippled around them, so swift, accompanied by the roar of a whirlwind that made the trees around the hut sway.

"What are you asking that for?" Paul let out his voice in a slightly growling tone. Paul's hand was clenched tightly, he was already getting ready to do something, so that if the white robes attacked him, he could protect himself.

"But it's okay" said the Grandfather with narrowed eyes, smiling broadly, and Paul knew it was just a fake smile. "After all, whether they are your friends or enemies, it is none of my business" said the Grandfather chuckling. "Because it is my business here only to eliminate the evil spirits that are in their bodies, including yourself," the Grandfather pointed to Abbas's face with his wrinkled index finger. "In that case, you will also be purified," Now Grandfather's gaze is transferred to Paul. "Because you have committed a very great sin, which is to kill Liona, one of the heavenly experts like us."

"Heavenly?" Abbas's eyebrows were intertwined, astonished by the words of the grandfather who mentioned the heavenly term. According to Abbas, no human being really knows where they will be placed after the death phase, whether in Heaven or Hell. No one knows about it, because it is something that no human would know the truth. But why are the white-robed people so confident that they think they will become experts in heaven? Abbas did not understand their thinking. But clearly, Abbas knows that they are bad people.

"What's up, Young Man?" The Grandfather was curious about Abbas's face, which was suddenly astonished at his words. "Do you not know what is heavenly?"

"No" Abbas said in a soft tone. "Not that."

"Then?"

As Abbas was about to answer the grandfather's question, Colin suddenly appeared beside Paul along with Nico. The breaths of the two of them were heard. "Geez!" Colin was shocked after seeing the scene that was outside the door. "Why are there so many strange people in front of your house, Abbas!? And who is this creepy-faced Grandpa!?"

The white-bearded Grandfather was quite jolted when he was offended by a blue-haired young man who had just appeared from inside the hut. "I'm sorry that my face scares you, Young Man," Grandpa said to Colin with his forced smile. "But you must never utter that mockery again to me, for I would not be held responsible if they were," The bearded Grandfather pointed to the entourage standing behind him. "Hurt you."

"Have me!?" Colin was surprised to hear that, he could not believe an elderly man with wrinkled skin, threatening him with pecking words. "Paul! Abbas!" Colin's head was immediately turned to the figure of two friends who were standing next to him. "Areally who are these Grandparents!?" Colin seemed confused by this situation. "Is he your grandfather, Abbas!?"

Nico snorted when he heard the conversation, and with a piercing look and a haughty tone, he said to Grandfather, "I don't understand why strange people like you suddenly appear in front of us, but from your appearance, I'm sure that you're the White Robes that Paul told me about," Nico smiled obliquely, with eyes that stared intently into the eyes of Grandpa. "I'm so happy, because finally, I can get a turn to face you guys head-on," Then, Nico folded her arms haughtily. "But I'm quite disappointed, because I thought the White Robes would be a cool opponent, but as it turns out, you're just a bunch of dead grandparents. It's disappointing."

"Ahhaha!" Suddenly, the white-bearded Grandfather immediately broke his laughter that was so crisp after being shocked by Nico's words. His laughter spread to the other White Robes, until at last they all, numbering between eighty and a hundred, laughed at Nico's words.

Nico just put on a flat face seeing himself being laughed at so much by the white-robed people, he showed an expression of his indifference. For Nico, wanting to be laughed at by everyone around the world, he would not feel ashamed or afraid of it. Because according to Nico, what he said just now, there was absolutely nothing wrong, and of course, not funny.

Paul, Colin, and Abbas looked at Nico, curious about the reaction of the white-haired man after he was laughed at by many people. Paul knew that Nico was not an easily affected person with outside interference, so even if people laughed at him, cried at him, scratched him, or even tried to kill him, Nico would not show his fear. On the contrary, according to Paul, Nico will be more insolent than before if he is underestimated by others. Therefore, Paul was curious about the response of the spicy-mouthed boy after he was laughed at by the White Robes.

Colin, too, knows exactly that Nico is not a person who gives up easily when he is humbled by others. Perhaps Nico's physique looked weak and easily hurt, but, according to Colin, Nico's soul was very strong and sturdy, like a giant wall that could not be passed, penetrated, or destroyed. And to be honest, Colin also holds a huge sense of admiration and respect for Nico, because he is the only person who has more advanced thinking than others, especially on Nico's friendly attitude towards him, when Paul, Jeddy, and Cherry always mocked him with the name 'loser'. That was why, Colin really wanted to know what Nico would do when that person was in a situation where people, laughing at his scathing remarks.

Abbas does not know Nico very well, because today is the first day they met. But, even so, after observing Nico's behavior while speaking, Abbas believed, that the man with glasses had intelligence above normal people, and Abbas was sure, that, a genius like Nico would not easily falter just from being laughed at by others.

After spending a few minutes, finally the laughter of the white-robed people subsided, it seemed like they were already full of laughing at Nico.

"Really," Grandfather wiped the tears that came out of his eyes after laughing a lot. "Your words are amazing, young man. But," The Grandfather stared fixedly at Nico's face. "We're pretty offended by what you said, you know." Suddenly the Grandpa cleared his throat loudly, as if giving a mark to the other white robes.

It turned out to be true, the horde of white robes that were behind the grandfather, started to raise his two hands towards Nico.

"First of all, let's bring it up, Young man with these glasses" said the Grandfather with a grin on Nico. Then, his eyeballs began to shift towards Paul, Colin, and Abbas. "Following that, we'll bring the three of them down."

"Don't try it" Paul exclaimed with eyes glaring at Grandpa. "Find the trouble with us! Goddamn bum!"

"P-p-Paul! D-Don't say that!" Colin's restless. "W-We can be killed!"

Abbas only furrowed his brows in surprise, but, in fact, he was preparing to fight against the White Robes, if that was necessary. Because even though he looks quiet, but Abbas has strong enough muscles, he is able to topple at least thirty humans with his body.

Nico, meanwhile, was displaying a face of indifference, as if he did not care what the white robes would do to him.

"You're gonna kill me?" nico said casually. "Maybe," Nico took a step straight from his position, leaving Paul, Colin, and Abbas shocked to see him. "You like to play around with big rocks, right? In that case, go ahead," Nico started to grin a little. "Come on, kill me."