Sudah dua hari sejak aku meninggalkan orang tuaku.
Larut malam, dengan bulan purnama tergantung di langit, aku menginjak pedal gas SUV hitam besar delapan penumpang.
Setelah melakukan semua persiapan yang diperlukan, dan praktis menghabiskan setiap sen yang aku punya, sekarang waktunya bagiku untuk pergi.
Perlahan mobil meluncur ke dalam kegelapan malam.
Sambil mengemudi, aku menoleh dan menatap Ryan yang matanya terpaku pada tabletnya, lalu bertanya.
"Ryan, apakah ada sinyal dari chipku?"
"Tidak, belum ada."
Ryan menjawab.
Matanya tak pernah lepas dari tablet di tangannya.
"Baik."
Aku mengalihkan perhatianku kembali ke jalan, lalu menghembuskan napas lega.
Aku masih punya waktu. Ini bagus.
Bagus karena aku masih punya satu hal yang harus dilakukan sebelum meninggalkan wilayah manusia, dan itu adalah merekrut satu orang lagi.
Hein Kraaijenschot.
Pelindung badanku.
Kalau ada waktu untuk merekrutnya, itulah waktunya. Perjalanan yang akan kuantar adalah kesempatan sempurna untuk menciptakan sinergi di antara anggota grup. Bukan hanya dalam pertarungan, tapi juga di luar lingkup itu.
Karenanya, aku harus mengambil sedikit jalan memutar ke Kota Ironia, tempat tinggal Hein.
"Haaa, sejak kapan aku menjadi sopir?"
Melirik ke belakang dan melihat semua orang sibuk tidur atau memainkan ponsel mereka, aku menghela napas dan mengendarai mobil menuju Kota Ironia.
Dengan bulan purnama tergantung di langit, perjalanan mobil cukup menyenangkan.
*
Setelah setengah hari mengemudi tanpa henti, aku mulai merasa lelah.
Untunglah, ketika warna langit akhirnya berubah dan matahari sepenuhnya muncul dari cakrawala, siluet kota besar yang penuh kehidupan akhirnya muncul di tepi penglihatanku.
Di bawah terik matahari, siluet kota yang jauh perlahan mulai membesar.
Melirik ke belakang, aku membangunkan yang lain.
"Bangun, kita hampir sampai."
Tak lama kemudian, kami tiba di pinggiran kota.
Meskipun tidak ada dinding luar mengelilingi kota, kota ini sangat terlindungi karena penjaga bisa dilihat berpatroli di mana-mana.
Kota Ironia terletak di wilayah barat wilayah manusia.
Jalan-jalan lebar yang menghubungkan ke sana dan darinya menjadikannya tempat yang harus dilalui untuk menuju Kota Dromeda, salah satu dari empat kota besar. Juga tempat yang aku butuhkan untuk meninggalkan perbatasan manusia.
Posisi yang ia duduki cukup keberuntungan. Kalau ada insiden, dengan Kota Dromeda di sebelah mereka, bala bantuan bisa datang kapan saja. Selain itu, Kota Ironia juga rumah bagi beberapa guild berperingkat platinum, jadi tempatnya cukup aman.
Dibangunkan, Leopold menguap dan merentangkan tangannya.
"Huaaam, kita mau ke mana sekarang?"
"Ayo berhenti sarapan."
Aku menyarankan.
Sayangnya, saranku ditanggapi dengan tatapan datar karena tidak ada seorang pun selain Leopold yang terlihat tertarik dengan gagasan sarapan.
Melihat ke luar jendela, Leopold bertanya.
"Kau tahu tempat menarik?"
[Belok kanan 100m, setelah itu belok kiri.]
"Mhm, aku punya tempat yang tepat."
Dengan senyum tenang di wajah, aku sedikit memutar setir mobil dan mengikuti instruksi dari perangkat GPS.
Tak lama kemudian, menginjak rem mobil, aku berhenti di depan toko tua dengan spanduk besar bertuliskan 'Tarquoise Hall'.
"Seharusnya ini tempatnya..."
Turun dari mobil dan menutupi wajahku dengan tangan untuk menghalangi sinar matahari, aku melirik toko tua di kejauhan. Berbalik, aku bertanya.
"Kalian mau masuk makan sarapan bersamaku, atau mau keliling kota sendiri?"
"Keliling!"
Ryan berseru penuh semangat.
"...Kamu tidak lapar?"
"Tidak."
Ryan menggelengkan kepala.
Menaikkan alis, aku menatap yang lain.
"Kalian bagaimana?"
"Um, tidak."
"Tidak. Tiba-tiba aku kehilangan selera makan."
Ava dan Leopold masing-masing menggelengkan kepala.
"Baik, terserah kalian."
Aku mengangkat bahu menanggapi respons mereka.
Sepertinya estetika tempat itu membuat yang lain tidak ingin sarapan.
Melihat Smallsnake, aku berkata dengan santai.
"Kau tahu apa yang harus dilakukan."
"...H, huh?"
Seperti yang diharapkan, ia menjadi terkejut dengan perkataanku. Dengan seringai kecil di wajah, aku menjelaskan.
"Jadilah pengasuh anak yang kau itu."
Smallsnake langsung terkejut.
Mengambil setumpuk kertas dari ruang dimensinya, ia mengibaskannya ke arahku.
"Tunggu, bukankah kau membutuhkanku untuk negosiasi kontrak Hein—"
Merampas kertas dari tangannya, aku melambaikan tangan dan menyuruhnya pergi.
"Cukup berikan aku kontraknya dan pergi bersama mereka. Aku yang akan menangani segalanya. Bersenang-senanglah."
Semula aku seharusnya membawa Smallsnake untuk negosiasi kontrak Hein, tapi melihat betapa lelahnya Smallsnake, aku memutuskan untuk membiarkannya berkeliling kota.
Ia pantas sedikit istirahat.
Mengerutkan kening, Smallsnake skeptis bertanya.
"Bisa benar-benar menangani ini?"
"Ya. Sekarang, aku sudah ambil kontraknya, jadi pergi saja."
"...Baiklah, kalau kau bilang begitu."
Tersenyum, aku menatap Leopold.
"Bagaimana denganmu? Karena tidak mau sarapan, mau keliling bersama mereka?"
"Tidak, aku mau ke pub, hubungi aku kalau sudah selesai."
Leopold menggelengkan kepala sebelum pergi. Menonton Leopold pergi, aku menatap Ava.
"Ava?"
Selingi tatapannya antara Smallsnake dan aku, Ava lemah menunjuk ke arahnya.
"...A-aku akan keliling bersama Ryan dan Smallsnake."
"Wah, belum pernah aku merasa begitu ditolak."
Senyum pahit muncul di wajahku.
Sepertinya semua orang membenci gagasan sarapan bersamaku.
Mengangkat bahu, aku menatap bagian belakang mobil tempat kucing hitam sedang beristirahat.
"Baiklah, sepertinya hanya aku dan kau, Angelica."
"..."
Tanpa even melirikku, Angelica melompat keluar mobil dan menghilang ke kejauhan.
Suara dingin bergema di dalam pikiranku.
[Aku kembali dalam dua jam]
"..."
Bungkam, aku menutup pintu mobil dan berjalan menuju toko.
"Sekelompok pengkhianat."
Aku bergumam pelan.
"Selamat datang."
Memasuki bangunan, orang pertama yang menyapaku adalah seorang pria tua di kursi roda.
Di belakangnya ada dua anak berusia empat tahun yang menatapku dengan mata penasaran.
"Selamat pagi."
Aku membalas.
Menyerahkan menu kecil, pria tua itu menunjuk ke belakang toko di mana berbagai barang bisa dilihat dipamerkan dan bertanya.
"Apakah kau datang untuk membeli sesuatu, atau ingin makan sesuatu?"
"Makan pagi, silakan."
"Baik."
Pria tua itu mengangguk. Dengan tangannya di joystick kursi roda, ia segera membawaku ke meja kecil tempat aku duduk. Mengeluarkan pena dan selembar kertas kecil, ia bertanya.
"Mau pesan apa?"
Menatap menu di hadapanku, dan merenungkan beberapa detik, aku dengan cepat memilih menu sebelum memesan.
"Hmm, bagaimana kalau telur dadar dengan ham dan keju?"
"Telur dadar dengan ham dan keju? Mau minum apa?"
"Jus jeruk, silakan."
"Yang lain?"
"Tidak, terima kasih."
"Sempurna." Berbalik, pria tua itu berteriak ke belakang toko. "Hein, ada pelanggan. Segera siapkan telur dadar dengan ham dan keju."
"Ayah, ada apa?"
Muncul dari belakang toko adalah pemuda berambut cokelat keriting dan mata hijau kekuningan. Ia memiliki postur kekar yang tampak sangat terlatih, dan memancarkan aura yang mengesankan.
Membersihkan tangannya di apron hitam yang ia kenakan, pemuda itu berjalan menuju ayahnya.
"Ada apa, ayah?"
Menunjuk ke arahku, ayahnya menyerahkan selembar kertas kecil berisi pesananku.
"Hein, kita punya pelanggan. Ini pesanannya"
"Ah, seorang pelanggan. Baik, aku segera ke dapur."
Akhirnya memperhatikanku, Hein segera berlari ke belakang dapur tempat ia mulai menyiapkan sarapanku. Pamit kepadaku, ayah Hein pergi ke belakang toko untuk menjaga kedua anaknya yang berusia empat tahun.
"Telur dadar dengan ham dan keju, dan jus jeruk."
Tak lama kemudian, keluar dari dapur, Hein datang menghampiriku dengan makanan yang kupesan.
"Terima kasih."
Ucapan terima kasih, aku mengeluarkan garpu dan langsung menyantap telur dadar di hadapanku. Begitu menggigit telur dadar, aku tidak bisa tidak berkomentar.
"Enak."
"...Terima kasih."
Hein menjawab dengan malu-malu di samping. Melemparkan tatapan ke arahnya, aku menunjuk kursi di seberangku.
"Silakan duduk."
"...H, huh?"
Terkejut, Hein menjadi sedikit gugup.
"Ah, maaf... Hanya karena kau pelanggan pertama dalam waktu yang cukup lama an—"
"Tidak usah khawatir, aku tidak akan menggigit. Hanya ingin membicarakan sesuatu."
Memotongnya lagi, aku menunjuk kursi di hadapanku. Menatap mataku, Hein akhirnya menganggok dan menarik kursi sebelum duduk.
"...Baik."
"Bagus."
Saat ia duduk, ia memperkenalkan diri.
"Senang bertemu denganmu. Namaku Hein. Hein Hein Kraaijenschot."
"Mhm, aku tahu."
Mengambil suapan telur dadar, aku menganggok dengan santai.
"Kau tahu?"
Mata Hein langsung tajam. Sedikit aura ia lepaskan ke arahku.
Abaikan, aku mengambil suapan lagi dari telur dadar sebelum berkata dengan santai.
"Aku tahu cara menyembuhkan ayahmu."
"..."
Begitu aku mengucapkan kata-kata itu, suasana hening. Kemudian, Hein tiba-tiba berdiri dan memukul meja dengan kedua tangannya.
"Apa!"
Karena toko kosong, tidak ada yang hadir untuk menyaksikan ledakan amarahnya.
Yah, tidak ada yang selain ayahnya yang buru-buru keluar dari belakang toko.
"Hein, semuanya baik-baik saja?"
Menyadari kesalahannya, Hein menundukkan kepala dan memastikan.
"Semuanya baik-baik saja, ayah, jangan khawatir dan kembalilah."
"Kau yakin?"
"Ya, jangan khawatir."
Hein meyakinkan lagi.
"Baiklah, kalau kau bilang begitu."
Mengerutkan matanya, ayahnya akhirnya
Ever since leaving my parents, two days have passed.
Late into the night, with a full moon hanging in the sky, I pressed onto the gas pedal of a large black eight-passenger SUV.
Having made all the necessary preparations, and pretty much spending every single penny I had, it was now time for me to leave.
Slowly the car sped into the night.
As I was driving, turning my head, and looking at Ryan whose eyes were glued onto his tablet, I asked.
"Ryan, is there a signal coming from my chip?"
"No, nothing yet."
Ryan replied.
His eyes never left the tablet in his hands.
"Alright."
Turning my attention back towards the road, I sighed in relief.
I still had time. This was good.
Good because I still had one thing to do before leaving the human domain, and that was recruit one last guy.
Hein Kraaijenschot.
My meat shield.
If there was a time to recruit him, it was now. The journey I was about to embark on was the perfect chance to create synergy amongst the group members. Not just combat, but outside of that scope as well.
As such, I had to take a little detour to Ironia City, the place where Hein lived.
"Haaa, since did I become a driver?"
Glancing behind me and seeing everyone busy either sleeping or messing with their phones, I sighed and drove the car towards Ironia City.
With the full moon hanging in the sky, the drive was a rather pleasant one.
*
After half a day of non-stop driving, I was beginning to become tired.
Fortunately, when the color of the sky finally changed and the sun fully emerged from the horizon, the outline of a large city filled with liveliness finally appeared at the edge of my vision.
Under the scorching sunlight from the sun, the distant outline of the city slowly started to enlarge.
Glancing behind me, I woke the others up.
"Wake up, we're almost here."
Before long, we arrived at the outskirts of the city.
Although there was no outer wall around the city, the city was heavily protected as guards could be seen patrolling everywhere.
Ironia City was seated on the western region of the human domain.
The spacious large roads that led to and from it caused it to become a place one must pass through in order to head to Dromeda city, one of the four great cities. Also the place I needed to go in order to leave the human border.
The position that it occupied was quite fortunate. If any incident occurred, with Dromeda city next to them, reinforcements could come at any time. That aside, Ironia city was also home to a few platinum graded guilds, so the place was fairly safe.
Woken up by me, Leopold yawned and stretched his arms.
"Huaaam, where are we going now?"
"Let's stop for breakfast."
<script>ChapterMid();</script><br/>I suggested.
Unfortunately, my suggestions were met with dead-pan eyes as nobody apart from Leopold seemed even remotely interested in the idea of having breakfast.
Taking a look outside of the window, Leopold asked.
"You know any interesting places?"
[Turn right in 100m, after that turn left.]
"Mhm, got just the right place."
With a calm smile on my face, I steered the wheel of the car slightly and followed the GPS device's instructions.
Not long after, pressing onto the breaks of the car, I stopped in front of an old shop with a large sign that said 'Tarquoise Hall'
"This should be it..."
Stepping out of the car and covering my face with my hand to block the sunlight, I glanced at the old shop in the distance. Turning around, I asked.
"Do you guys wanna come in with me to eat breakfast, or are you guys gonna tour the city by yourselves?"
"Tour!"
Ryan excitedly shouted.
"...You're not hungry?"
"No."
Ryan shook his head.
Raising my brow, I looked towards the others.
"What about you guys?"
"Um, no."
"No. I've suddenly lost my appetite."
Ava and Leopold respectively shook their heads.
"Alright, suit yourselves."
I shrugged my shoulders at their response.
It seems like the aesthetics of the place caused the others to not want to have breakfast.
Looking at Smallsnake, I casually said.
"You know what to do."
"...H, huh?"
As expected, he became flustered at my words. With a small smirk on my face, I elaborated.
"Be the babysitter that you are."
Smallsnake was instantly taken aback.
Taking out a stack of papers from his dimensional space he waved them at me.
"Wait, don't you need me to he—"
Snatching the papers from his hand, I waved my hand and shooed him off.
"Just give me the contract and go with them. I'll take care of everything. Have fun with them."
Originally I was supposed to have Smallsnake come with me for the negotiations of Hein's contract, but seeing how tired Smallsnake was, I decided to let him have a tour of the City.
He deserved a little break.
Squinting, Smallsnake skeptically asked.
"Can you really handle it?"
"Yes. Now, I've already taken the contract, so go"
"...Alright, if you say so."
Smiling, I looked towards Leopold.
"What about you? Since you're not having breakfast, gonna tour with them?"
"Nah, I'm gonna go hit the pub, call me when you're done."
Leopold shook his head before heading out. Watching Leopold leave, I looked at Ava.
"Ava?"
Alternating her gaze between Smallsnake and me, Ava weakly pointed at him.
"...I-I will tour with Ryan and Smallsnake."
"Wow, never before did I feel so rejected."
A bitter smile appeared on my face.
Guess everyone detested the idea of having breakfast with me.
Shrugging my shoulders, I looked towards the back of the car where a black cat rested.
"Alright, guess it's just me and you Angelica."
"..."
Without even looking at me, Angelica jumped out of the car and disappeared into the distance.
A cold voice echoed inside of my mind.
[I'll be back in two hours]
"..."
Speechless, I closed the door of the car and headed for the shop.
"Bunch of traitors."
I muttered underneath my breath.
"Welcome."
Entering the building the first person to greet me was an old man in a wheelchair.
Behind him were two four-year-old children who were looking at me with curious eyes.
"Good morning."
I greeted back.
Handing me a small menu, the old man pointed towards the back of the shop where different goods could be seen on display and asked.
"Are you here to buy anything, or would you like to eat something.
"Breakfast please."
"Alright."
The old man nodded his head. With his hand on the joystick of the wheelchair, he soon brought me towards a small table where I sat down. Taking out a pen, and a small piece of paper, he asked.
"What would you like."
Staring at the menu in front of me, and pondering for a couple of seconds, I quickly skimmed through the menu before ordering.
"Hmm, how about an omelet with ham and cheese."
"Omelet with ham and cheese? What about to drink?"
"Orange juice please."
"Anything else?"
"No thank you."
"Perfect." Turning around, the old man shouted towards the back of the shop. "Hein, someone is here. Quickly prepare an omelet with ham and cheese."
"Father, what's going on?"
Coming out of the back of the shop was a youth with curly brown hair and hazel eyes. He had a sturdy build that seemed to be extremely well-developed, and he gave off a momentous aura.
Cleaning his hands on the black apron on him, the youth walked towards his father.
"What is going on father?"
Pointing at me, his father handed him a small piece of paper that had my order in it.
"Hein, we have a customer. Here's the order"
"Ah, a consumer. Alright, I'll go straight to the kitchen."
Finally noticing me, Hein quickly dashed towards the back of the kitchen where he started preparing my breakfast. Bidding goodbye to me, Hein's father went towards the back of the shop to tend his two four-year-old children.
"Omelet with ham and cheese, and orange juice."
Before long, coming out from the kitchen, Hein arrived before me with the food that I ordered.
"Thank you."
Thanking him, I took out a fork and quickly dug onto the omelet before me. As soon as I took a bite of the omelet, I couldn't help but mutter out loud.
"Delicious."
"...Thank you."
Hein shyly responded by the side. Throwing him a glance, I pointed at the seat opposite to me.
"Please have a seat."
"...H, huh?"
Taken aback, Hein became slightly flustered.
"Ah, I'm sorry...It's just that you were the first customer in a while an—"
"Don't worry I won't bite, just wanted to talk to you about something."
Cutting him off again, I pointed at the seat in front of me. Looking into my eyes, Hein eventually nodded his head and pulled the chair back before sitting down.
"...Okay."
"Good."
As he sat down, he introduce himself.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Hein. Hein Hein Kraaijenschot."
"Mhm, I know."
Taking a bit of the omelet I nonchalantly nodded my head.
"You know?"
Hein's eyes instantly became sharp. A wisp of his aura instantly made its way towards me.
Ignoring it, I took another bite of the omelet before I leisurely said.
"I know of a way to heal your father. "
"..."
As soon as I said those words, the atmosphere became quiet. Then, Hein suddenly stood up and smacked the table with both hands.
"What!"
Because the store was empty, no one was present to witness his sudden outburst.
Well, no one apart from his father who hurriedly came out from the back of the shop.
"Hein, is everything okay?"
Realizing his mistake, Hein lowered his head and reassured.
"Everything is okay father, don't worry and go back."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, don't worry about it."
Hein once again reassured.
"Alright, if you say so."
Squinting his eyes, his father eventually relented and headed back to the back of the shop.
Once he could no longer see his father's figure, Hein shot a glare towards my direction as he angrily spat.
"You're not lying, are you? This is not some sick joke that you are trying to pull on me because of my father's conditions?"
"No. I'm not lying."
I truly did know the cure of his father's condition.
Although current human technology couldn't accomplish this. This didn't mean that other races couldn't.
In fact, the elves had this miraculous elixir at their disposal that worked wonders. It was even better than the most expensive potion in the human domain as it could heal injuries related to the head and spine.
...and surprise surprise, I was soon going to make a trip there. What better opportunity to have him join than now?
Glaring at me, Hein carefully asked.
"Why are you telling me this?"
Giving him an odd look, I replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Because I want to recruit you."
Why else? Cause I felt sorry for him? Though I did feel a little sorry for him, it was only a little. What I wanted was for him to join my group.
Nothing else really mattered to me.
"Recruit me?"
Hein cautiously asked.
"Mhm, I want you."
Couldn't leave without my meat shield, could I?
At my response, a bitter smile appeared on Hein's face as he sighed. He then stood up.
"Ha, so you're one of them."
His words made me tilt my head in confusion.
"One of them?"
"Yeah, one of those bastards from the big guilds."
Throwing me a disgusted look, Hein pointed at me and spat.
"You think you were the first one to try this method? At the end of the day, all you guys do is tell me how you can save my father, but in the end, right before I agree to join you, you're suddenly going to impose on me another detail in the contract that will say that my father's treatment will only begin once the technology is advanced enough. Before then, nothing will happen."
"I see."
Listening to Hein's words, I nodded my head in understanding.
In short, Hein had been repeatedly promised things that were not guaranteed. His anger was understandable.
"Yes, and I'm honestly sick of it. So I'm going to say it now, I will n—"
"How about this, will this be enough."
Cutting him off, right before Hein was about to leave, taking out a sheet of paper from my dimensional space I slapped it on the desk.
"I'm sure you'll know if I'm lying or not when you read this."
Furrowing his brows, Hein looked at the desk.
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