...Kamu bukanlah anggota geng Nukijo, kan?"
"Tidak, kami bukan."
Jawaban Yuder yang singkat dan tegas membuat mata Elpkins bergetar hebat. Alih-alih memberikan penjelasan panjang, Yuder pun memutuskan untuk mengungkapkan tujuan dan identitas mereka dengan jelas.
"Kami datang dari Kavaleri. Kami di sini untuk menghancurin tempat ini. Berapa banyak seperti kamu yang terjebak di sini?"
Meski bertanya, Yuder tak benar-benar mengharapkan kerja sama langsung. Menyelamatkan seseorang dan mencurigai adalah dua hal yang berbeda. Elpkins dikenal galak, umpak, dan sangat menduga, jadi tak mungkin dia akan mudah percaya pada kata-kata Yuder.
Namun, perhitungan Yuder kali kalinya justru salah.
Hanya dengan mendengar jawaban Yuder, tiba-tiba air matanya menyumbat di wajahnya.
"...Waaah!"
'...Eh?'
Elpkins yang bersendawa seperti anak rusa pun berteriak.
"Apa... tidak mungkin... Kavaleri? Benar-benar kamu di sini untuk menyelamatkan kami?"
'...Benar? Dia benar-benar percaya dengan kami begitu saja?'
Sementara Yuder ragu, Kishiar melangkah maju dengan wajah yang lembut dan mengasihi.
"Ya. Jika kamu tidak dapat mempercayai kami, apakah kamu ingin melihat semangkuk khas Kavaleri?"
"Tidak, tidak. Aku percaya. Aku pernah mendengar bahwa Kavaleri datang ke Charloin. Orang-orang yang kuduelawan tadi... mungkin sudah tewas ke sekarang..."
Suara Elpkins gemetar sebelum hancur menangis kembali.
"Waaah... waaah... Rasakan."
Air matanya mengalir seperti anak kecil yang tersesat yang akhirnya menemukan orang tuanya, penuh kesedihan dan kebahagiaan.
Setelah bertukar penuh kalimat dengan Elpkins yang menitikkan air mata, yang dengan antusias membagikan informasi tentang arena perkelahian dan dirinya sendiri, Yuder menyadari sesuatu.
Elpkins yang keras dan curiga yang ia ingat dulu tidak ada di sini.
Di sini hadir seseorang yang bodoh, baru terjaga beberapa bulan lalu dan belum terbiasa dengan tubuhnya sendiri.
"Dulu, aku... seorang pembunuh kayu. Lalu suatu hari, aku kehilangan keseimbanganku dan hampir jatuh dari jurang, dan inilah caranya aku terjaga... Waaah... Hapus. Tapi karena aku seperti ini, orang takut dan menghindar..."
Mengetahui keberadaan Kavaleri, ia berencana untuk menuju ke kota besar untuk mencari cara bergabung dengan mereka, berpikir bahwa sebuah tempat hanya untuk Pembangkit mungkin bisa menawarkan solusi bagi seseorang sepertinya.
Namun, ketika tiba di Charloin, Elpkins ditipu oleh seorang penipu yang ia temui di sebuah penginapan, kehilangan semua barangnya, dan akhirnya berakhir di arena perkelahian ini.
"Aku tidak ingat sudah berapa lama aku di sini. Di sini tak bisa melihat matahari terbit atau terbenam... Tapi terasa seperti sudah lama sekali."
Menurut Elpkins, sejak kedatangannya, ia telah bertarung sebanyak sepuluh kali, dan lebih banyak lagi waktu diikat di sini, berbaring dalam rasa sakit. Ia hanya bertemu dengan Pembangkit lain di ruangan tunggu tepat sebelum atau sesudah sebuah pertarungan, tapi cukup untuk bertukar beberapa kata.
"Seseorang yang telah tewas di sini sebelumnya mengatakan ada sekitar empat puluh ruangan di sini. Ia berasal dari negara lain di sebelah barat dan dibawa ke sini tanpa tahu apa-apa. Ia berkata bahwa ia pasti akan kabur hidup... Meskipun tidak berguna."
"..."
"Ketika aku pertama kali datang, ada lebih banyak orang yang ditipu dan dibawa ke sini. Tapi belakangan ini lebih banyak orang baru yang dibawa dari luar sementara daripada mereka yang terjebak di sini. Salah seorang dari mereka memberi tahuiku bahwa ini karena rekrutmen Kavaleri... Aku pikir orang itu tewas pada hari itu. Tak pernah kudapatkan berita lagi..."
Elpkins berusaha mengingat setiap detail yang ia lihat dan dengar, sampai pada hal-hal sepele. Fakta bahwa ia tulus mempercayai mereka yang menyelamatkan dia adalah bukti cukup kuat dari usahanya.
Di antara informasi yang ia berikan, beberapa sudah diprediksi oleh Yuder dan Kishiar berdasarkan observasi dan kabar dari luar. Namun, banyak hal lain yang hanya diketahи someone who had been here for a long time knew, like the detailed structure of the arena and information about other Awakeners who passed through.
Setelah mendengarkan segala katanya, Yuder simpulkan dengan singkat.
"Jadi untuk merangkum: lantai bawah pertama adalah arena perkelahian biasa. Lantai kedua untuk Pembangkit dan tamu istimewa. Dan dari lantai ketiga ke bawah, inilah tempat mereka memancing Pembangkit."
"Ya."
"Perbedaannya antara Pembangkit yang ditangkurunkan dan yang tidak ditangkurunkan adalah mereka yang masuk tanpa sadar dan bertahan melalui pertarungan pertama seperti kamu, atau mereka yang diculik dari luar sejak awal."
"Benar."
Dulunya, Yuder dan Kishiar juga akan ditarik ke sini dan ditangkurunkan setelah bertahan melalui pertarungan pertama.
'Jika mereka tidak menyadari kita adalah Pembangkit dengan gender sekunder.'
Saat makan, mereka secara langsung menyelidiki dan mempelajari status gender sekunder mereka, Nukijo pun melihat mereka seperti berlian, dengan senyum jahat yang menunjukkan kepuasan dan niatnya dengan jelas.
Dari pengalaman hidup sebelumnya, Yuder mendengar bahwa arena perkelahian sering mengaturnya untuk bertarung secara khusus melawan Pembangkit dengan gender sekunder. Para pengelana mengemas dan menjual konsep makhluk dengan gender sekunder, sesuatu yang berada di luar imajinasi non-Pembangkit, dalam cara yang sangat menarik dan hampir menggoda secara seksual.
Di sini pula, mitos aneh yang mengatakan bahwa aroma kuat yang dikeluarkan oleh Pembangkit Omega saat mengalami masa birahi meningkatkan vitalitas dan rasa sakit dan gairah, mulai tersebar luas.
'Sehingga, di sini lah tempat mimpi buruk para Omega Pembangkit dimulai.'
Jika Yuder dan Kishiar tidak datang ke sini hari ini, tidak lama kemudian, beberapa Pembangkit yang tidak beruntung dengan gender sekunder akan tertangkap dan menjadi awal bisnis mengerikan 'baru.'
Meskipun menderita di sini, Elpkins secara tekun mengamati dan mengingat segala sesuatu tentang tempat ini. Ini tidak hanya karena ia memiliki kemampuan pengamat yang lebih baik dari yang tampak, tetapi juga karena ia masih memiliki cukup kemanusiaan untuk tidak pernah menyerah harap pada pelarian.
'Untunglah. Jika kami tiba kelak, ketika kemanusiaannya sudah benar-benar hilang...' kita tidak akan melihatnya seperti sekarang.'
"Segala yang kuketahui tentang tempat ini hanyalah sebanyak ini. Informasi ini akan berguna?"
"Mungkin akan sangat berguna. Tapi biarkan aku bertanya satu lagi hal."
"Oh, tentu saja. Bertanya saja... Aku akan memberi tahu segala sesuatu yang kudapat..."
"Apakah kamu tahu mengapa kekuatan tidak bisa digunakan di sini? Sepertinya karena kekuatan seseorang di antara mereka yang ditangkurunkan. Apakah kamu tahu sesuatu tentang itu?"
"Oh!..."
Elpkins pun berseru keras setelah mendengar ini. Ia tiba-tiba kaget mendengar suaranya sendiri, lalu menurunkan suaranya.
"Geng Nukijo tadi saja berkata bahwa kekuatan tidak bisa digunakan di sini. Aku pikir ini karena suatu ilmu yang terpasang di sini, tapi jika ini karena kekuatan seseorang... Aku belum melihatnya sendiri, tapi ada sesuatu yang kuduga."
"Apa itu?"
"Setiap kali geng Nukijo membawaku kembali ke sini setelah pertarungan, mereka selalu berbincang dalam depan suatu ruangan. 'Orang itu belum tewas, kan? Akan sulit mengelola orang lain di sini jika orang itu mati. Jika orang itu tidak makan, gores leher itu dan paksa ia untuk dimakan...' Seperti itulah."
"...Hmm."
Mata Yuder mengerat.
'Very mungkin ada seorang Pembangkit dengan kekuatan penekan yang ditangkurunkan di ruangan itu.'
"Apakah kamu ingat di mana ruangan itu?"
"Fikiranku selalu kabur ketika dibawa kembali ke sini, dan aku hampir tidak bisa melihat ke depan... Tapi aku ingat lokasinya. Ia adalah ruangan pertama yang kuhadapi setiap kali turun ke lantai bawah kedua."
Berarti, ia berada di tengah lantai bawah ketiga.
'Kekuatan penekan atau penghilangan sering digunakan secara targetkan, tapi jika diletakkan di tengah, bisa jadi seseorang dengan kekuatan area seperti Nahan. Tidakluas, tapi untuk terus-menerus menggunakannya sepanjang hari tanpa mati... hebat sekali.'
Yuder belum pernah mendengar tentang pengguna kekuatan seperti itu ketika ia pertama kali berhadapan dengan arena perkelahian ilegal di wilayah selatan dalam hidupnya sebelumnya.
'Mereka pasti telah tewas pada masa itu.'
Geng Nukijo yang menciptakan tempat semacam ini dengan bantuan seseorang yang memiliki kekuatan penekan, hingga saat itu pasti telah memperoleh lebih banyak uang dan kekuasaan, menciptakan cara-cara baru untuk lebih efektif menekan penaruh.
'Pada saat itu... semuanya kacau, tak terkendali, keadaan yang penuh dengan penindasan yang sebenarnya.'
Itu adalah masa lalu yang tidak akan terulang kembali kali ini. Yuder menghela napas pendek, menghapus ingatan lalu, dan memandang rantai yang masih mengikat Elpkins.
Kekuatan area bisa dipecahkan dengan menggunakan kekuatan yang lebih besar dari dalam. Yuder yakin kekuatannya cukup untuk memecahkan rantainya.
Namun, melakukannya mungkin akan mengejutkan pemilik kekuatan yang tidak diketahui, yang bisa berada dalam keadaan apapun sekarang, berpotensi mengancam nyawanya.
"Rantai ini, aku belum bisa membukanya sekarang, tapi setelah besok, kamu tidak perlu mengenakannya lagi. Sabar sebentar saja."
"Aku... tidak apa-apa. Sejak datang ke sini, aku tidak merasa sakit sama sekali... Aku bisa menunggu seberapa lama pun. Jika kamu butuh bantuangku, beri tahu saja."
Elpkins menjawab dengan mata penuh keikhlasan. Wajahnya, yang dulu penuh dengan kemarahan, kini terlihat asing namun lebih enak dibandingkan, seperti anjing besar yang menyendong ekor.
Yuder mengangguk pelan.
"Baiklah. Maka aku ingin kamu membantu sedikit dalam rencana kita besok... Bisa kamu lakukan itu? Kamu mungkin satu-satunya orang yang bisa."
Mata Elpkins melebar sambil tersenyum.
"Pasti!"
"Bagus. Setelah kita berhasil kabur dari sini, jika kamu tertarik, ayo bergabung dengan Kavaleri. Kami sedang merekrut."
Kishiar yang telah memperbaiki lukanya dengan tekun. Membiarkannya kembali ke jalan yang salah bukanlah pilihan. Sepertinya, gagasan untuk membinanya dan mengembangkan kemampuannya dari awal adalah ide yang baik.
Mendengar penawaran Yuder, Elpkins tarik napas dalam-dalam, seolah-olah ia tidak pernah membayangkan kemungkinan itu, tapi ia tidak menolak.
Setelah menyampaikan kepada Elpkins apa yang diharapkan besok, Yuder, sambil membantu Kishiar, melompat dan terbang kembali ke atas.
"Apakah kamu baik-baik saja?"
Yuder bertanya dengan hati-hati, dan pria yang kulit pucatnya belum pulih sepenuhnya pun mengangguk sambil tersenyum.
"Aku baik-baik saja. Justru, melihat keadaan terbarumu akhir-akhir ini mirip dengan Komandan Yudrain benar-benar menarik."
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Chapter 661
"...You're not part of the Nukijo gang, are you?"
"No, we're not."
Yuder's terse response caused Elpkins' eyes to tremble mercilessly. Instead of offering a lengthy explanation, Yuder decided to succinctly reveal their purpose and identity.
"We are from the Cavalry, here to destroy this place. How many like you are trapped here?"
Although Yuder asked, he didn't really expect immediate cooperation. Saving someone and being suspicious are two different things. Elpkins was known for his roughness, ferocity, and deep-seated skepticism, so he wasn't likely to easily believe Yuder's words.
However, Yuder's assumption was unusually incorrect this time.
Upon hearing Yuder's answer, tears suddenly streamed down Elpkins' eyes.
"...Sob!"
'...Huh?'
Elpkins, sniffling like a deer, spoke up.
"It can't be... The Cavalry? Are you really here to save us?"
'...Really? He believes us this easily?'
Is this really Elpkins? While Yuder hesitated, Kishiar stepped in with a gentle demeanor to respond.
"Yes. If you can't believe us, would you like to see a token of the Cavalry?"
"No, no. I believe you. I've heard that the Cavalry came to Charloin. Those guys I fought with... they might be dead by now..."
Elpkins' voice wavered before he broke into tears again.
"Sob... sob... Wail."
His crying was like that of a lost child who had finally found his parents, a mix of sorrow and joy.
Yuder, after a brief exchange with the tearful Elpkins, who was eagerly sharing information about the fighting arena and himself, realized something.
The rough, skeptical Elpkins he remembered was not here.
Present was a naive person, having awakened only a few months ago and still not fully accustomed to his own form.
"I was, you know... a woodcutter. Then one day, I accidentally slipped and almost fell off a cliff, and that's how I awakened... Sob... Sniff. But because I look like this, people are scared and avoid me..."
Knowing about the existence of the Cavalry, he had planned to head to a big city to find a way to join them, thinking that a place where only Awakeners gathered might offer some solution for someone like him.
However, upon reaching Charloin, Elpkins was swindled by a con artist he met at an inn, losing all his belongings, and eventually ended up in this fighting arena.
"I don't remember how long I've been here. You can't see the sun rise or set here... But it feels like a long time."
According to Elpkins, since his arrival, he had fought a total of ten times, and spent more time bound here, lying down in pain. He only met other Awakeners in the waiting room right before or after a fight, but that was enough to exchange some words.
"A person who died here before me said there are about 40 rooms here. He was from another country to the west and had been brought here without knowing what it was... He said he would definitely escape alive. Not that it was of any use."
"..."
"When I first came here, there were more people who had been deceived and brought here. But lately, there are more first-time participants temporarily brought in from the outside than those trapped here. One of them told me it was because of the Cavalry's recruitment... I think that person died that day. Never saw them again..."
Elpkins exerted himself to recall every detail he had seen and heard, down to the most trivial aspects. The fact that he sincerely believed in those who had saved him was evidence enough of his efforts.
Among the information he provided, some were already speculated by Yuder and Kishiar based on what they had observed and heard from the outside. However, there were many aspects only someone who had been here for a long time would know, like the detailed structure of the fighting arena and information about the other Awakeners who had passed through it.
After listening to all he had to say, Yuder succinctly summarized the information.
"So, to summarize, the first underground level is a regular fighting arena. The second is for Awakeners and special guests. And from the third level downwards, that's where they imprison the Awakeners."
"Yes."
"The difference between the Awakeners who are locked up and the Awakeners who are not is those who came in unawares and survived the first fight like you, or those who were kidnapped from the outside from the start."
"That's right."
Originally, Yuder and Kishiar too would have been dragged here and imprisoned after surviving their first fight.
'If they hadn't realized we were Awakeners with second genders.'
During a meal, after blatantly inquiring and learning about their second gender status, Nukijo looked at them as if they were golden nuggets, with a sly grin that made his satisfaction and intentions all too clear.
From his previous life, Yuder had heard that the fighting arenas often organized fights specifically targeting Awakeners with second genders. The organizers packaged and sold the concept of second gender beings, something beyond the imagination of non-Awakeners, in a highly intriguing and almost salacious manner.
It was also here that the absurd misinformation that the strong scent the Omega Awakeners emit during their heat period supposedly enhances vitality and sexual arousal, originated and spread widely.
'In a way, this place is where the nightmare of Omega Awakeners began.'
If Yuder and Kishiar had not come here today, it would only be a matter of time before some unfortunate Awakeners with second genders were captured and became the start of that horrific 'new business.'
Even while suffering in this place, Elpkins had diligently observed and remembered everything about it. This was not only because he had better observational skills than he appeared to have, but also because he still had enough humanity in him not to give up hope of escape.
'It's fortunate. If we had arrived any later, when his humanity had been completely eroded... we wouldn't be seeing him as he is now.'
"Everything I know about this place is just this much. Will this be of any help?"
"Yes, it might be of great help. But let me ask you one more thing."
"Oh, yes. Ask away. I'll tell you anything I know..."
"Do you know why the powers don't work here? It seems like it's because of someone's ability among those who are imprisoned. Do you know anything about that?"
"Oh!..."
Elpkins exclaimed loudly upon hearing this. He reflexively startled at the sound of his own voice, then lowered his voice and continued.
"The Nukijo gang just said that powers can't be used here. I thought it was because of some magic installed in this place, but if it's due to someone's ability... I haven't seen it myself, but there's something I suspect."
"What is it?"
"Every time the Nukijo gang brought me back here after a fight, they always had a conversation in front of a certain room. 'That person’s not dead yet, right? It'll be difficult to manage the others here if that person dies. If that person doesn't eat, tear open that person’s throat and force-feed it...' Something like that."
"…Hmm."
Yuder's eyes narrowed.
'It's highly likely that an Awakener with the power of suppression is imprisoned in that room.'
"Do you remember where that room is?"
"My mind was always foggy when I was brought back here, and I could barely see ahead... But I do remember the location of that room. It was the first one I passed every time I descended from the stairs to the second underground floor."
That meant it was centrally located on the third underground level.
'Suppression or nullification abilities are often exerted on a targeted basis, but if it's placed in the center, it might be someone with a range-type ability similar to Nahan. It's not incredibly wide, but to continuously exert such power day and night without dying... that's impressive.'
Yuder hadn't heard of such an ability user when he first started dealing with the illegal gambling arenas in the southern regions in his previous life.
'He must have died around that time.'
The Nukijo gang, who had created such a place using an Awakener with the power of suppression, would have gained more money and power by then, devising new ways to more effectively oppress the fighters.
'By that time... everything was a mess, devoid of any real sense of oppression.'
It was a past that would not recur now. Yuder exhaled briefly, erasing the memories of the past, and gazed at the chains still binding Elpkins.
A range-type ability could be broken by exerting a greater power from within. Yuder was confident that his power was sufficient to break them.
However, doing so might shock the unknown ability owner, who could be in any condition now, potentially endangering their life.
"These chains, I can't undo them right now, but after tomorrow, you won't have to wear them again. Just bear with it a little longer."
"I, I'm fine. Since coming here, I've never felt in less pain... I can wait as long as needed. If you need my help, just let me know."
Elpkins answered with eyes brimming with sincerity. His face, once filled with discontent, now seemed unfamiliar yet more pleasant, akin to a large dog wagging its tail.
Yuder nodded slowly.
"Alright. Then, I would like you to lend a bit of your strength to our plan tomorrow... Can you do that? You might be the only one who can."
Elpkins' eyes widened as he answered with a smile.
"Absolutely!"
"Good. After we succeed and escape from here, if you're interested, come to the Cavalry. We're currently recruiting."
Kishiar had painstakingly healed him. Letting him stray off the path again wasn't an option. It seemed like a good idea to properly nurture and develop his abilities right from the start.
Upon hearing Yuder's offer, Elpkins inhaled sharply, as if he had never imagined such a possibility, but he didn't refuse.
After conveying to Elpkins what he hoped he would do the next day, Yuder, supporting Kishiar, leaped up and flew back to the ceiling.
"Are you alright?"
Yuder asked cautiously, and the man, whose pallor had yet to return to normal, nodded with a smile.
"I'm fine. More so, thinking that your recent demeanor is closer to that of Commander Yudrain is truly fascinating."
[BL] Bermuda
Leonardo Blaine, the true war hero of the Raina Logia Empire and the commander of the Armsilver 11th Squad, is dishonorably discharged for disobeying orders during the final battle that could have led the Empire to victory in the territorial war. People criticize and point fingers at him, and after being released on parole from prison, he disappears without a trace.
Three years later, his name has been forgotten by the world. The Council has been persistently pursuing him, but he has proven difficult to capture. Frustrated by this, Hugo Agrizendro, the commander of the Council's army, decides to personally apprehend him.
"Since when have you been watching me?"
Leonardo was calculative and astute, so it wouldn't be surprising if he had been observing Hugo for some time now. However, Leonardo's answer was something that even Hugo had not anticipated.
"From the very beginning."
[BL] Cloudless Sky
Jin Soram, the top-ranked hunter representing South Korea's Rift Phenomenon Management Headquarters, is stronger than anyone else and lazier than anyone else. As soon as he arrives at the office, he buries himself under a blanket and falls asleep. When he goes out on a mission, he causes accidents and returns to the office, often shirking his duties.
"Do you know how it feels to play a game that's already messed up? ...Anyway, the next round will come, so this time, I'm just going to play it recklessly."
In fact, his true identity is someone who has regressed through three lives, trying to save the world from the Great Rift but failing each time. After repeating a life where he couldn't sleep peacefully even for a day, he became completely exhausted before this life even began.
"I know. You worked hard, Jin Soram."
And then there's Han Tae-un, the man who saved Soram and died in all three previous lives. As he did in every life, he comes to Soram's side once again. The Great Rift is approaching soon. It's impossible to resolve it in this life without any preparation. Soram vows to save Tae-un in this life and die himself. At least, he won't let Tae-un save a failure like himself again.
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