10 Betrayaaaaaaal. Betrayaaaaaaal!

*growl*

Peng Hu was starting to feel hungry. It was a very long day after all. Most of the day was spent on travelling with Pina. At sunset, Pina and Peng Hu finally arrived at the Village of Siluca. Afterwards, Peng Hu got to meet the Great Chief Alis, walked around the village, met with an unfortunate event, and then arrived at the house of Kai. If Peng Hu could convert the time he had used, it would probably be 9:00 pm in his old world.

"Oh Mr. Pen. Are you hungry?" - said Kai. After pondering for a moment, Kai noticed he said something wrong.

"Oh no. I just called you Mr. Pen. I'm sorry! I am not used to interact with anyone other than Aunty Alis."

"It's fine. It doesn't bother me at all. Do you know where I could get dinner around this part?"

*growl*

This time, the sound came from the belly of Kai. Feeling awkward, Kai blushed a little.

"You are also hungry...?"

"I am hungry because... I-I was too excited with having you here that I forgot... Hey! I know. We could go to my favorite food stall. They must be opened at this time."

[... Liar! You must have been engrossed reading a book before I came over.]

"Lead the way Kai."

"But..."

"?"

"I wanted to teach you magic."

"We can do that tomorrow."

"Really? Won't you go away?"

[Hm? I feel like there's something wrong with Kai...? Anyways, an empty belly is the bane of youth. I must focus on finding dinner ASAP!]

"Haha... where could I go? I need you with me so that I can walk around the village without being awkward haha."

Like a puppy longed for attention, the eyes of Kai sparkled from excitement.

"Okay! I will show you one of the local specialties in the village! You will be blown by its deliciousness Pen!"

"I look forward to it Kai!"

Kai went to the first floor and prepared himself to go out. Peng Hu noticed that Kai went to grab what seemed to be a magic wand made of wood. Peng Hu was struggling whether to ask Kai for more details about the wand before their leave or go out immediately and grab a bite. Considering the pros and cons of the situation, Peng Hu decided that it was totally not worth it having an empty stomach.

[Totally not worth it.]

Afterwards, Kai and Peng Hu left Kai's house and walked towards the center of the village. Little by little, their silhouettes vanished.

________________________

Somewhere in another dimension, there was a sea of darkness. The waves were soft and movements were smooth. This time, there was no Peng Hu floating in it, trying to go against the flow of darkness. Soon after, voices from the soul could be heard in the far distance of the sea.

[M'lady... was it correct to send that man to the world he currently resides?]

[I don't know.]

[Aren't you worried that he may make things worse than what it is right now?]

[He will save the world.]

[Is it... his destiny... or is it a prophecy?]

[My guts.]

[cough... cough... m'lday! It's irresponsible to do things like that!]

[It's a gamble. If I don't take this chance, everything would crumble!]

[But...]

[It's a one-time chance. If I didn't take it, what else could I do to make things better? I don't want that world to be destroyed by itself. It's almost at the brink of it and it makes me sad.]

[... What if he fails?]

[Then so be it.]

[What could you see in him that could tip the scales, m'lady?]

[A strong affinity to elements, on par with what common people refer to as genius.]

[But he doesn't have experience feeling the elements, m'lady.]

[That's why it's a gamble. It's up to him... to decide the kind of person he would be: will he become the savior the world needs or will he become just like any other living being on the world?]

[Accepting their fate and do nothing for the world... is that right, m'lady.]

[You are correct, Mary... you are correct.]

The voices disappeared the same way they appeared. As if going back to its natural state, the sea of darkness became silent once again.

__________________________

Kai and Peng Hu arrived to a food stall on the street. This scene reminded Peng Hu of memory he had in a night market during his time in the modern world.

[This sure brings back memories.]

"Heey kiddo! It's been a while since I have seen you! Got hooked into your books eh?"

"Hahaha, you know me very well Uncle Yuvan! This is a trial I must endure to become the best mage in the world!"

"Hahaha! It's good to see you in high spirits. So, who's this new lad at your side kiddo?"

"His name is Pen Who! My very first friend!"

"Haha that's good. It's nice to meet you Pen... what?"

"Peng Hu."

"Hahaha that's a very unusual name. Peng Hu."

[WOW! Oh. My. Word. This is the first goddamn time since I have arrived into this world that someone has actually said my name correctly!]

"No! no no no Uncle Yuvan! His name is Pen Who. Got it memorized? It's Pen Who. Pen. Who."

Kai was reprimanding Mr. Yuvan for mispronouncing his dear friend's name.

"Hahaha. Got it kiddo. Pen Who right?"

Kai sat with his chest out, like he was proud of defending his friend's dignity. At his side, Peng Hu was feeling horrified to what just happened.

[Pen must be very happy that I defended him!]

[NOOOOOOOOOO! Why did you correct him Kaaaaaai!? Why are betraying mee. I thought we were frieeeends! Frieeeeeeends!]

"No Mr. Yuvan! My name is pronounced like-]

"Are you getting the usual kiddo?"

"Yes Uncle Yuvan! And make one too for Pen!"

"Got it."

Internally, Peng Hu felt that tears were streaming down his cheeks. Looking at the current atmosphere, Peng Hu knew that there was no way he could correct his name.

[Betrayaaaaaaal. Betrayaaaaaaal!]