~Day 2 in the hospital~

Soo Min was bored to death, she herself was confused on how she survived one day already, but this was now to the point that it was killing her.

She changed from channel to channel, but she has never been so idle and forgotten how to make time pass!

She kept changing channels, and sighed.

'How long do I have to stay like this!' she thought in frustration.

She slowly tried to get off the bed, she placed both her feet on the ground and tried to get off the bed to stand up.

Just then the door opened and four people came inside.

Sung Yeol, Mr Park, Mrs Lee and Assistant Yoon.

Soo Min looked at the sudden guests who appeared from nowhere, and looking at them she lost her balance and slipped.

Luckily, instead of falling to the ground, she fell in Sung Yeol's arms.

He caught her steadily and their eyes met! His oceanic eyes glowed, while her brown eyes sparkled.

The two got lost in each other until they heard giggles from the room.

That's right! Their parents and Assistant Yoon were still in the room!

Although the parents enjoyed this scene, Sung Yeol quickly picked Soo Min up and placed her back on the bed.

Soo Min cheeks were tinted with her red blush. She wasn't expecting that gesture!

After carefully placing her back on the bed, Sung Yeol yelled at her "Did you not hear what the doctor said! Not to put pressure on yourself! What were you thinking!" 

Soo Min's mouth went shut, hearing these words, but she couldn't quite understand if these words were out of concern or just to annoy her.

Of course, Soo Min couldn't think straight and said "Why are you yelling at me! Do you know how bored I am here!"

Sung Yeol was taken aback by her words, he couldn't believe this woman could still have a sharp tongue even after going through a major surgery.

The three couldn't stop laughing at their bickering and finally said "Alright stop it you two, give yourselves a break!"

Mrs Lee said "Sung Yeol why don't take Soo Min for some fresh air?"

Soo Min tried to get off the bed again and Sung Yeol turned around and said "You still haven't learnt your lesson! 

He sweeps her off her feet and carries her in bridal style "W-What are you doing? Let me down!" says Soo Min, who is completely embarrassed! 

Sung Yeol cares less about what people think and he placed her on the wheelchair.

Once she was in the wheelchair, Soo Min's face was red as a tomato! 

Sung Yeol pushed the wheelchair out of the room and Mr Park, Mrs Lee and Assistant Yoon laughed and said "Have Fun!"

~In the Hospital Park~

Sung Yeol and Soo Min take a stroll around the park, as Soo Min is taking in all the fresh air she can get, Sung Yeol asks her "Y-Yesterday, why did you come in front and take the shot?" 

Soo Min casually looking around says "Just like that! Why did you come into the building when the attackers were there?" She asked him curiously.

He answered "Just like that.." 

When she thought about his question in her head, she thought to herself 'Why did I take the shot? For him??? No wayyy!'

She brushed off those thoughts and continued to wander her eyes around the park.

Sung Yeol also thought to himself 'Why did I go into the building?To save her??? No way!'

He also brushed away his thoughts and continued to push the wheelchair.

~Back in the room~

After strolling around and getting enough fresh air,
they both come back in the room and just before Soo Min tries to get up, 

Soo Min sees Sung Yeol coming towards her and she starts saying "No no no don't you dare pick me up-"

Too late! Sung Yeol picks her up without her consent and places her back on her bed!

Soo Min in frustration looks up at him and say "You-!"

But just then, a doctor comes into the room.

Dr Nam says "Is it a bad time to come in now? I can come back later!" He says pointing his thumb to the door.

Soo Min says "Oh no not at all!" Sung Yeol sees her  voice suddenly change from annoyed to sweet again, just as Dr Nam comes in. 

He raised an eyebrow at her and thought 'This woman is truly something!' in a bad way.

Dr Nam asks "Dr Kang how are you feeling today?"

Soo Min smiles and said "Good! How about you?"

Hearing this Sung Yeol snorts and Soo Min gives him a death stare that silenced him.

Dr Nam chuckles and says "Haha I'm good too. Well it looks like you're pretty much back in form, I'm just gonna check your pulse and blood pressure.."

Soo Min nodded and Sung Yeol just stood there silently watching.

After checking her pulse and blood pressure, Dr Nam jotted more info on the clipboard.

He looked at Soo Min and said "Okay! It looks like your pulse and blood pressure are normal and your good to go! But.." He added "You need to still recover from the wound so you need to rest up for a week!" 

Soo Min sighed and nodded in disappointment.

Dr. Nam smiled and patted her head and Sung Yeol jumped when he saw Dr Nam patting Soo Min's head.

Dr Nam felt he was being watched with cold and ruthless eyes and when he turned around, he saw Sung Yeol's death stare and panicked and smiled nervously.

The whole room had a chilly atmosphere.

Dr Nam cleared his throat and said"W-Well I better take your leave now or else your fiancé may kill me ahaha!" 

Dr Nam left the room. Soo Min sighed after looking at the only person who was left in the room aside from her.

Sung Yeol did not understand why he felt that way when he saw Dr Nam patting Soo Min's head. He thought to himself 'Was he? Perhaps Jealous???' He cleared those obnoxious thoughts and said to himself 'Of course not how could he have feelings for this shameless woman!'

Noticing his weird behavior, Soo Min asked him "Have you been hit in the head before?"

Sung Yeol looked at her and answered "No why?"

Soo Min laughed as she replied "Then why do you act like your crazy pfft ahahaha!"

Sung Yeol rolled his eyes and said "Here have some soup!" He told while holding the spoon with the soup in his hand.

She opened her mouth and ate it. He fed her spoon by spoon, until she asked "By the way do you know Kim Myeong Chul?"

Sung Yeol stopped feeding her and placed the spoon into the soup bowl and placed the soup now on the side table and looks back at her.

"Yes but why do you ask?" He asked

Soo Min says "Well you're Uncle Kim's nephew and Myeong Chul is his son, meaning you guys are cousins but that day at the party you guys, not to mention didn't even speak, you guys didn't even look at each other! Are-" 

Just before she continued, she stopped as she felt Sung Yeol was feeling uncomfortable and she thought in her head 

'Are you perhaps the reason why Myeong Chul left to the states?'

Sung Yeol told her "Which family doesn't have problems?!"

He sighed and she thought 'That's true...huh what?'

Sung Yeol said "Finish the soup yourself..."

He got up and left the room.

Soo Min flabbergasted "What kind of way is this to treat a patient huh? Hmph!"

Sung Yeol was at the hospital entrance and looked outside the large glass walls. 

*Vibration*

His phone rang and he picked up the call, it was from Assistant Yoon.

"Hello?" he said

Assistant Yoon replied "Hello Young Master? Are you with Young Miss?"

Sung Yeol answered "Yea why?"

Assistant Yoon gulped as he responded "U-um James escaped from prison, I'm afraid he might do something to Young Mis-"

Sung Yeol cut the call and quickly ran back to Soo Min's room. He took the stairs instead of the elevator to the 11th floor.

Assistant Yoon said "Hello? Young Master? Helooo?"

Assistant Yoon continued "Oh he cut the call! Great.."

As soon as he reached the 11th floor, Sung Yeol ran up to Soo Min's room and slammed the door open.

He saw Soo Min, who was again trying to get off the bed, she looked at him and said "I-I wasn't trying to get off I was just stretching!" 

And she started doing some weird stretches, but Sung Yeol just ran up and hugged her.

Soo Min was taken aback by his sudden action.
His Hug was warm and felt so affectionate, despite his cold and ruthless appearance to others. 

To her, he felt like a completely different person, completely different to the man who just left her with the soup.

She slowly placed her hands around his back and asked "A-Are you okay?"

His closed eyes were now wide open and he was surprised by the fact that he was hugging her right now.

He quickly retreated his hands and let out an awkward coughed for a change of atmosphere.

Soo Min still looked at him patiently waiting for his answer.

He cleared his throat and said "W-Why were you trying to get off the bed!"

He didn't look at her in the eyes and Soo Min could see that he was trying to change the topic.

Sung Yeol knew that this plan of his back fired and he told her the truth "Soo Min..James escaped from prison! I'm worried that he might do something to you and if something happens to you I-"

Soo Min raised an eyebrow and said "U?"

Sung Yeol thought to himself "I what? What was he exactly trying to say?' He didn't know himself.

Sung Yeol stammered "I-I uh um, oh yea what will I say to your father!"

He thought of something in the end, even though he knew that was not what he wanted to say...

Soo Min placed her hand on his shoulder and said 

"That's all, if he does I'll take him one on one, this time I don't have to worry about anything!"

"What did you worry about last time?" asked Sung Yeol curiously.

Soo Min looked up at him snapping out of her thoughts and said "Huh? Oh uh nothing.."

“Let go of the past but keep the lessons it taught you.” - Chara Gizzi

A past is something everyone has. Some want to let it go, while some cherish it. This was the same for Soo Min and Sung Yeol. They say that a mother is a daughter’s first best friend, but before Soo Min could embrace god’s greatest gift, it was cruelly snatched away. 

Losing her mother in an unexpected accident, Soo Min vowed to not let anyone else suffer and took up the world’s most noble profession. Now known as the world’s #1 cardiologist, Soo Min lived a life devoted to her career.

Life in college was a bliss but turned into a misery just as quick. Lee Sung Yeol, a college playboy had an enviable life. Not ever serious and bothered, he lived a chill life, dating the beloved of the college. Just when life was going perfect, in a well planned murder that was made to look like a mere car accident, he lost the lives of his father and brother. 

Devastated by the sudden deaths, Sung Yeol’s life was no more the same, his family’s company went bankrupt and to top that his girlfriend broke up with him. This was the birth of heart of stone Sung Yeol. But life’s miseries didn’t stop him. 

Sung Yeol, now the CEO of the fashion company, Glamour and the most eligible bachelor, changed his miserable fate and brought his life back on track.

Coincidence? I don’t think so! Little did they know these two pasts were connected.
____________________

This story is about an alliance between a cardiologist and businessman, who are at odds with each other but are forced to comply to an arranged marriage brought by their parents.

The two stubborn, rigid people collided constantly. But in the process of competing with each other, they grow, and at the same time, they find their own inner belonging in each other, and gradually fall in love.

When I Hate You, Turns Into I Love You!

When Enemies Became Lovers!

___________________

Updates: 2-3 Chapters per week

**Cover does not belong to me. Credits to the artist!

In the end, Ye Rim found himself in the car with Dr. Kim and Mr. Go, leaving the cemetery after putting the other two elder men in a taxi.
As they rode through the streets, the driver wanted to keep his composure for a few blocks. His grandfather, sitting in the back seat, tried to soften the mood, with a relieving smile:
"Finally you meet Miss Nam Ye Rim, Jun Hyeon. And Ye Rim, this is my only grandson, Dr. Kim, you must remember how much I speak of him."
"Ah," the man mumbled the answer, trying not to return to the previous subject, nor lose the concentration of the traffic looking at the magnificent legs of Ye Rim, on the passenger's seat by his side.
"You might have been right back there, maybe we were overdoing it, but it's not Miss Nam's fault," Mr. Go admitted after a pause. The old man kept her smile and a calm expression. Ye Rim wasn't able to figure if this was a strategy to appease his grandson, or if he really regretted hiring a singer and buying drinks to his friend's final farewell.
But the doctor remained silent.
Although she had a thing or two to say to this arrogant doctor who acted as if he was better than anyone else, Ye Rim took a deep breath and tried to cooperate to Mr. Go, flashing a friendly smile, even after they had yelled at each other, and she even kicked him, moments before.
"Mr. Go really talks often about his grandson..."
"Besides being adorable, Mrs. Nam is extremely talented. She sings like an angel," Mr. Go added to the conversation.
Of course, she'd noticed the discreet glance of Mr. Go's grandson to her legs in the short dress. She liked to be admired for her beauty, but she wasn't okay with admitting to being just a pretty girl for that kind of man.
"You should go and see her singing in the club," the old man was still trying to fill the silence in a pleasant tone.
Seeming finally to understand what his grandfather meant, Dr. Kim looked surprised and regretful.
"Miss Nam is the Pearl Club's female singer ?! I ... I wasn't aware that Pearl's singer was someone so..." he seemed to look for the right word, confused and embarrassed, while still trying to concentrate on the traffic.
"Beautiful?" Ye Rim teased.
"Young?" his grandfather suggested with a cheerful smile.
"Yep," the answer came promptly before he could even think which one he was agreeing with. Ye Rim smothered her winning smile, Mr. Go gave a loud laugh. Dr. Kim blushed, realizing that he had praised Miss Nam so directly.
"Oh, you two!" he complained.
"Miss Nam sings every Wednesday at the club. On Saturday she shares the stage with Duk Mi. Why don't you come next Wednesday to see her?" the grandfather proposed.
Ye Rim, still resentful of the way she was treated earlier, still wanted a proper apology. Something in Kim Jun Hyeon teased her, well beyond him to be a lousy judge of situations.
"Yes, come on, Dr. Kim. Tell me a song you like, I'll sing it the day you come to see me."
She bent to pick up a business card in her bag that was on the floor of the car, at her feet. She wanted him to see her presentation video. Then he would stop thinking she was just a minx girl with a beautiful body and face who was into old men.
'Daebak, he's really tall. These long legs and all. How tall is he?' she noticed as she bent down. What she did not expect was that her sudden movement had stretching the hem of her dress which she accidentally trapped in the buckle of the seat belt. For now, she could not guess.
Ye Rim showed the visiting card to the doctor, who was busy with the traffic, and placed it on the sunshade in front of him; demonstrating all her self-confidence.
"Watch my presentation video. I also sing at events, weddings, conventions ... I don't sing only at funerals. Haha."
Seeing from the expression on his face that the handsome doctor seemed sorry that he had misjudged her, Ye Rim smiled.
"Looks like it was a big mess set on by these three gentlemen, isn't it?"
"Aish! I'm not admitting it, boy! I might not have included that dance music on the show... and the spicy chicken foot ... I think my stomach is not well ..." Mr. Go protested.
"So is this your field in the entertainment industry?"
Ye Rim wasn't expecting that question, which came with a sarcastic tone and a raising of eyebrows. It didn't make her a rising star. Just a desperate person.
"It's not what it looks like ..." she was annoyed at being embarrassed by his comment. "I wouldn't do that for everyone, just for my cherished fans."
Although in an inaudible way, Ye Rim saw him distinctly grumbling the word 'fans' with a disbelieving expression. She felt the blood boil under her skin, her cheeks burning.
In the backseat Mr. Go apparently had given up paying attention to them, worrying about some unpleasant situation in his stomach. "Aiiii ...."
"What? Are you well, grandfather?"
"You bothering dear Ye Rim, and this heartburn, together, it stresses me out!"
"Okay, from my part, I just believe that Miss Nam is the best in the industry..." in a patronizing tone the doctor conceded, teasing the elder man.
"I don't think I need your approval, Dr. Kim!" Ye Rim retorted. "And we're done, this is my block. Please stop the car right there." Bewildered, she did not even wait for the car to pull over to grab her things and get ready to get off.
Mr. Go was still talking about something she could barely remind in the back of her mind. She was just so annoyed by the whole situation and how this man was able to ridicule her, that she could barely think.
By unfastening the seatbelt and standing up, in a single movement, a distinct sound of tearing cloth was heard, very loudly inside the car. Much for the astonishment of the doctor, who turned to help her without even thinking.
She felt her foot wobble on the heel that had already leaned on the ground, in the middle of her movement to get out, twisting awkwardly and making her lose balance, and pulling her body back... A new roar of clothing ripping was heard; the doctor's body bending and his big hand gripping her waist to prevent her from falling... All amidst a rain of golden sparkling tiny circles from her dress falling apart. His movement was stopped by the belt he was still wearing, but in the end Kim Jun Hyeon managed to put her safely in her seat again. Their gazes locked for a moment, and Ye Rim, even in an odd moment like that, realized that Dr. Kim had an exotic and exciting sexiness.
Then the Doctor's gaze dropped to see what had happened ... just like her.
"Ahhhhhh !!!" half of her mini dress was gone in a matter of seconds, torn by the side.
"He-elp..." she didn't know if she had spoken loudly or just thought it.
Dr. Kim backed back to his seat, flushed, turning his face to the other side, avoiding seeing her trying to cover herself with the bits of sequined cloth that did not stretch as before.
"Aigoo, boy, help the girl!" Mr. Go, covering his own eyes, distressed pleaded.
"Oh, well ..." the man looked around, looking for something that might cover her, but there was nothing, no extra clothes on a sunny day. "I left my extra clothes in the clinic, but ..."
"Dr. Kim, anything! I cannot go out like this! My building doesn't even have an elevator!"
In a heroic and desperate act, the doctor began unbuttoning his shirt.
"Let's think of it as an emergency."
"Are you going to be half-naked here, Dr. Kim?!"
He blinked in astonishment as he took off his shirt in a nimble move and covered the lower part of Ye Rim.
"No one wants their nose bleeding, here," he rubbed his own face, wiping out the sequins.
"Can I open my eyes now?" Mr. Go asked from the back seat.
Ye Rim was just absentmindedly staring at Dr. Kim's naked torso.
'To be a doctor, do you need all this fitness? Wow!!' she thought.
"Eeeeee ... What, what are you looking at?" He covered his chest, folding his arms, suddenly intimidated by her intense staring. Ye Rim looked away, murmuring,
"Thank you, Dr. Kim."
Noticing a remnant sequin glued to his cheek, she reached out and removed it with her thumb. Again their gazes met, and Ye Rim saw the mixture of emotions in his eyes: distrust, surprise, and a spark of delighted enjoyment lighting up his eyes, in the end.
She smiled at the corner of her mouth as she improvised a skirt with the pink shirt he had lent her,
"Mr. Go has to decide "Who Wore it Better": Dr. Kim Jun Hyeon or Nam Ye Rim?" she mocked her own pathetic situation, while folding, tucking and knotting here and there.
"I'm still trying to figure out what happened here," the elder man admitted.
"Me too," Kim Jun Hyeon said.
"An artist has to know when to make a good exit, so… See you, gentlemen," Ye Rim gathered her belongings as gracefully as she managed to, hoping to regain her pose after some dramatic speech to fix her exit scene.
Mr. Go and his grandson had no opportunity to reply, when the singer triumphantly walked away from the car, elegantly this time, as if she was neither dripping sequins with every step nor wearing a men's shirt as a skirt.
After a few shocked seconds, the older man remarked,
"Miss Ye Rim really is a star, isn't she? What poise!"
After putting a thought on it, Dr. Kim replied as he started the car,
"Maybe, but it seems she lacks a good fairy godmother ..."


Due to a spell made in her birth, Ye Rim is a singer destined to great things, but she's unaware of the prophecies about her.
She meets the 'man in pink', Dr. Kim, the person she's not supposed to meet and fall in love, and hell breaks loose!
When will she discover her best friend is a fairy that is sabotaging her love and career? And why is everything connected with the supernatural events occurring in the city?
_____________

Suddenly Ye Rim felt a grasp on her wrist from behind and reflexively turned in astonishment. The doctor leaned toward her, still holding the fragile pulse between his fingers. It was racing, by the way, so much so that he thought he should start counting the beats.
 But her gaze was not moved, but outraged. He realized that it was better not to try to be gallant or whatever, risking to have his heart eaten raw in front of everyone.

Taking a deep breath, Kim Jun Hyeon leaned closer so that only she could hear, and spoke next to her ear.

"Listen, Ye Rim-ssi. Let's settle this for my grandfather. He just doesn't want to feel responsible for this… incident. Let's go to the musical together, and he'll be fairly appeased. Let's do it for him, all right?"

Ye Rim sighed, and said,

"Drop my wrist, Dr. Kim."

Jun Hyeon obliged, but showed no regrets about it. By the way, the best way to deal with this fox was to be straight and cold:

"Made up your mind already? We can take selfies as proof. Everything will be settled in a few hours."

"Aishh… So annoying… Okay." Ye Rim agreed, in a fake casual tone, "We can do it, if it'll end this matter once for all."

Jun Hyeon walked away, and she made it to the stage, trying to decide if she was angry or anxious. 'What just did I do? Am I really going out with this guy?'


_____________
Hello,
I'm not writing to get a Novel Prize in Literature. Also, English is not my first language, so... Peace.
I hope you like this novel, and if you feel so, please comment and support!
lots of love!

INSTAGRAM: @mizanovel (for news, a channel for questions and exclusive insights and artwork for my novels). FOLLOW ME!

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"Your vital signs are now normal but I would advise for you to stay one more night just so that we can monitor you.", Dr. Devyn Nam said after she gave Mr. Cho's father a thorough check-up.

"Thank you very much, Dr. Nam.", Mrs. Cho said with a smile on her face.

After listening to her explanation earlier, she understood everything and was more aware of how to care for her husband's health.

"I'm just doing my job.", she replied.

Samantha's phone rang and when she checked her screen, she saw Daniel's name. She picked it up right away, "Hey hun, I was just about to call you.", she spoke to her man.

"Oh, are you still at the hospital? How's my father?"

"He's doing alright. The doctor just checked on him and his signs were fine but he has to stay for one more night, at least.", she explained.

Dr. Devyn Nam was looking at the patient's chart and was writing something on it but as soon as she realized that it might be Daniel on the other line, her attention was shifted. She continued to write but her ears were listening in to Samantha's phone conversation.

"That's good. What time are you coming? I'm hungry.", Daniel asked.

As soon as she heard her man saying those words, Samantha smiled and immediately stood up from her seat. She has to feed her man, right?

She gathered her things from where she was sitting, "I'll be right over. I will see you soon. Did you want to eat something in particular?" she asked.

"Anything is fine, honey. Take care on your way here."

After Daniel spoke, the call ended.

Mrs. Cho walked up to Samantha and handed her a lunch box, "Take this so that you don't have to buy food outside. This is Daniel's favorite, it's still warm and it's enough for the both of you."

Surely, a mother's love is really amazing. She already had something prepared for Daniel.

The Cho Family's housekeeper and cook came by a few minutes ago. She brought a lot of delicious food for Mr. & Mrs. Cho. The lunch box that Mrs. Cho handed over to Samantha was specially made for Daniel as she already knew that Samantha was going to visit around lunch time.

Receiving the pretty box from Mrs. Cho, Samantha gave her best smile. "Okay, Auntie. Thank you very much. My parents said that they will visit in the afternoon so they might arrive after lunch."

Mrs. Cho nodded and patted Samantha's head, "Oh, yes. I spoke to your mother earlier. Go on now so you can both eat on time. Be careful on your way there and drive safely!", she said lovingly like a mother.

Samantha also bid farewell to Mr. Cho and waved to Dr. Devyn Nam before turning around to leave the room.


She waited for the elevator for a minute before it arrived. She got inside it and when it was already about to close, a hand stopped the door preventing it from happening. 

"Sorry, I'm going down as well.", Dr. Nam apologized with a slight smile as she entered.

Samantha just nodded casually and didn't bother to have any small talk with her. It was only the two of them inside the elevator yet it felt like she was suffocated. She wondered why she was feeling that way.

"I don't think we have been introduced formally, my name's Devyn Nam. What's yours?", she spoke as if she was interested in getting to know Samantha.

She looked at her extending hand and she had this urge to refuse in accepting it but she didn't want to be impolite. Receiving her handshake, Samantha replied briefly, "Samantha Kim."

"I see, it is nice to meet you, Ms. Kim.", said Devyn Nam.

"Likewise."

Samantha didn't want to say anything else so that was the only thing that she said. Just like the day before, she felt like there was something weird about this doctor but she just couldn't put her finger on it. It was the kind of weird where you wouldn't want to be in the same place as her.

"If you don't mind me asking, what is your relationship with Daniel?", Devyn Nam asked boldly.

Samantha was surprised with her personal question but she didn't want to lie, "I'm his girlfriend."

Devyn nodded and smiled. "I'm curious... how well do you know Daniel Cho?", Devyn Nam suddenly asked. 

Samantha instinctively looked at her. Devyn was looking straight at the door and waiting for her answer with her hands in her white coat pockets.

What did she mean by her question? Samantha was baffled by it and a part of her started to feel nervous. 'Who is she to ask me that?', she wondered.

Her question didn't seem like she knew Daniel casually. It implied that she knew more about him and though Samantha didn't like the thought of it, Devyn made it sound like she knew more than Samantha does. So how are Daniel and Devyn related?

Devyn turned her head to Samantha, "Oh sorry, I didn't mean anything with my question. I just wanted to know if you have been dating for a long time. That's all.", she spoke with a slight smile. 

Samantha didn't know what to feel at that moment. 'What is it to you whether I dated him for a long time or not?', she asked in her thoughts but didn't speak out loud.

Averting her gaze, Samantha faced forward and spoke calmly, "I know him well enough to marry him." 

That was all she wanted to say. 

And it was the first time that she admitted it out loud to other people that she wanted to marry Daniel Cho. 

Hearing Samantha's answer, Devyn Nam froze for a second and composed herself. The elevator doors opened. 

*Ding*

She briefly glanced at Samantha and with a smile plastered on her face, she replied, "I see. Well, good luck and congratulations."

The heels of her shoes clicked as she walked out.

[COMPLETED]

Nobody's perfect. Not even Samantha Kim who was born from a wealthy family and a CEO of her own company. She had a lot of interests but she was still unhappy... like she was missing something in her life. 

She was known as a strong and independent woman, who liked to keep things to herself and doesn't want to rely on others. She had built a wall around herself, wanting to live a low profile life and away from the limelight. 

She is successful and confident, but what does she really want to do with her life? Who does she want to spend her life with? Why haven’t any of her past relationships worked out?

Meeting Daniel Cho, the Most Eligible Bachelor of M City, will change her in ways she never expected. But how much change will it do to her? Samantha struggled as she tried to understand the feelings she's going to experience with Daniel. Will she stay strong? Or will she crumble?

Enjoy the story of Samantha on her journey of self-discovery, coming to terms with their pasts, and a chance encounter with a man. See their seemly fated encounter and watch as they navigate their relationship.

Join us as we discover how the two of them will answer these questions and more. As she makes mistakes, how she rises to the challenges put in her path, and how he chases after her, dotes on her and loves her unconditionally. 

It’s not always the straightest path for Samantha and Daniel, and she paved her own way but hear the story of how just a little encounter changed her life forever.

Samantha and Daniel will have a happy encounter, but will they also have a happy ending?

-----
(R18)

**Characters and Plot are fictional. Any similarities between names and settings are purely coincidental.**

(Country and City names are going through revision as well to connect all my novels in one world.)

Grammar is not perfect but slowly editing the first chapters. If you want to be a volunteer proofreader, kindly join my discord server and tag me. 

~~~

Other Works:

•Femme Fatale: The King's Deadly Temptress (Ongoing)

•The Mafia Prince's Naughty Angel (Ongoing)


~~~
For updates, announcements, fun chat, and game nights. Join my discord server: 
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*cover is mine.* Please don't use it without permission.

Kyung memungut potongan-potongan komik TRUMPET CREEPER yang di jatuhkannya. Jelas sekali di dalam komik tersebut, Dan O mengucapkan terimakasih padanya karena telah menunjukkan pemandangan langit malam padanya. Tapi, kini, kalimat itu, Dan O ucapkan pada Ha Roo, bukan dirinya.

Dan O terkejut saat melihat tangan Ha Roo yang penuh luka karena melubangi kain hitam tersebut. Dan O merasa itu semua karena dirinya dan dia merasa bersalah jadinya. Karena itu, dia berjanji tidak akan melupakan pemandangan bintang yang Ha Roo berikan padanya. Dia akan mengingatnya seumur hidupnya.
Ha Roo tersenyum pada Dan O dan membelai rambutnya.

Kyung tampak benar-benar marah.
--



Kyung pergi menemui Jinmiche karena dia yakin kalau Jinmiche tahu akhir dari cerita ini. Apakah Dan O akan berakhir dengannya? Atau bersama dengan Ha Roo? Sudah sangat jelas kalau dialah tokoh utama dalam cerita ini, tapi kenapa ini membuatnya merasa sangat buruk?! Kyung bahkan memerintahkan Jinmiche untuk tidak bertele-tele lagi dan katakan sejujurnya. Siapa Ha Roo sebenarnya?!
"Kamu sudah tahu. Seseorang yang bisa membawa perubahan," jawab Jinmiche.
"Panggung sialan itu, ya? Aku juga bisa mengubahnya."
"Kamu? Bagaimana caranya?"
"Apa pun bisa."
"Kamu akan mengubah panggung? Aku kehilangan semua yang berharga bagiku karena hal itu," ujar Jinmiche penuh dengan kemarahan.
"Kubilang bicara yang jelas agar aku bisa paham."



Jinmiche mencengkeram kerah baju Kyung dan menatapnya dengan mata penuh amarah dan kebencian, "Karenamu, aku… Semua karenamu. Pergilah! Tidak ada yang bisa ku katakan!"
--



Kyung duduk sendirian melihat semua potongan komik TRUMPET CREEPER. Dan salah satu potongan, ada adegan dimana Dan O berkata pada ayahnya bahwa dia tidak bisa menikahi Kyung.
--

Kyung pergi menemui Dan O. Dia langsung memberitahu kalau Dan O akan membatalkan pertunangan dengannya. Dan O tidak mengerti dengan maksud Kyung.
"Kamu akan membatalkan pertunangan kita. Kamu akan membatalkan pernikahan kita. Kamu sendiri yang akan memberi tahu Pimpinan Eun. Kamu tidak akan menikahiku karena kini sudah membenciku."

"Mungkin penulisnya tidak punya plot terbaik, tapi aku akan bilang aku membencimu? Di depan ayahku?" tanya Dan O, tidak percaya.

"Jika semua berjalan sesuai perkataanku, jangan pernah bersama si bedebah itu. Seperti yang kukatakan, akulah yang bisa mengubah takdirmu. Baek Kyung, partnermu di buku komik ini. Aku bukan extra figuran."
--

Dan O berjalan pulang bersama dengan Ha Roo. Dia menanyakan jadwal Ha Roo besok. Kalau kosong, dia ingin mengajak Ha Roo jalan. Sayangnya, Ha Roo ada latihan tenis besok. Mendengar itu, Dan O tersenyum canggung dan kesal pada penulis karena membuat detail tidak penting begitu. Tapi, bahkan langit malamm pun tidak ada bintangnya.
"Tapi kamu menghadiahkanku langit malam yang indah. Aku sungguh tidak akan melupakannya. Serius. Tidak akan pernah kulupakan," janji Dan O.

"Tidak apa-apa jika kamu lupa. Aku akan ingat. Aku tidak akan lupa dirimu yang amat besemangat saat hendak melihat bintang."
Dan O tersenyum lebar mendengar ucapan Ha Roo. Dan dia jadi ingin mendengar kisah itu, yang Ha Roo katakan bahwa mereka sudah pernah bertemu lama sekali.
--

Ha Roo membawa Dan O ke perpustakaan dan menunjukkan gantungan yang mereka temukan saat perkemahan musim panas dengan judul yang ada di buku komik SECRET. Mirip. Dan O sampai membuka lebar mulutnya karena ternyata mirip.

Ha Roo memberitahu kalau selama ini, dia mengira dirinya bermimpi. Tapi, setelah melihat semua ini, dia yakin kalau itu adalah ingatannya. Dia menghadiahkan gantungan itu pada Dan O dulunya. Dan dia rasa, itu sebabnya dia terus melihat bunga terompet itu, untuk menunggu Dan O. Menunggu hingga Dan O menemukannya.


TRUMPET CREEPER
Dan O keluar dari kediamannya dengan terburu-buru dan Ha Roo sudah menantinya. Ha Roo datang membawa buah kesukaan Dan O. Dan O sangat senang dan terus tersenyum pada Ha Roo.
Psaat!

Ha Roo membuka hadiah itu dan isinya adalah buah jeruk. Dan O senang menerimanya dan bertanya apakah itu hadiah dari pangeran Kyung? Ha Roo tidak menjawab dan Dan O langsung menyuruhnya untuk pergi.
Ha Roo menundukkan kepala dan memohon pamit.
Syaat!

Dan O menghentikan Ha Roo untuk pergi. Dia merasa aneh pada dirinya sendiri karena bicara dan bertindak berlawanan dari keinginannya. Ha Roo mendengar gumaman Dan O dan menatapnya.
Dan O tidak menyadari tatapan Ha Roo dan malah mengajak Ha Roo untuk makan buah itu bersama dnegannya.
--


Dan O berjalan bersama Kyung di kediaman Kyung. Dia datang untuk memberikan hadiah pada Kyung. Kyung merasa tidak nyaman dan menyuruh Dan O untuk pergi sekarang. Dia adalah orang sibuk di istana, jadi, Dan O tidak bisa berkunjung tiba-tiba. Dan O menundukkan kepala dengan sedih. Kyung tidak peduli dan langsung pergi meninggalkannya begitu saja.
--

 

Kyung datang ke kediaman Dan O. Dan O sangat senang, tapi Kyung tidak demikian.

Menteri Eun masuk dan bergabung dengan mereka. Dan tiba-tiba saja, Dan O berkata kalau dia tidak menyukai Kyung lagi dan menyuruh Kyung untuk tidak datang menemuinya lagi. Menteri Eun terkejut dan malah mengira kalau Dan O terlalu sedih karena Kyung jarang menemuinya. Dia meminta maaf mewakili Dan O.

"Bukan itu alasannya. Ayah, aku ingin membatalkan pernikahan kami," keputusan Dan O.
--

Kyung sudah kembali ke kediamannya dan menggerutu kalau Dan O benar-benar merepotkan. Dia tadi sudah menyakinkan Dan O untuk tidak membatalkan pernikahan. Dan karena itu, dia harus melakukan sesuatu lebih. Dia ingat kalau waktu itu, Dan O bilang ingin membuat bintang. Karena itu, Kyung memberi perintah pada Dan O untuk memberikan hadiah yang akan memesona selamanya.
--

Menuruti perintah Kyung, Ha Roo membawa sekotak perhiasan untuk Dan O. Hadiah dari Kyung. Dan O tampak sedih. Ha Roo sudah hendak pergi.
Syaat!

Dan O melarang Ha Roo untuk pergi.
"Jangan pergi. Aku pasti sakit. Jangan hiraukan aku."

"Kamu mendengar suara aneh? Atau kamu sering lupa? Kamu tidak bisa bergerak sesukamu?" tanya Ha Roo.
"Bagaimana kamu tahu?" kaget Dan O.
--

Ha Roo menunjukkan buku komik TRUMPET FLOWER pada Dan O. Ha Roo bahkan menjelaskan kalau semua yang mereka lakukan tergambar di dalam buku tersebut. Dan rasanya seperti mereka di ikuti seseorang.
"Aku bisa ingat. Aku ingat lagu favoritmu dan keinginanmu. Aku juga ingat apa yang kamu lihat. Jadi, mintalah bantuanku jika perlu," ujar Ha Roo. "Kamu akan menikahi Pangeran Kyung, artinya, kamu juga penting bagiku," lanjut Ha Roo.

Ha Roo tidak menyadari senyuman di wajah Dan O menghilang setelah dia membahas mengenai Kyung.
--

Malam hari,
Dan O berada di pinggiran sungai bersama dengan Ha Roo. Dan O tampak senang tapi juga kedinginan. Melihat itu, Ha Roo melepas pakaian luarannya dan memberikannya pada Dan O. Dan O terkejut, tapi Ha Roo berkata kalau dia tidak apa-apa.
Mereka berdua saling menatap. Tampak jelas kalau mereka sudah mulai saling jatuh cinta.

Ha Roo bahkan tanpa sadar mendekat pada Dan O. Dan O memenjamkan matanya, mengira Ha Roo hendak menciumnya. Tapi, ternyata Ha Roo hanya ingin mengambil kelopak bunga yang terjatuh di pundah Dan O. Dan O jelas merasa malu karena sudah salah paham.

Ha Roo tersenyum melihat tingkah Dan O tersebut. Dia memuji Dan O cantik. Dan O semakin malu.

"Nona," panggil Ha Roo dan menunjukkan hadiah gantungan yang di belikannya. "Seperti bunga-bunga itu, aku akan menunggu. Aku akan melindungi Nona."
Senyum Dan O langsung mengembang. Dia benar-benar mencintai Ha Roo.

Dan O masih terus memandang gantungan tersebut.  Ha Roo memberitahu Dan O kalau Jinmiche pernah bilang padanya, kalau dia di ciptakan sudah sangat lama. Dahulu sekali di dunia lain sebelum buku komik ini di buat. Dan O jadi penasaran dan ingin membaca buku komik itu. Sayangnya, Ha Roo juga belum pernah melihat buku komik tersebut. Dia hanya ingat adegannya sedikit demi sedikit.

Dan O berusaha mengingatnya juga, tapi dia tidak bisa mengingat apapun. Dia semakin penasaran dan menebak kalau dia pasti adalah Putri dulunya dan Ha Roo pasti seorang pangeran. Ha Roo tersenyum dan berkata mirip seperti itulah.
"Aku sangat penasaran bagaimana kita di dunia lain. Apa kita bahagia?"

Ha Roo mengangguk. "Semua momen yang kuingat membuat jantungku berdebar."
"Ha Roo, aku yakin kita akan memiliki akhir bahagia di cerita ini juga."
"Ya. Akan kupastikan begitu."
--



Esok hari,
Ha Roo mengenakan pakaian bebas. Kyung yang baru datang, menyindir Ha Roo yang tidak datang latihan tadi. Tapi, Ha Roo menanggapinya dengan dingin juga.
"Sepertinya kamu senang berpura-pura menjadi protagonis bersama Dan O," sindir Kyung. 
Ha Roo langsung memperingati Kyung untuk tidak mengganggu Dan O. Kyung semakin kesal, emangnya siapa Ha Roo hingga bisa bilang begitu? Ha Roo membalas kalau dia sudah lama mengenal Dan O. Jauh lebih lama dari dugaan Kyung. Jangan buat dia menderita.

"Baiklah. Tidak akan," jawab Kyung. "Omong-omong, katamu kamu mengubah takdirmu. Apa itu benar, atau hanya berjalan sesuai rencana penulis? Kamu sudah memikirkannya?"
"Kyung. Kita berada di dunia komik. Kita harus bergerak dan bicara sesuai kemauan penulis."
"Jika kamu tahu itu, ikuti saja papan ceritanya. Ini semua dimulai saat penulis menggambar halaman pertama."



"Penulis itu jelas menggambarku, tapi kenapa aku merasakan emosi yang tidak digambarkan olehnya? Perasaan menyukai seseorang dan ingin melindungi seseorang. Perasaan ini tidak digambar oleh penulis. Semuanya digambar oleh Dan O."
"Dia milikku. Kami ditakdirkan bersama sejak awal," tekan Kyung.
"Dan O bukan milikmu atau penulis. Dia hanya Dan O," balas Ha Roo.
"Penulis menggambar Dan O sebagai tunanganku. Kamu terus mencoba mengubah panggung atau semacamnya. Pikirkanlah. Apa ada yang berubah sesuai keinginanmu? Pada akhirnya, kita mengikuti cerita penulis. Jangan bicara seolah-olah kamu bisa membuat perubahan tentang Dan O atau tentang dunia ini."
"Meskipun ceritanya terus mengalir seperti papan cerita penulis, aku akan berusaha yang terbaik untuk Dan O sampai akhir."
"Kamu mau menghilang lagi?"

"Aku tidak peduli. Kamu bilang kita di sini karena penulis menggambar kita. Bagiku, Dan O adalah awalku. Jadi, aku akan baik-baik saja jika peranku berakhir dengan Dan O. Bagimu, dia mungkin hanya figuran. Bagiku, dia adalah tokoh utama," tegas Ha Roo.
--



Ju Da dan Do Hwa janjian bertemu di ruang musik. Do Hwa meminta maaf datang terlambat karena dia harus mampir dulu ke suatu tempat tadi. Ju Da tidak mempermasalahkan hal tersebut. Do Hwa kemudian bertanya alasan Ju Da mengajak bertemu di sekolah, tapi Ju Da berkata tidak ada alasan. Ju Da bahkan terang-terangan berkata kalau dia memikirkan Do Hwa.

Do Hwa senang mendengarnya, tapi dia tidak mau memainkan biola untuk Ju Da. Ju Da tertawa, dia tidak akan meminta Do Hwa bermain biola untuknya. Do Hwa tersenyum kecil. Do Hwa kemudian mengerluarkan sesuatu dari kantong. Dia membelikan Ju Da sepasang sepatu sekolah baru.

Sepatu itu berwarna putih dan cantik. Do Hwa berkata kalau dia membeli sepatu itu dengan menebak ukuran kaki Ju Da. Tidak hanya itu, Do Hwa bahkan memakaikan sepatu baru itu pada Ju Da. Untungnya, ukurannya sesuai.



Do Hwa kemudian mengeluarkan spidol dari tas-nya dan menggambar kupu-kupu di sepatu itu. Do Hwa tahu bahwa gambar dan sepatu itu mungkin akan hilang saat panggung berakhir. Ju Da hanya diam dan terus menatap Do Hwa, dengan pandangan yang sulit ku artikan.

"Kamu tahu sesuatu yang disebut efek kupu-kupu? Hal sekecil ini bisa mengubah takdir. Dan O dan aku mencoba mengubah takdir kami. Dan O ingin memperbaiki penyakit jantungnya dan aku ingin kita saling menyukai. Tapi itu tidak bisa terjadi. Aku tidak punya pilihan selain mendukungmu dan Nam Ju," sedih Do Hwa.



"Do Hwa. Aku tidak ingin kamu mendukungku," ujar Ju Da, membuat Do Hwa terkejut. "Kenapa? Aku tidak boleh mengatakan hal seperti ini?"
Psaat!

Adegan berpindah ke Nam Ju yang berada di Prancis. Nam Ju sibuk bekerja sendirian. Dia menghela nafas lelah dan melihat SNS Ju Da. Di SNS, Ju Da membuat status : Seseorang yang sangat ku sukai. Nam Ju jadi ragu untuk menelpon Ju Da atau tidak.

Saat itu, abangnya masuk dan menyindir Nam Ju yang datang hingga kemari padahal tidak perlu. Nam Ju berusaha mengabaikannya. Abangnya itu terus menyindir Nam Ju yang sebelumnya tidak pernah tertarik dengan bisnis dan sebaiknya luluskan saja sekolahnya kemudian kuliah keluar negeri. Hidup saja dengan menghabiskan uang seperti air. Kenapa harus tiba-tiba kemari? Apa Nam Ju pikir ini akan mengubah segalanya?
"Kamu sudah menggila karena seorang gadis. Sepertinya ibumu cukup gelisah.  Dia bahkan mengunjungi gadis itu secara langsung," ujar abangnya.
Nam Ju terkejut. Dia jadi mengerti dengan sikap Ji Da yang tiba-tba berubah.
"Ya, dia membuatku gila," akui Nam Ju. "Karena itu aku pasti putra Oh Jae Beol dari Serinne Fashion, dan tidak boleh membuat kekasihku menangis."
--

Di sekolah,
Sae Mi dan trio girl membaca berita mengenai Oh Hee Ju dan Oh Nam Ju yang bersaing untuk menjadi penerus Serinne Fashion. Sae Mi dengan bangga memberitahu kalau ayahnya datang ke konferensi yang Nam Ju ikuti di Paris. Trio girl pembully semakin merasa kalau tidak mungkin bagi mereka mendapatkan Nam Ju karena Nam Ju seperti seseorang dari dunia lain.



Ju Da yang sedang menyiram tanaman di meja guru, tampak sedih. Dia jadi teringat saat Ny. Cha menemuinya dan menamparnya karena dekat dengan Nam Ju.
Soo Chul ikut gosip dan memberitahu kalau Nam Ju kabarnya akan kuliah di luar negeri. Dan juga, dia dengar kalau ayah Nam Ju sakit. Dan karena itulah mereka memperebutkan kursi penerus. Kakaknya Nam Ju jadi merasa terancam dan kabarnya akan mengirim Nam Ju kuliah keluar negeri.

Ju da terkejut mendengarnya hingga menjatuhkan siraman air. Karena itu, dia menarik perhatian Sae Mi dan trio girl pembully. Mereka langsung mengejek Ju Da yang tidak punya pelindung lagi karena Nam Ju sudah tidak ada di sini. Mereka dengan sengaja menyiram wajah Ju Da dengan penyiram air dan mengejeknya.

"Aku kasihan kepadamu. Kamu merasa seperti Cinderella, bukan? Tapi tahukah kamu kenapa Cinderella bisa menikahi pangeran? Karena dia cantik? Karena dia penari yang baik? Bukan begitu. Cinderella bukan rakyat jelata. Dia seorang bangsawan. Kamu tahu maksudku, bukan?" sindir Sae Mi.
Ju Da hanya bisa menundukkan kepalanya.
Syaat!



Adegan berakhir. Tatapan mata Ju Da berubah. Dia tertawa sinis. Dan tanpa di duga, dia balas menyemprotkan air ke wajah orang yang tadi menyemperotnya. Semua berseru kaget dengan apa yang Ju Da lakukan.
Ju Da bahkan menatap Sae Mi dengan mengintimidasi hingga memnbuat mereka terdiam takut.
--



Ju Da berada di taman dan menggali dengan kasar. Do Hwa yang ada di sana, merasa ada yang janggal dari Ju Da. Pas kali, Dan O lewat. Do Hwa langsung memberitahu Dan O kalau Ju Da bersikap sedikit aneh. Dan O melihat yang Ju Da lakukan dan membenarkan. Dia sering melihat Ju Da menyiram bunga, tapi belum pernah melihat Ju Da menyerang bunga seperti itu.

Do Hwa kemudian mengalihkan topik karena teringat kalau abangnya (dr. Lee) bilang kondisi jantung Dan O tidak begitu baik.
"Ju Hwa sangat khawatir, tapi aku baik-baik saja. Aku sudah mengatasi masalah pengaturanku, penyakit jantung. Aku sedang menikmati momen paling bahagia..."
Psaat!



Dan O tiba-tiba berpindah ke rumah sakit dan sedang bersama dr. Lee. Dengan serius, dr. Lee menyarankan agar mereka melakukan operasi saja. Dan O terkejut mendenga kata operasi. tn. Lee berusaha menyakinkan Dan O untuk tidak khawatir. Tapi, dari raut wajah Dan O, jelas dia merasa sangat khawatir.



Selesai menemui dr. Lee, Dan O bersama ayahnya keluar dari rumah sakit. Ternyata, Kyung ada datang karena khawatir.
"Kamu benci datang ke rumah sakit, tapi selalu mendatangiku. Aku tidak akan menikahinya," putuskan Dan O.
Dan O kaget sendiri sebenarnya. Kenapa tiba-tiba? Dia jadi teringat ucapan Kyung sebelumnya.

"Dan O, kenapa kamu tiba-tiba seperti ini?" khawatir tn. Eun.
"Aku membencinya sekarang. Jadi, kamu harus berhenti datang ke rumah sakit."

"Kondisi Dan O sedang buruk hari ini,"
 ujar tn. Eun, menenangkan Kyung.
 
"Bukan itu alasannya. Ayah. Aku tidak mau menikahi Kyung,"

 keputusan Dan O dan langsung pergi begitu saja.
Ayah berusaha menenangkan Kyung.

Syaat!

Adegan sudah berakhir. dan O segera menemui Kyung. Dia masih heran karena Kyung tahu apa yang akan terjadi. Apakah Kyung juga bisa melihat storyboard? Kyung tidak menjawab pertanyaan Dan O malah memberitahu kalau mereka tidak bisa mengubah apa yang telah di tentukan.

"Kamu tidak seharusnya bertanya. Beri aku jawaban. Apa yang akan kamu lakukan jika aku sudah tahu takdirmu?"
"Kini aku punya sesuatu yang lebih penting dari takdirku," jawab Dan O.

"Maksudmu dia?"

"Ya."

"Aku mengerti, tapi tunggu dan lihat saja perasaanmu akan berubah atau tidak," peringati Kyung.

Seri ini bercerita tentang seorang siswi bernama Eun Dan-oh yang bersekolah di sebuah akademi bergengsi. Suatu hari, ia mengetahui bahwa dia dan semua orang di sekolahnya sebenarnya adalah karakter dalam manhwa yang berjudul Secret (비밀, RR: bimil). Ia memiliki kondisi jantung yang semakin memburuk, Dan-oh adalah karakter pendukung yang ditakdirkan segera meninggal dalam cerita ini.

Tidak puas dengan takdir tersebut, dia memutuskan untuk membuat takdirnya sendiri dengan mencoba menentang alur cerita yang ada dan menemukan cinta sejati. Harapan untuk terlepas dari kuasa Penulisnya semakin kuat setelah bertemu karakter tak bernama Siswa Nomor 13. Namun, kejadian di sekitar Dan-oh dan Nomor 13 secara bertahap mulai terhubung dengan karya Penulis sebelumnya, Neungsohwa (능소花, "trumpet creeper"). Dengan mengubah takdir hidupnya ada harga yang harus dibayar.

Một chàng trai người Trung Quốc trong lúc mơ hồ không rõ nguyên nhân đã xuyên không vào thân thể của cậu bé Alexandre Tống, một cậu trai mười lăm tuổi, mồ côi, sống nhờ nhà dì tại Chicago.
Hoàn cảnh của thân thể mà Tống Á xuyên không cực kỳ bi thảm. Đầu tiên chính là nghèo đói, gia đình của dì hắn chủ yếu sống nhờ vào món tiền trợ cấp vốn dĩ vô cùng ít ỏi.
Câu chuyện về những kẻ khi xuyên không không cần lo về vấn đề tài chính lại không hề xảy ra với hắn. Hiện tại, trong túi quần của hắn chỉ có ba đồng hai lăm xu, chỉ dám dùng để chuẩn bị cho tình huống khẩn cấp thì lấy ra gọi điện thoại công cộng.
Nơi gia đình hắn ở là phía Nam thành phố Chicago, mảnh đất của sự nghèo khó, súng ống, thuốc phiện, bang phái, báo thù chém giết lẫn nhau.
Tống Á cứ tưởng rằng hắn sẽ lớn lên trong những ngày tháng thiếu thốn đầy nguy hiểm như thế. Nhưng rồi đến một ngày hắn bỗng nhận được “thiên khải”. 
Bằng sự không ngoan, hắn đã sử dụng “thiên khải” để giúp mình trở nên nổi tiếng, đưa cả gia đình ra khỏi khu vực miền Nam Chicago và vươn lên, chiếm lĩnh toàn bộ thị trường âm nhạc nước Mỹ.


Zax pondered on the possibility of trading the Solar Basil Leaf for Yurnal's Black Core. Regardless of the chain's Second Leader's thoughts on the bizarre Earth's Core and wanting to keep it for his son, without the remaining three, it will only limit his cultivation path. In contrast, the Solar Basil Leaf will reconstruct his physique and improve his affinity, make it tremendously a lot easier to understand the fiery attribute.

"You- You- already used the Diluted Element?"

The shock on Gid Chu's, Yurnal's and all the others' faces was mutual.

"Wasn't the Diluted Element the treasure made personally by an Immortal?" Someone asked in a deep undertone.

"It is… was. I partook in the trials, under a disguise. I even heard from someone who stayed in the Grand Abode and got to see them up close".

"How did you waste it? Why did you not consider more fitting candidates?" Yurnal snapped. His bare foot stomped furiously.

"T- The- The most valuable treasure on the planet…" An old man, second level Martial Master, in a golden robe and a long white hair stuttered on his plastic chair beside Gid Chu.

"How could you have succumbed to the enticement of learning your insights? Why must you be so young?! Why can't you understand that you are still young?!" Nam Ner implored, knowing it is too late.

"Zax…" Gid Chu said in a low voice, struggling to utter the name without venting. The calm and calculated, the peacemaker amiable Leader of the chain… even he knew not how to react. "Explain". He asked in a tone that was hard to determine whether it was a demand or a plea. "Explain". He repeated.

In Gid Chu's mind images of his fight with the lad raced in an unending cycle. It was not the fact that Zax used the Diluted Element without consulting anyone that agitated him, but his belief that with his talent and potential, even if the lad did not already, then sooner than later he would have perceived and comprehended the fifth bottleneck of insight, the limit of the Diluted Element.

"Zax…" Zechariah, on his plastic chair next to his beloved, Linor, quietly said. Perhaps only his companion could interpret the meaning of his solemn gaze.

"That…" Rockwell said and Riv shook her head.

"Was a stupid decision".

"Humph!" The duel pistols wielding Duthur snorted disdainfully. "See, Lenrah… what have I told you? Do you remember? This pretentious guy, him obtaining the perfect dark attribute's essence was not luck, but his cunning. If he handed it to Rockwell and Riv back then, instead of using it to boost himself, than maybe our Sinister Chain would have had already an expert on the same caliber as a fifth level Martial Mortal".

Duthur did not bother to control his voice, as a result, all the members encircling Zax could hear and recalled that before the Event in Demirva Ridge, before certain someone consumed the extremely sought after perfect dark attribute's essence, the so called "new member" who is actually an outside contractor, was not something more special than the other Core Masters talents in the chain, at most, a tier above prodigies such as Zechariah, Linor, Varinka, Duthur and couple more others.

"No wonder his growth is such exponential".

"Forget the youngsters; even old ones like us could have had a spike in battle power if we consumed a legendry perfect dark attribute's essence".

"Some of us had a slow start on the cultivation path that cost us our youthful looks. Although we can live now for thousands and thousands of years, having to live by looking like an old men and women… with treasures like this kid was fortunate to use, retrieving our youthfulness might not have been impossible".

"No, it's still not impossible. The Solar Basil Leaf reconstructs the physique. Even if it is just internally, the energies could still rejuvenate tens for years back".

Many of the chain's senior members lamented, daring to do so outloud due to the fact that should they really had the chance; none of them would make a selfish decision.

"Quiet". Gid Chu requested. "Zax, speak".

"Senior Gid, if you want the truth, then I'll admit…" Zax spoke earnestly. If revealing that he comprehended five bottleneck of insight could alleviate his status in the chain, make things easier, including getting the pay he wants, than there was no better time to share it. "Before consuming the Diluted Element I already comprehended five bottlenecks. The reason why I still used it was because it constantly gave my position when Archbishop Silternja chased me".

"So you got rid of it by consuming it?" Yurnal asked.

"Did I have a choice? Should I have spilled it somewhere? Throw it away? You can choose to believe me or not, but the instant I shattered its crystal bead container, I had no way of stopping it from get absorbed by my body". He did not want to say that he kept it in his mouth. "I was in the Down Ocean, as you all should know. Although the Diluted Element did not contribute to my comprehension, it did refueled my body, gave me the energy to make my escape".

"With the help of three Pure Cores of Deformed Beings not weaker than fourth level Martial Mortals". Someone from Yurnal's side reminded, a Peak Core Master short black haired, brown skinned woman, wearing white tank top and blue jeans.

"A choice for Leader and Second Leader which has nothing to do with me".

"They saved your life when you deviated from Leader's initial plan!" Nam Ner joined the younger looking woman.

"Leader's plan was flawed. And if I received the Pure Cores to begin with, maybe I would not have needed to waste the Diluted Element to stay alive, or even need all three Pure Cores".

"Ingrate!" Nam Ner spat, her eyes turning red, actually changing color, while her bony body grew pale scales. In a short moment she transformed to the low class Shenghuo, Ghastly Red Eyes Snake. "Incompetent those who raised and taught you!" She hissed.

"Nam Ne-" Before Gid Chu could fully pronounce her name; a boom sound from the center of the oval sitting arrangement caught him by surprise.

Zax's plastic chair was blasted to tiny sharp fragments as he charged at the twenty meters longs snake.

A resonating deep roar emerged from Nam Ner's lengthy throat. She was an Intermediate third level Martial Mortal, seeing that Zax came at her without executing any particular technique, she was more than willing to meet him in a frontal assault.

"Halt!"

"Suffice!"

Both Gid Chu and Yurnal bellowed, changed into two silhouettes and rematerialized between the pair. The chain's Leader with his back to Zax, while the Second Leader with his back to Nam Ner, it seemed that  their real intention was for Gid Chu to shield Zax from Yurnal and for Yurnal to be Nam Ner's vanguard.

"Senior Gid", Zax lividly gritted his teeth as fluctuations of dark attribute energy bustled in the air, an indication of him about to transform to his Dark Titan Storm form. "This review, appraisal or whatever you want to call it, is done!" Killing intent oozed from every word, his countenance ominous.

It was one thing insulting or bullying him to corporate with the chain's own accords. He could endure and even attempt to manipulate certain parts of the arguments in his favor. However, it was another to tarnish his parents and Master, his big sister and Grandmaster, his extended and Martial families. More so when they were not present and thus lacked the ability to defend themselves, furthermore, when to him, by word or touch, his loved ones were untouchables!

"Second Leader, move!" Nam Ner hissed. "He still dares to talk like this…! If it wasn't for my sister's sacrifice, then what task, what accomplishments, what treasures could he had achieved and obtained?! On the expense of whom does think he made his worth?!" As she bellowed, the encompassing members of the church all stepped back, leaving the situation for Leader and Second Leader to handle, not risking deteriorating it no matter with whom they sided in their hearts.

Hearing Nam Ner, Zax involuntarily recalled his conversation with Gid Chu about the member of the chain that infiltrated the Grand Abode and got the primary information about the Galactic Communicator and layout of the church's most important structure. It eased his temper, but only a little bit.

"Senior Gid, I'll not kill her, but for dissing my family… There is a limit! If other members will keep thinking that I owe the chain something and they could wantonly berate me, then I either put them in their place with a show of force, or quit entirely!"

"No, Zax! There will be no fighting in the central edifice. Yurnal!"

"Nam Ner, calm down. I won't have anyone go beyond a spar in the cave. If you want to fight him, a battle that isn't worthy of your efforts, then you can only do it outside!" Yurnal said outloud while sending through his communicator. 'Be smart. If neither I nor Leader will get involved, you will lose miserably, so Calm Down, Nam Ner. Leave him to me. As the chain's Second Leader I can't challenge him for a fight without an adequate reason. In the end, no harm came to Savir and Yimin due to his conduct at my absence. However, even if Savir forgave him and Leader backing him, between him and I there is still a matter to settle. He is aware of it, too…' He purposely refrained from elaborating. 'Trust me, at the right time I'll also do justice to little Nor Nama'.

Abiding Yurnal's persuasion, Nam Ner slid back and returned to her human form, dressed in an attire of white scales in place of her torn black robe.

"You will not fight an unharmed person, Zax, will you?" Gid Chu prodded at his ego as a fellow cultivator.

The dark attribute energy fluctuations waned. "Don't presume to know what I will or will not do, senior Gid". Zax was not in the mood for cordiality, but he also retained a measure of sensibility. Putting aside that he preferred to maintain friendly relations with some members of the chain, particularly those he was familiar with and thought well of. "To not get caught by Archbishop Silternja I performed a technique that damaged my cultivation, caused me a huge loss. If you told me about the Pure Cores from the start, senior Gid, than my remuneration would not have been as high…"

"So that is the case…"

Much like Zax could understand Nam Ner, several members of the chain could finally understand his behavior throughout the review.

The stronger a cultivator was the more difficult it was to compensate for losses in cultivation, and when the word "damage" was embroiled, the cost for recovery was much, much higher.

Although saying that he bore "damage" was not the most sincere way to put it, Zax nevertheless used the word to create a sympathetic atmosphere.

"You can take the Solar Basil Leaf, but for it and my payment I want dark attribute's essence, God made, one from what you got in Demirva Ridge". He never doubted Rockwell's and Riv's gains. "Other than that, I want ten thousand kilogram of regular dark attribute's essence. If you can manage decent quality, then I'll take less". As much as he wanted Yurnal's Black Core, even if he managed to trade for it, he was not certain if and how much it will increase his strength.

"Inacceptable!" Yurnal denied instantaneously. "The God made dark attribute's essence is too much. Two thousand kilogram of regular dark attribute's essence and four thousand kilogram of any other attribute's essence".

"Senior Gid?" Zax postponed his response.

"Second Leader is correct. We can't afford to trade the God made dark attribute's essence".

"Then there is no trade. Pay me the two thousand kilogram of regular dark attribute's essence for completing the task and compensating for my losses and we are straight".

"After everything you still intend to be obstinate?!" Yurnal scolded.

"Be reasonable, Zax", Gid Chu said in a mellowed approach. "The Solar Basil Leaf will not do you any good. Will you toss your exceedingly high attainments in the dark attribute for a restart in the fiery attribute?"

"No, I won't use it myself. I'll gift it to someone close to me". Zax nonchalantly declared. He knew the chain will not dare go after whoever he will give the Solar Basil Leaf for fear of making an enemy out of him.

"This is one of the most precious treasures on the planet and you mean to give it to a family member? A friend?" Yurnal asked. "Tell me, who do you know that is more suitable for the Solar Basil Leaf than the prospects of my chain? The Solar Basil Leaf should be given only to someone who has the potential to further tip the scale against the five powers!"

"Remember what we talked about, Zax… we might have managed to sever the connection between the five powers and the Immortal powerhouses commanding them, but we are still living on borrowed time. The Solar Basil Leaf can be considered as another contingency…"

"Then agree to my terms of exchange, senior Gid, Second Leader. I absorbed a God made dark attribute's essence, a perfect one, at that, I don't believe anything lesser will be equal to the Solar Basil Leaf. As for the regular dark attribute's essence, you can give it to me in increments of two thousand kilogram a year for the next five years".

There was a long silence. Zax patiently waited as Gid Chu and Yurnal stopped negotiating with him and debated their reply confidentially via their communicators, along few more members, in a closed conversation.

The onlooker members of the chain, who did not partake in the conversation, kept standing silent, as well. Among them, some, those who coveted the Solar Basil Leaf and had a chance of getting it, hoped for Leader, Second Leader and the others to agree for Zax's terms. Others, those who already cultivated arduously to convince their leaders that they should get one of the chain's two God made dark attribute's essences,  did not want to see their chances dropping by fifty percent.

"We decided". Gid Chu opened. "The regular dark attribute's essence will be divided to ten portions of a thousand kilogram, each, that you will receive yearly and completely within the following decade. You can also have the God made dark attribute's essence".

Catastrophe occurs. Humanity and beasts escape to a world beneath the earth. Discoveries are made and humans and beasts transcends. Years pass… Wars shape the territories and sovereign forces in the new world, below the earth. In this world where the strong is dominant, a boy with great potential and aspirations for strength is born. Will this boy strive and achieve his dreams? Or will he be crushed by the callous Martial world?

Dr. Crawler kept talking. Didn't he hear it? Was
he just ignoring it?
Roddy jumped to his feet. "What is that
sound? he cried.
Dr. Crawler's smile faded. He squinted at
Roddy. "Wow, you must never leave your house"
he said. "Haven't you ever heard crickets
before?"
Everyone was staring at Roddy.
"It doesn't sound like crickets," a girl said. She
had to shout over the loud hissing noises.
"I promise you city kids, that's what crickets
sound like," Dr. Crawler said. "Tell you what.
Tomorrow, we'll all go on a long hike. Itll be a
cricket hunt."
Roddy sat back down next to me. The hissing
sound died suddenly. It just cut out, like someone turning off a radio.
Iturned to Roddy and whispered, "It could 
have been crickets," I said. "Just ignore it."
But the sound got me thinking. Was the
hill really crawling with snakes? Was Dr.
Crawler trying to keep it from us? Maybe he just
didn't want us to get scared on our first day
of camp.
Dr. Crawler started talking about camp activi-
ties. I kept thinking about Roddy and how scared
he was. And I kept waiting for the hissing sound
to start up again.
"Our Cabin Wars begin next week," Dr.
Crawler said. He kept slapping the weird-shaped
rock as he talked. "It's cabin versus cabin. I will explain the point system later. 
But believe me.
People Cabin Wars get pretty intense. I mean,
it's take-no-prisoners around here!"
"Cottonmouth rules!" Kelly shouted.
Dr. Crawler laughed.
Kids started shouting out the names of their
cabins.
"I told you it gets intense!" Dr. Crawler
exclaimed. "And, of course, the big event- the
biggest competition-is the swim race across
Lake Hither."
saw Roddy shiver. And I knew he was think-
ing about Serpo, the enormous snake at the
bottom of the lake.
When the meeting broke up, I ran over to
Nathan. He and two other counselors were pulling candy bars out of a backpack and passing them to each other.

Nathan turned when he saw me "Sorry. You want candy
I don't want a candy bar" I said. "I have a work  left," he said. The other two counsoulers ate too wandered of chewing loudly.
 I question, Tell me the truth about the hissing"
Nathan shrugged. "Yeah, I heard it, too he
said "I think it was just the wind or something.
He called to the other counselors and went
The wind? Was Nathan totally clueless? Or
That night. just as I was getting used to the
Catch you later.
Funng after them.
was he hiding the truth from me?
py, hard mattress
.just as my eyes were
he hissing started up again.
ning, Roddy woke me up with a shrill
horror . "SNAKE!" he sereamed. "Ohhh,
SNAKE!
l was straight up in my top bunk
and sacked my head on the ceiling. Pain shot down
the e floor and glanced all around.
l couldn't see snake anywhere,
SNAKE Roddy screeched.
was he having a bad dream? I grabbed his
hand shook him . Kelly and Sid hurried
."Where is the snake."
In MY HEAD! Roddy cried...
Roddy's whole body shuddered and shook . He 
pointed frantically to his ear. It's inside me !"
I Grabbed his head and saw something green wiggling inside Roddy's ear.
  * End of Chapter *

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"The most traveled areas of Cinalia are fought over by the Savages, the scavengers, and the...rest of the animals that have survived. The Savages are resilient but seem to avoid the more frigid regions of the country. Most exhibit abnormal strength, speed, and healing abilities- clear advantages in the current climate. With Charles's current standing with the Savages, no group can step within Washington City without his say so. It gives us protection."

"The rest of Project 5S.Q are scattered among that group. They don't come back for scraps? No break-ins have occurred, no unusual deaths have been reported. Currently, it seems everything has been going swell until this radio broadcast popped up." Royal's laid-back position in her chair reveals close-fitting black jeans. She crosses her legs, the blank look on her face is disconcerting as her gaze moves from Mitchell to Adams and back. Adams appears to be transfixed by the data on his display screen. 'Or is that what I should believe?'

"The rest believe ExplorerTech to be a graveyard. Charles is loyal. We give him and his people supplies and continue to enhance him when needed. He has not given up our position in all of sixteen years, he can be trusted," Dr. Lee regains Royal's attention.

"But not the other?" Royal uncrosses her legs and pushes back on her chair to rise. She picks up her information packet and notepad.

The scientists remain silent.

"I'll need you to contact Mr. Williams and find out what he might know about Sia Chen. What's being muttered up and down the grapevine out there?" Royal pushes in her chair and leans against the backrest until the elbow rests collide with the side of the conference table. "Is there a reason you haven't requested an aerial retrieval?"

"The last air retrieval unit dispatched resulted in the death of several assets whose presence have been sorely missed," Dr. Adams timidly speaks up and glances at one of the empty chairs at the other end of the conference table.

"We won't be making a mistake like that this far into the operation," Dr. Lee adds.

Dr. Royal grabs hold of the cold metal doorknob, turns the curved handle downward, and yanks the door open. She aligns herself with the heavy door and leans back against it before looking back at her new colleague. 'Shall we?'

Dr. Lee sighs and examines each of his subordinates. The other doctors rise from their seats, but Dr. Lee shakes his head as he stands, "I'll take it from here."

Dr. Plum releases a loud sigh of relief as she collapses back in her chair, her coworkers exchange a glance while Dr. Lee exits the room with the new employee right on his heels. The moment the door shuts behind them, Dr. Royal begins speaking again. "How long until we renew contact with Shrell's Syndicate?"

The hallways are wide, and cement is the key element in the decor. The smooth cement walls are identical if one ignored the strip of color that bisects each wall, a clear indicator of which part of the underground facility a person is in. A number is engraved into the wall and highlighted in black beside each door they pass, and no sound emits from any of them, no matter how close you stand to the entrance. No keypads or locks are needed on this floor. The extensive security on the upper levels makes entering this floor without the proper clearance an impossibility.

"The agents have not shown up at any of the well-known outposts," He leads the consultant down an empty hallway without looking back to see if she is following, her steps are almost silent compared to his own, but her voice is loud and confident right behind his right shoulder.

"You said they were notified of our success in waking the subject and retrieving the information they needed?" She looks up at the back of his head as he navigates them through the halls. She doesn't pay any mind to which turns they take, this transfer was a long time coming and she'd had time to memorize the most important areas of their blueprints, especially the room they were approaching.

"Yes."

"I don't think this is the course we should be taking. How long before they arrive, and we have to display our findings to those freaks? They aren't blind, Doctor. They'll understand that we have nothing."

"It'll break. They all do."

"It hasn't. Its limits might be beyond our reach. The other subjects aren't sufficient comparisons for a creature of his stature. Evolutionary, its people have withstood events that we can only guess at. An Underling wouldn't expire under the same conditions as a human, why would it succumb to the same level of torture?"

"When was the last time you reviewed the subject's condition?" Dr. Lee stops walking and looks down at the notepad in her hand.

"Not as of yet, but I can't imagine it's much different from its comatose readings. It didn't exhibit many signs of life even after it was first transferred here."

Dr. Lee presses a button on the wall to call an elevator, "Well, our colleagues have definitely upped the ante. You are correct, nothing we could do to a human could ever elicit the same reaction from an Underling. They are superb creatures. We've had to exhaust our imaginations to find reactions from it. Some of the methods may seem unorthodox, but we've gotten positive results ever since it's awakened."

The elevator arrives and they descend three more floors down within the earth. The ride is silent between the two, but the silver cage creaks as it stops at the lowest level in the facility, the purple sector. After a final shutter, they exit the elevator, but cannot go on more than a step before Dr. Lee shoots out a hand to impede Dr. Royal's progress forward.

A group of scientists pass by holding folders and pushing a tray of syringes down the hallway followed by five assistants pushing wheelchairs the opposite direction toward the designated holding cell area. The subjects strapped into the wheelchairs are bound by magnetic cuffs around their ankles and wrists, muzzled, and always blindfolded. The test subjects are no concern for Dr. Royal, they aren't the reason she is here, and her eyes pass through their forms as if they are a few overgrown shrubs that need to be avoided before continuing down her path to the hallway on the left.

Finally, they approach an examination room with two identical doors beside one another. They choose the second and enter into a small dim room with two swivel chairs and a control panel lit up against a two-way mirror that provides a good view of the occupants and their prized subject. Dr. Royal promptly steps inside the room and ignores the chairs to stand in front of the two-way mirror. She has to stop herself from colliding nose first into the chilled glass. The remarkable creature inside appears to be convulsing against the chair as high-pressure hoses blast water into its scaled body. She can see a long dark appendage writhing along the tiled floor in a puddle of viscous, green fluid.

"Tell them to turn it off," she gestures at the control panel while she drinks in the incredible sight. 'A real, honest to god Underling right before my very eyes and these fools are going to drive it to an early grave. God, it's bigger than I thought.'

She barely notices the annoying noise that blares into the examination room before the hoses stop and the other scientists enter the back room.

"What exactly have you been--" She ignores the head scientist as he questions his subordinates. The back of her head itches with the interest one of the scientists pays to her as she tilts her head to the side to get a better look at the lower extremities of the creature.

"A consultant has told us the psychological significance of showing a victim their flesh after removal. Something about confirming reality. We don't know how important Underlings hold organic material that they can regenerate, but we have an opportunity to acquire that knowledge, no matter how irksome the process is. Anything that helps it from dissociation and locking away into its mind again," the scientist standing the closest to Dr. Lee has her brown hair gathered into a bun and is wearing tight fitting safety goggles.

"How long has it taken for those nubs to grow out of its abdomen?" Dr. Royal raises a hand to the glass, keeping her index finger pressed against it while turning to the three scientists.

"We're not sure. We'll have to review the video footage, but not as quickly as other specimens have exhibited in the past. Around ten days after the self-induced coma ended, we began to see outward signs of healing," the younger scientist is delighted to share his thoughts on the subject and untucks a folder from under his arm to open it. "The newly separated appendages will give us a better idea of how rapid this particular breed heals while under distress. None of our past specimens have had such a thick pseudo-metal casing to the back of the occipital lobe. It's definitely not --" he is gesturing to a diagram and chemical formula when the folder is snatched from his hands.

"Wasn't it made clear that neither of you are to touch the device?" the sheets within the folder jut out around Dr. Lee's large palm before he tosses it down on a chair and looks down his nose at the young man.

"Of course, sir. We kept our attention on other things but printed out information on the device to know what may negatively react with the compounds used to--" the female scientist tries to clarify the situation.

"Forward me all of your current findings. Send over word to transport, so it is moved to its original holding area. You're dismissed," the two scientists leave the room without protest.

Once again the head scientist is left alone with the consultant, and she wordlessly walks over to the thrown folder to look through the pages until she pulls out the diagram of the well-known, yet mysterious Underling device. "They still haven't been able to remove that device on the back of his head."

Dr. Lee's sigh is almost silent, he pressed his lips together until they are thin, pink lines on his pale face. Dr. Royal looks up from the diagram and he reluctantly begins, "We've lost the replicated version that was given to us by Shrell's syndicate during his transfer to our River City branch. Nothing could be retrieved from that, but if we can extract that piece of tech from its cranium...I think that might be one of the keys to getting back into Shrell's good graces. They've given us the key to enter the heavens, all we need to do is show them we aren't afraid to work for our reward."

His black eyes harden as he approaches the two-way mirror. Lasers fed through a diamond would be far less intense than the gaze the man focuses on the unmoving life form in the next room. "Isn't it overdue? They were the ones that cut off contact after the bombings. We've always made good on our side of the deal."

Dr. Royal turns her eyes away from the enigmatic smile that spreads over the wrinkled, sickly face of the head scientist. "They don't understand. We've been given a chance to redeem ourselves after all of our failings. The Underling is the key. Trust me."

She slips the diagram into her own folder and sets the research folder back down to the cushioned chair beside her leg. "I'm not the one you need to convince; the main branch is. That's why they sent me. When the review period is over, I will deliver all the intel to Halling and the Branch, who will send someone else along with their response."

She steps around the head scientist and doesn't wait for his reply before exiting the room. After turning down a different hallway, she abruptly stops at a corner and rests her back on the cool cement wall before releasing a deep sigh and blinking a few times. When she shuts her eyes, she can still see the creature's wounds oozing green fluid. The scientists' words ring once more in her mind. 'The key...hmm...that's a thought.'

After gathering her wits, she rolls her shoulders and resumes her journey to another part of the underground facility. 'Only 182 days to go.'

First three chapters of Book 1 free.
Edited BOOK 1 available for sale: 

drednal.com/buy

Price too steep? Well, I want to thank you all for your support, so look out for my free copies of book 1 at the end of special Book 2 chapters. 

Being transported 16 years into a dystopian future wasn’t included in the job description for the janitorial staff at ExplorerTech Industries, but that’s exactly what’s happened to Sia.

Her objective? Escape the country.

Priorities:

Outmaneuver animals with various mutations
Learn to control the unusual device that’s lodged inside of her head
Processing chances of survival:…..Error……

                         “I’m doomed.”

A Science Fantasy novel that takes the reader along on a rocky adventure through New Cinalia, where traveling alone always leads to disaster.

Public Perception is the first book in the Cleaning Up The Future Series.

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Website: drednal.com
Support:
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ko-fi.com/drednal

Discord group: https://discord.gg/zuURXjc
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Cover produced by Blique
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Edited by Mel

Marc memanah puluhan ular boa besar yang menyerangnya, ia terlihat kesulitan memanah dan menghindari ular yang terus berdatangan. Ular-ular itu berwarna hitam terbuat dari bayangan yang berusaha mengikat bayangannya. 

Ular-ular itu lemah, namun ketika berhasil mengikat bayangan sasarannya, mereka tak mampu menggerakan tubuhnya lagi. 

Hal itu ia ketahui setelah melihat tubuh Baltus, yang kini meregang kaku di tanah. Lanika memimpinnya menjauh dari tempat itu bukan karena takut, melainkan untuk menjebak mereka berdua. 

Mulut Baltus mulai mengeluarkan busa, awalnya hanya tubuhnya tidak bisa bergerak. Namun Lanika menghampirinya, membuka mulutnya dan menjulurkan lidahnya, lidah itu kemudian berubah menjadi leher cobra berwarna emas.

Menggigitnya berusaha membunuhnya dengan racun,"Cuih! Menjijikan, bau tubuhnya seperti babi!" Ujarnya sehabis menggigit leher Baltus.

"Kau kira aku lari karena aku takut pada kaliaan?!! Hahahah dasar bodoh!" Ujar sosok yang begitu sensual itu sambil menjulurkan lidahnya dan menghisap ibu jarinya, kemudian mengedipkan matanya pada Marc.

"Haha.. sekarang ia akan mati, waktumu hanya satu menit!! Huhuhu sungguh kasihan! Hauahauhahahaha!" Ia berpura-pura sedih dan kemudian tertawa liar seperti orang gila. Ekspresi cantiknya digantikan kegilaan dan ekspresi bengis.

Marc kewalahan, kebingungan dan lelah.

"Bagaimana ini?!" 

"Baltus..". Ia berucap pelan, mengepalkan tangannya

"Seharusnya kau tidak ikut, senior bodoh!!"

"Bila kau tidak berlagak sok-sokan hal ini tidak akan terjadi! Kurang ajar! Aku akan menghajar mu, tapi akan kulakukan setelah menghajar si jalang ini!" Aura tubuh Marc berganti, tumbuhan dan pepohonan bergoyang, seperti menari ketika kehadiran dan hawa keberadaan Marc berubah. 

Serpihan daun mulai berjatuhan mengelilinginya, disertai perubahan fisik yang begitu kentara. Wajahnya menjadi lebih tampan, lentiknya bulu mata dan alis berwarna hitam kehijauan terlihat, telinganya menjadi runcing. Kejadian itu terjadi di iring oleh munculnya petir yang menggelegar. Sungguh perpaduan yang begitu aneh. 

Twink!

Peri buku milik Marc muncul, bergelayutan di bahu Marc. Petir menyambar, membentuk empat gelang melayang yang dipenuhi listrik.

"Waktu perubahan maksimal dua menit puru-puru." Ujar peri buku yang biasa menemani Marc.

Figur asing tersingkap, ia terlihat seperti pria tampan berumur dua puluh tahun. Namun matanya tetap seperti sebelumnya, mata milik Marc. 

Lanika memandang sosok itu,"Hahahaha.. tampan! Tampan sekali, akan ku jadikan mainanku. Aku Belatrix Manace, sudah memutuskan kau akan menjadi mainanku! Hihihi Sudah lama aku tidak menjumpai bangsa Elf!"

Ia benar, tapi tidak sepenuhnya, sosok di hadapannya adalah sosok terlarang. Eksistensi yang asing bahkan di tengah-tengah para Elf, seorang elf dengan elemen ganda.

"Berisik!" Ujar Marc kemudian menghilang dari posisinya berdiri, ia seperti menghilang. Aura dan hawa keberadaannya seakan menyatu dengan alam. 

Tiba-tiba, sekelebat kilat memancar dari belakang sosok itu. Kilat biru bercampur hijau itu berubah menjadi sosok yang tengah menarik busur petir, tanpa anak panah terpasang di sana. 

Aksara tahen dan aksara bajra

￼

￼


[1] Tahen adalah kata sansekerta yang berarti batang atau pohon, kadang pula berarti derita. 

[2] Bajra adalah kata sansekerta yang berarti halilintar, petir atau guntur.

"Teknik terlarang, panah pohon dan petir!" Ucapnya singkat dan dingin. 

Kedua aksara itu kemudian melebur, meskipun petir adalah elemen yang berlawanan dengan pohon, di mana kedasyatan petir seringkali menyambar pepohonan tinggi dan membakarnya.

Tapi kedua elemen itu seakan melebur sempurna.

￼

[3] Tahjra sebuah kata gabungan dua kata sansekerta tahen yang berarti pohon dan bahjra yang berarti petir. Kedua kata itu membentuk arti pohon petir!

Sebuah pohon terbentuk dari akar hingga cabang-cabang yang kemudian terbakar dan berubah menjadi petir. Pohon itu bergemuruh, ribuan carang dan cabang melesat, seperti cahaya kilat menyambar sosok ahengkara bernama Belatrix itu. 

"Petir merenggut kehidupan, namun ia juga bisa memberikan kehidupan!" Ujar Marc, ia menarik busurnya lagi, kali ini petir yang membentuk gelang di tangan dan kakinya menyaka dan menyerap energi dari sekitar. 

"Teknik terlarang, aksara pohon dan petir, bentuk kedua!"

"Dari kematian, lahir kehidupan!" Marc berbisik, petir mengguntur dari langit seakan terpanggil membakar tubuh Marc. 

Seluruh hutan di penuhi kilat, Marc berpindah dari satu kilat ke kilat lain. Ia membidik Baltus,"Hei senior bodoh, tahan sedikit!" 

Dhuaaar!

Petir menyambar Baltus, seketika tubuhnya mengejang hingga seakan bangkit berdiri, namun matanya kosong dan terjatuh lagi.

"Uhukk! Uhuk! Phuakk!"

Awalnya ia jatuh telentang, namun kemudian batuk dan memuntahkan racun dan darah berwarna hitam, petir itu membersihkan racun di tubuhnya.

Ia di basuh oleh petir. 

"Lanika! Usir keluar makhluk jalang itu dari tubuhmu!! Cepat! Ini kesempatanmu satu-satunya." Marc masih dengan tubuh terbakar berujar, petir masih melilit tubuhnya. Hal itu disebabkan darah elf pepohonan yang terus memanggil petir akibat energi kehidupan yang terkandung dalam darahnya.

"Waktu perubahan tinggal 1 menit, menghitung mundur puru-puru!" Peri buku itu mengingatkan Marc lagi.

"59.."

"58.."

"Lanika!!"

"WAKE F*CKING UP!!" Umpat Marc dalam bahasa utara, teriakannya ia imbuhkan dengan jiha petie, sehingga menggelegar ke segala penjuru.

**

Figur kecil Lanika yang sesungguhnya masih tertidur di alam bawah sadarnya, seperti bayi di dalam kandungan ia mengapung-ngapung di alam bawah sadar yang seakan seperti lautan tanpa ujung dan dasar. 

"Lanika!" Suara terdengar, figur kecil itu bergetar. Jemarinya mulai bergerak, berusaha keras untuk bangun.

"Wake F*cking Up!" Teriakannya terdengar kembali.

Kini figur itu membuka mata sepenuhnya, ia kemudian menabrakkan diri ke cermin berisi Bellatrix yang tengah terbakar.

"Marc serang aku sekali lagi!" Lanika merebut paksa tubuhnya untuk sekejap saja. 

Tubuh yang sama kemudian berucap lagi,"Lanika kau jalang, aku akan membawa mu mati bersamaku Bellatrix!" 

Marc tanpa ragu melepaskan serangan pamungkasnya, serangan yang menyerap seluruh energi kehidupan pepohonan dalam radius dua puluh meter itu menembus kening Lanika. 

Roh Lanika seakan melonjak keluar, menyeret Bellatrix tepat di rambutnya.

"Kau mau mati bersama! Baiklah kita mati bersama!" Ia menarik roh itu keluar bersamaan dengan inti energi berwarna hitam yang keluar dari tubuh kosong itu. 

"Kau membuatku merasakan hal yang lebih sakit dari kematian di hari pertama kau mengambil alih tubuhku!" Lanika mengamuk dan menangis, semua penderitaannya selama ini seakan hendak mengalami pembebasan.

"Berhenti Lanika! Kau akan mati bila menyambutnya begitu!" Marc telah kembali ke wujud aslinya, ia berusaha mencegah Lanika, namun tubuhnya sedang mengalami efek samping perubahannya.

Keduanya menyambut petir itu bersamaan, Lanika menoleh ke arah Marc, ia menggeleng dan tersenyum sangat manis,"Terimakasih, katakan pada David, aku meminta maaf!" 

Marc tertegun, ia tidak pernah menyukai Lanika akibat sosok di dalam tubuhnya itu, namun ia mengerti betul seberapa David tergila-gila dengan gadis itu.

Marc mencoba meraih tangan Lanika, namun kedua roh itu hilang di balik cahaya yang begitu terang ketika petir itu menyentuh roh dan uma kegelapan itu.

Marc memalingkan wajahnya, cahaya itu menyakitkan mata. Namun ia tidak menyadari, sebuah benih melayang keluar dari botol kaca di baju Baltus, biji kering yang sebelumnya tak memiliki berat, dan tidak terlihat. Hanya Baltus dengan penciumannya yang mampu menemukannya.

Benih itu melayang, menyerap serpihan terakhir dari roh Lanika dan masuk ke tubuh Lanika menghilang bagai cahaya terserap ke dalamnya.

Ketika cahaya itu menghilang, Baltus tersadar kemudian mendekati Marc berusaha membantunya berdiri. 

"Apa kau bilang tadi, senior bodoh?!" Ujar Baltus tersenyum jahat.

"Akan ku balas!" Ujar Baltus, Marc menelan ludah. 

Keduanya kemudian bergulat, meski Baltus menahan diri karena seluruh tubuh Marc terbakar, dan mereka berdua tidak mengenakan pakaian. 

"Lepaskan aku, kau makhluk menjijikkan!" Marc mendorong kepala Baltus, ia merasa jijik karena tubuh telanjang mereka beradu begitu. 

"Shit! Shit!" Marc mengumpat dengan bahasa utara tanpa henti.

"Ayo cepat minta maaf!"

"Atau aku akan membekapmu hingga besok pagi!" Ujar Baltus 

Marc bergidik, hampir-hampir ia muntah.

"You f*cking shit!"

"Senior Baltus yang agung! Aku minta maaf! Aku sungguh minta maaf!" 

"Kau tidak bodoh! Aku yang bodoh, tolol dan buta!" Marc menahan tangis, seakan kehilangan harga diri dan keperjakaannya. 

"Lain kali jaga omongan mu atau aku akan melakukan yang lebih parah!" 

"Hahaha, akan kuceritakan pada semua orang tentang kemesraan kita ini!" Baltus mengedipkan mata dan berujar. Ia normal, hanya saja ia sadar tidak sekuat Marc dan menggunakan serangan psikologis pada Marc. 

Hal ini ia pelajari dari Hans, meski Hans mustahil melakukan itu. 

Baltus menguliti pohon besar dan menggunakan kulitnya untuk menutupi tubuhnya, ia kemudian memeriksa tubuh Lanika yang gosong, sebagian tulangnya bahkan menjadi arang.

Marc tersungkur, menggunakan kulit kayu sebagai pakaian. Ia melamun,"Apa yang akan aku ucapkan pada David, aku baru saja membunuh pacarnya!" 

Ia menempelkan kepalanya ke tanah, berdoa dan bersujud. Keduanya menguburkan tubuh yang setengah arang itu ke dalam tanah. Mereka tidak merasakan detak jantung sehingga mereka sepakat bawa Lanika sudah mati. 

Setelah cukup lama berdoa dan bersujud keduanya bangkit dan meninggalkan tempat itu, Marc beberapa kali menengok ke belakang. Penyesalan yang besar menyelubunginya.

Ini bukan kali pertamanya ia membunuh seseorang, tapi baru kali ini ia membunuh teman sendiri.

Ketika mereka tengah jauh, petir menyambar tanah itu, terserap ke dalam benih yang berada di Uma milik Lanika. 

Serat dan akar terbentuk dan energi kehidupan besar mengalir ke seluruh tubuh yang terbakar. Jaringan otot, daging dan bahkan tulang tebentuk kembali. 

Pepohonan mulai kekeringan, awalnya dalam radius sepuluh meter, kemudian menjadi dua puluh dan berhenti di radius seratus meter.

Pohon-pohon di tempat ini berukuran dari diameter satu meter hingga sepuluh meter, dan pohon-pohon raksasa itu mulai mengering dan mati akibat daya serap yang luar biasa.

**

Aksi Benaya memicu rantai reaksi, satu persatu para ex napi mempelajari cara menggunakan energinya. 

Di sisi lain, Benaya berusaha mengingat teknik yang Hans ajarkan. 

"Ayunkan dari bawah, kemudian berputar! Ah tidak salah!"

"Horahhh!" Gordon mengayunkan pedangnya, menggabungkan teknik kesatria biasa dengan aliran jiha.

Di sisi lain Abner dan Reinald terlihat lebih piawai, mereka menjadi ujung tombak pertahanan. 

Nerda justru kesulitan,"aaarraraa! Sulit-sulit!"

"Hei Nerda, tenangkan dirimu! Atur nafasmu, ketika engkau mengalirkannya kau harus tenang!" Ujar Georgio, ia membantu Nerda bertahan di sisi selatan sedang Abner dan Reinald di sisi utara. 

"Kita bisa melakukannya! Jangan menyerah! Hohoho aku tidak pernah merasa sekuat ini!" Ujar Theo sang pandai besi, mengayunkan palu besarnya seakan tengah menempa besi.

Ketika mereka mulai percaya diri, hal mengejutkan terjadi. Legion yang sebelumnya berada jauh di sana, seakan berpindah tempat. 

Sosok itu bertukar dengan roh lain yang tengah menyerang Nerda. 

Saat hal itu terjadi, dunia seakan runtuh. Setiap pasukan merasakan hati mereka menjadi dingin. 

**

Author's Notes
Maaf ya, saya sedang fokus test cpns untuk hari ini. Minggu depan akan mulai sesuai speed.

[15+ Rated Stories]

Sebuah kisah petualangan bocah yatim piatu, tak bisa membaca, diseleksia. Kesepian dan diremehkan, ia seolah sendirian melawan kebingungan. Satu-satunya peninggalan orang tuanya, yang mungkin menyimpan rahasia tentang keduanya adalah sebuah buku lusuh yang tidak bisa ia baca. 

Pertemuannya dengan para Magi,  pengguna aksara membawanya ke dunia yang bahkan tidak pernah terlintas dalam imajinasi terliarnya. Sebuah petualangan dan perjuangan di mana Aksara dan Doa mampu mengubah segalanya!

Sebuah cerita tentang sihir dan pertempuran kerajaan antara manusia dan iblis, antara manusia dan saudaranya!

"Aksara, sebuah goresan penghantar doa yang menggerakan semesta!"

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