Chapter 1 — Meteor Punch
Year 923 in the Sun Calendar (West Coast of Givnu Island — Samuh Kingdom)
The war between the Kingdom of Gulm and the Government of Rule had just ended, and many countries and people were still trying to recover. Because of this, many bandits and unscrupulous hunters were roaming around, trying to grab whatever they could — food, gold, jewelry, and every kaudi they could find.
Kaudi — a currency used throughout this world — comes in many elements: gold, silver, bronze, iron, and even stone.
At the port on the west coast of Givnu Island, three people were talking and arguing — one girl and two men. Several wooden boxes filled with goods were stacked beside them, ready to be delivered. One of the men was reading from a paper and explaining something to the girl, while the other stood nearby, quietly watching them.
"So, do I need to pay a tax for having a pet now?" asked a girl in a normal green T-shirt and blue short pants.
"Yes. The Kingdom of Samuh might go to war with the Government again, and like last time, there can be unknown bandits or runaway soldiers who come to attack and loot us. So these hunters are here to protect us. Right now they're short on funds, so, like always, they make a new law for taxes. Now they want a tax on travel pets, based on how much they weigh. You need to pay tax according to your pet's weight," said Karnol, an aged man in knight armor.
"What, Karnol? I need to pay based on how much she weighs?" Mira looked toward a seventeen-foot whale swimming in the ocean. "But we're already paying multiple taxes for safety and security! We even give food and drinks for all their parties from my sister's restaurant!" she snapped, stomping her feet.
"Yes, Mira, you're right. So, from now on, you don't need to pay any other tax — only the pet tax," said a man in a formal black suit and pants, glancing at the orange-haired girl. "And as for food and drinks, we'll start paying for that from next week. How about it? I don't have time to chit-chat. I've told you all the details. Now I'm going. I hope next time I don't need to come here again." He turned and left.
"I'll be going too. I still have to inform the others about the new taxes and try to convince them that if these hunters leave, who will protect us from bandits and monsters? You also need to find the association office and register — that way, you won't need to pay the tax," Karnol said before walking away.
Watching the old knight's back, Mira sighed. He always tried to help everyone in the village live better. She turned toward her giant travel pet. "Timini, I wish I could make you small and pay zero tax, but what can I do? I just hope I can find that association office soon so I can earn money at least."
Timminy trumpeted twice — "Timi, timi!" — then dove toward the open ocean.
"Hey, where are you going?" she shouted. "Playing again? How much do you want to play? Try not to go too far! We have to return home tonight!" She sighed and began checking her supplies and goods.
"Hey, are you done?" asked a young man in a blue T-shirt and short pants. He ran toward her. "Now I can deliver these. Let me check… Good, all food products are here. Now I can go and deliver them," he said with a smile.
"Yes, and if you have extra, you can give it to us," said two men in brown T-shirts and long green pants as they approached. "We're a little short on food supplies, so you can loan those goods to us, right?" the first man asked.
Mira's face turned red; she clenched her fists and glared at them.
"Of course she'll help us. We're their saviors, aren't we? She'll help us as she can," the second man said, laughing.
"No, we won't help you. These are all Madam D'Souza's supplies. If you want them, ask her. We can't give them," Mira replied sharply, knowing they didn't have the courage to confront Madam D'Souza themselves.
"What? You know we can take it for helping you. Or are you trying to meddle in hunters' work?"
"No, we're not," said Arun, the boy beside her, trying to smooth things over. "Mira, let them take it. We can tell Madam D everything. She'll understand."
Just then, Timminy trumpeted loudly from the ocean. She was swimming at high speed — and on her back sat a man, cross-legged, in a black sleeveless T-shirt and short pants, sleeping soundly.
Timminy stopped abruptly before crashing on land, but the man flew off and tumbled onto the Land.
"Ouch, ouch! Did we reach land?" he asked, standing up.
"Who are you?" Mira asked. "And why are you with Timini?"
"Oh, I'm Vibho," he replied. "She helped me when I was drowning. She said her friend could tell me where I actually am."
"You don't know where you are?" Mira asked, surprised.
"Me and my brothers were traveling when a tornado separated us. I need to find them, but I lost my Vad Stick, so I can't contact them. Do you have one?" he asked with a smile.
"'Vad Stick'? What's that?" Mira asked — but before he could answer, the first hunter shouted angrily, "Hey, are you ignoring us?"
"No, we're not ignoring you," Arun said nervously, trembling.
Seeing him, Mira glared at the hunters. "Yes, we're ignoring you! And we're not giving you any goods — so leave!"
"What? You know we can take them as tax for protecting you! You can just cut the money from your other taxes. How about it?" the second man said with a grin.
Arun turned toward Mira. "I think we should let them take it… or we might get in trouble. Madam D will understand — but they won't."
"But Arun, they already changed the tax laws this morning! Why are they still taking my supplies?" she snapped.
"You can't take taxes," said Vibho, sitting casually on the ground. "Only officials can."
"Why can't we? We're protecting them from bandits and soldiers!" the first man growled.
"Unofficial hunters can't take extra tax or money for any job. Don't you know that?" Vibho said, staring at them like they were fools.
"But we are official hunters!" the second man blurted.
"Then where are your badges?" Vibho asked suspiciously.
"Our boss has them!" the first man said quickly.
"Yeah — Boss keeps them. We're just his subordinates," the second added.
"Is that so? All right then!" Vibho laughed loudly. (Yes — he was a bit lacking in brains, but his brothers usually cleaned up his messes.)
"So, can we take the supplies now?" one of them asked.
"No, you can't. Only those with badges are allowed to collect them," Vibho replied with a grin. "You can just send your boss instead."
Mira narrowed her eyes, sensing danger. "Are you even real hunters?" she asked, then turned to Vibho. "Is there something that proves it?"
"Yeah. You can check their Unofficial Pass. Every hunter — official or not — has one."
The hunters froze. They glanced at each other, nodded — and suddenly drew short swords, swinging straight at Vibho's neck and stomach.
"Hey, why are you attacking me?" Vibho shouted, ducking aside.
"I knew it! You're frauds trying to take our money in the name of hunters, aren't you?" Mira yelled, fury in her eyes. "You people take advantage of us and demand whatever you want!"
"It's you who won't let us collect taxes!" both men shouted in unison. "If you just don't meddle — "
"Meteor Punch!"
A heavy blast of wind burst out as his punch connected. Both men were sent flying, crashing several meters away into the Land. Dust scattered in all directions, and the ground shook faintly under the force.
Both men were sent flying by Vibho's powerful blow.
Vibho turned and saw Arun crying in fear. Mira was on the verge of tears but stood firm.
"Can you take me to their boss?" Vibho asked.
"They're robbing you — and even asking for tax after being paid is wrong. Looks like he doesn't know the hunters' law. Looks like I need to teach him about it," Vibho added.
"Yes, but… they're very dangerous. You can't defeat them all alone."
"You can trust me. I'm strong," Vibho said, smiling confidently.
"Okay… but please let me deliver the goods first," Mira said softly.
"Okay, I'll wait — "
A sharp flash — a flying sword sliced across Vibho's arm.
"Ha ha ha ha! So you're the one disturbing my plans!" a mocking voice echoed.
A tall man — bare-chested, wearing only green pants, and wielding two swords — stepped forward. At least six feet tall, his muscles gleamed in the sunlight. Eight more men in brown T-shirts and green pants followed behind him.
Arun and Mira trembled in terror. Arun was already crying. Mira, voice shaking, whispered, "He's their boss — Dulga."
"Hey, Dulga, I need to loot this village tonight. Kill them all quickly — I don't have time," said the man in the black coat from earlier.
"What? You want to rob us?" Mira shouted, her voice trembling with fury. Her hands clenched, her body shaking — she was furious, sad, and on the verge of tears, but still holding them back.