Sunrise came. The five of us stood in front of the entrance to Kidang Alas. A thin mist covered the forest in front of us.
Senior Bagong then took out his map and gave instructions.
"We're focused on getting the Jade Moon Lotus.Keep the rhythm and don't let our formation break."
With full charisma, the senior gave instructions about the land, the types of monsters we would encounter, and checked the supplies and tools.
"Standard formation," said Senior Bagong. "Me and Karman are in front. Putri is in the middle. Tono and Bonar are in the back."
"Why do I have to be in the back with this little one?" Bonar grumbled.
"Because you're weak," Tono answered lightly.
"What did you say?!"
"That's enough!" Putri joined in. "Let's not waste time."
We entered the portal. We felt a familiar feeling. The world spun for a moment, and then we were inside Kidang Alas.
We slowly made our way forward until we were almost at the inner section.
"Stay alert," Senior Bagong said. "This zone is different from where you usually hunt."
We followed the map. But something was strange. Senior Bagong's path was slightly different from the one he had planned.
"Did you notice?" Tono whispered to me. "This isn't the usual route, right?"
"Maybe it's a shortcut like he said," I replied, feeling impatient.
"But..."
"Just trust Senior Bagong. He has more experience."
Tono nodded, doubtfully.
We kept walking. Every so often, I see small animals. There are giant squirrels, wild boars, and wolves. With incredible speed. It was too easy for five people.
---
It's midday. We stopped to rest.
"Fifteen minutes," said Senior Bagong. "Don't wander off."
Tono and Putri sat under a big tree. We're taking out our supplies.
Putri didn't say anything. But I saw her looking at me sometimes.
Bonar walked away from the scene.
"Where are you going?" Putri asked.
"To relieve myself. Do I have to report it?" Bonar answered quickly.
Senior Bagong also stood up.
"I'll check the outside of the building. Make sure everything is safe."
He disappeared among the trees.
"There's something strange here," I said.
"What?" Tono turned.
"The beasts. Why are there more than usual? They look restless."
"Maybe because we're in a deeper zone," Putri answered.
Maybe. But my instinct told me otherwise.
A moment later, Senior Bagong came back. He had a pouch in his hand.
"Everything's safe. Let's keep going."
We kept going.
But I couldn't ignore this feeling. Something wasn't right.
It was evening. We had gone even deeper.
Bonar suddenly stopped. His hand was holding his head.
"Bonar?" I went up to them.
His eyes were empty for a moment. It's like staring at something that isn't there.
"What's wrong with you?" Putri asked.
Bonar blinked. "It's nothing. Just a headache."
He looked at Senior Bagong.
Bagong nodded his head to show that he understood. It's almost like it's trying to tell us something.
I looked upset. But before I could ask, a rustling sound was heard.
"WATCH OUT!" shouted Senior Bagong.
Snakes. Many large snakes came out of the bushes.
Vipers!
"FORMATION!" Putri yelled.
We scattered right away. My first shot hit the head of an attacking Viper, destroying it.
But there were too many of them!
"Where did they come from?!" Tono started setting traps in a panic.
"Focus!" Putri cut three Vipers in half with one swing.
I used the stance from Elder Hartono. Moving, dodging, attacking. It's more efficient. But still...
Something was strange.
The Vipers... they seemed to be looking for something. They weren't just attacking. They were moving quickly in one direction.
Moving on to Senior Bagong.
SRASHHH!
A big Viper attacked Senior Bagong. Its tail slashed his waist.
Blood poured out.
"SENIOR!" I ran towards him.
"Don't!" Bagong, a senior, moved back, holding his injury. "I'm... fine. You focus on the Vipers!"
"But..."
"I said focus!"
Bagong, a senior, moved to the side. His face hurt.
Damn! If the Senior is seriously injured, who will lead us?
"Karman! Behind you!" Tono shouted.
I tried to dodge. But it was too late.
A giant Viper charged at me. Its fangs sank into my shoulder.
CRUNCH!
I felt pain. Blood spurted from the wound. The Viper surprised me. My body hit a tree. My ribs broke.
"KARMAN!" Tono ran towards me.
"DON'T COME CLOSE! MAINTAIN THE FORMATION!"
I got up. Regeneration worked. My bones knit back together.
But the Vipers didn't stop.
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
My arm tore. My stomach was cut open. My leg broke.
But I kept standing.
It kept regenerating.
He kept fighting.
In the corner of my eye, I saw Putri and Tono fighting desperately. Bonar... Bonar seemed to be protecting Putri. I'm not leaving.
And Senior Bagong...
Senior Bagong sat leaning against a tree. Holding his wound. But his eyes...
His eyes were observing. Very carefully.
There was a loud crash!
A huge Viper jumped at me from above. Its jaws are wide open, and it's biting my chest.
Its teeth pierced my ribs. My heart was almost pierced.
"KARMAN!!!" Tono screamed.
The Viper made me feel great. Then he slammed me to the ground.
BRAKKK!
My whole body was in pieces. I felt blood in my mouth. My vision started to get blurry.
I can't die here.
Sugeng... Sugeng is still waiting...
Regeneration worked. Faster. More intense.
My bones fused together. My flesh grew back.
I got up again.
But this time...
Everyone was watching.
Tono stopped moving. His mouth is wide open.
Putri took a step back. Her hand held the sword tightly.
Even Bonar looked shocked.
And Senior Bagong...
Senior Bagong looked at me with narrowed eyes. Paying close attention to every detail.
"K...Karman..." Tono's voice shook as he spoke. "W...what is that?"
I was standing in the middle of a puddle of my own blood. The wounds on my body healed. The flesh grew back. Bones made a loud clicking noise as they reconnected.
In just a few seconds, I was back to normal.
It's like he was never injured.
Silence.
We can only hear the hissing of the Vipers as they swarm around us.
"Karman..." Putri said quietly. "You... what are you really..."
I opened my mouth. I want to explain.
But he didn't say anything.
How could I explain something I didn't understand myself?
In the distance, they heard another Viper's roar.
The hunt was not over yet.