Chapter 05 "Juiller World part 2"

In a small and moist room with low light, I sat on a hard wooden chair. The length of its four legs was unequal. My body repeatedly shook when I wanted to change position. The feeling of unease and fear enveloped my heart. Not because of the frightening aura of assorted weapons on display throughout the walls or the creak of rodents above the ceiling that could fall at any time. However, due to the presence of a big man sitting behind the desk in front of me.

Both his hands were on the table. As if deliberately showed off perfect muscles that formed over the shoulder until the arms. The singlet he wore made the sexy impression though he was already in the late fifties. His mustache and beard were the most abundant sources of this intimidation. It would make anyone who saw will give respect to him. Of course. Because he was Grussel, the group leader of hunters named Dark Night in this city. The existence of the hunter group was a secret. Just a bit of people knew about it. While for most people, Grussel was respected as a former warlord of the kingdom.

His eyes looked at me quietly, yet deadly. If the gaze could kill someone, maybe I'd died a hundred times because of it.

He slowly raised both hands to prop up his chin. "Earlier, Igresti told this to me. But I'd like to hear directly from you. Anggi..." His voice was heavy, and there was little emphasis tone when he called my name. "Was it true that you screwed up at the hunting last night?"

I immediately cast a glance at Igresti, who sat beside Grussel. That man stared at me cynically. A sly smile knotted on his lips, obviously directed at me.

"That bastard! Looks like he has a personal grudge against me. If so, he should resolve by facing me. Not to knock me down on Boss' face like this!" I cursed inside my heart.

Grussel cleared his throat. Demanding an answer that came from my mouth. Damn! I was a dead man. Igresti indeed has a big mouth. I was sure he added another 'spicy seasoning' to his story that told to the boss. But it couldn't be denied if the crux of the problem was purely my fault.

Sweat poured from my forehead drop by drop. Because of Grussel's big intimidation, the fear enveloped me. My mouth couldn't speak a word. My eyes were not able to look at him. Only keep waiting 'till the time was over. Until finally, Dimas, who had since been standing on the side, touched my shoulder. Giving a glimmer of warmth to get rid of the confusion in my heart. His eyes looked at me softly. A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Boss! I know it's Anggi's mistake. Exactly what was said by Igresti. I have to admit if that is indeed a stupid mistake. But could you forgive her?" Dimas said in a firm voice. Even not consumed by crazy intimidation of Grussel.

Grussel glanced at the man who opposed him. "Do you ... wanna be a hero for her? Do you think it would solve everything?"

"Of course not. But please reconsider, thinking we hadn't been in this town too long. It's definitely there are a lot of things we don't know. So, I beg your wisdom!"

"Do you know? I hate failure."

The muscular old man was obviously upset. He stood up from the rickety chair. Knocking sound echoing in this narrow room when he walked over. His eyes were grim. As ready to punch anyone in his way. Grussel stopped right in front of Dimas.

He looked at the young and handsome man standing before him from top to bottom. Afterward, he smiled wryly.

"You're probably right. I knew the feeling of being in an unfamiliar place. When I was a new soldier, I engaged with a platoon to infiltrate the Green Continent." When his voice was muffled, he continued to amble around us.

"The forest was very different from what I knew. Trees walked like humans. Tendrils of the trees danced as in the party. I swear, it's the weirdest place I've ever seen. As a result, not many of us survived. It doesn't matter how many enemies, how tough they are, what weapons they have. When facing the enemy, information is the primary weapon. So remember this if you want to be a real warrior." Grussel put his hand on Dimas's shoulder.  "You have to know the ins and outs of your enemies before conquering them. I hope this will be a lesson to you."

"Aye, sir!" Said Dimas respectfully. While I agreed without saying a word, as smiled at him.

"But ...."

Grussel then looked around. A moment later, he grabbed my face with his hands. His large palm allowed that old man grabbed my face entirely. The power that he gave was unsparing. If he had strengthened his grip to maximum, my head might have been shattered.

I groaned in pain. "Please, boss! Didn't you forgive me?"

"When did I say I would forgive you?"

"But your last words..."

I suddenly fell silent. My ears were still functioning as well. Even better than the people who were here. Everything sounds clear. If I recalled, not even one word from his mouth that he would forgive me. Looked like I was fooled by his last sentence and expressions. Grussel also said it with a low tone. So I thought he'd forgiven my actions.

If so, did it mean he still wanted to punish me? Oh shit! The bastard old man didn't keep his hands off away from my face despite being restrained by Dimas. He looked earnestly wanted to smash me. Damn! My struggle was meaningless. Our strength comparison was too high. My kicks and blows might just tickle him like a small child's. My breathing was so tight. Then I closed my eyes.

A moment later, my breath was back to normal. Grussel's palm had kept off from my face.

"Well, this time I forgive you," said Grussel. "But failure is a failure. I have to keep punishing Anggie somehow."

"Punishment?" Said Dimas with a stunning face.

"Yes!" The old man replied firmly. "The next hunt held next week. Until then, you're free to beg, steal, kill, or joining a brothel to sell your body. To make it simple, I don't wanna see your face for a week. Because of it ... fuck off out of here!!"

***

"Aw..!"

I cringed when a new fabric just plunged into cold water, pressing my face. That old bastard man's grip left a scar on my cheek. Not too severe, but quite painful. Fortunately, the pain was reduced at this time.

"Wait, I'll get the ointment!"

Kak Shella immediately rushed to the medicine storage closet near the entrance. Because the room was quite large, she took a while to get there from my bed in the room corner. Through the empty spacing between dozens of beds which aligned in two rows. Made every her steps echoing in this silent place. She opened the glass door, her hands expertly explored the rack containing medicines. It didn't take long. Her finger stopped on a small dark yellow bottle, it seemed that it was the previously mentioned ointment.

The girl then went back to my side. Pouring a little ointment on her hands, then smeared it over the wound bruise. It felt cool. The pain seemed to disappear instantly. Compared with the previous wet cloth, this fluid was more convenient and efficient.

"What is this drug made of?" I asked, my curiosity overcame.

"From the purple grass and wild salmon bones. How does it feel? It's great, isn't it? "

"Yes, it also feels very soft."

Kak Shella showed a glimmer of a thin smile. Then brought the ointment back into the drug shelves. She looked like a very reliable pharmacist. Graceful, gentle, always smiled and had a lot of good traits to others. When those things packed up made her appeal increasing. Even Dimas, who sat on the bed with me, was fascinated just looked at her. His eyes stared intently at that girl's back.

"Anggi," said Kak Shella, turned around in a snap. It was surprising, so Dimas immediately turned away.

"Yes?"

"Did you say need somewhere to stay for a week, right? Why don't you stay here?"

"That's my main purpose here."

Suddenly Dimas kicked my foot. "Shameless bastard!" He swore. Then snorted right in front of my nose.

"Ah, but you'd better ask for permission from Aunt Saantya!" I changed the style of my talk became more polite.

"I'm pretty sure she would allow it," said Kak Shella. Just when she would sit at the bed in front of us, suddenly she remembered something. "Ah, I forgot! Now it is my turn."

"What's turn?"

"Preparing dinner." She got up and hurried toward the exit. "Excuse me for a minute!"

"Wait!" I shouted. Kak Shella stopped. Turned around and cast a confused glance. Just before she asked me to convey what I meant. "What if Dimas helps you? It was our fault visiting you uninvited. So let us, ah no, let him help your duty."

"Wait a minute! Why should I?" Protested Dimas, his face seemed grouchy.

"Come on! Your cooking is delicious. Help Kak Shella! After all, you're just bugging me here! What about if my pain is getting worse?" I said, pushed him strongly.

We stared at each other for a while. Then Dimas sighed. The man immediately got up and moved toward the exit while I waved at them. In the last moments, before they disappeared entirely into the front hall, I caught a glimpse smile on Dimas's face.

I was also smiling. Imagining him got lovesick when alone with a girl who he was dearly loved. Dimas told me before that he began to like Kak Shella after becoming a pharmacist here. He also said that Kak Shella looked more elegant and charming. But I understood his feelings. Indeed Kak Shella was so lovely lately. So I thought it might be better to give Dimas a chance to get closer with the number one popular girl in my old school. I counted it as a return to him, who always helped me all the time.

Feeling bored in the treatment room, I walked out into the hallway. Fearing of medicinal smell infiltrates into the fibers of the clothes I wore. I stepped my feet on the carpet, which doused by moonlight in the open corridor. It felt fresh. The breezy wind blew on my face, tickling my neck. Then it almost flipped up my hood, which covered my head. But quickly, I hold it with my hands. I would definitely look like a protagonist who made her debut on the drama stage if I could just let free my long hair blown by the wind.

Then I strolled in the corridor.

The building was quite large and old. Although only two months ago was restored and repainted, the spooky and eerie impression still cling. It didn't seem fitting when used as a clinic. Aunt Saantya that I said before, was the owner and chairman of the Association of Doctors in Glafelden Town. When I said 'the doctor,' it was not a person who cured patients with advanced medical devices and chemical drugs. But 'the doctor' here treated the patient with medicinal herbs or some other traditional methods. So you're not going to find Paracetamol or Decongestant here. Moreover, This was another world.

I leaned on the railing and looked up. Seeing the night sky filled with dark blue and purple color, greenish shimmer space dust belt like Aurora. Clusters of stars that looked like the river bends and a massive star that illuminated the city. Rubiel, or can be called "Land of Heaven," Or so the inhabitants of this world called it. The Rubiel radiance was similar to the moon from my past world. Only a dozen times larger in size. The combination of all, it was a sight that eased my eyes.

Observing the night sky has been a new favorite thing since I got here. Earlier in my world, the sky like this one couldn't be found anywhere. So, I never got tired of looking at it no matter how many times I did.

But ... this sky really gave the impression of another world. The world that could be called 'Juiller.' I felt so bad for some reason. I remembered the first time coming into this world. If recalled, it would be pretty funny. I was a man before, now turned into a woman. Besides, a Haier-Elvian, was a very rare race in this world. Then I met the boss and his gang.

The last thing I never thought was ... I joined them! Ah ... of course, it was Grussel who invited me.

Nevertheless, I still wondered. What made me accept the offer?

Come to think of hunters as they were no different than thieves or robbers. Due not only hunting in other's territory but also doing dirty work, which avoided many people. I was sure everyone would agree with that. I accepted the offering at that time because maybe I wanted to do different things from my usual. Moreover, it could be used as the negotiations to accommodate my friends and me while finding a way back.

I sighed after a pensive moment.

Suddenly I remembered my goal that had begun to fade. In the past, I was eager to return to the homeworld. Not only me but other friends as well. During that time, we were searching for some information. The result was zero. No books or historical notes wrote about a parallel world. Here, that theory was totally unreal. We would be marked crazy when we said we came from another world. Therefore, we agreed to keep this a secret.

At first, we still believed we would come back again one day. However, with time, we began to forget the original purpose. Our anxiety and fear disappear little by little. Of course, because residents of this town were friendly enough and willing to receive us. Until one year had passed. Most of us even started to consider this world as a home.

For example, Kak Shella. She was the most frightened when we couldn't go back. She was worried about a lot of things. But as you could see, she seemed to be happy to stay here. Serving many patients with a genuine smile and cheerful. It was as if she and this city had been assembled for a long time, likewise with me. I'd yielded. Trying to make this world my home from this moment onwards.

"Hey, Anggi! Dinner is almost ready. Come to the dining room soon!" Dimas shouted from down the hall. I nodded as a response.

The man disappeared down the hall. At the same time, I walked into the dining room. Because I wanted to fill my stomach immediately. But a moment later, my eyes saw a glimmer of light in the side yard. It was near the outer fence. Hidden by weeds. The dazzling golden color looked very familiar.

Reminding me of a mysterious object from the river in the past.

"Maybe it's a ...!!"