A Way Out or a Dead End?

There were no windows, not even a small hole, except for the keyhole. The room was filled with gray, and the walls seemed to breathe, so the person inside didn't feel stuffy.

Mahendra sighed for a moment, then approached the girl who was fast asleep there. He just wanted to check her condition, his palm touching her forehead.

"Not hot. Her temperature is normal. Is she still okay? I've never seen her sweat before. This girl is so strange, what race is she actually from?"
He thought the girl was still sound asleep, but it turned out she was half-awake and wrapped her arms around Mahendra's.

"Oh my... this girl." Mahendra was surprised but had no idea what to do, standing there with his arm held.

It was difficult to remove the girl's hand, which looked small but was surprisingly strong. Mahendra just gave up and sat on the floor, letting his arm be a pillow for her.

***

The day had changed, but the atmosphere still felt the same. Only the sound of shouts from people outside the room could be heard, doing who knows what. This included the sound of the tavern owner waking him up by banging on the door.

"Morning! The Mysterious Young Master! Wake up, don't be a sleeping prince anymore!"

"Tsk!" He clicked his tongue in annoyance, then got up from the floor and walked toward the door that had now been opened from the outside. The mark from her embrace last night had made his arm red. However, it was easily covered by the cloak he was wearing.

"Hey, since it's morning, I'll show you the canteen so you can trade those crystals for food."

He took him to a canteen located quite a distance away. A path that curved inward was the only way to the cafeteria. The path was quite wide. Its half-round shape was like a tunnel, and the voices of people echoed. It looked a little scary.

"Ugh... I feel nauseous," Mahendra grumbled.

"Nauseous? Were you seasick or something?"

"Don't talk so much. Just close your mouth."

The effort to pry into Mahendra's identity was still being made by this person, and it was very clear that several people were secretly following them for a reason. Mahendra just pretended not to know and tried to be cautious.

Two fruits could be exchanged for one blood crystal, while one portion of food or a large cup of water could be exchanged for two blood crystals. Mahendra had 5 blood crystals in his hand now, and he decided to trade all of them for two apples and two glasses of water.

"In a abandoned land, where would there be water? There must be a way out of this city."

"Wow, that's all?"

"I can only trade for this."

"Oh, you're right."

Without wasting any more time, Mahendra rushed back to his room and saw that the girl had apparently woken up. She was still sitting on the edge of the bed. Mahendra quickly approached and sat on the floor facing her, giving her the apples and water.

"Eat and drink this. Don't get dehydrated, or you'll be a hassle for me."

The girl smiled and nodded her head happily. She ate the fruit very heartily and finished the water in one big gulp. It was truly extraordinary. It completely surprised Mahendra.

"Turns out she can still get hungry." Mahendra smiled faintly, relieved because the girl now seemed like a normal human.

"By the way, I don't know your name, and you've never spoken. Are you mute? Ah, never mind. I don't expect you to answer."

The gaze from her beautiful, gem-like golden eyes was truly lovely. She seemed curious about what Mahendra had said before. However, Mahendra himself didn't know how to communicate with this girl. She had never spoken a single word.

"Haha." The girl laughed.

"Ha... you only know how to laugh." Mahendra sighed, shaking his head.

Seeing the bed was still spacious, Mahendra, without hesitation, sat right beside her. He felt so accustomed to the girl's presence that he didn't feel awkward at all.

"I've been thinking about it since yesterday. Maybe I should call you 'Ningsih.' How does that sound?"

Hearing the name, the girl nodded her head repeatedly with enthusiasm. She seemed to like the name given to her.

"Actually, that name is my younger sister's name. I purposely want to call you that because I don't want to forget her again," Mahendra said with a furrowed brow.

She was his only beloved, cherished, and missed younger sister. Ningsih, just like her name, had a gentle and loving character. A sister who always obeyed her brother and especially her parents. She was a very kind and humble little girl, but because of her character, Ningsih was easily deceived by many people.

Remembering those small hands holding her big brother's, Mahendra held the hand of the golden-eyed girl while smiling faintly. He stroked the back of her smooth hand very slowly and carefully, as if the girl's hand were fragile, easy to break.

"I don't know how we met in the forest, but I still owe you a debt of gratitude that I must repay. You saved my life and helped control the ancient spell. Just with food and a few things, this isn't enough to pay such a great debt."

Triggering a strong curiosity, she opened her hood and saw the man's expression, which in a split second changed to one full of warmth with a friendly smile.

Mahendra patted her head gently and said, "That's why from now on your name is... Ningsih." He treated her exactly the same as his sister, Ningsih.

***

As a result of his first victory yesterday, several people from different races came to Mahendra. He was challenged to fight again, risking his life in the arena. Mahendra, who felt reluctant, naturally refused, as his main goal in coming here was to meet the ancestor who had been discussed. However, the people were more stubborn than he expected. They dragged Mahendra and forced him to fight.

The tavern owner, who was with his two vampire servants, held back a laugh as he watched Mahendra being forced to fight several times.

"Now he won't have time to meet the ancestor," the tavern owner said with satisfaction.

He was the one who planned this so that Mahendra would be permanently stuck in the Northwest city without being able to find a way out. However, his plan did not go smoothly because the dozens of fights Mahendra had were over quickly.

"Master, he's very efficient. He can incapacitate his opponent with just that dagger."

"I know, but why can't anyone match that Dark Elf!" The tavern owner growled angrily, hitting the back of his chair.

In the end, Mahendra was brought to the city's ancestor. He was very old and frail with gray hair and a beard. He sat lost in thought, holding a staff with his eyes closed for a moment before Mahendra arrived.

"You... a newcomer?"

"That's right. Now there's nothing that can stop us from meeting, including that yokel," Mahendra said firmly.

"I won't beat around the bush. I came to see you because I want to find a way out. You must know that," he added openly.

For a moment, the situation was silent. The old man in front of him now seemed to be deep in thought, which was evident from the way he gripped his staff tightly.

"Alright. The Northwest city is indeed isolated from the outside world, but there is still a way out. Although the people who leave will die in the end."

"Everyone will die according to their destiny."

"No. That's not it." He denied in a weak voice. 

"What I mean is... a sinner who leaves this city will die instantly."

The man's brow furrowed even more. He felt this conversation was a waste of time.

"What do you mean? I don't understand and I'm not a sinner."

"It's up to you what you think, young man. Leave if you can, I won't stop you," the ancestor said, then laughed as if to mock him.