The Request

The next morning, at precisely six o'clock, Rangga's peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted by the shrill ring of his mobile phone.

His enhanced senses, far more acute than an average human's, jolted him awake instantly. Blinking the sleep from his eyes, he glanced at the screen and saw the familiar name: "Mom."

With a slight frown of curiosity, he answered the call, his voice gentle and respectful. "Hey, Mom. Everything okay?"

"Hey, sweetie, are you up?" His mother's calm and soothing voice came from the other end.

"Yeah, just now. What's up?"

"Nothing much, I just wanted to know how you're doing and if there's anything you want to tell me. Any problems?"

Rangga hesitated, taken aback by his mother's question.

He hadn't told her the full extent of what had happened after the Dome appeared in Sintang.

She only knew that he had lost his job because the mining company had shut down, but she believed he was safe and sound.

"Uh, what can I say… everything's been fine so far, Mom," Rangga replied, his tone evasive.

"If there's no problem, I heard you can't work anymore. How about you come back to Jogja before looking for another job? Don't you miss your mother?"

Hearing his mother's heartfelt plea, Rangga felt a pang of guilt.

He couldn't keep lying to her.

Taking a deep breath, he confessed, "Mom… I accidentally entered the Dome and survived. Now I'm in Jakarta to take the physical test to become a Dome Ranger."

There was a brief silence on the other end, but his mother didn't react with the panic or distress he had expected.

Instead, her voice remained calm, even a bit knowing. "So you're in Jakarta now?"

"Yes, Mom," Rangga affirmed.

"Rangga, listen to me carefully. Whatever happens, you must face it with calm. I trust you completely."

"However, there's something I need you to do. Don't ask why, believe it's for your good. Understand?"

Rangga's heart pounded. "Why, Mom? Okay, fine," he replied, puzzled but willing to trust her.

"I know now you have powers, use them to protect yourself. If you're in a dangerous situation do not hesitate to do whatever you can. But from now on, try not to stand out okay?"

"Yes, Mom. I understand."

"Good. I trust you."

"Okay, Mom," Rangga said, ending the call.

Rangga leaned back, his mind racing.

The unanswered questions swirled in his mind, leaving him more determined yet wary of the path ahead.

After the conversation ended, Sora's voice chimed in, summarizing Rangga's mother's instructions.

"Sir, your mother requests that you stay inconspicuous and don't show your full strength during the tests or training."

Rangga blinked, momentarily startled.

He had forgotten that Sora was always active, always listening.

It was like having an ever-present companion, leaving him with little sense of privacy.

"Right, you heard everything," Rangga muttered, half-amused, half-exasperated.

"Yes sir," Sora replied in its calm, mechanical tone.

Rangga glanced at his phone and saw a new message from Sita.

He opened the chat and read her instructions for the day.

"Good morning! For today's schedule, you need to adjust to your new strength.

Start with a 10 km run, followed by 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and 100 pull-ups as a warm-up. After that, you can proceed with weight training.

The gym next to the dorm is fully equipped, and there's a special trainer available to guide you through your workout.

Don't worry, they'll be there to help."

Rangga smiled at Sita's thoroughness.

The message continued, "I'll pick you up at 13:00 for lunch outside the Dome. We'll discuss your physical test preparations then."

Rangga replied, "Thank you, and see you then!"

Rangga doing all the schedules thoroughly without leaving anything behind.

---

At 13:00, Rangga stood by the Dome's gates.

A sleek white Mercedes pulled up before him with a beautiful woman open the side window.

Sita, radiant in a beige jumpsuit, flashed him a warm smile from the driver's seat, her beauty captivating him for a moment.

Rangga climbed into the car, the scent of her perfume lingering in the air as they drove away from the Dome.

In the opulent ambiance of a towering restaurant, Rangga and Sita engaged in an intense discussion about the imminent physical test, a mere two days away.

While Rangga delved into the details on his tablet, Sora silently absorbed and analyzed the information to better assist him.

Leaning forward, Sita delivered the crucial information.

"Listen up. There will be a total of eight participants, including Song Hae In, a potential Red Class candidate, along with two Blues and five Greens.

The test will take place within the Jakarta Dome portal—an artificial forest track filled with obstacles in the form of miniature monsters."

Her gaze bore into Rangga's, emphasizing the seriousness of the challenge.

"You'll be racing over a 10-kilometer stretch, and it's strictly individual—no assistance, just you versus the course, but there are low-tier monsters along the way.

Securing your place in the training program hinges on completing this race. Speed is key—the faster you finish, the better your chances.

Those with the highest scores will have a significant advantage during training."

Pausing for effect, Sita added, "Various weapons will be available. You'll need to choose wisely."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Rangga and Sita's conversation continued well into the evening.

Their exchange of words, filled with anticipation and nervous energy, carried them through the day until dusk descended upon the city.

Finally, as the clock struck the hour of parting, Sita escorted Rangga back to the gates of the dome.

Returning to his quarters, Rangga sank onto his bed, the weight of the day's events settling heavily upon him.

Despite the simplicity of their conversation, the mere presence of Sita had stirred something within him—a fleeting sense of joy and connection that he never felt before.

Gazing up at the ceiling, illuminated by the soft glow of LED lights, Rangga's mind drifted into a melancholic reverie.

His heart felt heavy with the weight of uncertainty and anticipation, mingled with a bittersweet longing for something he couldn't quite name.

As he lay alone in the dimly lit room, the emptiness seemed to engulf him once more, leaving him to grapple with his thoughts and fears in the solitude of the night.

---

In a towering skyscraper several kilometers from the Jakarta Dome, on the top floor in the executive suite, Alex sat in an ornate armchair facing a middle-aged woman of 65.

Despite her age, she exuded a timeless beauty, her features still retaining the elegance of youth, with only strands of silver adding a touch of maturity to her flawless appearance.

Alex, tense yet composed, leaned forward as he began his report. "Ma'am, he managed to activate the blue jade weapon."

A moment of silence hung between them, the woman's features softening imperceptibly. "And the red jade?" she inquired, her voice barely a whisper.

"Not yet, ma'am," Alex replied, a note of relief creeping into his tone.

The woman's lips curved into a subtle smile. "Then it's okay," she murmured, more to herself than to Alex. Then, with a decisive nod, she turned her attention back to him.

"You will assume the role of director of cadet training. Do what needs to be done."

Alex's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly regained his composure. "Understood, ma'am," he responded, his voice steady with determination.

As the weight of her words settled over the room, the scene froze in a silent acknowledgment of the gravity of their exchange.

--end chapter--