Silent Circle: The Vow of an Heir

Chapter 13: Love and Chaos

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, waking Darian. He slowly opened his eyes, seeing Dr. Anita asleep beside him, her black hair spread across the pillow.

The atmosphere was still warm and comfortable, but there was a silence different from the night before. Both of them realised that their intimate moment had come to an end, and they had to return to their respective lives.

No words were spoken, but an unspoken understanding lingered between them. They got up, got ready, and parted without drama or sadness.

The fresh morning air felt cool on Darian’s skin as he stepped out of Anita’s apartment. Dr. Anita stood in the doorway, offering him a faint smile. "Drive safely," she said softly.

Darian nodded, returning Anita’s smile. Javaris City began to pulse with life, the honking of cars and the hustle of people starting their day filling the air.

The night before felt like a dream, a brief pause from the harshness of his reality.

Darian took a deep breath, pushing the remnants of the previous night’s memories away. He had to focus on his goal, on his fight to survive in this city. His steps quickened, syncing with the rhythm of a city that never slept.

A few days later, Darian returned to his usual life. Dr. Anita also went back to her routine as a doctor, handling her patients with professionalism and empathy. They occasionally met but only exchanged brief and friendly greetings.

The intimate moment they shared in Dr. Anita's apartment remained a beautiful, unforgettable memory. But it was just a moment, a brief episode in their long journey. There were no regrets, no unfulfilled hopes. Just a memory they would always hold in their hearts.

After leaving Dr. Anita's apartment, Darian intended to find a cheap place to stay. He remembered Mbok Darmi, the friendly and kind-hearted soto vendor whom he had helped the previous night. He decided to ask her about boarding houses in the area.

With steady steps, Darian made his way to Mbok Darmi’s soto stall. But upon arriving, the sight before him shocked him.

Mbok Darmi’s stall was in disarray. Goods were scattered on the floor, spilt and damaged. Mbok Darmi sat in a chair, crying as she tried to gather her things. Seeing the situation, Darian immediately approached her.

“Mbok Darmi, what happened?” Darian asked, his voice filled with concern.

Mbok Darmi lifted her face, her eyes swollen and red.

“Oh, Mas Darian... The thugs came back,” she said, her voice trembling. “They ruined my stall, destroyed all my goods…”

Darian furrowed his brow, anger starting to rise within him. “They asked about you, Mas Darian,” Mbok Darmi continued, her voice softer. “They said they would come back if you don’t show up…”

Darian clenched his fists. He hadn’t expected the thugs to return after he had fought them off earlier. He looked at the destroyed soto stall, then at Mbok Darmi, who was crying.

A mixture of sympathy and anger surged inside him. He had to do something. He wouldn’t let these thugs continue to act recklessly.

Darian looked at the wrecked Soto stall. The wooden tables that were usually neatly arranged were now overturned, their legs broken.

Plastic chairs were scattered on the floor, some of them cracked. The soto broth was spilt everywhere, mixing with rice and side dishes scattered around. The aroma of soto, usually so inviting, now blended with the smell of destruction and chaos.

Plastic wrapping from the soto was scattered about, some torn and their contents spilt. Jars containing spice ingredients were shattered, and their contents spilt across the floor, creating a sad sight.

Darian helped Mbok Darmi clean up the debris of her stall. He lifted broken tables, wiped up the spilt soto broth, and gathered whatever goods could be salvaged.

While working, he asked Mbok Darmi, “Mbok, do you know where the thugs’ hideout is? Where can I find them?”

Mbok Darmi shook her head, her face still filled with sorrow. “Don’t, Mas Darian… It’s dangerous. They’re very dangerous thugs…” She tried to stop him, worried about his safety.

But Darian remained determined. Anger and resolve burned inside him. He wouldn’t let these thugs get away with this.

“Mbok, I have to stop them. They can’t keep doing this. Please, Mbok Darmi, tell me where I can find them,” Darian said, his voice firm.

He looked into Mbok Darmi’s eyes, showing his unwavering determination. Seeing Darian’s unshakable resolve, Mbok Darmi finally relented. Reluctantly, she gave him a clue about the location of the thugs’ hideout.

After receiving the information from Mbok Darmi, Darian headed straight to the thugs’ hideout. The location she mentioned was an old warehouse on the outskirts of the city.

The warehouse looked dark and eerie, with a creaky wooden door and broken windows. The surrounding area was quiet and unsettling.

Darian entered the warehouse cautiously. Inside, he found several thugs sitting around, playing cards and drinking alcohol.

They seemed surprised by his arrival. One of the thugs, who appeared to be their leader, stood up and stared at Darian with a challenging look.

“YOU AGAIN? You’ve got some nerve coming here!” the thug leader shouted, pulling out a folding knife.

The other thugs also stood up, drawing their weapons. They looked ready to attack. However, Darian merely smiled coldly.

He showed no sign of fear. With swift and precise movements, Darian immediately attacked. His body moved like a shadow, easily dodging the thugs' attacks.

His fists landed accurately on the faces of the thugs, knocking them down one by one to the floor. The fight was short and easy for Darian. His combat skills, honed over many years and further refined during his training in space with Kai and the aliens, allowed him to defeat the thugs quickly and efficiently. His movements were so fast and precise, like lightning striking.

The thugs didn’t even have time to retaliate. Within minutes, all the thugs were lying on the ground, injured and helpless.

Some of them were unconscious due to the powerful and accurate punches Darian delivered. Darian stood in the middle of the warehouse, calm and unshaken.

He had proven his strength, and he had stopped the thugs. The intense training aboard the alien ship had significantly improved his fighting abilities, making him far stronger and faster than before.

After defeating the thugs, Darian approached their leader, not to interrogate him immediately but to gather more information.

He realised that the thug leader was just a pawn in a bigger game. Calmly, Darian interrogated the thug leader. He didn’t use violence but instead relied on his intelligence and hypnotic skills.

“Tell me,” Darian began, his voice calm but firm, “who sent you to do this? Who’s above you?”

The thug leader, still trembling in fear, told him about their organisation. He explained about the "Collectors," who gathered money from them and reported to the "Area Controller."

He mentioned the name of their Area Controller, a man known as "Buaya." Buaya was the one who instructed them to destroy Mbok Darmi’s stall and intimidate Darian.