Brian and Riana returned Rahman's notebook, then fell silent, realizing that to leave the village, they had to find something only mentioned in the legend.
"So, after reading that story, you understand, right? We need those two heirlooms to get out," Rahman asked.
"That legend isn't necessarily true, is it?" Brian asked.
"It usually is, but you see (pointing to the head on the wall with his thumb) that if creatures like that exist, then it's highly likely the legend is true," Rahman said.
"First, where are we now? The human world or the spirit world?" Brian asked.
"We are in between, exactly at the border between the human world and the spirit world, on a line said to be as thin as paper," Rahman replied.
"Alright then, so this is Mist Village, right? Then where should we look for that heirloom?" Riana asked.
"I don't know," Rahman replied.
"Huh?" Brian and Riana asked.
"I know the gate, but I don't know where the two heirlooms are. I suspect the two heirlooms are in the hands of those creatures," Rahman replied.
"Why do you assume that, big brother?" Riana asked.
"Okay, let's put it this way. How did you two get here? For me, it's clear: I climbed the mountain, got lost, and was caught by them. But you two didn't. One of them invited you here, right?" Rahman replied.
Brian and Riana flinched. They immediately looked at each other, then turned back to Rahman.
"That's right, Vincent brought us here," Brian said.
"See? That person named Vincent, he's one of them," Rahman replied.
"Huh, but we saw him dead then," Riana said.
"Dead? Is that what you think?" Rahman asked.
"He wasn't breathing, his heart wasn't beating, and his body was cold and stiff when he was lying there," Brian replied.
"Hahahaha... they don't breathe. Their hearts have been dead for a long time, and their bodies are cold. The only way to kill them is to burn their bodies after separating their heads, like that," Rahman said, again pointing to the head behind him with his thumb.
"I-is that so?" Brian asked.
"Yes, no doubt about it. You were all brought here by him alone. He can go back and forth to the human world, and he's dangerous. For the past 10 years, I've been wondering, so many young adults like yourselves come here and voluntarily become residents. When I ask them, they indeed intended to commit suicide from the beginning and joined some forum, what was it called? Sal... Sal something," Rahman replied.
"Salvation," Riana said.
"Yes, that's right. In other words, that creature has learned about technology. Back when I was still outside, there was no internet, and frankly, I'm very curious about something called the internet because I've only just heard of it," Rahman replied.
"What year have you been here, brother?" Riana asked.
"I've been stuck here since 1973. At that time, I was 22 years old, and I'm still 22. In the human world, I'd already be your grandfather," Rahman replied.
"Oh, no wonder you don't know the internet," Brian said.
"That's why that creature named Vincent is dangerous," Rahman replied.
Brian and Riana were silent. They truly questioned their decision when they joined the forum, but everything had already happened, and now the important thing for them was to leave this village.
"Okay then, I've decided, brother. I'll help you get out of here. We'll get out together," Brian said, standing up and extending his hand.
"Okay, another ally for me," Rahman replied, standing and shaking Brian's hand.
"Besides you, how many other people are there?" Riana asked.
"There's one more person, and that Japanese man," Rahman replied.
"Huh?" Riana asked.
"Don't worry about it. Now, let's divide tasks. I'll find a way to get to that city through the tunnel, and you two recruit people from the village who are aware, like us," Rahman said.
"So we go back to the village?" Brian asked.
"But... what if I suddenly get pregnant, Bri?" Riana asked.
"Ahahaha... don't worry. I've checked, you're safe. Why? Because he's damaged," Rahman said, pointing to Brian.
"Huh? What do you mean, brother?" Brian asked.
"I mean you're sterile," Rahman replied.
"Don't just say I'm sterile. What's your basis?" Brian asked.
"Basis? You two have been here for a month and doing it every day, but your wife isn't pregnant. That means you're sterile. Just so you two know, here, if you do it just three times, you're guaranteed to get pregnant. See the thin purple mist above, right? Well, that mist can stimulate desire and make pregnancy easier," Rahman said, pointing upwards.
Brian and Riana looked up. It turned out Rahman was right; there was a thin purple mist swirling in and out of the hut through a gap.
"That mist is in every house, no exception here, but once you're unaffected, the mist disappears from your house," Rahman said.
"So, Brother Rahman, is it the same for you?" Riana asked.
"Oh, I'm different. I damaged myself until I no longer have any lust," Rahman replied.
"How?" Brian asked.
"We are immortal. Just cut off your testicles. They won't grow back because our immortality isn't designed to heal damaged reproductive organs. You'll feel pain for a short while, then it'll heal instantly. Easy, right? Sexual desire will disappear forever. That's why the mist doesn't disappear; I have no desire, so the mist is curious. Just let it be, I like the smell of incense," Rahman replied.
"Don't you dare try it," Riana said, grabbing Brian's arm.
"No way, who would even try it? Oh, wait, what did you say earlier, brother? Reproductive organs? Does that include the womb?" Brian asked.
"Of course, the womb is a vital organ for having children, right?" Rahman replied.
Brian immediately turned to look at Riana next to him. Riana thought for a moment and then immediately looked at Brian.
"Nadia is safe," both said simultaneously.
"Nadia?" Rahman asked.
"A friend who came here with us. She must be with Irwan, and if Nadia is safe, then Irwan is safe too," Riana replied.
"How do you know?" Rahman asked.
"Before we left, we all had to tell what happened to us that made us want to commit suicide. Nadia said her uterus was damaged, which is why she decided to take drugs," Brian replied.
"Hmm, okay, so two more people. Good. Now, you two go back to the village and find them. Explain everything to them, then we'll discuss again," Rahman said.
"Alright, brother. We'll be going now," Brian said, standing up.
"Okay, you know where to find me. Just come straight here. This hut is our secret base," Rahman said, standing.
After shaking hands, Brian and Riana left the hut then returned to the village. After that, they continued searching for Irwan and Nadia in the village until a month later, Brian finally found them both because they had just woken up.
******
"So, that's how it is. Earlier, I saw you two in the food line. Felix and Lusi were behind you, so I immediately pulled you two away and disguised myself because I didn't want them to see us. I just asked about whether you two had done that yet, because I wanted to know your answer before Riana and I told our story," Brian said.
"I see, so we are livestock for them, and Vincent is one of them who can go back and forth to our world. And it's possible that the two heirlooms in the legend are with him," Irwan said.
"That's right. For now, we'll stay here. Brother Rahman also wants to find a way to sneak into the tunnel so we can go back to the city and find Vincent. Yesterday, I met him, and he told me to hold on for a week in the village," Brian replied.
Suddenly, Nadia immediately hugged Irwan next to her, startling Irwan. Nadia looked cheerful.
"Nad?" Irwan asked, confused.
"Good thing we're both broken, huh, Wan? So we're always sober. I don't want to be here," Nadia replied.
"Huh... both of you?" Brian and Riana asked.
"Haha, it's a long story," Irwan replied.
Finally, at Nadia's insistence, Irwan told what had happened to him. Brian stood up and led Irwan outside.
"Hey, Wan, can you still get up or you know what I mean ?" Brian whispered.
"If you mean physically connected, sure I can. What I can't do is to have kids, and my libido isn't as strong as kids our age," Irwan replied.
"Okay, in that case, no problem, let's go in," Brian replied.
"Wait, you took me out just to ask that?" Irwan asked.
"Oh, one more thing. From now on, you and Nadia will stay with Riana and me at my house. It's safe here, no purple mist," Brian replied.
"Okay, I agree. It's better to be together," Irwan replied.