September 2013. Bakti Jaya High School, Cakra Manggala City.
Arya immediately rose from the floor, straightening his white-and-gray uniform. His movements were swift, devoid of the confusion an 18-year-old should possess.
Maya: (Her eyes wide, confused by Arya's change) "You're really weird, Arya. Why are you smiling? You fell really hard just now!"
Arya turned. His eyes, which had seen the hell of the future, now stared at Maya with an intensity that stripped away all teenage cheerfulness.
Arya: "Listen to me, Maya. We don't have time. Now, listen and answer, don't ask questions. Has your Dad been anxious lately about the Warehouse where he works?"
Maya flinched at the cold, dominating tone in Arya's voice. This wasn't the usual daydreaming Arya Satria.
Maya: "Yes... Dad has been anxious these past few days. He said some strange people came asking about Block C. That's the most secluded warehouse."
Arya: "Thugs? Do they have weird dragon tattoos?"
Arya's pointed question made Maya freeze.
Maya: (Whispering, afraid) "Dad said they 'smelled of oil and had strange tattoos.' How do you know, Arya? Who are they?"
Arya: "They are the Black Dragon (Naga Hitam). They are real, and they are after something in that warehouse. Listen carefully. It wasn't an electrical short circuit accident. They burned down the warehouse to cover their tracks."
Maya shook her head, her face pale. Maya: "That can't be! The police report said—"
Arya: "The police lied. They are already compromised by the Black Dragon. You have to believe me, Maya. I know this is crazy, but it's for your life. From now on, you are my shadow. Never leave my side at school. Never go to the old industrial area. Do you promise?"
Maya: (Swallowing hard, seeing the steely resolve in Arya's eyes) "I... I promise. But... what should we do? We are just high school kids!"
Arya: "I'm not anymore. And I know where to look for information."
Arya checked the wall clock. 10:30 AM. He had until three in the afternoon. He had to find Dion immediately.
Arya: "Stay here. I'm going to the restroom for a bit."
Arya rushed out. Once in the corridor, he moved quickly toward his locker. He retrieved his old phone—a primitive smartphone that felt ancient in the hands of a man accustomed to future technology.
He immediately looked up an old contact: 'Dion the Racer'.
He made the call. Dion's voice was noisy, coming from a workshop on the other end.
Dion: "Hello, who is this? Unknown number!"
Arya: (His voice low, cutting straight to the point) "It's Arya. Arya Satria. I need your help, Dion. About the Black Dragon."
Part 2: Contacting the Underworld
Arya stood in a quiet corner of the school corridor, pressing his old phone to his ear. On the other end, Dion, the former leader of his teenage motorcycle gang, was startled by Arya's cold, dominant voice.
Dion: (Skeptical laugh) "Arya the bookworm? Did you dial the wrong number? Do you want to ask for a Physics formula? I don't have time."
Arya: "I'm serious, Dion. This is about the Black Dragon. I know they are already operating on the outskirts of Cakra Manggala City."
Dion's laughter instantly vanished, replaced by tense silence.
Dion: (Cautiously) "You know? You shouldn't know. And why do you care? That's not our business. They aren't the Night Parade. They are killers, Ary. We don't want to get involved."
Arya: "I have to get involved. They've started bothering people important to me. And I need to know where their headquarters is. Their operation details. Everything."
Dion: "You're crazy. Do you still remember who you are? You're the Arya who runs when there's trouble! Why should I risk my neck for you?"
Arya realized he had to shatter the 'loser' image of the past and use his knowledge as leverage.
Arya: (His voice lowered, filled with chilling certainty) "I know you're in big trouble, Dion. Your new motorcycle is cool, but the imported spare parts are choking you. You're in debt to several workshops, aren't you? You need a much cheaper source."
Dion was silent for a long time on the other end. The information was too specific, too accurate to be a guess.
Dion: "How do you know about my debt?"
Arya: "I know a lot of things that are going to happen, Dion. Things you don't know. I know that in three months, you will be totally bankrupt because of that spare parts debt. But I know one dealer in North Cakra Manggala who can give you a 50% cheaper price. An official dealer, not stolen goods."
Dion took a sharp breath. The offer was an impossible lifesaver.
Dion: "You... you scare me, Ary. Okay. Deal. I'll trade my underworld information for your dealer information. Now, what do you need?"
Arya: "Two things. First, where their meeting place is in the industrial area. And second, if they are using an informant in our school."
Dion: (Sighing, giving in) "Their meeting place is a dilapidated nightclub. It's called 'Blue Facility' (Sarana Biru). It's close to Old Warehouse K-7. They often gather there. And about the school kid... yes, there is one. Only heard the name Beni. A quiet kid in the class next door. Word is his family has a huge debt to them. He was ordered to look for something in that warehouse."
Arya's eyes narrowed. Blue Facility nightclub. Old Warehouse K-7. Beni.
Arya: "Thank you, Dion. I'll give you the dealer information after you confirm their next meeting time. I'll contact you."
Arya ended the call. He had obtained three crucial puzzle pieces.
He returned to class, his gaze immediately falling on Beni, who sat alone at his desk, looking pale and uneasy. Arya knew he had to approach Beni before the Black Dragon ruined the kid and messed up his plan.
Part 3: Tracking the Informant and the Blacklist Threat
The remaining class hours felt long to Arya. He looked at Beni's desk, the quiet boy from the next class, who looked increasingly pale and anxious. When the school bell rang, Arya immediately moved.
Maya: "Arya, wait! You said we'd go home together?"
Arya: "Wait for me at the gate. I need to talk to someone briefly." Arya walked away without waiting for Maya's answer.
Arya intercepted Beni in the corridor, which was starting to empty.
Arya: (His voice low and menacing) "Beni. We need to talk."
Beni jumped in surprise. He tried to avoid him, his bag nearly slipping. Beni: "A-Arya? What is it? I have to hurry."
Arya: "You can't run from the Black Dragon, Beni. And you can't run from me."
Beni froze. He looked at Arya with frightened eyes. Beni: "I don't know what you're talking about."
Arya: "Don't lie. I know your family has a big debt. I know you were told to look for 'archives' at Old Warehouse K-7. You are their spy at school."
Beni's face turned ash white. He realized Arya knew everything. Beni: (Trembling) "Please don't tell anyone! They will hurt my Mom!"
Arya: "They will hurt you if you keep obeying them. Listen. I'm not your enemy. I can help you, but you have to be honest. What archive are they looking for?"
Beni looked down, finally surrendering to fear and pressure. Beni: (Sobbing) "I... I don't know the official name. My Dad said it was a 'Blacklist'. A list of old secret clients from an import-export company. It used to be stored in Block C. If that list falls into the Black Dragon's hands, they will control all illegal trade routes in Cakra Manggala."
Arya processed the information quickly. The Blacklist. That had to be the reason Maya and her father were killed.
Arya: "And the Black Dragon believes Maya's father hid it after the company went bankrupt?"
Beni: "Yes! Maya's father was the former manager. He was the only one who knew all the warehouse secrets. My Dad took over temporarily... The Black Dragon burned Block D to destroy evidence after they failed to find the list!"
The pieces clicked together: The arson was a cover-up operation, not just an accident. Maya died because her father refused to hand over the documents, or because she knew too much.
Arya: (Taking a breath, his resolve hardening) "Good. You are done with them, Beni. I will take care of the rest."
Arya took out a small piece of paper he had prepared: the address of the cheap dealer he had promised Dion.
Arya: "Take this. Use it to pay off your debt, or at least buy some time. But one condition: Never talk about the warehouse again. Keep yourself out of trouble."
Beni accepted the paper with trembling hands, looking at Arya as if seeing a guardian angel and a devil at the same time.
Arya turned and walked toward the gate, where Maya was waiting. His plan was clear: he had to get the Blacklist before the Black Dragon, and he had to infiltrate their lair, the Blue Facility.