The streets of Parahyangan city remained as busy as usual. Motorcycles and cars jostled each other, unwilling to yield. Even under the scorching sun, the struggle showed no signs of a winner.
I tried to contact Luk again, but there was no response. Honestly, I was torn... should I look for Boss or continue the investigation? Even though Luk was annoying, I was still worried about him; I was afraid he was in trouble again.
My reverie was broken by a notification sound. A new message from Luk's number. I hurriedly opened the message.
"Prabu, I'm going to be really busy, so I can't go home today. I can only come home tomorrow. Keep up with your work, okay, and keep an eye on the suitcase."
If Luk had sent a message, it meant he was fine. I could breathe a sigh of relief. Luk was an A-rank among the Yaksa. His survival skills were beyond doubt. If he said he would come home, then he would definitely return.
I made up my mind. I would continue to finish my work.
My destination this time was the oldest and largest mall in Parahyangan. Its location wasn't too far from where I was at the moment. I only needed to walk through two intersections, and I would arrive.
'GESHA PLAZA'
Those two words were boldly displayed at the top of the fourth floor of this shopping center. Day or night, anyone could see its name clearly.
Gesha Plaza itself was built in 1995. That meant it was over two decades old. Luk once told me to always be careful when entering old buildings. This was because old buildings always attracted astral beings like demons and spirits.
As a precaution, I recited a self-protection mantra. Mantra number 1 from the book of spells.
~...
I swear in the name of Him
who holds my soul
There is no doubt in fate
over my life and death
~...
For the next hour, I would be protected from various types of magical attacks. Unfortunately, this protection wasn't a shield that could deflect anything absolutely. This mantra still had limitations, but it was still better than nothing at all.
As I passed through the mall's entrance, I was immediately greeted by the crowd. From the first floor to the fourth floor, it was packed with people. However, my attention was immediately diverted by two staff members wearing monkey-motif masks.
They were both distributing rare animal keychains to visitors. One of the staff members then approached me and gave me a goat-motif keychain.
"Welcome to Gesha Mall. Please, have this souvenir!" he said.
"Thanks," I said.
He and his colleague then went elsewhere.
Shortly after, the keychain in my hand showed a strange sign. Suddenly, it felt cold in my grip. Even though the material was made of plastic.
I observed it closely; apparently, there was a super thin atma energy radiating from this keychain. No wonder I didn't notice it at first.
Luk once told me that there are only three types of objects that contain atma energy; artifacts, heirloom weapons, and... magic media (knots).
Artifacts and heirloom weapons are very difficult to make. It's even impossible to distribute them to ordinary civilians. That would violate the Yaksa rules. So, the most likely possibility is...
"Magic media..." I said softly.
I usually ignored matters outside my duties. Supernatural cases that were not the business of the SuSo Agency would be handled by Ashatara. However, this time was different.
My hunch told me, I would find something related to Poppy's illness.
Immediately, I followed the two staff members. Although I almost lost track of them, I could still find them. I decided to observe from a distance.
During the surveillance, I didn't find any strange behavior. They were still distributing souvenirs as usual. But that didn't change the fact that they were spreading magic media to civilians.
Eventually, they made a new move by heading to the elevator. I hurriedly approached the elevator door that had just closed. On the control panel, the destination floor of the two staff members was written: LB (lower basement).
I used another elevator to go down. Once I got to the LB, it didn't take long for me to find them. Hiding behind a van, I peeked around. I found them talking to a man in a suit.
My breath hitched and my eyes widened in shock when I realized who the man was. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The scar on his right eye and the corner of his lip. Who else but Aji Mokasa, the most dangerous man in Java.
I swallowed hard.
Aji Mokasa should have been imprisoned in Kembang Nusa, a prison specifically for Yaksa criminals. The prison had the strictest security, complete with a brutal natural environment. So, it was almost impossible for a criminal like him to escape safely.
The situation became complicated.
Initially, I wanted to immediately intercept the target to extract information. However, with Aji Mokasa present, I had to abandon that intention. So, I decided to retreat quietly.
Before I could move, a cold object touched the back of my head. Instantly, my heart pounded.
"Don't move or your head will explode!" threatened the mugger. His baritone voice echoed in my ear.
Another unexpected factor: the fourth person.
"Stand up!" he ordered. I obeyed without turning around.
He then told me to walk towards his accomplices.
The psychopath saw me, a thin smile stretched across his pale lips.
"Look! Brothers! We have a guest. A guest I've been wanting to greet the most while in prison. How are you, Damaged Child?" Aji sneered.
I chose to remain silent. There was no point in answering this psychopath's question. Also, I didn't like the term 'Damaged Child' that was pinned on me.
"The last time we met in prison, your face was still soft, kid. But now, your face is clouded. How does it feel to be free?" Aji said as he stood up.
"So... where's your boss Luk? Don't tell me he just sent you here?" Aji continued. In his hand was now a black dagger. A second later, its number doubled.
Ten daggers floated in the air. All their sharp ends pointed at me.
Every Yaksa is born with two abilities. [1] The potential to control atma energy; and [2] innate mantras. Unlike numbered mantras, innate mantras are unique and almost impossible to replicate by other Yaksa.
That's what I was witnessing now. Aji Mokasa was activating his innate mantra. I had never witnessed it directly, but Luk had told me about it.
"Aji Mokasa's innate mantra is very simple, just black daggers, but its potential is what makes it difficult. He's far beyond the word powerful. Luckily he's in prison now hahaha!"
I was in a tight spot. Threatened from behind, and targeted from the front.
"Four against one. Aren't you ashamed?" I said to throw bait.
"Unfortunately... NOPE!" Aji said as he launched dozens of his daggers. The mugger moved away to avoid being hit by his master's attack.
Damn! I would die before knowing their purpose in spreading magic media. Well, I guess my role ends here. I'll leave the rest to my 'real' self. A second later, dozens of daggers pierced this body until my consciousness faded.
...
I jerked awake from meditation. The connection between me and the clone was severed in a painful way. Cold sweat drenched my forehead and neck. The terrifying sensation of being repeatedly stabbed was carried over from the clone's body.
Mischief resulting in luck. Those were the only words to describe the current situation. Before entering the Mall I switched places with the clone while the real me stayed in a book cafe. Just a stone's throw from Gesha Mall.
I hurriedly called Luk's number, but there was no answer. Then I called another number, the number of Boss's trusted person.
"Hello? Miss Moel? It's me Prabu... there's an emergency at Gesha Mall... and I met Aji Mokasa there."