The World They Left Behind

Sana, exhausted, collapsed and fainted. Nico carried her toward the address written on the paper. They eventually arrived at a district where they encountered a burly guard. Nico handed him the paper.

"Please rest for a while," the guard said after escorting them into the district. "I will inform you of the next steps after I report this."

Nico could only nod, his exhaustion becoming more evident. "Thank you," he said again, even though he knew his gratitude might seem excessive. When the guard left, leaving him in silence, Nico sat on a wooden chair near the bed, wiping the sweat from his forehead. His eyes settled on Sana, who was still fast asleep.

The silence of the night crept in, interrupted only by the faint sound of water splashing outside the window. Nico tried to relax his body, but his mind kept wandering, trying to piece together the events that had brought them here. Who was that woman? What role did she play in all of this? The image of the mysterious figure, with her piercing gaze and enigmatic demeanor, lingered in his thoughts.

"I hope we can find out what happened to Arga soon," he murmured softly. His eyes shifted to the small piece of paper still clutched tightly in his hand. That small clue felt like a thread guiding him through a labyrinth of mysteries. But for now, Nico knew he had to wait—and hope that this was the beginning of the answers he sought.

This district looked like a living painting, with ornate decorations adorning every corner. Grand buildings stood firm, most of them dominated by elegant pavilions that seemed to await important guests. The atmosphere here was serene and majestic, giving the impression that this place could accommodate many people, like a small world combining beauty and order.

Exhausted, Nico chose to lie down on the floor, using a makeshift pillow. The silence surrounding him provided a rare sense of peace. Before his eyes closed, he reflected for a moment, letting his thoughts wander.

"This place is good enough to stay in. This city is newly built, offering many opportunities to meet others and perhaps even settle down. So far, there are no bandits or oppression. I wonder how they maintain order without a leader. Maybe I still don't know much about this new city, but Kashgar —it's a good name," he murmured softly, as if trying to envision a future he might build in this place.

Nico raised his hand, as if reaching for the ceiling, and with determination declared, "I will work and live well here. With this new life, I will be happy. I must fix the mistakes of my troubled youth in my previous life and start a new career, become someone successful. And after that, together with Arga and Sana, I will save Kirana in Soltera." A newfound confidence glimmered in his eyes, as if a spark of hope had ignited within him.

Not long after, his exhausted body finally succumbed to sleep. His eyes closed, and he drifted off into the quiet of the night.

Outside his room, the city was still under construction. Several districts had already taken shape, each with its own group. Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and various Southeast Asian communities were beginning to form here. Though still new, the city was already showcasing a rich cultural diversity. Yet despite the beauty of its buildings, the city was far from developed. There was no governing system, and life here felt hollow without clear rules—which was why earlier disputes had been left unresolved.

Everyone lived for themselves or their group, trying to survive in this land of opportunities. There were no official gatherings or forums for dreamers to come together and decide the city's future. While the people felt a sense of ownership over the city, a structured system had yet to emerge. And though everything seemed peaceful for now, an air of uncertainty loomed, a reminder that without a solid foundation, selfishness and individualism would eventually lead the city to ruin.

Arga awoke with heavy eyelids, his gaze fixed on the wooden ceiling illuminated by the morning light. The air in the room was warm and calm, wrapping him in a cocoon of comfort. His body still felt stiff, as though shackled by remnants of exhaustion, but the sharp pain from the previous night had significantly subsided. With slow breaths, he tried to piece together the scattered fragments of memory in his mind. But something diverted his attention: the soft sound of breathing from a corner of the room.

On the sofa near his bed, a woman was fast asleep. Her long hair cascaded gently over her shoulders, exuding an elegant aura like a princess from a fairytale. Yet her position was far from graceful. She was curled up, one hand raised above her head, her legs slightly bent, and her face turned toward the ceiling. Something about the oddity of her posture made Arga smile faintly.

"Her sleeping style is... unexpected," he thought, raising an eyebrow. He hadn't anticipated that this woman, who seemed so enchanting when awake, had such a human and ordinary side. Even so, her beauty still radiated, even in a pose far from perfect.

As Arga attempted to move his body, the creak of the bed broke the silence. The woman stirred awake. Her movements were a bit stiff, her eyes half-closed. She rubbed her face slowly, her hair in disarray, then let out an unintentional wide yawn. But as soon as she realized Arga was awake, she immediately straightened up and hurried to compose herself, though her hair remained tousled.

"Y-you're awake? Are you feeling better?" she asked in a half-firm tone as she approached. Her gaze was filled with concern, though it was clear she was avoiding direct eye contact.

Arga nodded slowly. "Yes, I feel much better now. But what about my friends? Are they safe?"

The woman let out a small scoff, then crossed her arms with an air of pride. "Of course they're safe. Who do you think I am? They're resting in another room."