Modern-day Lampung

  Mount Tanggamus, Lampung

  An old hut stood on the edge of the river.

  A mysterious woman was standing there.

  Her body carried the fragrant scent of jasmine flowers.

  In front of her, a young man knelt on the ground. His face was battered beyond recognition, as if he had been hit by a train.

  Three bumps rose on his forehead.

  His left cheek was bruised blue.

  His left eye was swollen, slightly sunken inward.

  Blood flowed from his lips.

  He coughed softly.

  Mysterious Woman: "You're lucky to have met me, Tarno."

  Tarno: "Indeed, Madam…"

  Madam: "You're badly beaten."

  Tarno: "I was defeated by Nagini in Chapter Two."

  Madam: "Hmm… Nagini is indeed a formidable warrior."

  Tarno: "Forgive me, Madam. I don't wish to expin how Nagini defeated me."

  Madam: "Then?"

  Tarno: "I want to talk about Eryjat's cunning, Madam."

  Madam: "Hmm."

  Tarno: "Eryjat didn't continue Nagini's story. He stopped at Chapter Forty-One."

  Madam: "I've heard he's revising Nagini for Patreon."

  Tarno: "That's the author's trickery, Madam."

  Madam: "What do you mean?"

  Tarno: "Eryjat intentionally finished the story on Patreon first instead of the ptform."

  The Madam flicked her long shawl.

  The scent of jasmine spread through the air.

  Madam: "Oh, really?"

  Tarno grumbled, clearly annoyed.

  Tarno: "Eryjat wants people to read on Patreon and pay."

  Madam: "Did Eryjat force you to read on Patreon and pay?"

  Tarno gnced around nervously.

  Tarno: "No, Madam."

  Madam: "Then why are you upset?"

  Tarno grinned sheepishly.

  Tarno: "I'm just disappointed and angry."

  The Madam ughed at Tarno's childish behavior.

  Madam: "Isn't Eryjat still going to finish Nagini on the ptform?"

  Tarno: "That's true, Madam. He has promised to finish Nagini on the ptform."

  Madam: "Then why are you still upset?"

  Tarno rubbed his chest, still aching from Nagini's beating.

  Tarno: "But Madam, Chapter Forty-Two will only come after Eryjat finishes it on Patreon."

  The Madam ughed again.

  Madam: "Do you object to paying, Tarno?"

  Tarno grinned sheepishly once more.

  His battered face looked even funnier as he forced that awkward grin.

  Tarno: "That's not it, Madam…"

  Madam: "Then what?"

  Tarno: "If there's something free, why should I pay?"

  The Madam ughed cheerfully.

  Madam: "Tarno, you're like a kindergarten child. You can still read on the ptform—until it's finished."

  Tarno: "But Madam?"

  Madam: "What is it, Tarno?"

  Tarno: "To read on the ptform, I have to wait for Eryjat to release it, right?"

  Madam: "Yes. You must be patient, Tarno."

  Tarno: "If I want to finish it quickly, I have to read Patreon, which ends earlier."

  Madam: "Yes."

  Tarno: "But that means paying, Madam…"

  The mysterious woman, scented with jasmine, ughed softly.

  Madam: "That's enough, Tarno. Don't dwell on Eryjat and his busyness."

  Tarno nodded.

  The Madam handed him two pills.

  Madam: "Swallow these herbal pills quickly, so your wounds heal faster."

  Tarno: "Yes, Madam."

  Madam: "Once you've recovered, I'll teach you the Core Fire Technique, so others won't look down on you."

  Tarno: "Thank you, Madam."

  Author's note:

  Lampung is one of the provinces located on the isnd of Sumatra, Indonesian.