Chapter 44 - HELLO?!

"Dammit, Uno! Can't you wait until the rain stop?" Riggs said trying to stop Uno who's busy preparing his rescue mission.

"I've waited enough."

"Look, I know how much you want to prove Luciano wrong but don't you think you're overdoing it? Can't you see that? Heavy rain, not just rain! How can you find her under this weather?" Riggs pointed out the window. It's been an hour or so since the rain started but it seems that it will not stop any time soon thus, Uno decided to start his own rescue mission.

"Don't just blabber his name anywhere." Not pausing in what he's doing, he reminded.

"But seriously, man. Why are you so eager to help her? Not even having any idea about this islands, even if we say we explore almost half of the island, how are you sure you can find her immediately? Not to say with that weather," Riggs paused. He stated in a matter of factly tone and rational reasoning hoping his words will knock some senses to Uno but he seemed to not take his points, he continued.

"Your sense of direction isn't as good as mine."   Hearing this line, Uno halted and turned his head to the man leaning beside the window.

"But I'm not bad at it." He said as if reminding Riggs.

"In my eyes, you are." Riggs continues to mock him.

"Is that so?" Turning his head back to what he was doing —arranging a pile of jackets and clothes asked from the crew and other residents.

"How about we compete? Let's see who will find her first. If I lose, I will do all your work for a week... But if I win, if ever Luciano will contact you, tell him his money is gone."

"You want me to lie for you? Tsk. Don't forget you're still on duty and her safety is also your responsibility... as a former soldier, isn't that given? Duties and responsibilities."

The room fell into an awkward silence just as Uno's words came out from his mouth. He knew that bringing Riggs past was not a good idea but lately, since Luciano's disappearance, Riggs is like a lost sheep without his shepherd.

He met him under Luciano's wing, hence, he didn't know what he was actually like before he met Luciano. But what he knows and the Riggs he knew is that he might be a slacker and a gambling addict but he would never let an innocent person die just like that especially if he can do something about it.

"Words from a headlong assassin." Riggs scoffs sarcastically. Though he kept himself composed with Uno's words, he still dissed him in return.

Once again, Uno turns his head back to look at Riggs. There was a sullen air surrounding the room. The silence was so suffocating that even insects did not dare to step in.

"At least, I don't —never doubt him." Pertaining to Luciano who hadn't contacted anyone since he went to his 'vacation escapade' or at least that is what they thought.

"Tch." Riggs hissed before he left the room. Seeing his departing figure, Uno let out a deep sigh. He slightly shook his head then continue to prepare the necessary things he needed including first aid kits.

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"Elder Hong, what do you mean by someone fell to that place?" Alex inquired as soon as the people dispersed from the room.

"Is he one of the crews from the show?" Waiting from the elder's response, he unconsciously grits his teeth from anticipation.

"Indeed, " hearing the chief's answer, Alexander breathe out in distress.

"It's my fault, isn't it?" His tone as he says those words slowly cracked the chief's heart. Seeing that disbelief and a self-mocking expression on Alexander Han's eyes, the chief held his dignified stance, he spoke.

"Young master… it is not your fault. None of this is your fault. Even if that pe—"

"Elder Hong, are you about to say sacrifice one person to save a hundred? How about that person? What would you feel if you are in that person shoes? Will you also think the same?" Alexander Han abruptly interrupted the chief's words and spoke instead. His tone was unusually weak.

"But young master, it was an accident, you did not wish that to happen."

"But it was because of me why those people are there! Now, not just this people but also the residents at that Island will be in danger! Elder, now tell me it's not my fault!" Alexander Han stood up as he unconsciously increased his voice. His tightly clenched fist place above the table trembled.

"I'm coming with you… to that half rotten island." slightly raising his head, his gaze was full of resolve and as if his decision would not waver, he stated while fixating his eye contact to Chief Hong.

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Seraphina got out of the rock shelter, looking up in the sky, due to the castle-like trees, it made it hard for her to tell what time is it. Fortunately, the rain stopped before the utter blackness of night time in the forest —it was still dimly lit and can still barely see its surrounding.

The rain lasted for a few hours but at least, it made her rest in one place and managed to stop the bleeding on her right arm.

She felt refreshed with enough rest but her stomach is having quite a fit for not digesting any food for the day thus, the moment the rain stopped,  her main priority: finding something to eat.

Venturing deeper into the tangled heart of the primeval forest, the scent of the woody incense from the snapping of the branches crashing and rotting silently on the forest's ground and the composting, organic smell rose up in waves like a miasma lingered to her nose yet she could not bother.

Seraphina tilted her head and had a puzzled look on her face,

"this is weird, I can't find any edible plants…" looking around, she continues searching for anything to calm the unknown species dwelling on her stomach but to no avail, the forest is just barely living —no edible plants in sight.

Knitting her brows, Seraphina pondered for a while before she took a deep breath then shouted,

"HELLOO?!" Followed by a series of echoes of her words —no one answered.

She came to a conclusion that there might be someone living in this side of the island since the edible forest plants were nowhere to be found, thus, it wouldn't hurt if she tries the fastest way possible to catch someone's attention.