Mardinal: The Assassin's Adventure
Chapter 33: The Story of Irwan's Past

Irwan really did not believe what he saw in this forest. Two dead people killed at the hands of a teenager like Mardin? Actually, what the hell is going on here?

Previously, Irwan had repaired the power generation machine in the villa. He suspected that something was wrong around the villa, because the engine of the power plant looks deliberately damaged. Thankfully, the damage was not serious. Therefore, he ventured to go to the forest near the villa.

It turns out that as Irwan guessed, there were two Rogue existences there. However, he only realized when the two Rogue was fighting fiercely against a Mardin. Irwan only got to see the fight when it was almost over.

The married man was shocked to see the way Mardin killed the two Rogue. Such a way is too sadistic for a teenager like Mardin.

Who exactly is this Mardin? That's what Irwan now thinks, making him need to be more vigilant against Mardin.

While Mardin himself stumbled when Irwan was caught killing two Rogue. Mardin panics, not wanting her true identity as Rogue to be known. If Irwan and the villa residents find out, it will cause panic and Uncle Rom's reputation is considered bad in their eyes.

“Duh. Duh, ouch..!” Mardin scratched his red head. “A-anu, Bang Irwan. T-this is not what you think. I-I just killed them because they were Rogue. I... absolutely will not hurt you family— Kyaaah!”

Spontaneous Mardin screamed in panic when he saw the head of Gondri's corpse rolling close to him.

Strange.He who kills, he also screams.

Instantly awkward atmosphere. There was no sound between the two of them other than the gusts of the night wind blowing quite fiercely.

Irwan still looked at him in disbelief, without giving any reaction. While Mardin tried to smile broadly showing a row of bright teeth though awkward, sometimes unconsciously scratching his own ass.

For Chrissakes. I hope Irwan isn't afraid of Mardin. Really, Mardin had absolutely no ill intentions towards the family in their villa. His intention here just happens to want to protect as well as harvest the organs of the body. Not good for adding his uncle's business capital.

...~*~*~*~...

“Actually, I already know that Uncle Rom is a former killer.”

“Oh?”

Now Mardin and Irwan are sitting on two large rocks that happen to be on the edge of the river near the forest. The two decided to speak carefully after Mardin had hidden the bodies of the two Rogue in the bushes nearby so he could take them home later after the villa.

A fact that is quite surprising at the same time makes Mardin relieved because Irwan already knew about the status of Uncle Rom in the past. That means, Irwan will not be afraid to face Mardin who has a close relationship with Uncle Rom's family.

Because it's like this, Irwan intends to tell a glimpse of the past about the beginning he knew Uncle Rom.

“First...” Both Irwan's eyes glared up into the night sky. “When I was a child, I lived in an orphanage run by my parents. Back then, the Guild that controlled Kamaju City was as good as the Guild it was now. But, the Guild was successfully annihilated by irresponsible Guilds until it finally captured the Jaguara Guild.”

“One day, our orphanage was attacked by a group of assassins who deliberately infiltrated the city to bring down the leadership of the Guild. Their intentions were as bad as Rogue's, killing, taking organs, and kidnapping very young children to sell alive

Mardin quietly listened, sat on a boulder while hugging one knee, enjoying the pleasure of the night breeze through the black-and-blue jacket and stroking the red hair strands of his Mullet.

“At that very moment, Uncle Rom and his partner came to our rescue. They killed all the killers who attacked our orphanage. Unfortunately, due to their delay, my father, several caretakers and children were killed. But we remain grateful. At least there are still many survivors of the unfortunate incident, although honestly I was very hit with the death of my father.”

“From that incident I knew Uncle Rom. I never thought he was a killer because my thinking as a child was plain, straight. I thought he and his partner were heroes who purposely came to help people in trouble like us. In fact, both killers too, after all.”

Mardin used to sing a smile when he heard Irwan's tone that seemed light.

Irwan slightly straightened his sitting position on the big rock. “As I grew up, I realized that in our world there are no heroes. The entire planet of Urdalin was filled only by assassins, criminals, and weak civilians. No government can protect and account for the grievances of society. I heard also from the inhabitants of other planets, the position of a government is also useless because many government people are as evil as the criminals here. Only, they are able to carry out their crimes behind the protection of power and office.”

Mardin nodded in understanding with Irwan's intention. He often hears from interplanetary news that many governments there are experiencing various problems, ranging from arbitrary actions of their officials to corruption of government funds.

“But despite the fact that our world is terrible, my mother always reminds me of something. Not all murderers are evil. His nickname alone as a killer, but not necessarily the contents of their hearts and minds as prickly as their nickname.”

“In this world, not a few murderers are forced to commit murder in order to survive and protect what they want to protect, such as Uncle Rom. Abilities and circumstances that force a person to be a killer. You do too, don't you?”

Irwan sighed, “.. From my mother's words that I can be wiser in judging someone, I can also be more familiar with Uncle Rom and colleagues. He has helped us a lot, even until now.”

Mardin interrupts Irwan's story. Uncle Rom's colleague called Irwan had made him curious.

“Sorry if I interrupt, Bang. Just... who do you mean Uncle Rom's partner who?”

“Emm...”

Irwan tried to remember. Surprisingly, even though in the past Irwan had been close to this Uncle Rom colleague, he did not remember his name at all. All he remembered was his physical form and form.

“I... totally forgot his name. But what I remember, he was taller and bigger than Uncle Rom, muscular, and had long red hair that was quite messy made his impression so pronounced. People might get goosebumps when they see it.”

“Red hair?”

It seemed, Mardin was familiar with the appearance of that figure. He knew very well who was the only person who had always been close and became a true friend of Uncle Rom for a long time.

“I think he's my dad.”

“Your father?”

Irwan was shocked by this new fact. Apparently, the young man he had just met and had protected their villa from Rogue's attack was the son of Uncle Rom's best friend.

“You son of Uncle Rom's best friend?”

Irwan shook his head in disbelief, but still felt reasonable because the look of Mardin's face was exactly with Uncle Rom's best friend, especially with red hair and dark blue eyes. It's just that Mardin's face seems more subtle, unlike his father who is quite sangar. It may also be due to the age factor that differentiates it.

“Why doesn't Uncle Rom story, huh?” Irwan began to wonder. “As I recall, Uncle Rom just said that you were his adopted nephew. I thought you were the son of Uncle Rom's one-family relative or something, it's.”

Mardin scratched his red head, somewhat hesitatingly telling the truth. But because Irwan is a trusted acquaintance of Uncle Rom, it seems okay to be a little more open.

“Actually, Uncle Rom took responsibility for taking care of me after my father's death 10 years ago, but only as a nephew. I also feel uncomfortable if I have to think of him as a foster father because I am more accustomed to calling him ‘Paman’ since childhood.”

Irwan's expression became sad. “Gosh. Your father is dead? I-I'm so sorry, and I'm sorry to have been so sassy to discuss this issue that it made you so—.”

“No problem, Bang.” Mardin smiled shadyly. “I don't mind telling something like this.”

Both of Mardin's blue eyes looked up at the night sky, creating a smile on his face. His mind began to recall the memories of his time with his father.

“My father also helped Uncle Rom save you and the orphanage children, right? I was happy when I found out that my father still had a good heart and care for others.”

Irwan looked up to see the sky again. “Y…. He and Uncle Rom are two great people.”

For a long time they looked at the night sky until they realized that the starry sky was slowly covered by a cloud of black clouds accompanied by the wind blowing louder.

“Aaah…. Looks like it's raining.” Mardin began to descend from the top of the boulder. “I think we should go back to the villa. Definitely Kak Rosa and the kids on the anxious.”

“Ah! Also true. I was only able to say goodbye to go around making sure it was safe. They must be very worried about us.” Irwan also came down from the big rock he was sitting on.

The two began to walk hand in hand towards the villa which was not so far from the forest. During the trip, they still had time to exchange stories. Sometimes laughing together when hearing typical Mardin babble that always managed to make people happy and annoyed at him.

Yes, Mardin is an antique. That's what Irwan thought when he just knew the teenager.

...~*~*~*~...