Ghost Hunt: Panic in the Country
Vol. 0: I Lost | 20. Be Hostages

The cock cigar was heard very clearly, the clock on the wall showed at 06:00 am and Astan was still asleep in his sleep. However, the chicken cigarette was heard again and made Astan wake up with an annoyed face. The sound of the rooster belongs to the owner of the apartment who lives on the first floor and just bought it yesterday. Instant came out of the room and gulped down a glass of water, looking at the entire dining room of this very quiet apartment. He sighed as he recalled the memories of himself with Rei Akarina. After feeling calm, Astan continued his activities this morning. Yeni who was the representative of her friends walked over and stood right in front of Astan.

“What's up?” ask Astan.

“It's about Cakara, he asked us to say this. He was going out for a few days because of having affairs,” replied Yeni with a nervous face.

“What solution?” ask Astan again.

“I don't know. She didn't tell me at all and she also asked that you not worry about her. Looks like you guys are very close?” answer Yeni with a question ending.

“Honestly, I just met Cakara for the first time when I talked to him there. It seems like he always looked after me from afar, it made me unable to reach out. He saw me, but I didn't. Even like that, I feel close.” Astan replied with a small smile and worried face as he became uneasy.

“Ah, if she can hide herself. That means, he's pretty strong.” Chirps Yeni, made Astan look at her with a curious face. Yeni who saw Astan's face, only smiled awkwardly.

“Do I also have to explain this?” asked Yeni who was answered by Astan's nod.

“Have you not learned about Spirit/ghost levels, and humans?” ask Yeni back.

“Not yet,” reply Instant quickly.

“Ah, okay. I'll explain just a little, it won't be long. So, a ghost or spirit has a level. That Cakara-like ghost, was likely at level 3 and they had two types. Some become strong from eating spirits or other ghosts, some also due to hard training. It seems, Cakara is the second type. So, you don't have to worry.” Yeni ended the explanation with a smile.

“What level are you at?” ask Astan.

“Ah me, I'm the lowest level is level …. Why do you want to know?” ask Yeni.

“Just want to know,” Reply Astan.

“When I was alive, my level was above Cakara. After death, everything is gone and I have to start over. I didn't do it because I wanted to calm down quickly, first I wonder who's behind the government. Second I want revenge on the one who killed me, that's it.” Yeni spoke by exhaling a rough breath.

“That time you just asked me to make your family calm and let you go. Why ask for help with that? You even lied, is there still something you're hiding?” ask Astan.

“Ah, the. Just not delicious. I thought you'd be angry, knowing I was lying. Why are you so relaxed? I lied that I don't remember, and then I lied about. I've told everyone.” Yeni said with a flaunt of her teeth.

“There is no point getting angry,” said Astan.

However, for today Astan spent all day trying archery with Endra. After finishing the training today, they decided to go for a night walk. Take time for comfort, here they are. A very large mall, located in District D-3. They look happy to play in the game center, until the mall is ready to close.  The two exited the mall with radiant faces and Astan carried a bag of food. Arriving at the apartment, Astan puts food on the table and calls them. But no one came or replied. Suddenly, a female figure who liked to play the curtains stood in front of Astan and told the incident a moment ago.

“You said one of the women had long hair, two halves, and was brown. Do you know where they are?” ask Astan.

“I don't know, they look very evil. Better you be careful,” replied the figure.

Astan sat down on the chair with a worried and confused face. When Astan sat down, his pair of eyes accidentally caught a red paper stuck on the door of his room. Astan stood up from sitting down and took the paper. That says, ‘"If you want them back. Come to negotiate with me, District C-5 old apartment building."  I read it with a thinking face.

A few seconds later, Astan reached into his pants pocket and picked up the black phone. Immediately contact someone he knows. Astan told me what was going on and about his concerns. Not long after, there was a knock on the door and Astan rushed to open it. Endra looks with a dark blue Hoodie and carries a black bow. They sit facing each other.

“How can they enter?” ask Endra.

“My estimate, they have a backup key. If that's true, they killed Sis. Rei's. That's what I think,” replied Astan.

“If we were just the two of us, we don't know what they're like. So, how'd you decide? You want to go there now, just with me or wait for help from G-Hunt?” ask Endra.

“I know, that I am still very weak, but I hope they can come back without having to be violent.” Astan replied with a small smile on his face, of course it made Endra sigh violently.

“Indeed right, you're too good. All right, let's just go both. After this is done, you have to pay me dearly,” said Endra, standing from his seat.

Astan who saw him put on a big smile and stood up quickly. They leave the apartment immediately. Arriving in District C-5, they began to look for the location of the apartment that was no longer inhabited. They had spent so much time, that the clock had shown 00:00 midnight.

There are still two abandoned apartments that must be checked. That is, one of the two apartments is a meeting place. Astan gives the idea to split up and head for a different apartment, but Endra rejects it quickly. Astan again gave a few broken words to convince Endra. Without fighting any more, Endra agrees to Astan's idea and they take a different path. Not long after Endra had been in front of a large apartment building. There is a warning sign that says, "It is forbidden to enter, dangerous areas." 

With no heed to it, Endra just walked in. Endra's pair of eyes could not see clearly the surrounding area. Everything looks dark, although the moonlight slightly illuminates the darkness of the night. But that doesn't help much at all. Endra reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone and turned on the flashlight. He walked slowly until he was in the lobby of the apartment. Endra directed the phone to look around the lobby. The walls of the apartment look old and there is moss attached to it. As Endra was checking around, he heard footsteps approaching from the right.

Endra pointed the cell phone flashlight towards the right aisle, not for how long. A man dressed in black with his black mask. The man stopped his steps and stood in front of Endra.

“Ah, it's not him. I guess he is, this is really disappointing. Go to the other building,” said the man by giving orders to someone.

“Sorry, if I let you down. So, where are they?” ask Endra.