JAYABAYA: The Journey of Being a Legend
Mysterious Swordsman

"What do you mean by the smell of the same sweat, Resi Simharaja? I do not understand", replied Jaka Umbaran crazily.

"It looks like the two people in bamboo have the same blood as you, Ndoro Pendekar. We should just observe them first, so that we do not misinterpret.", said Resi Simharaja immediately.

"I understand..."

That afternoon, the total number of warriors who participated in the contest in the Akuwu Sukowati group was 182. Most of the participants of the new competition came from Padepokan Bukit Asam led by Tirtonolo the Mower Golok Silver Wolf and Sudhana the Swordsman Twins with a number of 58 people. There was another group of mysterious swordsmen numbering 4 people who were a group of warriors clad in black curtain bamboo. Therefore, in accordance with the original agreement, they will all depart towards Alas Mruwak where the headquarters of the Black Crow Horde is on the morning.

Because of the difficulty in finding a place to stay overnight, Jaka Umbaran, Resi Simharaja and Gendol chose to rest in a food stall that was only used during the day only. Fortunately, they kept a little dry food until they did not starve at night. Although it must be noisy because of the mosquito swarm that is crazy in a large market near the Pakuwon Sukowati City square, Sukowati, they were lucky enough because the night could shelter from the rain that suddenly flushed this area before midnight.

Just before the heavy rain fell, there were two warriors who took shelter beside the resting place of the Pendekar Gunung Lawu. One of them is a little short with a stocky body, has a funny face because of a thin mustache that grows only at the corner of his lips. At first glance his clothes look shabby like a wandering swordsman but if you pay attention to it really, it is an expensive clothing that has been used long enough. Another man who is still quite young with simple clothes but clean and neat. On his back was a stick of iron that seemed to be his flagship weapon. Jaka Umbaran recognized those who were followers of two mysterious swordsmen wearing black-covered caping earlier.

"Kisanak, why are you even staying overnight in this place? Is this worth it to be a place of rest?", asked the short fat while paying attention to the conditions around the place. The glow of the bonfire made by Gendol was enough to illuminate the place.

"What can I do, Kisanak?

All the lodging places in Pakuwon Sukowati City are full. We had gone around the city but there was no place left. We had to spend the night here. It is good for us travelers, still able to take shelter from the rain", replied Jaka Umbaran with a thin smile.

"It's a shame, even though as participants of this competition the three kisanak should get a place of honor because after all you are the ones who will bet your lives for the peace of the Duchy of Lewa.

Oh yes introduce me a swordsman from the Duchy of Selopenangkep, my name is Besur, if my nickname is Si Fat Tapak Sakti and this is my friend from the Duchy of Bracelets his name is Baratwaja, usually he is called the Flying Blade Legged Lightning. If you may know, what is your name Kisanak?", said the fat man who claimed to be named Besur.

"I am Jaka Umbaran, call me Umbaran, Brother Besur..

This is my traveling companion, Gendol and Resi Simharaja. Thank you for this good introduction. Adding friends is better than adding enemies. Greetings from us", reply Jaka Umbaran politely.

"Do you have no title? Or maybe you are just lay people who want to complain about fate by participating in this competition?", said Besur later.

"Eh make no mistake Sur Besur.. My Ndoro is a Pen... Waaaddddaaaaauuuhhh, Ndoro why are you stepping on my foot?", Gendol who did not accept Besur's words was about to show that his master was an up-and-coming swordsman at this time, who was a rising warrior, but he did not get to finish his talk, Jaka Umbaran hunted down his left foot.

"Slowly by the way, you'll choke on Ndol..

We are indeed ordinary people, Brother Besur but we can learn a little martial arts so it might be useful if later faced with the Thousand Arm Black Crow", cut Jaka Umbaran who does not want the two warriors who are in front of them will be sweet words after hearing his big name.

"Ah then, if later we are dealing with the Black Crow Arm of a Thousand, you should just stay away from Umbaran brother. Let me and Baratwaja face" Besur said immediately.

"Huh her arrogant beg for mercy..

Are you two more capable than that bamboo-clothed person? I saw from the beginning, you two are like lackeys to the two of them", Gendol grumbled that immediately made the faces of Besur and Baratwaja red to hold the shame.

"You..."

"Pacify yourself, Brother Besur.. My friend does like to joke so please don't take heart. Please sit down, this bonfire will warm our bodies from this cold weather", Jaka Umbaran immediately diverted their conversation for fear of becoming a commotion.

"No need, brother Umbaran. The rain has subsided, we should immediately go back to the inn.

Excuse me", said Besur who immediately nodded and rushed away from the place along with Baratwaja. The heavy rain outside had indeed subsided, leaving enough drizzle to make the body shiver cold. After the two disappeared behind the darkness of the night, Jaka Umbaran immediately turned to Gendol who was again sitting in front of the bonfire.

"Next time don't act like that Ndol..

We are still not clear who their employer is. I'm worried that if their employer is someone who can't be offended, then make trouble with us. Dare it can be but be careful it is also necessary".

"Lha endless they sucks loh Ndoro Swordsman..

So-sookan use the nickname as a martial world swordsman to boast. I'm Gendol The Swordsman Head Breaker, Old Tiger of the Demon King Alas Roban and Ndoro Pendekar the Swordsman of Mount Lawu. If they heard, they would have been scared. Is it the Old Tiger?", Gendol nudged Resi Simharaja who had just been silent.

"I don't want a line with a stubborn moron like you Ndol..

"Yes yes, I was wrong..

Tomorrow is not like that anymore. Now I want to go to bed. Tomorrow morning let's have energy if you want to fight", after saying so, Gendol immediately laid his body. Not until 3 eyes, a soft snoring sound was heard indicating that the man of great height had been lulled in a dream. Jaka Umbaran and Resi Mpu shook their heads at the behavior of their friend.

Since then, Besur and Baratwaja continue to move through the darkness of the night towards the inn in the east of Pakuwon Sukowati City. Arriving there, the two immediately headed towards a bedroom located at the very end. Besur immediately knocked on the door and sounded deheman from inside the bedroom.

Eheemmm..

Besur and Baratwaja immediately went into the room. There, two people wearing black-covered bamboo caping were sitting on a wooden chair near a small table in the corner of the room. Besur and Baratwaja immediately saluted them. One of them raised his right hand as a gesture of respect for the two warriors.

"Hows it? Do you two know who they are?", there was a soft voice of a woman from the person with the left bamboo.

"Please, Gusti..

The young man only said that he was named Jaka Umbaran. His two followers were named Resi Simharaja and Gendol. That's it Gusti.", reports Baratwaja immediately.

Mmmmmm..

"Jaka Umbaran yes..

I think I've heard that name before. Do you also remember that name Kakang?", the black female caping curtain turned to the direction sitting on the chair next to it.

"Jaka Umbaran's.. Jaka Umbaran's..

Wait a minute, isn't that the name of a young swordsman who recently became one of the martial world's regional governors? He set the central region right?", the voice of a slightly hoarse and authoritative man sounded from the black-covered bamboo caping on the right. Hearing that, both Besur and Baratwaja were surprised not to play. If it is true that the person they met was Jaka Umbaran, then both of them had demeaned the dignity of a great warrior who was rising to his name.

"But I'm still suspicious of that big name, Kakang. We should see it later when we are dealing with the Black Crow Arm of a Thousand", said the female black-covered bamboo caping immediately.

"You're right, Nimas..

Tomorrow morning was a testament to the young man's martial ability. To be honest, I was curious about this young man. For some reason, I feel like I have a close relationship with him.

Besur, Baratwaja..

Rest now. Tomorrow morning we leave for Alas Mruwak ", said the black-covered bamboo caping man immediately.

"We understand Gusti", Besur and Baratwaja immediately saluted the two of them before they both came out of the bedroom. Arriving outside, the two immediately closed the door and rushed towards their respective resting places.

The night moves closer to the morning. By morning, heavy rain again flushed the area of Pakuwon Sukowati City, spreading a cold that could make people more complacent in their sleep.

After the crowing of the rooster sounds unpretentious indicating that the morning has come, the atmosphere of Pakuwon Sukowati Palace back boisterous with the arrival of the warriors who want to participate in the competition conducted by Duke Wangsakerta. They were seen to have prepared with their respective weapons. Although the ground was still muddy and muddy due to the heavy rain last night, they did not lose their spirits.

After a total of 182 warriors gathered, that morning also Akuwu Mpu Winarka led Pakuwon Sukowati lead the death row troops to head towards Alas Mruwak on the slopes of Mount Wilis. Almost all were riding horses, except for a few people who relied on the ability of science to lighten the body to move quickly following this entourage.

Just after the morning sun sepifut rose into the eastern sky, Akuwu Sukowati's troops reached the intended place. All of them were immediately greeted with the appearance of hundreds of people dressed in black and black with a crow mask wearing half a black face. One of them, directly advanced towards Akuwu Sukowati who was indeed striking from the others.

"There are more people who are tired of living and want to bring their lives here.

Hey you nice-dressed man, do you want to come here?", hardik the burly man with a half-faced crow mask that has a silver decoration is fierce.

"You what? Of course I'm here to catch the Thousand Arm Black Crow who has wreaked havoc in the Duchy of Lewa.

Where's dia? Tell me to come here and kneel before me!", replied Akuwu Mpu Winarka loudly. The mask of a crow half-face decorated with silver carvings was about to answer the words of Akuwu Sukowati, but he had not been able to speak, from inside Mruwak Alas there was a loud voice that deafened the eardrum,

"Who's looking for me?!!"