Scavenging Success
[S1] Heir and Night Butterflies
Fragment 1: The Wood
My name is Kai Prayoga. Commonly called Kai.
Kai in my name is not from Japanese as many people think. Except from the Sundanese language which has the meaning of wood.
I was just an 18-year-old teenager. But unlike most teenagers my age who live without the burden of the mind. I grew and developed in a life full of torment and humiliation.
I am just a poor commoner who works as a scavenger. So it's only natural that this immoral world puts me at the bottom of the food chain system they're carrying out.
Were it not for the guidance and protection given by Grandpa Arya and Bang Bonar, I might have died long ago. Swallowed by the atrocities possessed by this immoral world.
Yet...
Now on top of a wooden mattress that was inside an old hut. I bowed sadly as I looked at the photo of Grandpa Arya stored inside my worn-out wallet.
I grit my teeth to stem the tears that continue to flow very fast. Because the figure that always protects the wood so as not to become charcoal is now gone.
...— x —...
I was crying in a completely abnormal amount of tears. A cry that to me is totally inappropriate for a man.
Where the figure of a man in my opinion is a figure that is required to remain strong when facing all the problems in the world. The stud is required to be a solid fortress for those around him.
I don't know how many times I've tried to stop the flow of tears. But everything is free. To me an Arya Prayoga is a very wonderful Grandfather. He took care of me and raised me with all his heart.
"Grandfather... Why did you leave me?" I said accidentally.
...— x —...
In the unbroken tears. I stared at the old backpack that now contained my entire shirt.
Since Grandpa's death. I have turned into a weak man who spends my time and energy just to grieve.
For my own good. I decided to leave this memory-filled hut.
To me, this memory that was scratched on the wall of the hut was the cause of all the sadness that I was constantly feeling.
After a long consideration. I intend to try my new luck in Cijagung Village. A village not far from Bandung. The city I am in right now.
The main reason why I chose Cijagung Village is because this village has a landfill that holds garbage from Bandung and surrounding areas.
For a scavenger like me, TPA Cijagung is arguably one of the treasure centers in the world.
Although I do not know if I will be allowed to scavenge the garbage there, but I did not feel any doubt at all.
For me who makes a modest income. This bet is not a high risk bet.
...— x —...
I stand by carrying my bag. Kuraba's wooden walls are owned by this reot hut for the last time.
'Grandpa... Thank you for these eight happy years.' I whispered sincerely in my heart before stepping my feet towards a new land.
...— Connect —...
Fragment 2: Yin and Yang
I stepped slowly while holding a worn bag on one of my shoulders.
I smiled gratefully as fate brought me together with Grandpa Arya and also Bang Bonar. The two people who were opposite were like Ying and Yang.
If Grandpa Arya is a wise Man whose policies are buried by an alarming economic status. Bang Bonar is a quiet and fearless Market Thug.
Without those two figures. My frail body will not have the weight of knowledge or adequate martial arts.
They are both friends, parents, and teachers who complement each other. If Bang Bonar taught me martial arts, then Grandpa Arya turned me around with wisdom and knowledge.
...— x —...
Grandpa was just a garbage collector. But Grandpa was a very knowledgeable person. None of my questions could not be answered by him.
Even if people say Grandpa's just a pretentious old man. But I don't care what they say.
That's certain...
I love listening to Grandpa's explanations. I feel very compatible with Grandpa's way of speaking.
And from what I feel. Grandfather was the only person who could always explain everything so simply and easily for me to understand.
...— x —...
I can't find any evidence that what Grandpa said is true. But those nyinyir people also could not prove that what Grandpa said was wrong.
I can feel it myself.
Even many of those I judged were far more stupid than I was just this scavenger.
Unfortunately, Grandpa Arya is dead. And Bang Bonar disappeared somewhere. Without them I am a kara. There is no place to go or shelter.
I just wish...
If the footsteps I am currently doing can remove the sense of loss after reaching the overseas ground. Keep all the memories without forgetting.
...— Connect —...
Fragment 3: Imperia
If my life as a poor scavenger can be likened to a life far from ideal.
So if at a glance we see the earth on which I stand, I'm sure many of us will feel if my whole world goes very ideal.
...— x —...
My world has now been successfully ruled by a giant empire called Imperia. And the currency used is only one type of currency. His name is Haipur.
Now let's imagine...
When the whole world has only one government, one law, and one currency. Of course, there will be no more wars and also power struggles on the face of this earth, right?
And a world like this is certainly an ideal world in the eyes of many people.
But it turns out...
My world can only look ideal when viewed at a glance on its surface.
Because what is called man is still man. Creatures that are easily contaminated by the poison of power. No exception with Imperia as well as her top brass.
Slowly but surely. Imperia turned into a corrupt government that thought only of their own interests.
...— x —...
Shortly after becoming the ruler of the world. Using the Human Azazi Right, Imperia gave everyone the same right to establish their own kingdom.
Though...
The policies imposed by the Empire had the aim of perpetuating them at the peak of world power.
Imagine that!
Everybody is. No matter if he is good or bad. Smart or stupid. As long as he can muster enough influence and power. He could build his own kingdom.
Consequently...
The whole world is divided. There are many small kingdoms on the face of the earth.
And with too many emerging kingdoms, of course friction of interest becomes very easy to happen.
The little kings in the end continued to investigate and fight with each other in order to expand or just strengthen the foundation of their power.
Forgetting that above them was a real ruler named Imperia.
And this policy is really powerful. Imperia has been at the peak of its power for more than a millennium.
Ah... Human Rights Azazi...
A term that has always been used as a reason to postulate human abilities. Perpetuating the true glory of the ruler.
...— x —...
The disruption of political systems around the world certainly has an impact on the condition of all innocent people.
Because when all the little Pharaohs are busy thinking about their own power, then automatically they will not care about what happens to their people.
So that people's lives at the grassroots level become so chaotic. The security level becomes very low. The criminals are scattered. The law of the jungle applies.
Those who are high in rank seem to have the right to oppress those who are low in rank.
...— x —...
As a poor and weak scavenger. I ultimately had to accept my fate when placed at the bottom of the world's food chain.
Where I am often bullied and treated arbitrarily by almost everyone I meet.
In fact, not once did I almost die from the oppression and everything that I often experience.
Do we still think that such a world is an ideal world?
...— Connect —...