Episode 14

Ryan found himself flustered and unsure of how to start responding to his mother's query. Meanwhile, Rio, noticing Ryan's dilemma, cleared his throat before he began to speak.

"Ahem... Great Mother! In truth, the fault lies entirely with us! We are members of a motorcycle gang as well as affiliates of the Black Skull Martial Arts School. Initially, we came to the campus to confront a student named Ryan Aji Sena with the intent to do him harm because he had offended a person named Dodi!.."

"It could be said that we were mercenaries, hired by Dodi to attack Professor Ryan! Since we could not find the Professor at the campus, we planned to leave after damaging some campus property and returning the next day to look for him!.."

"But suddenly, a vengeful woman appeared, seemingly holding a grudge against the Professor, and she disclosed the location of his residence. Consequently, we arrived here, fought, and were defeated by the Professor!.."

"Before the battle, Professor Ryan asked me to agree to a pact which I found incredibly foolish, yet I accepted it impulsively, swearing an oath!.."

"After my defeat, I, along with all my henchmen, are now officially subordinates to Professor Ryan! That's the long and short of it, Great Mother!" Rio elaborated, recounting the events and the true nature of their predicament in detail.

Lastri's eyes widened slightly and her expression fluctuated with each revelation from Rio. Ryan and John remained silent, simply listening.

"And was that woman Novie? Isn't she your girlfriend?" Lastri addressed Ryan.

"Umm... Well, ma'am... She's an ex now! She broke up with me after finding out about our family's financial struggles!" Ryan confessed truthfully and without pretense.

"Oh, I see... Then it's a good thing that you broke up! I was somewhat displeased with her, especially when she looked down on us during her last visit," Lastri remarked, seemingly unfazed.

"And who is this Dodi person who sent you?" she continued, turning her questions to Rio.

"That's... He's Brian's father! The same Brian that Professor Ryan had an altercation with, Great Mother!" Rio admitted hesitantly.

Lastri's gaze turned to Ryan, demanding an explanation.

"That Brian... he was bullying me at school, ma'am! And he tried to stab me with a knife!" asserted Ryan.

"What!" Lastri and the others were shocked at Ryan's confession.

"So I kicked him with all my might in the groin! And perhaps afterward, his... well, things might have burst! Hehe.." Ryan replied, his honesty matched by a certain ambiguity.

"Hmph! Is that all you did to that impertinent boy? Why not just pull on it until it comes off and he can't use it anymore?" Lastri declared, anger flashing across her face.

"Ah... Well... I mean..." Ryan was at a loss before his mother's surprisingly vicious inclination.

"In the future, if anyone dares to bully you again, beat them until they learn their lesson and bring them to me! I'll take care of severing and frying the culprits!" Lastri added, causing Ryan, Rio, and John to shiver in fear.

Such a reaction was only natural! What mother wouldn't be furious to learn her child was bullied and treated with contempt? And so, Lastri's anger was apparent given what Ryan had endured.

"Y-yes, ma'am! I will remember that!" Ryan committed to her words, the hair on his neck standing on end.

Eventually, the four of them resumed a more relaxed conversation after the tension of Lastri's interrogation had eased. Rio and John even insisted on leaving a couple of their trained gang members to serve as Lastri's bodyguards, and Ryan reluctantly agreed for them to stay and protect his mother.

After discussing many issues for nearly an hour, Bos Rio and John expressed their intention to leave.

"Well then, Professor and Great Mother! If there's nothing else to discuss, we'll take our leave now!" Bos Rio announced, standing up and handing Ryan a business card.

"Should the Professor or Great Mother require our assistance, just call the number on this card! Myself, John, and all our men are at your service!" he continued.

"Thank you, Brother Rio!" Ryan replied, accepting the business card.

Bos Rio was slightly uncomfortable with the 'brother' moniker from Ryan but refrained from objecting or commenting to avoid offending the martial arts powerhouse and facing potential consequences.

"Alright then... We'll be off," Rio said.

After shaking hands with Ryan, Bos Rio and John, along with their henchmen, exited the modest home. Ryan saw them to the front door as was his habit, the courtesy ingrained in him by his mother.

Two imposing and rather stern-looking men were left behind.

"You two, come here! Enter the house, please!" Ryan called the pair into the humble abode.

"Yes, Big Boss!" they responded, approaching Ryan.

Once they were all inside, they noticed Lastri still seated calmly in the living room. Ryan joined her side after inviting them in.

"Please, take a seat!" Lastri offered.

"Thank you, Great Mother!" they acknowledged and sat down across from Ryan and his mother, bowing their heads.

"Now, what are your names?" Lastri inquired softly.

"My name is Parman, Great Mother! And this is my brother, Suprapto!" one responded cautiously.

"Huh? Aren't those strangely familiar names?" Ryan puzzled, feeling as though he'd heard the names Parman and Suprapto before but uncertain of the context.

Parman and Suprapto stayed silent, embarrassed to reveal the true origins of their illustrious namesakes. Clearly, their names were highly regarded and celebrated within their country.

"Well, that's the spare room for you two to rest in! Protect my mother if she needs to travel at any time!" Ryan issued his first command.

"We will guard the Great Mother with our lives as the shield!" they asserted in unison, without a hint of doubt.

"Alright then... I'm going to take a shower. You all chat with my mother! Don't be too reserved; think of us as family!" Ryan suggested as he rose from his seat.

"Understood, Professor!" they agreed.

"Oh, and please bring in Rio's katana later! I'll keep it safe!" Ryan called out before departing.

"Will do!"

Lastri shook her head at her son's antics. She never expected such a turn of events because of him. While happy, she felt a touch strange about the sudden change in Ryan. Even so, Lastri could only be grateful and chose not to question her son about it.

***

Ryan entered his room to wash off the sweat and blood that had stained his clothes. A mere ten minutes were all he needed for a shower and to redress his wounds.

Sitting on his bed, his gaze was distant.

[Master!] Sistem's sudden call startled Ryan.

"Ah! Sistem, you scared me!" Ryan exclaimed.

[What is it you're pondering, Master? Just tell me! Perhaps I can offer some insight or solution!] Sistem proposed, with the empathy of a truly understanding friend.

"It's nothing, Sistem! Let's just check my status now," Ryan brushed it off.

[Very well, Master! Status Check:

Name: Ryan Aji Sena

Age: 23 years

Status: Jones (hopelessly single)

Charm: 13/100

Points: 218/1000

Skills: Super High-Level Massage Therapist, Intermediate Level Kung Fu Master

Strength: 30/100

Missions: -

Bank Savings: 21.045.000

System Store: Access Unavailable

Safebox: Cash 1.800.000

System Version: 1.0 (Upgrade..)]

Ryan smiled to see his current status, feeling his body grow stronger with the increase in his strength points, though he still grimaced at the "Jones" label remaining part of his profile.

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