The Sleep World

6: Jungle Town [15th March, 2013]

In Alphabeta Region, there are multiple races of beings occupying it and most of those beings are humans under the classification of magicians. With the human race, they are classified as magicians and non-magicians. Magic is innate within all humans in Sleep World, however, there’s a portion of the human population who mysteriously didn’t develop any magical powers within them. Some scientists and geneticists think that it had something to do with the abnormality within the non-magician population having what they call as DNA instead of the 3NA that the magicians have. However, this was just speculations and theories.

Aside from the human race, there are those who are not considered human at all, despite having human-like appearance. The Humanimals are a race of beings having half-animal and half-human… well not really. The male humanimals are 75% animal and 25% human while their female counterpart is 25% animal and 75% human. This race of beings cannot breed with the human race, fortunately if you are not into interracial or unfortunately if you are into something like that. They are also naturally gifted with magic and like the human race some of them suffer from lacking the magical gene.

There are also the guardian race consisting of fairies, elves, mermaids, dwarves, goblins, and many more. They are considered to be the race where magic originated. They can breed with the human population giving rise to hybrids among the society like the half-elves. If you are into slavery, it did exist in the ancient iterations of Sleep World, but as time passed, you know… slavery of any unprofessional kind is illegal. The professional slaves are called servants, maids, butlers, and housekeepers. Don’t get me wrong, I am very proud of the moral changes that happened since then.

Moving on, there are also demonic entities that lurk around aside from magical entities. This group of beings is called the orcs who, in the distant past, loved to raid villages and steal the women for breeding purposes. Of course, the ancient past doesn’t mean anything now in the present. It’s for educational purposes only. During this time, they’ve become more disciplined and more diplomatic…

Finally, there is the undead race. These are beings… that used to be alive… mostly humans. They study necromancy, death magic, to its forbidden stages turning them into beings that are practically dead but are still alive because they practice death magic or… they were successfully revived from the dead. Resurrecting the dead is one of the most difficult tasks to accomplish if you are a death magician. Reanimating corpses are much easier though…

“G, are you listening?” Orchid stares at him. “Hey, eyes back here in front and look at the screen!”

“I am listening… I was just… never mind…” G sighs.

“What was the last thing you heard before you stopped listening?”

“Reanimating corpses are much easier…”

“So you were listening!” Orchid sighs in relief. “Alright then, moving on…”

I know that you heard this lesson in school already, but I just have to let you know a lot of inputs because not all stuff is taught in school.

Lately, or… some time already… after the war that ended most of the humanimal races, the other monarchs particularly the Orcs and Undead are planning to invade Ancient Island and the islets of what remains to be the previous archipelago of the humanimals. Of course, the Guardians and the Humans are against it… maybe because they have plans as well.

However, as goddess, I put my full confidence that the King of the Kingdom of Memories has nothing to say in the matter… but… the government that tries to overshadow the monarchial powers of the king… the tyrant officials at Blinx Terminal… are somewhat… getting involved, as my contacts had reported.

As the reports go, a king from another region is interested in taking over Ancient Island only has made camp there for a few months already.

“I have a question,” G raises his hand. “What does this have to do with my mission in Jungle Town?”

“Right now, one of my contacts is in deep s**t,” Orchid sighs. “She is trapped in her home and unable to make a report because of suspicious individuals from Blinx Terminal have been roaming around lately. Of course, even if Jungle Town is located here in Destiny Island, the Dream Entrance Guild, this mountain, this temple, Destiny Town, and Wiz Town have been cleared of agents coming from the Terminal.”

“So the place that hasn’t been cleared is Jungle Town,” G still tries to connect the dots.

Orchid slaps her own forehead, “Let me explain…”

The government of Blinx Terminal versus the Dream Entrance Guild. We cannot directly fight against the government because they might use it against us, but I can exercise my power as a goddess to ban them from my island, Destiny Island because this island is my private property and I want to exercise that. Now, these spies are illegally sent here and we’ve captured a few already. However, if we turn them in, they will just be freed. Until we secure Richard Rubbers as the new President of this region, we cannot turn them in.

“How can we ensure that Senator Rubbers become this region’s President?”

“To be honest,” Orchid, realizing that she hurt herself, rubs her forehead, “I have yet to know… … …”

“How are we supposed to do it then?” G looks at her.

She looks back and grins at him, “I think you already know what I’m about to say…”

“Yeah, and it is scary,” he grins. “We improvise…”

“Correct,” she stands up and head to the door. “I’ll be back to get you the stealth team that’ll help you behind the shadows later…”

“Uh sure… I’ll uh stay seated and study some more…”

What have I gotten myself into? Of course, I want to know more about myself, but is this the right path for me? I need to see this more in a political perspective. Otherwise, I would not be able to understand everything and I will just ask more questions and be a hindrance. Besides, I can’t be the only one confused to all of this… Even Orchid, herself, doesn’t know what to do yet. Every plan of hers is improvised… I’ve only been working for about 4 days ever since I was given the letter, but I feel like I have lived and died nearly 1’800 times already. Anyway, let me take a look at these things.

Alphabeta Region is run by a dictatorial form of government. However, there are some places here in Alphabeta Region that is not under dictatorship. Destiny Island is one of those places. Within Destiny Island are Wiz Town, Destiny Town, and Jungle Town… but for whatever reasons, spies were sent here… maybe to spy on the goddess and Dream Entrance Guild. The spies must’ve followed one of her contacts to Senator Rubbers, and if she gets caught… it’s all over for Orchid’s plans. Is there a Plan B though?

Another island not under this form of government is the Memory Island which means that Last Resort and the Kingdom of Memories are free from their grasps. Actually, Kingdom of Memories is in power here. This place is a territory of the King of Memoria Region not because of invasion but of an unbreakable agreement between the President of Alphabeta Region and the King of Memoria Region in the distant past. At least, Shiela and John would remain safe there.

I’m not so sure about Isolated Island, but what I am sure that isn’t under their grasps is the Ancient Land, Guardian Island, Horde Island, and Necro Island. Ancient Land is rumored to be the reason why Alphabeta Region is brimming with magical aura. It could’ve been the reason why other races from other countries decided to make another agreement with another President in the past. At this point in time, however, a big reason as to why the Dictator doesn’t want to meddle with those races is because these races are at war against each other. I forgot to mention that there is another human kingdom from another country that made an agreement as well…

At least I won’t be meddling anytime soon… I hope… cross fingers…

Deep inside, I know that Orchid will have to get me involved at one point…

“Did I make you wait?” Orchid knocks on the door. “It was left open and I thought you were asleep… not that I care…”

“I’m wide awake,” G sighs, “I was just contemplating and studying these books…”

“So I went to fetch them and they told that you were once schoolmates in college,” Orchid presents to him the stealth team. “They are called the Fellowship of the Undercover Kittens… or F. U. C. K. for short.”

“That sounds vulgar,” G stares and smirks at the very familiar face. “Hi gals…”

“G!!!”

“OMG!!!”

“Whoa!!! You’re still alive!!!”

“Hey… we all offer our condolences… to your family.”

“We’re really sorry for your loss…”

First is the leader: Ailia Velalion, 21 years old, Humanimal Lioness, fair skin toned, curly golden, fairly shorter than me, a bit chubby, and her eyes are narrow-shaped with a yellow-colored iris. She is a stealth magician and also a techno magician. Second is Tigriana Orderly, 21, Humanimal Tigress, fairly darker, also have narrow-shaped eyes with her lenses yellow in color, also a bit chubby, she’s fairly taller than Ailia and she has a long straight white hair. All of them are stealth magicians and techno magicians. Also, they have a quirky personality… they’re weird and funny.

Third is Tepha Jagurin, also 21, Jaguar Humanimal, eyes are narrow and yellow, she’s got wavy red orange hair, and her height is in between Ailia and Tigriana. Fourth is Katrina Commando, as usual 21, she’s a wild cat humanimal, my goodness… they all have yellow narrow eyes, her hair color is orange and it is short. In addition, she is the shortest of the group way shorter than Ailia and she is also fair skinned. Zheetah Hateehc, all of them are 21… ugh… wavy long hair that is yellow orange in color, skin tone is the lightest among the group, and finally, she is almost as tall as me.

Index, your data is so detailed… I can’t help but read them all in my head while having this wonderful reunion…

Index smirks

Orchid smirks too while reading G’s thoughts

Ylil Panthar, a panther… duh…, hair is gray, short and curly, isn’t it supposed to be fur? Anyway, she’s as tall as me… this is freaking accurate. We also have the same fair skin tone. Next is Prinzess Crugar, Cougar, long brown hair, her height is in between Ailia and Katrina, and has fairly dark skin complexion. Lastly, Gamu Overlord, a puma, very short black hair, she is tanned, and is a bit taller than me.

“Sleep World to G, Sleep World to G, are you still there?” Ailia snaps G out from his inner thoughts. “Are you okay?”

“We can’t do this unless you’re feeling well.” Zheetah pats me in the back. “It’s good to see you again, honestly.”

“I’m sorry,” G reassures them. “I’m just having some nostalgic flashbacks…”

G glares at Orchid who is trying her best not to break down from laughing.

“Alright, I guess I’ll leave it to you gals to explain everything to G. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go and help our beautiful receptionist up there at the guild.” Orchid finally leaves the room.

…

“So I know that all of you are from Jungle Town,” G stands up and stretches his arms and legs. “Tell me what to do…”

Katrina starts the detailed explanation, “So we’ll begin as soon as the sun goes down, twilight. Nobody would suspect since we are residents of the town and nobody else knows that we are loyalists of Dream Entrance so that is plus points.”

“There is one thing we can’t understand though,” Tepha stares at G. “Instead of us going to save the target, Ms. Cindy Lam, to which we could’ve done it right away yesterday, Master Orchid told us that it has to be you.”

“She said that it is an essential part of your training,” Prinzess sits down and crosses her legs. “We are indeed curious of a lot of things… especially when Master introduced you as a B-Class and then jumping to A-class just because you have a god’s sword.”

“We’re your friends right and we’re members of the same guild now,” Tigriana pats me G in the head like she always did in the past, treating him like her younger brother. “We might be able to help you out…”

“Orchid, if you can hear me, I know that you can read my mind and you can probably answer through telepathy,” I ask her in my thoughts. “Should I tell them? They might be able to help gather clues…”

“That is up to you G,” Orchid replies back. “You are slowly improving, if you noticed… you are the one using telepathy right now, instead of me. Since our distance isn’t that far yet, we can still communicate. To answer your question… you should first ask yourself. Should I get my friends involved… or not?”

“Cryptic as always… thanks anyway…” G sighs. “I don’t know… she just sent me a letter of acceptance from a letter I did when I was a kid…”

“And then you got to be an A-lister immediately?” Gamu seems unconvinced. “You need to tell us more…”

Stopping for a bit and then thinking deeply, G decides to not tell them everything, “She told me it was her gift to me and then she immediately trained me to death and told me to believe in myself… and then… s**t happened… I got the sword from the Isolated Temple… actually… it was a gift from the pharaoh god Hamen Isol… probably because I used my head to solve the puzzle to his tomb… that’s all of it. It’s pretty weird… to tell you the truth.”

“You also looked confused,” Ylil tilted her head, “and we are as confused as you as well…”

“What if we celebrate and hang out while we wait until sunset? We could tour you around Jungle Town and use it to our advantage while sorting out the spies and rescuing our target,” Ailia makes a brilliant suggestion.

“Let’s do it!” Tigriana grins, “We’ll also get to enjoy while working…”

G nods… “Yeah I’m in…”

Later that afternoon, a few more moments before sunset…

“I’ve confirmed six targets,” Prinzess pretends to sip on the straw of her drink. “It looks like they haven’t found the target…”

“Not yet at least,” Ylil is taking a photo of Katrina in another corner. “Ailia, permission to take the six of them down while they’re still together…”

“Are you sure that there are only six of them?” Ailia and Tigriana are on the terrace part of a coffee shop pretending to be viewing the sunset. “We haven’t gotten the report of the others…”

“Zheetah here, there are three others here on my position.”

“I suggest that I go out and make myself look suspicious to lure them in a corner where you can all take them down…” G prepares to make himself look suspicious, “I need your permission, right Ailia?”

“I think that’s our only choice to lure them all out,” Ailia gives her permission. “Alright team, let’s move out…”

G wears a mask and starts to run from the crowded area. Adding suspicion from the spies, G makes it look like he is looking for someone. Hoping that they took the bait, G starts to run in between the establishments and along narrow walkways.

“Halt!” a small group of individuals stopped him from his tracks.

“What seems to be the problem? I was just rushing back home because I forgot to take my medicine…”

“Take of your mask! Take of your mask now!”

“I have a contagious disease!” G takes his mask off and slides his tongue out, “I’m just kidding…”

From above, the women jump down on them.

“It’s a trap!” one of the spies yells and runs off.

“Not on my watch,” G takes out his pistol with his right hand from his storage magic, “Help me aim, Index… leg shot.”

“Alright… aim it a little bit to the left… a little more…” Index calculates the bullet’s trajectory. “Stop… now shoot.”

Closing left eye, he aims at the target that was already getting away within the forest. Using Index’s calculations, G pulls the trigger twice.

“Nice shot,” Tepha goes after the one G just shot down. “Good job!”

“They’re all pinned down, G,” Prinzess checks out his pistol. “That’s all of them… nice shot though…”

“Uh… yeah…” G fist bumps her. “What are we going to do now?”

“Ylil, Gamu, Katrina, and I will take them in, while the rest of you will have to make sure that the area is secured from lurking spies.” Ailia takes her leave along with the others.

“G, your task is to search for Ms. Cindy Lam,” Tigriana looks around. “Some of the sent spies were humanimals as well… so be careful. I’ll head out now, good luck!”

“Don’t worry G, I’ll watch your back,” Zheetah winks at him and climbs on the roof.

“What about you, Prinzess?” G tilts his head like a curious puppy.

“I’ll accompany you, of course.”

“Then let’s move,” G looks up above and sees Zheetah watching over them and then disappearing into the darkening sky. “My day has just begun…”

“Index, are you there?”

“Yeah I’m here,” Index replies. “You can check out your map and I’ll show you your target’s location.”

“You’re making me show the golden map to the public? Are you insane?”

“Don’t worry I’ll make sure it doesn’t look golden.”

“Fine… I’ll take it out…”

“What’s that G?” Prinzess examines the map in his hands, “An old scroll?”

“Yeah, it’s my uh… my uh… map… magic map…” G, surprised of how the golden map looks, raises his eyebrows. “It is an old scroll… he-he-he…”

“Really? That’s cool, so are you going to use it to find the location of the target?”

“Yeah…” he sees a blinking red dot on the map. “I think I know where she is…”

“That fast?” she gets curious, “How’d you know?”

“Can’t you see the blinking red dot?”

“I can’t…”

“Maybe it’s because it’s dark already?”

“Really G?” Prinzess punches his arm, “I’m a humanimal… my senses are more heightened than yours.”

“Really G? You really are disappointing…”

“SHUT UP INDEX!”

“Hey, I was just kidding… how about we just get this over with…”

There’s a plot-hole here… why didn’t I just use the map to locate the spies in the first place? Well actually, I tried not long ago but it didn’t work… or… Index doesn’t want me to cheat. Thankfully he allowed me to find the location of Ms. Lam…

Camouflaged on the branches of the trees, Zheetah asks them, “Are you sure that’s the place?”

“Don’t ask me,” Prinzess remains vigilant and alert, “ask G.”

“I am asking G…”

“Trust me girls,” G grabs the door knob and notices that it is unlocked and it has been opened. “Something’s not right, girls. Zheetah check out the back while you stay here in front Prinzess, I’m going in…”

“Alright, I’ll go stealth then…” Prinzess disappears from the darkness.

G brings out his pistol and attaches the suppressor. Quietly, he enters inside…

As soon as he gets in, he notices a humongous silhouette about to pounce him! Instinctively, he rolls away to escape.

“Holy s**t,” G sees a gorilla humanimal glaring at him with its bloodshot eyes. He pops out a vial of life-water or what G started calling Save-potion and drinks it in case he ends up getting killed. “Guys, this is serious, I’m under attack…”

“Same here, G,” Prinzess is swarmed by a lot of monkeys. “I already called for backup and they’re on their way.”

“I thought the government is afraid to make their move?” Zheetah is in a pinch as well, being evading the shots from the monkeys. “Looks like there’s been a change in their plans…”

“Monkey business,” G gets serious as the gorilla puts on its magical gauntlets. “You know what, I won’t monkey around!”