Global Pioener: Earth Second Chance

Rangga and Mayor Deri were still busy mining the coal deposit on the rocky slope. The sound of their pickaxes striking stone echoed softly through the area until, suddenly, someone’s voice came from behind them.

“Hello... You’re from Garuda, right?”

The two immediately stopped.

Mayor Deri instinctively turned around, shifting his body slightly forward. Rangga also turned, but he did not raise his weapon.

Four people were approaching them from a distance. The man at the front raised both hands to show that he had no intention of attacking.

He was a large man with dark black skin. What immediately caught their attention was the armor he was wearing. It was the same armor as Rangga’s and Mayor Deri’s.

Mayor Deri immediately raised a hand.

“Stop.”

The four people stopped walking.

“Don’t come any closer.”

Mayor Deri’s left hand was already gripping the hilt of his sword. His tone remained calm, but it was clear that he wasn’t joking.

The dark-skinned man nodded.

“Of course... We’ll stop here.”

He smiled amiably.

“I just wanted to offer cooperation... and introduce ourselves.”

Mayor Deri still didn’t lower his guard.

“Go ahead.”

The man placed one hand against his chest.

“My name is Malik... A Pioneer from the Golden Lion Nation.”

After Malik finished speaking, a black-haired woman stepped half a pace forward.

She wasn’t wearing armor like Malik, but the sword at her waist looked considerably better than the standard Pioneer equipment. The woman gave a slight bow.

“I’m Ayumi from the Sakura Nation.”

Mayor Deri gave her a brief nod in response. Then another man stepped forward. The moment he saw the man’s face, Mayor Deri immediately recognized him.

Lucas smiled first.

“So it really is you... We meet again.”

Mayor Deri’s expression finally relaxed slightly.

“Mr. Lucas.”

Lucas chuckled.

“I still remember. Back in the Savanna... You two were surrounded by Mechanical Gallimimus.”

Andre, who had been with him at the time, wasn’t here, but the memory was still vivid in Mayor Deri’s mind.

“Yes. And you were the one who helped us.”

Lucas then turned toward Malik and Ayumi.

“They’re from the Garuda Nation... The ones I told you about.”

Malik looked rather surprised.

“Oh... So Garuda Pioneers really are impressive.”

He then pointed toward the last person, who had been standing silently behind them.

“Funny thing is... We also have a Garuda Pioneer in our group. If I remember correctly, his name is...”

Malik thought for a moment.

“Broto.”

The fourth man finally stepped forward, and Mayor Deri immediately frowned.

“Broto...”

The name was far too familiar.

He had argued with that man several times in the Garuda regional chat. The last time, Broto had even openly said that he wanted to leave the Garuda Nation and join another country.

Mayor Deri unconsciously glanced toward Rangga, but what he saw made his forehead furrow as well.

Ever since the four people arrived, Rangga hadn’t said a single word. He just stood there. Far too still, even the hand holding his pickaxe hadn’t moved. His gaze was fixed on only one person.

Broto.

On the other side, Broto was also staring at Rangga.

Several seconds passed in silence. Inside Rangga’s mind, memories he had spent so long trying to forget suddenly resurfaced.

The construction site, the shouting, the swearing and a foreman who had beaten him for practically no reason.

That face... There was no mistaking it.

Broto.

His foreman back on Earth. The man who had beaten him just before the white light carried him into the Pioneer world.

Rangga’s chest felt tight. A tremendous anger welled up inside him. But along with it came something he hadn’t felt in a very long time.

Fear.

His body felt rigid. He couldn’t get a single word past his lips. He could only stare at Broto without blinking.

Meanwhile, Mayor Deri, standing beside him, began to realize that there was something much deeper going on here than a simple encounter between Pioneers.

Malik looked back at Mayor Deri with a friendly smile.

“So... How about we work together? The more people we have, the safer it’ll be to explore this island.”

Mayor Deri hadn’t even had a chance to answer.

“No need.”

Broto’s voice cut through the conversation, and everyone immediately turned toward him. Broto crossed his arms over his chest.

“They’re too arrogant to work with.”

Malik frowned in confusion.

“Arrogant?”

“Yeah.”

Broto scoffed softly.

“They think they’re better than everyone else.”

Malik looked toward Mayor Deri, his expression asking for an explanation.

Mayor Deri remained calm.

“I’m sorry... I simply have no intention of joining. But thank you for the offer.”

His tone remained polite, but his eyes never left Broto. He could clearly see that the man was showing hostility toward both him and Rangga, who was still frozen in place.

Lucas then stepped forward slightly.

“In that case...”

He pointed toward Rangga.

“Perhaps he would like to come with us?”

Everyone’s eyes immediately turned toward Rangga, and Rangga flinched slightly. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

A few seconds later, he simply shook his head.

“No.”

His answer was so quiet it was almost inaudible, and Broto immediately sneered.

“See? I told you... He’s a coward.”

He pointed directly at Rangga.

Malik, Ayumi, and Lucas exchanged glances. They were beginning to realize that the relationship between these two groups went far beyond simply not getting along.

There was some serious personal history between them and Malik immediately raised a hand.

“Enough... I don’t think this is the right time.”

He turned toward Mayor Deri.

“Thank you for taking the time to speak with us... I hope your exploration goes smoothly. We’ll be going now.”

Mayor Deri nodded politely.

“Be careful as well.”

The four Pioneers began turning away, but after only a few steps, Mayor Deri’s voice rang out again.

“Broto.”

They all stopped, and Broto turned around without much expression. Mayor Deri asked calmly.

“So it’s true... You want to leave Garuda?”

The atmosphere fell silent again.

Malik, Lucas, and Ayumi also looked at Broto. After several seconds, Broto scoffed softly.

“Yeah... I don’t want to be in the same group as people who never respect me.”

His answer was brief, then he continued walking.

Lucas looked thoughtful. Ayumi also glanced at Malik, and the three of them understood the significance of his answer.

A Level 3 Pioneer who intended to leave his own nation. An opportunity like that was extremely rare.

Malik finally spoke.

“Mayor Deri.”

Mayor Deri turned toward him.

“Every Pioneer has the right to choose their own path. Just as I respect your decision to refuse our offer of cooperation... I hope you will also respect his decision.”

His tone remained calm. He wasn’t completely taking sides, but it was clear that he didn’t want Broto pressured because of his choice.

Mayor Deri looked at Broto for several moments before slowly exhaling.

“Alright... I understand.”

He gave a brief nod.

“I respect anyone’s decision.”

Malik returned the nod.

“Thank you.”

Not long afterward, the four Pioneers continued walking away until they gradually disappeared behind the rocks of Rock Island.

The surroundings fell silent once again. Only the wind could be heard blowing softly between the rocky cliffs.

Mayor Deri finally turned to the side and Rangga was still standing in the same place.

His gaze remained fixed on the direction where Broto had disappeared. His hand was still gripping the handle of his pickaxe tightly.

Mayor Deri watched him for several seconds before asking quietly,

“Rangga... What’s wrong?”