As Wanderer and his team approached the horizon of Mermaid Settlement, he turned to Pann, who was gripping the handlebars of his dirt bike tightly. "Don't worry, Pann. You will get your freedom after this... just a little bit," he reassured him.

Pann nodded, determination burning in his eyes. "Understood. I'll do my part, Wanderer. I won't disappoint you."

When they finally reached the Mermaid Settlement, the relentless Jackals were still hot on their trail. "Fuck... you stubborn old man!" Wanderer cursed as the chase continued, he turn back while take a shot with a shotgun, the dusty streets ahead filled with chaos.

As the fight spilled into the streets, fear gripped the bystanders. People ran in panic, desperate to escape the impending danger. one of jackal driver the shout at old man who trying attempt shot at wanderer dirt bike “damn. what we going to do? do we will break the treaty by keep chasing him?!”

old man then reload his pistol and speak “just shut up and drive!”

One bright morning, a boy with brown hair woke up in his bed, sunlight streaming through the window. He squinted against the light, feeling the familiar rush of another school day. Quickly, he got up, ate breakfast, dressed, and grabbed his bag as his parents dropped him off at school.

As he stepped into the school, a wooden structure with a dark oak, a chill lingered in the air, even indoors. He made his way to his classroom and settled into his designated seat. Just moments later, Mermaid entered, a woman with red headscarf, her warm smile lighting up the room. "Good morning, comrades! I'm glad most of you are present. Want to take a guess on what today's lesson will be?"

Mermaid then continued, "I would like a volunteer to write down today's lesson on the board. Anyone willing?"

Every hand shot up except for the boy. He was too busy thinking of ways to impress Mermaid, hoping to be her favorite student. She noticed his silence and called him out. "I've noticed you sitting there quiet again. Wanna tell me why?"

Before he could respond, chaos erupted outside. An armed car was being chased by gang pickup trucks and bikes, gunshots echoing through the streets. The armed car slammed into the school wall, and a group of people dismounted, using the school as cover while they returned fire.

"Alright everyone! Head under your desks now!" Mermaid shouted, her voice laced with panic as she tried to calm the students. She ensured everyone was under their desks while the shooting continued, the car taking damage from the bullets.

Wanderer, outside, "Enough retreating. We will burn them!" he ordered his mercenaries, commanding them to use explosives to destroy the gang vehicle blocking the school gate. The explosion rang out, and the sound of gunfire was momentarily subdued.

As the dust settled, the shooting finally stopped, and some parts of the school wall crumbled from the blast. People cautiously emerged from their desks, Mermaid leading the way. she heard the sound of heavy boots approaching the classroom and turned to see who it was,

A man in a dark cloak entered, lifting his mask to reveal a tanned face with a short beard. "Well... sorry about that," he said, his tone surprisingly apologetic.

Mermaid looked at him in surprise. "It's quite alright, sir. I suppose this has something to do with gangs, as usual," she replied, concern creeping into her voice.

Wanderer glanced around, assessing the situation. "Hm... is anyone injured?"

Mermaid shook her head. "No students were injured." She then turned to boy, her expression softening. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," the boy replied, still shaken but relieved.

Wanderer smiled slightly. "I think he is still shocked... it's alright, boy. The bad guys are burnt to crisps."

Mermaid nodded, her concern still evident. "Well, I'm glad everyone is perfectly fine. I hope you don't mind me asking if I can help you. Are you looking for something?"

Wanderer hesitated, then asked, "I know it's not the right time to ask, but... are you the Mermaid?"

Surprised, Mermaid replied, "Yes... I am. Why are you asking?"

"Well, I remember you preaching near the mosque just a few weeks ago," he said, crossing his arms.

"Ah, so you were a listener of my sermon?" she said, her tone curious.

"Yes. What are you doing here?" he pressed.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"Well, I am working as a teacher in this school," she explained, glancing around the classroom. "Not that I'm trying to be rude, but is there a reason you're asking me all these questions in particular? Do you know me?"

Wanderer shifted uncomfortably. "I... I just don't like your teaching," he admitted, stepping outside the classroom and gesturing for her to follow.

Mermaid stepped outside, her voice tense. "Alright, I'm outside the class now. What do you want to talk about?"

Wanderer looked outside from window, at the burning car, then back at her. "You see... are you kind of the leader of this settlement?"

She regarded him with a perplexed expression. "Yes, you could say I am the leader of this town. Why do you ask?" Her tone was curious, her hand resting on her hip.

Wanderer continued, "Yes... I should ask, what kind of place do you envision?" Just then, a small explosion erupted from the burning car, punctuating his question.

Mermaid looked back at the burning car, the explosion still echoing in her ears. She turned to the man beside her, her expression firm yet calm. "I have a dream of this town for everyone to be safe here. I see it as a place where everyone can live peacefully, without worries of other factions attacking us. I know it's not likely to become a reality, but maybe one day everyone can live in harmony here."

Wanderer chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Hah... God indeed works in mysterious ways. If they never chased me, we might never have talked." He began to walk down the hallway, his thoughts drifting.

Mermaid frowned slightly, her mind racing. "Oh God... don't tell me he's a religious person as well," she thought, a mix of confusion and curiosity washing over her. Realizing he was leaving her behind, she hurried to catch up, walking next to him. "May I ask what you mean by 'God working in a mysterious way'? And I don't think I ever got your name yet..."

"You can call me Wanderer," he replied, his tone casual. "I was a mercenary in the wasteland, usually working with SWAT. You know, that military order with big guns."

Mermaid paused, processing his words. Her expression softened slightly. "Right, I'm aware of the SWAT. They're the ones with big guns and tanks, yes?" she inquired, wanting to understand more about the man before her.

"Yes, with less empathy," Wanderer said, stopping in his tracks. "To get the job done."

Mermaid crossed her arms, her voice cautious. "And I'm guessing your job is to eliminate the gangs in this town? That's why you were outside our school today?"

Wanderer shook his head. "No, my job is to make those gangs come after me. They put a bounty on my head." He rubbed his cheek. "I even don’t know why I’m talking all of this to you."

"You talk a lot, don't you?" she responded sarcastically, rolling her eyes. "Why would they put a bounty on you in particular though? They don't usually put bounties for no reason."

Wanderer raised an eyebrow. "Mhm... do you have a bounty too? You own the biggest black market in the wasteland, at least in your territory."

Mermaid regarded him with a serious expression. "What if I am?" She shook her head, her suspicion growing. "You keep asking me all these questions. Is there some reason behind all this? Are you going to put a bounty on me as well?"

Wanderer shrugged. "No, I just... don’t like you, that’s all."

Her expression shifted from serious to annoyed. "So you just simply don’t like me because of my status? Don’t you think that’s a bit petty?" she challenged, frowning.

"Yes, you’re so powerful but yet act innocent behind those sermons," he shot back.

Mermaid narrowed her eyes at him, crossing her arms defiantly. "I am powerful, yes. But I don’t use my powers for destruction and ruin." She raised an eyebrow, challenging him. "What do you think I should do then? Be a tyrant like most faction leaders nowadays? What makes you think my sermons are innocent, may I ask?"

Wanderer leaned in slightly, his voice low. "You’re using a false interpretation of religion. I still remember your quotes. Even if I’m not that devout a Muslim myself, I still know right from wrong."

Mermaid’s anger flared. "So just because I give a different interpretation of Islam than most do, I’m suddenly a bad person? Don’t you think that’s a bit ridiculous?" Her voice rose defensively. "I believe I’m leading my people on the right path, which is my goal. What do you expect me to do? Abandon my religion?"

"Fix your eyes," Wanderer replied, his tone firm.

She raised an eyebrow, sarcasm dripping from her words. "Fix my eyes? Are you saying I’m blind to the truth?"

"Yes. So what’s your explanation for the weapon dealing in your market?" he pressed, wiggling his eyebrows. "Oh no, don’t tell me you’ll just say you do it to help people defend themselves or something... libertarian nonsense."

Mermaid smirked, clearly anticipating his question. "Yes, it’s exactly that. I provide people with means to defend themselves and their loved ones." She stated it matter-of-factly, then continued, "Tell me something, Mr. Wanderer. Do you have a family or loved ones yourself? Do they know about your line of work?"

"Yes, my boys... my soldiers. They bleed and kill for me," he replied,

"Of course, your 'boys.' Your soldiers, huh? I wonder how they feel being used by their leader," she said cynically. "It seems like your only goal in this world is to use your skills to kill and destroy, am I right? You probably don’t care what the outcome is as long as you get a paycheck at the end of the day, don’t you?"

"Alright, you want to guilt trip me? Well, let me tell you this: it didn’t work. So stop selling those weapons so I can kill the bad guys and mutants more easily. Is that clear?"

Mermaid rolled her eyes again and laughed. "Oh, that's ironic. You want me to stop selling weapons so you can kill more people? You're quite the joke." A smirk danced on her lips as she continued, "And what if I don't stop selling weapons? What are you going to do about it? Kill me?"

Wanderer’s raise his left eyebrows "Yes, and burn your little freak town."

Mermaid smirked, having anticipated his response. "Well then, if you want to fight, have your soldiers attack Rayaskent." She knew the kind of person he was; he thrived on violence, so why deny him his fun?

"Rayaskent?" Wanderer echoed, trying spell the unfamiliar word on his tounge

"That's the name of this 'little freak town,' as you called it," she replied sarcastically. "Well? What's it going to be, Mr. Wanderer? I have a country to lead and a sermon to give in a few hours." She awaited his response, her demeanor calm yet challenging.

Wanderer paused, his gaze steady. "I stopped using torture many years ago, but you indeed beg for one."

Mermaid chuckled, finding the idea amusing. "Oh, is that a threat? I'd love to see you try and torture me. I'd like to see the big tough mercenary fail."

"Good... and that doesn't sound very saintly, does it?" he shot back.

She smirked, clearly enjoying the banter. "Maybe I'm not the saint you think I am. Why don't you keep talking and find out?"

Wanderer leaned in slightly, his voice low. "I could kill you on the spot, but perhaps not today. Not in front of your children."

"Of course. It figures a big guy like you wouldn't have enough bravery to kill someone in front of others," Mermaid snarked. "Tell me then, what is your next move? Are you going to continue this little conversation or head back to your 'little freaks'?" She relished the verbal sparring, her confidence unwavering.

"I will besiege your town until you stop arming the bad guys," Wanderer declared.

Mermaid smirked again, finding irony in his plan. "So, to stop me from arming the bad guys, you're just going to kill a lot of innocent people in this town instead. How very heroic." She raised an eyebrow, challenging him further. "So? What's your next move after you besiege the town then?"

"I will separate the mutants and humans," he replied, his tone serious.

"Separate the mutants and humans? Well, you’ve got quite the ambition there, don’t you?" she crossing her arms., "And then what? Are you just going to exterminate all the mutants or what?"

"I had a dream in my mind, but that’s something not for people like you for share."

"Oh, I've got a feeling I know what kind of dream you have, Mr. Wanderer," she said, smirking again. "I’d guess you dream of a world where mutants are all dead, and you are hailed as a hero." She raised her hands in a mock cheer. "Am I close?"

Wanderer turned away, walking toward the exit of the school where his mercenaries waited.

Mermaid smirked, sensing his annoyance. As he left, she called out, "Oh, and don't be late for the sermon tomorrow!"

She couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of the mercenary sitting through a religious sermon, the image of his discomfort bringing her a moment of joy amidst the tension. Mermaid watched him leave, her smirk faltering. She had struck a nerve, she could feel it. But she couldn't tell if she had won a victory or provoked a dangerous enemy.