Silence.
No one could speak.
Everyone was captivated by Adrin's masculine allure, even Dumba.
With great effort, Dona stood up, clutching her shoulder as if enduring unbearable pain.
"You... the one who came out from the portal on the mountain yesterday. Dumba, he's the one I told you about, the man who wields godlike power."
Dumba rose from his seat, walking slowly toward Adrin, his eyes wide with disbelief. For a moment, a tear escaped and slid down his cheek.
"It's been so long since I've seen a man as perfect as you... You are truly magnificent," Dumba confessed, unable to contain his emotions any longer. "Why? Why did you hide your identity from us?"
"I had no choice," Adrin replied. "Look at yourselves. When I arrived here in the form of a frail old man, your people mocked me, threw things at me, and drove me away. But now, seeing me as I truly am, you've lost control. Lust has devoured your minds. I can see it clearly, every one of you is aroused by me, willing to die just to receive my seed. For the sake of my mission, I had to conceal who I was."
Dona spoke bitterly, "No wonder Shima became so powerful overnight. This was your doing." She glared at the girl's direction with disgust. "Shima, I knew you had something planned. You, a weak, quiet girl, suddenly wanted to fight me? You lured Adrin's sympathy so you could have him to yourself all night. I'm sure you lost your virginity to him and took his seed. You're nothing but a deceitful little witch!"
"What are you talking about, Dona?" Shima asked, bewildered. "I don't even know who this Adrin Sunaga really is. Yesterday, I thought he was just an old man named Sunda who could barely walk. This is my first time seeing him in this form."
"Liar! You hypocrite!" Dona shouted, turning to the crowd. "Everyone! Can't you see what's happening here? Shima selfishly wants to claim this powerful man for herself! We all know we need a man to increase our population, but she's keeping Adrin to herself. Are you going to allow that?"
The crowd, once silent, began whispering among themselves. Some nodded in agreement, others hesitated, thinking over Dona's words. Faces turned sour. Anger began to spread like wildfire.
Shouts and jeers erupted. People started cursing Shima from afar. Their words grew harsher, crueler, insults and mockery like those once thrown at Adrin now rained down on her.
Adrin drew in a deep breath and spoke with a voice that thundered through their minds, shaking their very souls.
"Calm yourselves, people of Trunka! Dona's words are false. Nothing she says is true. Let us end this, end this festival, and move on. Focus on the main problem: how to solve your declining population."
At his command, silence fell once more. It was as if a god himself had spoken. All nodded in quiet obedience.
"Now, Dona," Adrin said, "your duel with Shima ends here. I'll also return this device, the Broja, to you."
"That Broja was mine from the beginning," Dona snapped. "It's an heirloom of my ancestors. You, an outsider, have no right to claim what isn't yours." She raised her hand, demanding the black box from Adrin.
"You're right. But considering you nearly annihilated everyone here with this device, I can't just hand it over. I could destroy it right now, but I'll give you a chance instead. I'll return it on one condition. You have to apologize and admit your defeat to Shima."
"What? Are you kidding me?!"
"You heard me. Apologize and accept your loss. Let Dumba be with Shima from now on, and I'll give this back."
"Never! I will never admit my defeat to that wretched girl!"
"Enough, Dona. Look at yourself. You're badly wounded, how could you continue fighting in that state? Do as I ask, and in return, I'll give you a reward... the one you've always desired."
"And what is that?"
"My seed," Adrin replied firmly. "I know you would die just to bear my child. If you admit defeat and apologize to Shima, it might happen."
Dona hesitated. Her gaze shifted to Dumba, unreadable, then to Shima, her eyes filled with hatred, anger, and despair. Then she looked at everyone else, nearly breaking into tears. Her entire being trembled with humiliation and rage.
Lowering her head, she let her hair fall to cover her face, teeth clenched tight, hands shaking uncontrollably.
"I may have lost to Shima, and that's your doing, Adrin. But even if I die, I'll never apologize to her! It should've been me with you last night. I should be the one who received your power, not her! Shima already stole Dumba from me long ago, and I could do nothing to win his heart back. Then, when I thought I'd finally found someone extraordinary for me, she took him as well! That girl, she's stolen everything from me! No... I'll never forgive her. Not even in hell!"
Adrin stood silent, pity softening his eyes. Dona's soul had been completely consumed by jealousy, by lust, by despair. He sighed. There was nothing more he could do to save her.
"If that's your answer, then so be it. I wanted to give you a chance, but you refused. I can't entrust the Broja to you."
"The fuck with you, Adrin Sunaga!" Dona screamed. "If I can't have you nor Dumba, then no one will! I'll drag you all into hell with me!"
She pulled out a small remote from her belt pouch and slammed her thumb onto the large red button. The Broja in Adrin's hand began to vibrate violently. He instantly knew what it meant, danger. He tried to destroy the device with his energy, but it was too late.
The Broja exploded. A massive sphere of radiant energy, like an atomic blast expanded outward, engulfing the entire village. The roar echoed across the forests and mountains, shaking the land. Every building, every life in Trunka was reduced to dust.
All was turned to ash in an instant. Nothing remained.
Only Adrin and Shima survived, the last two standing amid the ruins of what was once called a village.