Novels by ARGA27

The subterranean kitchen fell into a heavy, lingering silence, the echoes of Jaka’s promise still hanging in the air like steam from a fresh pot. Kanya was already testing the perimeter of the far tunnel, her tactical gear clicking with rhythmic precision, while Jaka busied himself with a final, lingering look at the convection oven."You know," Jaka murmured, tracing the edge of a stainless steel counter, "this place could be the headquarters of a global culinary revolution. I’m thinking 'Jaka’s Fusion Sanctum.' Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?"Kanya didn't turn around. "It has a 'death trap' ring to it, Jaka. Can we please focus? We need supplies. If we don’t find fresh ingredients, the next time we run into a horde, your secret sauce is just going to be spicy water."Jaka sighed, clicking his tongue. "You’re such a buzzkill, Kanya. A girl has to dream, right? Fine, fine. Supplies first, world domination later."The team—bolstered by the inclusion of Ayu, the sharp-witted me

The golden light of the subterranean kitchen bathed the pristine, copper-clad counters in an ethereal glow. Jaka stood in the center of the space, his jaw nearly touching the floor. He ran a hand over a wall-mounted rack of knives that looked sharp enough to slice through a dimension."Kanya, are you seeing this?" Jaka whispered, his eyes wide. "That’s a flash-freeze blast chiller. And is that… a convection oven with a built-in sous-vide module? This isn't just a kitchen. This is a culinary paradise."Kanya kept her pistol leveled at the shadows, her eyes scanning the corners of the cavernous, gleaming room. "It looks like a laboratory, Jaka. A very expensive, very weird laboratory. Keep your guard up.""Oh, relax, Miss Security," Jaka said, already reaching for a bottle of aged vinegar he found on a nearby shelf. "If I had a kitchen this nice, I’d be too busy perfecting my emulsions to worry about world-ending threats."Before Kanya could respond, a figure stepped out from behind a m

The stairs ended abruptly, depositing them onto the cold, tiled platform of an abandoned subway station. The air here was stale, thick with the scent of stagnant water and ancient dust, but for Jaka, it smelled like a blank canvas.Jaka unhitched the cart, the wheels clattering against the cracked platform. "Well, this is cozy. If you ignore the flickering lights and the distinct feeling of being trapped in a tomb, it’s basically an underground studio apartment. We just need some mood lighting and a decent exhaust fan."Kanya walked a slow circle around the platform, her flashlight beam cutting through the gloom. She kicked a piece of debris aside, her boots echoing hollowly. "It’s secure. No sign of movement. For now, it’s the safest place we’ve been in a week."Jaka sighed, leaning back against his cart and wiping a streak of subway grime from his cheek. "That’s the thing about you, Kanya. You always talk about safety. Don't you ever get tired of being the shield?"Kanya paused, her

The golden pulse beneath the cracked concrete flickered, rhythmically beating like a giant, subterranean heart. Jaka stood motionless, his spatula hovering inches above the simmering wok."Kanya, are you seeing this?" Jaka whispered, his voice cracking. "My cart is vibrating. It’s like it’s trying to dance."Kanya leaned over the side of the cart, her hand resting on her holster, her eyes darting between the glowing fissures and the encroaching shadows of the Heights. "I see it, Jaka. And I don’t like it. It’s not just the ground; it’s the air. The temperature is dropping."Bambang the giant tilted his massive head, his milky eyes fixed on the pavement. He knelt, pressing a calloused palm to the glowing crack. He looked up at Jaka and grunted a soft, rhythmic sound."He thinks it’s hungry," Jaka said, wiping sweat from his brow with a stained apron. "Great. My cart is a beacon for the neighborhood's supernatural plumbing. Do you think I should feed it a bit of nasi? Maybe a side of ex

The courtyard of the Heights was supposed to be a sanctuary, but as the guards scrambled to their feet, their eyes shifting from their weeping, blinded leader to the towering, broom-wielding Bambang, the atmosphere turned sour."Get him! Take the cart!" a guard shouted, his voice cracking with panic."Oh, for heaven’s sake," Jaka groaned, waving a pair of tongs at the advancing mob. "Can’t a man finish his prep work in peace? You guys are worse than the lunch rush at a university canteen during finals week!"Kanya didn't wait for permission. She stepped in front of Jaka, her pistol barking twice. The shots weren't lethal, but they pinged off the concrete, sending dust showering onto Jaka’s pristine prep station."Jaka, focus!" Kanya hissed, her eyes locked on a side entrance where more of Bayu’s men were pouring in. "I can handle the front, but we’re being flanked! Do you have anything stronger than that chili extract?"Jaka looked at his spice rack—a chaotic collection of jars, pouch

The scraping of the broom against the asphalt was surprisingly rhythmic. The giant—whom Jaka had taken to calling ‘Bambang’ for lack of a better name—swept the debris with the focus of a zen monk."You know, for an apocalyptic engine of destruction, he’s got really good follow-through on his strokes," Jaka remarked, dusting off his apron.Kanya kept her hand near her holster, her eyes darting toward the alley entrance. "He’s a cleaning machine, Jaka. It’s creepy. But we have bigger problems. My radio is picking up movement. It’s not the Afflicted, though. These are human signatures.""People?" Jaka perked up. "Finally! I’ve been trying to conduct market research on zombies for hours, but they’re terrible at giving feedback. Do you think they’re hungry? I’ve got enough base for a decent soto.""Don't get your hopes up," Kanya warned. "If it’s the sector scavengers, they aren't looking for a meal. They’re looking for gear."The shadow at the alley’s mouth deepened. Two men stepped into