Her name was Andini.A beautiful female CEO whom many dubbed the business goddess of Java.The moniker wasn't just because of her looks, but also her keen ability to read opportunities. At an age still considered young for the corporate world, Andini had invested in a multitude of sectors, ranging from culinary, real estate, and logistics, all the way to premium agricultural products. She was known to be cold on the job, sharp when analyzing reports, and ruthless when it came to cutting unprofitable projects.Andini wasn't entirely of Javanese descent.Russian blood flowed through her veins.Because of this, no one was surprised to see that her appearance strayed far from the typical Javanese woman. Her silver hair shimmered softly whenever it caught the light. Her skin was fair, smooth, and practically flawless. She had a pair of sapphire blue eyes, crystal clear yet entirely unreadable, like a frozen lake hiding dangerous depths. Her naturally pink lips weren't overly full, but th

The purchase of the tossa went off without a hitch.With the paperwork, payment, and a quick inspection squared away, Jaka finally drove the three-wheeled vehicle back home with Bejo. The tossa's engine let out a low rumble as it navigated the uneven village roads. Its rear tires occasionally rolled over loose gravel, causing the empty cargo bed in the back to rattle lightly.To Jaka, the vehicle was just a tool. It was something they needed to haul the harvests they'd been carrying on their own backs all this time.But to Bejo, the tossa felt like a grand prize.Throughout the ride home, the old man kept glancing over his shoulder, eyes sparkling as he stared at the cargo bed. His hand would occasionally stroke the iron railing beside his seat, as if afraid it was all a dream that would vanish if he stopped touching it."It's really nice, huh," Bejo murmured, his voice soft but brimming with satisfaction. "The bed is plenty wide. If we use it to haul chilies, vegetables, fruit... we

Shortly after, Jaka secured the baskets to the bed of the cargo trike to keep them from jostling during the trip. He crisscrossed the ropes, yanking them tight until the load was perfectly stable. The fruits inside sat safely, neatly arranged in the shallow shade cast by the side panels.Bejo didn't tag along to the market. Aside from needing to prep the fields for plowing, Susi's presence was simply much more vital when it came to sales.The traditional market wasn't too far, but it was already bustling when Jaka and Susi arrived. Haggling echoed from every direction. Vegetable vendors called out to customers with booming voices. Fishmongers fanned their wares to shoo away flies. The scent of chili, shallots, ripe fruit, butchered chicken, and muddy earth mingled into a distinct market aroma you couldn't find anywhere else.Jaka parked the trike in the designated area for small vendors. Susi hopped off immediately, smoothed out her clothes, and scanned the surroundings with sharp e

"Sorry, but I don't have a cut to give you."Jaka's voice was calm.In the middle of the winding-down market, those words fell like a pebble onto the surface of still water. Not loud, but enough to shift the atmosphere around them. A few vendors who had been packing up their stalls slowly turned their heads. Some pretended to be busy counting cash, while others immediately lowered their eyes, terrified that even looking would drag them into trouble.The evening breeze carried a mix of damp earth, wilting vegetables, overripe fruit, sweat, and the aroma of fried snacks wafting from the end of the market alley. Near their utility trike, a few empty fruit crates were stacked neatly. The day's stock was completely sold out. Nothing remained except a few plastic wrappers and the lingering sweet scent of fruit.Standing right in front of Jaka, however, three thugs blocked the way."Hmph!"The three snorted almost in unison.One of them, a broad-shouldered man in a faded black T-shirt, til

Every time Jaka recalled the sound of that thug's body hitting the ground, a tightness gripped his chest. It wasn't fear of them. He was afraid of himself. When he slammed his opponent down earlier, he had held back. When he struck their stomachs and faces, he hadn't used his full strength either.Even so, look at what happened.If he lost control for even a split second, what would happen then?'This was just the first time,' Jaka thought, drawing a soft breath. 'I won, but I'm still not used to this.'He gazed down the darkening village road. The fading afternoon sun washed over the distant rice paddies, setting the water in the small plots aglow. Usually, the view brought him peace. Today, his mind was racing.The mysterious power he had gained wasn't just a blessing.It was a responsibility.'After going through that, I feel like I need even more strength,' he thought. 'Tonight, I have to train hard. Not just to increase my power, but to control it.'When they arrived home, the f