23-1 The Nagini Dance

  Nagini dodged the twin elders' barrage. Her body swayed and twisted like a dancer.

  The slashes from their karambits grew faster and more vicious.

  Durgono: "No need to drag this out, Gani."

  Durgani: "The quicker we finish this woman, the bigger the bonus."

  They both laughed boisterously.

  So far, none of their strikes had touched Nagini's body. She moved with extreme agility, slipping away from every attack. Occasionally, she struck back with punches and kicks laced with icy inner energy.

  Nagini smirked. She had already measured the twin elders' inner strength.

  Durgono and Durgani began to feel the pressure; her fluid movements and unbreakable defense frustrated their assault.

  Durgono: "Gani! This woman is skilled!"

  Durgani: "No wonder the Great Madam sent us."

  Every slash, thrust, stab, and slice of their karambits was neutralized by Nagini's cold aura.

  They grew restless. Not one strike had landed.

  Worse yet, Nagini occasionally flung poisoned needles. The twins were forced to deflect some with their blades while dodging the rest with desperate agility.

  The fight turned completely around. Now the twins were on the defensive, unable to keep up their earlier aggression.

  Durgono: "Kampret! Our karambits can't get through to her!"

  Durgani: "Those needles are breaking up our attacks!"

  Durgono: "Forget attacking—we can barely dodge them!"

  They were in disarray.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Durgono: "What do you think?"

  Durgani: "Finishing move!"

  Immediately, they shifted into a paired combat stance.

  Durgono attacked from above, Durgani from below—launching their twin-style killing technique.

  ***

  23-2: Major Wardoyo

  Giono nodded as the phone remained at his ear.

  Giono: "Thanks, Wardoyo. You still have my weapon."

  On the other end, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a military crew cut opened a laptop while holding his phone.

  He was Wardoyo—Giono's old friend, still active in the military.

  Wardoyo: "Your weapon's safe, No."

  Giono: "Good. I'll come over soon."

  Wardoyo: "You asking for that weapon… must mean something serious. You're handling this yourself?"

  Giono: "I have to eliminate the people threatening my family and my business."

  Wardoyo nodded slowly.

  Wardoyo: "Alright. But be careful—your weapon is no longer registered."

  Giono nodded again and hung up.

  Karto and Turiman exchanged glances, munching on kacang Sukro at Yu Karmi's snack stall.

  ***

  23-3 Karto and Turiman

  Karto: "Boss, are we hitting Kembang Setaman Discotheque again?"

  Turiman: "Isn't that Great Madam Mariana dangerous?"

  Giono: "Weladalah… wedus! Karto! Turiman! I'm going in quietly, alone."

  Karto and Turiman nodded, but in their minds, they had other plans.

  Karto (whispering): "Hey, Man! You just gonna sit this out?"

  Turiman: "Of course not, To! We're joining the raid!"

  Giono eyed them.

  Giono: "Karto! Order more coffee from Yu Karmi."

  Karto: "Bitter, Boss?"

  Turiman grinned.

  Giono: "Ladalah! Of course bitter, Karto."

  Karto: "Two spoons coffee, half spoon sugar."

  Turiman: "And don't forget—stir it exactly 18 times. No more, no less, right, Yu Karmi?"

  Tarmin the ketoprak vendor and Yu Karmi chuckled quietly at the banter.

  The night grew colder and quieter. The parking lot dimmed as mist began to creep in.

  ***

  23-4: Searching for Evidence

  Bareskrim Headquarters.

  Haryono Fadli and Aditya sat across from each other at a long table. Satrio sat beside Fadli.

  Aditya connected his laptop to a large wall-mounted monitor.

  Blip!

  The screen came alive.

  Haryono: "What did you find, Aditya?"

  Aditya: "All illegal activities—human trafficking, narcotics, gambling—point to Mariana."

  Fadli: "Transactions from Rizal and Diono also point to her."

  Haryono: "Is this solid?"

  Aditya pressed a key.

  The screen showed banking transactions—dates, sender account numbers, receiver accounts. Several names appeared.

  Haryono shook his head. Fadli's eyes widened at the amounts.

  Aditya: "These are large transfers from Mariana to Arizal and Diono."

  Satrio: "Where'd you get this?"

  Aditya sipped coffee, cigarette smoke curling around his thick glasses.

  Aditya: "From Tina, sir."

  Haryono: "Tina, the KPK cyber team?"

  Aditya: "Exactly."

  Fadli: "Tina from KPK… her cyber skills are unmatched."

  **"

  23-5: Kuntadi—Mariana's Henchman

  Aditya showed photos of Rizal and Diono meeting Mariana in a discotheque.

  Haryono: "Aren't they already in custody?"

  Aditya: "Yes, sir."

  Fadli: "And all captured thugs named Mariana as their boss."

  Aditya: "Kuntadi, leader of the Kangkung Gang planning to smuggle people to Thailand, turns out to be her man."

  Haryono: "The one Burhan caught with the guy in the red jacket?"

  Aditya: "Yes, sir. The red jacket guy is Nagini."

  Fadli: "We've got concrete proof linking her to bribery, drugs, gambling, human trafficking."

  Haryono: "And attempted murder of Burhan and Nagini at the apartment."

  Aditya: "She hired Bimo to execute them."

  Haryono: "Bimo? The ex-Kopassus sniper who deserted?"

  Aditya: "Yes, sir."

  To be continued

  Author's note:

  Thank you for reading NAGINI! ????

  On Patreon, the first 6 chapters are completely free to read.

  The Patreon version also contains the full revision:

  ? Expanded and refined dialogue

  ? Nagini’s subtle humor gestures

  ? More vivid visual settings

  Read the complete revised version on Patreon:

  ??