Pak Herman looked at the three of them with an amused expression. "Oh, so you're looking for the stage of human life drama?" he said, laughing softly.
"Exactly, Pak!" Riri replied enthusiastically. "We want to see how greed, envy, generosity, and other traits appear in real life."
Pak Herman nodded thoughtfully, then smiled as if an idea had just struck him. "Well then, I have a place that might be perfect for you. A market."
"A market?" Romo furrowed his brow. "You mean a traditional market?"
"Yes, the market," Pak Herman affirmed. "The market is a microcosm of life. You'll find all kinds of people there. From the wealthy to the just-about-managing, from the honest to the cunning, from the generous to the calculating. Some are patient, some are hot-tempered. You'll also see how people negotiate, compete, and cooperate."
"Wow, that sounds interesting!" Marlon started to imagine the bustling market, the vendors shouting to sell their goods, and the shoppers haggling for the best price.
"Don't forget," Pak Herman continued, "there's also a lot of drama. There are mothers fighting for cheaper prices, fathers pretending not to notice their wallets are empty so their children don't ask for snacks, and sellers who pretend not to hear questions when their goods are overpriced."
Riri laughed. "Pak, maybe you're the one who pretends not to hear when asked to buy something?"
Pak Herman chuckled. "Me? Oh, I'm an expert in domestic diplomacy. If my wife asks me to buy vegetables, I will. But if she asks me to buy skincare, I pretend to check the price first, then say, 'Oh, the money's tight, we need it for rice.'"
They all laughed together. The conversation felt even warmer.
"But seriously, Pak," Romo said after the laughter died down, "have you ever observed things like that at the market?"
Pak Herman nodded. "Of course. The market is a laboratory of life. I often go there not just to shop, but to observe. You'll see how cunning people can be, and also how good they can be. The Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Heavenly Virtues are truly alive there."
"So, would you be willing to be our first source, Pak?" Romo asked, his eyes shining with hope.
Pak Herman paused for a moment, looked at them with a meaningful gaze, then sighed and smiled. "Of course. I'd be happy to help you."
Marlon and Riri exchanged looks, not expecting that their mentor would be their first source.
"This is going to be interesting!" Marlon beamed. "The market is the perfect place to start our research."
Pak Herman nodded, but his face turned a bit serious. "But there's one thing you need to remember. The market isn't just a gathering place for people. You might see things that… are strange."
"Strange?" Riri furrowed her brow. "What do you mean?"
Pak Herman rubbed his chin. "Things that are hard to explain logically. The market is where certain beliefs and practices meet. There are people who believe in the supernatural, and some even practice it."
Romo swallowed. "You mean, like, witchcraft?"
Pak Herman nodded. "I've seen vendors keep strange objects at their stalls, or people coming in the middle of the night for certain rituals. Some believe their goods will sell better if they make offerings. Some suddenly get angry for no reason. There are even stories about customers who haggle down the price to the lowest possible, then leave, and the next day, the seller gets sick for no apparent reason."
Riri shuddered. "Pak, stop scaring us. Now I'm thinking twice about joining this research."
Pak Herman laughed. "Relax. You just need to be careful and respect other people's beliefs. Remember, you're researchers, not judges. Your job is to observe, not to judge."
Marlon nodded firmly. "Okay, Pak. We'll be careful."
Pak Herman smiled contentedly. "Good. I'm sure you'll find many interesting things at the market. But remember, your safety is the priority. If something feels off, don't take any risks."
Riri sighed. "So, besides studying people, we also have to be ready to face things that can't be seen, huh? Is this research or a test of courage?"
They all laughed, but beneath the humor, they realized one thing: their journey had just begun, and the gray world they were searching for would soon become all too real before them.
Romo leaned back in his chair, looked at Pak Herman, and grinned slightly.
"Pak Herman, did you know that before we officially asked you to be our source, you were already our first source for Marlon and Riri?" he said, his tone casual but full of meaning.
Marlon and Riri turned to Romo with furrowed brows. They clearly didn't understand what he meant.
"Huh? What do you mean, Mo?" Marlon asked, his tone full of confusion.
Romo shrugged casually. "We already know a lot about you, Pak. We've seen how the Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Heavenly Virtues have played out in your life. Even without you realizing it, you've already shown us everything."
Pak Herman raised an eyebrow, now just as confused as they were.
"Wait, how did you know? From where?"
Romo leaned forward, trying to look mysterious. "Pak Herman isn't just an ordinary person. We know you once had your own business, and you've experienced the ups and downs of the business world. We also know you felt successful… until everything changed."
Marlon and Riri exchanged looks, then nodded slowly. It was true. They had heard various stories about Pak Herman from many sources, and without realizing it, they had already made him a real-life example in their research.