The Art Of Sword

*After 10 minutes*

The four arrive at a very tall cylinder shape building, which to Sunz looks kinda like a tower.

Sunz says to Jihu with an unenthusiastic voice: I can’t believe your country built this!

Jihu: Nobody expects ‘Dungeon’ and ‘Esport’ would mix this well.

Grace: Can you ‘Weirdos’ explain what this place is?

Jihu: We’ve been bantering too much already. Let’s just go inside and have the employees explain.

As the gang walks in, the door automatically opens for them. After everyone walks into the lobby.

The door instantly closed and then automatically locked itself after Yama went through (as the last person), which startled him a bit.

Inside the lobby, there are no other employees, except for two bodyguards standing in front of the entrance and a front desk lady.

One of the bodyguards said to the group: Please stay put and wait for the group in front of you to finish.

While the other bodyguard gives everyone in the group a complimentary water bottle.

Water bodyguard: Stay hydrated.

After that, the two bodyguards don’t speak another word.

Sunz’s mind (I thought they were supposed to speak Korean, not English?)

Sunz then looks around to see who is in front of them

Two people are at the front desk and one of them is talking to the lady. The one that is talking has a British accent and is the same height as Sunz’s group. The other is wearing a big hoodie over their weirdly tall, big, and familiar figure to Sunz.

…

Since the whole room wasn’t that big, it was quite easy to notice who they were and what they were talking about.

British guy: What do you mean that we don’t meet the conditions for those cards?

Front desk lady: I’m sorry but it’s policy. We can’t give you one of the cards unless you have visited 7 days in total. For now, your only option is the visitor tickets.

British guy: Can’t I just buy 7 tickets at once?!

Front desk lady: Sorry but only 1 ticket can be registered per day. You can buy 7 and use them every following day.

British guy sounds desperate: Don’t places make exceptions for ‘Special people’. What is your requirement?

Front desk lady: Big celebrity in general. Esport player that is playing or used to play in the ‘Main League’ of any game. If you aren’t any of that then I’m sorry.

British guy: What about ‘Hero’? Are there any exceptions?

Front desk lady: We do…but it will depend on your rank.

British guy tells his friend: You mind helping me?

Big guy then pulls out a card from his pocket and puts it on the counter.

Front desk lady takes a look at it and says: Your rank needs to be a lot higher to get the offer.

She places the card down and points at the two bodyguards: Those two and every bodyguard in this whole building are at least A-rank heroes. That is the minimum requirement. Sorry!

Big guy takes back his card and looks down at British guy.

British guy: Can you not joke around at this moment? It's past midnight already.

Big guy just shrugs and then pulls out a different card. This card is a lot more different than the previous one, more pristine and higher quality.

The lady has a look at the new card with some skepticism. Her expression quickly changes from skepticism to shock but her actions and voice are still calm and collected.

Front desk lady: So that will be two cards right?

British guy: Yes.

Front desk lady: Here you go! Enjoy your stay! And remember your win/loss affects your duration here.

The two take their card and then head to the elevator. After the elevator left the lady announced “Next group please!”

The gang moves closer to the desk.

Front desk lady: Wow big group today! Will it be tickets or do you have your own card?

Jihu: All card!

Front desk lady: OK then, just give me your card one at a time, then go stand near the elevator when you're done. If you have any questions, just ask!

Everyone takes turns to have their card scanned by the Lady. When it was Grace's turn, she asked.

Grace: What does this card use for?

Front desk lady scans the card then leers at Grace with a smile: This is your first time here right? Or should I say all of you!

…

Grace (Was that something I shouldn’t ask?) twiddling her fingers: Uhmm…Yes! Is that a problem?

Front desk lady: Don’t be that nervous! It’s obvious that you all are tourists, just from your clothes. Except for the first boy and the hooded one.

“Since no one is waiting at the moment, I can give you a brief explanation.”

“This whole building is a ‘Game Paradise’ where this card acts as your Title. It goes from ‘Player -> Challenger -> Demon King -> Shadow Monarch.”

“In this color order (The card starts shifting its color from) Gold -> Silver -> Red -> Purple.”

“And the last two keep switching their places on which is the best Title.”

The Lady gives Grace the card back along with a poster of the building layout.

Grace leaves The Lady with a “Thank You!” and then joins up with the Gang. Yama has his card scanned with no issue.

After all that. The gang heads into the elevator and the Lady tells them “Have Fun!”

The elevator closes then choose a floor for them.

Sunz: We didn’t pick a floor right?

Grace: It said in here that the elevator will take us to the ‘Lounge’ floor first. Then we can choose other floors from there.

Sunz: That’s convenient.

*The elevator opens to reveal a floor that is kinda similar to the hotel lobby floor combined with a food court.*

No Name: Let’s sit down and plan.

“Also, we are not going to the internet cafe floor! Are you two clear?” she said while glaring at Sunz and Jihu.

Sunz: We are not that addicted! Plus that floor is useless when you are going as a group.

Grace: No Name stop arguing with him for a moment. I need to ask them something.

No Name: ok!

Sunz: What was that?

Grace: What?

Sunz: Her attitude! She was more well-behaved toward your request.

Grace: That! So are you also requesting her to be nice toward you too?

Sunz: Of course not. That would be no fun. My ‘what’ here is, how fast did you two bond within the last 2-3 days?

Grace: As the ‘Adult’ of this group I need to take care of my sister. You three have each other while she has no one until I force my way in.

“Well, three might become two sooner or later. Better keep Yama within the group vicinity, these teenage girls are vicious.”

Sunz: Hey Yama you ok there? Is anyone trying to snatch you from us?

Yama drags his body close to Jihu and tugs on Jihu’s outfit then begs: Please save me! As the other attractive person, you must have some way to negate all this attention.

Jihu to Yama: Ok let’s go!

Jihu to the rest: We’ll be back in 5 minutes.

Jihu then drags Yama to the nearest bathroom.

*Now there is only Sunz, No Name, and Grace together.*

No Name: This group is a bit odd but in a good way.

Grace: See! This is better than just staying in your room all day.

Sunz:…

Grace: You know, this is the second friend group I’ve been in. Back in France before all this and before my first group I didn’t have any friends nor did I plan to have any.

No Name: Was it because of you or the people around you?

Sunz:…

Grace: A bit of both… Judging from my clothes, my manners, and my weapon it was pretty blatant that I came from a rich family.

“And…with different wealth come different study environments. Grade never mattered much to my parents because I was born with something special.”

Grace summons a snowflake floating in her palm. Both Sunz and No Name say nothing, allowing Grace to continue.

Grace: In the early stages of my life, I spent a lot of time improving my ability, with the help of my parents, two ordinary human beings.

“Until the start of secondary school, they tell me that I’m ready to know their secret… They are ‘Heroes’ and they would like me to follow in their footsteps. Like a good daughter, I agree.”

“For the next few years, I was trained by them with the weapon of my choice. The training was harsh but I managed through it. Whenever I improve their compliment gives me confidence, but when nothing changes or I get a bit rusty. They didn’t say anything, which crushed me and forced me to train behind their back.”

“Until Highschool started!”

Grace suddenly stops and nervously asks: Am I… talking too much?

Both Sunz and No Name were really enjoyed listening to Grace’s story.

Sunz: Not at all, I was really enjoying it. This is the most open you have ever been, during your time here.

No Name: I was also enjoying it a lot too, but I think I won’t be sharing any today.

Grace pat No-Name’s head and said: No need for you to open up this soon. Ok then let’s get back to the story.

While telling her backstory Grace’s voice was very calm.

Grace: Until Highschool started, my parents told me “From now on you’ll be on your own. We won’t always be there to assist you anymore.” Which is the start of my independent life, but with my parents' financial support.

“The story will end there for now, I’ll tell you two more when we get some private moment. Those two are back already.”

No Name:…

Sunz: Way to end on a cliffhanger.

Grace: Time is limited! Sorry, hehe!

When Jihu and Yama come back, it doesn’t look like anything changed.

Sunz’s voice is a bit annoyed: What did he teach you, Yama?

Yama:...

Jihu says with a snarky voice: Why so angry buddy? Did I ruin your time with the ladies?

Sunz: Well you did ruin story time… How is Yama holding up? He not saying anything.

Jihu: Poor kid, his brain got short-circuit after hearing some compliments, combined with encountering some girls while coming back here.

Sunz: Will he return soon?

Jihu: Within the next minute.

Grace: That's enough time for a question for you two. This has been bugging me, what is a ‘Demon King’ and ‘Shadow Monarch’ rank?

Sunz and Jihu: One is a ‘God’ in the gaming culture and the other is just ‘Arise’.

…

Grace: That is enough for me not wanting to know more.

Just after that Yama returns to reality.

Yama: Where am I?

Jihu: Reality buddy!

Grace: Looks like everyone is here. Let’s get moving!

Sunz: So which floor are we going to?

Grace: The Arcade floor. The most neutral floor in this whole building. And apparently, this place also has an Aquarium.

The Gang makes their way to the Arcade floor.