The Art Of Sword

After getting into the elevator Grace's eyes start to feel heavy. Her movement is a bit sluggish, even though before this she was fine.

Grace whispers to Sunz (Can you lend me a shoulder?)

Sunz whispers back (Sure what for?) while feeling concerned about Grace's condition (Are you ok?).

Grace place her head and an arm on Sunz's shoulder (Just a bit sleepy) then she grabs onto Sunz’s other shoulder with her last hand then she whisper one last time (Don’t drop the tower! I already gave you another support.) before falling asleep.

Sunz to himself (This is not an optimal position for holding someone…both of my arms can’t even hold her.)

Jihu: Smile for the camera!

Sunz (Fuck!). Jihu snaps a few photos of Sunz and Grace in that weird position.

Jihu: Your parents gonna love to see this!

Sunz: Don’t you dare! If my parents gonna know about this then it has to be from my mouth.

Grace in her sleeping state blurt out: Fucking Connard!

Jihu: What did she just say?

Sunz: I don’t know (I do know)!

Yama: Is that what having a girlfriend is like?

Jihu: In your dream buddy! This is a rare moment of no self-esteem.

No Name:…

Jihu: Are you going to add anything?

No Name: If you have nothing to say, it’s best to stay quiet.

Jihu: If your parents can’t know then someone else will.

*Pictures sent*

Jihu: Gonna take some time for him to respond tho.

Sunz: At least I’ll get some tips from Archibald.

Jihu: General couple tips, yes! But your situation is just so ‘you’, only you can understand it.

Sunz:… Can’t argue with that.

!!!

Sunz feels that Grace is waking up from the shifting of her body. Without looking at him, Grace pushes Sunz *slam* into one corner of the elevator and then back herself into the opposite corner while covering her body with her arm.

Grace and Sunz stare at each other for a bit while recovering their consciousness. Grace from her sleepiness and Sunz from the headrush.

Grace (Why was that moment always a nightmare to me?)

Sunz (Ouch! Headrush, really!?)

No Name: Sister? Did he do something inappropriate to you?!

Grace: What? I, uh don’t think so.

Sunz: Then why are you covering yourself like that?

No Name, Jihu and Yama: ???!!!

Jihu: You should be the last person to ask that question, or not asking at all.

Sunz: I know that I was paralyzed, but these bastard *show his hands* can probably act on their own.

Grace: Isn’t that a bit of a stretch, both figuratively and physically?

Sunz *asks seriously*: Then why are you still holding that pose?

Grace (can’t tell them I was being assaulted): Well, this is one of my sleeping positions. Whenever I wake up from sleeping on my belly, I usually try to push myself up… and on some occasions when I’m still sleepy, I just retract my arms like this and go back to sleep.

…

Sunz: Make sense, I did that sometimes.

Grace (*phew*): Thank you.

Jihu, No Name, and Yama (If you have nothing to say, it’s best to stay quiet.)

*Elevator sound*: Arcade Floor.

The elevator door opens to reveal a pitch-dark room with no light to illuminate it except for the light from the elevator.

Jihu: I’ll go first!

Jihu steps out of the elevator and on his first contact, the floor lit up like an invisible platform and slowly spread to the wall.

Grace sarcastically says: Wowww aesthetics!

Jihu: It’s not that impressive. Let’s move forward!

The gang keeps walking straight with Jihu as the leader. The farther they go, new lights appear and the old lights disappear. Until they reach a door guarded by no one.

Sunz: Dead end?

Jihu answered, “Not…quite.” While reaching out to touch the door. Which then summons two bodyguards after contact.

Grace: Now that was cool!

The two bodyguards standing at each hinge side of the door look the same as the bodyguards in the lobby, but this time they are wearing sunglasses… Well one of them is wearing fully intact sunglasses while the other is wearing sunglasses with one broken eye.

Sunglasses bodyguard: So you five are the next group. Well then have fun and don’t cause any trouble. Any questions?

Sunz: Yeah, one. Why are your sunglasses better than his?

Sunglasses bodyguard: Play stupid games, win stupid prizes…Well then just walk through the door and enjoy your time here.

One-eye bodyguard: Each of you has a total of 24 hours in the card.

Everyone thanks the bodyguards for the information and walks through what appears to be an illusion door.

*Only the two bodyguards left*

Sunglasses bodyguard: More conscious this time, haha.

One-eye bodyguard: Oh be quiet! I didn’t expect to scare that much muscle and get punched for it.

Sunglasses bodyguard: Seeing you get punched was quite a change of scenery… You’re still gonna keep scaring people, aren’t ya?

One-eye bodyguard: Yep! But now with more caution.

Sunglasses bodyguard: Ignore that then, who turns to buy food is it?

One-eye bodyguard: Well, since I got hit you should get us food…

Sunglasses bodyguard:… sure, but you should walk around a bit, and get some fresh air. Standing still for long periods isn’t good for you.

One-eye bodyguard: Standing still for long periods is a feat. And I get fresh air with you ‘lightweight’ every night.

Sunglasses bodyguard: Midnight…

*Back to the gang*

Grace: So…this is an arcade… a lot different from those computers.

Sunz: You’ve never gone to an arcade before?

Grace: Never. Have any of you gone to an arcade before?

Yama: Sometimes.

No Name: Never have.

Jihu: Me and him went once or twice before just to hang out.

Sunz: Going here alone is kind of boring unless you have other people with you or you are very good at all the games here.

“But this one is a lot different from the one at home.”

This arcade is just like every other arcade. A dark room being lit up by different arcade machines, with many people occupying it, mostly students and some families with kids. But this place is more lively and intense.

Many machines have groups of people standing around to watch, cheer, or waiting for their turn. And the machines that have the most people are the ones with people holding a ‘Red or Purple’ card.

*The gang scouting out the whole place before choosing what to do*

Grace: Those people with the ‘Red or Purple’ card are like celebrities here right? Judging by how few there are. It looks like each type of game has only 2 “Demon King or Shadow Monarch”.

Sunz: Yeah…wow you’re very perceptive.

Grace: I just read from the poster that all.

…

Everyone (So what now?)

Sunz: I guess, let’s just split up and see where things go.

Grace: First you said, “Going here alone is boring”. Now you suggest slitting up?

Sunz:…

Jihu interferes: What he means is we can go play the game we want now, and when one of us is bored they can join up with the other group. If you go here alone your options are continue playing or go home.

Grace: Well then, that is clear up. No-Name you’re going with me!

No Name: Yes, sister!

Grace and No Name disappear out of the three sights.

Sunz to Jihu: Nice saving!

Jihu: Just doing my job!

Yama: Well then you guys have fun. I’m going to the rhythm game section.

Sunz and Jihu: Ok see ya.

Sunz and Jihu look at each other…: Yeah, see you later.

Everyone split off to do their own stuff.

Grace and No Name gravitate toward the Dance&Karaoke section of the Place.

Yama enters the danger zone of musician Rhythm Forever.

Jihu wandered into the places of quick finger trigger One Shot.

Sunz heading into the Palace of 1v1, where he certainly can’t win.