"So that's your wish, Allen?" I asked, narrowing my eyes slightly, trying to gauge his resolve.
"Yes," he replied firmly. "I only want that, and I'm willing to even go against my morals for my wish."
I gave a small, knowing smirk. "Well, that's everyone, right?"
Allen hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Anyways, Ken, was it?"
"Yes, Ken. That's right," I replied.
"What's your wish?" Allen asked, curiosity mingled with disbelief.
"Mine?" I said, pausing for a moment. "I honestly don't know. You see, before I got here... I shot myself, so I didn't really get the time to think about it."
Allen's eyes widened in shock. "You shot yourself? Why? What happened?"
"Well, I had the police chasing after me. Although it doesn't make sense how they found me. I'm assuming they got a third-party tip from someone who taught me my methods." I leaned back, letting the tension in my shoulders ease. "You see, I lost my memory. Not sure how, but that's what got me here. Although, I'm slowly regaining it. If I had a wish, it would be to erase my past. Because I don't want to know what happened back then that made me the man I am."
Allen looked at me, his expression conflicted. "I... I see. But anyway, where are we going exactly? If we drive through that location, it'll take more time to make it to the big city."
I smiled slyly, pointing at the map. "Oh, Allen, we're making a short stop where your role comes into play. Once you fulfill it, I'll let you play a game against me for whatever I've collected up until that point. And if you win, you take it all."
Allen's eyes narrowed. "And how can I trust you?"
"That's the thing you can't," I replied, locking eyes with him. "But you can believe in me. Have faith."
"Well, it's not like I can do much anywayyou're much smarter than me," Allen said, crossing his arms. "How long are you planning on keeping up that blind persona of yours, by the way?"
"Oh, that? After I get the first gem, that's all you need to know," I replied with a smirk. "Anyway, it seems like we've arrived at our stop."
"Alrighty." I jumped off the carriage with ease, landing on solid ground.
Moments later, the referee's voice echoed, "It seems one player has left the carriage. The winner is Allen Whitaker." He paused dramatically before continuing. "Now then, as per the game rules, Allen will be rewarded 100 coins. Would you like to play another round?"
"Yes, we would, but not now. In a bit." I motioned for Allen to follow me. "Now, Allen, come. This is the place."
As Allen stepped off the carriage and scanned his surroundings, he raised an eyebrow. "An abandoned warehouse?"
"Yes, precisely," I said with a nod. "You're going to be rebuilding a news station in this warehouse using your coins. When the time comes, I'll use this news station to my advantage. And once I'm done with it, we'll play a game."
Allen furrowed his brow, processing the information. "I see… Anyway, let's head inside."
As I pushed open the heavy door, it creaked loudly, revealing a chilling scene inside. Bodies were scattered across the floor, unconscious, their faint breathing the only sign of life. At the center of the chaos stood a man, towering and imposing, his frame carved like a warrior sculpted from stone. A katana gleamed in his hand, its edge sharp enough to cut the air itself. His piercing gaze locked onto mine, unwavering and full of intent.
"Are you a true warrior?" he asked, his voice deep and steady, carrying the weight of someone who'd seen countless battles.
I tilted my head slightly, studying him as the tension in the room thickened. "True warrior? And what exactly would that be?" I replied, my voice calm but laced with curiosity.
"I'll show you," he declared, his voice sharp and resolute.
Before I could react, he closed the gap between us with blinding speed, swinging his katana in one fluid motion. The steel gleamed as it slashed through the air, its speed almost imperceptible.
"Crap, I underestimated this guy," I thought, leaning back at the very last second to avoid the strike. But he wasn't finished his next attack came immediately, the blade tracing arcs of danger in the air. I dodged, barely staying a step ahead, each evasion becoming more frantic as I felt the cold, unforgiving wall behind me.
It was like a game of cat and mouse. With one final, decisive slash aimed at ending the match, I managed to sidestep at the last moment, narrowly escaping a critical blow. I then pivoted to my right, feinting to my left, forcing him to overcommit. Seizing the brief opening, I threw a powerful right hook.
The strike was intercepted, his katana's handle absorbing the blow effortlessly. Without hesitation, he swung the blade again, aiming to cut me down, but I ducked, the steel whispering past my ear. This was my moment I launched an uppercut with all my strength, driving my fist toward his chin.
The punch connected.
But he didn't move.
Not an inch.
It felt like punching a mountain unyielding, immovable, and utterly unstoppable. A chill ran down my spine as the realization hit me. This wasn't just an opponent. He was a force of nature.
"You are not a true warrior," he muttered, his voice laced with disappointment.
Before I could process his words, he struck decisively, hitting me with the dull side of his blade. The force sent me sprawling to the ground, the taste of iron filling my mouth as the world spun.
"Huh… Where am I?" I mumbled, looking around. I was in some type of dorm room with 25 other kids. My hands were tiny, my legs were small, and my voice was high-pitched. "What's going on?" I said softly as the door to the room swung open.
A few tall figures in black and red suits entered, followed by another man. He wore a furry coat, shades, a bald head, lizard shoes, and fancy pants.
"So, these are the kids?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," one of the suited figures replied.
"And which one has the best potential?"
"From the current experiments, there are a few notable subjects. Subject J, notable for his strength and endurance. Subject L, notable for his speed. Subject A, notable for her IQ. Subject Y, notable for her social intelligence. And lastly, Subject K he isn't much, but during the recent experiments, his methods were interesting, to say the least. But don't worry, the other kids are just as bright. So far, no one has been fully eliminated."
When the man in the suit mentioned Subject K, he gave me a glance. K, I thought. Is that why I'm named Ken? Who are these people? What happened to me? What is this place? What are these experiments?
As they left the room, a girl approached me. "Hello, K."
"Hey...?"
"I wanted to thank you for helping me in the latest experiment."
I helped someone? "Can you remind me of that experiment?"
"You don't remember?"
"Yes... please tell me."
"Well, we were all grouped in pairs. You were with me, and all we had to do was complete a series of tasks together without talking."
"Oh... I remember now." I lied. "So, anyways, what happens to the losers?"
She gave me a sharp look. She looked sad, and there was fear in her eyes. She pointed to one of the kids. He was missing an arm, and his eye was gone. She started crying. I gave her a soft hug. "I'm sorry, I remember now. Don't worry."
What the hell happened here? What is this place? Who am I? What am I?
Suddenly, a voice echoed over the intercom. "Subjects, please line up for today's experiment."
Everyone lined up in a straight row. The door opened, and people in suits led us to a distant room. It was a playground, with various shapes and numbers on the walls. The door slammed shut behind us as we stood there. A voice rang out again from the intercom.
"Given the great success of the latest experiments, we thought it appropriate to raise the stakes. Every once in a while, the punishment will be... death."
This... is my past? I have to remember. I have to help everyone here! My eyes slowly began to close.
As I opened my eyes again, lying on the floor, I looked around and saw the swordsman approaching Allen. Pulling myself together, I stood up.
"Yo, you shitty swordsman. I've got a lot of shit to get done, so let's make this quick."
"You've survived my hit. I'm impressed, but you are no true warrior!"
He launched towards me, his sword steady as he rushed forward, planning to end me in a single strike. As the blade approached, I rushed into it, getting stabbed but closing the distance. I grabbed his left hand and delivered the final decisive strike to his neck.
"RRAAAHHHH!" I shouted as he fell to the ground. His blade was deep inside me, but I had no fatal wounds. I intentionally got stabbed in a safe spot my ultimate move: Self Sacrifice.
I stood there, barely able to hold on. My legs crumbled as I fell, but not before being caught suddenly by that swordsman. As my eyes closed, I heard him say, "You are a true warrior. I admire you."
I woke up later in a small room. Beside me were Allen and the swordsman. The katana had been pulled out, and my body was being treated. The room was silent until it was broken by the swordsman.
"Hello, my name is Yakou. I am a swordsman. I came to this world because of my wish to become the greatest warrior. I sought after true warriors, but all I found were punks—until I met you. You were impressive. I wonder, what made you get up in that moment? What did you see? And why did you go for that absurd attack? I want to know everything. So, I'll help you, I'll join you on your journey. with one condition: Once you collect the 8 gems, you owe me a rematch. Because I clearly would've lost if you were stronger."
"I see… Yakou. What kind of warrior do you want to be?" I coughed up some blood.
"Let me wipe that for you." Allen quickly reacted.
Yakou, on the other hand, was frozen by the question.
"Yakou, it's fine to not know the answer. It's not like I do."
"Heh? You really had me thinking for a while, and you don't even know the answer?"
"A while, huh..."
"Yakou, are you ready to go then?"
"Hold on, you can't go in that condition," Allen remarked.
"It's alright, just do what I told you. I'll send you different things I'll need posted on the news for now get the people's trust."
Allen took a deep sigh. "Whatever you say I'm betting everything on you, Ken."
As Yakou and I left the room, walking past all the mess of the warehouse, we reached the front door. I opened it and climbed onto the carriage.
"Oho! Would you two players like to play a second round of the game?"
"Yes."
"Since there's a new player, I'll go over the rules first"
"Just cut it. Let's start… Say 'duel,' Yakou."
"Uhh, okay… Duel."
"Duel."
The referee then announced, "Alrighty, let the game begin."
"You're using a referee to drive because you're playing a game?" Yakou asked.
"Yes, it's quite incredible, but that's just how it is. Also, I would've bought a more expensive vehicle, but I'm short on funds. I have about 3,975 coins."
"I think it's an incredible vehicle. It's revolutionary, in fact! And also, I have 1,320,000 coins. So if you'd like some…"
"WHAT? Are you kidding me?? You'll have to lend me some later for sure!"
"Of course. Besides, I got what I wanted a katana. That's all. I'm not good at gambling or games or anything at all, so I'm glad I have you on my side."
"Same. It's good to have a reliable swordsman. But may I ask, what year is it in your current world?"
"1265. Why?"
"So it is true. We are all from different worlds or timelines. Each of us has different traditions, different rules, different worlds, and ideas. But each of us each player has something in common, and that's a wish. It's brilliant, isn't it?"
"I don't really understand… Anyways, what's our destination?"
"We are heading over to the first step of my Plan A. The city of Irvine."