Chapter 14:
"Shoma. Daiki."
Kiyoshi's voice echoed as the rest of the players cleared out.
"You've been eliminated... but not erased."
Both froze.
"You've been selected for something else. Something rare."
He walked closer.
"You two have potential. Wild potential. But it's unstable."
"So I'll give you a choice."
"The Jokercard."
Shoma raised his eyes.
"J-Jokercard?"
Daiki's fists clenched.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Kiyoshi stared at them coldly.
"You'll disappear from the main program."
"You'll train in isolation."
"No breaks. No help. No spotlight."
"If you survive—"
"You'll return stronger than anyone."
"If you fail... no one will even remember your names."
Silence.
Shoma grinned.
"Tch. I'm in."
Daiki nodded.
"I'm not done yet."
Kiyoshi turned away.
"Then your Jokercard training begins now."
The doors behind them opened.
Dark hallway. No lights. No signs.
Just a red glow at the end.
They walked in.
No turning back.