After Yumi's performance, we continue our journey through the strange world. But something is off. The tension feels thicker now, more palpable.
That's when we meet him—Kaito. He's standing alone in the distance, he had messy white hair and sharp features. His pale complexion and lean frame gave him a mysterious aura. I can already tell he's different from the others.
"Who's that?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.
Yumi looks over at him, a slight frown on her face. "Oh, he's a newbie but he's good, I mean really good."
"What's his rank?"
Yumi shrugged, "It's 38, after one match."
I was shocked, " Is he an idol like you?"
Yumi shook her head, "No, but he's a professional singer, he plays the electric guitar."
"Do you want to talk to him?" Yumi asked.
"Sure."
As we approach him, I notice the confidence in his posture, the way he moves with purpose. He's used to being in the spotlight.
"Hey! What's up Kaito." Yumi smiles.
Kaito backs away, "What do you want?"
"I was hoping you could introduce yourself to Haruki."
His gaze shifts to me, cold and assertive. "I don't do introductions," he said, his tone dismissive. "But here's a tip: don't waste time trying to be nice. This world doesn't reward nice—it rewards winners."
I shrug and get annoyed, why was he so cold, I was being nice to him.
But he's good—really good. In just one battle, his ranking is already this high. It's clear he's no ordinary player. He's got talent, and it's only a matter of time before he's a major player in this twisted world.
Chapter 11: The Battle of Melodies
"I'll see you later, Yumi," I said, forcing a smile.
Yumi tilted her head with a curious look. "You're sure about this, Haruki? These battles can get… intense."
I nodded firmly, even though my stomach was churning. "I don't have a choice. If I don't earn more points, I'll fall behind. You know how this world works."
Yumi sighed. "Just be careful, okay? You don't need to push yourself too hard."
Her words were comforting, but I couldn't let them sway me. I needed to prove myself. "Thanks, Yumi. I'll be fine."
As I turned to leave, she called out, "I'll be rooting for you!"
I waved without looking back, determined to keep my focus. The path to the arena stretched before me. Each step felt heavier than the last.
The arena loomed ahead, its enchanted walls shimmering with vibrant colors. Above me, a glowing text appeared: Choose Your Challenge.
My eyes flicked to the options hovering before me. I reached out and tapped Performance Battle.
The arena lit up, and a song selection menu appeared in front of me. My heart started beating. "Think, Haruki, think…" I whispered, scrolling through the list. Then I saw it: Heavy Rotation by AKB48. I remember performing it when I was a trainee.
A timer appeared before me: 30:00. Thirty minutes to prepare.
I hurried to the wardrobe area. There were so many outfits, all glimmering with potential, but I needed something that felt true to the vibe of the song. Heavy Rotation was bright and fun, and I wanted to match that energy.
After scanning a few racks, I pulled out a dress—a soft, ruffled skirt in pastel pink. The bodice was fitted, and the skirt had many layers of chiffon, giving it an airy feel. I finished the look with a small ribbon headband and sparkly shoes.
I slipped into the dress, adjusting it just right before rushing back to the stage as the timer ticked down.
That's when I saw her—my opponent.
A dainty figure materialized from a swirling mist on the other side of the stage. An icon shimmered above her head, spelling out her name: Riko. Her appearance was striking—long, flowing red hair and piercing green eyes. She wore a green velvet off-shoulder dress with gold embroidery with green strappy heels, the colors complementing her eyes.
Riko glanced at me and smirked. I swallowed hard, my nerves buzzing.
"Step forward," a booming voice commanded from above.
I approached her, my knees shaking slightly. We extended our hands for the mandatory handshake, her grip surprisingly firm. As our hands touched, sparks of magic crackled between us, signaling the start of the battle.
The stage transformed into a mesmerizing scene, with glowing embers floating in the air. Riko began her performance first.
Her voice was hypnotic, smooth yet powerful. She moved with grace, her dance weaving through the embers as though she controlled them. Her high note sent shivers down my spine.
I couldn't deny it—she was incredible.
It was my turn.
I stepped forward, my chest tight with anxiety. The first note escaped my lips, shaky but clear. As the song progressed, I tried to immerse myself in the music, letting the rhythm guide my movements. My voice grew stronger, but my footing faltered. Twice, I nearly stumbled.
"Focus," I told myself, pushing through. I reached the climax of the song, my voice trembling but determined. Then I hit the final note—a soaring, piercing crescendo, cutting through the air like a blade. I held my breath, pouring every ounce of strength, hope, and determination into that single note.
My knees trembled, my lungs felt like it was lit up in flames, but I didn't stop. The note seemed to hang in the air, stretching out endlessly, until finally, it tapered off into silence.
The arena went silent.
The Guardians appeared, they were hovering above us as they announced the scores.
Haruki: 49/50
Riko: 47/50
I felt alleviated, I was so close to losing my life
I stood frozen as Riko collapsed to her knees. Her composure crumbled as tears streamed down her face.
"It's not fair," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I gave everything. Everything I had…"
Her words stung. I wanted to comfort her. But before I could move, a glowing light emerged above her head.
"No! Please!" she screamed, desperately begging for mercy.
And then, in an instant, her head exploded, blood scattering everywhere in the air.
I stumbled back, horrified. The Guardians were cheering, as though nothing had happened, as though this was normal. But I couldn't shake the image of her despair that horrified me.
Iris's words still linger in my head "Mercy is not part of the equation."