Kay slowly turned.
A tall, muscular man stood behind him.
Massive build.
Cold eyes.
A heavy, spiked hammer rested on his shoulder.
"Move aside, kid," the man said.
"This isn't a playground. It's an arena."
Kay looked at him.
Unfazed.
"Then what are you doing here?"
A pause.
"This place isn't for people who fight without thinking."
The man's expression darkened.
"…You've got a mouth."
He lifted his weapon.
The ground slightly cracked under its weight.
"This is Zxeior."
"One hit is enough to fix your attitude."
Kay raised his hand calmly.
The air glitched—
And his Indigo Sword formed instantly.
"…One hit won't be enough for your brain."
Silence.
Tension rose.
Kushi took a step back.
This is bad…
The man tightened his grip.
Kay stepped forward.
But before anything could happen—
"STOP!"
A loud voice cut through the air.
The registration officer stepped in.
"Fighting near the registration zone is prohibited."
"Anyone who breaks the rules will be disqualified from the tournament."
Silence.
The tension broke.
The man clicked his tongue.
"…Lucky."
Both of them lowered their weapons.
For now.
---
Kay walked toward the counter.
"Registration."
The officer nodded.
"Entry fee required."
Kay paused.
"…Fee?"
Kushi blinked.
"…We don't have money."
The officer's expression didn't change.
"Then you cannot register."
"Next."
They were pushed aside.
Behind them—
A laugh echoed.
"Hah. As expected."
The muscular man tossed a coin in the air.
"People like you don't belong here."
He looked at Kushi.
"If you stay with him… you'll stay poor."
Then smirked.
"But if you come with me…"
"Life will be fun."
Kushi made a face.
"Idiot."
She grabbed Kay's hand—
"Run."
They ran through the crowd.
After a while—
They stopped.
Kushi burst into laughter.
"That guy's face—!"
Kay didn't laugh.
He looked back slightly.
"…Do you know him?"
Kushi shook her head.
"No."
Kay spoke calmly.
"He's Zane."
"A high-level gangster from the real world usa."
"He's killed over two thousand people."
"Bare hands."
Kushi froze.
"…What?"
Kay continued.
"That means one thing."
"This world isn't limited."
"Anyone can be here."
"Politicians… CEOs… criminals… students…"
"…anyone."
Silence.
Kushi looked around differently now.
"…So we can meet anyone here…"
Kay nodded.
"Exactly."
She took a deep breath.
"Then what do we do now?"
Kay turned toward the city streets.
"There's only one way to earn money."
"…Quests."
Kushi tilted her head.
"Where do we find them?"
Kay started walking.
"Follow me."
---
They stopped in front of a building.
A neon sign flickered above it:
QUEST CAFÉ
Inside—
Players moved around, selecting missions.
An assistant approached them.
"New players?"
Kay nodded.
"Register us."
She smiled.
"Please provide your nicknames."
Kay shrugged.
"Anything is fine."
She looked at him for a moment.
"…Glitch Walker."
Kay didn't react.
"Okay."
She turned to Kushi.
"And you?"
Kushi smiled.
"Sparkle Dot."
"Registered."
Two screens appeared.
QUEST AVAILABLE:
Clear the damaged sewer zone (West Neon City)
Target: Goblin
Reward: Credits
Kay accepted it.
"Let's go."
---
West Neon City—
The lights faded.
The environment changed.
Broken structures.
Glitching walls.
A corrupted zone.
Kushi looked around.
"…This place feels different."
Kay nodded.
"Bugged area."
She gripped her weapon.
"Where's the goblin?"
Silence.
Wind moved through the broken paths.
Then—
A sudden sound.
WHOOSH!
Something flashed.
Before Kushi could react—
A blade appeared right next to her neck.
Cold.
Sharp.
Unseen attacker.
"…Don't move."
Chapter 9 end