16

Colvo gently hovered into the room with elegance. The air around him fluttered slightly as he halted beside John's bed. Judie backed up to give him space. Just as he stopped, the faint flapping sound went away, confirming John's theory that the invisible administrator had wings that were hidden from sight. Despite the green mask's limited body visibility, John felt a particular kindness on its carved face.

"You were very brave and noble out there, John! I saw your acts of bravery from my…cornered position. Please, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Colvo, and as you can see, I am an administrator, born and raised inside this majestic world of the Tower of Mastery."

"Hello, Colvo," said John, smiling.

He thought it best to not mention all that he knew about Colvo. The things that Mr. Gudo had told him and Ashley, as well as the information about the cat that John had overheard during Colvo's argument with the villainous red mask. John thought that it would appear suspicious if Colvo found out how much they knew about him…he might stop trusting him and Ashley.

"As to your question, it was I who brought you to this lovely house," here, he turned to face Judie and lowered his mask in a bow. She did the same with a smile.

"But how did we get here," he asked, confused.

Colvo laughed.

"Yes, the young lady here did tell me that you were a curious individual. Alright, John, I will answer your questions in detail. As you probably know, we administrators can also earn and spend points within the Tower. I happen to have a bunch of Gacha games and prize cards stored for some time, but I never got around to using them because…ah…well…I," extreme discomfort seeped into Colvo's voice as his mask sent here and there in the air. John lowered his eyes, hoping it would help Colvo get over the awkward and uncomfortable moment.

"Let us just say I didn't get the chance to draw the Gacha game cards or use the awards I already had. So, at that violent and chaotic moment, I remembered to have a certain card whose effects you saw with your own eyes. Then after you had passed out, this young lady and I used a temporary pass to Zone four, which brought you here, at the doorstep of this house," explained Colvo.

Just as he was speaking, a few more diamonds appeared beneath John's back. He moved and brushed them aside, his mind too occupied with Colvo's words.

"That was really kind of you, Mr. Colvo…" John began, only to be interrupted by the administrator.

"Please, just call me Colvo, dear John."

"Thank you, Colvo. I am really grateful that you wasted your precious cards on me."

"Oh, please! That was nothing, really. I didn't have much use of them anyway. In fact, I still feel that you deserve to be awarded for the bravery you displayed out there. Tell you what, I have two Gacha game cards. You can go to the Silver Cat store in Zone Two or to others. You can get five draws on each card! Who knows what you might get! Why don't you and this fine young lady here share the two cards between yourselves…"

"Oh, no, no, Colvo!" interrupted Judie, quite sharply. She threw a dirty look at Ashley, who had appeared too excited at this generous offer.

"There is no need for this brat to be given any such reward for causing so much trouble! If anyone deserves those cards, it is this poor boy here, who had his arm broken in the name of bravery!"

Ashley was angered by this suggestion of her mother. Her face turned red as her thin lips shook. Her purple eyes popped out, glaring at her mother's almost identical look. They had an unpleasant argument, in the course of which Judie grabbed Ashley by the ears and shoved her around. Reluctantly, Ashley stopped in her resistance and fell quiet as she stood with her arms crossed across her chest.

All the while, John and Colvo remained awkwardly quiet, acting as reluctant spectators of the argument between mother and daughter. John, mostly, was nervous and uncomfortable by the commotion. Although his arm had healed, for the most part, his head still hurt. He never even got the chance to tell Colvo that he didn't want the Gacha game cards. It was unlike him to be accepting such a big gift, considering how hard it was to earn points. Besides, he wanted Colvo to have them, who John felt would make better use of the Gacha game cards. Also, considering how the red mask had attacked Colvo, John believed it was important for the green-masked administrator to be well-protected. There was an awkward silence that dragged on. To break it, John asked Colvo a question.

"Who was that other administrator?"

"Oh, that was Trovo," said Colvo, "But let us not think about him, for now. Here you go, John. I want you to have these," said Colvo.

John couldn't react in time as the cards were transferred into his hand.

"How…What? No, Colvo, I can't accept these. Please, take them back," said John.

But all his attempts to give back the cards failed.

"Too late, dear John! Cards, no matter which ones, cannot be transferred from one owner to another. It is against the law and an impossibility! These are now yours," said Colvo, cheerfully.

"But I don't want them! You should have them, Colvo!"

"You know…" began Ashley, interrupting John.

Everyone turned to look at her. She had that mischievous glint in her eyes.

"We heard every word of your conversation with that red-masked administrator, Trovo! We were hiding in a tree, eavesdropping when he attacked you."

John was shocked. Why was she doing this? Was Ashley taking out her disappointment about not getting one of the two cards? As if she hadn't done enough damage by spilling the beans, she turned to John.

"You know, I think it was quite stupid of you to have risked yourself for those silly animals…"

Once again, Judie intervened.

"That is such a horrible thing to say, girl!" screamed Judie.

She and Ashley had another shouting match. John could tell that Colvo was hurt by Ashley's comment about the animals. But he remained quiet. Finally, Judie caught Ashley by the ear again, twisting it.

"Ouch!"

"Say you are sorry!" demanded Judie.

Ashley looked over at Colvo and apologized, but John knew she didn't mean it. But accepted her apology. Once things were quiet again, Colvo continued talking.

"Dear John and Ashley, it is quite alright to be curious. I am not mad that you heard my argument with Trovo. Anyone else in your place would have done the same. Besides, your distraction was essential in my victory over Trovo, John. If you are not happy with the cards, I promise to make it up to you some other way…" but before he could finish, John began to shake his head.

"There won't be any need for that, Colvo. Okay, I must confess…Ashley is right about the eavesdropping. We did overhear your argument with Trovo. And like you said, it happened out of curiosity. I just want to say, we heard about your cat, Colvo. Just like you, I too have lost someone…a dear dog that was like a family member to me, just like your late cat."

And then, John launched into the story of his arrival at the Tower of Mastery. Recounting everything. The long queues, blocked entrances, breaking riots, and his burning desire to enter the Tower. As he mentioned Jack, a lump rose in his throat. He told them how close the two had been since childhood. John spared no details about the great joy that Jack brought into his life. He felt a weight lifted from his chest as he recounted everything, as he openly expressed his grief. His heart became lighter. But then, he came to the point of the evil wolf's appearance. He described how Jack had bravely fought off the dreadful animal, how Jack had been wounded by the confrontation. At this point, John's eyes moistened as he recalled the awful moment, how Jack breathed his last in his arms, as his body melted away to give life to the gate, to the entrance to the Tower of Mastery.

As John was talking, he remembered about the other dog: the black one in the alley. Something made John recount the entire story of the black dog to Colvo at this point. He told him about the imprisoned black dog, about the cult people, and what little he could remember of their abuses at the dog. John described the emblem hanging on their necks. How the billboard had dropped on one of them, and the others had run off to get a crane. He ended his story on the escape and how John had lost the black dog afterward.

After he finished telling his story about Jack and the black dog, John noticed something strange. Colvo became restless and nervous, and sweat broke out on his mask!

John looked over at Ashley and Judie. Both were shocked to hear what he had said. But Ashley also appeared a little angry. He knew the reason behind her anger…she didn't like the fact that John hadn't told her the black dog story before. Colvo was still nervous and sweating, so John talked about Jack first to put his mind at peace.

"It's just that I know what you have been through, Colvo. Like you lost your beloved cat, I lost Jack. So, I would really like to help you out in some way to move on with your life, to find a new purpose for your existence," offered John, with the sincerest intentions: he meant every word of what he said.

"I am very touched by your words, young John. I cannot express my gratitude for your kind offer to help me. But the problem is, I have to deal with Trovo first. You have no idea how vengeful Trovo can be. After that incident in the park, I am sure that it is out there, hatching a scheme to take his revenge," said Colvo.

"I hope he doesn't bother you anymore, Colvo. Also, what do you think about the black dog and the cult?" asked John.

Again, Colvo began to sweat.

"Sadly, there isn't much I can help you with. I have never heard of this cult you mentioned…" Colvo trailed off. There was clearly something that he was hiding. A little disappointed, John didn't give up hope and pressed on.

"But what about the emblem that I described to you?" he asked.

"Oh, I am afraid I don't know anything about that either, dear boy," said Colvo.

But just then, there was another knock on the door as everyone looked up to see the new visitor.