Minigame Started

"You were out for two months, sweetie," says Alice.

Wait, what is she talking about? "What are you talking about?"

"You heard me."

"Enough with your nonsense. I'm leaving."

I turn my back on her but she pulls my shoulder, making me face her again.

"You know, I'm not joking when I said that I will kill you if you don't meet the deadline."

The way she said it, shivers the sides of my head. I get the feeling that she's serious as she makes her fingers walk on my chest up towards my neck. Her sharp nails will pierce my throat if she pushes further. Then her eyes are that of a killer that hasn't seen blood for a while. I wonder how much pain a slit throat will give me. Will I die slowly, bleeding? Most likely. . .

*Gulp*

But then, she puts her hand on my cheek. Her eyes are kind as she says, "Just be careful. Be aware of time. Because people always overestimate and underestimate it. That's how most of us fail."

She slips her hand behind the back of my head and draws our faces closer to each other until we kiss. Somehow, my mouth likes the way she tastes. And then she pushes the candy from her mouth into mine.

"Keep it," she whispers. "It's a special candy that makes you vomit when you swallow it whole."

Ugh! I spit it out, catching it on my palm. "Disgusting!"

"What a baby. . . Throw it away if you want." She winks at me before turning around. She lies back on her sofa to watch TV.

Looking at the candy again, my heart pounds hard for a moment, knowing that this rainbow-colored jawbreaker is covered in our saliva. I can still taste it in my mouth.

I shake my head to stop thinking about it. My hands are against the glass door as I say, "I didn't know I'm just a part of your harem."

"Oh, I'm sorry for not telling you." She sounds sarcastic.

"You really are a disgusting person."

"Yet you kissed back like you want me. Maybe you like disgusting women, no?"

All I could do is grit my teeth. I feel like a sore loser. I gave in to my desires because I always wondered how it felt to kiss a girl. She must've known that. That's why it was so easy for her to manipulate me. It will not happen again.

And this candy of hers that is still in my hand. It's sticky now. Should I throw it? I think. . . no. What if it's something that will help me later? But then, how can a candy that will make me vomit would help? And is this even a candy that will make me vomit?

Ugh! She's confusing me! Too many blurry lines! I hate this! Goodbye, dirty candy! Yeet!

I think it's best if I keep it for now. I admit I'm such an idiot, changing my mind at the last second. You can't blame me okay? I've been confused since I got into this world. So, I store it in the pocket of my jacket. I wash my sticky hand at the faucet in the kitchen and take my leave.

As I leave the room and back into the loud Rave, I check the tutorial she sent me. I read about marriage. It says that the EXP and gold will be split between the spouses. One can have a harem of up to five. If a person is already part of a harem, he/she can't have a harem. So, that means I can't have a harem of my own and I'm Alice's slave. Her other spouses must be out grinding EXP and gold for her.

Now that I know it, I want a harem of my own too. Uh, I mean. . . I want to not because of explicit reasons but as a way to level up faster. That way, I can discover a lot of things in this world. There are domains that I had to explore yet. Also, I want to meet other players and ask them if Alice told me a lie about dying in this world. I don't want to be in this world any longer.

I'm in the middle of the crowd now. They're noisy as ever. My nose has adjusted to the smell. Sweat, drugs, liquor, and smoke permeate the air.

Now, how am I supposed to find that Phantom? I'm left with no clues. Maybe I should keep an eye out for people around me and see if one of them gets taken away. Then I'll be there, sober, to apprehend the Phantom.

Wait a minute. . . That's a dumb idea! There are hundreds of people near me who are constantly moving! Not to mention the darkness, smoke, and flashing lights! That's it, I'm never gonna catch that guy!

Oh, I have an idea! How about I join a group and memorize their faces, then wait if one of them gets taken away? That could work. But I have to be lucky. Well, the odds will be good since Zaori said millions of people have disappeared.

. . .

How, in any way, is that "good"?!! The mystery of millions of missing people is horrible!

Anyways, let's just get on with it. I act like a drunk guy that's dancing at first. I don't know but my muscles remember the moves I danced when I was drunk for two whole months. Around me, there are groups of people who are eligible for my "operation". But most of them are groups of three to five. I need a group with more people. More people means a higher chance.

Oh, I spot one. To the right, not far away there's a group of six, maybe eight. It takes me a minute or two to slip through the dancing crowd. Finally, I'm near them. Three ladies and five guys. The guys are dancing so hard to impress the ladies. It's kinda awkward to watch because their intentions are obvious.

Well, I might have to join in sooner or later. I need music that sounds more alluring. After ten minutes or so, the music changes into something that feels low, preparing, and cunning. The lights radiate cool colors green, blue, and purple.

I'm hesitating to dance for a moment, worried that someone might judge me. But the fact about this Rave (and possibly the best part of it) is that no one will. Even dancing like crazy is encouraged.

I caught the eyes of one of the ladies. I smile at her and she smiles back. Inside of me wants to look away and retreat. Is this a show of interest? I don't know. I could only assume.

What if my rhythm crumbles? What will she think? She could shame me. Other people could shame me.

Then the beat drops. At the same time, I throw away my worries and move closer to her. Near her ear, I ask, "Can I join you, guys?"

"Of course!" she answers.

The guys trying to impress them look at me with scornful faces. Ah, shoot! Instead of making friends, I end up making enemies. One of them that looks the toughest of the five, approaches me.

He suddenly strikes a pose that startles me. With a scowl, he dances violently. His dance moves are harsh and provoking. After that, the people around us, give us space and yell, "Battle!" Others turn their attention to us. He and his friends cheer him up as he shows off some more moves.

"Dance battle, yeah!" a guy behind me yells. His hand is on my shoulder. He's smiling, looking more excited than I do.