''Alright!'' The handsome idol had confirmed that everyone who planned to register had already registered. There were a few depressed-looking guys in the crowd that couldn't find a duo, and they never thought about pairing with others like them.
He, however, couldn't care about them and pointed at the large screen, ''Alright, the lottery shall begin!''
There were thousands of names on the screens, and they began shuffling around. Every minute, one duo was chosen. Once the duo was selected, they stood up from their chairs amid loud clapping noises.
Then, the second duo was chosen. It was a pair of a rather ugly woman with unkempt hair and face filled with make-up. Her partner was her boyfriend, who was a bulky man with bald hair and an arrogant look.
They pushed past the audience members, who were about to give them more space to move around, but didn't make it in time and were pushed to the side by the bulky man.
His girlfriend smugly followed after, giving a look of disdain toward the people who got pushed to the side.
The claps they received were much lesser amount. Everyone with eyes could tell that they were very bad-natured.
After reaching the platform, they grabbed the VR Helmets and sat down. The handsome idol pulled out his napkin and wiped his sweat before continuing.
Soon, the third duo was chosen. Then, a minute later, the fourth duo was.
Isaac and Luna stayed silent. After another duo was chosen, they let out a sigh of disappointment.
Then, the ninth duo was chosen, and it wasn't them. They clapped and watched as another pair went toward the platform.
Only one duo left. Isaac and Luna locked their hands. Their hearts pounded as the clock ticked down.
Soon, the minute had passed, and the final duo was chosen.
The final pair was revealed on the large screen.
[Isaac Vayne Whitelock & Luna Moon Snowflower]
''Yeah!'' Luna raised her right hand and screamed out of excitement.
Isaac smiled and stood up from the chairs. They were greeted by long applause and cheers from the audience.
While Luna was waving her hand and garnering more cheers, Isaac led her and walked down the long flight of stairs.
Soon, they reached the platform, and the cheers were still echoing in the stadium.
The handsome idol was already waiting for them. He pointed at the two remaining seats and said, ''Please, sit down and wear the VR Helmet. The event is about to begin.''
They sat down and placed the VR Helmet around their heads. Only then they separated their locked hands.
Isaac felt rather uncomfortable wearing the VR Helmet after getting used to the headgear. He also noticed that the Helmet he was wearing was only bronze ranked.
The handsome idol raised his microphone and yelled loudly, ''The event begins!''
…
Isaac's eyes fluttered open. He was standing in front of a long corridor made of rocks. Nineteen figures were formed out of light particles.
Every duo was standing in front of one of the paths. Everyone was wearing the familiar newbie gear.
''Ah, what the fuck is this?!'' The rude bulky man screamed hoarsely. He tried to move his limbs around and felt sluggish. Even moving his toes felt like a chore.
''F*cking Bronze Helmets, they are for poor fuckers like you all!'' He pointed at everyone present and received many stinky eyes but couldn't care less.
His girlfriend pushed her chest forward and smugly looked around her. Then, she saw a beautiful black-haired girl giggling while chatting with a white-haired youth.
Her looks made her immediately irritated, ''Hmph, what an ugly bitch.''
She said with enough volume for the black-haired girl to hear.
Luna turned her head and saw the ugly woman looking straight at her. At that moment, she knew that those words were aimed at her.
She touched her cheek and felt immediately self-conscious. Luna's body shuddered as she thought that hundreds of eyes were locked on her, and the words ugly rang in her mind.
When the tears weren't far from falling, Isaac snapped his head toward the rude woman and spat out angrily, ''You should keep your dog on a leash.''
He aimed those words at the bulky man.
''How dare you?!'' The bulky man screamed with anger while the rude woman took a step back out of shock. Her face became red out of anger, and she began whispering to her boyfriend.
Luna felt shocked at Isaac's words. She had never heard him talking like that, and it made her heart pound because he spoke like that because of her.
''Tch.'' Isaac clicked his tongue and grabbed Luna's hand before entering the path.
That was the signal for everyone to woke up from their stupor. They were too concentrated on the drama and didn't notice that the event had begun!
While walking in the dimly lit corridors, Luna slowed her pace before completely stopping. She buried her face in her hands, ''I am so sorry…''
''Hmm, why?'' Isaac stopped and saw her slowly raising her head with tears about to emerge from the corner of her eyes.
''Those two…'' She bit her lip and felt anger. Luna doesn't remember when she had last time felt anger, but now she couldn't help it.
She never hated anyone and usually got along with everyone. But, the way the rude woman looked at Isaac made her angry.
She showed flirtatious gazes toward Isaac whenever her boyfriend didn't notice. Isaac didn't see it, but Luna did.
She saw the same looks be directed at him previously, but she felt chills whenever the rude woman's eyes were locked on him. Her eyes were full of lust, which made Luna want to hug Isaac and never let go.
''Don't bother with them.'' Isaac thought that she talked about the insults. However, there was more to it.
Luna bit her lip and nodded. They locked their hands and continued walking.
Soon, they reached the end of the path and came face-to-face with a long rock wall!
Isaac raised his head and clicked his tongue. At the top of the rock wall was a shimmer of light. There was a room, but they would have to climb the wall to get there.
