Isaac walked down the hallway, admiring the exquisite craftsmanship that went into building these walls and ceilings. A chandelier hung from above, its chains coiled around the ceiling's crevices.
The voices grew louder as he stepped closer to the end of the hallway. He could already see a spacious lounge, filled with couches, TV screens, and a bar. The bar had its own bartender, a gentleman wearing a black tuxedo, a white shirt underneath, and a black tie.
Around the tables, several familiar faces and a few unknown sat around the tables. Some drank the whiskey they received from the bar, while some smoked cigarettes, and the rest watched TV or talked with others.
The TV showed images of a spacious Arena. There were seats enough for hundreds of thousands of humans and an arena larger than some small-sized City!
Walking out of the hallway, Isaac's footsteps echoed across the walls. Everyone turned to look at the newcomer, some faces showing surprise.
''He is… Wraith, if I remember correctly.'' One of the players murmured alongside the players he sat with. They were professional players, among the top 100 in the rankings. Their arrogance and pride in their abilities couldn't make them take Isaac seriously.
After all, Isaac wasn't in the rankings. However, that was only because he decided to hide his ranking, to stay away from unnecessary drama. With his current level, he might be in the top ten if the players who also hid their rankings didn't count.
As the arrogant-looking players snorted, trying to increase the pressure emitted, suddenly, a voice echoed. A voice that was incredibly famous.
''Isaac.'' Seated alone, Kalzer waved his hand and pointed at the seat next to him.
The players widened their eyes in surprise.
''W-What… Kalzer invited him to sit with him?''
''I thought they were enemies? They were supposed to fight in the Colosseum, right?''
''But, why did he invite that weakling to sit with him?''
''Mind your tongue. There are no weaklings here.''
''Hmph, whatever.''
The chatter filled the air.
Isaac sat next to Kalzer, nodding with a smile, ''Sup.''
''Nothing much. What about you?''
''The usual.'' Isaac looked around the lounge, then whispered, ''Why do you think Arthur sent us here?''
Kalzer shrugged his shoulders. He also wanted the answer to that question. It seemed odd for Arthur to send them to this tournament. After all, he talked about a reward that would make all troubles worthwhile.
But, in their opinion, even more trouble came after joining the tournament.
Swoosh!
A breeze of wind swept over the lounge, shocking many. Then, a blond-haired man with a blond beard appeared next to Kalzer out of nowhere. While others wore some protective equipment, he didn't wear any armory and focused all his clothes on maximizing his movement speed.
The players immediately recognized him as the Fastest Human, King Xerxus!
Kalzer and Isaac's expressions didn't change. Instead, they asked him the same question.
After hearing the question, Xerxus pondered for a moment before replying, ''Maybe we wouldn't be able to join this tournament without his help?''
''Not sure. Seems very unlikely.'' Kalzer said, and Isaac nodded.
''Well, whatever the reason is, I am sure we will find out sooner than later,'' Xerxus said and waved towards the bartender, asking for a drink.
However, then he felt a sharp stinging sensation on his waist.
''Ouch!'' Xerxus rubbed his waist and looked towards the right side. Lady Noelle looked at him with a stingy eye.
''Drinking, are you serious right now?''
''Uhhh, I am thirsty,'' Xerxus replied with puffy cheeks. His throat was parched, and he desperately needed a drink!
''Here.'' Lady Noelle took a bottle of water from inventory and forwarded it to Xerxus, who accepted it grudgingly.
As he drank the water, Isaac and Kalzer looked at the scene with odd faces.
Lady Noelle wore a sweet smile, causing several onlookers' hearts to race.
''My name is Noelle. Nice to meet you.'' She shook Kalzer's hand and then Isaac's.
''Kalzer.''
''Wraith…'' Isaac said at first, but then remembered that basically everyone used their real names, and everyone would be able to find his real name now. His popularity caused his real-life identity to get revealed, ''I mean… Isaac.''
Lady Noelle smiled at them and then rested her head on Xerxus' shoulder, shocking many.
Isaac and Kalzer's eyebrows arched upward. They were confused about their relationship.
Seeing their faces, Noelle giggled and revealed, ''I am Xerxus' fiancee.''
''Wow…'' Kalzer looked at Xerxus with an unexpected look. He didn't expect him to be someone who would settle down and get married. The time they spent together made him think Xerxus wanted to be an adventurer.
Isaac scratched his cheek, 'They are the same age as Luna and me. I hope she doesn't get any weird ideas…'
''Yo!'' A energetic shout resounded from the other side of the lounger. The players felt their hearts stopping for a moment as several people walked out of the hallway.
Lord Amour walked to the front of the group, waving toward Isaac and the rest.
Behind him, several familiar faces popped up.
Lord Amour plopped down on the couch next to Isaac and said, ''God damn it, Xerxus, your ability is so overpowered!''
''Pah, I am just good,'' Xerxus said while tossing the water bottle away.
However, Lady Noelle snatched it from the air and looked at him with a serious gaze, ''Drink… it!''
Looking at the bottle, there was barely any water left.
''Ugh…'' Xerxus groaned in pain but muttered a smile. Popping the cork open, he gulped the rest of the water down. Then, he returned the bottle to the smiling Noelle.
''Uhhh, what?'' Amour looked at the scene with confusion.
Isaac and Kalzer sighed and explained the situation to him. After the whispering session, Amour bit his lip, trying to muffle his laughter.
''Isaac!'' A scent of pleasant aroma lingered in the air as a beautiful black-haired girl leaped over and landed on Isaac's lap, her legs tightly wrapping around the waist and slender arms hugging his face.
Isaac's face got buried between two soft mounds, causing sighs of envy from the onlookers.
