Queen of Diamonds | Shuntaro Chishiya

[Chapter 1]. A New Chapter

A new chapter has begun.

Now as a former player; she took on the role of a permanent resident. Setsuna couldn't reveal herself to any ordinary player she comes across. The start of new games has already begun. No more than five hundred contestants have been chosen to begin their lives in the Borderlands. She has the choice to dedicate herself to creating new games, but Setsuna scoffed at the thought of murdering people for her satisfaction. She would rather participate and act clueless to games she already foremost knows what they'll be about.

This fed her survival skills.

She felt wanted.

Needed.

No other person relied as much on her to live than her past life as an Aikido martial artist. Nor the lessons she gave for fitness training to her students. She felt very physically well in shape. Her mental intelligence has grown; even more prepared than when she started. However, she is still at a disadvantage when it comes to diamond games. They can trick you at a moment's notice. She despised using her mental abilities to solve puzzles or riddles to complete the games. Although, she didn't mind spades all that much being a combination of both physical and intellectual. She never was an A+ student so anything evolving questionnaire

"Setsuna-san!" Kizura rushed to her side as she gazed upon the monitors seeing countless of games proceeding and many horrid screams following in pursuit. Some of the bets were heard from the deals inside. Setsuna was furious but she held her composure.

'How can you all watch death upon a screen and laugh with joy. You faced it when you were once players fighting for survival. Disgraceful pigs...'

She didn't waver but turned her head slightly to the side to give Kizura a chance to speak on whatever the matter is.

"Haruka is preparing a new game in Time Square. Will you participate?" She asked but Setsuna was about to open her mouth but no words came about. She felt speechless, but her composure slack a little, her head turned towards the pale blonde woman near the door.

"I'll give it a moment's thought..." she looked back upon the monitor seeing more contestants screaming for their lives before the game ended, but something caught her scrutiny on the computer screen. A replay of yesterday's game; four contestants in a building maze. Picking life or death door to complete the game. Most wouldn't have completed the game. Somehow, this boy with dark brown hair was solving the rooms. Dim lights appeared all around the room the contestants were facing. If they don't complete the game, they'll die either way. Setsuna huffed as she walked away not bothered by those four completing a 3 of diamonds.

When the clock strikes midnight. That's when the lasers make their move.

Will I survive?

This is what she always questions herself before making it to the game arena. Being a citizen you get early access to what type of games are being played beforehand. She noticed it being a 5 of spades. She intentionally grinned to herself, Mira being the mastermind behind the fantasy land itself. Setsuna knew about the game plan before it already begun

"I guess I can do it. After all, I do want to meet the new participants." Setsuna grabbed her Wakizashi pulling it under her shirt enough to not make it uncomfortable to grab or move.

"How many do you think will participate at the Time Square arena?" Setsuna asked Yura who gazed upon a new computer monitor watching new players screaming in agony; loudly through the monitor as a cheetah took one of their lives on the screen.

Must be a replay.

One of the rules of being a citizen, you can't identify yourself to players until you reach the final stage which is the face card games. That's when players meet their opponents being citizens of the Borderlands in most cases.

"So this is what it feels like having upper privileges living here?" A sly smirk etched onto her lips. She went down the long corridor to find one of her associates. The original room only had six monitors, the main building where they watch the games from and to monitor everyone. So in a game's over, the dealers have to make sure they all die.

"Haruka, did you prepare the 5 of clubs?" Setsuna asked cautiously knowing one of the biggest entertainment game arenas were about to commence tonight.

"Mhmm!" She nodded as she picked a few cherries from the basket she brought in. She was an obnoxious cretin to Setsuna. Only manipulated by those above her and tossed aside when all used up.

"Good. I'll participate as a runner." She turned her back grabbing her bag off the chair and walked out of the base. She hated them all, every single one of them. She could barely stand their gleaming eyes as they watch the weak being preyed upon. It was like she was analyzing a bunch of dogs waiting for the right moment to strike the cat on the road.

She sighed as she walked out of the underground torture sanctuary. She walked back in silence as the sun was cascading red over the horizon indicating it was close to evening. She held her tanto tightly in her right hand. As she quickly moved from street to street to her apartment.

She inhaled sharply, a new beginning eh?

Flashback~

24 hours prior.

"Setsuna-san! They took Himiko!" Haruka and Kizura ran towards her on top of the Shibaura Pier.

"They won't discover about the game's plan. If Himiko squeals, the beams are projected to kill her." Setsuna leaned on the railing looking down below.

"How can you be so sure?!" Kizura's face turned red as she was immensely angry by the fact her friend was taken.

"I know people that act as high superiors there..."

Flashback over~

"I just need to know what their main goal is... what are Mira and Kuzuryū doing with them?" sighing as if she would know standing around. She decided to go shower and touch herself up before heading to the game.

Many of the dealers would be watching it and placing bets. It would be an extraordinary game full of excitement is what she heard from Fuji and Yonē talking in private.

She gripped the counter looking at the mirror. A faded smile found its way onto her dry lips. She is starting to feel regret joining the dealers in with their sick minds.

"I need to sneak into that utopia catastrophe and find out what they know."