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THE GRENADE WENT OFF, sending a shock wave through the street. It shook the car the group was in but still, they continued speeding away from the King of Spades.
"Okay, we're safe for now." Tatta told the group.
"Who's this?" Ann asked, pointing to Akuji.
"Akuji Chi." The girl told her, offering her a hand to shake. She didn't, so Akuji retracted her hand, acting sheepish.
"She's just a schoolgirl." Kuina said in a way that sounded like she was telling Ann to trust her. Then, she sighed, "Do you think Chishiya's okay?"
"He can take care of himself." Arisu reassured her.
Kuina shook her head in disbelief, "What kind of game is this, guys? No rules. I mean, we didn't even register!"
"We just take the bad guys down, right?" Usagi said.
Kuina groaned, leaning her head on the window as she stared out of it, "How many even are there?"
"There's just the one." Arisu informed everyone.
"This should be fairly easy, then." Akuji stated confidently, although her shifting eyes and anxious tics showed her true nature. She did believe her words but only under certain circumstances. If every survivor got a gun and they all teamed up on the King, it would be an easy win — but how likely was that? Not likely at all.
"But he's like the boss of the physical challenges." Arisu pointed out.
"During the attack, the blimp was flying around." Ann mused, "Maybe the battlefield spans the whole city this time."
"How are we supposed to fight them without a weapon?" Tatta exclaimed.
"We could set a trap." Akuji suggested, "Or I'm sure somebody else is smart enough to make a weapon."
Kuina scoffed, "This next stage really levelled up, huh?"
"I mean, who is Mira? Is she human?" Usagi theorised.
Arisu shook his head, "I don't know."
Akuji looked around like a deer in headlights, confused by the new name as she had no idea who this 'Mira' person was.
Kuina noticed this and explained to her with a kind smile, "Mira is a games master. She infiltrated the beach and acted like a player."
Arisu nodded, "If we're right about the King of Spades, it's possible each suit has its own game master at the top. We defeat all four then we complete the next stage."
"And the next stage is home. Hopefully." Akuji added.
"Hopefully," Arisu agreed. "I'm not entirely sure yet, but it's our best chance to survive."
"Just because we get through all the face cards safely doesn't mean we get to go back home. You don't believe Hatter's bullshit now, do you?" Ann replied disbelievingly.
