King’s Prophet…

What are they doing here?

Since it’s become relevant, I suppose I’ll explain.

Kara, their leader, is known as a prophet.

At least, that’s what everyone believes… expect, she isn’t.

Well… in a way, she is….

Her ability isn’t to predict the future though.

Instead, her ability involves creating a fate.

If someone could predict the future, they would see every possible outcome that could possibly occur…

They might be able to narrow down the most probable outcome based on the amount of outcome with a specific event occurring.

But! There’s no guarantee that outcome will occur.

Creating a fate is different though.

It forces a specific outcome.

Imagine it like Schrödinger’s cat.

It’s only when someone looks into the box that the outcome is decided… but, what if someone’s already gazed into the box?

What if they already saw the cat die?

Before someone’s put the cat into the box, that person will know the cat dies…

Meaning the cat was never both alive and dead.

It was always dead.

But, what if, after seeing it die, they decided to not put it in the box?

In that case, a series of convoluted events would occur and the end result would be that the cat is discovered dead in the box.

This is highlights the difference between fate and prophecy.

Prophecy can be avoided, a foreseen fate will happen…

Overall, it might seem like a useless ability… but, it isn’t.

Knowing what exactly will happen is extremely useful.

Imagine it with lottery numbers…

The effect might not be as dramatic as with the lottery… but, the principle remains the same.

… The problem occurs when the fate created is too long, or is undesirable.

If she created a fate where the lottery numbers were a specific… but, foresaw that nobody won using those numbers… learning them would be useless.

The fate would conspire against anyone who tried to win using those numbers.

Causing accidents, computer errors, potentially killing the winner, basically anything would happen… until, the result becomes the foreseen fate.

If someone didn’t see enough, the ability would be useless… but, if they foresaw too much it’s dangerous.

That is fate’s paradox.

The prophet’s paradox.

It’s why I named her Kara Paradox… Although, Kara was only a background character to explain why certain things always happened to Rin.

That's why King’s Prophet being here is both interesting and dangerous at the same time.

It could potentially create a dead-end for Rin.

Although, Rin could bypass by going back in time to before the fate was created… but, that's another story.

But, someone from King’s Prophet being here is interesting. I don’t believe they would be here without consulting Kara.

Letting go of the holographic paper and turning toward this new addition.

Who glanced my direction… and promptly walked off ignoring me and Stanley.

Whatever… I probably should find Rin.

“I’m gonna explore, later.” Deciding to head-off, I informed Stanley and walked off.

Hmmm… This doorway should be the direction that Rin headed.

Considering those rules, this place was designed to be dangerous.

Don’t know about those points… but, informing Rin of potential dangers is currently the top priority.

King’s Prophet counts in that category… should inform her about Stanley as well.

“Wait! I’ll join you.” Stanley chased after me, before walking beside me.

That… that wasn’t an invitation Stanley.

*Sigh…* I suppose it’s fine… not particularly in the mood to chat, though.

Anyways, I’m getting worried about what Rin has managed to get up to.

[Some time searching later…]

I should’ve just let Stanley lead the way… I think we’ve been down this passage before… This place is like a maze.

Maybe, I’m just bad at directions.

Not like I was heading anywhere specific anyway.

Mainly, searching randomly for anything interesting and Rin.

Nothing particularly interesting though.

Well, besides those weird technological tablets... but, those didn’t work.

Ding... “All player’s have arrived… please return to the main lobby within 15 minutes…” An announcement suddenly rang out through out the building.

I was hoping to find Rin… Damn, we should head back.

Turning back toward Stanley, I discovered he’d disappeared.

Wha… When?

Rubbing my temples… Why'd he even bothering coming with me if he was just going to disappear?

Doesn't matter. He probably discovered something interesting or decided to head back early.

Slightly jogging to increase my pace, I found my way back to the lobby.

This time, it was full of people.

Taking time to count everyone present, there’s…

…eight, nine… ten…

Eleven people, including myself.

Seems Stanley isn’t here yet, though.

So, in total, twelve… five girls and seven boys.

Seems lively in here, there’s various chatting echoing around the room…

Have I ever mentioned my dislike of lively places before?

Right, where’s Rin…

Huh?

Rin chatting with that King’s Prophet guild-member… Since when does Rin chat with anyone?

She barely even chats with me?

Is… Is Rin smiling?

Staring down at the teenage girl chatting with Rin… She can’t possibly be older than 14 years old.

What’s going on?

Focusing closer on their conversation didn’t particularly help discover what’s going on.

Rin seems to simply be discussing the past… the various exploits Rin and I have gone through along.

Strange… Is this girl using some type of charm type ability or mental attack on Rin?

Raising my guard and restraining my mana, depending on rank of the ability it could potentially be extremely dangerous to be attacked by it.

I need to attract Rin’s attention without being noticed by the girl. It shouldn't be that powerful an ability, simply distracting Rin should be enough to break an its hold.

After various subtle attempts to catch Rin’s attention, I eventually managed it.

Rin’s expression changed from joyful to more serious, before waving me over toward her.

Sending Rin a somewhat questioning glance indicating, ‘Is that a good idea?’

Rin simply ignored it and indicated toward me to introducing me to the teenage girl. “That’s Tobias.”

Seeming somewhat confused, the teenage girl turned around to look toward me. She exclaimed “Gah! He really is stealthy!”

I already dislike her… Why was I bothering to be careful of this brat?

Introducing me to the teenager next, Rin said, “Tobias, this is Kara. My Sister.”

Speechless, I rapidly glanced between the two of them. They do look similar now that I think about it.

Since… since when did Rin have a sister?

And hang on, Kara? Like Kara Paradox?

As in the leader of King’s Prophet?

What’s she doing here? Shouldn't she be taking care of her guild in the residential zone?

Well… if it is Kara Paradox, she probably doesn’t have a charm ability or mental attack.

So, that’s one less thing to worry about…

Rin’s glaring at me… Right, I should probably introduce myself, “Nice to meet you Kara.”

Kana simply answered with a generic, “You too.” Then went back to chatting with Rin.

Ah, the familiar pain of being completely ignored…

Well, it’s fine.

It’s probably safe enough to leave Rin with her sister for the time being.

I need to eavesdrop on other’s conversations to see if I can learn anything new about this place.

Spending the next couple minutes eavesdropping. I managed to discover some useful info.

Firstly, everyone here seems to have arrived using some type of token.

Second, it seems the residential area has undergone some major changes in an extremely short period of time.

Finally, most of the people here are not from guilds… or at the very least, don’t have guild-symbols on them.

A few other have guild symbols… but, I don’t recognize them.

*Ding-Dong* Another announcement played informing everyone to return within a 5 minutes.

What exactly is going on in this place?

When I had explored earlier it was just a normal hallway with various rooms packed full of stuff.

Nothing besides the tablets stood out as particularly interesting, yet… I’m not comforted by that.

If anything, it makes me more nervous than death-hallways and dangerous traps.

Still, I don’t plan on interacting with these characters. Too dangerous to be interacting with people I know nothing about.

Superpower abilities aren’t a static type thing where one ability beats everything. An impressive ice power, or physical power, can be brainwashed or disabled with a weak spiritual or mental one.

Even Rin’s ability would probably be useless if she was brainwashed.

Of course, those mental and spiritual type abilities are not only rare, but also tend to have massive restrictions. Usually on their effective time or usage.

Information is far more valuable than gold in a universe that runs on superpowers and is hoarded just as often.

No... considering my ability, stepping out and interacting with everyone here would only expose cards and put me at a disadvantage.

Spotting Stanley finally arriving, I moved aside so he couldn’t spot me as easily.

I don’t need him exposing me to everyone.

Suddenly, a childish voice filled the room, “Perfect~ everyone’s here! Now we can begin the DECIMA GAME!”

A holographic cat appeared in the center of the room, tail swishing side to side announcing, “Whichever player gets to ten points wins and can immediately teleport back with the prize…”

Flicking its holographic ear, it exclaimed somewhat sarcastically, “…but, it seems the teleportation circuits have run out of power… I can only activate it one time! Oh, how terrible... I can’t just let people who haven’t won leave! That would be completely unfair toward the actual winner!”

The cat nodded it head continuing, “Of course, the game doesn’t end when someone gain 10 points so they could choose to stay to let everyone gain enough points to leave… But~ why would they? The prize is weaker when split over multiple groups of people.”

What… Why is this random cat explaining this game?

What’s with this exposition-like dump of information? Seriously?

What's this prize anyway?

The holographic cat ignored my imaginary complaints, “…Now~ because it’s unfair to players without companions, solo player’s will begin with 3 points. For each companion the team will start with 1 less point.”

Watching the cat stare upward in contempt saying, “Hmmm… I think that’s everything.” Sweeping it's head across the room, it made eye contact with the participants, “Any questions?”

Never providing the opportunity to ask questions, it continued, “Perfect~ Points are signified by those dots on the back of your hand. If no one leaves in 10 days everyone’s considered to have lost. Go explore, and… Good-luck!”

Its holographic form disappeared.

I want to punch it… I really want to punch it.

If it wasn’t holographic, I’d totally be punching it.

There are only more questions now.

I don’t think it answered even one of my previous questions either.

Things like…

What is the Decima Game?

How do I gain points?

What’s the prize?

...and, most importantly, can I punch you?

That holographic paper from earlier seemed pretty realistically animated… maybe, I could’ve punched it?

Well… it’s too late now.

I need to talk to Rin… but, she’s busy with her sister.

Leaving me in an awkward position.

I don’t know what to do… This game thing seems pretty dangerous…

Especially considering that, that cat seems to be encouraging us to collect 10 points... and then immediately abandoning everyone else in this place.

And don’t even get me started on that teleportation circuits only having enough power for one teleport left… that’s total bullshit.

Automatic mana collection was something civilization discovered centuries ago. It’s standard equipment for almost everything, at most it would only take at most a year to collect enough mana to teleport someone halfway across the universe.

This place doesn’t seem to be disrepair enough that those automatic functions have failed.

They’d teleported us here… not being able to teleport us back would be retarded, planning wise.

Either it’s bluffing in an attempt to force people to become more serious about the game, or that cat –presumably an artificial intelligence- is sadistic and plans on leaving losers here, despite not needing to.

I’d bet the latter, whilst praying for the former.

People seem to be separating and splitting up, deciding to explore from one of the four exits from this room.

I should probably do something exploration wise as well.

While I’m not particularly worried about being trapped here (due to Rin ability), I’d much rather not be standing around doing nothing.

Rin seems… occupied…

It would be somewhat rude to interrupt her from chatting with her sister… Especially after being separated for, what's presumably, years.

If she ends up wasting too much time, she'll probably reload... For now, there's no reason why I can't let her enjoy talking with her sister.

I’ll simply let her talk while I explore on my own.

Still, that cat's annoying...

Hmmm... Simply calling that thing a cat seems like an insult to the entire cat species.

I'll call it, Schrödinger.  

After all, there's only a fifty percent probability that I'll be able to punch it in the end.

I'll take those odds.