Chapter 6 | The Lakeside Retreat

The two boys finally made it into the main Hub. They could feel the cool air conditioner in the lobby after having to walk miles just to get there. Crowds of people walked in and out.

"Ahh... It's so refreshing in here!" Steven sighed from relief.

"I wonder where we can find the place to register for a faction?" Jel wondered

Steven gazed upon two guys fighting on a stage with wooden swords as a crowd watched them in excitement. "LOOK JEL! THERE'S A PLACE FOR SPARRING!" Steven gasped from amazement. "But... My brother is the only good one at actually fighting...."

"Well, why not give it a try? just because your brother is good at one thing doesn't mean you can't be good at the same thing?" Jel convinced Steven. "Go ahead and have some fun. I'll go register for the faction."

"WAHHH~ THANK YOU JEL, YOU'RE THE BEST PARTNER I COULD ASK FOR!" Steven cried drooling spit and snot all over Jel. "Okay, Jel! make sure to choose a good name!" Steven said as he ran away into the crowd of people.

"I will!" Jel yelled into the crowd. He then turned around and wandered the large hub. The hub was basically like a lobby except it held a lot of activities and events. Jel then finally found a line full of people next to a sign that read "Faction Registration." Jel entered the line and waited patiently while thinking of names.

Meanwhile, Steven was finally next in line for a 1v1 in sparring. "Next one please!" The announcer asked. Steven stood up on the stage and picked a bamboo sword from a bucket. He stood Infront of the opponent he had to face.

"The battle ends once an opponent gets knocked off the stage!" The announcer stated. "Ready up your stances.... 3... 2... 1! Go!"

Steven rushed towards his opponent at full speed swinging his sword towards them. The force of the sword blew them off the stage. "BLUE TEAM WINS!" The announcer announced. "Next opponent, please step forward."

Steven felt confident in his skills. He thought it was too easy since he just won that round in one blow. The steps creaked as the next opponent slowly walked up the stairs into the stage. Then, they took a broken bamboo sword out of the bucket and went into their fighting stance.

Something about them intimidated Steven. Was it their very odd mask? You couldn't see through the eye holes. It was just pitch black. Something about the red-painted cheeks on their white mask created a sense of fake innocence. It was like they were attempting to pretend to be sweet and innocent when in actuality their hiding something sinister behind it. Everything else about them was so, plain. They wore a grey long-sleeved shirt and grey sweatpants. with a leather belt. There was something so odd about them.

Steven gulped but clenched his sword to force more confidence onto him. The announcer then spoke. "3... 2... 1! Go!" Steven sprinted at full speed winding up his sword to attack with a powerful swing. His opponent just stood frozen and silent, it was like he was carefully watching Steven's movements or was waiting for an opening to attack. Finally, Steven closed enough distance to swing will full force towards the opponent. But then his opponent lowered his body at a 145-degree angle avoiding the blow. Steven's stomach and chest were wide open, and the opponent took that chance to strike a powerful blow deep into his stomach with a broken bamboo sword. Steven flew off the stage at full force crashing into a wall.

"RED TEAM WINS!" The announcer announced. Steven sat there still trying to process what just happened. He didn't know who that guy was or why he was defeated by him. The mysterious opponent Stared at Steven and then shifted their gaze and walked off the stage. Disappearing, into the crowd.

Meanwhile, it was finally Jel's turn to register for factions. "Hello! are you here to apply for a faction?" The service lady asked Jel.

"Yes please," Jel said.

"Great, first what will be your faction's name?" She asked

"Well, it's going to be named, Lakeside Retreat," Jel answered.

"Great! will there be anyone who will be a member of the faction?

"Steven Valk will be a member of the faction," Jel answered.

"Great! Steven Valk is a member of this faction now!" "Do you have a description for your faction?"

"Well, how about, the end of hacks," Jel answered.

"Congratulations! Your faction has been created. Do you have any more questions?"

"Is there information about anyone named, Chris Valk?" Jel asked trying to figure out if there were information about Steven's lost brother.

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid this person hasn't registered for a Prime Account."

"Oh, well thank you anyway," Jel said leaving the line. it was odd that Chris's brother didn't register for a prime account. Huddy did say that his brother was in the prime district. But why wouldn't he have had signed up for an account? All Jel could do was wonder and wonder. Now, he had to go look for Steven.