There was a constant humming in the air—a rhythmic beat, like music generated by the space itself. Adam glanced around, trying to locate the source. But there were no speakers, no wires, no instruments. The beat just existed, as though the very electrons in the air pulsed in harmony with it.
He walked across shifting tiles—blocky, digital-looking floors glowing in alternating shades of violet and red neon. It changed with every step, like dancing lights under glass. Adam couldn't help but be curious.
After all, this wasn't normal. The floor felt soft, like slippery nylon or polished plastic. Bending down, he touched it—unreal and smooth beneath his fingers. He continued exploring, noticing people dressed in black and white, and others simply wandering, sitting at odd tables.
Approaching one of them, he asked,"Hey, do you know where I am?"
But they didn't answer. Their eyes swirled with vibrant rainbows, entranced, as if they were stuck in their own dreamlike loops.
-- What was that?_
Arcade machines stretched endlessly in all directions. Games, lights, and colors flooded his vision, forming a digital wonderland that seemed limitless. Far in the distance, the horizon was consumed by a soft, glowing red.
He walked to one of the machines. It wouldn't start—it needed coins.
Sighing, Adam leaned against a carnival claw machine filled with plushies, gadgets, and strange toys. He stared at it, lost in thought, wondering how to even interact with this place.
Then something odd struck him.
Why haven't I felt anything?
No thirst. No hunger. No pain. No warmth.
Gripping his own mouth, he held his breath.
1... 2... 3... 4... minutesNothing.
Panic surged.
Am I alive? Am I dead?
He remembered when his arm had been torn off once—there had been only red meat and flaps of outer skin. But no bone. No real pain. No organs?
Then how am I even thinking?
Suddenly, a squeak.
A mole appeared atop a machine. It turned, black-furred with a pink nose and a tiny black hat. Then, it spoke.
"Hello. You're new," it chirped in a small, cute voice.
Adam blinked.
Sigh. Is there anything that can still surprise me?
The mole stood, and in the blink of an eye, transformed. Now it was a boy—black hair streaked like shadows, a mask obscuring his face, a sharp suit with a flowing black cape. He hovered above the ground.
"I am Minori. The manager... or as you might say, the Show Host. Game Master."
Before Adam could reply, Minori grabbed his wrist. The world twisted and changed around them—like flipping a channel on a giant television.
Now, a stage. Audiences with spiraling eyes. Floating cameras. A show.
Adam stood awkwardly at a podium. Minori, now wielding a loudspeaker, floated with an exaggerated grin.
"Welcome to your show host, Minori—and our brand-new contestant!"
Colorful arrows and plastic hands pointed at him. A glowing banner flashed:
[???]
Adam coughed awkwardly."I'm Omo—I mean...Adam."
The crowd clapped lifelessly, hollow and robotic. He felt like they weren't real—like they were puppets following a script.
Minori landed beside him, patting his shoulder."So, Adam, I've got a few questions for yah!"
He spun theatrically."Who am I?"
Adam blinked. Cameras zoomed in. Microphones floated. Arrows pointed at Minori.
"You're Minori..."
Ding ding! Confetti rained. Buzzers rang in celebration.
"And what kind of game did you completely lose to end up here?" Minori teased. "Did you lose all your PT—personal time—health points? Or maybe... you were just unlucky?"
Adam scowled and flicked the mic off.
"Can I know how to leave?"
Minori sighed dramatically. The stage dissolved. They were back in the arcade.
"That was rude. But fine. Three ways out: become a VIP... or your Mayori... or," he paused, smiling, "win most of my puzzles. Or maybe, if I get bored of you, I might feel something like empathy."
Adam stared.
"Can I just get out of here?"
Minori laughed."Boring. So, nope."
Adam looked down. From the floor, a red vine—fleshy, twitching—crept out.
"Whoops!" Minori squeaked. He snapped his fingers. A janitor NPC appeared with disinfectant and cleaning tools."Phew! There... Is this place really that boring to you?"
Adam thought for a moment.
"Well... no. It's weird. Fun, even. But there's something I need to do. Somewhere I need to be. But… why the hurry? There's no clock here. No time. My friends can wait"
He breathed deeply.
"Maybe I've been wasting my experience..."
The neon colors shimmered in his peripheral vision, reflecting on the machines like ghosts of joy. He had just been looking at it the wrong way.
Minori nodded."If only you had my perspective. This place is fun, you know. I'm not boring."
grasping his own arm hard...
Adam shrugged."I just... don't know what to do here."
With a grin, Minori snapped his fingers again. A small velvet pouch appeared in mid-air and fell gently into Adam's hands.
Ten golden coins.
They shimmered with a detailed engraving of the entire arcade map on one side.
"Newcomers always start with ten newbie coins."
Adam stared down at them.
Maybe... I'll have some fun...
But one thing...
"Hey why is there a place like this?"
Minori: Well... its a place for rest, have fun or just relaxed you know... When you need a time to refresh your thoughts...
Fidgetting his hands...
Minori: But its been lonely, or different lately she hasnt gone to this place for a long time
As he then creates a conceret of a relaxing tone... "pa ra dan dum" hitting some of the drums, as pairs of gloves were playing on a piano on the background.