Floor Fifty-One – Round One
The Celestial Being (mocking):
"Oh my, such a dramatic performance. I'm truly moved."
Yui:
"I don't recall anyone asking for your opinion. You think you're imposing with that look? You resemble a lamp. And what's with that grin? You look worse than the slit-mouthed woman!"
The Celestial Being didn't respond, suppressing his anger as he walked forward.
Yui:
"So, what's your name? Maybe I'll call you Labobo. You look just like him—wait, is he your brother?"
Zalarosa (bursting out laughing):
"Ahahaha! Yui, stop! I'm dying over here!"
The Celestial Being:
"You insolent girl, take back your words or—"
Yui (cutting him off):
"Or what? Will you cut off my head? That's how you're proving you're a man without dignity—someone who doesn't even know how to answer a girl. Do they call you 'No Dignity' in the upper dimension?"
Zalarosa (wiping tears of laughter):
"Okay, okay, let's just start the game already."
The Celestial Being glared at Yui with mock hatred.
The Celestial Being:
"Follow me."
Yui (smirking):
"Ha? Are you kidding me? You should be the one following us. As far as I know, dogs follow their masters. So why are we following you?"
Zalarosa bursts into laughter again.
The Celestial Being:
"Listen closely, Yui. I've held back because I respect women—but if this continues, you'll find out who the Celestial Being truly is."
Zalarosa (standing up, wiping tears):
"Alright, let's cool down a bit and start the game."
Yui and the Celestial Being exchange sharp glares.
The Celestial Being snaps his fingers, teleporting everyone to a new place—a coliseum.
The Celestial Being (explaining):
"Now we begin the first round. I'll have five minutes to tag both of you a thousand times. You'll have five minutes to try and tag me once."
Zalarosa:
"Wait a sec... what about Ryo? Is he just going to stay decapitated like that?"
The Celestial Being:
"If you win every round, I'll return his head—and his life."
Yui:
"Fine. When do we begin?"
The Celestial Being:
"Are you in a rush to die?"
Yui (clenching her fist):
"No, I just want to wipe that stupid Labobo grin off your face."
The Celestial Being:
"Very well. Let's begin the first round."
He clapped his hands, and the three of them were instantly separated to opposite sides of the arena.
Zalarosa:
"Where are we?"
Yui:
"No idea. Maybe Labobo's grin teleported us here. Let's find him."
Zalarosa (narrowing her eyes):
"Can you not call him Labobo for once?"
Yui:
"What do you mean? Anyway, let's start—"
Suddenly, Yui's feet began glowing with fire, and she blasted off, breaking the sound barrier and leaving strong winds behind her.
Zalarosa (whispering):
"She's... really fast."
The Celestial Being (suddenly behind her):
"Yes. Quite fast indeed."
Zalarosa:
"You're right."
Zalarosa (thinking):
"Wait... if Yui left, then who's behind me?"
She turned slowly and found the Celestial Being right behind her.
The Celestial Being:
"Hello, Zalarosa."
Zalarosa (jumping back and yelling):
"YAAHH! Where did you come from?!"
She didn't wait—she instantly vanished using her stealth skill.
The Celestial Being (amused):
"Invisibility, huh? Quite the skill."
He rushed off after Yui.
The Celestial Being (muttering):
"Alright... I'll shatter that girl's bones... Just kidding."
Time Remaining: 3 minutes
Yui (whispering):
"Zalarosa, where did you come from?"
Zalarosa (whispering):
"No idea. I used my skill and bumped into you by accident."
The Celestial Being (from behind):
"Is that so? I didn't know your presence was still physical."
The moment they heard his voice, Yui and Zalarosa bolted in different directions.
Zalarosa (running):
"Where is that guy coming from?!"
Yui:
"No idea—just run and don't look back!"
Zalarosa looked back—and screamed.
Zalarosa (tears flying as she ran):
"AHHH! What IS that thing?!"
She ran so fast she overtook Yui, leaving a dust cloud behind her.
Yui (whispering):
"Didn't know fear makes you that fast..."
The Celestial Being tagged Yui.
"First tag."
Yui:
"Damn it!"
1 minute remaining
Yui:
"Zalarosa! Run faster! He's coming!"
The Celestial Being (thinking):
"I could teleport to her... but this is more fun."
20 seconds remaining
The Celestial Being:
"I'm running out of time..."
He stopped suddenly.
"Seems I have no other choice."
10 seconds remaining
He raised his hand—and in an instant, tagged both Yui and Zalarosa not 1,000 times... but 100 million times.
Time's up.
A bell rang, signaling the end of the game.
Zalarosa:
"Did we win?"
The Celestial Being:
"No. I did."
Yui (appearing):
"What are you talking about?! You only tagged me once. The rule was a thousand times!"
The Celestial Being:
"I already did. I tagged you 100 million times. You just haven't processed it yet. Give it a few seconds—"
Suddenly, Yui and Zalarosa felt pain in their arms, shoulders, even faces.
Yui:
"Oww—who hit me?!"
The Celestial Being:
"I did. So you'd believe me."
Zalarosa:
"Wait—how were you near us the whole time and we didn't even see you?"
The Celestial Being:
"Simple. I never moved from my spot. My speed was so fast that even motion itself didn't register. It was as if I was standing still—but I was doing everything, even leaving and re-entering the universe."
Both girls were stunned.
Zalarosa (shocked):
"You went outside the universe?! That's impossible—the universe is limitless!"
The Celestial Being:
"You think I'm bound by the rules and systems of your lower dimension? I could erase it all if I wanted."
The Celestial Being:
"Now don't worry—your turn. You have five minutes to try and tag me."
Yui:
"How are we even supposed to touch you?"
The Celestial Being:
"Relax—I won't use any powers. I'll just run."
The bell rang. Each took their position.
The Celestial Being dashed away. Yui chased after him—she nearly touched him, but he dodged.
The Celestial Being:
"Nice try, Yui. You almost had me!"
Suddenly, Zalarosa appeared in front of him and reached for his face, but he bent his back like liquid and threw her aside.
The Celestial Being:
"You're better than I thought. That was close!"
Yui kept pursuing him—her speed nearing that of light.
Yui:
"I'll catch you, Smiley Labobo!"
---
Elsewhere… in the Great Ice Kingdom
Ren:
"What happened to Ryo? Where did he go?"
Yui:
"I don't know. Maybe he went off to train—to face Zalauria."
Ren:
"And what if she comes here? What'll we do then?"
Yui:
"We'll face her, of course. Are you scared?"
Ren:
"It's not that... I'm just concerned."
---
Deep in the Ice Kingdom's forest, in what appeared to be a high council chamber:
Zalauria:
"So, when does this meeting start?"
Someone responded:
"Just wait a little, Zalauria. Once the leader arrives, we'll begin the discussion."
Suddenly, a man walked in—young, handsome, like a mafia boss. Everyone stood out of respect.
He was the leader.
The Leader:
"Please, be seated. Let's begin. Kagami, the reports."
Kagami (his second-in-command):
"As you command, sir."
Kagami:
"Now then—let's begin the meeting."
---
To be continued…