Time froze.
A mysterious force entered the half-blown restaurant that seized all movement.
Kai, who accepted death, was shocked. To him, time didn't actually froze.
It was more like the laws that governed this world stopped.
It only stopped for an instant, but to Kai and everyone else it felt like an eternity.
And then, the chef heart that was about to explode came to a forced halt.
The laws that governed the word 'explosion' started working like cog work.
The restaurant that blew up rewind to its original state, the wall that was destroyed by the chef pressure canon was also restored.
The chef, whose chest was 'blown' up by his own hands, was also healed.
"This power..." Ryker couldn't believe his eyes. At this moment, he thought a god descended.
He and everyone else heard a loud stomp as someone approach.
Kai turn his head to see a man in a black and white uniform.
He wore a pointy hat like that of a wizard and glasses with lens similar to the clubs symbol, but with the top of the symbol turn sideways to face his nose.
Dressed around his uniform was a long black trench coat that operated more like a robe, giving off a more wizard-like appearance.
His face was old but young at the same time, his eyes lifeless as if he experienced worlds come and go.
His eyes also revealed a righteous glint.
He surveyed the restaurant before looking at Kai and Ryker, who shivered at his gaze.
They felt like they were being stared at by a cosmic horror jailer. It was a strange feeling, but that was the most accurate description they could think of.
He then turn to the chef and said, "I hope you know that if the quadramons disappear from the face of the universe it will be your fault."
He said as a matter of fact, as if its something that will happen.
The chef shook his head. "It was only a matter of time before you scum find out we allied ourselves with the Hearts Faction."
The man with clubs lens glasses didn't reveal any sort of emotions as he replied, "you are ranked rather high in the quadramon race, so tell me. What made you decide to join the side of evil?"
"The side of evil?" The chef laughed rather maniacally.
His laughter was rather loud and carried a hint of sorrow.
He then glared at the wizard-looking man, his glare carrying even more hate than when he looked at Ryker.
"It's all you slaves of clubs fault! You maniacs in the name of righteousness overlook everything else!" He shouted as he continue with a sorrow-filled tone, "do you even know what your lovely fourth princess did?"
"Just because an envoy of Hearts passed by our territory she thought we were corrupt and destroyed our entire star system!"
"In one night you slaves of clubs destroyed over half the quadramon race!"
The wizard man, still didn't reveal any emotion, responded. "The Princess was not wrong in what she did. In the end, you did join the Hearts Faction and such as your race deserves to be eradicated."
"You won't die today since I want to give your race a chance."
"In 72 diamond-clock hours the quadramon race will be no more." He announced.
"You self-righteous devils!" The chef, who was barely holding himself back, couldn't handle it anymore.
He lunged at the wizard-looking man but was only met with a bullet to the head.
The bullet hit his head, but instead of it 'blowing' his brains out, it only landed on his forehead and bounced off like a rubber bullet.
Still, it stopped the chef in his tracks as he hit the ground, feeling as if his head was truly blown by that bullet.
The wizard-looking man eyes, still dull, raised his gun and shot more rounds at the chef hands and feet.
The chef was immediately immobilized.
The wizard-looking man then turn to Kai and Ryker.
His lifeless eyes caused Ryker to shiver once more as he went behind Kai, as if trying to hide from him.
As for Kai, he matched the man's lifeless eyes with his bored ones.
Spades [FOOL], — Yesterday at 3:35 PMThey stood still, just looking into each other eyes for a short while before the wizard-looking man asked a question.
"Are you the ones who defeated Amore?"
Kai nodded and the man nod as well.
"Impressive, so the rumors he spread about two potential kings weren't wrong." He said, his lifeless eyes showing a tiny bit of approval and also pity.
"Sadly, I cannot recruit you two to the Clubs Faction." He shook his head and said coldly, "your hearts and mind are too tainted."
His comment was a bit strange to Kai, but he did not mind.
He also didn't care that Amore was still alive.
"What does it mean to be a potential king?" He simply asked something that was on his mind.
That attitude made the wizard-looking man nod once more.
"Potential Kings are players who in the real world showcases the qualities of a true king. Here in The Pack Games they are rare individuals who have the potential to be bestowed the King Card." He explained before continuing, "If you become a Handler there's a likely hood that the Aces will grant you the permission to use some of their power."
"That would either classify you as a King, Queen or Jack in The Pack Games."
"As for you two. Even I can see that you have potential to indeed become Kings. However, even though there's a likely hood its not high as a King has not been chosen in two hundred 52 years cycle." He concluded.
Kai, who already digest that information, asked again. "How strong is a King?"
"Depends on how high their Suit of Card is." The man answered.
Kai could see he didn't want to go into too much detail, paused before asking once more.
"How many Kings are there?"
"I cannot disclose that information." The man shook his head.
So there really is information that newbies aren't allowed to know.
"Is there a rule preventing you from telling me?"
"As expected of a potential king." The man praised, eyes still lifeless.
"New players aren't allowed to know certain secrets. Even most veteran players cannot know. Only by racking up wins will you be qualified to get certain information."
"Then I have one final question."
"What do you suggest we do now?"
The man eyes flashed as he said, "is that truly your last question?"
Kai thought about it and nodded.
"Very well. I suggest you quickly become a Handler. Do not choose the Hearts Faction as that faction is filled with nothing but evil. As for the Clubs Faction, you can try but you two won't succeed."
"Now that leaves the Diamonds and Spades Faction." He paused for a breather before pointing at Kai.
"I've observed you for a while and I can say that you will definitely succeed in becoming a Diamonds Handler."
"As for you..." He looked at Ryker, who was hiding behind Kai while acting like he's invincible, and shook his head.
"You might as well become a Blanker." The man comment made Ryker jump from behind Kai with frighten eyes.
"Become like those trash? Hell no!" He shouted.
His attitude got the customers, who didn't know whether they could leave or not, to start grumbling.
The wizard-looking man, not bothered by his attitude, replied. "The Hearts Faction is open for all but the Hearts players are all brutal killers, manipulative creatures and people who don't think twice before betraying others or even their own kind."
"The Clubs Faction is different as we follow the path of righteousness, but to join us you need a pure heart and mindset that isn't influenced by the mortal world. You and your brother do not display such qualities."
"As for Diamonds Faction, you need to be a smart and calculative individual who can turn the tides of any battle. Your brother display those qualities greatly." He finished.
When he finished, Kai was confused.
He was about to ask another question but was shocked to realize his mouth wouldn't move.
It was as if some mysterious force was binding his mouth from opening.
The shock only last a while before he became calm again.
The clubs players are truly interesting.
He noted before telling Ryker in his mind to ask him about something he missed.
Ryker face brighten with hope as he asked, "what about the Spades Faction?"
The wizard-looking man gave Kai a long look before shaking his head. "I cannot disclose much information about the Spades Faction as its a taboo topic in The Pack Games."
"However..." His eyes showed an unexpected emotion as he said, "anyone who joins the Spades Faction all wound up dead in the end."
His eyes reveal true, actual fear. "It doesn't matter whether you are a nobody or someone with kings potential. Anyone who joins the Spades Faction will have their life filled with nothing but misfortune until their very last breath."