The Ques' House

Astorion

9:45 p.m.

The Ques, except Jack, Richard, and Duncan, were chilling in the drawing room and drinking beer. The noobs were with them. Richard's parents have already left. There were yellings heard from Richard's room. It seemed Richard was harshly rebuking Duncan in there.

"It's been an hour or so that they've been at it.", said Aiffel anxiously. "Now, it's a very uncomfortable place to be."

"It's gonna be a long night for Duncan.", said Grate as he was praying. The Ques seemed to be okay with this, as they were drinking and chitchatting.

"How are you guys okay with this?", Aiffel asked.

"Things like this have happened so much with us that it isn't that much of an issue for us now.", said Marlin.

"He deserves it, if you ask me. I warned him. I told him numerous times to leave her. Havana is a psychopath.", Bamcun commented.

"Even so, it's not quite as terrifying as the time you fought with your girlfriend Emily at a Masquerade party and she blew up the sound system, ruining the entire event.", Marlin laughed to Bamcun.

"Oh, man. Don't remind me. Rich was so angry and the way he grasped me that night in his room, I thought I was dead. I thought I was never gonna get out of this cell. I was scared as *beep*. I thought Rich was gonna kill me, man.", said Bamcun.

"Oh, Emily... That girl was hot.", Busquets commented.

"Too bad you are barred from doing any sort of things with her.", said Marlin.

"...why is that?", Aiffel asked.

"It's a que code not to date with any of the Ques' ex girlfriends.", Marlin replied. Hearing that, Aiffel instantly thought of Richard and Sarah.

"None of us would be barred if you and Emily only dated and did not go into a relationship. What's wrong with you two brothers always take things further and later regret it and ruin the rest of the gang's fun?", Busquets barked.

"Yeah, I agree with Busquets here. Don't take things so seriously. Be like Adam.", Marlin joked, "Hook up and leave yesterday, hook up and leave today, hook up and leave tomorrow with three different girls. Just don't do it in the wrong place."

"Oh, boy. Rich was so mad, I thought I was gonna get kicked out from Masquerade.", said Adam, "This was during Marlin and Busquets AWC party here in this house like a year ago. So, at the end of the night, everyone was so drunk or passed out. I hooked up with Sulci of Queendom in Rich's room of all places. We were caught red-handed by Rich... Man, oh man... It still haunts me to this day, even while I'm asleep." The Ques and noobs laughed.

"No matter what you do, as long as you don't *beep* with Rich, you're alright. He is very sensitive to the Que rituals.", Adam continued.

"Yeah... I think Jack is the only one who never got into any trouble with Rich.", Bamcun commented.

"He isn't the vice president of this house for no reason. He takes any Que rituals, any Que code, or any Que parties very seriously just as Rich.", Marlin stated.

"Yeah, but I don't understand. Why is Havana here in Astorion? Whatever she said, was it all true that she got into Astorion?", Bamcun asked.

"...I think the rumors are coming to light and only Ophelia Pond can address it.", Marlin stated.

"What's the rumor?", Grate asked. All of a sudden, Jack came in with a hostile approach.

"Hey! What do you noobs still doing here? The night's over. Go back to your dorm or do your tasks or whatever. So, get lost.", Jack barked.

"But, Rich said that we would be going to Ophelia Pond to celebrate.", said Aiffel.

"Do you still hope that after what happened here? Rich doesn't sound like he is gonna come out of that door within the next few hours. So, the plan's canceled. We will celebrate some other time, just not tonight. So, leave.", said Jack.

Grate and Aiffel were taking their leave, but all of a Sudden Richard's door opened up. That stopped everyone from doing whatever they were doing, the atmosphere got dense as Richard came out with Duncan. There was tension in the air and it was well disturbing.

"It's getting late.", Richard spoke up after some time, "Let's go to Ophelia Pond."

"What!?", everyone was startled.

"You sure about this?", Jack asked.

"Yeah, we just can't ruin our celebration just because of what happened here. After all, you don't get to see the Imperians getting beat up by the Astorians everyday. Let's forget all that and celebrate at Ophelia Pond!", Richard hyped up the Ques.

"YAYYYYYYYY!!!!!", the Ques and noobs roared.

In the meantime.

Queedom sorority

Astorion

The Queens and daughters were having fun in the sauna.

"Thank you for the information.", Velvet said to Irene, "All those bad and wrong things he has been doing with me for years, I fired it all back at him with this one thing. Now I'm feeling better."

"Hahaha. I'm glad that I could be your help.", Irene appreciated.

Meanwhile, Quinn and Maria were in a corner. "So, how did it go?", Quinn asked.

"Yes, they agreed to pay us what we asked. Really, not much persuasion was required. It appeared that he valued the occasion more than the money. He wants it to be something extremely spectacular. He cherishes this to that extent. He at least sounded like it. He desired this moment for years.", Maria stated.

"So... It's really going to happen.", Quinn sighed.

"Yes, as much as I hate to admit.", Maria said, "But, we should be our first priority."

"Yeah...the way we are rapidly growing this year, right?", Quinn mumbled.

"Oh, look who's talking. Who's in charge of recruiting daughters?", Maria questioned Quinn who looked at her. "Don't look at me.", Maria told her.

"Come on, Maria. Don't be rude. Six daughters! It's an all-time high for Queendom! Appreciate it!", Quinn tried to cheer her up.

"Irene is too good to be in Queendom, Arumi is not Queendom material, and Pamela...you know where she came from. But despite my lack of interest in them, you recruited them nonetheless.", Maria stated.

"But they are still doing really well in the Hot Week, don't you think?", Quinn laughed. "Queendom shall keep going the way it used to be, the way it is. It wouldn't be a problem even when we are outnumbered."

Maria: ...

"But, worst case scenario, just in case we ever encounter a problem, you know what to do.", Quinn continued as Maria glared at her. "Then you'd let go of your pride and-"

"Stay on your limits!", Maria yelled and cut her off. The other girls got their attention. Quinn glared at her.

"...Is everything alright, Maria?", Velvet asked.

"It's alright... We're just...talking.", said Maria. The girls went back to their chitchatting.

"Learn to take a joke, will you?", Quinn laughed and then made a statement, "We're not mother-daughter anymore. Let's get real over here. One year later, after you graduate, there will be one of us who will fill your shoes. I'm only doing this to prove to you that I'm the best candidate for that place. I'm only trying to demonstrate that even when you're gone, Queendom shall rule supreme."

Maria took a while before sighing and said, "Don't think of me as an enemy. Get that I'm helping you out. However, it is up to you to inform Richard and Jack of the situation."

"You got it.", said Quinn before leaving.

"...how is she getting all that confidence?", Maria asked herself.

Outside Ophelia Pond

Downtown, Roseholics city

10:30 p.m.

Masquerade approached the nightclub in style in their casual clothes, wearing leather jackets. They looked like a bunch of dudes from a heavy metal band.

"Smithfield, doing good?", said Richard as they approached the bouncer of Ophelia Pond.

"Mr. H? Glad to see you back here. Please come in. Welcome to Ophelia Pond.", Smithfield greeted them.

One by one, the Ques entered the hallway. Aiffel said Hello to Smithfield when entering the hallway. Smithfield glared at him in response.

Aiffel approached Richard in the hallway and asked, "Why does Smithfield call you 'Mr. H', Rich?"

Rich laughed and replied, "You'll know that for sure some other time." Aiffel seemed to be confused by his answer as they reached the end of the hallway and entered the nightclub.

"I'll be at the bar.", said Jack, and then he moved ahead. Seemed like he was down for some reason.

"I'll be there in a moment.", Richard said to Jack.

"What's up with him?", Aiffel asked.

"Well, tonight, Jack is malfunctioning a little. But don't let it bother you and have fun.", Richard answered.

"What happened?", Aiffel asked again.

"...your friend, Irene. She seemed to have divulged some of Jack's secrets to his girlfriend, Velvet... Velvet and Jack fought in that process and Jack suffered severe consequences.", Richard stated. Aiffel with a facepalm while Grate tried to hold back his laugh. "I'll be joining Jack for some time.", said Richard before leaving.

Aiffel looked across the club and commented, "Tonight, this place certainly appears different."

"The ratio of lads to chicks is drastically out of proportion it seems...", said Grate, "All the girls appear to be occupied. Tonight there are far too many men here." Then he spotted Suzanne in a corner and said, "Exactly what I need." before he went off for her.

Aiffel smiled and suddenly noticed Duncan was drinking in another corner. Aiffel approached, sat down with him, and asked a waiter for a drink. The drink arrived. Then he took one sip and asked, "Everything alright?"

"...I don't know, man. I don't think I'm gonna stay with you guys for long... Rich... He gave me an ultimatum.", Duncan sighed and then quoted Richard, "Never thought I'd say this, but it's time for you to make a choice. Either you choose Havana...or you choose Masquerade."

Aiffel looked disappointed by his words. He asked, "Havana, right? ...does she always barge in like that? You know, uninvited?"

"I don't know what to say, man. She is driving me crazy.", said Duncan, irritated, "The first few months were alright. It was love. Then after that, she started to bully me and use me literally to pay her bills. And I find what's even more disrespectful is that she even uses her mother to bully me. This one time I had an argument with Havana on the phone, and at some point, I ended up yelling at her. She hung up the phone. Then about a minute later, her mom called me, and started scolding me, 'You *beep* *beep*! How dare you yell at my daughter!? If I hear any more complaints about you from her, that will be the end of you!'"

"W-What...?", Aiffel coughed.

"Then another time...", Duncan continued, "Havana asked me for my mail's password. I refused to divulge my privacy to her. So, again, she complained to her mother. Her mother called me again and said, 'Why aren't you giving your password to my daughter? Is there someone else? Are you cheating on my daughter? Give her your password immediately or she is gonna break up with you!'"

"...are you serious?", Aiffel asked, dumbfounded.

"Absolutely! She is a *beep* toxic and her mother is even a bigger *beep*! And there's even more!", said Duncan, enraged.

"...why didn't you leave her yet?", said Aiffel, and he sounded furious, "You should have left her the first time her mother warned you. Mind me all you want, but I have to say. If you two somehow end up getting married to each other, may God forbid, her mother is gonna take all the decisions for your family, not you or Havana. Why didn't you leave her yet!?"

"Because... I don't want to leave this relationship and prove myself wrong.", Duncan stated, "I'm a loyal person. If our relationship ends then it won't end from my side. She would be the one to end it... And she has a cat. He's called Leo. I have a deep connection with him. So, I don't want to leave him by leaving her."

Aiffel sighed, became even more furious like he wanted to beat him up, finished his drink, and asked the waiter for another drink, the drink arrived, finished the drink in one sip, asked for another drink, and tried to cool down and have patience. Then he attempted to calmly convince him, "You know... I see you are in love. That's not bad at all. It's only bad when you're not getting the same treatment from the other side. When you are in love, your eyes go blind, your ears go deaf, and your voice goes mute. With that saying, I understand that what I'm saying will go straight through your left ear and come out off your right and leave just like that. However, I'm still gonna say it... Letting go is like having your bad tooth extracted. You feel relieved having yanked it out. But how many times does your tongue pass over the area where the tooth was previously? 100 or more times every day, probably. Even though it isn't hurting anymore, you may still be aware of it. It leaves a void, and occasionally you realize how much you miss it. All that's required of you is patience during the lengthy process... Would it have been wise to keep the tooth? NO, you were in so much pain from it... Sometimes, to let go is better."

Duncan: ...

"It's your life, Duncan.", Aiffel continued, "I'm not taking sides with Rich here either. It's up to you what you should do. Forget about the Que code 'Ques before Hoes'. Just remember what's most important... One should prioritize Self-respect over Love. Where there is no respect for you, whether it be a relationship, friendship, family, job, or whatever - if you leave, it's a win, trust me! You don't lose! You don't become a bad person! Because there's no reason to stay where there is no respect! That's all... You don't have to make a decision right now. Take your time. It's better to be late than never. Have a few more drinks and just think. Listen to your heart and what's best for you.", and then he left.

Duncan remained silent and then ordered a few more drinks.

Aiffel met Grate who seemed to be a little frustrated. "Is everything ok, man? Or has she already dumped you?", Aiffel joked.

"I'm sure you're familiar with me. I'm a gentleman. I eat the whole bread. I don't eat the leftovers of it.", said Grate furiously.

"Suzanne?", Aiffel asked.

"It's Suzanna! ...I just saw her giving a man a lap dance. What a service. Even she is busy. How in the world is that even possible?", Grate whined.

"She's doing her job.", Aiffel sighed.

"I suddenly realized how fortunate we were the previous time. To be present here today... Comparable like switching from champagne to urine as a drink.", Grate continued.

"It's not THAT awful, buddy, haha.", Aiffel laughed.

"I'm gonna head over there again.", Grate sighed, "What are you gonna do?"

"I'm planning on meeting my father.", said Aiffel.

"Good luck with that.", said Grate before he left, "Blame Irene if he beats you up."

Aiffel was heading to the bar and he found Richard coming out from it.

"Hey, bro.", said Richard.

"Aren't you supposed to call me 'noob'?", Aiffel asked.

"We ain't wearing the jackets, so nah.", Richard laughed and then asked, "So, where are you headed to? Jack?"

"Yeah...", Aiffel replied.

"Well... Good luck with that. Meet me when you are done with him. Let's grab a drink afterward.", said Richard before he left.

Then Aiffel approached Jack in the bar. "Hey...", said Aiffel. Jack didn't respond to that. He seemed to be in a very bad mood. So Aiffel asked the bartender, "One beer each for my father and me, please?"

"Your...father?", a bit confused, the bartender asked.

Aiffel went on to explain, "Well, we're playing a game and he's my father in it. It's a coll-", and Jack cut him off in the middle of it by yelling to the bartender, "What's the inquiry for!? Just get us what he ordered!"

"Ah! I'm sorry!", the bartender apologized in fear.

"Hey! Want me to cut some sense into you?", Jack whispered to Aiffel, "You can't tell people here that you're in college! Why don't Richard and I wear Ques' jackets tonight? You *beep* moron!"

"...At least that helped break the ice.", Aiffel smirked. The bartender served the beer and they were drinking.

"Care for telling me the reason why you are angry?" Aiffel asked.

"Come again?", Jack quizzed.

"Given that you typically find everything I say annoying, I thought I would just pose the question."

"Cut that poetic act! ...I'm not telling you *beep*!"

"*chuckles* ...This is getting old."

"Get to the *beep* point!"

"You don't even engage me in conversation very often. I receive all of the Masquerade-related information from Richard through Grate... You are a terrible father."

"*mumbles* The apple does not fall far from the tree."

"I won't be like you when I become a father."

"You sound like you want to start a fight because you got some big cojones to speak to me in that manner."

"*drinks* Don't mind me. It's only the beer."

"You become a different person when you're drunk... *drinks* Dammit! Firstly, my ex-girlfriend showed up here in Astorion with you guys, and I'm pissed!"

"You mean Irene."

"Shut up! I don't wanna hear or say her name! ...Secondly, Quinn thought it'd be a brilliant idea for my ex to join Queendom! *finished his drink* Thirdly, now my ex is *beep* behind my back by telling things to my present girlfriend, Velvet! *lit up a cigarette*"

"Why would Quinn think that?"

"Quinn enjoys pushing people's buttons. That's something about her that I thought I liked until she started pushing mine."

"*sighed* Nothing catastrophic is going to happen."

"No ex-girlfriend, huh?"

"Not...yet."

"*laughs* You are way far behind in life. When you'll have one, you'll finally realize that they are just a pain in the ass. It just makes me feel..."

"...fuming?"

"*exhales* Only if you knew... I'll be alright. Go get yourself a lap dance or something. Tonight's celebration is for you... *Aiffel leaving* And by the way... You haven't seen any paternal side of me yet, but you are about to. So, get ready!"

Aiffel joined Richard by the table and ordered some more drinks.

"How did it go?", Richard asked.

"I almost exacerbated.", Aiffel replied, "I figured he should be left alone when he's in a bad mood."

"Told ya'! *drinks*"

"Do you frequently visit this place?"

"The Ques love this place."

"And what about you?"

"The girls are gorgeous, and Smithfield is often entertaining, but I like to celebrate at the house these days... *drinks* So, day 4 is coming to an end. How many tasks are left?"

"*drinks* We'll be going to the Reveuse Museum after this and steal some eye of the Cyclops. The 50 beers task will be completed tomorrow. Then there's this one last task... *disturbed* Commit a murder..."

"What about it?"

"The most serious crime is murder. Because it deprives a victim of their most fundamental human right - the right to life. *drinks* And I can't take that away. *Richard laughed* You guys completed this task in the past... Tell me who did you murder?"

"You sure you don't wanna kill anyone?"

"nope... *drinks*"

"...not even the ones that killed your sensei?"

"*stops in the middle of drinking* ..."

"*grinned* Consider it as a reminder, a hint, a clue, or all three for that task."

"...You actually caught me off guard with that one. Well played. *shakes Richard's hand* Jack never performs like you just did."

"His reach is limited. Because he won't change for anyone, accept him as he is. So, you sure you still don't wanna commit any murder?"

"...Yes, I do. But, too bad. Only a day left. And I don't even know where to find them."

"I know where to find them..."

"*stunned* ..."

Suddenly an Ophelia Pond girl approached them and greeted Richard.

"Good evening, Legato! You appear beautiful as usual.", Richard greeted back and complimented her.

"You're a real man.", said Legato, "Want me to give you a dance?"

"Thank you, I'm OK.", said Richard, "But my friend right here might be interested."

"What do you say?", Legato asked Aiffel.

"Umm... Go ahead.", said Aiffel. And then Legato started giving him a lap dance. "This feels really good. Why don't you invite the girls to the house sometime?"

"Actually, we do on special occasions. However it is more expensive than coming here given that they are unable to charge us for the alcohol.", Richard stated.

"Only on Masquerade only night, right?"

"Not at all! Typically, Queendom and a few other cool people attend. Girls mainly. We hold private AWCs and dancing competitions."

"AWC? Isn't that just for initiation?"

"*drinks* ...You still have a lot to learn."

"I hope you liked it, sweetie.", said Legato.

"I loved it, Legato. Thanks!", Aiffel appreciated her.

"Guess I'll see you everyday from tomorrow onwards.", Legato said to Richards.

"How is that?", Richard asked in curiosity.

"Because we Ophelia Pond girls have got accepted into Astorion... All of us.", Legato revealed.

"Really!? ...Then guess I'll see you all soon.", said Richard. Legato smiled and left.

"So I guess the rumors are true after all...", Aiffel said to Richard as they looked at each other.

"Yeah, it seems... Tell me something. Haven't you learned anything from Jack or what?", Richard asked..

"Actually, not much.", Aiffel answered, "Our communication is minimal."

"This is not according to the plan at all. You know, father and son.", Richard sighed, "I'm going to speak with him." Richard spotted Grate who was having a lap dance from Suzanne. "Looks like Grate is having a great time.", he joked. Aiffel with a broad smile.

Then Richard called the Ques and noobs to him. As they came, he handed each a glass of champagne, and toasted, "Tonight we celebrate probably one of, if not, the greatest noob brothers group in Masquerade history. To Aiffel and Grate!", as everyone cheered. "We had hard times in the past and I know we'll have hard times in the future as well. Because we are brothers. Brothers give hard times to one another. So, leaving that by the side, let's say 'Long Live Masquerade!'" The Ques chanted the same and cheered. "So long and for many more days to come... THE FIRST CODE OF MASQUERADEl!", Richard voiced.

"ONLY QUE IS REAL!", the Ques and noobs cheered. Then they celebrated.

"Alright! Let's drink like there's no tomorrow!", Jack cheered and called Ophelia Pond girls, "Hey, girls! Take care of the noobs!" Then the girls gave their best service to the noobs as they drank and drank and drank.

"CHECK OUT HOW I DRINK EVERY SHOT AT ONCE!", Aiffel uttered.

And...BLACK OUT.

Next thing, Aiffel woke up to find himself in the middle of a dark, large hall.

"...Where am I?", Aiffel asked himself. His head began to spin and hurt as soon as he stood up. But he stopped himself from falling. He took out his phone and checked the time. It was 3:42 in the morning. Then he turned on his phone's flashlight and began to look around. Aristocrats' former dinner tables were now adorned with rusty cutlery, faded love notes tied with ribbons, and fragile porcelain dolls with cracked faces that were kept in dusty glass cabinets. Old paper and rotted wood could be smelled strongly in the air. The walls were covered in faded paintings that depicted historical events as well as tranquil landscapes and wars. Each artwork had a narrative and seemed to come to life in the moonlight, with its people shifting and dancing in a phantom ballet.

Aiffel got bumped into something as he moved further. He was stunned to see what was right before him as he flashed the phone's light to it. A towering dinosaur skeleton stood watch, its ancient bones a sharp contrast to the dainty jewels on exhibit nearby. The dinosaur skeleton was enormous and loomed like a sentry from a prehistoric land. The bones were sparkling with an ethereal light.

Aiffel finally understood where he was. But the only question that crossed his mind was how he got there. As he was thinking all this and continuing to roam around, the light of his phone's flashlight fell on somebody wearing a scary mask. Aiffel wasn't intimidated at all, despite the man's primary intention of scaring him.

"...I know it's you, Grate.", said Aiffel.

"Grrrr. You're no fun.", Grate said upset as he removed the mask.

"Now explain. How did we get here in Reveuse Museum?"

"The usual way we get in is when they do not let us in. There's a night guard outside whom I outsmarted."

"But what happened in Ophelia Pond?"

"*stunned* You don't remember?"

"I only remember drinking and drinking. Then I don't remember what happened afterwards."

"...They kicked us out."

"What!? Why!?"

"After the stunt that you pulled, Smithfield wouldn't let us stay there at any cost. You made him very upset."

"...But what the hell did I do!?"

"You'll know for sure. The beans get spilled in the college very fast... Come with me. I need your help with something." Then Grate was heading up the stairs as Aiffel followed him.

"Where are we going? What about the task?"

"We've been here since 12 a.m. and there's no sign of a cyclops. I guess it was just a rumor after all. I therefore reasoned that there was no point in returning without a memento. There's something I want in the upstairs."

When they arrived at the wall, Grate was unable to reach the moose head hanging over it. He attempted to move the immobile moose head by climbing onto Aiffel's shoulders, but he was unsuccessful. Therefore, he climbed on top of the moose's head and sat on it.

"Dude, what the hell are you doing?", Aiffel asked in anxiety.

"Bro, it cries out to be ridden. Only if you understood moose language.", Grate replied.

"You're gonna fall from breaking it!"

"You don't get it. That's what I want." Then the moose's head broke and Grate fell with it.

"Hey, man. You alright?"

"*laughs* Moose 1-0 Grate. Got my memento. I'm taking it home."

Aiffel grinned, but then something attracted his attention, and he informed Grate. He saw strange creatures approaching them that had red eyes. Grate instantly obeyed Aiffel's order to go down the stairs. The creatures turned out to be a pack of canines with only one eye. They were growling at Aiffel as though he had disturbed their snooze. The canines appeared to be excellent jumpers as they leaped to bite Aiffel. Aiffel was successfully fending them off with his firepower.

Grate made a help request to Aiffel from the basement as a pack of canines was about to attack him. A canine took advantage of Aiffel's distraction by jumping on him. Aiffel tripped and fell off the corridor, landing on the canines that were about to attack Grate. Both of them stood up as Aiffel enquired about Grate's well-being. The floor underneath them suddenly began to break. Before plunging into the pit that the fissures formed, Aiffel shoved Grate aside to save him.

Aiffel, with the canines, crashed forcefully into the Museum's hidden underground. He heard the sounds of big, heavy steps approaching as he struggled to get to his feet. Out of nowhere, a gigantic figure appeared, its massive shape casting a foreboding silhouette against the walls. Aiffel Roseholic, the invader, was the focus of one large eye that was shining with a spooky intensity. It didn't take long for him to realize that what the Ques had told about a cyclops prowling the museum deep in the night was undoubtedly true because it was right before him. Slowly blinking, the cyclops' eye revealed a malevolent intelligence that dates back thousands of years. It was intimidating due to its massive build, gnarled hands, and thick, matted hair. The museum reverberated to the sound of the Cyclops' gruff, deep voice.

"...You're one ugly *beep*.", Aiffel told the Cyclops.

The Cyclops signaled for the canines to leave as they growled at Aiffel. And so they left.

Aiffel appeared to be a small boy in front of the colossal Cyclops. Aiffel delivered the opening blow with an iron fist. The Cyclops did not even flinch a small bit. Aiffel became aware of his error. In retaliation, the Cyclops delivered an uppercut that knocked Aiffel through many walls.

"...That was a bad idea.", Aiffel muttered as he emerged from the rubble, "Not what I expected, but gotta give 'em' all." Then he yelled to the Cyclops, "Hey, big dude! Do you want to go all out? ...Come and get me! And don't punch like a little girl for the rest of our fight!" The Cyclops was upset by that last statement.

"Oh, boy. That last line wasn't necessary, Aiffel. You shouldn't have said it!", Grate, agitated and concerned, stated.

Aiffel was charged by the Cyclops, who was throwing lefts and rights. Aiffel avoided them and, when he had the opportunity, replied with his iron fists. Despite its size, the cyclops was swift and had, on the surface, extremely tough skin. Aiffel used his own lefts and rights before kicking it in the legs to bring it to its knees. The Cyclops was sent crashing through the dinosaur's skeleton when Aiffel executed a powerful iron kick.

"Man, at this rate, they are gonna destroy the entire museum.", Grate worried.

Aiffel was charging at the Cyclops as it emerged from the bones. Once it had recovered, the Cyclops fired lasers out of its eye. Aiffel continued to advance while dodging the lasers.

"Aiffel! Be careful of its laser!", Grate cautioned him, "Cyclops eye laser is said to be the sharpest, fastest, and most powerful of them all!"

"Got it.", Aiffel responded to Grate and then said to the Cyclops, "This is my final attack! And you are going down with it, you big ass *beep*!" He continued to charge at him while making a forceful fist. The fist eventually started to burn. "I haven't used this attack for a long time... Eat this, Cyclops! ...Burning Iron Fist Attack!" As Aiffel prepared to strike, the Cyclops unexpectedly emerged behind him using agility to his surprise.

Before you knew it, Aiffel had been launched through the ceiling and into the air. His clothing was torn, and he was hurt. Grate screamed for Aiffel and reflected, "The Cyclops' agility... Despite how colossal it is, it goes so quickly that it is astonishing. Even Aiffel was caught off guard." Aiffel began to lose height after a while. He was violently thrown to the ground outside the museum by the cyclops when it leaped up, seized him in the air, and grasped him.

Aiffel was harmed and attempted to recover. Though the cyclops approached and punched him, he grinned and exclaimed, "I haven't felt this good in such a long time!" Aiffel ate the lefts and rights that the Cyclops continued to throw, but he continued to grin. Aiffel blocked the Cyclops' uppercut that came after it and fought back with his fists. Aiffel was deftly dodging the Cyclops' attacks as he retaliated with iron fists. But despite all of his punches and kicks, the Cyclops showed no signs of flinching. It retaliated with a powerful headbutt that left Aiffel dazed. It then strangled him by the throat and hanged him up, squeezing the life out of him.

Someone suddenly flung a large rock at the Cyclops's skull. It was Grate and he got the Cyclops' attention. The Cyclops slammed Aiffel to the ground before moving slowly in Grate's direction.

"Do you know whom you are messing with?", yelled a furious Grate, "...That's the Iron Kid! The man who consumes meals that are your size for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day!" Grate was knocked flying as soon as the Cyclops hit him with a strong smack. Aiffel lost it in a fit of wrath and agony at the same time. As Grate slowly rose to his feet, the Cyclops started charging an eye laser. And it fired at him. Aiffel got there as soon as possible and pulled Grate aside in an attempt to save him once more but ended up getting shot by the laser.

As Aiffel rose to his feet, the Cyclops fired a series of lasers. Aiffel was wounded by all of it and collapsed. Grate got to him and screamed in anguish. Aiffel was bleeding profusely as if he had taken a blood bath. His blood color was black. While the sun was rising, the Cyclops was making its leave. Aiffel was exposed to a blazing sun. All of Aiffel's wounds appeared to heal at once. He regained consciousness and experienced an increase in power. Grate cheered for him.

Aiffel yelled at the Cyclops, "Hey, you ugly freak! We're not done here yet. It's round *beep* 2!" He attracted the Cyclops' notice. The Cyclops and Aiffel both rushed toward one another. They were trading blows until the Cyclops again choked him and shoved him to the ground hard. Aiffel swiftly shot a fire beam at the Cyclops' eye as it attempted to use another eye laser. The cyclops shrieked in agony as its eye was burned. Aiffel grinned as he learned about Cyclops' weakness. Then he charged 'Burning Iron Fist Attack' once more, landing it as forcefully as he could into the cyclops' eye. The eye was detached. The Cyclops collapsed and died.

Aiffel obtained the eye, laid down on the ground, and panted in great relief. Grate ran to him and celebrated and then picked up the eye and said, "It looks like an orb!"

Successfully accomplished Blood Games Task "Steal an Eye of a Cyclops." ✓

Three other cyclops suddenly appeared near the dead one, and they all turned to look at Aiffel with a glare.

"*huff* *huff* There's more of them!?", Aiffel questioned in astonishment as he stood up and prepared to fight.

"Aiffel, no.", said Grate, "We got what we came here for. There's no point in fighting any further." The Cyclops' were charging eye lasers.

"Yeah, run!", Aiffel suggested in fear and ran. Grate got his memento in one hand, the eye in the other, and followed him while the Cyclops' were shooting the lasers.

Blood Games - Day 4

Concluded.

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