Chapter 2 – The Killjoy Arena
Shuji looks around the room in panic. Bunzo begins to speak whilst looking at Junto with pity.
“Press the red button if you want to surrender.”
Junto looks at the red button on the centre of the table and slams his hand on it. Finally, he is able to breathe and falls to the floor while he begins gasping for air. After a few moments, Junto looks around while the room looks at him.
“What the hell was that?”
People in the room begin to chuckle. One person in the room appears to be the same age as Junto and walks over to him. The first thing Junto notices about him is his appearance. He was suave, had slicked-back bright blonde hair and wore secret-agent style glasses.
“That was Killjoy.”
The blonde man reaches his arm to Junto who grabs it. The blonde man pulls Junto up from the ground.
“My name is Genki. Have a drink with me.”
Genki and Junto sit at a table. Everyone else in the room, continues with their talking and drinking, as if nothing has happened.
“What do you want to know?”
Junto has so many questions about Killjoy. At first, he is unable to formulate it into a single question. Finally, Junto speaks.
“Tell me everything.”
Genki stirs his drink and takes a small sip before speaking.
“Then I’ll start with the rules.”
“Each player uses a pack of 40 cards. Each player draws six cards and can play one card each turn. Once you’ve played a card, you then draw a card from the top of your deck. New cards are released for sale at the arena often in order to keep thing interesting. Each card is a number one card or an effect card. The goal is to either psyche out your opponent and get them to hit the Killjoy button in the centre of the table or (in the event that nobody surrenders) to have a higher total number at the end of the game.”
Junto takes a moment to process everything that Genki has just said before pressing onwards.
“What’s the arena?”
Genki smiles.
“It’s Killjoy heaven. The Killjoy arena is where all of the ranked games take place. Hundreds of people are there at any given time. Not just players, but card vendors too. Gambling is also common amongst Killjoy players. Especially at the arena. You see, there are only three clubs like the one you are in now. But this is just a place for Killjoy players to relax. We don’t play serious games here. But the people in the arena, they play to reach rank 100.”
Junto looks confused.
“Rank 100?”
Genki begins to elaborate on the rank system.
“Sure. Every game you have in the Killjoy arena is ranked. The higher rank you are, the higher ranked cards you can use. It’s a little early to explain ‘tier cards’ to you, so we’ll touch on that later. For now, you just need to know that once you register as a Killjoy player, you can request a ranked match at the arena. You’ll only be placed against people within 10 levels of yourself.”
Juno looks determined to find out more.
“Can you take me there now?”
Genki smiles.
“Easy there, tiger. There’s a couple of other thigs I need to explain first. Killjoy cards only work during the game, as you probably figured out. You can also challenge certain people to ranked battles at the arena. However, in order to prevent cheating and level boosting, the arena staff can decline any request to battle a specific player.”
Junto thinks that he understands the rules and seems adamant to go to the arena.
“I’m more of a visual learner.”
Genki smiles and gets up from his seat.
“Then let’s go and see it.”
Genki and Junto leave the small club and prepare to go to the Killjoy arena. A voice calls out to them.
“You! That other idiot told me you’d gone here.”
It’s the girl from earlier who tried to steal Junto’s Killjoy cards.
“How’d you even find this place?”
Junto scratches his head as he responds.
“I found the paper that you dropped. The one with the password and address written on it.”
The mysterious girl looks confused.
“What paper? Do you really think I’m stupid enough to write that down?”
Junto shrugs his shoulders.
“Well, that’s how I got here.”
The mysterious girl looks at Genki.
“What rank might you be?”
Genki puts his arms in front of himself.
“Woah there. Don’t you think it’s a little rude to start a conversation like that.”
The girl sighs a frustrated sigh.
“Fine. I’m Kimiko and I’m a rank 13 Killjoy player. Now it’s your turn.”
Genki smiles innocently and puts his fingers on his sunglasses.
“I’m Genki. I’m a rank 38 Killjoy player.”
Kimiko is stunned by this.
“Rank 38? What are you doing with a newbie? You’re not a rookie hunter, are you?”
Genki immediately waves his arms from side to side.
“No way. Nothing like that. I’m just helping Junto learn the ropes.”
Junto wonders what they’re both talking about.
‘What’s a rookie hunter?’
Kimiko continues to speak and looks at Junto with a fierce expression.
“Killjoy is a dangerous game. If you come to Killjoy arena then I’ll personally challenge you to a duel and beat you so hard that you quit.”
Without saying another word, Kimiko begins to walk off.
Genki and Junto look at each other in confusion. Junto looks determined to continue with his journey and see the Killjoy arena with his own eyes.
Genki and Junto head over to where the Killjoy arena is supposedly located. A metal door stands in their way, no different to the other one. Genki knocks on the door using the back of his fist. No voice comes from the other side but Genki speaks anyway.
“Don’t be a killjoy.”
The door unlocks and they both enter. They are greeted by a staircase. When they head down, the sight which Junto sees is a complete contrast to the small club. A lobby filled with people and a reception desk. Junto rushes ahead and quickly heads over to where there appears to be a balcony and looks down. There are multiple floors for people to look down and watch the single ranked Killjoy game that occurs in the centre of the Killjoy arena. A giant TV displays a photo of each of the players in battle as well as their names and ranks. Junto is taken back by this.
“Woah.”
A bunch of shady looking people begin walking towards Junto.
“Hey kid. You ever play Killjoy? Let’s get you registered. Come with us.”
Genki walks over and stands next to Junto.
“I don’t think so. He’s with me.”
The suspicious looking people wears faces of disgust and begin leaving. Junto is confused about what just happened.
“Who were they?”
Genki looks at the suspicious people with an annoyed expression.
“They’re called rookie hunters. Those guys stand by the entrance, waiting to pummel new Killjoy players. They get a sick satisfaction out of giving people a devil’s initiation.”
Junto looks over at the reception desk. Genki notices this.
“Wanna get registered?”
Junto nods his head and they both head over to the reception desk. Junto begins to speak with the staff member behind the counter.
“I’d like to register as a Killjoy player.”
The staff member smiles.
“Of course. I just need your name and to take a quick photo.”
Junto nods his head. As he is going through with the admissions procedure, someone is heading down the stairs and they see him.
“Oi!”
Junto has just finished his admissions procedure and looks to see Kimiko walking towards him.
“What did I tell you?”
Genki looks sarcastically worried.
“Uh oh.”
Kimiko gets in Junto’s face.
“I told you what would happen.”
Kimiko turns to the staff at the admissions desk.
“I want a duel with Junto.”
The admissions staff have to carefully decide on what ranked duals to approve and what not to approve if they are not randomised. They staff member behind the counter uses their quick wits to analyse the situation and read everybody’s body language. It’s a particularly delicate matter when it involves a new player but Junto seems to have an air of confidence about him.
“Very well. There are two matches in the queue right now. But once those have ended, you will be next.”
