" The great shift, " Rick asked as they walked out a large shop. " What's that? I've never heard of it. "
Rick held a bag over his shoulder, Ren had his hands in pockets and Tatsuya had a small bag in his hand.
" Of course your haven't heard of it, only weebs would know about it, " Tatsuya replied as he removed his facemask from one ear before asking. " Do you remember the great lockdown? "
" Of course, who doesn't know about the great five hundred lives incident. " Rick replied with a knowing smirk.
" That topic always get political and that lore doesn't concern us, Tatsuya just explain what the lock down has to do with this, great shift. " Ren interrupted.
" Yeah right, " Tatsuya agreed as he started explaining." During the great lockdown anime became really popular and got accepted by many around the world and that's where these new fans came from and ruined the community. "
" But isn't a community of weirdos already bad. " Rick interrupted a sly grin on his face. " I don't see how adding more could change anything. "
Tatsuya side glanced Rick a moment before snapping, " tch, real funny, just shut your stupid face up and listen moron. "
Rick let out a chuckle at Tatsuya's response before composing himself, " sure I'm listening, " he replied his tone amused.
Tatsuya let a out deep breath as he continued his explanation, " with the increase of fans we got crossdressers, egdelords, powerscallers, geniuses and pretenders. "
" I really hate them, " his teeth gritted as he spoke his hands began slightly shaking and his blue eyes widened. " they ruined a lot things, and they are so stupid, they'll make Rick look like a genius when it comes to their arguments. "
Rick's eyes widened with feigning being hurt, as held his chest like he'd being stabbed, " ouch, it hurts because it's coming from someone dumber than me. "
" Ha! You wish idiot, " Tatsuya argued after Rick's comment.
Ren ignored their back and forth as his red eyes scanned area they were walking in.
The area was full of shops some displaying clothes and shoes while others showed off their pastries.
Ren slowed down his walking pace to match the other two's pace, then he took his had out of his pockets.
" Boss man, what's wrong are you getting tired? " Rick asked as he shifted his attention to Ren.
" I'm just getting bored, and you haven't actually explained anything about where we are going? " Ren complained his face looking neutral.
" Relax boss man. There is an event I thought might be interesting, we can start the day off with that. " Rick stated his tone as cheerful as ever.
After a few minutes of walking the trio stood in front of large building on top there was a sign of a gaming controller.
" Isn't... isn't this just an arcade? " Tatsuya commented his voice sounding a bit a hesitant.
" That's what a nerd like you might think " Rick said he opened the door and gesture for Ren to get. " but this isn't like any arcade it's the ultimate arcade with next level tech for gaming. "
Rick explained as he lifted a card up between his fingers and the two men wearing suits face a slight bow before gesturing towards the huge behind them.
Upon walking through the door, they found themselves in a bright white long hallway with many doors at the sides, a door after another with each large distance between each door.
" Come on, let's check the games. " Rick said as he pointed towards one of the doors.
The door he pointed at had two guns drawn on it.
" What's even this place about? " Tatsuya asked as his gaze lasted on the door the gun. " All I see are rooms with a bunch of drawings on them. "
Ignoring Tatsuya's remark Rick then opened the door with the guns drawn on and as soon as they entered they found the room had two sides.
One side was full of big sized cubes.
A person in each, wearing a rectangular black mask covering their eyes.
The cube's surface recreated itself in real time to match the person movement and situation.
The person walking would get a moving ground, the one he was falling would be floating while had small particles illustrating the wind and the impact of the fall would create a small crater with taking an damage.
The other side was filled with computers and gaming consoles, each setup had a person playing as some argued, while others cheered but most cursed.
Upon the sight Tatsuya eyes lit up slightly, " what kind of tech is that? "
" It's our lastest model of the redefined Nano bits, " the voice from behind made Tatsuya jump slightly forward.
Behind the them stood a man, with a slight bow wearing a black suit.
" It's the only model in all Katan, it's a full immersive dive with a realistic feel replicating all five senses with help of the Nano bits, I do hope you give it a try, " the man added as gestured them to go ahead.
" So what do you think? " Rick asked his eyes lit up as they walked past the man, " This place was not easy to get into only a few people in the whole country manage to get here. "
Ren's stare was cold as he commented, " the setting and graphics are good but overall this place is... Boring"
" Wait what? " Rick's eyes popped out opened at Ren's words, ' wait what's going... Ren, the person who lives for games just showed no interest in a place like this, is something wrong? '
Rick turned his gaze towards Tatsuya who was putting his facemask back on, his eyes looking exhausted.
" Impressive as this place maybe. I was looking forward to a more relaxing day. " Tatsuya commented as he adjusted his facemask.
Upon hearing their comments Rick maintained his usual cheerful composure, " Geez, what a tough crowd. All that money wasted I guess that tournament will have to wait. "
Ren walked out the door and the other two followed.
" Boss man follow me I prepared for this situation, " Rick said, guiding them through the hallway to the other end.
They walked pass many doors, each with it's own unique drawing, one had a sword, one had cards and one had dice.
" So theses drawings represent the type or the game played in the room, isn't this place mad expensive each room sounds full I didn't know that many frauds existed in our country. " Tatsuya commented his eye gazing towards Rick.
" You're sound like a jealous old man, " Rick argued with a sly grin as he opened the door on the end of hall.
The room was dim lighted and chairs the faced each other, there was no one in the room, it was designed like a karaoke room with a table in the middle.
The room had quiet and calm atmosphere which was soothing.
Tatsuya sank in one of the chairs as coughed a little, Rick put out his hand as if gesturing him to stop coughing.
" You might really be sick, " Rick said his voice filled with mock concern. " Please try to keep it yourself. " He added as he sat next to Ren.
Tatsuya didn't respond he only glared at Rick's smug face before adjusting his mask.
" Is this a safe zone? It's calm " Ren asked as he rested his hands on the table.
" Well yes in a way, I thought maybe after playing some games we could relax and organize our thoughts on our previous performances. So I had this room reserved for me. " Rick explained his tone cheerful knowing he did something right.
" So about the quests, " Tatsuya started as he leaned forward. " I have a lot of questions and there are a few things I don't understand. "
Ren answered immediately, " ask away I'm sure I'll have most of the answers you are looking for. "
" There are many variables at play and things don't added up... To begin with"
Before Tatsuya could finish his explanation the sound of his phone ringing cut through the room.
" What could it be? " He started as he got it out his pocket and noticed a notification from the Guide app.
Ren calmly observed while Rick's eyes eagerly anticipated what was going on.
Upon read the notification on his phone, Tatsuya's jaw dropped his eyes widened and his leg started shaking under the table.
" What's wrong? " Rick asked as he noticed Tatsuya's reaction.
Tatsuya didn't respond he only show them the text on his phone and it read.
" INFILTRATE THE HEADLESS GANG AND LEARN OF HOW THEY OPERATE, + 200 PTS "
A smile subconsciously appeared on Rick's face while Ren's eyes narrowed momentarily before going back their usual state.
" This just got exciting, " Rick said as with blue eyes widened as stared at the text.