The rift to the No Game No Life realm—now nicknamed "Game World" by the family—had become a favorite playground for Bruno and Bruna Thorne-Bear. After their initial trial sealing the rift, the twins had returned multiple times with Ahmed's permission, each visit a new lesson in strategy, heart, and the sheer absurdity of a world where everything was decided by games. By May 2042, the 15-year-old twins (Chaos Bear-Hybrid, Bear Hugger Class evolved to Level 18) had become local legends in Disboard, the game's capital. Their status screens reflected their growth:
Bruno Thorne-Bear
Race: Chaos Bear-Hybrid
Level: 18
Class: Primal Warden (Advanced)
Stats: Str 68, Agi 40, Int 32, End 78, Luck 25, Chaos 45
Skills: Crushing Embrace (grapple + heal), Roar of the Den (taunt + buff), Wild Resilience (regen surge), Last Stand (Leonidas – outnumbered boost), Nurture Hug (Mai Maharban – area heal)
Bruna Thorne-Bear
Race: Chaos Bear-Hybrid
Level: 18
Class: Fury Matron (Advanced)
Stats: Str 62, Agi 48, Int 35, End 70, Luck 28, Chaos 48
Skills: Savage Swipe (flurry attack), Den Mother's Call (heal + morale), Rage Bloom (berserk mode), Honorable Stand (Saladin – defense in honor), Nurture Roar (Mai Maharban – area stun + heal)
From Bruno's perspective:
"This place is weird—no punching, just games. But games are fights too. Smarter fights. I like hugging the losers after I win. Makes 'em smile."
From Bruna's perspective:
"Games make my claws itch. But winning with brain? Feels good. Like when we roar together and everyone gets stronger. I wanna beat the big ones."
Their mentors—Leonidas, Shaka Zulu, Saladin—had become constant companions, spectral but solid in Disboard, guiding them through challenges that tested not just strength but wisdom.
Today, the twins had been challenged by the Eastern Federation (Werebeast nation)—a game to settle a "territory dispute" over a mango orchard they had "accidentally" claimed during a previous visit (Bruno had hugged a tree so hard it "submitted").
The game: Ashta Chamma – a Saraiki/Punjabi board game similar to Ludo, but with high stakes: winner takes the orchard, loser forfeits a "secret" (Werebeast rules).
The arena was a massive floating board in the sky above Elchea—crowds of Imanity, Werebeasts, and other races cheering.
Sora and Shiro (Blank) joined as allies.
Sora: "Bears vs Beasts? This'll be fun."
Shiro: "…Fuzzy. Smart fuzzy."
The Werebeast leader—Izuna Hatsuse—grinned, tail wagging.
"Ready to lose, desu?"
Bruno rumbled—deep laugh.
"We don't lose hugs."
The game began.
From Bruno's view: "Dice rolls. Luck. But Leonidas says hold the line. I can do that."
Leonidas guided: "Stand firm. Turn their advances into your defense."
First roll—Bruno's piece landed on Izuna's—hug challenge! Bruno "hugged" her piece off the board (metaphorically—game rule: strength test via arm-wrestle).
Izuna pouted. "Strong, desu!"
Bruna swiped her turn—Savage Swipe "flurrying" multiple pieces forward.
Shaka: "Strike as one! Coordinate the roar!"
Bruna roared—Nurture Roar—buffing Sora/Shiro's pieces.
Sora smirked—outmaneuvering Izuna with clever rerolls.
The game intensified—Werebeasts using blood arts for edge.
Saladin: "Honor the game. Mercy in victory."
Bruno held back a killing move—letting Izuna recover one piece.
"Play fair. Hug better."
Izuna blinked—touched. "Kind strong, desu."
Final roll—Bruna's Rage Bloom surged her to home—winning the orchard.
Crowd roared.
Izuna bowed. "You win, desu. Friends now?"
Bruna hugged her—gently. "Always friends."
From Bruna's view: "Winning feels good. But making friends feels better. Like Nani's hugs."
They returned—orchard "won" (now a cross-world park), new alliances sealed.
The chapter closed on family pride—bridge stretching, youngest growing, worlds waiting for the next adventure.