360 Glazeland's Finest.
One day later.
In Glazeland.
Two figures walked past a sign and entered the streets, where citizens of every age were walking, going to work, or just spending time with their families.
No cars were seen on the streets because the roads were packed with snow, making it impossible to drive with any vehicle.
But then, a loud sound of the vehicle appeared.
All eyes were focused on the large vehicle that had a snowplow at the front, which soon cleared the snow out of the way.
There weren't only one of those vehicles, instead dozens, and after the snow was cleared from the roads, the sidewalks had large snow piles, but it still made walking possible, even though it was a tight fit.
Soon, tractors appeared that started clearing the snow piles, and all of them began to drive in the same direction.
Towards the road, which leads to the airport.
Ichiro looked at the scene while his hand was locked with Azura, who looked much more lovely and refreshed than yesterday.
A gentle smile was on her face. Her emotionless face was long gone.
'I see…' Ichiro rubbed his chin and now understood why there was so much snow around the road. The tractors dumped the snow on the large snow piles, making them even larger.
They didn't have a proper snow dumping place, so they used sides of the road, which worked nicely because there weren't any buildings nearby.
Ichiro and Azura soon continued walking. Their speed was quite a leisure, without any hurry to go anywhere.
They still had pain from their own injuries, but it has lessened considerably.
Azura's untidy hair had finally disappeared after she finally started caring about her looks again, but it still didn't look as silky as before, and her face still had some signs of lack of hygiene, because they didn't had time to shower yet.
Sometime later.
They arrived in front of a three-floor building, which wasn't very fancy, but it had all they needed.
It was one of the cheapest hotels Glazeland has because neither one of them has enough money to live in a five-star hotel.
Most of the money Azura and Alena had disappeared after Abyss' bank account was frozen by the government, but they still had spare money of their own.
Azura planned to use her money to travel to Damio, but now she has no need, and it can be used for food and to rent a room for both of them.
Ichiro, on the other hand, was utterly broke!
He can't even afford the cheapest lollipop, let alone room!
Thinking about his poorness makes him want to cry, but knowing that he will be wealthy beyond his wildest fantasies after he reaches Martial Saint made him happier.
They entered the hotel and went straight to the receptionists, who gave a key to one of the rooms just moments ago.
''Hello, welcome to Glazeland's finest.'' The receptionist said with a handsome smile on his face. He had short black hair with glasses and a dainty nose, with sharp collarbone and broad shoulders.
He didn't look like someone who would work as a receptionist instead as a fighter.
''One room, thank you,'' Azura said and grabbed a wallet from her pocket.
''Alright…'' The receptionist started typing on the keyboard and nodded, ''Room 47 is available, how long will you be staying?''
Azura looked at Ichiro and saw him nodding.
''One night.'' She replied and saw the receptionist nodding.
''That will be 120$.''
''Quite expensive,'' Azura said with surprise.
''The prices went up after the snowstorm, many got stuck here and can't leave, so hotels are in dire need for now.''
Azura nodded and thought it would make sense.
She paid for the room and left the receptionist's desk with Ichiro.
''Hmm…'' After they left, the receptionist frowned and was sure that he remembered the young man from somewhere.
He shrugged and soon forgot about it.
A nameplate was seen on his work outfit, which told his name to everyone who wanted to know.
[Ren]
He sat down on the comfy chair and grabbed a newspaper below the desk.
It was Glazeland's newspaper and the first page told about the disastrous snowstorm.
But soon, he threw the newspaper away after nothing interesting was seen on it, but then he took something from his pocket and stared at it without talking.
The card was in the color of silver with plain text.
[The Test]
Below the text, there were coordinates leading to who knows where.
He moved the card around his palm, and a deep sigh escaped his mouth, ''It's soon time…''
In the Room 47.
Ichiro and Azura got rid of their thick winter clothing and immediately fell down on the bed.
The room was quite simple with one bed, bathroom, and a couch, with a small TV in front of it.
There were window panels that showed the city that was covered in snow, but currently, there were curtains covering the windows, making it impossible to see inside the room.
Azura moved her body closer until she started sharing bodily warmth with Ichiro.
She had a question on her mind, ''I wonder what happens after death…''
Ichiro glimpsed at her and asked, ''Why?''
Azura made circles on Ichiro's chest with her finger and shrugged, ''Just curious… I wonder, is the afterlife only darkness, or something else.''
''I think… After death, there is a challenge.'' Ichiro said and moved his hand around Azura's waist.
''Challenge?'' Azura asked and raised her head slightly to look him in the eye.
''Yes.'' He sighed deeply, ''A challenge.''
''What kind of challenge?'' Azura asked curiously and became like a little kid who had to know, ''And what would be the reward?''
Ichiro chuckled and moved around in the bed, and soon, Azura was lying below him while his muscular body overshadowed her.
She blushed, but her eyes looked firm; she wanted to know the answer and won't back out because of his seducing skills.
''Challenge would be a fight.'' Ichiro grinned and leaned closer until his nose was touching hers.
''A fight…'' Azura's breathing started becoming rough as Ichiro's hot breath tickled her.
''Against who…?''
''Against Death, of course,'' Ichiro replied with a chuckle and leaned closer to her ear.
''And… What would be the reward if the person won?'' Her body trembled as she felt him nibbling on her earlobe.
''Reward would be…'' Ichiro grinned and continued, ''Reincarnation.'' His hot breath traveled from her ear all the way to her shoulders.
She wrapped her arms over his head and whispered, ''Take me…''
''Alright.'' Without further ado, both stripped off their clothes and started a wrestling match that only stopped when the sun disappeared from the sky.