Aren stared at the sand, wondering what to do. She wanted to save her world, but she also didn't want someone to be erased from existence because of it. Despair filled Aren, and she looked at Poki. Aren saw someone afraid and apologetic. She saw someone who didn't deserve to be erased from existence. The existence of one versus the life of many—Aren knew in her heart which was heavier. Tears filled her eyes for the people who would die, but she understood. She gave Poki a smile of understanding. “I understand; it’s okay.”

  Mercy snapped his fingers, and a bottle of alcohol appeared in his hand. He drank it and swallowed. It was the first time he had ever tried alcohol. He smiled at the taste of it. “Tastes nasty, honestly. Hey Host, I’d like to become a player.”

  A piece of paper appeared. “Is that so? Simply say, ‘I’m a fluffy wuffy.’”

  Mercy smiled and did a cute pose. “I’m a fluffy wuffy.”

  A piece of paper appeared. “Done, you’re a player now.”

  Mercy nodded and turned to Aren. Reyn and Poki were quickly filled with a realization of horror, while Aren was confused. Mercy gave Aren a beautiful smile, a smile only reserved for his cherished friend Mante. He tossed Aren a gold coin that had Mercy's face on one side and Mante's face on another. “The name’s Mercy. Nice to meet you Aren, keep this memory of mine for me will you?"

  Aren caught the gold coin. Realization dawned on her. Reyn and Poki could only watch in shock.

  A piece of paper appeared. “What a shame, Mercy; I’m going to miss you. Well then, Aren, it’s time for you to go back to your world alive and without memories of this place. As for Mercy, I’ll be erasing him from existence, so say your goodbyes. I doubt you’ll be seeing him again.”

  Aren was filled with shock and horror as a force tugged on her back toward her world. “Wait!”

  A piece of paper appeared. “Don’t be so sad; you won’t remember him anyway.”

  Aren disappeared back to her world. Poki stood frozen with horror while Reyn lunged at the paper. “Hold on!”

  A piece of paper appeared. “Bye Mercy.”

  With that, Mercy slowly disappeared from existence with a smile. Poki fell to her knees in horror. Reyn stared at the paper with desperation. She couldn't save someone again. “Host!”

  A piece of paper appeared. “Oh relax, I said there were no consequences for failing, remember? Besides, Mercy won the game. Also, I never said I wouldn't bring someone back into existence after erasing them.”

  Mercy reappeared back into existence. He looked at himself and everyone with confusion, then he read the paper. A smile crept up Mercy’s face. He fell into laughter. “Host! You’re a riot, ah ha ha!”

  Reyn and Poki stared at the scene with shock as they tried to fully comprehend everything that had happened. A piece of paper appeared. “And you, Mercy, are a thief. You stole Poki’s special challenge and won it. As for the reward, congratulations: you’re the first player in existence to have won a brutal challenge. I’ll give you a card called Unsung Hero and a wishing star. Now then, what would you like to do with the wishing star?”

  Mercy calmed himself and thought for a moment. “I’d like to shelve the wishing star since I don’t want to use it at this moment. This island is fun, I’d like to continue living here.”

  A piece of paper appeared. “Very well Mercy.”

  -

  Mercy

  Strength: 0.1 (1)

  Endurance: 0.1 (1)

  Agility: 0.1 (1)

  Cards: Unsung Hero, Wishing Star

  -

  Mercy turned and looked at Reyn and Poki with a smile. “Well, today was fun. See you two around.”

  With that, Mercy left the two in silence. Reyn and Poki looked at each other, wondering what the other was thinking. After what she had seen, Reyn suddenly wished to become a player and help others like Mercy did. As for Poki, she felt regret, shame, and understanding. She regretted not winning the brutal challenge, felt shame for not being brave enough to send Aren home, and understood that she wasn't as strong as Mercy.

  Poki composed herself and sighed. She got up from the sand. “Well, Reyn, I think both of us have had enough excitement for the day.”

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  Reyn looked at Poki worriedly but understood not to push her. “Yes, I think we both had too much excitement for the day.”

  The day passed and the fourth day came. Pera was in the forest smelling flowers. In life, experiencing new wonderful things was always nice. A butterfly landed on a flower tucked behind Pera’s right ear; it started drinking the nectar. He moved carefully and gently as he allowed it to stay on the flower.

  After the butterfly finished drinking, it flew off. Pera got up and saw Aespia, who was spying on him. She quickly hid behind a tree. He tilted his head and went toward the hiding spot.

  Behind the tree, Aespia’s heart thumped. She wondered if she should run or stay. From the other side of the tree, she heard soft footsteps. She was about to run when the footsteps stopped.

  Pera spoke softly, “Hello, Aespia, did you need something?”

  Aespia wondered how she should reply. “Oh… I just wanted to see what you were doing.”

  Silence hung from the other side. “…. Is that so? Unfortunately, I doubt what I’m doing is of any interest. Do you want to join me?”

  Aespia thought for a moment and quickly answered. “… Yes, I’d like to join you.”

  “Very well, join me then.”

  Aespia came out from her hiding spot and found Pera. He beckoned her to a red star-shaped flower. “Do you know what this flower is?”

  Aespia shook her head. “No.”

  Pera nodded his head. “Neither do I. I’m studying it; there are so many new things to study here. From what I learned of this flower, it can increase your heart rate for a while if you eat it, which should increase your stamina the longer you take it. Unfortunately, I can’t test it on myself since we seem to have infinite stamina. I did test it on a mouse, and I found it was fifty percent more energetic based on a healthy dose.”

  Aespia looked curiously at the flower. She tried to remain calm as she wondered what Pera would think if he knew she was a witch. “That’s interesting.”

  Pera glanced carefully at her. Aespia couldn't see his eyes, so she couldn't tell what he was thinking. “You seem nervous; is something the matter?”

  Hearing his gentle voice, Aespia wondered if she should tell him. “I….. I’m a witch.”

  Aespia braced herself for the scorn on his face. She expected seething hatred. However, his gaze remained the same. “A witch? What makes you a witch?”

  “I… you’re not scared of me?”

  A small smile graced Pera’s face. “Should I be scared of you?”

  Aespia gave a nod. “Yes, everyone in my village died because of me.”

  Pera tilted his head. “Is that so? Well, even if you do manage to kill me, I’ll just come back to life, so there’s no need for me to be afraid of you.”

  Aespia was stunned. “I…. I guess you’re right.”

  Far away at the beach, Mercy sat down and gazed up at the sky. Poki came up behind him. “Are you going to ask the Host for your first game today?”

  Mercy looked at her and smiled. “No, I’m just here to meditate.”

  Poki arched an eye. “Meditate?”

  Mercy gave a nod. “Yes, trying to find some inner peace.”

  A piece of paper appeared. “Ah, Poki Woki, ready for another game today?”

  Poki smiled and gave a nod. “Yeah.”

  A piece of paper appeared. “Well, too bad, because I’m all out of ideas.”

  Poki blinked and stared blankly at the paper. Mercy chuckled a little. Reyn walked toward the two and read the paper. She found it quite surprising the Host couldn't think of another game. “Surely there are many more games you can think of.”

  A piece of paper appeared. “Indeed there are, but your stats are so low. Actually, they’re quite decent for now. It’s just boring, you know. Atero was supposed to be a menace, but now he’s just a cutie wootie.”

  Mercy gave a smile. “I’ll take that as a compliment, Host.”

  Reyn stared deadpan at the paper. “Then I’m glad he’s not a menace as you thought he was.”

  A piece of paper appeared. “Oh he is; it’s just that things are too peaceful here.”

  Poki narrowed her eyes. “Too peaceful? I hope it stays that way.”

  A piece of paper appeared. “I want to see chaos. Alas, it seems not to be. All of you are stubborn but have no ambitions. It’s like I threw some peaceful sheeps onto an island.”

  Reyn wanted to sigh. “Then why did you call this island Paradise Island? Why not call it Chaos Island?”

  A piece of paper appeared. “Have you gone mad, Reyn? Chaos Island doesn't sound as cool as Paradise Island.”

  Reyn rubbed her head. “I’m starting to question why I came here again.”

  Poki looked at Reyn. “Me too, honestly. However, there’s not much to do on this island other than play the Host's games or just relax.”

  Reyn looked curiously at the Host. “Maybe you don’t have an interesting game you want Poki and Mercy to play?”

  A piece of paper appeared. "Perhaps. Maybe I should just go to sleep, honestly. Hold on, I'm going to take a quick nap."

  Silence hung in the air for a moment. A piece of paper appeared. "Alrighty, I'm back and refreshed. Let's see... Okay, I have a game for you, Poki. Hmmmmm, yeah, I still have no idea."

  Reyn sighed and Poki rolled her eyes. Mercy continued meditating while trying not to laugh. He wondered what was making things so difficult for the Host. "Host, what's troubling you that you can't make a game for Poki?"

  A piece of paper appeared. "It's the golden ticket; that was a valuable item. You only get one once all your stats reach 1, 10, 100, 1000, and so on. Poki is strong right now, but she's not really a fighter. More of a schemer."

  Poki looked at herself and back at the Host. "I can... yeah, okay, you're right. I doubt I know how to throw a proper punch. Give me an easy game or something."

  A piece of paper appeared. "Hmmmm, what can you even do besides being a gambler? Honestly, you're kind of a bum."

  Poki held up a finger and opened her mouth but stopped. She could only sigh. "Yeah, I'm a bum who likes gambling."

  A piece of paper appeared. "This island has five more spots for five more people. We need a mascot, a sunshine, and three other kinds of people. Unfortunately, I've yet to have any idea of who they'll be yet."

  Reyn looked curiously at the Host. "Five more people? It doesn't seem like that many. This island is pretty big."

  A piece of paper appeared. "It is when I have to micromanage everything."

  Poki arched an eye. "Do you micromanage everything?"

  A piece of paper appeared. "No, but it feels like it. Ugh, why did I make that stupid golden ticket rule? You're broke, Poki, broke."

  Poki could only shrug her shoulders and smirk. "I guess I am, even in the afterlife."

  A piece of paper appeared. "I guess I can make the first easy game for you. Alrighty, let's get on with it."

  With that, Poki disappeared from thin air in front of Reyn and Mercy. The two wondered where the Host took her.