The Cursed Game

I sit down to a nice warm breakfast with juice. The ping from the message scroll earlier informed of the success of the 6thLevel and now there was only 2 levels left but for the moment it didn't concern me.

As I begin eating, a familiar figure approaches me full of despair but I pay no heed. I eat noisily and then drink noisily.

"Yumiko."

I look at him but then go back to eating.

"Yumiko," He repeats sadly.

I sigh. What!?" Like I didn't already know.

"Daisuke is dead."

"Yeah and?"

He gives me a flabbergasted look. "How could you say that? Yumiko do you not get it?! Hide, Akira and Daisuke are dead! They're not coming back, they're dead!"

"So what do want me to do about it!? Take responsibility? Ha! I've done nothing wrong!"

"Is that all you have to say?! Did our friendship mean nothing to you!?"

I go back to eating.

"You truly are a selfish bitch!" He walks away and I roll my eyes and continue eating. "Yumiko," he sighs. "Yumiko I need you."

"Oh so you need me?"

"I tried ok; I tried to keep us together. Yumiko, you and I are the only ones left. We have to work together if we want to get out of The Cursed Game."

"Fine, I'll do it but only if you acknowledge me as the Five Leaf Clover Team Leader."

"Fine whatever, I never want the position of leadership anyway but since I was solely focused on trying to get out of here with less disagreements after Hide's death, I took it up."

"Get yourself some food and we'll start discussing strategy." He nods and leaves to get some food and I smile. The natural order will be restored!

7

"Ok, so based on fragmented memory, the Oni Daimao is a man, not a Yōkai, that's all I know. I don't know why the Dragon Scroll is important."

"Are you telling me it's in his hands?"

"I don't think so. I believe I gave it to Magistrate Goro who most likely gave it to the Shogun."

"But you don't know for sure."

"Have you ever drank, Kentaro?"

"No but...."

"Alcohol can cause memory lost, so if the Magistrate says we drank, then I drank, he has no reason to lie."

"Sigh, is it possible to replay the level?"

"And why would I want to do that? What's done is done, the other gates are closed, even if they were still opened, you honestly want to relive what happened to Hide, Akira and Daisuke?"

Kentaro was silent.

"Thought so. Our only choice is to push forward. We only have two levels left so let's get them done so we can get the fuck home." Shiro I'll be coming back to you soon.

7

We make our way to the 7thLeveltoriigate. I sigh. Here we go again. The swirling red and black portal once again appears and we enter in.

A few seconds later we appear in a snowy mountain tundra village. "A cold climate, huh. It's not a video game without one."

Kentaro nods.

We continue walking until reach the village chief's mansion. "Greetings Tokugawa Clover Samurai," he says and bows. We do the same even though I didn't feel like bowing to an NPC but alas this is supposed to be real. "Now on to business." Appearing at a table was a woman with long white hair, she was dressed in a white kimono and her skin was pale. "This is Yuki-onna, she has an important message that must be delivered to the village on the other side of the mountain. She requires an escort because the Oni Daimao's forces are combing the area, looking for her."

MISSION OBJECTIVE:ESCORT YUKI-ONNA TO THE NEXT VILLAGE

"I'm Oda Yumiko, leader of the Five Leaf Clover Team." As I said that, her eyes, which were icy blue, seem to be staring into my soul. I was left cold and it wasn't the weather. She wasn't human.

"I'm Aizawa Kentaro."

I notice that the Yuki-onna was looking at Kentaro rather favorably and I couldn't help but be angry. I was the leader of the Five Leaf Clover Team and yet where was my admiration!? Where was my praise!?

"You can just call me Yuki. There's a terrible snowstorm tonight, it won't affect me but you human are questionable so we shall remain here tonight, tomorrow it will clear," Yuki says.

Kentaro nods and I just stood there even angrier, who was she to bark orders!?

7

A few hours pass and dinner is served. Each of us are given a map to the rendezvous point. This wasn't going to easy but with me at the helm we would be victorious.

"So why are you seeking our assistance?" Kentaro asks. "You're a Yōkai, this is your domain."

"Yes as you said, this is my domain, however I wasn't alone until now, my comrades the Tsurara-onna have defected. I must deliver a message to the Supreme Commander Nuarihyon."

Kentaro's eyes widen.

She turns to me. "You've met him before, Oda."

"I have? I mean of course I have; I just forgot his name."

Yuki rolls her eyes "Anyways, we have a common enemy. By the way nice work on capturing Kuchisake-onna."

"Hopefully she'll give us some information," Kentaro says.

"Don't count on it, us Yōkai are beyond the toys of torture conjured up by the hands of Men."

"Will the Oni Daimao come for her?"

"Yes but don't worry, he sent Futakuchi-onna to free her but unknown to him, Futakuchi-onna is a double agent. Yes her true allegiance is to Supreme Commander Nuarihyon, she'll take care of Kuchisake-onna."

"Do you know the identity of the Oni Daimao?"

"Yes but I've been ordered not to tell you."

"Why not?"

"Because you and your friend ruined theHyakki Yagyō, he was going to reveal the identity to Oda but thanks to your interference, you'll have to find out on your own."

"Ha, see!? I was in the middle of negotiations with the Supreme Commander till you all ruined it! If you all would have just listen to me everything would have been fine! All five of us would have been here!"

"Ha you overestimate yourself, whore."

I frown. Sick of everyone calling me a whore.

"We're supposed to be on the same side, trust is important," Kentaro argues.

"You're lucky I'm giving you this information, now enough. I wish to eat in peace."

Kentaro sighs.

I glare at her. Another dumb escort mission, I never liked escort missions in any game and now I have to escort this woman, no, this Yōkai and she's already working my last nerve, but tomorrow I'll set things right.

7

Kentaro was in his room. "Hide, Akira, Daisuke, it's just me now, me and Yumiko. Sigh, 7&8, 7&8 and then we go home. What to be done afterwards?" There was a knock at the door. "Come in."

He was suspired to see Yuki coming in and smiling. She closes the door. I'm sorry about earlier. It's not your fault you're here. Let me make it up to you." She starts removing kimono.

"Stop, please leave."

She gives him puzzling look. "Does my beauty not please you? It certainly had no problem with the village chief. Are you a lover of men perhaps?"

"No to both your questions. I have only one goal in mind and that's getting out of here."

"Sigh, the Shinigami looms. You should enjoy before...."

"I'm going home, I'm not like my friends who've died. Please leave." She closes the door. "Damn NPCs."

7

Moring comes and we eat breakfast. "Everyone had a good night sleep?" Yuki asks.

"I did," I answered.

"I as well but I'll be comfortable back in my own bed."

She smiles but I notice it was at him. Did something happen last night? OhKami, he slept with that Yuki-onna. She's an NPC she isn't real. Disgusting! I resume eating.

A half an hour later we were done. "Alright let's establish the rules. I'm in charge! We break when I say break! We...." Yuki laughs. "You find this funny?"

"Indeed, whore, I do."

"Stop calling me that!"

"Well it's what you are, we all know it. Why don't you just admit what you are, it'll be a lot better for everyone."

"Can we go now?" Kentaro asks annoyed.

"No we cannot until we establish the ground rules!"

"Don't you mean you?" Yuki replies snarky.

"Bitch!"

"Are you not aware I could kill you right now, whore?"

"We'll see what Muramasa says."

"Enough!" Kentaro yells. "We have a job to do, the Oni Daimao isn't going to wait around."

Yuki sighs. "You're right, let's go."

"Wait, the rules!"

"Yumiko, please!"

"Listen to your friend."

"As a woman you're supposed to be on my side!"

"Well I would if you were a woman."

I grit my teeth.

"Denial isn't going to help you."

I was getting ready to unsheathe Muramasa but Kentaro gets in the way. I can't believe he slept with that icy trash!

"Come on!" He says sternly.

We soon leave the village and make our way through the snow. As we walk, I notice that Yuki didn't leave any footprints in the snow. Humph!

Yuki suddenly stops. "It seems my pursuers have caught up to me."

"Should we fight them or keep going?" Kentaro asks.

Before I could answer, Yuki does much to my annoyance. "They won't bother following your footsteps, they will go the village regardless, best to stop them here."

We continue walking until we come to some hills. And once again before I could say anything, Yuki speaks. "Perfect for an ambush. Hold here and wait for them to appear."

The waiting game begins. There was nothing but silence, not a single bird, not even the wind. I look and see Yuki approaching Kentaro and begins speaking to him. I frown and few seconds later he sends her away. I wonder what he said to her. "Probably I'll protect you, now get to somewhere safe."

A few minutes later we see many travelers, all women approaching and we hide. Some stop to survey the area; others walk pass us. I inhale, exhale and then I emerge from my hiding place and cut down a Tsurara-onna. As I charged towards the others, Kentaro charge with Masamune and Yuki charge with ice talons cutting down many Tsurara-onna.

As I cut down two more Tsurara-onna, I see Kentaro and Yuki smiling while cutting down many Tsurara-onna in sync. I grit my teeth. Was he planning to replace me with her?

"Yumiko, watch out!" Kentaro screams.

I turn around and get shot by arrow made of ice but my health was reduced to 99. Pathetic arrow. I'll show you a real arrow! I go to my backpack and select my Yumi with fire arrows. I shoot the Tsurara-onna and then fire at another and another. My health goes down to 98.

While we continue slaying the remaining Tsurara-onna my health keeps reducing slowly to 97, 96, 95, 94.

"Is that the last of them?" Kentaro asks.

"For now," Yuki answers.

I notice that my health is still slowly decreasing after each minute. 93 "Um something is going on here," I announced worriedly. 92.

Both approach me and they witness my health being reduced again to 91. A minute passes. 90. "This not good at all. That ice arrow. It will slowly freeze you."

"What?!"

"Yes it was made specifically for greater threats." 89

I quickly go to my backpack and select an herb.This item will not work on freezing poison."What!?" I select antivenom.This item will not work on freezing poison.

"It's like the venom of Tsuchgumo," Kentaro notes.

"Well what can I do!?" 88.

"You'll need a antifreeze medicine," Yuki explains.

"Antifreeze!?" 87

"Yumiko, not that antifreeze."

"What other antifreeze is there?" Yuki asks.

"Never mind that, tell us where can we acquire the antifreeze medicine?"

"At the village, let's move."

86 Sigh, I look at my health decreasing. Will I make it in time? Of course, I don't plan to end here! I will make it home and Shiro will be mine!

7

85 We continue on. Yuki looks up at the sky. "It's going to be another snowstorm tonight but I'll take care of it."

We watch as the weather dissipated. "Why didn't you do that yesterday?!" I demanded.

"I have my reasons."

I look at Kentaro and then her. Of course.

84, I start running faster.

"You shouldn't be running."

"Fuck you, this is my life!" I continue running but then I start slowing down. "No, no, no! I can't go any faster!" 83

"I told you so."

I glare at her.

"Can you freeze the poison?" Kentaro asks, trying to keep the peace.

"No, if I touch her outside or inside her body will freeze up. It's will only spread the poison faster."

"Sigh, Yumiko I got you." To my amazement, he picks me up and starts carrying me. 82 Yuki suddenly stretches her hand out and catches an ice arrow and breaks it. She forms an ice kunai knife and throws it. A second later we hear the scream of a woman.

"Damn is there no end to them!?" I scream.

Yuki shakes her head and puts up an ice shield and several ice arrows strike the wall, all ineffective. "If another arrow hits you, your health will decrease twice as fast and the poison will increase twice as fast. But they would not waste arrows on you." 81 She turns to Kentaro. "Keep moving I shall handle them. Keep straight, there are no enemies in front of you."

"What about the message? Should you pass it to us?"

She gives Kentaro a scroll. "I'm entrusting it to you." He nods and I roll my eyes. 80 "See you later."

7

79. "Grrrr, can't you faster!?"

"Yumiko, I'm just one person."

"Humph, I bet if it was Yuki, you wouldn't be going so slow."

"What!?" Suddenly we hear a crash and rocks starts sliding. "Uh-oh, better hope we won't be in the path of avalanche." 78

77 He continues walking, sometimes running but the snow was slowing him down. He spots a cave and heads inside. He lowers me down. 76

I glare at him. "My health is draining away and you're just lazing around!"

"Are you being serious right now!? Like I didn't carry you or was I dreaming it?"

"You were dreaming of Yuki!"

He gives me a baffling look. "Where is all this coming from!?"

I roll my eyes. "You're trying replace me with Yuki!"

He does a facepalm. "Oh for fuck's sake! I'm trying to get out of The Cursed Game! How can I do that if I'm trying to replace you with an NPC and newsflash, she can't exactly leave this region! Are you that insecure!?"

"Well it's not like I slept with her!"

"I didn't either, she's a Yōkai and a NPC. That's no different from those who use sex dolls! They're not real!"

75 "And you're not lying?"

"Why would I need to lie? From the beginning all I ever wanted was to go home."

"Sigh, I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions."

"Wow, that's the first time since we've got here. Anything else you want to apologize for?"

"I have nothing else to." 77 "So you never once thought about it?"

"No. If I sleep with a woman she's going to be real. My virginity will go to a real woman."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute! You're telling me you're a virgin!?"

"Yes."

"As long as we've known each other...."

"Stuff like that should remain private."

"I just, I just don't believe it."

"There are people out there who aren't in a rush and they're certainly not obsessed with it, shocking I know."

I frown. 74. We suddenly hear a crackling noise and look up to see a large number of ice sickles falling on the icy surface. They begin to transform into women. Great they have has us surrounded.

"Stay behind me."

"Excuse me?! I am not so weak that I can't put up a fight." I unsheathe Muramasa. "I count 100 of them." 73

"Not to worry. I'll clear the first wave and you head towards to exit. Yeah that's not happening," I pointed. He realizes that more had come and blocking our only exit. "You're gonna die a virgin."

"That's fine with me."

The Tsurara-onna are suddenly attack by ice kunai knives and then about twelve Yuki-onna charge in hacking and slashing with ice weapons. We charge in as well.

Ten minutes later the battle ends with my health down to 63.

"Come we have to go!" Yuki barks.

"You had this ability all the time and yet you need our help!?" I snap.

"Sigh, you're still thinking from a human standpoint, whore." She turns to Kentaro. My clones will hold them off."

Kentaro picks me up and we move out. 62.

"Not too much further."

"I won't die here," I say tiredly.

Kentaro trips and I land in the snow but I had no time to rest. I stagger to my feet and struggle to walk. I could see Shiro. 61, I could see Katsura in the distance. I unsheathe Muramasa.

"Yumiko, get back here!"

As I continue walking, my health goes to 60. Shit! My feet are suddenly froze solid. What!? Yuki appears in front of me. "This won't hurt a bit."

She starts freezing me all over. "You ice bitch!" I black out.

7

"Why go so far for this whore?"

"She may be a whore, we've been friends for many years, something I nearly forgot about or maybe I did."

"You humans are strange. Tell you what, if you make love to me, I'll tell you the identity of the Oni Daimao."

"No thanks, we'll learn soon enough."

"You truly are something. She's lucky to have a friend like you."

"Sigh I wish she would remember that."

"I'm sure she will before the end."

"When you looked into my eyes what did you see?"

"I already told you earlier. Concentrate on the now."

7

Five hours later they enter the village.

"Arigatō, here's a reward for you. Unsheathe Masamune." She touches his blade and it glows blue for a minute. "I've given you another power-up.You've gained The Ice Slasher. You've gained Antifreeze Medicine.

OBJECTIVE COMPLETED

7thLevel Completed

Survivors: Yumiko and Kentaro.

Casualties: None.

7

I awaken and see Kentaro staring back at me. "Where are we?"

"TheSafe Zone. The 7thLevel is completed. Yuki...."

"Where is that ice bitch!? I'll give her a piece of my mine!"

"She saved you! I saved you! She froze you in a state of suspended animation. It was the only way to stop the poison from increasing. You wouldn't have made it without her help. We still had five hours before we reached our destination. I administered the antifreeze medicine so the poison is gone for good, that was a half an hour ago."

"So you waited all this time for me?"

"Yes Yumiko I did. How are you feeling?"

"Dizzy but better."

"Good, you should really thank her. I'm going to get some dinner now."

I watch as he starts to leave. "Kentaro, thanks."

He nods and leaves while I sit there pondering.

7

I walk around and eat in order to regain my strength. I was in no shape for tomorrow but it didn't matter, we were stuck here until we completed the final level so we had unlimited time to spare.

I knock on Kentaro's door and he opens it. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah. So how are you feeling?"

"Tomorrow is out of the question, maybe the next day. We need to make sure we're fully stocked on herbs and antivenom."

"Of course."

"Sigh, Kentaro, we're the only ones left, the last level will be upon us as soon as we march out the inn."

"Yeah I know. No matter what happens, home is afterwards."

"Kentaro, I...." I move in closer and go to the menu and select clothes off.

"Yumiko! What are you....?"

"Kentaro, we don't know what's going to happen, that woman, the Yuki-onna, her eyes...... Kentaro you don't need to die a virgin ok!?"

"Yumiko everything....." At that moment I kiss him.

"Please Kentaro, just for tonight, I need this, you need this. I'm a real woman."

"What about Professor Serizawa?"

"What he doesn't know won't hurt him."

"Damn you really are a whore." I was too filled with lust to care what he said. I kiss him again. "I don't believe it; I'm giving my V-card to Yumiko Oda."

"Believe it."

His clothes suddenly disappears and I push him on the bed. I smile and grab his cock and he gasps at the feeling. I slowly begin wanking. "Oh, your hand is so soft and warm!"

I lower my head and lick his head with my wet warm tongue.

"OhKami."

"Which one is better, tongue or hand?"

"I....I. Do I need to answer?"

"Nah I suppose not." I resume licking and wanking his cock. He begins moaning loudly. "That's right, Kentaro. You will leave The Cursed Game a man."