The dim kendo clubroom was lined with neatly arranged bamboo swords, wooden blades, and armor, steeped in a stagnant, heavy air. Faint light from the window cast eerie shadows of the gear, and a distant creak echoed somewhere within.
Akira and Kana stepped inside. Akira set his saw-sword and flamethrower on the floor, while Kana slung her heavy hammer off her shoulder with a groan.
"Ugh, this hammer's killing me… My arms are gonna fall off!" she said, wincing as she rolled her shoulders.
Akira picked up a wooden sword. "The hammer is deemed excessively heavy. This wooden sword is lightweight and durable. I'll switch to it as well."
He set his saw-sword aside, gripping the new weapon.
Kana's eyes lit up. "A lighter weapon? Yes! I can fight way better with this!" She grabbed a bamboo sword, testing its weight.
Akira glanced into the adjacent archery clubroom, spotting a bow and quiver. "Bow and arrows detected. Recommended for ranged combat. Can you handle it?"
Kana took the bow, drawing the string experimentally. "It's light! I've got this. I was in archery club in middle school."
She grabbed an arrow, her stance a bit rusty but steadying as muscle memory kicked in. The room's corner held a plentiful stock of arrows.
"Your form needs minor adjustments but is combat-viable," Akira said. "Prepare."
A strange noise interrupted them from outside—rumbling, like something rolling, mixed with a harsh rustle.
Akira raised his wooden sword. "Hostiles approaching."
Two creatures burst into the room. One was a spherical, rubbery monster, bouncing as it moved, its surface sprouting thin tubes that spewed green gas. The gas hit the floor, sizzling and smoking.
The other was a floating skeletal frame, bird-like but wingless, bristling with sharp, red-tipped horns that sliced the air with a menacing hum.
Akira charged the spherical creature. "Neutralizing threats. Kana, provide support."
Kana blinked, startled. "You used my name? That's… kinda nice!"
Akira swung his wooden sword, splitting the creature's rubbery skin. Green fluid sprayed. Kana nocked an arrow and fired. "Take that!"
The arrow pierced the sphere, gas hissing from the wound. It rolled toward her, but Akira crushed it with a decisive strike.
The skeletal creature aimed its horns at him. Akira scanned the room, spotting something—a true kendo sword, its blade razor-sharp, mounted on the wall. He grabbed it.
"This blade will suffice. Kana, keep your distance."
A single slash severed the creature's horns. It plummeted, and Akira drove the sword through its core.
The fight ended. Kana whooped. "A real sword?! You're unstoppable!"
"Your support was key. The bow's effectiveness is confirmed. We move on."
They left the room, advancing down the corridor until they reached a rusted iron gate at the end. A faded sign read "Basement," with a prominent keyhole.
Kana rapped on the gate. "This is it! The basement must lead to the mastermind. But… it's locked."
Akira scanned the keyhole. "A key is required. Likely located within the clubroom building. We begin searching."
Kana nodded, her voice resolute. "Opening this gate gets us closer to the end. I'm scared, but with you, Akira, I can face anything."
"Leave it to me."
They moved in sync, ready to scour the clubroom building for the key.