Vol.2 Ch.09: 20F – Bath (1)

'''Ch. 89: ''' The regulars proceed to a resting area provided by Love while he prepares a 'game' for Viole, as Love tells his boss Augusgus about Viole; however he is told to leave Viole alone, Love refuses. Yihwa's is concerned about whether or not she should join Viole's team only to find him assigned the same room. Akraptor and Horyang too discuss becoming Zahard's enemies by joining Viole, however neither seems disturbed

Prince enters the bathing area with Lurker and Rapdevil; Lurker joins the bath with Wangnan, Nia, Akraptor and Horyang while Prince and Rapdevil join the other bath with Viole who ignores Prince and asks Rapdevil if it true that he beat Hatsu he says it is, Viole questions if he will ever 'see the devil' then exits the bath. Wangnan is getting changed when he realises he has lost his ring, he turns around to find Viole holding it - the ring with the symbol of the Zahard whom he has sword to destroy.

A more detailed summary:

Since Viole does not want team mates, Love proposes a game, which if Viole wins, Love says he will allow Viole to proceed despite the rules however it will need time to prepare so Love sends all the regulars through to a resting area.

Wangnan and Nia are assigned the same room (101) and they go to the bathing area together in order to get better acquainted, a rather common custom by the way for those not familiar with the region our wonderful author is from.

Love meets with his boss, the 20th Floor test director Augusgus to inform about Viole's FUG origins; Augusgus tells Love not to interfere after Love says he will 'eliminate' Viole, saying that it was not their place - instead they should abide by the rules of the tower in administering the tests. Love refuses and after leaving Augusgus' office, Love reads data from a screen and seems disturbed

In Yihwa's room (601) she worries about whether or not to team up with Viole given her family is one of the great families and that joining him may get her disowned, however she does not want to further shame her family by failing the test again. The door opens and she goes to greet her new room mate only to find out that it is... Viole! She assumes than because they were given the same room, Viole must also be a woman and she suggests that they go to the bathing area. As they walk, Yihwa argues her case to be one of the people that Viole select to pass the test with. As they arrive she realises her mistake as Viole enters the male area rather than the female one.

Akraptor and Horyang are having a massage and they discuss what it means to team up with Viole, both seem okay with the idea of being considered enemies of Zahard if it allows them to continue their climb. Horyang questions Akraptor's motivations in attempting to vote out MiSeng suggesting maybe Akraptor did not want to fight MiSeng and that Akraptor's claims about having a daughter may be true. Yet Akraptor evades the question and counters by suggesting Horyang has a crush on GoSeng.

Akraptor, Horyang, Nia and Wangnan meet up in the bath (there are two large pool sized bath tubs, the massaging room and an area to rinse yourself in the male side of the bathing area). Wangnan and Akraptor have a little banter before Prince enters with Lurker and Rapdevil, Prince suggests going to the other bath rather than sharing it with the four 'low class' regulars. However Wangnan advises against it, motioning to the other bath where Viole is soaking.

Prince and Rapdevil join Viole, as Lurker is intimidated - joining Wangnan and company. Viole on the other hand ignores Prince as he rants, instead asking Rapdevil if it is true that he defeated Hatsu to which Rapdevil says yes, Viole exits the bath after suggesting that perhaps one day he might be shown 'the devil' or Rapdevil's true strength.

Wangnan and Nia exit the bath and Nia goes back to their room as Wangnan looks around desperately for his ring, only to find Viole standing behind him holding the ring which bears the symbol of the Zahard - whom Viole has said he lives for the death of.