THE GUY'S BAR

“I am nooooot going there!!!” Dacoria screamed, hugging a pole while Alexander pulled him.

Above them shone the magical flames, under the starry sky. Lights from the bars and hotels illuminated the streets.

“Why not?” Alexander sighed, looking at the building entitled, ‘THE GUY's  BAR’, then the Star Awesome building engulfed in clouds.
He is being stubborn even though I have told him about what's happening in Star Awesome.

“NO,” Dacoria yelled and pointed at the bar. “Amanda said not to…..”

“But the other star members come here too…”

He pouted. “Even though she said not to? 

“Yes.”

“Even Sen?”

“Even Sen”

Dacoria left the pole as his body aged. Alexander tied Dacoria's now-long hair. “Do you like Sen that much?”

“I don’t like Sen.” He smiled, walking to the bar's door, and glanced at Alexander. 

Alexander joined him, opening the door.

 The interior was decorated in blue and white. Many customers were drinking and chatting, even flirting with each other.

Dacoria nervously looked around. Alexander gestured for him to follow. They crossed the counter and turned into a dim hallway with rooms on either side.

“What are the rooms for?” Dacoria went to one, scratching it.

Alexander pushed Dacoria ahead with a smile, “Ah, something you are too young, or I might say dumb, to know.”

Dacoria scratched his head while Alexander led him, stopping in front of a room at the far corner. Alexander softly knocked it and stroked the door, drawing an invisible figure.

The door creaked open, and the two entered. The inside was a cramped room, without windows. It was lit with blue light. There was a sitting area on either side of the room. There was one more door besides the entrance.

In front was a counter with many potions stacked on the shelf. A blond stood at the counter, glanced at them, rolled his eyes and continued using his phone. 

“What’s with the place in place…?” Dacoria almost yelled.

Alexander looked at Dacoria, not understanding what he meant. He smiled and pulled Dacoria to sit down.

The other door opened, Dacoria stood up, and Alexander pulled him back down. A silver-haired guy with surreal blue eyes entered and looked at the ceiling, Dacoria copying him. 

The roof seemed like a night sky. The newcomer smiled at the moon and walked over to them. His earrings glistened in the blue light. He flopped down on the seat; his chains bounced.

“The guy, I presume.” Alexander smiled. “You are certainly as good-looking as the rumours.”

“Yeah, that’s me, ‘the guy’.” He patted his chest smugly, crouching, his eyes fixed on Dacoria. “You are the Power taker?”

“What me….yes…..I am Dacoria.” Dacoria scooted closer to ‘the guy’, jiggling his chains.

‘The guy’ jerked away his hand. “I’m not your daddy, within limits, kid.”

“HUH?” Dacoria stared at him, while Alexander chuckled. Dacoria stood up. “I don’t like this guy.”

“I am the guy, not this guy… ‘The Guy’ is my name.”

“Well, you don’t got a good name.” Dacoria stood up.

“As if your name is angelic.” 

Dacoria pouted and slumped down, and suddenly looked at the guy. “W-why are you calling me a kid...I am 17...”

“The only male power taker alive is you… Even if you are an artificial one...you are famous...everyone knows you are 10.” 'The guy' smugly tapped his chin.

Dacoria growled and looked at Alexander, who shrugged.

“You guys came to know about the 121 curse,” The guy laughed, leaning back. “Hey, Balam, come here.”

Dacoria stared at his fangs, “Are you a demon?”

“No halfa…”

“And you proudly announce that?” Alexander tilted his head.

“My demon side's royal, so yeah, why not…” He narrowed his eyes at Alexander. smirkinf. “And you were a human…..haha, welcome to demon life.”

“Aha, thank you.” Alexander took a little bow.

The guy’s eyes widened, and he began laughing, “Haha... No need for the respect, I only look like Podestray...”

Dacoria blinked, unable to understand a thing.

The inner door opened. A black-haired person stepped out, pale skin, dark circles, dressed in a black high-neck and jeans. He sighed heavily, seeing the visitors, taking slow steps towards them.

“Yo, Balam, walk faster.” 'The guy' waved.

The blond on the counter snickered. Balam turned to him and glared.  The blond slid down behind the counter.

Dacoria’s eyes glistened, and he shook Alexander, “S-serious person!”

Balam leaned on the table, glancing at 'The Guy', reaching for one of his earrings, slightly tucking it.

“Sorry, he's a little drunk." The guy brushed away Balam's hand. "Tell them about the 121.”

“Rightttttt…..” Balam rubbed his head. “121 is a curse, it’s not the type to be cast on someone…. It’s linked to fate.”

“Are you a wizard?” Dacoria intervened, wiping his drool.

“No, a mere human.” Balam sighed. “121 curse needs three things: a diary, miserable fate, and death.”

“Explain it properly.” Alexander smiled.

Balam looked at ‘the guy’ who nodded.

“Fine......121 is an ancient curse….it gives people with miserable lives power to take revenge on those who caused the misery…..”

Dacoria’s eyes widened, “T-toby is 121….was he miserable.....?”

Balam rubbed his head, “That’s what I said, if that Toby is a 121…then he had a miserable life….don’t make me repeat myself.....The curse is that sad teens write in the 121 diary....their sad entries weave a sadder future until they die.....Got it?”

Dacoria's lips quivered. "Shaddd..."

“And when they are dead….they will turn into lingering souls from 12:1 to 1:21, mostly at night, slowly turning to vengeful souls, and kill all the offenders….Do you want to know anything else?”

“Soo....who made this curse?”

“The leader, that's what he's called, he persuades the victims' souls by promising a happier life.” Balam leaned back. "Though he is actually just collecting them."

“But if one wants to ward off the 121 curse?” Alexander tapped on the table.

‘The guy’ stood up, rattling the table. He strode to the counter and whispered to the blond. He returned with a paper and slapped it onto the table.

“For further information. Pay this sum of money….or sign this contract.” He looked at them with a crooked smile.

Alexander chuckled, leaning back. “I see, so you are as stingy as they say.”

“This isn’t stingy, it's business…” ‘The guy’ ruffled his hair.

“We don’t have money!” Dacoria yelled.

“We will sign the contract.” Alexander sighed.

“You mean, the kid will sign….quit pretending the contract came out unexpectedly.....This was all part of the deal, no?”

“What he mean?” Dacoria scratched his head.

“Dac, give them your thumbprint.” 

.

.

After they took Dacoria’s thumb impression, ‘the guy’ tucked away the contract. “As the contract says, I will come for the money when you are done with 121.....or else I take you.”

Dacoria gasped. “No”

“Dac, just ask Amanda for the money. Let’s go and handle the 121…” Alexander patted his head.

 As soon as 'The Guy’ nodded, Balam continued. “There is a precautionary curse on the leader....I can't go into depth at the moment, so I will tell you how to end the revengful hunt." 

He raised his fingers, counting the methods. "Kill the leader… kill the 121 victim… Rip apart the diary, destroy the victim's most precious item if there is one, or take help from the soul eater.”

“S-SOUL EATER!” Dacoria gasped, “DOES HE EAT THEM!”

“Yes, he is made, specifically to rid of 121s, but since contacting him isn’t easy, I recommend one of the middle three.”

“We will see what fits us best…” Alexander stood up and lifted Dacoria out of his seat.

Balam lay his head on the table. ‘The guy’ looked up at the roof and back at his guests. “Alright, see you soon~”

Dacoria walked to the door and turned around at ‘The guy’. “You like your roof?”

“No, I love the moon?”

Dacoria pouted and walked out. "Toby also loved the moon..." He turned to Alexander. "Did others really hate him?"