⋆｡𖦹°⭒˚｡⋆ Previously :

You joined the competition with an unrefined strategy and a fearless spirit—secure the wish, or perish in the effort. A desire that could fulfill any longing you had, including those fears you wouldn’t voice. You were aware that the chances were terrible, but come on—someone had to be the loser, didn't they?

They referred to it as the Everafter Asylum. However, don’t be misled by the name—this location was not meant for recovery. It was a corroded sarcophagus filled with the deluded, the insane, and the truly horrific. And you? You were thrown in like prey to wolves.

Unexpectedly, you fought your way through several rounds. You played unfairly. You battled wisely. You managed to survive a duel that ought to have broken your spine. You nearly lost consciousness, dizzy and losing blood—but somehow, you remained the one still upright.

Hardly.

As you were about to take a quick break in the cafeteria of the asylum, because of the last round, you were pretty worn out and hoping nobody wanted to fight you for the moment.

Before you could even sit down on the chairs of the cafeteria, a random competitor holding a pick-axe walking towards you but they weren't that close just a few floor tiles away, they didn't looked human they looked like they were... A cloth mannequin?..

The mannequin had a smile across their face, and they waved at you. They looked nice... It's too nice to be here in the tournament full of rude and violent people.

Before you could even do anything or get a reaction from the random competitor they spoked up first, mannequins can talk?!..

" Hello, are you okay? " The mannequin asked in a curious and a bit childish tone and said it with an awkward smile, were they blind?!.. You were practically bleeding slightly, and you were out of energy, you thought.

The mannequin stood there waiting for you to answer their question or expecting you too because that's basic human interaction, right? But it was the opposite. You were talking to a mannequin.

Well... Everyone here does have some cool features like a demon.. or other species you met, but you didn't expect a mannequin, though.

Are you going to answer the mannequin?...