"OK guys! it's time to change," said Yoon, stretching his arms and accidentally poking Hak in the stomach.

Yona frowned. "What do you mean 'change', Yoon?"

"I thought I told you earlier – the nature of this game requires us to keep switching places."

"Oh."

"Does this mean we'll be starting afresh?" asked Kija hopefully.

"Mm… I suppose so."

Kija pumped his fist in the air. "Finally!"

Yeah, finally… Hak sighed and got up. He had had enough with his confounded dare.

"Remember, Hak – buttons at the front," called Jae Ha, as the Thunder Beast entered the tent.

BONK! A piece of firewood hit the Green Dragon's head.

The new arrangement ran in this way – Yona, Hak, Jae Ha, Yoon, Shin Ah, Kija and lastly, Zeno.

Hak appeared torn by this. If Yona drew the 'head on lap' dare, well, it would be a bonus. A godsend, even. But if he got it instead… he shivered, praying he wouldn't have to cross that perilous bridge.

"Well, I'll be starting now!" said Yona cheerfully.

Yona – Have you ever kissed someone who has no familial ties to you? If so, who was it and why?

"No one at all," said the Princess, blushing a little.

"Of course! You are purer than any diamond, Princess," said Kija passionately.

"But Yona dear, it's not too late for your first kiss, you know," said Jae Ha with all sincerity. "I bet if you asked around, you would have plenty of volunteers, one of whom is closer than you'd expect… "

"Jae Ha, you must be wanting to commit indirect suicide pretty badly," remarked Yoon, as Hak turned ominously toward the Green Dragon.

"Oops! It's your turn, Hak!" laughed Jae Ha, immediately seizing a slip and thrusting it into Hak's hand.

Hak – Run around imitating a monkey until someone says you can stop.

The slip was crushed in Hak's fist.

"AAHHH! Thunder Beast, be careful with that!" cried Yoon in alarm.

"What does it say?" asked Yona.

When the slip was finally liberated, those in the vicinity bent over to read.

"Run around imitating a monkey until someone says you can stop," said Jae Ha. He threw back his head and laughed. "HAHAHA! THIS IS A CLASSIC!"

Hak grabbed the slip and slammed it into the Green Dragon's face. Then he stood up, breathing violently for several seconds.

"Stop!" cried Yona unexpectedly.

Everyone looked at her. Hak blinked several times, and then a grin spread across his face.

"Thank you, Princess," he said heartily, and he sat back down, looking immensely pleased.

"What?" protested Jae Ha. "Is this even legal?!"

"Shut up, Droopy Eyes! Whatever the Princess says, we have to obey. You said it yourself."

"Oh? Didn't you start yet?" asked Yona, looking highly confused. "Sorry, I thought you did. You were standing there with your arms hanging by your sides, so I thought… "

Jae Ha began convulsing with laughter. Hak was stupefied.

Yoon gave a sigh. "Thunder Beast, hang in there, OK?"

"Jae Ha, it's your turn," said Kija, when Jae Ha still didn't stop laughing. Tears were running down his face.

"Sorry, sorry… "

Jae Ha – Spin on the spot with your eyes closed for ten seconds, after which someone in the group says, "Stop!" You have to guess who it is or else repeat the dare until you get it right

"The Gods are just," said Hak, rolling up his sleeves as Jae Ha obligingly spun on his dragon leg.

"That's right! I forgot that you're a seasoned ventriloquist," said Kija sarcastically.

"What are you implying, White Snake?! You saying you can do it better?"

"It goes without saying, you wild beast!"

"Hey… it's been more than ten seconds, guys… is no one going to say 'stop'?" enquired Jae Ha dizzily.

"Stop," said a small voice.

Jae Ha stopped spinning at once.

"Huh?" he said, turning to face the group. "Who said that?"

Everybody looked around in confusion.

"Oh, alright." Looking miffed, Jae Ha started spinning again. Meanwhile, the others were still searching for the source of the voice.

"Uh… does anyone know where it came from?" asked Kija, glancing around puzzledly.

"It sounded rather familiar," said Yona thoughtfully.

Yoon hugged himself, shivering.

"Urgh! Is this place haunted or something?"

"No!" Zeno grabbed Kija's arm in panic.

"Ow! You're gripping me too hard, Zeno!"

"Stop."

All heads jerked up as Jae Ha coasted to a halt.

"Huh? Who is it?" demanded Jae Ha frustratedly. Whoever it was, he was pretty good.

Hak was the only one who was unperturbed so far. He swerved his finger in circles, smirking.

"Keep twirling, Droopy Eyes."

What? Was it Hak? wondered Jae Ha in vexation, swivelling on his dragon leg again. But it didn't sound like him…

White in the face, Yoon scooted closer to Shin Ah.

"This place is haunted!"

"Zeno, will you let go?" shouted Kija irritably.

"Never!"

"Hak, I'm scared… " said Yona, edging up to Hak nervously.

"Hm? I thought you got over your fear of ghosts, Princess."

Yona stared at him. She suddenly looked suspicious.

"Hold on… was it you, Hak?"

"Let's see… Was it me, I wonder…" said Hak lazily.

Yona puffed out her cheeks furiously. "It is you, isn't it?!"

"Stop."

"Ah ha!" Jae Ha stopped his motion with a stomp of his foot. "So it was you!"

He pointed at Shin Ah. Everyone gaped at the Blue Dragon.

"What… it was just Shin Ah… " Yoon breathed a sigh of relief.

Yona blinked. "Eh? It was Shin Ah?"

Hak scowled. Damn, I was so close.

"Wait! You knew it was Shin Ah all along?" demanded the Princess indignantly.

Hak shrugged heavily. "It was fun while it lasted."

Tremendously relieved, Zeno let go of Kija's arm.

"AH! You've left finger marks all over my arm!" exclaimed Kija, having pulled up his sleeves and discovered the red streaks.

"White Snake, don't be a baby. You leave far more permanent marks on others," said Hak.

Yoon – What were your first impressions of me?

"Alright! Hit it, people!"

The answer came in a chorus.

"Mother."

Yoon's eyes bulged out. "WHAT?"

"Uh, sorry, did we say mother? We meant father," said Hak, scratching his cheek carelessly.

"The question isn't asking about your current impressions, you morons!"

"An annoying brat, then," said Hak, sounding bored.

"An annoying brat," agreed Jae Ha.

"An annoying brat," said Kija and Zeno.

"You infernal beasts… " said Yoon, gritting his teeth.

"A healer," chimed in Yona. "And an orange, for some reason."

"Fear of earthquakes," said Shin Ah quietly.

"Thank you for your honest opinions," said Yoon testily.

Shin Ah – If you knew the world was about to end, what would you do?

Immediately, Shin Ah wrapped Ao in his arms.

"Shin Ah – what are you doing?" asked Kija, eyeing him in bemusement.

"Protect," said the Blue Dragon determinedly. "Protect Ao."

Then he dragged himself over to Yona and hugged her too.

"Protect Yona," he added.

"Please don't hug me next," said Jae Ha uneasily. "It brings up unpleasant memories."

Kija – Pretend to be hopelessly in love with the person on your left for the rest of the game.

"NOOOOOO!" The White Dragon grabbed his head in despair.

"I'm flattered, Kija, but I'm not looking to be in a relationship at the moment," Zeno told him brightly.

"As if such a repulsive notion would cross my mind!"

"Kija," warned Yoon.

With a long-suffering groan, Kija's forehead came to rest on the ground. "I want out… "

"It's only for three turns, Kija," said Yona soothingly. "It'll be over before you know it."

Kija looked up at her dazedly. "Princess… how did you know I was going to forfeit?"

"Well, it seemed that way… "

Back in drag, Kija exited the tent. His back was hunched so low that he looked like an old crone.

"Here, let me help you, Granny Kija," said Jae Ha, offering his arm to the White Dragon like a gentleman.

"ARGH!" Kija slashed at Jae Ha furiously. The Green Dragon leapt out of the way, waving his arms reassuringly.

"It's OK, Granny Kija! I'm not after your money or anything!"

"JUST DIE ALREADY!"

"Hak – tell this old lady I mean no harm!" choked out Jae Ha, fending off the White Dragon's attacks.

"Granny Kija, this gentleman means you plenty of harm," drawled Hak.

"Hak! You're so cruel!"

"I'M GOING TO TEAR OUT YOUR THROAT!"

"Ahhh… they're so noisy… " said Yoon, looking extremely annoyed.

Zeno – Drink a mystery brew concocted by the rest of the group. Make sure there is nothing harmful or dangerous in the concoction, and set a reasonable limit of sips the person must take to complete the dare.

"Yay! I've always wanted to live dangerously!" proclaimed Zeno happily.

"Yeah… but since you can't die, it actually undermines the risks, you know?" said Yoon dryly.

Jae Ha rubbed his hands together.

"In that case, let's give it our all!"

The rest of the Happy Hungry Bunch began picking out arbitrary ingredients.

"Let's empty this!" said Kija, grabbing a whole bag of salt.

"We'll put in this whole thing too!" said Jae Ha, lifting up a huge chunk of ginger.

"Hold your horses! Those are our rations you're wasting, idiots!" yelled Yoon angrily.

"Oh! Add that in!" cried Zeno, pointing excitedly at an earthworm inching its way across the soil.

"Zeno! You're not supposed to sabotage yourself!"

Yona had set the pot of water to boil. She hummed to herself as she stirred the contents.

"Princess, what have you got in there?" asked Hak, studying the murky contents suspiciously.

"Bean paste," answered Yona casually. "And some anchovies too."

"These ones are raw, aren't they?"

"Yup. I mashed them up before adding them in."

"… You sure are merciless, Princess."

"Well, like Yoon said – Zeno can't die, so it should be fine."

Yoon was still trying to wrestle the ginger from Jae Ha.

"Let me do it! We don't need to use the whole thing! We'll have to chop it up anyway; it brings out the flavour more strongly!"

Shin Ah was pulling out blades of grass by the stream.

Grass? Hak was stunned. He watched as the Blue Dragon went up to Yona with a generous bundle in his arms.

"Oh, thanks, Shin Ah! Here, just drop it in!"

Hak could have sworn the brew changed colour the moment the grass plopped into its depths.

"What is this… some kind of necromancer's potion…?" he said apprehensively.

"There. Now we just have to let it cool," said Yona, sweeping her hands in satisfaction.

"What are you cooking up, Miss?" joked Zeno, peering over her shoulder.

Yona pushed him back hurriedly. "It's a surprise, Zeno, so don't look until we say so!"

Zeno laughed. "OK, OK!"

"Why don't we resume the game first?" suggested Yoon.

Hak – Have you ever told a lie during a game of Truth or Dare? What was it and why?

"Let's go, Yoon," said Hak, getting to his feet.

"Somehow, I knew you would say it at some point," said Yoon, doing the same.

"Eh? What's going on?" asked Yona, glancing from one to the other in surprise.

Jae Ha was having difficulty forming words in his mirth.

"Hak is – forfeiting – " he managed to choke out.

Yona was shocked. "EH? What could be so bad to make him give up like this?!"

A short while later, the Princess's shock died down; Hak had just come out, his hair sporting pigtails identical to Kija's, and his face…

"I think I get how people can die of laughter," remarked Yoon, eyeing the Princess exasperatedly; Yona showed no signs of stopping even after several minutes had passed. "Even Jae Ha already reached his limit."

Hak was sitting with his arms folded, his expression so sour it could have curdled cheese further.

"I didn't know you had such a lovely granddaughter, Granny Kija," Jae Ha told the White Dragon charmingly.

"Sure. Do me a favour and marry each other," scowled Kija. "It'll give me something to laugh about for a change!"

"The brew is getting cold, by the way," Yoon informed Zeno, upon remembering the Yellow Dragon's unfulfilled dare.

"Oh! This looks good!" exclaimed Zeno, dancing over to where the pot was. He tipped the whole thing into his mouth.

He's crazy! thought Yoon, his mouth dropping open. Is he going to down it in one go?

"Whoa!" Zeno leapt back all of a sudden. Yoon thought he had succumbed to the horrible concoction, but the pot collapsed, spilling out the rest of the contents…

… including Ao.

"Ao!"

"Ao?! How long have you been in there?" demanded Kija in alarm.

"Urgh! I thought I tasted squirrel… " coughed Zeno weakly.

"Ao, this isn't a hot spring, you know!" said Yona fretfully, as Shin Ah dried off the little critter. Ao gave a small squeak of displeasure.

"She's probably just hungry," sighed Yoon. After spending months with this motley group, he was already resistant to their surprises. "Here… have a rice ball."

Ao took the snack and munched on it happily.

Jae Ha – Has anyone other than your family seen you completely naked? Describe.

"Muahahahahahahahahahaha…" Jae Ha gave a long and bloodcurdling laugh.

"Princess, when I give the signal, just run. Run and don't look back," Hak hissed to Yona.

"Uh… why – ?" Yona tried to ask, but the sight of Hak's face sent her into another howling fit.

This is bad! She's too distracted to take me seriously! thought Hak in panic. He shot a look at Kija, who nodded, promptly picked up the Princess and scurried for cover.

Yoon grabbed Shin Ah's- and Zeno's hands, and they fled in the White Dragon's shadow, leaving Hak completely alone with the Green Dragon.

It was a long while before the Kija and the others dared to return. When they did, they found Jae Ha where he was, looking serene, while a corpse lay in Hak's place.

"Oh – hey!" greeted Jae Ha cheerfully. "Where did you run off to? You missed out my delightful answer."

Yoon approached the corpse slowly.

"Thunder Beast… " he said blankly, "what did you hear?"

But Hak was too far gone to reply him.

"What's wrong, Hak?" enquired Yona, poking her childhood friend in the cheek. "Jae Ha, what did you tell him?"

"Time's up! It's my turn now!" shouting Yoon, hastily snatching up a slip before Jae Ha could answer.

Yoon – Act like a dog and get petted by everyone.

Furious, Yoon attempted to stuff his slip into Hak's mouth.

"OI! WHAT DO YOU THINL YOU'RE DOING?" Hak bolted up, spluttering with rage.

"Tch." Yoon gave up his attempt. If only Hak could have remained dead for a little longer.

With every show of reluctance, the young genius got down on all fours and surrendered himself to abject humiliation. Even Ao had a turn in petting him.

"So this what I get for feeding you?" he demanded of the squirrel.

Ao answered with a happy squeak.

Shin Ah – Lick the cheek of the person on your right.

Yoon was stupefied.

"Wait!" he cried, as Shin Ah loomed over him obligingly. The handsome genius stuck a piece of riceball on his face. He braced himself. "Alright – lick it up, Shin Ah!"

"So much for tying up the loopholes! You're the one who's desperately seeking one!" accused Kija indignantly.

Urgh. Yoon grimaced. The White Dragon was right.

"Fine!" snapped the young genius. "I forfeit! You happy now?"

"Granny Kija, you've been extremely productive," grinned Jae Ha, as a scowling, cross-dressed Yoon joined his fellow victims moments later.

Kija flew at Jae Ha with a cat-like roar.

"If that idiotic White Snake could just calm down and think," said Hak exasperatedly, "he would realise that kids can't possibly be the direct offspring of their grandparents."

"A comment like that would make him angry either way," said Yona.

Kija – What do you wear to bed?

"What a ridiculous question," said Kija disdainfully. "My white robes, of course."

"Yes. Or more like, it's the only thing you wear," said Jae Ha, raising his eyebrows. "You and Hak ought to learn some fashion tips."

"AND YOU NEED A LESSON IN PAIN!" bellowed Kija, springing on the Green Dragon again.

"It's my turn now!" announced Zeno, drawing a slip cheerfully, as the White- and Green Dragons grappled in a cloud of dust.

Suddenly, Zeno's eyes rolled over; he fell to the ground, writhing and clutching his chest and making horrible gagging noises.

"ZENO!" shrieked Yona, the colour draining rapidly from her face.

Oh no! That brew must have done it! thought Yoon in horror.

Hak was on Zeno in a flash.

"Zeno! What's wrong? Zeno!"

Suddenly, the Yellow Dragon sat up, his arm accidentally whacking Hak on the chin.

"Ha ha ha! I had everyone fooled!" gloated the Yellow Dragon delightedly.

For a moment, nobody understood. Then Shin Ah held up the slip that Zeno had dropped.

Pretend you've having a heart attack.

"Well… I didn't think you guys would react so nicely," chuckled Zeno, as the others stared at him, dumbfounded. "I should do this for a living!"

"Oh?" growled Hak dangerously. There was a mark below his mouth where the Yellow Dragon had got him, and his expression resembled a demon as he advanced slowly on him. "You'll find it pretty hard when we're through with you, old man."

"Perhaps we should give him a real heart attack," said Yoon, also towering over Zeno with a murderous aura.

"Wait, guys! It was just a joke! A joke! You know I can't die! Wait - what are you doing? No! NOOOOOOO - !"

"It's rare to see Yoon so mad," Yona told Kija. "Guys, could you come back? I need to read out my slip."