The heavy, sleepless night passed like a blur for many of the contestants. After a full day of non-stop AI-led announcements revealing the deepest, darkest histories of each participant, silence finally fell over the hall. The towering screens that once echoed voices of the faceless "Game Master" had gone dark. Players rested on rows of metallic beds scattered across the massive chamber, some trying to sleep, others whispering in hushed tones.
But not everyone was asleep.
Among the quiet, a set of steady footsteps echoed on the cold concrete floor. Vayunesh moved with calculated intent, his eyes scanning until they landed on the figure lying diagonally across a corner bed — Ryota.
Ryota's eyes opened before Vayunesh even spoke. He'd sensed someone coming.
"Hello, Ryota," Vayunesh greeted, his voice calm and composed.
Ryota sat up slightly, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Say what you want and say it fast. I don't like people who sneak around."
Vayunesh didn't flinch. "I believe it's obvious. Aligning with those who have the strength to survive is the wisest move in a game like this. And you, out of everyone, are a clear outlier."
Ryota raised an eyebrow. "So you want to be my ally? Based solely on my gambling records?" he asked, the corners of his mouth twitching into a slight smirk. "That's the quickest proposal I've ever heard."
"No," Vayunesh replied with a faint smile. "Not just that. You survived 181 high-stakes gambles and only lost 16. That's not luck. That's control. Insight. Strategy. Those traits are far more valuable here than physical strength."
Ryota leaned back, folding his arms behind his head. "So what's your grand plan then, strategist? How do we survive a game we know nothing about?"
Vayunesh's expression darkened slightly. "That's just it. We can't know the nature of the games. But one thing is certain — those who orchestrated this, the GAC or whoever they really are — they don't do anything without a twisted reason. Each game will be layered with meaning. Psychological. Physical. Social. There will be patterns. And when those patterns show… we need to already be in position."
Ryota's eyes studied him for a long moment. "Why me? Why not Darian or Riley? They've got armies behind them."
"I didn't say I'm only going to ally with you," Vayunesh said truthfully. "But unlike them, you don't let your emotions control you. That's important here. The others are still chained to their pasts. You've already made your peace with yours, haven't you?"
Ryota chuckled, shaking his head. "You sound like a preacher trying to sell salvation."
Vayunesh smirked. "And you sound like someone who knows a good deal when he sees one."
There was a brief silence between them. Then Ryota stood up, cracking his neck.
"Alright," he said, extending a hand. "If this game ever calls for teams, I won't mind having a calm head like yours beside me. Just don't expect me to babysit you."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Vayunesh replied, shaking his hand.
As the two sealed their unspoken agreement, unknown to them, a small red light blinked from one of the corners of the ceiling.
The GAC was always watching.