Ryuji stood before the massive door, his face serious but with a challenging smile, then turned to Mouse and said in a commanding tone:
–"Before we enter this door, we need to know who we're playing with. We can't face a team game without knowing each other's names. Tell us… what's your name?"
Mouse remained silent for a moment, his eyes scanning the faces around him, then said very quietly:
–"My name is… Mouse."
Ryuji's eyebrows shot up in surprise, then he broke into a wide grin, clapping respectfully:
–"So you are one of them! But… why is your name Mouse? Why not Rat, like the other resistance members?"
Mouse looked down at the ground, showing no desire to explain, and said coldly:
–"It's a long story… and now is not the time."
Ryuji laughed lightly, then gestured towards the rest of the team:
–"Alright then… let me introduce you to the others. These twins are Kenji and Shinji, pros at historical video games. They're quick-witted, but sometimes… they're reckless."
The twins waved almost simultaneously, as if accustomed to doing everything together. Mouse smiled faintly then returned his gaze to Ryuji, who pointed to a girl with short hair and energetic movements:
–"And this is Miko… a bit noisy, but kind-hearted."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Miko lightly hit Ryuji's head, saying:
–"I told you a thousand times, don't call me noisy!"
Some of them burst out laughing, while Ryuji raised his hands in surrender, laughing too. He then pointed to a man sitting perfectly still, with dignified features and a wooden stick beside him:
–"And this is Old Man Hiroshi… blind, but very strong. Don't let his appearance fool you."
Hiroshi smiled a quiet smile, as if unconcerned by the talk about him. Then Ryuji turned towards a man with bulging muscles, broad shoulders, and a chest like a wall:
–"And this is Katsuro, a ground worker from the depths of the Pit. I think you noticed that from his build."
Katsuro laughed deeply, thumping his chest with his fist:
–"The strength of the earth flows in my veins, don't worry."
Then Ryuji continued:
–"And that makes us a team of eleven… welcome to the group, Mouse."
But Mouse didn't let his words pass without comment. He raised his finger, pointing to a girl standing behind everyone else, almost hiding between the bodies, her face shy and her eyes avoiding direct contact:
–"I think you forgot the other girl."
Ryuji flustered a little, then smiled apologetically:
–"Ah… right. This is Yuko. She's a bit shy, but she's with us."
Yuko gave a slight bow as a greeting without uttering a single word.
Mouse didn't prolong the conversation. Instead, he said while looking at the digital countdown approaching zero:
–"Come on… we need to enter. Time is almost up."
Everyone rushed inside. At the entrance, there was a strange handle protruding from the wall, resembling a hole where some kind of ball should be placed. Beyond the threshold they stood before, a strange scene unfolded: thousands of colored balls were scattered below them, as if they were facing a huge children's ball pit. But the charged atmosphere and the tension in their hearts made any feeling of fun impossible.
On the other side of the pit stood the opposing team. At first glance, they seemed like a strong team, their bodies well-proportioned, their eyes full of confidence, and among them only one girl, surrounded by men who seemed meticulously trained. Unlike Mouse's team, which mixed strength and fear, youth and old age, lightness and silence.
At that moment, a door opened above, and for the first time since the games began, a person emerged. It was the Master. His steps were slow, but every movement of his imposed silence. He sat on a slightly elevated rocking wooden chair, holding a cup of tea as if watching a theatrical performance.
The Master said in a mellifluous voice:
–"This game is different. I've come out personally to give you the rules… because it's my favorite game."
He paused for a moment, then pointed his cane towards a shaded area above:
–"This area here… is a safe spot. But don't think staying here will save you."
He continued, his voice full of anticipation:
–"The game is as follows: You must all head to the far left and jump into the ball pit. It seems like child's play, doesn't it? But this game isn't for children… children."
He laughed lightly, then continued:
–"Inside the pit, there are colored balls of many colors. But there is one ball… a black ball. It is the key. Whoever obtains it must place it into that handle above the threshold. The team that places the black ball will win. The player who places it with their own hand will receive a full twenty points, while each member of their team will get only three points. The other team… will be eliminated completely."
Some team members shuddered upon hearing the word "eliminated," but the Master showed no hesitation. He continued with a cold smile:
–"The distance between the pit and the handle is twenty meters. You must climb the iron handles… just like in the sport of gymnastics. I assume you've read history books and know what gymnastics means. Simply put… your agility will determine your lives."
Here, Mouse looked at his team. His eyes quickly scanned everyone: The twins, too reckless. Miko, more talk than action. Katsuro, huge and strong but slow. Hiroshi, a blind man who cannot see the balls. Yuko, shy, barely able to raise her head.
He held his head in his hand and muttered sarcastically:
–"It seems joining this team was a mistake."
But as he was thinking, something in Yuko's hand caught his attention. It was something small, but enough to plant a seed of hope inside him, making his heart calm slightly. Perhaps she wasn't as useless as she seemed.
Some of them jumped to the left side and started grabbing the iron poles to descend into the pit. Hiroshi almost fell if not for Katsuro grabbing him firmly and helping him. The rest fell one after another until they were all gathered amidst the colorful balls.
On the other side, the opposing team moved with almost military discipline. There was no confusion or fear among them, only looks of challenge and readiness. One of them looked directly at Mouse's team and said with a mocking smile:
–"Sorry… but you'll die for us today."
Ryuji retorted immediately, his voice full of anger:
–"In your dreams!"
The opposing team laughed mockingly, while the Master remained seated above, his chair rocking slowly back and forth, his eyes following every movement.