Chapter 4:
The players were split into groups. Ten names appeared on the wall, each followed by a room number.
Haru's name was on the fifth list.
Room 109.
He made his way down a white hallway. The walls were clean, but the silence made it feel like a hospital.
He opened the door.
Inside were nine other players. Each stood in a different corner, no one talking. No introductions. Just tension.
One boy sat against the wall, eyes closed. Another bounced a ball lightly with his foot, like he was bored. Haru took a seat and waited.
A robotic voice echoed through the room:
> "Room 109 — Training begins in five minutes."
The door locked behind them.
---
A few minutes later, a screen lit up above the door. A different man appeared, this time wearing a black tracksuit and holding a tablet.
"I'm your evaluator," he said plainly. "You don't need my name. I'm not here to help you. I'm here to eliminate you."
The players didn't react.
"Your first test is simple: Teamwork. A 5v5 match. One half. You'll be judged not by the score — but by how you use space, timing, and connection."
The screen blinked, then displayed:
> "Room 109 Match — Starts Now."
The walls shifted.
A small indoor field revealed itself behind what used to be a wall. Perfect turf. Tight dimensions. No stands. Just cold lights and silence.
The players moved in without a word.
---
They didn't know each other. No tactics. No positions.
And yet — the match began.
Fast.
The ball moved like it had a mind of its own. Some tried to show off. Others passed quickly, avoiding mistakes. One player — tall, blond, sharp movements — took control early, slicing forward with the ball.
Haru watched, read movements, filled space.
He didn't touch the ball in the first two minutes.
But he didn't panic.
Then the ball came his way — a bad pass, bouncing midair.
He didn't stop it.
He volleyed it.
One touch. Into the path of a teammate already sprinting forward.
It wasn't flashy. But it showed something: awareness.
---
The evaluator watched from the screen, taking notes.
Inside the game, players began shouting. One called for the ball every time. One stopped passing completely. A few started hesitating.
Mistakes spread.
And Haru kept moving.
Not fast. Not loud. But smart. Supporting runs. Triangle passes. Defensively aware.
He didn't look like a star.
But he made others look better.
And that was dangerous.