No one had anticipated that the assessment would come to a close in such a manner.
The candidates in the labyrinth more or less considered that when the final node was conquered and the exit opened, it might turn into a grand racing contest for ranking; or many teams might go all-in, resorting to force to seize scores... Many were initially quite tense considering such scenarios.
Therefore, when the examiner's announcement rang out, informing them that the "first place has been decided," many did not react immediately.
Once they did react, after feelings of surprise and doubt came urgency.
Perhaps there were some earnest candidates who contemplated whether this "first place" was legitimate at such a moment, but more people had no leisure to consider such things. Because the opening of the exit meant the final competition had already begun.
