After the voice from the lighthouse faded into silence, the entire harbor fell into a heavy silence so profound that people could hear their own hearts beating.
The ten players stood scattered across the weathered wooden pier, each of them looking down at the identification card hanging from their chest. The atmosphere between them had changed completely—not merely the usual curiosity or wariness, but a palpable tension, as though an invisible line had just been drawn between people who had once stood together.
Nick stared at his own card. TEST SUBJECT. Those two words burned themselves into his retinas like the mark of a red-hot brand.
He raised his head, instinctively searching for Luka. The man stood a few steps away, his silver hair neatly tied back, stirring gently in the cold sea breeze. Luka looked back at him, the smile on his lips as gentle as ever.
"Don't worry," Luka said, his voice low enough that only Nick could hear. "The role is only a facade."
