I rushed over to Hamin. His face was pale, but he was breathing.
I shook his shoulder gently. "Hamin. Wake up, man."
He didn't respond.
Then a soft voice spoke beside me. "Here. Try this."
I looked up. A girl stood there, maybe 18. Short hair, sharp eyes, confident posture. She handed me a bottle of water.
"I'm Yuri, Candidate #288," she said.
I splashed a little water on Hamin's face.
He groaned and twitched.
"Is he your friend?" she asked.
I hesitated. Technically yes, but I didn't know how much I could trust anyone here yet.
"I… I don't know him," I replied slowly. "We were all knocked out by that gas. If it had drugs in it… it could be dangerous."
She stared at me for a long second, her eyes unreadable. Then she stood up and walked away without another word.
Just then, a mechanical voice echoed through the room from hidden speakers:
> "Welcome, Candidates. You have entered the 19 Show.**
> The games will begin soon.
> Until then, you are free to move around. All basic supplies are provided in this zone."
We looked around again. It was more than just the five of us. Slowly, more people were waking up.
Some were confused. Others were crying or panicking. A few looked way too calm, like they expected this.
I counted.
Fourteen of us.
Fourteen strangers.
And none of us knew what came next.
---