Joshua was dressed in the Shining Path uniform, sitting quietly in his seat. People began arriving, each carrying a mix of nervousness and unease.
Today, the results of the global vote will be announced, determining who will have to leave and who will be allowed to stay.
In this first round of eliminations, those ranked within the top 60 would stay, while the rest would have to go. The entire announcement process would be broadcast live!
A few people initiated conversations with Joshua, most complimenting his previous performance. They were, for the most part, quite friendly, and Joshua returned each smile in turn. But the seat beside him remained empty—the person assigned to sit there had yet to arrive.
As Joshua was thinking this, there was a stir from the seat beside him.
Surprise flickering across his face, he turned his head before he smiled and called out, "Arthur."
