The stadium thundered with noise as the race finally began. On the giant screens, chaos unfolded in bursts of light and dust. The intercom crackled over the speakers:
"Player 111 out! Player 214 out!"
The words rang like bullets. Another two names flashed red before disappearing.
Lucien sat frozen in front of the screen, his reflection flickering across the monitor's glass. The numbers shifted again, more red, more drops. He dragged a hand down his face, exhaling through gritted teeth.
"the preys are dropping faster than usual," he muttered, scanning the leaderboard. His gaze stopped at the top name SPIKE – 9 catches.
Lucien scoffed quietly. "Of course. The man's a beast."
But his eyes fell to the bottom of the list.
HUNTER – 0 catches.
The number pulsed like a heartbeat, mocking him.
He leaned closer to the screen. Patience ,that's what he has to be , we cant afford acting recklessly now
A knock came at the door. Lucien didn't look up.
"Come in," he said sharply.
