The conclusion of the first round arrived far more swiftly than anyone had anticipated.
What had initially begun as a massive gathering of hopeful participants—each one carrying their own ambitions, confidence, and hidden fears—had been reduced in what felt like mere moments.
Victories had been decided.
Defeats had been sealed.
And the difference between the two had often been determined in a single exchange.
There had been no time to adjust.
No time to recover.
No opportunity to hesitate.
From a total of five hundred and twelve participants, only two hundred and fifty-six remained standing.
Exactly half.
The rest had already been eliminated, their journey ending before it had truly begun.
Yet, despite such a drastic reduction, the arena showed no signs of slowing down.
There was no announcement calling for rest.
No interval granted for recovery.
No consideration given to exhaustion or injury.
Because this place was not designed to nurture.
It was designed to filter.
