I looked dirrectly at 164.
''Good morning all participants.'' I said with a flat, firm voice.
''My system role is balance observer. And main role is silent participant.''
''I'll keep this precise.''
My gaze followed along the room.
''There is a pattern forming around 164's group.''
And now, almost everyone was listening to me. Good.
''Every time a new member joins 164's group...''
I let the sentence hang in the air.
''Someone reacts. Extraordinarly fast.''
The room tightened.
''That kind of timing-- doesn't come from observation.''
I stepped closer to the podium and put my hands onto it.
''It comes from anticipation.''
And now, my eye land.
''Participant 686.''
A ripple in the room.
''I dont think your actions are random.''
My tone hasn't changed.
''I believe they are structured. Pressure, selection and reaction. You are using this method.''
Silence continued.
''And I suggest everyone here--''
I exhaled. Enough to be noticed by others.
''Think twice before joining 164's group. Reconsider how visible your choices are.''
I stepped back.
''164. It's nothing personal. It's for protection.''
I started walking.
''I'm done.''
Then,
Bang.
''Accepted. An unexpected move from 998th place.''
My expression didn't change. I didn't feel neither an excitement nor fear.
Then--
While I was walking to my seat, my gaze locked onto 686 unintentionally.
He was looking at me with pure hostility.
...
And then, his hand moved. He showed two fingers towards the exit.
Outside.
A message. He was ordering.
I gave him a cold gaze. An understanding.
Before I could shift my gaze--
781 leaned close to him.
He started whispering something.
I couldn't hear everything but I caught enough.
''...too early...adjust...he might have...not yet...use him...turn it... Let's join...''
The rest disolved into noise.
...
For a moment, nothing happened.
686 didn't move. didn't blink or react.
...
Then--
his eyes widened. slightly but enough to notice.
That wasn't anger anymore. That was realization.
He exhaled quietly.
The hostility didn't change, but something faded.
Then, he smiled faintly. That was dangerous. I could feel it.
...
So, what will your answer be? 781 and 686.
He didn't look at me anymore.
As if he didn't show any interest in me anymore.
It showed that this plan was really dangerous.
...
I sat onto my seat. Didn't waste a second.
I turned to her.
''Cancel 369.''
I gave her no explanation.
''Something serious is coming.''
Her expression stayed netural... As always.
But I could sense a slight shift.
''From them? That's expected.'' She said.
I didn't look at her.
''Let's talk this later.''
She nodded.
''932.''
Woman announced.
She started walking from far away.
The new 4th rank.
About 30 seconds later, she finally reached it.
When she entered my line of sight, I noticed something off.
She was carrying a stack of papers. Too many for a person to carry.
Did she write all that just now?
Or was it already prepared beforehand.
...
Then--
in an instant, she stumbled. And fell.
Almost all the papers scattered everywhere. She was lying face down. Her foot was slightly upwards.
...
Laughter broke out. Almost the entire room joined in.
Of course they did.
Put someone in a vulnerable position--
And people reveal themselves.
Pathetic.
...
I didn't react. Just watched her.
A few seconds passed. She started moving.
Slow at first. Then, she stood up. Her movements were shaky.
She reached for her glasses, found them, and out them on.
Still looking anxious and numb because of the fall.
...
Then she bent down. And started collecting the papers.
Fast.
So fast that I can barely catch her movements.
No. It's not rushed. Precise, efficient and controlled.
...
The laughter faded one by one. I guess they noticed it too.
Fools. You should expect more from the 4th rank.
220 leaned slightly towards me.
''Add her to the list.''
She sighted.
I shifted my gaze towards 220.
''Approved.''
I watched her more carefully this time.
I started looking at the details.
She was wearing shorts. And a simple t-shirt.
...
In this temperature? Around 5 degrees. Strange.
She looked fragile, light and small frame.
The kind of person who looked like she'd collapse from a single hit.
If you saw her outside, you wouldn't think twice.
Just another ordinary girl.
Maybe noticeable only because of her face.
But, not in this scenerio.
She stepped on the podium with her papers and adjusted her glasses. Still nervous because of what happened.
Then, she spoke.
''Good morning.''
Her voice was quieter than I expected.
''I'll keep this simple. There is a large main gym on the third floor.
She reached for her papers. Her tone was nervous.
''I want to form a sports committee. Not only for competition, but also for improvement.''
She shifted her head.
''This system really needs growth. If we show enough dicipline to improve ourselves, The system will reward us with higher ranks and points.''
She paused. Searching for paper again.
''Maybe even Records!''
The room stayed quiet.
''There are enough facilities for multiple fields. I investigated it and planned it all. hehe...''
She was clearly shaking from anxiety.
She took a deep breath to steady herself.
''Mobiliy. Endurance. Strenght.''
A few people raised their heads.
''Each section will contain smaller divisions.''
She paused for a second to search for a paper.
''Mobility includes running, volleyball, agility and coordination. Endurance includes climbing, long-distance traning... even free solo climbing fields for brave ones.''
She adjusted her posidion, sweating. She pushed her glasses up.
''Strenght includes martial arts, resistance traning, and other forms of combat discipline.''
She changed her papers.
''I will lead the Mobility division. And I will personally supervise the running subdivision.''
She exhaled.
''And everyone had the right to form a sport subdivision that aren't listed here.''
She grabbed her papers.
''Thank you for your attention. Contact 932 to join! I'll add the main group.''
I kept watching her. Her warm smile touched me... Somehow.
For a moment--
I almost considered joining the sports committee.
Just because she looked... oddly cute.
Bang
''Approved. The goal is great.''
...
What am I thinking?
I frowned. That was dangerous.
...
Maybe I should join for a different reason.
Extreme ironing.
...
We could iron together.
...
No.
Absolutely not.
I remembered 686's cold stare. And 781's dangerous plan.
That will determine my fate... I guess.
''249''
The woman announced.
...
...