As Nouma gets ready to toss Rita on the other side of the finish line, another person zooms past him. There was no one in their vicinity just a few seconds ago. Nouma is utterly surprised by what just occurred.

How did this happen? This is not possible! I have never seen a numan other than Grandpa that can run at this speed. Not only that, I couldn't hear the footsteps until just a moment ago!

The person has a mask on the face. A small portion of it is broken. The person finishes first, just ahead of Nouma who is still in shock.

A loud announcement follows, "We have a winner! Participant #652 has won the first round!"

Nouma is speechless and he can't move.

This was not supposed to happen. Rita was supposed to win this round. The plan has collapsed. Moreover, what was that speed? I can't believe my eyes right now.

"We were so close to winning. It wasn't your fault so don't blame yourself. Get yourself together. We will just have to win the next round now."

Nouma seems least interested in what Rita is saying as he approaches the winner, "E-excuse me. Could you tell me how you could move so fast?"

"Oh, it's you. I know you. You are the one who maintained a constant speed throughout the race. Your stamina is immense. I am impressed!"

"Nothing matters if I don't win. Could you please answer my question."

I need to know if she knows about Fento. As slim the chances might be, she could know about it.

"You tried your hardest. To be honest, you could have won this one easily. You didn't use your assets properly."

She comes closer to Nouma and whispers in his ear, "If you had used Fento, this would have been a piece of cake."

Nouma freezes as soon as he hears her words. He never thought that someone besides his grandfather knew about Fento. He wants to know more about her, but can't bring himself to talk. He doesn't have the courage to ask more questions, nor does he know what he should ask! She is going away from him with each passing moment.

Why can't I move? It's not like I didn't consider it. But it is still very baffling. I can't let this opportunity slide. I want to know more!

Nouma gathers enough courage to speak out. However, she has already left.

42 participants cross the finish line before 8:40 AM. The Group Leader has also arrived at the finish line.

"Congratulations to all the participants who made it in time. 41 participants will proceed to the next round. The next round will start at 11 AM. All of you have to assemble here again at 10:30 AM and report to the knight seated here. Those who fail to report will be eliminated."

Rita senses that Nouma is not behaving the way he usually does. She rests her hand on Nouma's shoulder as she speaks with a smirk, "Do you have a disease? You look pale. Don't tell me you fear that I'll surpass you!"

"The fuck did you say?"

"What's gone is done and dusted. Aren't you the one who always says to move forward? Why are you not following your own ideals? Pull it together."

"That's right. I can't demotivate myself. I have to focus on what's coming up."

"Let's win the next one!"

Sharply at 10:30 AM, the group leader arrives again, "I hope you all are prepared for the next round. The fittest of the participants have made it to the second round. Most of you possess incredible physical capabilities. The second round is going to be a Treasure Hunt."

The set of participants are confused yet again by the choice of the event.

The Group Leader continues, "Yes, a treasure hunt. A treasure hunt without a map to be precise. Just like any other treasure hunt, the one who finds it first will win. During the moment in which the treasure is found, the twenty participants closest to the treasure will proceed to the next round."

"The rounds this time are garbage."

"Has he gone insane? How are we supposed to find the treasure without a map?"

Nouma asks Rita who is just as confused as anyone else, "Why are the rounds so twisted? Can't they keep it simple to understand?"

The leader continues, "The treasure is located in the southern unpopulated region. 

The hints are as follows:
In the middle of nowhere,
Lies the key to success.
Go with flow until it vanishes.
You will reach the destination,
Only to find nothing.
But remember to not lose hope,
Until you are directly under the spotlight."

"What is this nonsense."

"I didn't sign up for this! I give up. I'll try my luck next time!"

"Is this a competition or is he just vomiting words at this point?"

"I have noted it down in my book, Nouma. This is surely something that will come in handy later on." prompts Rita.

I understood nothing, but I am going to pretend like I did.

"Yeah, I got most of it and of course it's important!"

"Really? Explain it to me."

"Umm...aaa...you will understand once we start to search for it. Your brain won't keep up if I start explaining now."

As I thought, he knows nothing! He is just pretending that he understood what was said.

The entrance is opened to let out the participants to begin their search. Rita has taken the lead since Nouma is clueless.

"It starts with 'In the middle of nowhere'. Assuming that 'nowhere' refers to the unpopulated region, we have to move towards the centre of the unpopulated region."

She doesn't look like someone who is that smart, but it seems like she knows what she's doing.

"I was about to say the same thing!"

After losing the first round, Nouma and Rita look to redeem themselves by winning the second round. However, they will have to decode the hints in order to come out on top with flying colours.

TO BE CONTINUED