''No!''
I jerked up. All of a sudden, 220 yelled at me. I stopped instantly.
''What now?''
''Just forget what I said.''
220 lowered her head and put his hand to his head.
''About what?''
''The search.''
I slowly walked in front of her. I was looking sideways.
''Why?''
220 didn't change her pose. I think she was deeply concerned about something.
''I need more information.''
''That's not an answer.''
She slowly stood up and looked at me.
''Exactly.''
Whatever she noticed, it was enough to make her abandon a conclusion she seemed certain about.
That alone bothered me.
...
I opened the giant transperent glass door.
With enough force, I was finally able to do it.
I kept the door open to let 220 pass.
When 220 passed, I closed the door.
The room was quite small.
I approached one of the walls and touched it.
The yellow paint seemed like it was about to get on my hand, so I immediately let go.
I turned my head towards the room.
A participant was sitting in a corner of the room, waiting for his turn.
He was also wearing a t-shirt. The muscles were extremely prominent.
He probably came here to form a sub-division.
I turned my head towards the other section of the room.
There was a section on it that said "Reception".
There was also a participant.
I walked towards her.
''Just one minute. I am writing.''
She was writing and talking rapidly.
''Thank you for--''
A sharp phone ringing sound filled the room.
She placed the phone that she was holding.
She didn't even close it.
''Hello?''
She opened the other phone.
Why was this girl in such a hurry?
Did she really choose to do this? or someone forced her to do this?
...
The call ended.
She exhaled quietly.
Meanwhile, 220 approached the stand.
''Why are you in such a hurry?''
I was going to ask this.
She looked at 220.
''Welcome. I am working here.''
Working? Can one really hold a parliamentary seat and work in such a place?
''Work? How much do you get paid?''
She answered immediately.
''10 points a day.''
''Who pays to you?''
''The founder of this place.''
She was mentioning 932. But how did 932 managed to arrange all of this in 1 day? And how is she managing to pay all this?
''Enough with your questions. Why are you here?''
I approached slowly to the stand.
''We are here to participate.''
She started to write down on keyboard.
''ID?''
''I am 220 and he is 518.''
220 gave her the ID.
''Which division? and subdivision?''
932 mentioned that before. But I couldn't remember it.
''Agility and running.''
''Mobility you mean participant 220.''
''Exactly.''
She started writing again. Fast and controlled.
Then, she pressed a button and a loud printer noise started coming from behind the counter.
...
After a while, the noise ended.
She bent down on the ground and grabbed something.
After standing up, he handed us two cards.
''A special ID card for this place. You need to show this to the security before entering.''
Even security?
''Understood.''
220 handed me the plastic card.
It was a printed card, written on a 3D printer. It had my number and division written on it
...
We opened a small door at the end of the small room.
The first thing I noticed was the red floor.
When I entered, there was a long, extraordinarily narrow corridor extending in both directions.
''Stop here. Show you ID cards.''
He yelled in front of us. Expecting us to get our ID cards.
He got up from the plastic chair. He left his newspaper and coffee.
220 searched her pockets.
''Wait a minute please.''
She was starting to look for something, as usual. loud noises came from inside his full pocket
Then, she pulled it out. In the first try.
Impossible
We both handed our ID cards to the participant.
...I mean security.
...
''Listen, you two.From this corridor, you will go to the right until you reach the end. In the end, open the metal door and enter. The leader is teaching now.''
I nodded and got the ID cards. And started walking.
Then, I felt a sharp sensetion behind my head.
''Auch-!''
''I told you don't touch my stuff!''
''Understood...''
I showed a regretful expression under her will.
...
While walking on the narrow corridor, I was staring at the each section passing by.
Tekwando. The door was chained.
After a while, another door greeted us.
Aikido. There were no chain on the door.
Bang.
''Stop. I gave up.''
The sound echoed down the corridor.
We kept walking.
...
Something changed.
First, The sharp reflection on the wall was felt.
The floor turned into blue.
''What is this?''
I questioned aimlessly. Then, We passed down another door.
Rock climbing, Free solo climbing.
''I understand it now.''
220 said loudly.
''The division had changed. Red represents Strenght. And the blue one...''
''Mobility.''
''Exactly.''
The logic was clear and good.
We passed one door again.
Unclaimed. Waiting to be questioned.
''So there are some that are empty too.''
''It must be waiting to be picked up by someone.''
The system was also great.
...
Dead end.
The corridor ended with a giant door.
The Ultimate Super Sports Center
Who approved this name?
The person responsible for this sign should never be allowed near a naming committee again.
I started laughing.
''Probably 932 named it.''
She said with amused tone.
''Even if She's the founder, I can't help but wonder about the reception's reaction to this name proposal.''
She started laughing too.
I opened the metal door slowly.
...
Our smiles instantly disappeared from our faces.
The place was enormous.
A circular running track surrounded the entire hall.
Participants were running in groups.
Some were stretching.
Some were lifting weights.
Some were sitting and recording results on clipboards.
For a moment, it didn't feel like a floor inside a building.
It felt like an actual sports complex.
...
''That's impossible.''
I whispered.
220 crossed her arms.
''No.''
She looked around carefully.
''It is possible.''
She pointed the ceiling.
''What's impossible is fitting all this inside the dimensions we know.''
...
That made me stop.
She was right. Again.
220 suddenly started wiping her face.
''What happened?'' I asked with a confused tone.
220 looked once more at the drop she had wiped away with his hand.
It was slimy.
220's eyes narrowed. She froze.
She immediately reached into her pocket.
The droplets?
The same ones we saw at the stairs.
The faint smell of soil filled the air.
''That's something above us.'' I whispered 220.
Meanwhile, 220 was searching for something.
After a while, she pulled it out.
A bottle of water.
She opened it as if her life depended on it.
Then, she poured on her face. The water scattered and spilled everywhere.
''It could be contaminated. It's the same one we encountered at staircases.''
''Good call.''
She nodded and walked forward, to the groups running endlessly.
I followed her. She adjusted her hair and dried her face with a small clothing she took out her pocket.
...
We approached the people making plans in the small stands next to the runways.
932 was standing at the edge of the runway with a stopwatch and a whistle.
Some started pointing at us, that caught her attention.
Then--
''BEEP''
She blew the whistle.
The ones who are running stopped instantly. Meanwhile, 932 started walking hastily at us.
We stood still.
...
''You are the Gsl guy!''
Great.
Not this again.
''And you are 220, right?''
She showed her ID card.
''Right.''
People were looking at us.
''Who are these people here?''
She laughed and said:
''Members of the running subdivision. We are 12 currently. With you here, 2 added into the list.''
''Ye--''
''Shh. talk later.''
What? Just happened?
Did she just silenced me?
''Leave the materials on you in the stands. and get a bottle of water and get in line''
''But--''
''Leave. The. Materials.''
Surprisingly, it was frightening.
She really was serious.
I looked at 220. She was a bit frightened too.
Then, 220 walked towards the stands. And started putting all of the materials she was carrying.
One by one, The entire table was covered with cartography tools.
932 took a brief look on the table and approached. I followed her.
''Are you planning to conquer a country or trying to map here?''
220 grined.
''Both.''
The question seemed as illogical as the answer.
I quickly put my materials on the table, Except the golden card.
Then, quickly grabbed a bottle.
Then, started running towards the line.
...
One of the runners waved at me. Still looking a bit exaused.
''A newcomer? Let me show you how to warm up before running.''
''Thanks.''
For the first time, They didn't called me The Gsl guy.
Great improvement.
He started warming up.
''First, your head.''
He began to stretch his head
''Got it.''
I did the same. I started Stretching my head like he did.
With each movement, my limbs generated a crack sound.
Natural... I guess.
Then, I felt a movement on my right.
220 is lined up too. Started imitating what I am doing.
...
The warming up ended for us.
''Thank you for guiding us.''
I Hitted the guy next to me lightly.
''No problem.''
I turned to 220. Still stretching.
''Be ready.''
She looked at me.
''She will have no mercy on us.''
After saying this, I once again reviewed the stupid choices I had made previously.
''BEEP''
932 ran in front of the group.
''Heey, We are starting. Let me introduce this sections practice.''
Everyone started listening to her.
''3 laps.The first round will be trammeled with 40% power. The second round will be completed with 50% power. In the last round, you will pass here and become the queue and you will compete with your remaining energy. The person who comes last will owe everyone 1 point. Understood?''
I raised my hand.
''Go on, Participant 518.''
She pointed her whistle at me.
''How long is this runway?''
The facial expression of 932 has changed.
''Someone with a genuine running spirit wouldn't use such expressions!''
Then 220 hit my shoulder.
''Stupid. Don't ask that kidn of questions.''
She whispered.
''I have 0 points. If I come in last, they can take things from me other than my points.''
She smirked.
''Try to survive then.''
It was easy to say.
What do I do now?
''BEEP''
She blew air in the whistle again.
''Line up in the form of a ladder. The Outer Ring will be 10 steps ahead of the person in most of the previous person.''
They started lining.
...
After we lined, 932 Drew a line with chalk in front of us.
After finished, she started speaking again.
''Shoulders up, gaze forward, assume the pose.''
Altough I tried my best, Mine looked abnormal.
She walked Towards the edge of the running tract.
''3...2...1...''
I sharpened my gaze. 220 was on the outer line. And I am 10 steps behind her.
''GO!''
I started running at 40% pace with everyone else.
I feel good for now, But it won't be like this in the future.
I need to save up energy for the grand final.
Then, I started thinking.
What does a runner do to save energy?
The main energy must be coming from breathing.
I tried to adjust my breath style.
I set my style.I started to inflate my stomach and lungs at the same rate with each breath. I was breathing at a moderate pace.
That was set. I will keep it up like that.
Now, I have decided to set up my posture.
To save energy, I need to swing my arms more properly.
...
I felt like I had at least somewhat corrected my posture and hand position
I looked forward.
220 was 10 steps forward. Trying to save up energy.
Then, She did something unexpected.
She Poured the water bottle on her head.
What is that strategy?
Trying to cool herself?
Or something else.
But both ways, she made a big sacrifice.
...
After a few turns, We finally Reached the start.
932 Gestured us to Increase the pace.
%50 now.
My breathing was already starting to deteriorate.
I opened the bottle carefully and took a sip.
In exchange for slowing down a bit, I gained a sip of water.
Affordable.
I quickly kept up with 220. getting the same position as before.
...
After the last turns, I felt like I was really starting to struggle.
My breathing became irregular and I began to feel the sweat on my back.
I opened the bottle again, And poured like %25.
Instant freshness hit my body.
I felt like I could continue.
...
Last 50 meters to the last lap.
Everything will be clear here.
Everyone will use their last ounce of strenght here.
Should I use my everything here?
No.
I will give like %90.
If I give %100, I will run out mid way.
Let's go.
932 Blew the whistle.
''BEEP.''
Here we go.
Instead of increasing my speed instantly, I decided to increase it gradually.
...
After 100 meters, I finally reched %90.
My chest was burning.
Except for a few people who had surpassed me, I was on par with everyone else.
I looked at my right briefly.
220 seemed to be following a different plan.
Instead of the classic medium-length steps, she preferred taking longer steps.
Expecting to pass me.
Not this time.
...
I had reached the final stretch.
My running started to feel sluggish, my eye patch started to come off, and my chest began to ache.
I have to keep holding on.
Or...
I didn't want to think afterwards.
...
The last 100 meters.
We were neck and neck with 220 and the others.
I started giving my all.
I looked above for a moment.
There was a red line on the ground.
932 was sitting on the ground beside, watching closely who will win and lose the bet.
...
And...
Just as we are about to pass the line,
A dust cloud from 220 flew towards 932.
And--
''Acho-!''
...
I finally passed the line. And lied on the ground. Breathing fastly. I adjusted my eyepatch.
''Who lost?''
Someone asked.
''Yeah who lost?''
932 retreated a bit.
''Sorry. I sneezed.''
I opened my eyes lightly. Watching the scene while breathing heavily.
Someone hit their head a little bit.
''That means no points then.''
Someone interrupted.
''Who says you won?''
''I was clearly ahead, didn't you see?''
They grew closer to each other.
...
They eventually sat down. The tension was over.
I stood up and drank the remaining water.
My heartbeat was more stable now.
I walked towards 220 and sat by her side.
...
''What was your plan?''
She turned her head in confusion.
''Respond.''
220 looked forward.
''I was planning to reduce the weight.''
It seemed like a very dangerous move.
''For a 1 liter of water?''
She looked at me.
''Don't worry about whether it weighs 1 kilogram or not. It would disrupt the distance I cover in the long run and the way my hands swing.''
Now, it finally made sense.
While I was saving up water,
She was thinking about how to stabilize herself in another way.
''Apparently we've developed our own tactics.'' I murmured.
She paused for a second. Still soaked.
''That's clear.''
This showed that his logic and mine were absolutely different.
Then--
''BEEP!''
932 blew the whistle one last time.
...