When he woke, the sun was high in the sky, its warm light filtering through the leaves. Subra rubbed his eyes, blinking in confusion. Despite sleeping for only a few hours, he felt fully recharged.
"That was fast," he muttered, stretching his arms. "This world... there's something strange about it."
Standing, he surveyed the park. The crowd had thinned noticeably, and the tension in the air was heavier. Nearby, a man begged another for food, only to be met with a cold rejection.
"It's only been a day," Subra thought, his gaze hardening. "And already, people are showing their true nature." He was glad he had chosen to sleep alone.

Subra pulled out his notebook and flipped to the right-hand page, where his carefully selected list of potential allies awaited him. As he read over the names, the memory of writing them down the previous evening replayed in his mind.
Sitting beneath the oak tree, pen in hand, he had methodically recalled each interaction and observation from the day. Every name came with a story, carefully pieced together through subtle questioning and deliberate acts of approachability.

Shlok Kumar
Subra's first impression of Shlok had been his calm, collected demeanor. He'd noticed Shlok casually explaining survival tactics to a small group, his quiet confidence setting him apart. Seizing the opportunity, Subra had approached Shlok later, feigning uncertainty about tracking techniques. By asking open-ended questions and showing genuine curiosity, Subra had encouraged Shlok to share more about his expertise.
Through this conversation, Subra learned of Shlok's skill, Echolocation, a potent ability for navigation and detecting unseen threats. Subra noted Shlok's practical knowledge of hunting and survival as they spoke, filing it away as he adjusted his tone to match Shlok's composed personality. "Straightforward and useful," Subra had thought, writing Shlok's name with care. "Definitely a must-have."

Arthur
Arthur had been harder to miss. His proud, confident attitude radiated as he boasted to anyone who would listen about his love of puzzles and mazes. Subra had approached him during one of these self-indulgent moments, nodding along with exaggerated interest. "You must be brilliant at this sort of thing," Subra had said, his voice tinged with awe.

Arthur had taken the bait, launching into a detailed explanation of his past victories in escape rooms and labyrinths. Subra, while inwardly rolling his eyes, had continued to stroke Arthur's ego with well-timed questions about how he handled high-pressure situations. This prompted Arthur to mention his skill, Food Chain, which grew stronger as his opponents weakened—a highly situational but powerful ability.
As Subra later wrote Arthur's name, he smirked slightly. "Proud and overconfident," he mused. "Easy to manipulate if needed. His skill is perfect for prolonged fights."

Alisa Nakayama
Alisa's empathy had been immediately apparent. Subra had seen her comforting a frightened participant who had collapsed near the park's edge. Her tone had been soothing, her words filled with kindness. Recognizing an opportunity, Subra had approached her not long after, subtly echoing her concern for the distressed individual while slipping in questions about her thoughts on the trials and the maze.

In their conversation, Alisa had shared her philosophy on teamwork and her determination to help others survive. She had mentioned her skill, Hate Love, which buffed allies she trusted and debuffed those she disliked. Subra had taken note of her composure and warmth but also her potential volatility. He knew staying on her good side would be crucial.
"Empathy can be risky," he thought as he underlined her name. "But with her skill, it's worth the risk. Keep her loyalty at all costs."

Kim Jang Woo
Kim was impossible to ignore. Subra had observed him loudly demonstrating his skill, Iron Body, by flexing dramatically and shouting, "Iron Body: Biceps!" before punching a tree with his now-metal arm. Subra had chuckled at the spectacle but also noted Kim's sharp instincts during a sparring match with another participant. Beneath his eccentricity lay a surprising level of tactical awareness.

When Subra approached Kim, he played into the man's enthusiasm, asking about his workout routine and his thoughts on the trials. Kim's responses were as chaotic as his personality, jumping from one topic to the next. Still, Subra gleaned valuable information about Kim's combat prowess and his love of fighting.
As Subra wrote Kim's name, he couldn't help but chuckle. "Unpredictable but surprisingly effective. Worth the gamble," he concluded, tapping the pen against the page before moving on.

Friedrich Brandt
Subra had observed Friedrich from a distance, the man's sharp, calculating demeanor standing out in every interaction. A few subtle questions during a brief conversation revealed that Friedrich's skill, Strategist's Foresight, allowed him to predict an opponent's next move with eerie accuracy—an ability that could turn the tide in combat or planning.

But Friedrich's personality was abrasive and condescending. Subra recalled the way Friedrich dismissed others' ideas outright, his clipped tone often veering into insults. His tendency to treat others as pawns in a game was clear in the way he spoke about "managing" weaker participants.
"Useful, but too divisive," Subra thought as he wrote Friedrich's name down. "He could destabilize the team. Better to keep him on the sidelines."

Carlos Espina
Carlos was a whirlwind of energy, brimming with charisma and charm. His skill, Energy Transfer, allowed him to absorb physical or magical energy from others and either redirect it offensively or share it with allies. It was an incredibly versatile ability, one that could turn a losing fight into a victory.

Yet Carlos's reckless nature set Subra on edge. He remembered how Carlos had bragged loudly about his skill, drawing unnecessary attention in a tense situation. Subra also noted the sharp arguments Carlos had sparked with other participants, his impulsive decisions often clashing with cooler heads.
"An asset, but too unpredictable," Subra wrote in his notebook. "Adding him would cause chaos. He's better left out of the final team."

With the list complete, Subra had leaned back against the tree, satisfied with his choices. Each name represented a calculated risk, but together, they offered the balance of skills and personalities he needed to survive the trials ahead.

By late afternoon, Subra had gathered his team. The five of them stood at the maze's entrance, their mix of confidence and nervous energy creating a strange balance. The synergy felt promising, though Subra couldn't let himself fully trust anyone.
"All right," Subra said, shouldering his partially open backpack. "We don't know what we'll find, so let's stick together, follow Shlok's lead, and stay alert."
The group nodded, and with Shlok at the front, they ventured into the maze.

The day's exploration started with cautious optimism. Shlok's Echolocation proved invaluable, his eyes narrowing as he muttered details about nearby paths. "Dead end to the left," he said at one point, waving them to follow a path branching right. Arthur's maze-solving instincts kicked in as he traced their route with his finger in the air, ensuring they didn't double back.
Subra kept to the rear, quietly sketching a miniature map of the area in his notebook. His lines were quick and efficient, each twist and turn of the maze committed to memory.
As they pressed deeper, Kim's booming voice broke the tense silence. "So, do you guys think I should start naming my muscles? Like, if I turn my right bicep into iron, I'll call it... the Iron Titan! Sounds awesome, right?"
Arthur groaned. "Kim, for the last time, no one cares about the names of your muscles!"
"I care," Kim shot back, flexing dramatically mid-step.
"Keep your voice down!" Subra hissed, glancing around. "You'll bring every monster in this maze right to us!"
"Good," Kim replied, grinning. "More practice for the Iron Titan."
Alisa stifled a laugh, earning a sharp look from Arthur. "What? It's funny," she said, her hands raised in mock surrender.
Subra shook his head, suppressing a smirk. For all of Kim's antics, the group's chemistry was starting to show.

Their first encounter with a monster came shortly after. A wolf-human hybrid leaped from a shadowy alcove, its grotesque form snarling as it lunged for Shlok.
"Front!" Subra shouted, rushing forward with his spear. Kim followed immediately, his voice booming, "IRON BODY! LEFT ARM!" The limb gleamed as it hardened, and with one powerful swing, he smashed the wolf-creature into the wall.
Arthur darted around the chaos, using his skill, Food Chain, to wear down the beast as it weakened. Alisa stayed back, her Hate Love buff strengthening Subra and Kim while slightly debuffing the monster.
The fight was over quickly, but not without hiccups. Kim's swing had come too close to Arthur at one point, prompting a sharp exchange of words. Alisa stepped in, her calm tone diffusing the tension.
As they regrouped, Subra examined the monster's remains. The skin was tough and leathery, likely useful for crafting. He cut away a piece and stored it in his bag, careful not to let his team see the small map he had hidden among the other pages of his notebook.

The day continued with more minor skirmishes, but by the time dusk approached, the group had little to show for their efforts. They returned to the park empty-handed, their only reward the experience gained from fighting together.
Kim stretched his arms, grinning despite the lack of treasure. "Well, that was fun. Nothing like smashing monsters to get the blood pumping!"
Arthur rolled his eyes. "It was chaos. We kept getting in each other's way."
"True," Alisa said, her voice soft. "But we're learning. Today wasn't about treasure; it was about figuring out how to work as a team."
Shlok nodded in agreement. "Once we sync up better, we'll be unstoppable."
As they exited the maze, Alisa turned to Subra with a smile. "Thanks for bringing us together. I don't think any of us would've made it this far without you."
Subra shrugged humbly, avoiding eye contact. "I just needed help, and you were the ones who showed up." He kept his tone casual, knowing he couldn't let his true intentions slip.
Subra couldn't help but smile to himself. This is exactly what I planned. I took my time choosing each of you, selecting the right skills and personalities to fit perfectly into the bigger picture. You'll all play your parts exactly as I need.

The group decided to camp together that night. They found a clearing near the park, where others had already gathered around campfires. Trees in the area had been chopped down for fuel, and the air smelled faintly of smoke and wood.
Subra and Arthur built a small fire while Alisa and Shlok prepared rations. Kim, ever the entertainer, flexed his muscles for anyone who would watch, earning groans from Arthur and quiet laughs from Alisa.
Dinner was simple but filling, and for the first time, Subra allowed himself to relax. The warmth of the fire and the camaraderie of the group made him forget, if only briefly, the dangers of the maze and the weight of his own ambitions.
But as he looked at the smiling faces around him, a cold realization settled in his chest. I can't afford this, he thought. I can't get too close.

After dinner, they laid out their sleeping bags near the fire. It was decided that each of them would take turns keeping watch.
"I'll take the first shift," Subra volunteered, earning nods of approval from the others.
As the group drifted to sleep, Subra stood watch, his spear resting across his lap. The fire crackled softly, and the night was still. When his shift ended, he nudged Arthur awake for the next watch.
"Your turn," Subra said quietly.
Arthur groaned but nodded, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. As soon as Arthur's attention shifted to the fire, Subra acted. He slipped his backpack into his sleeping bag, making it appear occupied, and crept away from the camp.
Once he was clear, he pulled out his notebook, flipping to his map. "North side," he muttered under his breath, his focus sharpening.
Subra glanced back at the faint glow of the campfire. I'll be back before anyone notices.
The shadows of the maze loomed ahead, waiting to swallow him whole.

To be continued...