Aim to win

episode 3 “ rising stakes”

As the scores flashed across the giant screen, Ayane’s name settled into the fifth spot. Not the top, but close enough to keep her in the limelight. Cameras clicked and questions flew as reporters swarmed around her, intrigued by her unexpected rise and the palpable tension with Riko.In the days following, Ayane's regimen intensified under the guidance of her new coach, Kaito, a former VirtuSphere champion known for his unorthodox methods. In the hushed confines of the training center, Kaito and Ayane worked on her reflexes and strategic thinking, preparing for the ominously named "The Gauntlet.""This challenge will test more than your skills; it will test your trust and ability to lead," Kaito warned as they reviewed footage of past competitions, analyzing the failures and successes of previous contenders.The day of "The Gauntlet" arrived with a stormy ferocity, mirroring the tension among the competitors. Set in a sprawling virtual landscape that mimicked a war-torn city, competitors were required to navigate through physical and digital obstacles, some requiring brute strength, others acute intellectual prowess.Midway through, disaster struck. Ayane’s supposed ally, Jun, turned on her, seizing an opportunity to advance by leaving her to fend off a swarm of virtual drones alone. Breathless and near defeat, Ayane’s resolve hardened. With a deft maneuver, she reprogrammed the drones to ignore her presence and instead hinder her betrayer, leaving Jun baffled and bogged down.She crossed the finish line exhausted but exhilarated, her mind racing with the implications of Jun’s betrayal and how she could turn this new animosity to her advantage.As Ayane recovered, her device buzzed with an urgent message from Kaito: "Meet me immediately. Something’s come up that could change everything."She hurried to the rendezvous, her heart pounding not just from exertion but the anticipation of what lay ahead. Kaito was waiting, his expression grave."What is it?" Ayane asked, fearing the worst."It’s about Riko," Kaito said, pausing for dramatic effect. "She’s not just competing for the prize. She’s playing for much higher stakes—and so are you, now."