Trial 3E

As the captives hurriedly formed their teams and got to know one another, the mastermind's voice boomed through the room once more, commanding their attention.

"Now, I have given you a great amount of time," the mastermind's voice echoed, its tone ominous and commanding. "You must now type the names of your team members at the computer in front of the door of the 3E trial. And don't forget to take the wristband for your team. One team, one color only. After that, you shall wait for your turn to enter the 3E room."

As Hakim approached the computer terminal, a sense of determination settled over him. While others hurriedly formed teams, he remained steadfast in his decision to tackle the challenge alone. With a few quick keystrokes, he entered his name into the system, signaling his intent to face the trials ahead solo.

As the computer processed his entry, Hakim retrieved a vibrant white wristband, the color symbolizing his solitary journey through the 3E trial. Despite the absence of companions by his side, he felt a sense of resolve wash over him, knowing that he was prepared to face whatever obstacles lay ahead.

With his wristband secured firmly around his wrist, Hakim braced himself for the challenges that awaited him in the 3E room. Though he may be alone in his endeavor, he was determined to prove his worth and emerge victorious against all odds. As he waited for his turn to enter the trial room, his mind buzzed with anticipation, his focus unwavering as he prepared to confront the mysteries of their captivity head-on.

As Hakim glanced at the screen displaying the total number of teams, he noted with interest that there were twelve in total. The majority of them appeared to be comprised of multiple members, indicating that most captives had opted to form teams to tackle the challenges together.

However, his attention was drawn to the one remaining slot, labeled with a single name: "Hakim". It seemed that Mira was in another team. This meant that she either didn't acknowledge Hakim yet or simply didn't want to team up with him. That was what he thought at the moment.

"Now, I am stuck with myself as a lone team. It can't be helped since I do everything myself. The master always said to me that humans will evolve when they are by themselves," Hakim muttered to himself, contemplating his situation.

"Then, let the roulette begin," the mastermind said. After the roulette was done, the colors shown on the screen were as follows:

1. Red

2. Yellow

3. Green

4. Brown

5. Black

6. Orange

7. Violet

8. Blue

9. Gray

10. Turquoise

11. Magenta

12. White

"Please follow the order of the colors for each team. The other teams should enter after 5 minutes once the previous team has entered. Also, there is no additional time when the first team enters the room. As the first team starts the trial, all team timers will also start," the mastermind explained.

Hakim paused for a moment, looking at the color white as it was last on the list. "Does this mean I will only have 7 hours? I am at a disadvantage with me being the only one in my team." Hakim put his hand at his head and think for a moment.

As Hakim processed the implications of the color roulette, a sense of resolve surged within him. Despite the daunting challenge ahead, he refused to succumb to despair. Instead, he focused on turning his solo status into a strength, drawing upon his own skills and resourcefulness to overcome the trials ahead.

With a determined expression, Hakim made a silent vow to make the most of the time he had been allotted. Seven hours might seem like a dauntingly short window, but he was determined to prove that quality could triumph over quantity.

"Just me against the odds," Hakim muttered to himself, his voice tinged with determination.

"You've got this, Hakim," a voice spoke from behind him, surprising him.

Turning, Hakim found Mira standing there, a look of encouragement on her face. "You may be alone in your team, but I've seen your skills. You're more than capable of handling whatever comes your way," she said. But Hakim knew that Mira's words were only meant to warm his heart. Despite her betrayal of his trust by not teaming up with him and opting to go solo.

Hakim nodded. "Thanks, Mira. I appreciate the vote of confidence. But you're my rival this time. I can't rely on your words if I want to win this trial," he said confidently.

Mira smiled, her eyes reflecting her confidence in him. "Okay, this is the last thing I'll say. Even if you think it's just to warm your heart, let it be. Listen, it's not about the quantity of time you have, but what you do with it. Make every moment count," she said before leaving with her team. It seemed like Mira's team was the first to start the trial.

After a few moments, the first team began to enter the trial room, and the countdown began. As the countdown started, Hakim left the room momentarily to find some food to eat. When he was stressed, his go-to solution was to eat, which helped alleviate his stress. After spending a few minutes at the cafeteria, he steeled his mind to clear this trial. However, he suddenly found something interesting in the cafeteria.

As Hakim made his way back to the trial room, his mind buzzed with a newfound determination. He couldn't afford to let distractions derail his focus now, not when the stakes were so high.

As he approached the door, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. The trials that awaited him beyond those walls would test his skills and resolve like never before. But he was ready. With Mira's words echoing in his mind, he steeled himself for the challenges ahead.

Before stepping through the threshold, Hakim paused, addressing the mastermind who stood nearby. "As the rule does not mention anything about bringing items from outside being forbidden, then I can bring anything I want. Is that correct?"

The mastermind hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes, that's correct. I... I forgot about that detail."

A wry smile tugged at the corners of Hakim's lips. "Thank you for clarifying." With that, he slung the bag over his shoulder, its weight a reassuring presence against his side.

Curiosity flickered in the mastermind's eyes. "May I know what's inside that bag?"

Hakim's smile widened, but he shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't answer that right now. It's best you find out along with everyone else." With a confident stride, Hakim entered the trial room, his mind already racing with plans and strategies to conquer the challenges that lay ahead. 

As Hakim stepped into the trial room, the heavy door swung shut behind him with a resounding thud. He turned back, but to his dismay, the door refused to budge. Panic threatened to bubble up within him, but he quickly quelled it, forcing himself to remain calm.

With the door firmly sealed behind him, Hakim turned his attention to the room's interior. Dim light cast eerie shadows, painting the stone walls with unsettling shapes reminiscent of an ancient castle. The room bore an uncanny resemblance to a medieval-era prison, complete with iron bars and a sense of confinement.

As Hakim assessed his surroundings, he noted the daunting array of contraptions and puzzles scattered about. It was clear that escaping this room would require ingenuity and resourcefulness. With a calm demeanor, he attempted to shake the locked iron bars in front of him. "Seems the bars are firmly secured. I'll need to find the key to open them," he remarked, his voice steady despite the situation.

Drawing a deep breath, Hakim focused his thoughts on the task at hand. He recognized that he was trapped in a prison-like setting and would need to find a way out to progress further. His eyes scanned the room for any clues that might aid his escape.

Among the sparse furnishings—a pile of hay, a solitary bucket—Hakim noticed several skeletal remains scattered about. "An unsettling design choice," he mused, only to realize that the skeletons were genuine. The realization sent a shiver down his spine. "Could this mean that many others have been trapped here? Is escape truly impossible, or is there a way out?"

As he pondered the mysteries of the room, Hakim's thoughts turned to the peculiar time limit. "If my theory is correct, the room changes every five minutes to accommodate a new team, that's why I think I am the first one to arrive here," he reasoned. "It's a complex system, but it explains how others have escaped before. I must hurry and search for clues. The pile of hay may hold the key to my escape."

With determined resolve, Hakim turned his attention to the pile of hay, scouring through it meticulously in search of any hidden clues or tools. Despite his thorough examination, he found nothing but dust and hay, frustratingly devoid of any helpful items.

Just as he was about to abandon his search, his keen eyes caught sight of a faint scratch on the wall concealed behind the hay. Intrigued, Hakim approached the wall, running his fingers along the rough surface. "It seems they hid a message behind the hay," he observed aloud, noting the faint etchings.

As he studied the scratch marks, he deciphered a message indicating the number of days past captives had spent in the room, amounting to two weeks. "If they could scratch the stone wall, there must be something hard that can be used," Hakim deduced, his mind racing with possibilities.

Determined to uncover more clues, Hakim scanned the room once more, his eyes searching for any additional signs that might lead him closer to solving the mystery of the trial.

With a solemn expression, Hakim approached the skeletal remains, feeling a pang of sympathy for the individuals they once belonged to. "I am sorry for whoever's skeletal this is. I did not mean to disturb your peace. I just want to find a clue as quickly as I can," he murmured softly, offering a silent apology to the silent occupants of the room.

With gentle care, he examined each piece of skeletal remains, mindful of the respect owed to the deceased. As he inspected them one by one, his diligent search was rewarded when he discovered a metal wire nestled among the bones. "This seems quite handy for now," he noted, recognizing the potential usefulness of his discovery.

Once he had retrieved the metal wire, Hakim carefully returned the skeletal remains to their original positions, ensuring that he disturbed them no more than necessary. With a final glance of reverence, he prepared to continue his quest for clues, determined to make the most of the resources he had found.

With a grimace, Hakim approached the solitary bucket, steeling himself against the repulsive sight and stench. "Although it is quite disgusting, I cannot let the disgust make me lose here," he muttered determinedly.

Bracing himself, he upended the bucket, allowing the dirt and grime to spill onto the floor. Despite his distaste, he quickly sifted through the debris, searching for any sign of a clue. After a thorough inspection, he found nothing of note. "Thankfully, I did not have to touch it with my bare hand," he remarked with a shudder.

However, as he moved the bucket aside, a glint of silver caught his eye. Stooping down, he retrieved a small coin from the floor. "Maybe this will prove useful in here," he mused, pocketing the coin for safekeeping.

His mind racing with possibilities, Hakim considered his next move. Then, a spark of inspiration struck. "I can use the handle of the bucket with the metal wire," he realized, a sense of triumph coursing through him. With a newfound sense of purpose, he set to work fashioning a makeshift tool from the resources at his disposal.

With a sense of urgency, Hakim set to work, utilizing the metal wire he had found among the skeletal remains and the sturdy iron handle from the bucket to fashion a makeshift lockpick. "Thankfully, I learned how to make a lockpicker from my master," he muttered to himself, his fingers deftly manipulating the materials.

After a few moments of careful craftsmanship, the lockpick began to take shape, its crude yet functional design a testament to Hakim's resourcefulness. With a final adjustment, he tested the lockpicker against the prison bars, the satisfying sound of metal against metal echoing in the chamber.

'CLACK!' 

"Ah, nice! It's open," Hakim exclaimed with relief as the lock gave way, allowing the door to swing open with a soft creak. A rush of exhilaration washed over him as he stepped out of his confinement, his heart pounding with the thrill of newfound freedom. Now that the door was unlocked, Hakim could continue his exploration of this trial.