"It had been nearly 250 years since the last traditional Olympics concluded. What followed was not an age of celebration but a grim new era of survival sports.
"Back then, the world was a different place. The concept of families still existed. Homes and food were also abundant. People could dream, free from the chains of mere survival. It was indeed a time when civilization thrived, and technology pushed boundaries.
"But a series of calamities reshaped the earth, erasing that glorious era. Now, the fragments of that world existed only in books and the crumbling skeletons of ancient structures."
...
Year 2,276, the day of selection.
Kuro shut the dusty book he'd been reading and leaned back in his rickety chair. As he closed his eyes, he let the silence settle over him, letting him absorbed the new knowledge he had just learned.
Suddenly, a loud static clangor resounded, then followed by the mechanical voice of a woman.
"The time has arrived to announce the 100 selected participants from District 96. Volunteers, please proceed to the—"
Hearing this, Kuro's eyes instantly snapped open. His obsidian eyes glinted momentarily before returning to their usual calmness.
He rose up and slowly walked out from his sleeping quarters of 20 years. He didn't turn back. Hesitation had no place in his heart.
Across the hall, another door creaked open and a young man came out from it. Their eyes met for a moment, yet no words were exchanged. Despite living as neighbors for two decades, they were still strangers in every sense that mattered.
More doors opened and men and women of different ages stepped into the dimly lit corridor. Their faces were emotionless and their movements were similarly synchronized, as if all bound by an unspoken command.
As they descended the stairs, they were met by two elderly women cad in black robes and a long black veiled that covered their hair and foreheads.
"Mothers."
Numerous voices echoed through the hall. The greeting carried fragments of suppressed emotion, but none dared let them surface.
"Go."
One of the elderly women raised her hand, quickly shooing them away. Despite years of witnessing this grim ritual, the pain in her eyes was unmistakable. She had raised these children, watched them grow, and now sent them toward near-certain death.
Kuro bent his head, offering silent acknowledgment, and marched outside with the others.
The walk was long and filled with chaotic silence. Only the rhythmic thud of hundreds shoes hitting the cracked pavement reminded that there were a lot of people around.
Soon, what initial number of dozens, increased to hundreds. The more they walk and and the closer they reach their intended destination, the more the numbers increase.
Kuro finally raised his head and silently observed the crowd. Almost all of the people around were at least 2 meters tall, and that included the women. Those who were shorter than 2 meters were rare and could only be counted by ten hands.
Two centuries ago, 200 centimeters was considered tall," Kuro thought. "But continuous and forced evolution made it average."
Kuro himself was 210 centimeters, slightly taller than the average. His black hair with threads of white hair swayed along as he walked. His sharp features and cold gaze were mirrored by those around him. Humanity had been stripped away, replaced by survival instincts honed to perfection.
"Don't look back. Don't form attachments. Focus only on survival."
The words echoed in his mind, engraved from birth. Bonds were a liability, and emotions were weaknesses.
As almost a thousand people arrived in the plaza, a woman dressed in exaggerated garments stood in the middle of a platform stage. In front of her was a small table with a bowl filled with folded papers within.
"I believe we don't need any introductions as we have been doing this every year." The woman smiled stiffly. Although her dress embroidered with colorful butterflies was stunning, her expression seemed forced.
Kuro could only guess that in order for the woman to hide her pain and disgust with this game, she dressed in a very contradicting manner. Of course, that's only a part of it. He also speculated that maybe she just wanted to gain attention… to be remembered. After all, even though they were taught to never be curious about others, there was still some rebellion forming within their hearts.
"Since all of you have volunteered to join this year's Olympics, I hope that you won't regret your decision."
Without hesitation, she extended her arm and picked one folded paper on the bowl.
"For district 96 first participant in this year's Olympics. We have Miss Amy Melano"
"Second, Mister Llyod Kim"
…
"Tenth, Mister Armin Young."
…
"Thirty-three, we have Kuro Vessago."
When Kuro heard his name, a sigh of relief unconsciously escaped from his mouth. This was then followed by his stiff jaw when he realized that it wasn't necessarily a good thing.
'While joining the game offers a lot of benefits, it also has a high mortality rate.' Kuro's mussing forcibly halted as a guard took him to the bus parked just behind the stage.
Kuro found the other participants on the bus. Some were meditating with their eyes closed, while some leaned their heads by the window, watching the dried trees and brown grasses and plants outside.
Kuro took a seat, folding his hands as he closed his eyes. He also didn't bother to observe his competitors.
Only when the 100th name was called did he wake up and glance at the window.
Shortly after, the bus began to move, slowly showing the faces of those who hadn't called.
He caught their expressions, mostly lamenting their misfortune of not being called. Even though, it could be considered as a fortunate, those who had volunteered knew that they were willing to join just to change their status quo.
Everyone, including Kuro, knew that among the hundred chosen in their district, there was a high likelihood of all of them not surviving. However, they still kept on trying and volunteering despite knowing this.
Kuro diverted his gaze away and took a long deep breath. Shortly, his eyes became firm.
This travel might be of danger but it offers huge benefits.
Kuro smiled for the first time. Watching the dried-up land and the sunshine scorching hot outside, a new hope emerged from within his heart.
A hope of emerging victorious at this year's olympics.