2012 · Los Angeles · Training Facility
The practice ended early.
Not because it was light—
but because there was nothing left to prove.
The coach checked his watch, then looked around the court.
"That's it," he said. "Stretch. Clear out."
No one lingered.
Bags were grabbed. Shoes untied. The gym emptied faster than usual.
Gu Kai finished his cooldown in silence. He didn't rush. His breathing was steady, his legs heavy in a familiar, earned way.
When he stood up, the coach was still there.
Waiting.
---
"Walk with me," the coach said.
They moved toward the far sideline, away from the baskets, where the sound softened and words carried.
"You know why you're still here," the coach said without looking at him.
Gu Kai nodded.
"Yes."
"Good," the coach replied. "Because we don't keep people on hope."
He stopped and turned.
"Tomorrow, you're not running open gym."
Gu Kai's gaze stayed level.
"Where am I running?"
The coach held his eyes for a moment.
"Closed runs," he said.
"Invite-only."
That was all.
No congratulations.
No promises.
But Gu Kai felt the shift immediately.
---
As he walked toward the locker room, the system interface appeared—quiet, restrained.
---
[Stage Transition Detected]
[Stage Two: High-Intensity Evaluation]
[Access Level: Granted]
[Note]
Survival phase complete.
Selection phase begins.
---
The locker room was nearly empty.
Gu Kai changed quickly, slung his bag over his shoulder, and stepped outside.
The sun was low now, casting long shadows across the parking lot.
His phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
He looked at the screen for a second—then answered.
"Gu Kai," a voice said, calm and professional.
"This is Mark. We met briefly at the facility."
Gu Kai stopped walking.
"Yes."
"I won't take much of your time," Mark continued.
"I'll be in town for a few more days. I'd like to sit down and talk."
A pause.
"Nothing formal," the man added.
"Just a conversation."
Gu Kai understood what that meant.
"I'm available," he said.
"Good," Mark replied. "Tomorrow night. I'll text you the address."
The call ended.
---
Gu Kai stood there for a moment, phone still in his hand.
This wasn't an offer.
Not yet.
It was something more precise.
An opening.
---
The system interface surfaced one last time.
---
[External Pathway Opened]
[Evaluation Type: Direct Observation]
[Warning]
Performance remains the only currency.
---
Gu Kai exhaled slowly and started walking again.
The city moved around him—cars passing, voices drifting, the hum of somewhere that never stopped.
He didn't feel excited.
He felt focused.
Tomorrow, the court would be smaller.
The eyes closer.
The standard higher.
And for the first time since he'd left home—
He wasn't trying to enter a system.
He was standing just outside one,
waiting to see if it would open.