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...
People initially placed their hopes on the "Number One Player."
As diverse as they were, once they found that central target, it was as if a flock of lost lambs had found sanctuary, as if a ship adrift had sighted the Lighthouse.
In the past, they were afraid, terrified, because they didn't know whether that being under the world's spotlight would sacrifice them for a small gain. As ordinary Players, forced to be "sacrificed" for the sake of humanity's greater good, for the advancement of the highest-ranking Player, they could only pinch their noses and accept it.
They learned to keep their distance, because they were remote, because they were unconnected to each other.
But now, they had found a leader, a backbone.
—Because they now had a common interest.
When the Number One Player was truly needed, they would abandon their independence and become part of the collective, seeing that everyone's interests were aligned at that moment.
