As Team 2 hurried onward, trailing just behind Team 1, the thought of the prize was fresh in their minds. While their breaths were still settling from the climb, they could already sense the competitive fire pushing them forward. The prize might have been just a fancy lunch, nothing over the top, but after a day like this, the promise of such a reward felt like a king's feast.
When they'd dragged themselves out of bed that morning, bleary-eyed and half-heartedly prepared for the day's challenges, breakfast had been a stark reminder of the intensity they'd signed up for. What was set out in the mess hall was hardly appetizing—plain, nutrient-packed food that provided everything the body needed to push through gruelling physical exertion but with no hint of flavour to ease it down. Bland porridge, dull oatmeal, maybe a slice of unbuttered toast if they were lucky. Fuel, but hardly satisfying.
This fancy lunch, however, had been described in detail by the instructors, who seemed to take pleasure in painting an enticing mental image to stoke the students' motivation. The descriptions were vivid—juicy meats, fresh greens, steaming bowls of aromatic rice, even desserts. Such a simple luxury now felt almost like a mirage on the horizon, and Team 2 knew that every obstacle stood between them and the tantalizing prize. After the breakfast they'd endured, the idea of a hearty, delicious meal was enough to spur them forward with renewed energy.
Joon-ho led their pace, setting a rhythm for the team as they moved.
"Let's not fall too far behind!" he called back to his teammates, his voice echoing slightly as they made their way through the wooded path that seemed to open up for the next section of the course.
Soo-jin, walking closely beside him, nodded determinedly.
"Imagine the look on Team 1's faces when we beat them," she muttered, a small smile on her lips.
They could still hear the faint sounds of Team 1 somewhere ahead, but the terrain was starting to turn, becoming slightly uneven, slowing them down just enough to keep them cautious. Baek-hyeon adjusted his footing with each step, mindful not to slip as Min-jae grumbled beside him about the breakfast that still sat heavily in his stomach.
"It's like they want us hungry," he muttered, though he picked up the pace nonetheless, his eyes narrowing as the trail tightened, forcing them into single file.
Despite the hunger gnawing at them and the ache from the climb still fresh in their muscles, each of them found an extra push in the thought of the prize. This was their chance to show the other teams that Team 2 had what it took.
When Team 1 arrived at the second obstacle, they were met with the intimidating sight of a rope bridge swaying gently above a streaming river. Thick ropes stretched from one side to the other, with only thin, uneven planks spaced apart to form a shaky walkway. Just looking at it was enough to make any of them feel a pang of hesitation. They could all swim, sure—swimming was a standard part of their education. But the thought of plunging into the fast-moving river below, even with a net waiting downstream, was enough to keep each of them gripping their harness straps in nervous anticipation.
"Alright, so…who's first?" Hana muttered, her voice barely carrying over the sound of rushing water below.
Her confidence from the climb hadn't completely vanished, but crossing this bridge with the team's current chemistry felt like an entirely different challenge. They'd worked well enough in the climb, each person mostly focused on their ascent. Here, though, they were undeniably connected, their success tied to how well they could support each other.
In-su, ever the strategic thinker, squinted at the ropes and planks, mentally calculating their odds.
"Only a few can go at once. If we all rush out, this bridge is likely to…well, snap," he gestured toward the ropes with a frown. "We need a plan."
Tae-young, the self-assured "lone wolf" of the group, glanced at In-su.
"Right. So, why don't I go first? If I make it across, I'll signal, and then we can work from there."
Hana shot him a dubious look.
"And what if you fall in?"
"I'll get wet, big deal," Tae-young shrugged.
Though he was all bravado, there was an underlying gleam of thrill in his eye. The idea of being out on his own, leading without anyone hovering nearby, seemed to appeal to him. But this wasn't just his game, and they all knew it.
In-su looked between them, considering Tae-young's suggestion before shaking his head.
"We'll try something safer. I'll go first with Chin-hwa. We'll work together across the bridge and use the side ropes for stability. If one of us stumbles, the other can help. We'll do it in pairs. No one goes alone."
Chin-hwa, his longtime friend, gave him an encouraging nod.
"Let's do it. I've got your back."
The two of them approached the edge of the bridge, gripping the ropes tightly as they began to inch forward. The bridge wobbled under their weight, every movement sending a ripple down its length. Behind them, Hana, Tae-young, and Kyu watched in silence, each adjusting their stance as if mentally preparing themselves.
Hana and Kyu exchanged an awkward glance. They weren't exactly friends, but she could tell he was feeling the same tension.
"I guess we'll go together after them," she murmured. Kyu just nodded, his face showing a mixture of nerves and determination.
As In-su and Chin-hwa edged forward, their teamwork became clear. They moved in sync, each instinctively shifting their weight to steady the other. Whenever one of them looked like they might slip, the other would tighten their grip, anchoring them until they could find balance again. Tae-young crossed his arms, muttering something about how slow they were going, but even he had to admit it was working.
When In-su and Chin-hwa finally reached the other side, they both exhaled in relief and gave a thumbs-up to signal the others. Hana and Kyu prepared to go next, exchanging a quick nod as they stepped onto the bridge.
As Team 1 gathered themselves on the opposite side of the rope bridge, each member breathed a sigh of relief. But their reprieve was short-lived. Just as they thought they were safely ahead, a figure emerged from the edge of the forest trail—Joon-ho. And right behind him, there was Soo-jin, then Jin-kyong, with Baek-hyeon and Min-jae bringing up the rear. Team 2 was already across, looking fresh and focused.
"Wait... what?" Hana muttered, her eyes widening in disbelief. Team 2 was supposed to be behind them, trailing along and struggling through their planning. But here they were, standing tall on the far side of the bridge, a good distance ahead of Team 1.
In-su squinted, a slight frown creasing his brow.
"How…did they manage that?"
As they stared, the realization settled in while Team 1 had been strategizing, debating who should go first and how they'd cross, Team 2 had already taken action. They hadn't wasted time overthinking or doubting—they'd simply gone for it.
Unlike Team 1, Team 2 had a natural rhythm. Joon-ho and Soo-jin, childhood friends with an unspoken bond, were comfortable taking the lead. The moment they saw the rope bridge, they exchanged a knowing look. No words were necessary.
"We'll go first," Joon-ho whispered, nodding toward Soo-jin. He didn't have to elaborate—she knew exactly what he meant.
They stepped onto the bridge side by side, easily balancing as they gripped the ropes and made steady progress forward. Their movements were almost synchronized, each instinctively compensating for the other's shift in weight. This was a pattern they'd fallen into naturally over the years, each trusting the other without question.
Behind them, Jin-kyong followed, her roommate's confidence bolstering her own. She didn't have the same long-standing bond as Joon-ho and Soo-jin, but she knew how to rely on Soo-jin's calm presence to keep herself steady.
Meanwhile, Min-jae and Baek-hyeon, the outliers of the group, didn't need much coaxing. Min-jae, practical and unfazed, took the initiative to cross first, setting a solid pace. Baek-hyeon, on the other hand, embraced the challenge with a quiet determination, moving swiftly across after Min-jae, knowing he didn't need anyone else to guide him.
With Joon-ho and Soo-jin's steady leadership, the group navigated the bridge efficiently, crossing in two separate waves and saving valuable time. Their collective decision to act quickly and confidently paid off—they had crossed before Team 1 even realized it.
Realizing how Team 2 had outmanoeuvred them, Tae-young clenched his jaw, the competitive spark in his eyes flickering brighter.
"They just… went for it," he muttered, his tone mixed with frustration and begrudging respect.
In-su chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.
"Looks like we might have underestimated them."
Even Hana couldn't help but smile, a hint of admiration creeping into her expression.
"They're good. Can't deny it."
For Team 1, this unexpected turn lit a fire of motivation within them. They'd let Team 2 take the lead this time, but it was a reminder that quick thinking and trust mattered just as much as careful planning. And with that lesson sinking in, they refocused, eyes set on the path ahead, ready for the next obstacle waiting to test them.