Layer by layer, the system gave way.
Not abruptly.
Not violently.
Each defense fell because it was understood.
Authentication loops unraveled.
Behavioral filters normalized.
Segmented nodes aligned into a single, navigable path.
PK was close.
Very close.
Elsewhere in the network, the twin pair—Lana and Luna—were advancing as well. Their approach was elegant, precise. They weren't rushing, and they weren't guessing.
They understood the architecture.
Among all the teams, only three were still truly in contention.
The rest were behind—some hopelessly so.
As the timer crossed the two-hour mark, expectation settled across the observers' dashboards. The first finalist was already decided. The second would emerge soon—most assumed it would be one of the established teams.
Then something changed.
A previously quiet identifier surged forward.
Mr.Fool
In a span too short to fully track, the remaining layers collapsed.
Access was gained.
The command was authenticated.
The launch protocol accepted the input.
The second virtual rocket fired.
Confirmation echoed across the system.
Finalist secured.
Silence followed—then reactions.
PK leaned back, breathing heavily.
His fingers ached.
The laptop's fan screamed in protest.
He allowed himself a small smile.
Still—his thoughts were already critical.
With better hardware, this would have ended sooner.
Cleaner.
Faster.
He exhaled slowly, closing his eyes for a moment.
The round was over.
The finals awaited.
And now—
Everyone would remember the name they hadn't seen coming.