GENIUS'S GAMBIT

Hakim's eyes flickered open to a blinding expanse of white. Disorientation gripped him as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings. "Ugh, where am I?" He was clueless and a bit shocked. Perhaps due to his calm personality, he wasn't too worried about his environment. The last thing he remembered was leaving school, but now he found himself in a sterile room devoid of any discernible features, still clad in his school uniform. The room was about the size of a small apartment bedroom. "Also, where are my other belongings?" He realized that his belongings were not with him.

Heart pounding, Hakim's gaze landed on a small, ominous box sitting on a table before him. Its digital display taunted him with a countdown, each passing second amplifying his mounting panic. "Is that a bomb?" Without warning, a surge of adrenaline propelled him into action.

Relying on instinct honed through years of puzzle-solving, Hakim scanned the room for clues. His fingers traced along the walls, searching for hidden compartments or secret switches. Time was slipping away, each tick of the clock a stark reminder of the danger lurking before him. But with his state, what he done is useless. He cannot find any hint at all.

"I should hurry. I need to think quickly and not be reckless. Remember what your master said to you. When you are in danger, stay calm. You can get out of that danger if your mind is in a calm state." Hakim started to take deep breaths and scanned the room for a second time. This time, he looked at the timing bomb. The bomb showed that he had about ten more minutes before the timer reached zero. Although it was not a short time nor a long time, Hakim needed to make his first try count. If he made a mistake, he would lose his life. That's what Hakim think right now.

Other than the bomb, there was a wire-cutter on the box. It seemed he needed to cut one of the wires on the bomb using the cutter. There were four colored wires on the bomb: white, blue, yellow, and red. But before he should cut any of those wires, he needed to decipher the hint. He remembered what his master always said to him: "Remember, Hakim, every problem in this world has a hint." He had a vision of his master talking to him for a while. His eyes searched around the room.

Then, like a beacon of hope in the darkness, Hakim's keen eyes caught sight of a series of symbols etched into the wall. He saw the number three with a mixture of white, blue, and yellow colors, and there was an X symbol beside that number. He thought for a moment before making a decision. Then, he looked at the cutter's color. "It is red," Hakim said. Then, he started to decipher the clue he had. He sat for a while, looking at the ticking clock. The time showed that he had about three more minutes left. Sweat started to drip from his face. The room was quite hot as it did not have any ventilation. He relaxed his mind for a while before gaining complete confidence.

As Hakim pondered the enigmatic clue before him, his mind raced with possibilities. "If the hint specifies three incorrect colors—white, blue, and yellow—then perhaps the solution lies in their absence," he mused aloud, the pieces of the puzzle slowly falling into place.

With a calculating gaze, he scrutinized the vibrant array of wires before him, his eyes fixating on the crimson hue of the wire cutter in his hand. "Red," he murmured, a spark of realization igniting within him. "It can't be a mere coincidence."

Drawing upon his master's teachings and the years of training that had honed his intellect, Hakim weighed his options with a steady hand and a clear mind. "If red is the key, then cutting the red wire must be the solution," he concluded, his voice infused with newfound resolve.

With the timer ticking down relentlessly, Hakim's fingers moved with practiced precision as he reached for the red wire, his heart pounding in his chest. In that pivotal moment, he trusted in his instincts, knowing that his fate hung in the balance.

As the wire cutter sliced through the crimson strand, a wave of relief washed over him as the countdown ceased, and the room fell silent. Hakim's lips curved into a triumphant smile as he listened to the voice announcing his success, a testament to his intellect and resourcefulness.

"Congratulations, you have completed the puzzle before the countdown ended. You may proceed to the next stage," the voice announced in a low pitch. Suddenly, the box opened, revealing several items inside.

Hakim looked at those item and there is a letter on top of those item. As he opened the letter:

"Congratulations, brave soul. You've proven yourself worthy of progression. But remember, the path ahead is fraught with peril, and only the sharpest minds will prevail. Prepare yourself for the challenges that lie ahead, for your journey has only just begun. You has two choice, surrender at here or continue to the next room. Pick which button you want."

With a sense of trepidation mingled with determination, Hakim took a deep breath and surveyed the contents of the box. Among them, he found a sling bag, a notebook with a pen, a flashlight, and a welcome letter for being at that place. With a steely resolve, he pocketed the items and prepared to face whatever lay ahead. Before proceeding, he noticed two buttons inside the box: one green button labeled 'continue' and one red button labeled 'surrender.'

"I shall not surrender here. I need to learn why I was kidnapped and there's no guarantee I'll be safe if I choose to surrender," Hakim thought wisely. Resolute in his decision, he tapped on the green button, believing it held the answers he sought. Suddenly, a new passage opened before him.

Hakim's voice echoed softly in the empty room as he contemplated his next move. "As you proceed to continue, please follow the path that has been shown in front of you," the announcement repeated, its mechanical tone adding to the surreal atmosphere that surrounded him.

With a nod of determination, Hakim made his decision. "It seems I should follow this path," he muttered to himself, his voice steady despite the turmoil raging within. He approached the doorway leading out of the room, his footsteps echoing in the silence as he ventured into the unknown.

Stepping through the newly revealed passage, Hakim's senses sharpened, his mind racing with anticipation. He knew that each challenge would test not only his intellect but also his courage and resourcefulness. But he was ready.

For Hakim, the adventure had only just begun. And he was determined to emerge victorious, no matter what obstacles stood in his way. With a silent vow echoing in his mind, he ventured forth into the darkness, his destiny awaiting him with bated breath.