Chapter 41: Evaluation

After walking through a 45-meter-long corridor, the five of them finally arrived in a shared space—the entrance to the official game arena.

"Are you okay?"

Wang Yongxin supported Cai Zhiyuan, helping him sit against a corner to rest.

However, Wang Yongxin's own condition was far from good. His original composure and confidence had completely vanished, leaving him drenched in sweat and looking utterly disheveled.

Blood had also seeped into his suit, though not as severely as it had on Cai Zhiyuan.

Cai Zhiyuan shook his head. "I'm alright. It's nothing serious; I shouldn't die."

Wang Yongxin looked at Ding Wenqiang, wanting to say something but hesitating, finally only letting out a silent sigh.

He truly had no standing to reproach the other man.

After all, in "Blood Poker," after re-entering the cubicle and discovering the secret of the chip exchange machine, Wang Yongxin could have left the cubicle to share this news with the others, but in the end, he chose not to.

Wang Yongxin looked up toward the game arena, preparing to listen intently to the official rules of the game.

In the center of the arena, there was a massive four-sided display screen, with a VCR capable of playing old video tapes positioned below it.

In front of the VCR was a locked glass cabinet containing a crown, a golden scepter, and five video tapes, each locked in a separate compartment.

【Ding Wenqiang has obtained the identity of "King." Please swipe your visa to continue the game.】

Ding Wenqiang had originally been looking toward Cai Zhiyuan, his expression hesitant as if wondering whether to step forward to comfort or apologize to him. Upon hearing the prompt, he failed to react immediately.

At that moment, the tall, brutish middle-aged man, Gao Zhankui, had already pushed Ding Wenqiang aside and extended his wristband toward the visa-swiping area.

【Violation detected.】

A violent surge of electricity rang out. Gao Zhankui jerked his left hand back with a piercing scream.

"AAAAAAHHHH—"

He collapsed to his knees, his entire body convulsing. Blue electrical sparks could be clearly seen emanating from the wristband on his left wrist.

【Violators will be deducted 50,000 minutes of visa time. A second violation will result in immediate death.】

Ding Wenqiang had been startled just now, but he now shook his head with a hint of amusement.

To think there were such fools.

These games had all been vetted by the Gallery, selected from the best; there wouldn't be any glaringly obvious low-level loopholes. To try and cheat like that was simply absurdly stupid.

Ding Wenqiang stepped forward and extended his wristband to the visa-swiping area.

With a "click," the glass cabinet unlocked.

Immediately after, the game instructions continued to appear on the screen.

【The scepter before you is the exclusive tool of the King. When you make a legitimate request in accordance with the game process and the other four prisoners refuse to comply, pressing the button on the scepter will administer an electric shock punishment to the prisoner.】

【The video tapes record the crimes of each sinner.】

【Within the arena, there are six different prison cells, each corresponding to a different punishment.】

【You may choose to imprison any sinner in any cell for judgment, but please note:】

【Cells No. 1 and No. 2 are unlocked by default. Once any of these cells is used, Cell No. 3 will unlock, and so on.】

【The initial time for a single judgment in each cell is 10 minutes. As the number of judgments increases, the severity of the judgment will also increase.】

【For most cells, the prisoner will face life-threatening danger by the 3rd judgment.】

【Once a cell and a prisoner are bound, they cannot be changed. Please choose your cells carefully and pass judgment on the sinners with justice.】

【The game ends under either of the following two circumstances:】

【1. Ten judgments have been completed. If there is remaining time at this point, the King may freely decide to end the game immediately or continue until the countdown expires.】

【2. Any special circumstance occurs that makes it impossible for the game to continue.】

【Upon the conclusion of the game, you will be injected with the antidote and granted freedom.】

【Finally, here is a piece of unwelcome advice for the King:】

【Regardless of who you were before, or what your attitude toward this world was, once you become King, you must learn to play your role:】

【You must find the correct advice amidst the chaotic voices, and then, with a heart of justice and compassion, decide the fates of others and your own. For that is the duty of a King.】

【Now, as King, please take out your video tape and make your crimes public first.】

With a "clack," the glass lid of one of the tapes popped open automatically. Written on the tape were three words: Ding Wenqiang.

...

In Lin Sizhi's room, the speakers began to play a continuous stream of broadcast prompts audible only to the audience.

【Audience Member 10 bets on "King."】

【Audience Member 7 bets on "King."】

【Audience Member 8 bets on "King."】

【Audience Member 3 bets on "Prisoner."】

More and more audience members began to place their bets.

Clearly, with the announcement of the game rules, the "King" identity showed a massive advantage.

To bet on the King, one had to be fast, as there were only five slots available.

However, Audience Member 3 still chose the "Prisoner" side. Lin Sizhi remembered him once sending a "Good luck" message to Cai Zhiyuan.

It might have been Officer Cao, or perhaps someone with a strong sense of empathy.

Lin Sizhi looked at the betting buttons on his desk. After some consideration, he also chose to press "Prisoner."

【Audience Member 5 bets on "Prisoner."】

About five seconds passed.

【Audience Member 2 bets on "King."】

【The betting slots for the "King" side are full. Audience Members 4 and 6 will automatically bet on the "Prisoner" side.】

...

Inside the game arena, Ding Wenqiang picked up the golden scepter.

It felt cold and heavy in his hand.

Gripping the scepter firmly, Ding Wenqiang felt a powerful sense of security.

Then, he looked at the crown.

The rules did not mention any use for the crown; it seemed to be merely for show, lacking any practical function.

Just as Ding Wenqiang was hesitating, the thin, blond young man, Zhang Peng, hurried to his side.

"Uncle Ding, how can you do such a thing yourself? Let me do it for you."

As Zhang Peng spoke, he reached for the crown.

Ding Wenqiang froze, nearly pressing the button on the scepter against Zhang Peng.

But in the next second, Zhang Peng respectfully and cautiously placed the crown on Ding Wenqiang's head, then bowed humbly and stepped back.

The heavy crown pressed down on his head, fitting securely. Ding Wenqiang experienced a strange sensation for no apparent reason.

He instinctively wanted to take it off, but on second thought, it was just a game prop. Since his identity within the game was King, there was nothing wrong with wearing the crown to distinguish himself from the others.

It wouldn't be right to just leave the provided props lying to one side.

Ding Wenqiang said nothing more; he simply picked up the nearby video tape and inserted it into the VCR.

A moment later, static flickered across the large screen before a first-person perspective appeared.

A dispassionate narration began.

【As a courier, you work 10 hours every day. You consider yourself diligent, yet life remains a struggle.】

【To support your family, you have no choice but to wander through the city with a weary body.】

【Until that accident changed everything.】

【You may have many reasons—perhaps you were forced to drive while fatigued to complete a delivery, or perhaps you were recently robbed and beaten by masked thugs, leaving your left eye swollen and your vision impaired. But regardless, you are the direct party responsible for that accident.】

【Though you have already paid the price, do you still see that blood-stained face in your countless midnight dreams?】

The footage on the screen shook slightly and became somewhat blurry, suggesting the driver was extremely drowsy, perhaps even nodding off.

However, in the next second, a yellow figure on an electric scooter abruptly appeared ahead!

The piercing screech of brakes rang out, but it was already too late. The figure slammed into the windshield and was thrown far away.

The video ended, and Ding Wenqiang's file appeared on the large screen.

【Ding Wenqiang, Male, 53 years old.】

【Occupation: Large-item Courier】

【While driving in a state of fatigue, he struck a food delivery rider who had run a red light on an electric scooter, resulting in the rider's death.】

【Sentencing: Sentenced to 1 year and 3 months in prison for causing a traffic accident, with a 2-year suspended sentence (has compensated the family 400,000 RMB and obtained their forgiveness).】

The arena fell silent.

Zhang Peng couldn't help but glance at Ding Wenqiang before quickly averting his eyes.

As for Ding Wenqiang, he kept his head slightly lowered, avoiding everyone's gaze, but his somewhat stiff expression betrayed his inner thoughts to some extent.

Even though he had prepared himself more or less in advance, having a deeply buried wound suddenly ripped open still caused severe discomfort.

"Uncle Ding, it wasn't your fault. It was just an accident," Cai Zhiyuan said, his voice hoarse as he tried to offer comfort. His condition seemed to have improved slightly.

However, Ding Wenqiang ignored him. He simply kept a stern face and said to the other four, "Everyone, get up and move forward!

"The game is still continuing!"

(End of Chapter)