Chapter 42: Running from Exhaustion

Gao Zhankui, with his face full of coarse flesh, glared at Ding Wenqiang, his eyes filled with a hint of mockery and apparent defiance.

"I don't want to say it a second time!"

Visibly irritable, Ding Wenqiang raised his scepter and pointed it at Gao Zhankui.

Reluctantly, Gao Zhankui began walking toward the first cell.

Zhang Peng followed closely behind, while Cai Zhiyuan followed at the very rear, supported by Wang Yongxin.

After walking a short distance, the group arrived at the first cell within the formal arena.

There were six cells in total, arranged roughly in a circular layout, with only an opening left at the entrance where the group had come from. The large screen and the glass cabinet containing the videotapes were positioned in the center of the circle.

From the outside, they were unmistakably cells, each measuring about ten square meters, equipped with iron bars and cell doors.

A screen was also located at the entrance of each cell, displaying the introduction to that cell's game.

【Cell No. 1: Running for One's Life】

【The criminal is forced to push a horizontal bar. Each full rotation earns 10 minutes of visa time. If they stop, they will receive an electric shock punishment.】

【In subsequent games, the intensity of the electric shock will increase incrementally.】

The group then looked at the adjacent cell.

【Cell No. 2: Hanging the Streetlight】

【The criminal is suspended by a noose. While standing on tiptoe, their feet will not be completely suspended in the air. Every minute earns 1,000 minutes of visa time. After 10 minutes, the mechanism will automatically release.】

【In subsequent games, the game duration increases by 5 minutes.】

Furthermore, Cells No. 3, 4, 5, and 6 were located further away, but these cells were currently locked, and the screens displayed no information regarding their games.

According to the rules, a prisoner would only unlock Cell No. 3 after entering either Cell No. 1 or Cell No. 2.

The cell doors stood open, like a monster with its mouth agape, waiting for a willing victim to take the bait.

In addition, a line of prompt information was displayed in a conspicuous position.

【Trials Completed: 0/10】

Ding Wenqiang's gaze swept across the faces of the other four. It was clear that someone had to be the unlucky soul to enter a cell before the third cell could be unlocked.

Finally, his eyes settled on Gao Zhankui.

At the moment, Ding Wenqiang had no clear plan, but Wang Yongxin and Cai Zhiyuan were players from the 17th Community after all. They were acquaintances who saw each other often, creating a natural sense of closeness compared to the other two.

More importantly, during the previous "Farmer's Walk" game, Ding Wenqiang felt a certain degree of guilt toward Wang Yongxin and Cai Zhiyuan.

Zhang Peng had little presence, so the role of the first unlucky victim naturally fell to Gao Zhankui.

From the very beginning, Ding Wenqiang had held a very poor impression of him.

Not to mention that Gao Zhankui had just attempted to usurp his authority.

"You, go in," Ding Wenqiang said coldly.

Gao Zhankui's eyes bulged with defiance, but upon seeing the scepter in Ding Wenqiang's hand, he ultimately swallowed the words at the tip of his tongue.

The rules were stated clearly: within the bounds of the game rules, Ding Wenqiang could make any demand of the four of them, and they could not disobey.

Otherwise, Ding Wenqiang could use the scepter to electrocute him until he died.

However, just as Gao Zhankui was sulking and contemplating which cell would be better to enter, a weak voice rang out.

"Uncle Ding, wait a moment."

"I think... I'll take the first cell."

Ding Wenqiang froze and turned to see that it was Cai Zhiyuan, supported by Wang Yongxin, who was speaking.

Cai Zhiyuan still looked quite wretched, but fortunately, his wounds were no longer bleeding heavily and were beginning to scab over; his spirits seemed much improved as well.

"You should rest first," Ding Wenqiang said, shaking his head slightly.

Clearly, the games—or rather, the punishments—in these two cells required a certain level of physical fitness.

Cai Zhiyuan's current physical state was concerning, and Ding Wenqiang feared he might die inside before even completing the game.

Cai Zhiyuan shook his head. "Uncle Ding, haven't you noticed?

"The games in these cells aren't arranged randomly; they carry a certain symbolism.

"The rules also stated that you must make us undergo a 'just trial.' This means the content of the games must be related to our crimes."

He pointed to the first cell. "'Running for One's Life'—isn't that the fate of a beast of burden?"

Wang Yongxin remained silent for a moment. "But... that doesn't seem to have anything to do with so-called crimes. What do you think your crime is?"

Cai Zhiyuan sighed. "How should I know! I'm just a law-abiding programmer. I even say thank you to delivery drivers when I pick up my food. I work 996 every day, working overtime until I collapse into bed at home. What crime could I have committed?

"If I had to say, I work on big data algorithms. I use virtual algorithms to corral many low-level laborers just like me, dangling a carrot in front of them so they grind the mill tirelessly.

"Now that I am locked in such a cage, grinding the mill incessantly for a pittance, I suppose it is my just desert."

Ding Wenqiang looked at him in silence for a moment. "Whether it is your just desert or not will only be known once we watch the videotape."

As he spoke, Ding Wenqiang returned to the center of the arena.

Although Cai Zhiyuan claimed to be merely a law-abiding programmer, it was obvious that no one would fully believe such a claim.

After all, these five were sinners selected by the Corridor; no one was absolutely innocent.

Ding Wenqiang pressed the button for Cai Zhiyuan's recording. With a *click*, the glass lid opened, and the videotape popped out.

He picked up Cai Zhiyuan's tape and inserted it into the player.

【As an excellent programmer, you are highly proficient in various algorithms and skilled at using programs to optimize human behavior and calculate human value.】

【The layoff program you developed caused countless people to be terminated at age 35, stripping them of the jobs they used to support their families.】

【The pathfinding algorithm you developed continuously exploits the limits of delivery drivers, forcing them to run themselves ragged just to earn a meager reward.】

【From the very beginning, you knew exactly what kind of results the algorithm would lead to, yet you still spent countless days and nights iterating and improving it to reach what you considered "perfection."】

【You worked hard to avoid feeling too much guilt, repeatedly telling yourself that you were merely developing tools—sharp knives—and that those who used them to kill were the wicked bosses.】

【You said it was just an ordinary job, and you were simply fulfilling your duties.】

【But deep in your heart, you knew you were only lying to yourself; you were an accomplice to evil.】

【If one day you also fall into a fatal web, will you be able to accept your loss with composure?】

In the footage, Cai Zhiyuan worked day and night in front of a computer, but judging by his excited and happy expressions after every successful iteration of the program, his heart was filled with pride and self-satisfaction.

Then, the video ended, and Cai Zhiyuan's file appeared on the large screen.

【Cai Zhiyuan, Male, 28 years old.】

【Occupation: Algorithm Programmer.】

【Primary responsibility: Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Algorithm Development. The "City-Wide Delivery" system he led in development has been adopted by multiple delivery companies.】

【Verdict: Not yet tried.】

Ding Wenqiang fell silent for a moment, then pressed the buttons for Wang Yongxin and Gao Zhankui.

Unfortunately, the buttons remained unresponsive.

【After one more trial is conducted, two videotapes may be unlocked at will.】

Ding Wenqiang hesitated, but ultimately looked toward Cai Zhiyuan.

"Go on then."

(End of Chapter)