Chapter 226: Death Game 1 (Revised)

Tap, tap.

In the dark corridor, Lin Xian's footsteps echoed; he walked for a while, watching the light stretch ahead as if it had no end—and the situation differed from his expectations. As he pressed forward, water stains appeared on the floor, growing steadily until the marble surface transformed into white tiles. Splash, splash.

The sound of water surged around him. Lin Xian stared at the white tiles beneath his feet, feeling as though he'd stepped into some vast pool. As he advanced, the pooling water rose from a few centimeters to submerging his ankles. Then, the corridor walls ahead finally vanished—he had reached its end.

Lin Xian frowned, reached out, and removed the lamp to shine it forward—but ahead lay only deep darkness, waves rippling across the surface. Before him was a massive enclosed swimming pool, over a thousand square meters in area, its walls entirely tiled with clean white porcelain.

Beneath the water, the floor vanished just a few meters ahead, replaced by a handrail. Beyond that handrail, the once-clear water had turned a strange, unnatural black—its depths utterly bottomless.

Under the lamp's glow, a yellow inflatable ring floated gently on the black surface. Lin Xian scanned the surroundings and realized that, except for his position, there was no land anywhere—only towering walls of white porcelain.

Cold water lapped at his ankles, as if charged with some strange force, pulling him toward the abyss ahead.

"What the hell is this place…"

He had already scanned the corridor and found no complex machinery. Who knew that after walking half an hour, he'd find nothing—only this enormous pool at the end?

And it looked like an endless pit straight into hell.

…

In the institute's monitoring hall, the staff wore complex expressions. Several turned to look at the safety director, Feng Chun, who now wore a grim, almost feverish expression.

"Director Feng, the target has entered the Black Pool."

"Release Black Abyss No. 1 organism. Initiate water inflow. Flood the corridor!" Feng Chun said sharply.

"What?" The researchers stared, dumbfounded.

"This… could it…"

"Obey the order. Today, we must extract valuable data from the target!"

"Understood." The researchers, faces grim, began executing the brutal command.

Click-click, Lin Xian instantly constructed an extending bracket along the corridor's edge, thrusting the lamp forward to illuminate a wider area. Simultaneously, he stepped to the edge of the silver handrail and peered down into the water.

Suddenly, a massive shadow flashed beneath the surface—coiled like a serpent, utterly black, stirring a hidden current that brushed against his submerged feet, as if trying to drag him down…

"Shit!"

At the terrifying sight, Lin Xian instinctively stepped back two paces. His frantic footsteps sent splashing echoes through the silent space, creating an uncanny, surreal atmosphere.

"Something's down there?"

Lin Xian's face darkened. He scanned the area. As seconds ticked by, he had no idea how to escape—until he looked up and spotted, dozens of meters above the deep pool, a structure resembling a diving platform, behind which lay a small dark door.

Meanwhile, beneath the lamp's flickering light, he noticed a narrow path submerged just ahead.

More than a path, it was a series of slender vertical pillars standing beneath the water's surface, each also tiled with white porcelain. Each pillar could barely support one foot. Between them lay gaps of roughly one meter, stretching all the way to the far wall of the black pool, where narrow staircases jutted outward from the wall itself.

It seemed he had to step across these submerged pillars, walking across the bottomless black water, until he reached the far wall—and then climb the stairs.

Without the lamp, he'd be groping blindly across a pitch-black abyss, leaping from pillar to pillar into the unknown.

Beneath his feet, the pillars vanished into the dark water—no bottom in sight. And something alive seemed to glide below.

"Who the hell thought of this?"

Lin Xian's heart sank. Honestly, he was starting to feel uneasy.

A vast, endless deep pool in a claustrophobic space—darkness, silence, rippling black water, unknown aquatic creatures.

It would absolutely shatter a person's sanity.

At that moment, Lin Xian noticed the black water, once at his ankles, had now risen to his calves—bone-chilling cold. The corridor echoed with surging waves.

"The water's rising?"

…

On the other side, the researchers' monitors focused on every corner: the water surface, the narrow stairs, the pillars, and the elevated diving platform above.

"Black water rise rate increased to Level 3. According to timing, the target has only three minutes to reach the wall. Then we can activate Level 5 rise speed."

"Vital signs: target's heart rate has risen to 105. It's about to break 110," reported the researcher monitoring vital signs.

"He's definitely scared now," Feng Chun exhaled, his gaze fixed on the corridor entrance on the monitor. "In three minutes, he won't even be able to stand on the water—he'll have to swim."

The corridor extended like a giant pipe, its end precisely at the center of the massive circular deep pool.

Feng Chun stared intently at the pipe's mouth—but after a long while, no sign of Lin Xian emerged.

He frowned.

"What's going on? Why hasn't he moved yet? The water's already rising!"

"Unclear. No internal corridor surveillance."

"Huh? Did he retreat?"

"No. Vital sign monitors still detect the target's presence. He's still in the scene."

Feng Chun's face grew anxious again. He checked his watch: "Two minutes left. If he doesn't move now, he'll never find the way."

One researcher frowned in confusion: "He… he's not thinking of just waiting for the water to rise and float up, is he?"

"Impossible," Feng Chun said firmly. "Once he enters the black water, he won't survive a minute. Black Abyss No. 1 will swallow him. No escape."

"The corridor will be fully flooded in one minute!" another researcher shouted.

Feng Chun's expression darkened again. His eyes locked on the corridor's end, now filled with rushing black water—yet still no figure appeared.

"Report: target's body temperature is dropping. Heart rate has returned to 80."

"Damn it, what the hell is he doing?" Feng Chun muttered, frowning.

Just then, a researcher suddenly shouted: "He… he's out!!"

"Where?"

At this, many—including Feng Chun—turned to the corridor entrance. But no one was there.

"No one?"

"There!" The researcher pointed at the monitor, as if seeing a ghost. "He's… on top of the corridor."

Feng Chun immediately switched screens—and his pupils shrank sharply. He saw a vision he could never have imagined.

Behind the corridor's ceiling, an opening had appeared—now a lift platform rose from within. Lin Xian stood upon it, like riding an elevator, slowly ascending to the edge of the diving platform above.

Another monitor showed the same scene: a calm young man rose from the platform, stepped forward, and swiftly entered the dark passage behind, leaving the black pool.

"What the—?!" Feng Chun stared, utterly bewildered. "An elevator?"

The expected scene—target leaping across submerged pillars, desperately fleeing the underwater monster along the narrow wall stairs—never happened.

Instead, the rising elevator had left the researchers speechless.

Even if Lin Xian had flown, they might have rationalized it—he was an ability user, after all.

But where the hell did the elevator come from?

"Director, the target's mechanical ability… doesn't match our understanding," said a researcher, dazed.

Feng Chun stood frozen, then slowly regained composure, his voice heavy:

"Miss Hua once mentioned the target demonstrated the ability to fabricate metal devices… but this…"

Fabricating metal devices and building a working elevator from nothing were two entirely different things.

"Director, the target is approaching the survival chamber. Please confirm which mode to activate?"

Feng Chun snapped back to attention, eyes flickering, then gritted his teeth: "Since he controls and constructs machinery, activate Survival Chamber No. 3. Even if he bypasses it, we'll still extract useful data."

"Understood!" The researchers immediately input the command.

Meanwhile, Lin Xian advanced down the corridor and soon spotted a brightly lit room ahead.

Huh… huh…

The flashlight beam swayed in the dark corridor as Lin Xian breathed heavily, sprinting forward. The passage widened; ahead, bright light spilled out. He narrowed his eyes and accelerated, bursting through.

Whirr—the moment he entered the spacious, luminous space, a deafening ringing filled his ears. His chest tightened. He gasped for air.

He had no time to process his discomfort. His eyes scanned the room: a vast, empty, brilliantly white chamber. No objects. Only the floor and walls glowed with white light.

In the distance stood a door—utterly ordinary. Lin Xian stepped toward it, then realized: no handle. No lock. Just a door-shaped apparatus.

Clank! Clank!

From beneath the floor on either side, structures began rising. Lin Xian raised his blade, alert. What emerged were two enormous transparent green-capsuled chambers—one on each side. As the liquid inside rose, two strange creatures appeared.

One resembled a sea star—about one meter in diameter, covered in long, needle-like black spines that filled the entire chamber. Its center bristled with black eyes, grotesque and unnatural.

The other resembled the white monstrosity Lin Xian had encountered in Jiang City, but smaller. Its limbs were slender. It crouched at the bottom of the liquid chamber, hugging its knees, head buried between them. For some reason, it simply sat like that—yet radiated intense danger.

Lin Xian frowned. He didn't need to guess—these two were not meant for observation.

Without hesitation, he walked straight toward the 'door'.

The instant his hand touched the door, a red alarm blared throughout the room: Woooo—Woooo—Woooo—

【Countdown initiated. 5 minutes remaining.】

Lin Xian turned. The green liquid in both chambers was slowly draining—like a timer. He immediately understood. His mechanical heart activated, scanning the door's interior.

As the scan progressed, his frown deepened.

It was indeed a door—but an intricately complex mechanical one. Twelve mechanical locks, each interlocked, connected to twelve switches behind the door. After scanning, he was utterly baffled. This mechanism wasn't designed for efficiency—it was designed to confuse.

Lin Xian now confirmed his suspicion: all this was arranged to test his mechanical ability.

And those two creatures? Just for entertainment.

"Make me unlock it…"

Lin Xian's heart sank. His mechanical heart activated.

Woooo—Woooo—

The alarm blared continuously. The green liquid in the chambers continued to drain. When it dropped by half, the first chamber's sea-star spines began to stir, scraping against the walls with a grating, squealing sound.

【Countdown: 3 minutes remaining.】

In the bright room, several researchers watched the monitor, their eyes fixed on Lin Xian.

"Report test progress."

"Escape door opening progress: 0%"

"What's going on? None of the locks have been opened?"

"Wait a little longer."

"Countdown remaining: 1 minute"

"Report: Escape door opening progress: 0%"

"Huh? What's happening? Did he give up?"

"Quick, notify Miss Hua."

Hua Xiaoling stood before a silver door, clad in a black coat; behind that door was the room where Lin Xian was located.

At that moment, her earpiece transmitted a report from a subordinate.

"Director Hua, one minute remains. Escape door opening progress is zero. Should we initiate emergency protocol?"

Hua Xiaoling's gaze did not waver; she said nothing, only silently watching the door ahead.

"Countdown remaining: 10 seconds"

"Escape door opening progress: 0%. It's impossible to open now." Feng Chun, the security chief, turned pale.

Creak!

Inside the glass chamber, the green liquid had drained completely; the giant starfish still writhed, its spines twitching as it emitted strange cries, while the white humanoid monster slowly lifted its head.

Hua Xiaoling's eyes began to flicker with doubt, and at that moment, the experiment's countdown began.

10, 9, 8

7, 6, 5

4

3

2

1

In the final second, the silver door before Hua Xiaoling suddenly turned to ash; a storm of gray particles flew past her face. She instinctively reached out, catching a wisp of ash in her palm—only for it to dissolve instantly into finer dust, vanishing into the air.

Watching this, her eyes widened in shock. She looked up—and a slender figure appeared before her.

"We meet again."

A blade settled against Hua Xiaoling's neck; the sharp electric edge sheared off a few strands of hair, letting them drift gently to the floor.

Click-click-click-click.

In an instant, dozens of armed personnel behind her raised their weapons, all aiming at Lin Xian.

The targeting dots of the room's automated cannons also settled on Lin Xian's forehead.

Yet Lin Xian's expression did not change; he stared coldly at Hua Xiaoling.

"If I don't see my teammates within one minute, you'll die."

Hua Xiaoling looked at Lin Xian—not with fear, but with a flicker of longing and eagerness deep in her gaze. She slowly raised her hand, and behind her, everyone lowered their weapons. Then she signaled to her assistant, who pressed a command on a mobile terminal; another door opened not far behind Lin Xian.

Boom!

An invisible shockwave surged forth, hurling a group of researchers out from within.

Kiki stepped out, saw Lin Xian, and her tense expression finally relaxed.

"Lin Xian!"

Hua Xiaoling glanced at the researchers groaning on the floor, her expression still calm.

"Since I invited you, your teammates are naturally our guests."

"Guests?"

Lin Xian sneered: "Is this how you treat your guests?"

Hua Xiaoling shrugged helplessly: "First, although the Qing Shui Town test site was illegally breached by you, I admit we conducted psychic tests on you without your consent—that I apologize for. But… normally, our partners don't enter the research facility from that location."

She added, her brow shifting: "Nor do they install trackers on my car."

Lin Xian's expression changed slightly. He slowly lowered the electric blade and said: "You're right. But you didn't tell me the exact location of your invitation, so I had to use my own method."

Hua Xiaoling smiled faintly, seemingly unconcerned, and asked: "Mr. Lin, may I ask how you opened the final password door?"

Password door? I didn't even crack a single password, Lin Xian thought coldly. Why waste time on passwords when mechanical assimilation is simpler? Do you really think I'm stupid enough to spend five minutes decoding when I could just devour it?

Though the mechanical door was small, no matter how complex, it couldn't compare to an engine. To Lin Xian, this was like devouring a train car—just another material to consume, no difficulty at all.

He had no interest in answering her question. He spoke directly: "Enough. I broke into your facility, and you ran tests on me. Now tell me your purpose."

"I already said it: we want to cooperate with you," Hua Xiaoling replied.

"And if I refuse?" Lin Xian said, already anticipating the answer.

Hua Xiaoling smiled, narrowing her eyes, and pointed toward a corridor: "Cooperation requires mutual willingness. If Mr. Lin declines, you're free to leave anytime. We won't restrict your freedom."

She gestured gracefully: "Or, if you have time, I could introduce you to our Foundation first?"

Lin Xian and Kiki exchanged glances. Since they were here, they might as well learn more.

So the two followed Hua Xiaoling into the research facility.

Hua Xiaoling led Lin Xian and Kiki into an elevator descending underground.

Lin Xian had completely underestimated the scale of this facility. Beyond the large test chambers, nearly all research infrastructure was buried deep underground.

"Lin Xian," Kiki whispered beside him, "Did they mistreat you?"

Lin Xian shook his head. He was surprised by some of the research underway here—some even involved strange entities.

"Why can't you see this entire facility from outside?" Lin Xian asked Hua Xiaoling, who led the way.

Hua Xiaoling replied: "Our test site is built inside a sky-dome. The outer surface is coated with reflective panels that project optical illusions of the surrounding landscape, making the entire facility invisible from the outside."

Kiki gasped, mouth open: "My god, so your test site is completely invisible?"

Lin Xian asked curiously: "This facility doesn't look newly built. Was it constructed before the Awakening Day?"

The facility included both above-ground and underground structures, plus an entire small town and sky-dome. Such massive construction couldn't have been completed in months—it would be unbelievable. Around places like Underground City 9, you could see clear construction traces. Here, there were none.

Hua Xiaoling said directly: "This was originally a joint multinational war and biochemical testing base built by the Foundation. Due to its government backing, early construction was top-secret and unknown to the public."

"Before the Eternal Night arrived, the facility's security level was still safe. If you wish, you may rest here longer—we can provide any assistance you need."

"I advise you to prepare thoroughly. What lies ahead beyond the Star Abyss's edge includes countless disasters you cannot anticipate."

"Why does it sound like you know a lot about the Night?" Lin Xian frowned. "What exactly is your Foundation?"

Kiki added: "Yeah, what are you testing these monsters for?"

Hua Xiaoling suddenly stopped and turned back, gazing meaningfully at Lin Xian and Kiki.

"To save humanity."

Lin Xian and Kiki fell silent.

"I'd like to ask you both: Do you think the arrival of darkness is destruction—or opportunity?"

"Opportunity?" Lin Xian frowned. "Almost everyone's dead. Where's the opportunity?"

Hua Xiaoling walked on as she spoke: "Mr. Lin, as a mechanical psychic, you must understand machinery well. In mechanical engineering, there's a basic principle: among machines of equal efficiency, simpler structures have higher stability and lower failure rates. Apply this to sociology or civilization—the more complex an organization's internal structure, the higher its communication costs, and the lower its efficiency. Under the same civilizational level, the civilization with the simpler, more efficient structure will always outperform and replace the more complex one."

"Thus, the scientific community generally believes higher-dimensional civilizations must possess vastly superior production efficiency—already a dimensional strike against humanity."

Kiki looked bewildered: "What are you even trying to say?"

Hua Xiaoling led them to a room at the end of a corridor. After entering a password, the door opened. Inside were rows of seats facing a floor-to-ceiling one-way window, now completely dark, obscuring whatever lay beyond.

"Our research facility has a test related to this. If you're interested, you may observe—it might help you understand what I mean."

"Another test?" Lin Xian looked at Hua Xiaoling. "What now?"

Hua Xiaoling smiled faintly: "Don't worry—this test has nothing to do with you two. You're merely observers."

She gestured for them to sit. Then, as if remembering something, she turned to Lin Xian.

"By the way, this test has another purpose. If you're interested later, I'll explain in detail." She turned and clapped her hands.

Click~

The room's lights went out. The black window before them flickered, then became transparent.

Only then did Lin Xian and Kiki see: outside the window was a vast, empty chamber. On their side, eight individual cells appeared.

The lights in the eight cells turned on in sequence, like secret interrogation rooms in a police station. Each cell had black glass on both sides, a wall behind, and a transparent floor-to-ceiling window in front.

The interiors were identical: metal stools, metal tables. Eight people, dressed differently, lay unconscious, wrists shackled in silver manacles—some prone, some supine.

Beyond the glass lay a vast black void; the room's faint light couldn't penetrate its depths—it looked terrifyingly profound.

As each cell's light activated, photosensitive reactions caused some prisoners to twitch their eyelids, sensing something strange, slowly awakening.

Lin Xian and Kiki watched this scene—and their expressions changed instantly.

"What… what is this?" Kiki gasped.

"A fascinating scientific experiment," Hua Xiaoling said calmly.

Lin Xian's gaze sharpened. He glanced at Hua Xiaoling beside him, then returned his eyes to the room ahead.

The nearest cell, No. 7, held a young man with messy hair. He seemed the first to awaken, staring blankly at his surroundings.

From his horrified eyes, it was clear this situation was utterly beyond his expectations.

"What the hell?"

The young man muttered under his breath.

He looked at his manacles, turned pale, and immediately began struggling violently.

But in the next instant, a crackle of electricity came—buzz!

The manacles suddenly writhed like living things, clamping down on his wrists as a massive electric current surged through him!

"AHHH!!!"

Stinging, numbness, worse than death!

The young man clenched his teeth, barely holding back unconsciousness—as if under some punishment—the current suddenly vanished after a surge of agony.

After catching his breath, the young man now realized he was restrained.

At that moment, the others in the surrounding rooms also woke up. Swish!

A faint sound—the glass partitions between rooms instantly turned transparent—everyone jumped in shock, staring wildly and fearfully at their companions; the handcuffs on one woman triggered a scream.

"Ahh!!!"

"Let me go!!" a man shouted loudly.

"Qiao Min! Qiao Min!"

While everyone else was clueless about why they were here, a man around thirty seemed to recognize someone familiar.

He stretched his neck and shouted toward the third room on his right.

"Huh?! Husband!"

A young, beautiful woman heard the call and immediately responded.

The two were married.

"Damn it, where the hell is this?!" shouted a middle-aged man in Room 2, dressed neatly, his voice hysterical.

The bizarre scene left everyone disoriented.

!

Hollow~

A large lamp suddenly lit up; an eerie sound instantly silenced everyone in the room.

Looking ahead, beyond the glass wall lay a massive chamber—no floor below, only an endless abyss.

At that moment, within the hollow room, a massive red head flickered into view, slowly descending—it wore a strange black hat, like a holographic projection.

Simultaneously, a monstrous, guttural voice echoed again.

"Hello."

"It is my honor to notify you all as special experimenters for tonight's Institution No. 2. You've surely noticed your current situation. I'm pleased to meet you. Allow me to introduce myself—I am the 'Hatter,' host of this game."

The scene before them was undeniably eerie—a giant red head that sent chills down the spine.

The middle-aged man in Room 2 was clearly hot-tempered; he snapped back and slammed his fist on the table.

"No! I don't want to participate! Let me out! I quit! I quit!"

Zzzzz!

A high-voltage electric current surged—followed instantly by a scream.

"Ahhhh!!!!"

The handcuffs on the middle-aged man unleashed a massive current; his entire body stiffened, muscles taut, as he howled in agony.

Boom! At that moment, in Room 6 beside the young man, a bald, fat man suddenly roared—his skin turned gray like granite, then he yanked violently, trying to snap the handcuffs.

Lin Xian and Kiki's gazes sharpened—this guy was an ability user!

Just as everyone thought the thin handcuffs would snap easily, the fat man met the same fate as the middle-aged man.

The handcuffs tightened like slender snakes, shattering the granite skin inch by inch!

Pfft!

In an instant, blood gushed—skin burst open—a scream rang out!

"Ahh!!!"

Meanwhile, the giant red head watched silently from ahead, wearing a sinister smile.

Everyone was stunned. They stared at their own handcuffs; unease began spreading through their hearts.

"Don't struggle—these have mechanisms!" said a thin, young man in Room 4, dressed in tattered outdoor gear; his cracked lips showed severe dehydration.

Satisfied with the sudden silence, the red head continued speaking.

"If you're ready, the game may begin."

The moment he finished, panic erupted.

"Game… w-what game?"

"What do you want us to do?!"

"Where is this place? Some kind of lab?"

"Are you human or ghost?!"

Lin Xian noticed the young man in Room 7 ahead remained silent, his gaze constantly scanning the surroundings and people—he seemed far calmer than the others. Meanwhile, Lin Xian began observing the occupants of all eight rooms.

The man in Room 1 who tried to stand and greet the woman in Room 3 wore square-framed glasses, around thirty, with a scholarly air.

The middle-aged man in Room 2 was odd—under the apocalypse, he was impeccably dressed, flushed with health, nothing like a refugee.

The woman in Room 3 was likely the wife of the glasses-wearing man in Room 1; her face was terrified, eyes darting nervously around, trembling.

The thin young man in Room 4 looked young, destitute—clearly struggling to survive in the apocalypse.

The woman in Room 5 had golden hair, relatively calm, with an air of distinction.

Room 6 held the ability user who had turned his skin to rock—a bald, fat man in his forties, now pale and wracked with pain.

The young man ahead in Room 7 had a girl in Room 8 to his right—she looked young, hair messy, filthy all over.

The girl had kept her head lowered, but now, hearing the voices around her, she slowly lifted it.

Lin Xian looked—and saw her features were exquisitely refined; despite her grimy face, her beauty could not be hidden.

At that moment, Lin Xian looked toward Hua Xiaoling—he understood: under the apocalypse, this research institute had gathered a group of people for some kind of experimental game.

"What's the point of showing us this?" Lin Xian asked directly.

"Don't be nervous," Hua Xiaoling said calmly. "This is merely one of our institute's projects. You only need to remain quiet as observers."

Lin Xian and Kiki both sensed a subtle tension in each other's eyes.

Watching the survivors outside undergo this experimental game felt deeply strange.

…

Below, in the experimental hall.

"I can see everyone shares a common question."

The red holographic head vanished; deep within the abyss chamber, a light turned on—now everyone saw a massive glass display case.

Inside the case lay a mountain of supplies—food, water, weapons, even household items piled high!

Everyone's pupils shrank; their thoughts froze.

"These supplies are enough to sustain one person for ten years. This will be the reward for the game's winner," the red head reappeared.

"Then… what happens to those who don't win?"

Someone asked, panicked.

Others snapped out of their shock at the supply mountain, eyes fixed anxiously ahead.

The red phantom seemed alive, as if it could "stare" at them all.

"According to the rules, eliminated players will be executed immediately."

At these words, everyone's faces turned pale!

Are you kidding?!

"No! No! No! I don't want to play! I quit! Let me out!!"

The young man in Room 4 panicked at this, screaming in terror.

Zzzzz!

Another nerve-jarring electric current surged.

The young man trembled violently, contorted in a grotesque spasm.

Instantly, a stench of burnt flesh rose from his body.

"Uhhhh~"

The current ceased. The once-vigorous young man now slumped in his chair, foaming at the mouth, eyes wide with terror as he stared at the red head, gasping, too afraid to speak again.

Everyone was terrified by the sight.

Any hint of resistance would bring punishment.

Now all fell silent; no one dared speak, fearing they'd be next.

"Oh~ It seems you're all smart people. This makes me even more eager."

The red head chuckled, its voice dripping with malice.

"Now, I announce the first game: 【Leap】."

Its words struck like a hammer on every heart. The red head vanished again.

Boom!

The floor of the chamber ahead slowly rose—it was made of square black metal, beneath it mechanical structures; all heard clanking sounds as the square tiles rose and fell, revealing gaping holes.

Everyone instantly understood.

Like in early video games—if you missed your step, you fell to your death.

"Allow me to explain: the game is called 'Leap.' As the name suggests, you must jump onto solid ground, one tile at a time, until you cross the entire chamber—then you succeed."

Lin Xian frowned—he'd been observing closely. Though the disappearing floor sections seemed random, their timing and support patterns were perfectly synchronized.

Roughly every five seconds, the pattern shifted—and the gaps were consistently smaller than the solid areas.

In other words, if you timed your jumps within those five-second intervals, it should be simple.

The eight below—including Kiki—shared Lin Xian's assessment: while this game tested psychological resilience and reflexes, the difficulty seemed low.

But the red head's next words left everyone utterly stunned.

"Additional clarification: participants in this game volunteer voluntarily, and only one person may enter. Upon entering the room, their eyes will be blindfolded, and they will receive hints from the remaining seven rooms in an unknown sequence to make jumps."

What kind of bizarre game is this?

"Wait—blindfolded?? That means if someone outside gives the wrong hint, the participant dies?!"

The man in Room 1 wearing glasses spoke, his face filled with panic.

"Yes. If you succeed, all eight of you will gain survival and freedom. If you fail, the rewards will go to the 【Murderer】, who will also gain survival and freedom. The rest will proceed to the next game."

The red head's voice pierced their hearts like a cold steel needle.

This game was nothing like anyone had imagined!

"What? Is it really that simple? If we succeed, we all get to leave??" The man in Room 1 immediately spoke.

"It doesn't sound that hard."

Seeing her husband speak, the woman in Room 3 gathered courage and added: "What's more important than life? If we all cooperate, we'll all be free right away!"

"Wait—can the eight of us communicate and discuss?"

At that moment, the woman in Room 5, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke. Her tone was icy, colder than the others: "I mean, before the game begins."

"Of course," replied the red head. "You have thirty minutes per round to discuss. Once the game starts, the rooms will be sealed and soundproofed. If no one volunteers after thirty minutes, all of you fail."

The red head's voice boomed, echoing in their minds.

Everyone saw a countdown on the screen rapidly ticking down: 27: 6, 27: 5…

"Oh my god!" The woman in Room 3 immediately clapped a hand over her mouth, trembling violently as she stared at the countdown.

"I think we shouldn't waste time."

The middle-aged man in Room 2 stared grimly at all the rooms to his right.

"Who's willing to step forward?"

"Wait!"

The glasses-wearing man in Room 1 forced calm into his voice: "This game requires our cooperation. So—is there anyone among us with abilities? Or any special skills? Let's introduce ourselves. Maybe we can find another solution?"

His words were veiled, but everyone understood his meaning.

Let the ones with abilities step forward.

But when he finished speaking, no one responded. So he took the lead himself:

"I—I'm Han Dong. Before the Nightfall, I was a math teacher. I—I don't have any abilities."

Seeing her husband speak, the woman in Room 3 quickly added: "I'm Qiao Min. I'm just a salesperson—I don't have abilities either. Han Dong and I are married…"

"I don't think self-introductions are necessary."

At that moment, the woman in Room 5 spoke again. Her words instantly drew every eye.

Her face was cold and serious as she stated plainly: "This game seems simple, but there are two problems: the sacrifice and the traitor."

"The sacrifice bears the risk of betrayal. For everyone else, there's no risk—instead, the traitor gains control. Kill someone, and you guarantee your survival and claim massive rewards."

Her words instantly twisted the atmosphere.

It seemed all could survive with a moment of unity—but no one could truly trust anyone. In this post-apocalypse, they all understood human nature too well. To offer trust was excruciatingly difficult.

Time ticked by. The young man in Room 4 glanced around nervously, unable to sit still, and blurted out:

"Fine, let's do the introductions. I'm Fang Xiaonian. Just a student. No abilities. But my body's evolved—I'm faster than most."

"You all have no abilities? Hmph. Acting so innocent," sneered the bald fat man in Room 6. His eyes flashed coldly. "I'm Wang Anjian. I have an ability."

"Zhao Bo. Enhancement-type ability," said the middle-aged man in Room 2 in a flat tone, dressed in a suit.

The young man in Room 7 spoke up nervously: "I'm Chen Jia. Just a regular convoy machine gunner. No abilities."

The girl in Room 8 lifted her head, trembling: "I—I'm Wang Duo. I used to be a student. Now I'm a… a prostitute for a large convoy."

At her words, everyone's gaze shifted.

The bald fat man Wang Anjian glanced at her dismissively and sneered: "Not bad-looking. If she were in my convoy, I'd keep her around for fun."

Wang Duo shrank back, trembling unnaturally, yet kept her head down—no anger, no response. Only silent fear. Clearly, her life after the collapse had been anything but kind.

When everyone else had finished, all eyes turned to the blonde woman in Room 5.

Her expression shifted, then she finally spoke in a low voice: "Tan Meng. Wing-type ability."

At once, everyone's expressions changed. Their gazes toward her grew complex.

No wonder she refused to introduce herself—she could fly and hover. For her, this jumping game would be effortless.

Tan Meng's face darkened. Feeling their stares, she lowered her eyes: "Don't look at me. I won't go up. But I swear—I won't be the traitor."

"But you can fly! Even if you fall, you won't…" Qiao Min in Room 3 cried out.

"Hmph," Zhao Bo in Room 2 scoffed. "Do you think the test site brought us here without accounting for ability users?"

His words plunged the room back into silence.

The introductions took about ten minutes, yet no consensus emerged.

"Alright, introductions are done. Who's going?"

Zhao Bo in Room 2 spoke with an air of superiority.

After introductions, silence returned.

The countdown had 16 minutes left.

Then, timidly, Fang Xiaonian in Room 4 spoke: "I—I want to share an idea."

All eyes turned to him.

"We can all hold up numbers at the same time. Whoever shows a number no one else shows goes up. But we must all agree beforehand: no betrayal. We all cooperate—or we all die."

At his words, everyone fell into thought.

It sounded like the only possible, if desperate, solution. Eight faces, varied expressions—yet it seemed they'd reached an understanding.

"Fine. Since no one objects, let's begin."

Fang Xiaonian clenched his fists and looked left and right: "I'll count to three. Everyone show your number together."

The air grew heavy.

"Three."

"Two."

"One."

Everyone raised their hands simultaneously, then stared at the others.

Only Tan Meng in Room 5 held up a "1." She was chosen. All eyes turned to her.

Tan Meng's face turned pale. Her hand trembled involuntarily. Her lips twitched as she suddenly cried: "No! I won't go! No one can force me!!"

At once, Wang Anjian in Room 6 sneered: "Figures. Useless. Then we all just wait to die!"

Everyone's expressions shifted. Silence returned. The countdown ticked down—second by second. A suffocating dread rose in their chests.

Only three minutes remained.

Just as everyone was at a loss, an extremely faint voice suddenly sounded.

"I'll go."

In the upper room, Lin Xian frowned and turned his gaze rightward—the voice had come from Room 8, Wang Duo.

Kiki's expression tightened. Without thinking, she gripped Lin Xian's hand.

Below, Wang Anjian in Room 6 glanced at her oddly, then chuckled.

"Good. I support you. I'll give you the right hint."

His tone dripped with sarcasm. No one believed he meant it sincerely.

To Wang Anjian, a woman reduced to a plaything in the apocalypse meant nothing. He was almost pleased someone had volunteered to step on the landmine first.

"Really? You're really going?" Qiao Min, seeing someone step forward, immediately declared: "I—I'll support you!"

"I will too!" Han Dong shouted loudly.

"Me too…" Fang Xiaonian quickly added.

"I'll support you!" Tan Meng in Room 5 exclaimed eagerly.

Zhao Bo in Room 2 raised his hand: "Whoever betrays, I'll kill them in the next round—guaranteed."

His voice was cold, sounding almost heroic.

But no one truly believed him.

Chen Jia in Room 7 stared in surprise at the frail girl beside him. Pale-faced, he nodded frantically, lips dry: "I—I support you!"

Suddenly, everyone grew eager. Beyond disbelief, they felt wild relief—someone had volunteered. Their own chance to survive had just opened.

Wang Duo sat motionless, head down. Her eyes held neither sorrow nor joy—only indifference. After speaking those words, a faint sense of release seemed to radiate from her.

"0: 0."

After long silence, the countdown ended.

The massive red head reappeared, its eerie smile sweeping over them all.

"Excellent. Our first challenger has been chosen."

At once, the other seven exhaled half their tension.

The red head emitted a low, grotesque sound.

"Now—the game begins!"

Click!

The partitions between all rooms turned pitch black. All sound was cut off.

A small screen rose from the metal table before each person, displaying three buttons.

They are ↑ 【Front】, ← 【Left】, → 【Right】.

One indicator light is gray.

This means that if the indicator lights up, the corresponding room must give Wang Duo instructions.

Follow the floor's movement trajectory.

You have only five seconds.

Give the correct instruction, and Wang Duo survives.

Give the wrong instruction, and Wang Duo dies.

(End of Chapter)