《The Game of Agony: A Man Who Laughs at Hell》 Chapter 1 - Those who lose the sense of pain, with the Chosen of Pain "Ugh... so disgusting. I''m so dizzy... What happened to me?" Lu Ce felt as if he had been spinning in a washing machine for three days. Dizzy and disoriented, he struggled to open his eyes. But the blinding white light forced him to squint in pain. He had no idea what was happening, only that his whole body felt uncomfortable, his mind was blank, and his memories seemed completely lost. As he was in a daze, the blinding white light was blocked by a shadow. A beautiful woman with blonde hair, wearing a white coat, looked down at him. She was stunning, with lips as red as blood and a voluptuous figure that made her curves even more enticing. The contrast with her doctor''s attire made her even more alluring. "You''re awake? How are you feeling, handsome?" She smiled at Lu Ce, her eyes full of charm, meeting his confused gaze. "How... am I?" Lu Ce had no idea what the current situation was, but he realized he might be in a hospital, strapped to a hospital bed. Instinctively, he began to assess his physical condition. He was connected to various unknown devices... He felt uncomfortable and dizzy. But there didn''t seem to be any major issues; his arms and legs were intact... Wait, why couldn''t he feel his right leg? He tried to move his leg, and when he failed, he looked up and asked:"Why can''t I feel my right leg? Why am I here?" The female doctor with fiery red lips squinted and smiled, her voice full of charm. "Don''t worry, handsome. Your right leg just has a minor scratch. It''s already bandaged and treated, so don''t worry." "A scratch?" Lu Ce frowned. "How did I get injured? Let me see my leg." "See it? You might not be able to right now," the doctor''s voice remained gentle. "Why not?" "Because your right leg is in the next room." "What?!" Lu Ce''s mind went blank, his already chaotic thoughts taking another hit. In the next room? How is that possible?! How did you guys amputate my leg? His body flopped on the bed like a dead fish, trying to sit up and check his situation. "Don''t rush~ A lot has happened, you need to calm down and listen to me." The voluptuous female doctor reached out, gently stroking Lu Ce''s bare chest, pressing him back onto the bed. The sensitivity on his chest and the hot breath by his ear made Lu Ce break out in goosebumps. Since his body was already restrained, Lu Ce could only continue lying down, trying to recall while listening to her words. "You just underwent a kidney transplant surgery. Inside you now is someone else''s kidney. The rejection reaction might make you feel uncomfortable. Just lie still and don''t move." Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Why the hell did I get both an amputation and a kidney transplant? Was I in a car accident? Lu Ce was confused, his memory slightly returning, and he subconsciously asked: "Who donated it to me? I remember I''m an orphan. Is he okay?" "He''s fine," the doctor replied. "Where is he?" "In the morgue on the basement floor, cremation tomorrow." Dead? Lu Ce stared at the doctor in disbelief, saying, "He died because he donated a kidney to me?!" "No, he died of late-stage kidney cancer," the doctor said. Lu Ce: ? "So you transplanted his kidney into me?!" Lu Ce started struggling on the bed again. "Wait, don''t rush. He still had one good kidney." "Oh..." "But the one transplanted into you is the cancerous one~" "Are you out of your mind?!" The intense stimulus finally brought Lu Ce''s memory back. Even a fool could tell that the current situation was not right, and the woman in front of him didn''t seem like a real doctor. What kind of doctor dresses like a nightclub hostess? After struggling a bit, he found the restraints were very secure. It felt more like he was on some kind of torture device than in a hospital. Lu Ce tried to calm himself down, forcing himself to stay clear-headed. He was an orphan, with no parents since childhood. After leaving the orphanage at fifteen, he had to work and study on his own. Although his tragic childhood often led to fights with thugs, such minor offenses couldn''t have led to him ending up here, with a leg cut off and a kidney replaced. He had just gone home to sleep after school... why was he here now... "Who are you? How did I offend you?" "Hehe." The doctor gently caressed her lips with her slender fingers, smiling, "Oh dear, you''re quite smart, figuring it out? The game has begun, and you''re one of the first lucky ones chosen~ Excited?" Lu Ce frowned, "What game?" The doctor interrupted, "You''re quite popular right now. Many people are watching your live stream~." As she spoke, she waved her hand, and a light blue virtual screen appeared in front of Lu Ce, with comments flying across it. [Exciting! Cut off the other leg too!] [Thrilling! I love watching this kind of thing. Finally got a chance to see it. Where did this screen suddenly appear from? Can I buy it?] [It wasn''t fun watching when this kid was unconscious. Now that he''s awake, let''s see his reaction, hahaha!] [Are there any other projects? Hurry up!] [What kind of live stream is this?] Though the comments weren''t dense, they kept coming, indicating that this live stream wasn''t particularly unpopular. Seeing the content, Lu Ce was shocked. ¡ªDark Web? Could it be... he was captured? "Don''t think too much, handsome. Your world is about to undergo unprecedented changes, beyond your imagination. You just need to enjoy this game~. Why don''t you take a look at this?" The female doctor''s hand greedily caressed Lu Ce''s chest, opening another video. The video showed the scene of the woman using a chainsaw to cut off Lu Ce''s right leg, blood splattering everywhere, making Lu Ce nauseous. At that time, he lay motionless on the bed. Watching the bloody video, the female doctor couldn''t help but lick her crimson lips, her face flushed, her eyes shimmering with excitement. Lu Ce could even feel her hand trembling slightly as she touched him. ¡ªThis woman is definitely a pervert! "How is it? Isn''t it thrilling! Aren''t you curious why you don''t seem to feel any pain?" As she spoke, the doctor pointed to the device connected to Lu Ce''s body. She kept talking to herself, not so much answering Lu Ce''s questions as satisfying some perverse desire of her own. "Do you recognize this? Hmm, you couldn''t possibly know. This thing is at least three hundred years ahead of your planet''s technology. It can manipulate your nerves. Right now, it''s in pain mode, controlling all your pain sensations. Previously, for convenience in cutting, I blocked it. But now..." With that, the female doctor finally moved her hand from constantly groping him to the machine beside him, giving Lu Ce a perverse smile. "Since you''re awake, make me more delighted." With that, she closed her eyes and pressed a button with relish. The previous pain block was completely lifted! Silence. Lu Ce:...... Whether it was the doctor or the live stream viewers, it was as if time had paused, staring blankly, the expected screams never came. Female Doctor: ? Her expression clearly betrayed her confusion, looking at Lu Ce''s clear eyes, utterly bewildered. "Is... something wrong?" Lu Ce weakly asked. What nerve manipulation... Should I tell her I was born without pain sensation... "Doesn''t your... leg hurt?" The female doctor looked at Lu Ce, who was supposed to have "restored pain sensation," in disbelief. "My leg doesn''t hurt..." "Why!?" "The leg''s in the next room, can''t hurt." Female Doctor:...... After a brief moment of shock, seeing Lu Ce still being "humorous," her face twisted with rage, a clear "#" shaped vein bulging on her forehead. "Fine, fine, fine, you''ve got guts. Hope you can keep it up!" With that, she cruelly adjusted several buttons, and the device connected to Lu Ce''s body emitted a bright red light. In an instant, the most terrifying pain in the world descended. The intense pain caused muscle spasms all over his body, a level ten pain far beyond human limits, capable of destroying anyone''s strong spirit in an instant. Then came the screams, convulsions, pleas for mercy, so wonderfully... Of course, all of the above was just the female doctor''s imagination. In reality, when the machine''s red light lit up, Lu Ce just twitched slightly and then continued with no reaction. The two continued to stare at each other, Lu Ce observing his surroundings, still thinking about his situation and how to escape. "Uh... theoretically, shouldn''t I be reacting now?" Lu Ce''s calm voice was like a spark, igniting the anger in the other person''s heart, making her laugh in rage. "Fine, fine, fine, you asked for this!" With that, she propped herself up on the bed with one hand, leaping onto Lu Ce. In her agile movement, the white coat slipped off, revealing the scanty clothing underneath. Lu Ce only saw a flash of white light before she sat on his lower waist in an outfit barely covering anything. Without pain sensation, his touch was quite sensitive, the slippery feeling accompanied by a bit of "bounce." Lu Ce: ?! "No! Miss, what are you doing?! Don''t... this... don''t... don''t stop!" The shy Lu Ce blushed instantly, struggling violently, writhing like a worm. He hadn''t experienced anything like this before, so he was a bit embarrassed to urge her to continue. The woman, her face twisted with rage, looked at him with a twisted mind, gritting her teeth: "Hope you''re ready! Make me delighted!" The machine beside them was turned to maximum power, the red light glowing, emitting a strange humming sound. An unusual tingling sensation covered Lu Ce''s entire body, and at the same time, a voice echoed in his mind. [Threshold broken!] [Unlocking... Binding... Initializing...] [Chosen of Pain! Pain Value +9!] [Initial Gene Lock, pending activation, required Pain Value: 11/100!] "Ah?... What?" This time, it was Lu Ce''s turn to be confused. Chapter 2 - Add a bit when it hurts + no pain sensation = add freely Bang! Lu Ce''s expression was frozen in confusion, recalling the voice in his mind. But at that moment, the Female Doctor had already slammed a furious palm onto Lu Ce''s chest, a massive force causing a suffocating pressure there. Only then did Lu Ce realize in shock that the strength of the woman before him was extraordinarily great, making it difficult for him to resist. "Huff... huff..." The Female Doctor was panting heavily, her eyes almost spitting fire as she glared at Lu Ce beneath her. Her perverse desires unfulfilled, she felt like she was about to explode. As a top-tier sadistic S, having her prey be so disobedient ruined all the wonderful feelings she had before. The script wasn''t supposed to go like this! "Why... are you unharmed..." Her hands pressed firmly on Lu Ce''s chest, her ten fingers digging in deeply, fingertips sinking into his flesh, and blood instantly oozing out. Lu Ce''s pupils contracted sharply, staring at his chest muscles beginning to tear, horrified by the terrifying strength of the woman before him. This was definitely not the strength a normal female human should have! He was still restrained, a lamb to the slaughter. Not fearing pain didn''t mean he couldn''t die. Thinking quickly, seeing the fiery look in the woman''s eyes, Lu Ce understood he had to go along with her for now. "Ah!!" After a very fake scream, he began writhing on the bed. "It hurts! It really hurts! I forgot earlier! Ah!!!" Female Doctor: ? Her previously fiery eyes suddenly paused, her expression instantly becoming dazed. Forgot? Really? You forgot it hurt? You must have a big heart. But seeing Lu Ce''s pained expression, she immediately felt a wave of numbness all over, as if some desire had been satisfied. For a moment, she didn''t care about much else and pressed the button on the nearby machine again. Red light flashed. [Chosen of Pain, Pain Value +8!] This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. [Initial Gene Lock, pending activation, required Pain Value: 19/100!] The same voice echoed in Lu Ce''s mind again. He understood that maybe it was time for him to feel pain. Once again, accompanied by the sound of fake screams, Lu Ce felt he was acting a bit too fake. He had never felt pain since he was a child, so acting like this was already his best effort. He didn''t have a good way to escape right now, so he could only follow the Pain Value prompt in his mind, trying to reach one hundred and see if the Initial Gene Lock could be of any use. Although Lu Ce''s voice was a bit fake, the doctor on him felt much more comfortable. She let out a long breath, the murderous intent on her face fading, replaced by the seductive and perverse smile once again. Continuing to press the machine beside her, she adjusted her position on Lu Ce, while the doctor''s attire on her began to slip off piece by piece. The scanty fabric left was barely enough to cover her creamy skin. Looking at her posture, expression, and demeanor, and the scanty covering, all the viewers in the "live broadcast" basically knew what was about to happen. [: Damn! Is this doctor really that hot? You couldn''t tell with the lab coat on. My apologies.] [: She was just cutting legs, and now it''s about to turn into a full-blown affair.] [: Wait... don''t you guys think this guy''s screams sound fake? He''s totally acting...] Some viewers in the comments had already noticed something was off, each starting to hold back. But the Female Doctor was in high spirits and didn''t notice anything wrong. [Chosen of Pain, Pain Value +8!] [Chosen of Pain, Pain Value +9!] *** Wave after wave of terrifying neural stimulation came, pain that could utterly destroy a person''s spirit, yet it had no effect on Lu Ce. He could only keep up with the increase in Pain Value, greedily feeling the increase in pain numbers. "Ah!! Is it at maximum power? Is there a higher power setting? If you increase it any more, I might die, so please don''t~." [: Buddy? Your acting is terrible!] [: Honestly, I''m a bit embarrassed.] [: Not even pretending anymore? I have to say, the plot in domestic films is still lacking...] [: Brother upstairs, let''s talk privately.] The Female Doctor''s perverse smile gradually froze on her face. Even with her mind filled with lust, she sensed something was wrong. When she used to torture her prey, their bodies'' painful writhing, muscle spasms, and the fear on their twisted faces were her best mental enjoyment. But why didn''t this man beneath her have any of that?! This was already the second time he had interrupted her from that lust-filled feeling! "Kid... are you playing me?" "Are you asking if I want to?" Lu Ce replied. Bang! With a loud noise, the fiery woman slapped the machine, causing it to emit a bright red light, indicating she had officially lost her patience. "You''ve annoyed me, little guy. I don''t know what''s wrong with you, but you''ve ruined my mood." Saying this, she reached under herself and pulled out a dagger. "Wait... can you explain where you pulled that knife from, sis?" Swish! A flash of white light, a swift motion, and then a burst of red light. While Lu Ce was still bantering, the knife had already been plunged into his chest. [Chosen of Pain, Pain Value +2!] The Pain Value wasn''t high, indicating this stab was far less painful than the previous machine, but it made Lu Ce''s pupils contract instantly. He didn''t feel pain, but that didn''t mean he couldn''t die. "I''m kind of done playing nice with you." The Female Doctor flicked her hair, adjusted her posture, and casually rubbed against Lu Ce. As she spoke, the knife in her hand slowly moved downward, tracing a twisted, irregular line on his body like a red brush. [Chosen of Pain, Pain Value +2!] [Chosen of Pain, Pain Value +1!] "I originally wanted to have a good time with you, but you''ve really pissed me off. So I suddenly thought, maybe I''ll cut ''it'' off and use it, see if your expression will still be the same." Her seductive voice lingered in his ears, and besides the physical torment, it was more of a mental destruction. Seeing Lu Ce''s expression gradually grow serious, the perverse Female Doctor''s expression once again turned to one of pride and pleasure. The Pain Value was increasing slowly, but Lu Ce knew he was running out of time. The other hand of the Female Doctor had already grabbed his pants. Who would have thought that the first time in his life a woman would take off his pants, it would be because she wanted to castrate him? Crash! Suddenly, a dull, tooth-aching sound echoed in the room, catching the Female Doctor''s attention. Looking down slightly, she saw a crimson scene. Lu Ce''s fingernails had dug into the handcuffs, seemingly trying to use his strength to break them, but clearly, it wasn''t the handcuffs that broke... Looking back, she still saw Lu Ce''s expressionless face! "What are you doing?!" Having seen all kinds of torture, the inherently perverse Female Doctor suddenly felt something was off. Lu Ce smiled. He didn''t feel pain; he only cared about the notification sound when his nails broke. [Chosen of Pain, Pain Value +4!] Crack! Crack! A series of sounds almost simultaneously rang out, and all the nails on Lu Ce''s left hand were instantly ripped off by himself! [Chosen of Pain, Pain Value +3!] [Gene Lock, pending activation, required Pain Value: 101/100] [Conditions met, Gene Lock activated!] Bang! A bolt of lightning flashed through Lu Ce''s mind, as if a door was slowly opening. At the same time, the previously unshakable steel handcuffs suddenly snapped! Chapter 3 - Special Event Reward, World First! Gene Lock, activate! Every cell felt like it was burning, his heart roaring like an internal combustion engine. The sensation of transformation made Lu Ce acutely aware that something unprecedented was happening to his body. And with it came power! The metal shattered, the sturdy alloy handcuffs that could securely hold a bull exploded, steaming, as his arm, boiling like a cauldron, rose high. In the Female Doctor''s astonished pupils, the cold gleam of snapping metal was reflected. Their bodies sprang up like leopards, roles reversed, and the Female Doctor was pinned to the bed. Seizing the knife, twisting his body, it all happened in one seamless motion, as if he had practiced it countless times. The previous frivolity in his eyes had vanished completely. After regaining his freedom, Lu Ce didn''t utter another word. His eyes flashed with a wolf-like ferocity as he picked up the knife and forcefully stabbed it towards the woman''s exposed chest! That was where her heart was. At this moment, the audience who had been eagerly watching the live stream, thinking it was some kind of perverted show, realized something was amiss. [Wait... isn''t something wrong here?] [Is there a problem? And how did he suddenly break those handcuffs?] [It''s all an act, but I wonder what the plot is next. Are they switching to the traditional male-on-top position now?] But at this moment, the two people at the center of everyone''s attention knew this was no joke. The Female Doctor''s eyes were filled with horror as she desperately grabbed Lu Ce''s knife-wielding hand, unable to believe how the man in front of her had broken free. "Carbon-based life form... eighteen years old... physical energy low... impossible, what did you do?!" Her sharp voice echoed in the room, veins bulging on her forehead like a struggling beast. But Lu Ce remained completely unmoved, one leg pressed against her abdomen, his hand exerting continuous force, the dagger pressing down despite her struggles. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. The sharp blade had already cut into the soft flesh of her chest, but the shape that could drive countless men mad had no effect on Lu Ce. He was like a precision machine, determined to slaughter his prey. "Don''t, don''t, it''s just a game, nothing will happen." Seeing that Lu Ce was unmoved, the Female Doctor panicked, quickly putting on a flattering smile and pleading: "This is the Chosen''s Paradise, you''re a Chosen One, this is just an initial test. You passed! You did great, and you''ll get lots of rewards after this! You must be curious about what''s going on, right? Let me go, I know everything, you can ask me anything! Tell me what you want! I can agree to anything, I''m yours, you can do whatever you want..." In her panicked voice, her tone shifted several times, from pleading to flattery, even to bribery and seduction, but Lu Ce''s expression didn''t change at all. He just kept his eyes fixed on the knife in his hand. The woman beneath him held no interest for him, her nearly half-naked clothes and pitiful words only made him press down on the knife with both hands. Lu Ce knew that with his ability to break the handcuffs, the fact that this woman could resist him proved she was no ordinary person. Life or death, no need for words. Blood seeped out, life slowly ebbing away. "You can''t kill me, I''m..." Crack! That was the sound of the dagger piercing through the sternum, nailing the heart, sealing her unfinished words forever in her mouth. Only then did Lu Ce look into her wide-open eyes and speak his first words after breaking free. "I''ve been an orphan since I was a child, surviving wasn''t easy. All these years, I''ve learned one thing... never hand over your chance to live to someone else!" After saying this, the sharpness in his eyes vanished instantly, his body went limp, collapsing into the still-warm embrace of the woman beneath him. "Declarations of victory like this should be made after the opponent is truly dead, haha." He forced a laugh, looking at his now vanished right leg, and found it hard to laugh anymore. During the life-and-death crisis earlier, his mind was crystal clear: only by killing the enemy could he survive. But now, his mind was in turmoil. What game? What test? Why did his leg suddenly disappear? Clenching his fist, the extreme power brought by the Gene Lock gave Lu Ce some confidence. He turned to look at the screen in the air connected to the so-called "live broadcast," seeking some answers. On the big screen, which had been briefly silent due to the shock of the sudden change, it had now exploded with activity. [Game? What game, does this mean we''re Chosen Ones too? After all, why did this video appear out of nowhere in front of me?] [It appeared out of nowhere on my computer, and I can''t close it.] [Reported to the police.] After a quick glance, he only found some fragmented information. Then, the entire room began to shake, and the big screen went dark, crashing into Lu Ce''s eyes. Lu Ce was startled, instinctively wanting to react, but his body was completely unresponsive, as if floating in space. In front of him was a data stream resembling a space-time tunnel, with a strange mechanical voice in his ears, accompanied by lines of text appearing out of thin air. [Initial Game Over, Welcome to the Global Large-Scale Game¡ªChosen''s Paradise!] [Initial Selected Count: 14569812] [Initial Participants: 1652348] [Completion Count: 926357, Note: Initial levels do not result in true death, but non-completers will lose game qualifications.] [Perfect Clearance Count: 3549!] [Your Initial Clearance Rating: SSS Rank, Perfect Clearance! Current Consecutive Perfect Clearances: 1] [Reward Settlement in Progress...] "Damn..." Looking at the lines of text before him, Lu Ce was dumbfounded. Only now did he truly realize what it meant for the "world to change." [Special Event Triggered: Killed Initial Divine Role Guide, Earned Achievement Badge: God Slayer.] [Special Event Triggered: Seized A-003 Level Sealed Artifact¡ªSensory Manipulator, Item is Special, Recovered, Rewarded with Equivalent Sealed Artifact, Placed in Backpack.] [Initial Reward Points: 3000.] [Initial Reward Items: Intermediate Healing Potion*3, Placed in Backpack.] [Your Current World Ranking: 1/726357.] [Rankings update with each game, continuous perfect performance and high rankings will bring surprises~ Keep it up.] "Am I... the world''s number one?" Lu Ce stared at the "1/726357" in front of him, dazed and lost in thought... Chapter 4 - Chosens Paradise, Global Game [Perfect Clearance Reward: Free Body Repair Function, please relax.] This was the last sentence. After hearing it, an irresistible drowsiness overwhelmed Lu Ce, and he lost consciousness. *** Ding ding ding dang ding ding~~ It was unclear how much time had passed, maybe just a few minutes, when Lu Ce was suddenly awakened by his alarm. Upon opening his eyes, he found himself in the familiar dark room, the familiar ten-square-meter dormitory bathroom. The familiar moldy corner, the old second-hand Redmi phone by the bed, and Lu Ce was startled as he looked at his legs¡ªthey were intact. "Was it a dream?..... So real." With a sigh tinged with a bit of disappointment, he reached out to turn off the alarm on his phone, but a loud bang ensued. The noise fully woke him up. Curiously, he turned on the light and looked at the deep imprint on the bed, puzzled. If it weren''t for the mattress, his "luxury" phone might have been completely destroyed. Suddenly, Lu Ce seemed to think of something. He quickly turned on his phone, connected to the dorm''s Wi-Fi, and randomly opened a social media platform. The top trending search under the search bar was burning with a fiery color, described simply in just four words. ¡ªChosen''s Paradise, Global Game! The number of searches had already reached a staggering 180 million. It''s worth noting that the highest trending topic in this platform''s history was only forty million. 180 million... no celebrity''s agency would dare fabricate such a number! Lu Ce hurriedly clicked in and began browsing through the numerous news reposts. "At midnight, a large number of people disappeared into thin air, a Canadian airline plane crashed, and the crew reported that the captain and co-pilot vanished from the cockpit." "Many people''s phones, computers, and electronic devices suddenly started broadcasting, with screens even appearing out of thin air on their corneas, impossible to close." "An Australian man demonstrated superpowers, claiming to be a perfect clearance individual, declaring a new era has arrived, and he will become the ruler of the world." If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. "A large number of people claim to be Chosen Ones, but there is no forced entry into the game, saying they can voluntarily join later." "Experts suggest it might be a mass fraud, and the police are investigating, hoping that genuine participants or game players will contact the authorities." The screen was filled with one message after another, most of which were direct announcements from official media, fully illustrating the seriousness of the matter. Lu Ce checked and found that the earliest release of this news was less than twenty hours ago, yet it had already spread so widely. There was almost no other news on the entire page. Various self-media outlets flocked in, and all sorts of mysterious videos filled the entire software. This was the first time everyone had witnessed what a world upheaval looked like. And Lu Ce himself was among the first batch of firsthand witnesses to this upheaval, even... the very first! "According to all current interviews, all firsthand witnesses stated that after the first game ended, the screen suddenly entered their eyes, and they could check data and the next game time with a thought." "But currently, all volunteers in hospitals have shown no eye or brain abnormalities..." As Lu Ce read through the various interviews, he realized something was off. With a thought, the screen appeared before his eyes. This control felt very natural, like instinctively controlling his own body, requiring no instruction. At this moment, the screen was empty, displaying only a few simple lines. [Rest Mode.] [In each game, you can choose to be an audience member or a player.] [Of course, we believe the world welcomes players, and players will eventually own the world.] [Time until the next game starts: 47:54:43.] [This is God''s challenge, Chosen''s Paradise, welcome to your visit!] "So, there''s only two days until the next game starts? According to the news, the time in the game is continuous with the real world, and the time in the game is the same as outside. If participants disappear into the game, it means this game is more like a crossover, not just a mental entry..." As Lu Ce gathered information, he muttered to himself, suddenly realizing that although he seemed to have achieved that first place, he knew nothing. These other participants online seemed to know a lot. According to yesterday''s explanation, there was a guide in the Initial Game, but it seemed he killed it.... That was the first time in his life he killed someone, but for some reason, he felt no psychological burden. He also vaguely sensed that the world''s moral standards and order might soon undergo a reshuffle. After about half an hour, he suddenly realized he might be late, quickly jumping up to get ready. *** "Hey, it''s Little Lu. Why are you up so late today? I thought you had already left." Most of the students had already left, and Old Wang, the dorm manager, who was tidying up the room, greeted Lu Ce. Due to being an orphan, Lu Ce was a student in need and eventually applied to live in the janitor''s room in the building. Although the conditions were poor, it at least saved him some expenses and spared him from many complex interpersonal relationships. He hurriedly responded with a couple of words and quickly ran towards the school. *** "Reporting." The already late Lu Ce stood at the door and called out. Today''s classroom atmosphere was slightly different, as if there was a restless energy in the air. In the senior class, the homeroom teacher, Old Liu, was still standing on the platform, but everyone below was whispering to each other, and the teacher was constantly checking his phone, not managing the class. After this report, the entire classroom seemed to have been muted, with all eyes turning to the door, and even Old Liu put down his phone. The current silence lasted for at least five seconds before Old Liu took a deep breath and asked: "Why are you late?" Lu Ce had never seen such attention given to his tardiness before. After a brief pause, he replied: "I overslept." Instantly, the classroom returned to its noisy state, with even a few "tsk~" sounds coming from the crowd. The homeroom teacher, Old Liu, also seemed a bit disappointed. Initially, he thought there might be a rumored game participant in his class. Because, according to existing reports, the game ended around this morning. Seeing that no one was paying attention to him anymore, Lu Ce returned to his seat. A senior class, due to this matter, had put aside all studies and courses, with everyone excitedly discussing, as if anticipating the arrival of a new world. "Ahem, alright, everyone is here, let''s quiet down. According to the school''s and the Ministry of Education''s requirements, classes are suspended today to discuss and organize some matters. As for the subsequent course arrangements, it will depend on the specific organization of society, and even how the College Entrance Examination will be conducted will depend on the situation. Currently, the importance of ''that matter'' surpasses everything!" The homeroom teacher''s serious expression didn''t make anyone in the class take it seriously; instead, they became even more excited. "Alright, everyone should know what I''m talking about. That Chosen''s Paradise. Is there anyone in our class who has been chosen, becoming one of those so-called Chosen Ones?" Chapter 5 - So? Its fair, long, and smooth. Can I touch it? As soon as the words fell, Lu Ce instinctively lowered his head slightly, glancing at everyone in the class out of the corner of his eye. The class instantly erupted into chaos, with everyone looking around and chattering, trying to see if anyone around them had experienced it firsthand. Lu Ce kept his head down. He usually didn''t have many friends and was relatively inconspicuous, so no one paid attention to him. He thought to himself: A global supernatural event that science can''t explain at all. When no one knows what the future holds, at least we should observe first. Anyone who exposes themselves recklessly is a fool. Surely no one will... "Teacher, me! I was chosen!" A boy sitting by the window raised his hand proudly, his face unable to hide his smug expression. He was surrounded by the most classmates chatting with him before. Lu Ce: ... The one who raised his hand was Zhang Tao, someone he had a mediocre relationship with. He was the type who, with a bit of family money, liked to show off at school. When they first met, Zhang Tao had thought about bullying Lu Ce, who was an orphan, but after getting beaten up by Lu Ce, they had no further interaction. Although he found the fool''s behavior a bit hard to bear, he still looked over, wanting to see what the perspective of other Chosen Ones was like. "Oh?" Old Liu''s eyes lit up as he looked at him and said, "Zhang Tao, you were chosen? Are you directly participating in the game, or are you an audience member?" "I''m an audience member. The live broadcast appeared before my eyes," Zhang Tao said weakly, then quickly added, "But I qualify to participate in the next game." As soon as he finished speaking, the class erupted with "wow" sounds of amazement. After all, in the stagnant life of senior year, such a world-shattering event was incredibly stimulating. Zhang Tao thoroughly enjoyed the envious expressions of everyone, his smile harder to suppress than an AK. "Anyone else?" Old Liu sent a message on his phone and continued to ask the class: "I hope everyone will be honest. This matter is very important to the country and, of course, to you as well." You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. In the quiet atmosphere, no one else raised their hand. "Alright, everyone, self-study for now. Zhang Tao, please come with me." With that, Zhang Tao walked out of the classroom like a victorious general, head held high. *** "Damn, I''m so jealous. Why him?" "Zhang Tao doesn''t even study, right? Old Liu used to say he was good-for-nothing, and now he''s so polite..." "Study? Study what? This kind of supernatural event can''t be explained by existing science. Who are you going to learn from?" "There''s a video circulating online. Haven''t you seen it? That game seems like a different dimension where you can gain superpowers!" "Superpowers, really? Do we have a chance to be chosen later? Didn''t they say it''s the first batch of Chosen Ones?" The homeroom teacher left, leaving the class buzzing with conversation. Everyone took out their phones, sharing the latest news and videos they had seen. Lu Ce was initially puzzled. Why were these people so excited? After all, the so-called game he experienced was not fun at all. Being helplessly tied to an operating table, amputated, having organs replaced, and being dissected by a psychotic woman. It was only because he had no sense of pain since childhood, had suffered a lot, and the Chosen of Pain allowed him to defy fate a bit. Otherwise, with such extreme torture... not many of these ordinary students could withstand it. But gradually, based on what everyone said, Lu Ce realized a fact. Everyone''s Initial Game seemed to be different. Although most were tests of people, extreme situations like his, where he was tortured and killed, seemed rare. Moreover, during the game''s conclusion, it was clearly stated¡ª"The initial level won''t result in real death, but those who don''t finish will lose their game qualification." This seemed to imply that under normal circumstances, the game could result in real death... And it seemed like none of the classmates cared or even knew about this. They treated Chosen''s Paradise as a real game, going in to fight monsters and level up like it was a game, without considering the consequences. But having truly experienced it, Lu Ce could keenly sense the brutality inside, where it could be a matter of life and death. "I just saw that someone in the U.S. who participated in the game claimed there''s a Temporary Ranking." "That special forces guy said he ranked 67th and got a reward of physical enhancement. He said he can now fold a bottle cap with his fingers, incredibly strong!" "Really? If he keeps participating, won''t he become a superman?..." Listening to the continuous chatter around him, Lu Ce remained silent. He reached into his desk, picked up a bottle cap. With a squeeze of his fingers, the cap seemed to be put through a shredder, easily crushed into a small ball by Lu Ce. His lips curled slightly, feeling the strength in his hand. The game was indeed brutal and twisted, but Lu Ce only hoped it would be even more so! Compared to the reality bound by strict rules, he preferred that place, where life and death were determined by fate and one''s own abilities... "Hey! What are you smiling about? Did you have a spring dream last night?" Just as Lu Ce''s smile was becoming twisted, a clear voice woke him up. It was his female deskmate, Xie Antong. Xie Antong had been Lu Ce''s deskmate for three years. His childhood experiences gave Lu Ce an eye for people. Although Antong never seemed overbearing, her attire and demeanor told him they were from different worlds. But for some reason, the more he tried to keep his distance, the more Xie Antong began to teasingly provoke him. "Nothing, just thought of something happy." Lu Ce quietly hid the crushed bottle cap ball in his desk, speaking without turning his head. Suddenly, he felt a tickle in his ear as Xie Antong leaned in and whispered: "Playing dumb? You were chosen too, weren''t you?" Lu Ce was startled, pretending to be calm as he asked: "What nonsense are you talking about? Why do you ask?" As they locked eyes again, Lu Ce saw only her squinting, smiling eyes, feeling inexplicably guilty. His Initial Game did have an audience, but it couldn''t be such a coincidence. His Chosen of Pain, Gene Lock activation, and unhesitatingly killing were much more extreme than the class discussions and had to be kept secret. So he glanced at Xie Antong, testingly extending his right leg, which had been amputated in the game. "Look, my leg..." Xie Antong glanced down, "So? It''s fair, long, and smooth. Can I touch it?" She said, reaching out directly. Lu Ce: ?! Chapter 6 - There are people in my familys police station! Are there people in the hospital? "Hey! Can you be a little more mindful of your actions?" Lu Ce quickly pulled back his leg as he watched Xie Antong, whose eyes were already gleaming, start to get a bit too familiar. He had just wanted to test the waters, considering his state in the game had been quite terrifying, and this leg had been amputated. But judging by her reaction, it seemed the girl hadn''t coincidentally seen him in the Initial Game. "People are best at projecting their own experiences onto others. When you say I was chosen but chose to hide it, aren''t you really talking about yourself?" Lu Ce didn''t dwell on his own issue but instead shifted the topic to her. To his surprise, Xie Antong stared into his eyes for a moment and then seriously nodded. "Yes." Lu Ce: ?! Wait, you''re just going to tell me like that? Xie Antong glanced around; their classmates were all chatting among themselves, and no one was paying attention to the two of them. She turned her head away from Lu Ce and continued in a low voice: "In a completely unknown world, as a ''minority,'' it''s quite normal to keep a low profile and first observe the world''s situation." Suddenly, Xie Antong changed the subject: "So, are you planning to participate in the second game in two days?" Hearing this, Lu Ce''s mouth twitched. So you''re just assuming I''m a Chosen One too? I don''t think I ever admitted that! Without waiting for a response, Xie Antong added, "No matter what you think, I suggest you don''t participate! Just wait! The temptation to change your fate is huge, I know. If you have the chance, you wouldn''t miss it. But, our country''s internet regulation is very strong. To maintain stability during such upheaval, a lot of information and news hasn''t been released. I was one of the first ''viewers.'' Last night, after a brief shock, I made a complete record. I watched over a hundred game live streams, featuring all sorts of people facing different or similar scenarios. Some scenes were very brutal, things you won''t find on the internet. Those trials defy any modern moral and legal standards." As she spoke, Xie Antong''s face turned slightly pale, as if recalling some unpleasant memories. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. "I even saw a player actually die in that game! If the game is another world, with time and space continuous with the real world, as if players directly cross into it... Can they still survive?" Lu Ce: ...... Xie Antong quietly stared at Lu Ce''s profile, speaking seriously, making Lu Ce inexplicably feel a bit guilty. Because what she described, Lu Ce knew better than anyone in this world¡ªhe had experienced it firsthand! What he went through was the most brutal and bizarre trial in this world, with dangers and bloodshed he knew better than anyone. "......Thank you." Lu Ce could roughly guess why his wealthy desk mate was trying to get close to him. It was nothing more than a pampered young lady, curious after finding a poor boy in a new environment who was different from the simps she used to have around, who didn''t flatter or care about her. What else could it be? Teenage girls are always about such things. But he still thanked her. A gentleman judges deeds, not intentions. "Sigh, I hope you think it over carefully." Xie Antong didn''t know if Lu Ce had taken her words to heart, so she could only sigh and start scrolling through videos on her phone, checking the latest news. Outside in the corridor, people were coming and going, with some students leaving occasionally. Lu Ce even spotted the figure of a policeman. Online, there were all sorts of rumors, but as time passed, the credibility of much information became highly questionable. Many self-media outlets chasing traffic were going crazy, saying anything to grab attention. Some even claimed that people in the game had gained superpowers, with the strongest now able to crush nuclear bombs with their bare hands. Lu Ce: How come I didn''t know I was this badass? His own judgment was that ordinary humans were no longer his match barehanded, but against firearms... he was still a dead man. He was still too weak, far from the point where personal strength could give him a sense of security... The first day of the world''s upheaval passed just like that. On his way home alone, Lu Ce found a secluded spot and quietly stared at a wall. Using the knuckles of his right fist, he punched hard at the exposed corner of the wall. With a dull thud, the brick shattered, and several pieces fell off. Lu Ce punched with such force that a red blood mark instantly appeared on his fist. Even the skin on the edge of his knuckles was scraped, oozing a bit of blood. Looking at his fist, Lu Ce frowned slightly. He didn''t feel any pain and didn''t know what level of pain this should be, but the Chosen of Pain''s point allocation mechanism didn''t appear. "Is it that the pain level isn''t enough, or is there some restriction..." This Chosen of Pain point allocation was his biggest reliance at the moment, allowing him to pass the Initial Game and temporarily secure the world''s top rank. He needed to quickly figure out the mechanism of that thing; having a cheat and not knowing how to use it would be a joke. After trying a few more punches on the wall, the pain point allocation sound still didn''t come, but a voice that annoyed him a bit did. "What? Depressed and taking it out on the wall?" "Do you have to do everything a brainless villain does to prove your stupidity?" Lu Ce punched the wall hard again, sending pieces of debris flying, and turned to look at Zhang Tao. Zhang Tao had enjoyed a whole day of special treatment, floating on air, fantasizing about his future life as a top dog, and now he could casually belittle the guy who once made him eat dirt. But Lu Ce''s punch cooled his fiery heart a bit, and he taunted with a false bravado: "Late on purpose this morning, trying to make everyone think you were chosen? How many people worldwide have been chosen, really? Chosen''s Paradise, you''re an orphan, even your parents didn''t choose you, and you think a god would?" Lu Ce had no intention of responding. He pried half a brick from the already broken wall with his bare hands and quietly walked toward Zhang Tao. "Did you forget what I told you when I beat you up before?" "What do you want to do?" Zhang Tao stepped back in fear, grabbing a bike lock from nearby. He had spent the whole day immersed in the world''s changes, fantasizing about becoming a favored one overnight, gaining superpowers and such. He forgot that right now, he didn''t have any superpowers! He couldn''t beat the guy in front of him. "I''m telling you, our statuses are different now. I could kill you and not face any consequences. Don''t come any closer, I''m telling you, my family has connections in the police department!" "What, your dad got caught for soliciting prostitution?" Lu Ce retorted expressionlessly, now standing in front of Zhang Tao. The two stared at each other, and all of Zhang''s previous confidence vanished, leaving only fear. Since getting beaten up in high school, he hadn''t dared to provoke Lu Ce actively, but he''d never been this scared before. Looking into Lu Ce''s eyes, he felt his legs go weak. ¡ªThe eyes of someone who''s killed are different. "F*** you!" In extreme fear, Zhang Tao cursed to bolster his courage, swinging the bike lock wildly. Lu Ce had been in many fights since he was young. He casually blocked and knocked the bike lock away with his wrist. [Chosen of Pain! Pain Value +1!] "Hmm?" Lu Ce was momentarily stunned, hearing the long-lost voice in his mind, as if realizing something, his smile gradually turned twisted. "I think I understand a bit, thanks. By the way, you said you have connections in the police department, but do you have any in the hospital? No? No problem, you''ll have some soon~" Chapter 7 - Enter the game again, Mask of Sin In the end, in the dark alley, Zhang Tao, who had been thoroughly beaten, lay unconscious and covered in bruises. Of course, Lu Ce, who left, was also black and blue. However, the injuries on his body were mostly self-inflicted. He was quite skilled at this sort of thing by now. It didn''t hurt anyway, and with both of them looking similarly injured, and him being an orphan with no property concerns, the police usually just let it slide. But this time, when he fought, Lu Ce instinctively sensed the opponent''s vulnerability. If he wanted to, there were countless ways he could have killed him! Of course, he didn''t do that. Lu Ce had a clear understanding of his position. He knew his current strength was far from being able to act with impunity. Hurriedly returning to his small room, he pulled out a piece of paper and began writing down his observations about the Chosen of Pain. 1. Self-harm doesn''t count; hurting oneself doesn''t add Pain Value. 2. The most direct way is through the opponent''s harm and torture, which is the simplest way to gain points. Moreover, even if he had the ability to escape in such situations but chose not to, it wouldn''t be considered self-harm. Lu Ce thought this was a bug. After pondering for a long time, Lu Ce wrote down a third hypothesis: 3. If, due to the opponent or enemy, he was forced or indirectly harmed, it could also add points! In the previous game, he had broken his own nails to escape, and just now, he had met the opponent''s thrown object with his fist, which also worked. After putting down the pen, Lu Ce took a deep breath, looking at the summary in front of him. "In short, that''s about it. My system doesn''t even have a beginner''s tutorial or anything, I have to figure it out myself. For now, these are the rules of the Chosen of Pain. I''ll add more as I discover them..." Placing the paper under his pillow, Lu Ce lay down, trying to rest, though his mind was far from calm. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. His reliance was now complete, which meant... [Time until the next game starts: 29:24:43.] *** [Time until the next game starts: 00:30:23.] A day and a night passed quickly. Lu Ce didn''t join in his classmates'' discussions; his mind was already in the game. As time passed, the subtitles changed, and a voice echoed in his mind at the same time. [Thirty minutes until the game starts.] [Please make the necessary preparations in advance.] [Please choose to become a spectator or a player.] Looking at the two options in front of him, Lu Ce recalled what Xie Antong had suddenly and earnestly said to him the day before. "Heh, thanks for the warning." "But you''re right, how could I give up such an opportunity?" "When fate arrives, all choices are not choices..." "Player!" [Player identity loaded.] [Chosen''s Paradise welcomes you, may your courage lead you to the skies!] *** Half an hour later, a stream of data enveloped Lu Ce''s entire body, and his figure disappeared from the small room. [Welcome to the game, your current dungeon difficulty is: Hell-Level!] [You have five minutes to make initial settings.] Watching the rapid data stream load, a data panel representing his player status appeared in front of Lu Ce. [Game Points: 3000] [Pain Value: 7] [Strength: 10] [Agility: 10] [Speed: 10] [Luck: 3] [Spirit: 0] [Enhancement Badge: God Slayer (Legendary)] [Equipment: None] [Backpack: Initial Backpack] [You have a reward to claim] Seeing his panel, he was surprised to find his Pain Value was also displayed and could be used to add points to the values below. Not knowing which value was most important, he decided to deal with the point allocation later. "Claim!" [Your reward has arrived.] [Obtained Sealed Artifact: A-007, Soul of the Seven Deadly Sins.] [Seven Deadly Sins Effect: Amplifies the user''s corresponding human weaknesses, but also grants a massive corresponding boost.] [Please set initial appearance.] As the voice fell, a gray stream of air appeared before Lu Ce, without a fixed shape. Lu Ce had a sudden inspiration and said, "Shape it into a fluid mask." The stream slowly formed into a mask, fitting onto Lu Ce''s face without any sensation of wearing it. [Please set form: Pride, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony, Lust] Lu Ce thought for a moment and chose one that seemed relatively easy to control. "Greed!" The mask twisted and then turned deep blue. [Please set mode: Normal/Overload.] "Normal!" [Preparation time is over, entering the game.] His vision blurred, and a feeling of weightlessness came over him. The next second, Lu Ce was already in the game. As soon as he opened his eyes, Lu Ce was surprised to find that the dizziness hadn''t disappeared. He felt top-heavy, and the surrounding environment was extremely hot, as if he were placed in a steamer. Realizing his situation, Lu Ce noticed he was now hanging upside down in the air, a chain binding his left ankle. Below him, dozens of meters down, was boiling, bubbling lava! "Ahhhh!" Suddenly, a woman''s scream pierced the air beside him, and Lu Ce realized he wasn''t the only one in this second game. Including himself, there were ten people hanging here, like ducks roasting in a fireplace. "Didn''t they say it was a game? What''s going on? Why am I hanging here?" "So hot, so scalding, how do we get down!" Among those hanging beside him, some were already panicking. The incredibly realistic sensations were making them anxious. Lu Ce glanced around briefly and then ignored them. These people''s abilities were clearly limited, whether as enemies or friends, it didn''t matter. [Welcome to the game, unfortunately, you''ve been selected for Hell Mode, but at the same time, you''re quite lucky.] [Beneath each of you is a platform, and below that platform is rising lava.] [You need to escape in time, or else... well, that''s really unfortunate...] [Next is the first escape tool.] A mechanical voice echoed in this hellish furnace, and then, in the middle of the ten people, a rope descended. Tied to it was a saw! A saw covered in crimson rust, with jagged, broken teeth! Looking at this object and the rising lava below, the ten people instantly understood what "escape" meant. Instantly, an uncontrollable chill surged through everyone''s hearts. ¡ªExcept for one person. Chapter 8 - Hell Difficulty! Influence of Greed Spirit Lu Ce stared at the descending saw, with only one thought in his mind. ¡ªHa! Isn''t this how you get Pain Value? The real world and the game world are interconnected, but in the real world, injuries require a hospital visit, and severe ones might even lead to disability. But in the game, he knew very well that if he met the conditions for a perfect clearance, he could have all his injuries treated for free. This was why he was determined to join the game. The risks were high, but the rewards for him were absolutely maximized. "What do you mean? What does this mean? You call this a game?!" "No one told me this before! This is outright deception! I''m going to report you!" Listening to the cries and complaints around him, Lu Ce felt numb, turning to look at the woman beside him who was crying and making a scene. Report? Where would you even report? Didn''t they know what kind of situation this was? Although Lu Ce had long expected that there would be some clueless participants at the start of the game, such extreme reactions were beyond his expectations. Lu Ce opened his Portable Live Screen to see if the "audience" had any information on the other nine players. But upon looking, he found that an unusually large number of people were watching him. [Is this the perspective of a player with a perfect clearance? I specifically wanted to see what level a high-level player is at.] [This scene is a bit terrifying, I''ve never seen it before...] [I''m glad I decided to watch first to see what games there are. I''m better off as an audience member.] [I checked the other nine people, only three are clearers, the rest are first-time participants. It seems this one is the perfect clearer.] Only then did Lu Ce realize that their live streams, although randomly assigned, could be searched and categorized. If that''s the case, those with perfect clearances would soon live under the spotlight. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. This might not necessarily be a good thing... The world would never casually allow an individual to possess superhuman Strength. Fortunately, he chose the Mask of Sin. However, his personality and habitual actions might still be noticed by those with intentions... "I quit! I quit! I don''t want to saw off my own leg! Let me out, I''m not playing anymore!" During Lu Ce''s observation, the woman beside him continued to cry and complain, clearly unable to face reality. To Lu Ce''s surprise, there was actually a response from the air. A mechanical voice replied: [The Shop System will open shortly. During the preparation phase of the game, you can purchase Exit Tokens to forcibly exit mid-game.] [Once an Exit Token is used, you will permanently lose your game qualification.] [During the game, you cannot enter the shop.] Exit Tokens... Such a thing exists... Lu Ce thought to himself but didn''t show any reaction. At this point, he had already figured out how to exploit the Pain Value. "What do you mean we can''t exit?! The lava is rising, I''m feeling dizzy! Let me down!" Amid the woman''s continuous sharp cries, a metallic scraping sound suddenly came from the air, interrupting the chaos and despair, instantly drawing the attention of the other nine people. Above the lava, a chain suddenly began to shake violently, the creaking sound instantly silencing all the noise. The chain locking Lu Ce''s right leg was shaking violently in the air, and Lu Ce, like a nimble monkey, swung back and forth in the air. With a snap, Lu Ce grabbed the rusty saw in the air with force. "Heh, the quality of the chain isn''t bad, swinging back and forth without any sign of loosening." After pulling down the saw, Lu Ce''s relaxed voice echoed in the cramped space, causing the surrounding nine people to widen their eyes in shock, watching him as he took the first action. ¡ªIs he crazy?! Really going to saw his leg with that rusty saw?! "To be honest, you guys are really giving me face, this unique tool, and no one fought for it, letting me have it? Sawing off your own leg to escape, such a clich¨¦ method. By the way, did you really pay the copyright fee for Saw?" Holding the saw, Lu Ce wasn''t in a hurry to act, swinging back and forth in the air while chatting under the gaze of everyone around him. That inexplicable sense of ease made those around him seriously doubt whether he realized that the current predicament required sawing off his own leg to survive. But Lu Ce himself, from the first sentence he spoke, actually realized one thing¡ªthis wasn''t entirely his personality. His mental state at this moment was like someone half-drunk, still able to control his mind, but subconsciously wanting to say things that didn''t match his usual character. This might be... the effect of the Mask of Sin on his face¡ªamplifying the corresponding traits of his humanity, but also granting corresponding benefits! Lu Ce didn''t want to overly control himself. Greed, verbosity, cunning, in the face of such a brutal game challenge, these traits were exactly what he needed! Moreover, in the future, he could use these traits to prevent those prying "audiences" from easily linking his in-game self with his real-world self. And he was very curious to see what bonuses "Greed" Mode would give him. [It seems someone has taken the first step.] In the scorching air, that mechanical voice reappeared, but this time, it surprisingly carried a hint of humanization. [However, merely obtaining the saw doesn''t count as a successful survival.] "Got it, got it, just sawing a leg, no big deal, it''s not the first time..." "I just think this game lacks some fun and exploration, really boring." Lu Ce continued, his voice almost breaking into a sinister laugh. "After all, I''m the first to get the saw, shouldn''t there be some kind of reward?" Lu Ce finally revealed his fangs, beneath the blue mask, exuding a chilling ambition and greed. The other nine participants around him were silent, quietly watching this figure hanging there, bargaining, as if he was the only one maintaining a gaming mindset in this terrifying scene. [The game naturally has many Hidden Achievements and Special Rewards waiting to be explored, but players need to explore them on their own.] "Alright, alright, so stingy, not giving anything." "I''m just asking, what if I saw off my leg and still don''t get rescued? I don''t really believe it, swinging back and forth like this, what if I accidentally fall into the lava after sawing off my leg?" [No, this is not part of the game content. The platform beneath you is extendable, as long as you escape before the lava covers it, there will be no problem.] "So, as long as I saw off my leg, I can escape, right?" [Correct!] The blue mask shimmered, forming a smile, as if a cunning plan had succeeded. A cold gleam flashed, and the rusty saw pressed against his leg, ready to cut! However, the chain was shackling his right ankle. He was sawing his left leg! Chapter 9 - To the extreme of greed, seeking wealth in death! What sound does it make when metal slowly saws through flesh? The answer is silence. Until the saw encounters something truly hard, it''s a sensation of leather rubbing, like two pieces of cowhide grinding against each other, trying to wear one out. Against the already red backdrop of the Hell of Lava, that leg turned even redder in an instant. The world seemed to pause for a moment, like a freeze-frame in a black-and-white silent film, with only the sizzling sound of a steak being seared in the air. "Ahhhhh!!!" A piercing scream echoed, but it wasn''t Lu Ce''s voice; it was the woman hanging beside him. Lu Ce hadn''t reacted yet, but her voice had already turned into a pig-slaughtering wail. "What are you doing! Stay away from me!" She had entered with a gamer''s mindset, never having witnessed such a scene. Could this really be happening, just sawing like that? Watching the masked figure beside her, she began to thrash and struggle violently in the air, babbling incoherently as fear completely consumed her reason, her mind on the brink of collapse. [Chosen of Pain, Pain Value +3!] [Chosen of Pain, Pain Value +2!] The continuous increase in Pain Value delighted Lu Ce, but the woman''s pig-like screams beside him left him speechless. He looked at the woman, exasperated, and quipped: "Seriously, why are you screaming? It''s not your leg being sawed. Besides, you''ll have to saw it later anyway. Why not get a feel for it now? It might help you then. What? Or do you want to try it now?" As he spoke, Lu Ce extended the saw in her direction, as if inviting her. Seeing the blood-soaked hand holding the saw, the woman fell silent, passing out from fright. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Scared unconscious by the perverse gameplay! Now she could only hope that when she woke up, it would all just be a dream. "Really... couldn''t even mentally prepare before coming in." Lu Ce casually scared off a spectator and continued sawing his leg. Sawing off one''s own leg, aside from the excruciating pain, was more of a mental torment, a spiritual torture. But the Mask of Sin in Greed Mode left Lu Ce without even the slightest psychological burden. As long as the Pain Value increased, as long as he gained what he wanted, this negligible cost was completely ignorable. There''s a saying: When profit reaches 50%, people will take risks; When profit reaches 100%, people dare to trample all human laws; When profit reaches 300%, people dare to risk their lives. But for Lu Ce now, even a one percent, or even a possible benefit, was enough to make him risk everything. Greed made him thoroughly enjoy the feeling of dancing on the edge, seeking fortune amidst danger. That feeling was enough to drive one mad! The saw blade was now halfway through, and aside from the woman beside him, the other participants also turned pale. Who wouldn''t be scared by such a graphic scene? Especially with this masked maniac in front of them, sawing himself without uttering a single sound of pain, occasionally even chuckling. It truly gave them the feeling of being in hell. "Bro, you''re amazing. We were a bit overconfident entering this game..." On the other side, a man, pale-faced, spoke to Lu Ce, but according to the audience, he was also someone who had participated in and cleared the beginner''s game. "When it''s time to cut, you cut. Choosing to cut your leg first, impressive. Your first game''s score and ranking must be quite high." "But look! You''re sawing the left leg now!" "Oh?" Lu Ce looked at his bloody left leg. "Is there a problem?" "The iron shackle is on your right foot. What''s the point of sawing the left leg?" "I want to saw it, can''t I?" Lu Ce swayed, full of confidence, then shouted into the air:"Who said you have to saw the right leg? I just want to saw the left leg, is that okay?!" This time, Lu Ce''s shout was directed at the entity similar to the "game organizer" that had previously communicated with people. But this time, the mechanical voice that had appeared several times before did not respond. Lu Ce didn''t care. After all, his plan was a gamble, win or lose, at least there was the occasionally increasing Pain Value, right? The other players watching turned their heads, eyes filled with despair. One person beside them had fainted from fear, and another seemed to be a mentally challenged maniac. If they had the chance to survive, they would never dare participate in such a deadly game again. Not only them, but even the Chosen Ones who were currently spectators all agreed with the correctness of their choice. [This is the Hell difficulty game? Good thing I didn''t participate...] [Too terrifying. Are all perfect-clear players such lunatics?] [Facing such an extreme game, perhaps only a lunatic could calmly saw a leg.] [But it''s useless. He''s ruthless enough, but his brain doesn''t seem to work well.] Most of the audience looked at Lu Ce, the "perfect-clear" player, and the terrifying scene, marveling at his bravery but lack of wisdom. However, among the spectators, there were those who weren''t just watching. Some were smart enough to gather information for future plans and understood Lu Ce''s intention. A Chosen One named "Blank," now a spectator, shared his insights on Lu Ce''s live screen. [Blank: You don''t really think a perfect-clear player could be stupid enough to saw the wrong leg, do you?] [Blank: If I''m not mistaken, he''s playing a game with the rules. Do you remember what he said earlier?] [Blank: In previous conversations, he asked what would happen if sawing off the leg didn''t lead to rescue, and gave an example of accidentally falling into lava.] [Blank: His goal was to inquire about all possibilities of not being rescued by sawing off the leg, but he deliberately diverted attention to irrelevant areas.] [Blank: And in the end, he casually asked if sawing off the leg would definitely lead to rescue, but that was the real revelation¡ªthere are many ways to saw a leg, including not sawing the trapped leg.] [Blank: And the organizer, misled by the previous diversion, gave a definite answer.] [Blank: That''s why he sawed the left leg!] [Blank: Although it''s just a word game, he executed it without hesitation for possible benefits... Perfect-clear players are indeed monsters of maximizing benefits, with pain and their own legs... all out of consideration.] Chapter 10 - Fear will cloud your judgment, lets talk about the price! [Blank: So, from the very start of the game, this big shot had no fear in his mind.] [Blank: A rusty saw, boiling lava, he never cared about any of it. From the beginning, he only thought about how to maximize the benefits of this game for himself!] [Blank: To act like this requires extreme greed, extreme confidence, and a ruthless attitude towards oneself...] The person named Blank spoke intermittently, not very coherently, as if he was thinking while speaking. But ever since his words appeared, the barrage on Lu Ce''s screen instantly decreased, indicating that everyone was watching his analysis. Previously, they were just watching for fun, but now, after hearing him, they felt like they had been watching in vain. Aren''t we buddies? Why is everyone else blissfully ignorant, and you''re so out of sync? Of course, there were those who disagreed with such analytical comments, as there are always people unwilling to admit they are mere mortals. After Blank, someone immediately jumped out, disagreeing: [: How can you be sure it''s as you think? Maybe he''s just a madman?] [: Yeah, and shouldn''t the organizer''s voice be like an automated machine voice? How could there be a language error unless someone is controlling it?] Hearing these stubborn remarks, Blank had no interest in responding. In the real world, "Blank" was staring at the screen in shock, analyzing in real-time and recording every move of Lu Ce. He definitely wouldn''t miss this chance to change his fate and gain superpowers, and he was determined to become a player in the future. However, he didn''t dare to be a guinea pig and decided to gather intelligence first, to see the game''s mode and the current world-class players'' game modes, before entering. Unexpectedly, he stumbled upon such a heavyweight. "This level of player... I need to find a way to get to know him and befriend him..." Thinking this, Blank casually replied on the screen: If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. [Blank: Think whatever you want. Honestly, I''m not sure if I''ve fully understood the big shot''s plans. Let''s just see how things develop.] *** In the live stream, opinions were divided, but after glancing at it once at the beginning, Lu Ce never paid attention again, fully immersed in his work. At this moment... He was still sawing his leg... As if completing a very satisfying task, or engaging in some interesting entertainment, he wasn''t in a hurry at all. Because he was accumulating Pain Value. From the beginning until now, he had accumulated more than twenty points. For the first time, Lu Ce felt that his leg was so useful. As long as he could perfectly clear the game in the end, nothing else mattered. Looking at the increasing Pain Value, what did it matter about the leg? There was no such opportunity outside. He himself felt no pain or psychological pressure, but it was tormenting those around him. The woman who had fainted earlier had woken up and was now vomiting uncontrollably. The others weren''t much better off, most of them sweating profusely, pale-faced, turning their heads away from Lu Ce. The scorching environment, the test of life and death, the unbearable pain before them, and the presence of another player who seemed insane, made them feel as if they had truly entered hell. [Chosen of Pain! Pain Value +1!] Until later, Lu Ce found that the Pain Value was no longer increasing much, growing exceptionally slowly, and realized that the sawing was almost done. Only then did he reluctantly "detach" his left leg. Holding the bloody left foot in his hand, he examined it for a few seconds and muttered: "Speaking of which, my performance should definitely bring some extra benefits... Regenerating a limb must require better, higher-level potions compared to reattaching one... right?" Saying this, he casually tossed the severed leg into the lava below. "Haha! I sawed it off, hey! Are you still there? Didn''t you say sawing the leg would set me free?" Lu Ce''s somewhat provocative voice echoed in the space, presenting his terms to the owner of this space. But there was no response. Just when Lu Ce thought he might have failed this round, the voice appeared again from above the space. This time, however, the mechanical voice was exceptionally cold, devoid of the previous hint of human warmth, now more like a pure machine. [Relevant entry rules have been repaired.] [Player "Lu Ce" successfully challenged the system loophole, earning the Medal, System Attacker (Epic).] [Relevant rewards will be settled together at the end of the game.] The mechanical voice''s mention of "Lu Ce" was blurred, and apart from Lu Ce himself, others could only hear a vague reference. After the rewards were given, there were no more words, as if worried about being tricked by Lu Ce again. Lu Ce didn''t mind either. On his mask, the flowing light formed a satisfied smile, and he stretched lazily while hanging upside down in the air. "Ah... not too bad, not too stingy." In the entire lava cave, only the sound of lava bubbling remained, with everyone else in a state of shock. No one expected that the person in front of them wasn''t a self-harming maniac with a loose screw, but rather a madman who would stop at nothing for profit! First time playing the game, and encountering such a scenario, such a player... The live stream had long since exploded, and recalling the analysis from the person named Blank earlier, everyone felt a sense of awe beyond words. For a moment, praises filled the air. But looking at the gruesome severed leg, not many felt admiration; more so, it was pure reverence and fear. Lu Ce didn''t care about the gazes of those around him. After a brief rest, he didn''t rush to escape but instead spoke again: "To be honest, I don''t know why you guys still don''t get the situation." Hearing his voice, the other nine players were all stunned, not understanding what he meant. "You really are putting life and death aside. Have you realized that the lava is rising? What is this thing? Tell me?" Lu Ce said, shaking the saw in his hand. "You don''t think this is something that brings pain and suffering, do you?" If we''re in a game, this is called a clearance tool! And now, this only clearance tool is in my hand, and not a single one of you tried to grab it... Because of fear, everyone avoided this saw... Don''t be afraid, fear will make you lose your judgment. This so-called hell game is too smooth, I hope there will be more opportunities like this in the future..." Ever since he put on the Greed Mask, Lu Ce, besides being more greedy, had also become a bit more talkative. But in his continuous chatter, the other players around him inexplicably felt a chill, even though the temperature was already over 50 degrees Celsius! "Alright, enough nonsense." Lu Ce playfully swung the saw in his hand. "Now, does anyone else want to saw their leg? Come on... let''s talk price?" Chapter 11 - The evil of human nature erupts in murder As Lu Ce''s words fell, everyone''s expressions changed dramatically, their faces uncertain as they watched him sway in the center. In the real world, Blank, who had been observing Lu Ce''s every move, slammed a fist on the table and shouted excitedly. "Damn! I knew it!" "The previous probing wasn''t just about maximizing benefits; there was much deeper meaning." "It included testing the game''s rules, figuring out what controls this suddenly appearing game¡ªwhether it''s a machine, an omnipotent god, or an alien civilization?" "This kind of probing is crucial for the entire world, and yet the big shot managed to complete it unknowingly, even securing benefits for himself..." "And the previous ruthless methods can still intimidate other participants, making it easier to ''extort'' at this time." Blank gritted his teeth, sorting through his thoughts, growing more excited the more he thought about it. He didn''t think there was anything wrong with such extreme greed. The world had changed dramatically, life and death were up to fate, and the strong naturally had to become stronger by any means in the early stages of the game. But just as he was typing on the "game live stream" screen, he slowly put down his hand. Because he saw most people''s comments and their current psychological state. [: This is extortion. Honestly, shouldn''t we help each other in such situations?] [: Sawing off a leg is already tragic enough. In this atmosphere of fear, threatening others is a bit unnecessary, isn''t it?] [: Very strong, also very crazy, but I hope not to encounter such people in the game.] ....... Besides these saintly comments, there were others praising him as if watching an American blockbuster. Either they inexplicably brought in strange emotions, or they truly saw themselves as mere spectators. People seemed to forget that they, the audience, were also Chosen Ones, and they too had the chance to participate in the game. Everyone was part of it. Stolen novel; please report. The world had changed in an instant, but people''s mindsets hadn''t shifted yet. Blank thought about it, gave up the idea of sending a barrage, and stopped communicating with these "infants," turning his attention to the game''s internal scenes. ....... "What do you mean? What do you mean by negotiating a price!" Beside him, the woman who had been shouting the loudest suddenly looked over with a hateful gaze, staring fiercely at Lu Ce. "Exactly what it sounds like. No money, no saw. What''s the problem?" Lu Ce turned his head with a matter-of-fact expression and said to her. "Do you have any conscience left? You''re even making money off this! You heartless creature." "I''m quitting! I''m not playing this game anymore. Why must we keep playing once we''re in?" "Why does the game''s organizer almost never respond to us, but they respond to you? Why can you so easily saw off your own leg? I think you''re all in on it; this is a complete conspiracy." "Look, everyone! He''s not some amazing player; he''s in cahoots with the game''s manipulators!" Perhaps the mental pressure was too much, as the woman began a frenzied outburst, her fear and pain turning into anger, pouring onto Lu Ce. Her whole body twisted violently, rattling the chains on her, and seeing her deranged state, Lu Ce felt utterly baffled. The air was silent for a few seconds before Lu Ce slowly spoke: "Yeah, you''re right." "I''m in on it. I''m actually an NPC in this game, not a player." "I don''t have any pain sensation. I can saw however I want, just here to torment you normal players." "So what? What do you plan to do?" At this moment, the blue Greed mask formed a large mocking smile (*^_^*), as if taunting the other party. Lu Ce knew very well that this vile woman was just a magnification of human nature. He wore the Greed mask, and she probably wore the "mask" of a life of luxury. The weak draw their knives against the weaker, and in this bizarre world game, no matter how strong he seemed, he would appear relatively weaker. So her breakdown needed an outlet, and he became that outlet. Even though he seemed terrifying, clearly possessing the strength to kill her, years of social conditioning had led her to believe that provoking a "human" like him wouldn''t have any consequences. Her methods were similar, relying on loudness, framing, slander, guiding the public, and isolating. But the world had changed, and yet some people hadn''t grasped this reality. Lu Ce looked at her playfully, thinking that even if he admitted it, even if he was slandered, even if he truly became an enemy to all of them, what difference would it make? Lu Ce''s completely unrefuted admission left the woman speechless, her throat emitting a muffled sound, her face flushed red. It was unclear whether it was from heat or if she was about to be suffocated by her own emotions. "The lava is still rising, everyone..." Lu Ce swung one foot in the air as if on a swing, even waving the saw in his hand, as if he might throw it down at any moment. "How much do you want?" Finally, someone spoke up, and Lu Ce thought to himself that there were still clear-headed people, just as he was about to turn around to see who it was. "What I want isn''t money, but..." But before he could finish, as he turned his head, he caught a glimpse of a flash of red light! Opposite him, a man swung over with the momentum of the chains, a dagger over a foot long in his hand, glinting with red light. That dagger was clearly not a normal weapon, definitely some kind of in-game item! Then, the man swinging over had a fierce look in his eyes. In an instant, as Lu Ce turned, the knife was already at his throat. A deadly strike! In the screeching sound of friction, blood splattered. What should have been a fatal blow was forcibly twisted away by Lu Ce in a flash, meeting it with his collarbone! The knife was stuck firmly in his collarbone, unable to move. On the blue mask, the expression didn''t change at all; in fact, the mask''s smile widened, reaching the corners of its mouth. [Chosen of Pain! Pain Value +5!] Unexpectedly, even at this moment, there was such a pleasant surprise. "Kill him! Quick! Kill him!" The woman beside him began to twist violently, shouting excitedly. The man also had a fierce look in his eyes, seeing his successful strike, intending to press the advantage. But in an instant, the commotion ended, and the excited shouting was caught in the woman''s throat. A line of blood appeared on the man''s neck. With a casual wave of the saw in Lu Ce''s hand, it moved at a terrifying speed almost imperceptible to the naked eye, leaving only the terrifying sound of slicing through the air. "Too bad~ You only get one chance. o(*£þ¨Œ£þ*)¥Ö" "Also, thanks for the knife you brought.~" Chapter 12 - Famous scene, chop off his legs, and he still has to thank us As the words fell, the man opposite loosened his grip on the knife, his right hand powerless. His eyes widened in shock, both hands clutching his neck as blood gushed out like water. Trying to cover it was futile. A few seconds later, the man hanging upside down turned into a blood-soaked figure, the intense heat quickly coagulating the blood. His body twitched twice in the air before falling still. Dead?! Witnessing the murder firsthand sobered everyone up a bit. Lu Ce found it rather amusing, looking at the crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside corpse, and even had the mood to crack a joke. "This red-skinned duck cosplay isn''t bad. Honestly, there''s really a hanging oven inside." In fact, influenced by the Greed Mask, he should have used this daring attacker to rack up more Pain Value. But he didn''t. What was etched in his mind was unshakable¡ªnever hand over the chance to survive to someone else! If someone wanted to kill him, he wouldn''t waste words. He removed the dagger from his shoulder and looked at the weapon description that popped up automatically. [Sharp Blade (Premium Weapon)] [Effect: Armor-piercing, when the user attacks with it, it unleashes three times the Strength (with a strength cap, requires self-exploration)] [Description: When you don''t know what to do, just stick it in.] Lu Ce: ? Hmm? Isn''t there something a bit off about this description? (£»¡ä¡Ð`) "Ah, a premium weapon, huh? Doesn''t sound too high-level, but it''s better than nothing." With that, Lu Ce tossed the knife into his backpack as a trophy. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Additionally, if categorized this way, the mask on his face didn''t seem to be a weapon item. A Serial Sealed Artifact... it appeared to be a unique standalone object. He glanced around, and no one dared to meet the gaze of that deep blue mask. In places where human-created laws and order couldn''t reach, violence was always the best way to communicate. "Alright, given the situation, name your price." Finally, the first smart person spoke up, and Lu Ce turned to look at him. "I know, players like you don''t want money; you want chips in this game, right?" "In my Initial Game, I earned 500 points as a reward, and due to my outstanding performance, the guide gave me an additional 300 points." "I''ll give you all these points if you help me get out of this." Clearly, those with previous game-clearing experience had relatively better mental fortitude. But Lu Ce''s next words almost made him cough up blood. "Eight hundred? That''s all the points you have?" Everyone: ? Damn it, what are you talking about? Eight hundred points is a lot! "What are you saying? That''s all my points, okay? The game just started, who could have more? Didn''t your guide explain the situation to you?" Lu Ce: ...... My guide? Would you believe me if I said I killed him? My reward is directly 3000 points? "Alright, small business, since you''re the first, I''ll agree." Lu Ce accepted the trade request. "Also, since you''re the first customer, I''ll give you a little bonus." "What?" The other person didn''t react, as he wasn''t mentally prepared to saw off his own leg, his teeth trembling. Lu Ce simply pulled up his personal game panel. [Strength: 10] [Agility: 10] [Speed: 10] [Luck: 3] [Spirit: 0] [Enhancement Badge: God Slayer (Legendary) System Attacker (Epic)] [Current Pain Value: 28] From the moment he entered the game, Lu Ce realized the biggest use of his Pain Value¡ªadding points! The values on this personal panel, normal players could only increase through in-game adventures or special items, but Lu Ce could increase them directly! Strength, Agility, and Speed all had a point ratio of 1:2, Luck had a ratio of 1:5, and Spirit had a ratio of 1:10! To maximize his current abilities, Lu Ce didn''t think much and added all his points to Strength! Strength Boost! 10¡ú24! His strength, already beyond human standards, doubled and then some!!! Gripping the saw tightly, the wooden handle creaked as if it might collapse at any moment. The expansion of strength brought psychological expansion, and looking at his not particularly robust arm, Lu Ce felt as if a green giant lived inside him. "Hey, what do you mean?......" The trade was complete, and the man opposite watched Lu Ce suddenly bulge with veins, gripping the saw tightly, the mask still displaying an unusually perverse expression, suddenly terrified. "Nothing, hehe, service industry, let me personally help you saw off your leg." Man: !!!! "No! No need! Stay away from me! That wasn''t part of our deal!" With that, he began to struggle violently, the courage and determination he had painstakingly gathered vanished in an instant. You''re going to saw me? Fing hell, you might as well just let me die! Aren''t you going to torture me like you tortured yourself before? I''m not a masochist, I can''t take it! "Don''t be afraid, I''m a conscientious businessman, how could I harm you? I''m just experimenting." Under the other''s desperate struggle, a fierce light flashed in Lu Ce''s eyes, and the shape on the mask formed a very human-like exclamation mark. The saw in his right hand swung out, the speed so fast it almost had a faint sound of wind and thunder. Crack! A crisp sound, like a butcher chopping ribs on a cutting board, the completely rusted saw blade, under the immense speed, became the sharpest cutting tool. The figure fell with a thud on the platform, making a dull thud. It wasn''t until he was freed that the man with the severed leg realized it was over, and only then did the pain hit. After a scream, he clutched his leg and twisted in agony, then gritted his teeth to endure the pain, sweating profusely. He lifted his severed left leg and pressed hard on his blood vessels to prevent excessive blood loss. A smile, uglier than crying, squeezed onto his face, and he gave a trembling thumbs-up to Lu Ce, who was still hanging in the air, saying shakily: "Th-thank you, big shot!" This thank you was sincere; although he made a choice in the face of life and death, he truly didn''t think he could endure the pain of having his leg sawed off with a rusty saw. Lu Ce''s godlike operation made him feel his points were well spent, at least he saved his life. "Hey, look at this mess, he even has to thank us....." Chapter 13 - In the frantic bidding, she has enough time to regret After Lu Ce finished his verbal tirade, he felt satisfied with his current strength and even gave a thumbs-up to the buddy whose leg he had just chopped off. He didn''t seem to think anything was wrong. Having already experienced superhuman strength, he was mentally prepared for the impending changes in the world. But others didn''t see it that way. His livestream exploded! The audience''s emotions were even more intense than when they watched Lu Ce''s gruesome act of sawing his own leg. After all, for them, it was the first time witnessing someone actually using "supernatural" powers! The allure of raw power to humans is always paramount, far surpassing money and authority. [User: Holy crap, amazing! What did I just see? Was I seeing things?] [User: That was definitely superpower, right? What kind of strength is that! Using a rusty saw to cut a leg in one go?] [User: I might have spoken too loudly earlier, you''re amazing! Can I get your contact info? You don''t seem to watch your own streams often!] [User: This is the charm of the game, right? If it''s superpower, I want to try it too, even if it means risking my life.] [User: I just checked other players'' streams, and most aren''t this brutal. This guy just happened to hit a hell-difficulty game instance!] [User: Fortune favors the bold!] [User: Stop talking big, would you dare to saw your own leg with a saw?] The chat room became exceptionally lively, and those who previously just wanted to be spectators were now eager to act, their previous fears and emotions thrown aside. Some even started asking for Lu Ce''s contact information, wanting to connect with him in the real world. There were even claims that a CEO from a Fortune 500 company wanted to recruit Lu Ce. Blank sat in front of the screen, shaking his head speechlessly. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. People were finally beginning to realize the seriousness of the situation. And this was just the beginning. Lu Ce''s superhuman strength, though supernatural, still looked human. When scenes of flying and escaping, wielding wind and thunder with one''s hands appear, that''s when people will truly go mad. However, amid all the praise and frenzy, someone finally noticed something amiss. [User: Wait... don''t you think something''s off?] [User: He clearly has the ability to chop a leg off instantly, so why did he saw his own leg bit by bit before?] The chat paused. When this weak voice emerged, everyone fell silent. Yeah, why the heck? Having the simplest method, why torture himself? If I could perform painless surgery, why wouldn''t I? Am I just playing around? Previous actions could be explained by Blank and others, but this inexplicable contradiction left everyone puzzled. A bunch of "analysis masters" like Blank sat in front of their screens, coming up with a thousand reasons for Lu Ce, yet they couldn''t justify why he was so hard on himself. Could he really be a masochist? Or is there something wrong with his brain? Impossible, a perfect game-clear player, such a big shot, how could he have something wrong with his brain! There must be some deeper meaning we haven''t thought of, let''s analyze further... They could never analyze Lu Ce''s deeper meaning. After all, he just wanted some Pain Value. Below, the first person he rescued had already disappeared without a trace, perhaps marking the end of the game. But in any case, his disappearance made the still-suspended crowd suddenly excited. Before Lu Ce could speak, the remaining voices rang out one after another. "Boss, look over here! I''m willing to pay too!" "I have two hundred points, plus a normal weapon, all obtained from the Initial Game, I can give them to you!" "As long as you can personally chop my leg!" "Help me chop my leg, and I''ll give you money when I get out, lots and lots of money, you fill out the checkbook!" "Chop mine, come chop my leg." "We''re all Chinese, lend a hand!" Players who previously didn''t dare to utter a word in fear now saw such a painless method and were suddenly energized, each one starting to bid for leg-chopping. These days, even chopping someone''s leg could be auctioned off. The broken window effect never goes out of style; if you told people to saw off their leg without anesthesia on any other day, no one would accept it. But now, after that rusty saw had been on Lu Ce''s leg for over ten minutes, people suddenly felt that being able to chop off a leg directly was such a blessing. Seeing the eager crowd, Lu Ce didn''t refuse, just waiting for higher bids. After all, those who participated in the Initial Game and didn''t clear it still had some points, and some had signed internal game agreements to give their points to Lu Ce. Under the influence of the Greed Mask, Lu Ce had turned into a merciless profiteer, chopping legs without issue as long as people paid. In the end, he acquired an unfamiliar game item, several game points, and promises of game points after clearing, chopping off leg after leg. If this were in Japan, he''d already be considered a leg-chopping immortal. After a series of screams, only four people remained hanging in the air. Two were already scared witless, seemingly having completely given up hope of survival, and Lu Ce couldn''t be bothered with them; giving up on life was none of his business. Another former game-clearer gave him one last look before suddenly disappearing, likely having obtained an Exit Token as a past reward. Finally, Lu Ce turned once more to the woman beside him who had been shouting and cursing at him, unable to grasp the situation. By now, she had been quiet for quite a while. Seeing Lu Ce turn back again, despite her obvious fear and trembling, she spoke once more: "I warn you, if you..." But this time, Lu Ce couldn''t be bothered to listen. A flash of the blade, and this time, Lu Ce sawed off his own bound leg. His body fell, landing on the platform. Reaching out to feel the side of the platform, he smiled and said to the woman in the air: "The lava is almost here." Lu Ce''s figure vanished, and within a few breaths, the lava engulfed the platform. In his last glimpse, Lu Ce saw the woman finally realizing at the last moment, letting out a sharp scream, desperately reaching for the saw swinging in the air, her shrill cries echoing. But it was too late. The lava had already swallowed the platform, but not her. She still had plenty of time to regret, but no more chances. People die from stupidity... Chapter 14 - ‘Loot Sharing Ceremony,’ Perfect Completion Player Exposed! Whether that woman would regret it in the final stage, whether she would be heartbroken, was no longer something Lu Ce needed to consider. Now, Lu Ce was feeling a bit of regret. Perhaps it was greed at play, seeing the game nearing its end, he felt his gains were somewhat lacking. Was this leg-sawing punishment the only one arranged? Shouldn''t there be more tortures to repeatedly torment, roasting from both sides? What kind of Hell difficulty was this? It was truly lacking in imagination, not twisted enough at all. As he was thinking this, the familiar data stream sensation did not appear. It seemed that after disappearing from the platform, the game did not immediately settle. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in an extremely bright space. The four people he had saved earlier were also sitting in chairs with terrified expressions, anxiously looking around. The game wasn''t over yet! This hellish torment seemed to be far from over! Just when they were overjoyed to think it was finally over, reality hit them hard. After Lu Ce appeared, four pairs of eyes turned towards him simultaneously, indicating that the game was waiting for all participants to arrive. Everyone was fixed in a chair, forming a perfect pentagon, with a massive pentagonal column in the center, empty and seemingly purposeless. Unlike the others, Lu Ce was rather happy to see the game wasn''t over. After all, as long as the game continued, he could still profit. His mindset was clearly different. After the previous game, he was even a bit addicted to playing. Patting the mask that kept showing a smile, Lu Ce muttered to himself: "I knew it couldn''t be so unimaginative, the game had to be more twisted." "Control, control..." Although he enjoyed the feeling of gain, Lu Ce was mindful of the limits, not allowing himself to be completely immersed in the rhythm of the mask. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it The mask only amplified his emotions; it couldn''t completely control him. [All participants are present, welcome, conquerors of the Hell Game.] After Lu Ce appeared, the mechanical voice that had disappeared for a while reemerged in the space. When the voice appeared, the other four even shivered, unsure if it was from pain. [You seem quite happy? That''s not normal.] Suddenly, the voice shifted its focus, and everyone was stunned to realize it was addressing Lu Ce! The game''s controller was actively speaking to a player! Lu Ce looked around and asked: "Really? That''s quite good." "So, is there any reward?" [...] Fing Hell, are you addicted to milking rewards? This is a Hell difficulty game, not a charity! Lu Ce''s simple question left the game''s control voice speechless for a while. Then, the lights around the five people suddenly dimmed, the dim lighting accentuating the loneliness and terror of the atmosphere. Creak... Creak... A sharp, strange sound echoed, and under the curious gazes of the group, the massive barrel-shaped space in the center began to fill with black water. Upon closer inspection, someone exclaimed in shock. It wasn''t black water at all, but an enormous swarm of insects, too numerous to count! Layer upon layer, swarm upon swarm, emerging from who knows where, surging upwards! And these insects were unlike any seen before, each one exceptionally disgusting. Some were scorpion-like but half a meter long. Some were covered in barbs, with long tongues constantly curling and twisting. Some soft-bodied worms wriggled incessantly, even bursting under pressure, oozing thick fluid. The entire massive barrel-shaped space was filling with insects, their screeching filling the space, making one nauseous just looking at them. In no time, the columnar space before them was completely filled! A column with a five-meter diameter and at least a dozen meters high! Stuffed with insects, a rough estimate suggested there were at least a billion of them in this interdimensional space. The four seated around the column were pale as paper, and even Lu Ce couldn''t help but click his tongue. Perhaps some people in the world aren''t afraid of beasts, but faced with such a swarm of insects, apart from those Gu Masters in Miaojiang, few could remain unfazed. This was a physiological and psychological double extreme, not something normal people could face. Especially since these seemed to be alien insects. [: Fing Hell, buddy, seriously, don''t, it''s too disgusting.] [: Can''t watch this, I''m out, going to check another stream.] [: Honestly, this is a bit too heavy.] [: Not doing this, being a spectator is fine, never want to be a player!] The audience in the live stream was also complaining bitterly, the number of insects breaking the limits of curiosity. Then, they noticed that separating the space from their room was a special glass window, 50 centimeters by 50 centimeters. Looking at this window, people were almost fainting from fear, realizing these insects would soon come in! "When will this end, just let me die!" Beside him, a man, unable to bear the pressure, punched the glass hard, making a dull thud. But his anger could do nothing at this moment. Looking at the insects, Lu Ce thought¡ªthis seems like another chance for Pain Value. [Players, shouldn''t you feel honored? The game should have ended.] [But due to the excessive number of surviving players, which doesn''t align with the Hell difficulty concept, there''s a small additional test.] [Originally, the game''s lifeline was in this player''s hands. He could have made himself the sole survivor, and this additional test wouldn''t exist, making him a perfect game conqueror once again.] [Yes, he is the only one among you who achieved a perfect clear in the novice level.] [And due to his soft-heartedness, the current situation has arisen. Let''s all give him a round of applause for his performance~] The organizer''s voice resounded again, accompanied by the lights in Lu Ce''s room turning on, indicating who they were talking about. But this time, the tone and voice carried a very clear mocking intent, leaving one to ponder if Lu Ce had offended them. Clap, clap, clap~ The crisp sound of applause echoed in the space, mingling with the insects'' screeches. And the only one applauding at this moment was Lu Ce himself! "Mm, not bad, not bad, according to you, I''m quite impressive, I think I should applaud myself." "So, back to the question, with my excellent performance, is there no extra reward?" Chapter 15 - Distribution of loot game, the unluckiest position? Lu Ce''s voice was calm, with a tone full of sarcasm, completely unfazed by the organizer''s mockery, and even mocking back. He didn''t know why he was suddenly targeted, as if the game had taken a dislike to him, placing him in the spotlight. They even revealed that he was a perfect clearance player. But he didn''t see it as a problem; the more he was targeted, the more profitable it could be! Being targeted was an opportunity. Risk always accompanies opportunity. A certain philosopher named Gao once said, "The bigger the waves, the more expensive the fish!" Gao... Gao what? Let''s just say it was Gorky who said it. [All the rewards in the game, the benefits of clearing it, are not given but earned or snatched.] [What you can get depends on how far you can go.] [Greed... you seem to adapt well to this mask.] [But who knows, your soft heart might end up getting you killed.] "I''m even soft-hearted now, the way you say it, I''m a bit moved myself. Why don''t you give me an award, an Achievement Badge?" Lu Ce didn''t let the conversation drop, naturally retorting. Watching Lu Ce and that unknown voice exchange barbs, the other four people around felt completely like outsiders. They could only watch the expert exchange blows, not daring to speak up themselves. Only now did they realize that there really was a difference between a perfect clearance and a normal clearance. From the start, this big shot had been among the top tier, and now, their gazes toward him became more complex. From initial fear and distance, there was now a bit more gratitude. After all, although he was greedy and crazy, threatening them like a vampire, in the end, he did save their lives. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. If Lu Ce were truly a bloodthirsty maniac, he could have let them all die in the lava, with no need to help them cut their legs. Yes, in this hellish game, cutting legs straightforwardly was indeed an act of mercy. However, given the situation, no one planned to thank Lu Ce, the "great benefactor." [Alright, the final test!] [Loot Distribution Game! Everyone, cheer up, it''s time to reap the rewards.] [Normal players, don''t be discouraged. In the next stage, you''ll be on the same level as that guy.] [This is God''s game, a challenger''s gamble, where anything can happen. Don''t think you can''t do it; you can completely transform overnight.] [Chosen''s Paradise welcomes your participation!] The enticing voice rang out again, as if stirring the greed in people''s hearts, but it was clear that this message was still unfriendly to Lu Ce. Clearly, it was trying to drive a wedge between Lu Ce and the others, as the upcoming game would certainly involve some competition among them. Then, amidst the writhing and screeching of bugs, two pillars rose in front of each person, within arm''s reach, with a red and a green button on top. Above the bug pillar, a scarlet number appeared. ¡ª100! [Loot Distribution Game is about to begin.] [All of you have passed the Hell Trial, and should have directly received rewards, but the number of people passing the Hell Trial is unusually high.] [So now, you will discuss among yourselves and allocate this "100" as the final reward value.] [Special reminder, the rewards are generous.] Then, as everyone was still confused, a screen appeared in front of each person. Each screen displayed different images, each with its own content. [Take a look at your deepest desires and aspirations.] The images showed powerful abilities like moving mountains and seas, or shattering planets with a flick. There were scenes of opulence, looking down on the masses from a high position. Someone was in Tokyo, on a train full of neon beauties, where time suddenly stopped... When a stepsister was doing laundry, getting stuck in the washing machine... It seemed something strange had slipped in... [Tsk, what kind of nonsense is this!] [In any case, Chosen''s Paradise is where your dreams come true.] [Believe me, for your currently shallow understanding, this "100" absolutely holds the chance to change your entire life.] Seeing that the time was right, the organizer, who had been enticing for a while, felt there was no need for further buildup. Desires had been stirred, and what remained was the grand drama of loot distribution. [Alright! Loot Distribution Game is about to begin, next is the rule introduction.] [This 100 is the total of all rewards, and the distribution method is decided by a vote among the five of you~~, no one has special privileges.] As soon as these words were spoken, the other four players visibly relaxed. If that''s all, then indeed the gap between them and the perfect clearance player was nonexistent. But what was this creepy bug jar for? [And this jar is the punishment for "non-cooperative" players.] [The rules are as follows: each person, in order, proposes their own allocation plan for this point value.] [If half or more of the people press the green agree button, indicating approval, then the allocation plan is passed, and everyone receives their respective share of the rewards.] [Conversely, if more than half disagree, then the person who proposed the plan will be transported into this jar, where the little creatures love you all.] [Then, it moves to the next person in order to propose their plan.] As they spoke, the jar full of bugs glowed slightly. Looking at the jar, the hearts of the crowd, which had been hanging by a thread, were now completely dead. So, this thing was for executions... The most terrifying way to die in the world, perhaps. [Alright, enough chit-chat, order allocation, now begins!] As the voice fell, a number began to flash rapidly above each person''s head, from number one to number five. All the players'' nerves instantly tightened, some closing their eyes to pray, hoping to get a later position. This game, for the first person to allocate, was entirely decided by the others whether they lived or died! Forget about allocating benefits, if you''re at the front, even staying alive might be difficult! It would have been better to die in the previous game! This was entirely a game of luck! Ding! The crowd shuddered with the sound, the numbers stopped, and the order for each person''s proposal was set. Number 1¡ªLu Ce! Chapter 16 - A crazy distribution plan, is he seeking death!? Once the allocation from One to Five was completed, Players Four and Five instinctively breathed a sigh of relief. According to the previously agreed rules, at least their lives were spared. Moreover, their positions were quite comfortable. As per the earlier discussions, if more than half disagreed, the person who raised objections would be executed. Intuitively, those in front would likely be more considerate and even try to please them during the allocation. After all, being at the back meant they wouldn''t die, and without special benefits, they certainly wouldn''t agree to anything else. As for Players Two and Three, their expressions were a bit grim. Their positions were awkward, facing the insect pillars in front of them, and the numbers didn''t provide any sense of security. Especially Player Two, the only woman present, who looked quite displeased, silently cursing her bad luck. But upon seeing Lu Ce, the big shot, with the number "1" above his head, her mood improved significantly, feeling much more balanced. At this moment, the other four were all looking in Lu Ce''s direction, their eyes showing a mix of pity and... schadenfreude. Indeed, offending the organizers in such a game was not a wise choice. No matter how strong you are, you''re just a player in the game, while they''re the ones setting the rules. Who do you think you are? Seeing Lu Ce with his head down, not speaking, they inexplicably felt a sense of satisfaction. Everyone loves to create gods, but they love even more to watch them fall from grace. Seeing this obviously strongest player, strong enough to affect the game''s balance, being assigned the unluckiest position, they were genuinely pleased. Where was the gratitude? Didn''t you extort us when you helped cut off the legs before? At this moment, the blue mask on Lu Ce''s face shimmered, not forming any expression, as he kept his head down, muttering something to himself. Everyone fell silent, wanting to hear what this big shot was saying. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. "Outside the pavilion, by the ancient road, the fragrant grass stretches endlessly~~" Everyone: ? What the hell are you singing at a time like this!? Are you out of your mind!? You can''t guess what the big shot is thinking, but in any case, it''s Lu Ce''s turn now, and it''s his turn to allocate. [Well, this is a setup.] [This is purely arranged, sigh, keep a low profile, why fight with the organizers.] [Let''s see how this plays out, if he can keep his life, it''ll be a blessing.] [Sigh, the tree that stands out in the forest gets destroyed by the wind, look at the other players'' eyes, they clearly want him dead.] [People should stay humble, sigh...] The comments were mostly pessimistic, except for a few like Blank, who were frowning, sensing something amiss. The focus of this game shouldn''t be a deadlock like this. They calculated while watching Lu Ce, who was still humming, anticipating his judgment. Lu Ce himself was also thinking, and the first thing that came to mind was the effect of his Greed Mask. At the start of the game, it had shown its effects, but he had briefly set aside the description. [Greed Blue (KAITO) Personality Effect: Amplifies greed, makes one talkative and mentally active, cunning and insidious.] [Benefit: Luck subtly increases, having peculiar effects at critical moments.] [Description: At the gambling table, the one who wants to win the most will win!] "Logically, my luck should be good, so if that''s the case..." "Oh, it seems there''s no problem." After a long silence, Lu Ce finally spoke, smiling and talking to himself, the comical smile on his blue mask reappearing. "Ah, it''s just a pity that these lovely insects can''t be used." Looking at the "Pain Values" before him, Lu Ce had already figured out the key to this game. Just as he was about to continue, a voice interrupted him. "This perfect-clear player, I think since we''re at this point, there''s no need for riddles, I''ll be straightforward." "We all acknowledge your strength, but since you''re number one, you shouldn''t take this reward." "You take zero, and as for the distribution among the four of us, let''s discuss it now." "Although you won''t gain anything, as long as the allocation succeeds, at least you won''t be thrown into this cage." "You were once a perfect-clear player, as long as you survive, there will be future opportunities." "Do you agree?" The seemingly intellectual woman beside him spoke up, appearing rational and thinking from Lu Ce''s perspective. After all, she was number two, and if number one decided to go crazy and choose death, the pressure would fall on her. It was better to be proactive and, through this method, at least secure Lu Ce''s vote to share the risk. At this moment, the organizers spoke again. [Attention everyone, every five minutes, if a round of voting isn''t completed, the door in front of you will open slightly at random in front of one person~.] The organizers'' voice sounded again, like a death sentence. The players felt a chill in their hearts upon hearing this. [Of course, to prevent stalling, if it''s your turn and you deliberately don''t provide an allocation policy, the door will prioritize opening in front of you.] "What do you think of my proposal, perfect-clear player? You''ve heard it, we can''t delay any longer." The woman in position two urged, trying to get Lu Ce to follow her lead. "Stop calling, don''t keep interrupting me!" Lu Ce stopped her, then looked up and asked: "I want to ask, can the allocation of 100 be in decimals, like allocating 0.000001 to someone?" [......No! It must be allocated in whole numbers!] "Tsk, that''s a bit of a pity." Lu Ce muttered, raising his head. "In that case, I won''t waste words." "My allocation is as follows:" Number Two was immediately startled, thinking this guy was really going to mess up, shouldn''t this be discussed?! The other players all perked up their ears. "Number Five, 1 point." The man in position five was stunned. "Number Three, 1 point." Player Three doubted his ears. "Number One, which is myself, 98 points." "Number Two and Number Four, 0 points!" Number Two woman:...... When this seemingly insane allocation was announced, everyone doubted their ears. The entire live stream almost exploded! Was he seeking death?! Chapter 17 - Dare to refuse me, and when she is assigned, both of you will get nothing [User: Damn! Damn! Seriously, still talking trash at a time like this? A wise man knows when to retreat.] [User: I''m wondering if there''s a possibility that this buddy is actually a masochist and really wants to get into that jar of bugs to experience it.] [User: Stop it, I''m going to puke.] [User: The organizers have clearly set you up, and you''re still not cooperating with others here. You''re just asking for death.] [User: This isn''t just trash talk and negotiation anymore.] [User: I''ve always said he''s not some big shot, he just relied on his twisted mind to pass the initial stage and achieve a perfect clearance.] [User: Letting someone like him become a big shot is a failure of this so-called Chosen''s Paradise.] For a moment, various voices clamored, and people were eager to distance themselves, convincing themselves that the person in front of them wasn''t worth their admiration, that they had simply misjudged him. When a god falls from the pedestal, the noise is far greater than when he ascended. ....... "Is the allocation method confirmed?" A mechanical voice came from the air, as if the organizers were also shocked by Lu Ce''s statement. "Confirm." "After confirmation, modifications will incur related costs." "Confirm!" After two confirmations, a somewhat blurry number appeared above everyone''s head, the number allocated by Lu Ce. The lights dimmed. Clap! After a sound of slapping the light, red light flashed directly. Almost immediately after Lu Ce confirmed this allocation method, the second female pressed the rejection button in front of her. Without any hesitation. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. With a cold face, she turned her head to look at Lu Ce and said: "Number One, since you''re so bent on seeking death, you can''t blame us." "Those who can''t discern the situation, no matter how strong they are, can''t avoid the fate of death." "It''s over. If you really want to enter that bug-infested place, then your wish is granted." Her cold voice echoed, and with the game rules backing her, she was no longer afraid, openly lashing out at Lu Ce. Lu Ce just chuckled twice and turned to look at the woman. The woman was also fearless at this moment, staring intently at the blue mask, at the man who had brought her countless fears. Soon, this devil-like man would die at her hands! Thinking vaguely in her heart, she couldn''t help but feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Pressing the button, the power to judge others at will made her a bit addicted. But looking at this woman''s face, the smile on Lu Ce''s mask never changed. "In this game, there are only two women." "Compared to that other woman, you''re slightly better." Hearing Lu Ce''s words, a drop of cold sweat unconsciously appeared on Number Two''s forehead. She clearly remembered the woman who had crazily insulted Number One, Lu Ce, in the Hell of Lava before. Now, that woman was no longer here... what happened was self-evident. "But she died because of her stupidity." "As for you, though not as stupid, you''re not exactly smart either, a bit too self-righteous." Number Two glared at Lu Ce, her eyes full of defiance, and in the end, she even sneered a little. "Facing death, still holding onto your expert facade, does it matter?" Then, she turned her head to look at the other players and said: "Let''s not waste time, press the red button in front of you to show your disapproval." "Consider it as avenging our broken legs and extortion." It must be said, there are only a few ways to incite hatred, and Number Two''s words were crystal clear, almost making Lu Ce laugh. Clearly, it was the hellish game difficulty forcing everyone to either break a leg or die, yet in this woman''s words, how did he become the enemy who broke their legs? Number Two didn''t care about that. This wasn''t the time to reason; the key was to throw enough dirt and draw closer to the others. "Number Four, in his allocation plan, both of us got nothing, just 0!" "Given your ranking, there''s no real danger to your life, but this 0 benefit is obviously unacceptable." "As for Number Three and Number Five, being allocated just 1 point seems more like an insult than an alliance." "Let''s reject it together! I can assure you, in my allocation plan later, I guarantee you two will get far more benefits!" With just a few words, Number Two was always working to divide everyone, putting Lu Ce against them all. Ding! Another sound, and the option in front of Number Four turned red. In a short time, it seemed Lu Ce was already at the edge of a cliff. But Lu Ce, at this moment, seemed to be humming a tune. "The evening breeze brushes the willows, the flute sounds fade, the sunset beyond the mountains~~~" Number Two ignored him, her eyes flickering with the flame of ambition. Today was her first time participating in the Chosen''s Game. She wanted to personally end this guy who had once achieved a perfect clearance! "Number Three, Number Five, stop hesitating, make a decision." "I said, when I make the decision later, the worst case is an equal split, and you''ll definitely get better benefits." From beginning to end, it was almost a one-woman show by Number Two, as if she had become the protagonist in this second game. At this moment, Lu Ce finally spoke: "You say, let you allocate, and the worst result is an equal split." "Then why can''t they just vote you out later, and after you''re dead, the three of them can split it evenly, isn''t that more?" "What role do you play in this?" Number Two: !! Number Two was stunned by his words, left speechless, stammering: "I... don''t be swayed by him, I''m just saying that''s the minimum situation." "And no matter what, my allocation method is better for everyone than yours!" Lu Ce sneered, not responding to her, just continued: "By that logic, if it''s an equal split, then why should Number Four and Number Five include Number Three? If they vote Number Three out, wouldn''t they get more money?" "But by then, Number Five, will you still get any money?" "Cause and effect are intertwined, the cause is the head of the effect, the effect is the tail of the cause." "When the people ahead die, think about what impact it will have when it''s your turn. Sometimes, you have to work backward." "You''re right, this game is indeed a game of luck, and I happen to be the luckiest among you." "Number Three, Number Five, you can only accept my allocation." "Believe it or not, if you let Number Four allocate, the benefits for you two will only be 0!" Chapter 18 - A completely unsolvable conspiracy; he is not a madman! "Absolutely impossible!" Lu Ce''s slightly dark voice echoed in the space. As soon as he finished speaking, Number Two immediately burst into a tirade, anxiously trying to persuade everyone. "Don''t listen to his nonsense. We can definitely come up with a fair distribution method." "I''ll handle the distribution. There''s no way anyone will end up with zero points." "Trust me, I swear on my honor that no one will be left out." "We''ve all been through this hellish game together, sharing life and death..." Number Two was almost frantic, speaking nonstop as if trying to cover something up, trying to suppress her guilty conscience. Lu Ce''s simple words had already filled her with dread. Instinctively, she wanted to vote him out! Get this mentally unstable devil out, and her chance would come! Lu Ce noticed her mental state and interrupted with a smile: "Oaths are never trustworthy. Compared to promises, choices based on human nature are more reliable." "In those videos that stirred your deepest desires, what did you see?" "What are you afraid of?" "Even if my policy passes and you gain nothing, you won''t die, yet you''re so eager." "That deep-seated desire, the ultimate benefit, is something you can''t let go of, right?" Number Two''s forehead was starting to sweat. She wanted to say something to turn the tide, to get Number Three and Number Five to vote quickly! Just one vote short! At this moment, someone else finally spoke up. It was Number Five, who, without the threat of death, seemed relatively relaxed. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "I''d like to ask, Number One." "Why do you say that if Number Four distributes, Number Three and I will end up with zero?" Lu Ce turned slightly in his direction, his blue mask forming a puzzled expression ©°(¡ä_©f`)©´. "Do you not think at all?" Then he turned to look at Number Two, smiling faintly: "Proving you''re not as smart as Miss Number Two here. If I''m not mistaken, you already understand the key to this game after what I said, right?" Number Two trembled slightly, as if her secret had been exposed, but she dared not admit it. Lu Ce didn''t give her a chance, leaning back in his chair, he continued: "Suppose there''s only one person in this game." "Then, without a doubt, they would take all of the 100% share and go home happily." "And if there are only two people, what would the distribution be? Fifty-fifty? Or what?" "Of course not! It would be 100 and 0! Because as long as half agree, it passes. The one with the power to distribute doesn''t need to care about the other''s opinion!" Lu Ce''s words guided everyone''s thoughts. Except for Number Two, who looked increasingly grim, everyone else listened intently. Lu Ce continued: "So, what happens when there are three people in this game?" The question was calm, but those watching the live broadcast, like Blank, who had been pondering, instantly realized the game''s sinister nature! Inside and outside the game, they almost spoke in unison with Lu Ce: "The distributor only needs to give a little benefit to the third person and completely disregard the second person, and the plan will pass!" "The distribution will be 99, 0, 1!" "Because if the third person disagrees, when the distribution fails and only two are left, the last person gets nothing." "So, as the number of people increases, what happens next? I don''t need to explain further, do I?" For a moment, everyone was silent. No one was foolish. Previously, under external pressure, their thoughts were muddled, and no one had figured out the key. Now, with Lu Ce explaining everything so clearly, they could deduce the possible outcomes themselves. If there are four people, the first person''s distribution only needs to consider the second-to-last person''s interests. Because if the first person dies, it becomes the three-person distribution situation, which was already explained clearly, and the second-to-last person would get nothing. So the distribution would be... 99-0-1-0! And continuing this logic, now it''s the five-person distribution... Though hard to accept and intuitively difficult to grasp, looking at it this way, Lu Ce''s distribution method couldn''t be broken! He was actually right! But how dare he? How dare he?! Knowing that any mistake could cost him his life! Yet he still decided this way, as if the life-and-death crisis didn''t pressure him at all, not even affecting his mental state! "So, I''m the luckiest one among you." "So, you really do love me!" Lu Ce said this to the air, addressing the organizers who had arranged him as the first person. [...] "Not responding means you agree?" [Five minutes are up!] Click. The small door in front of Lu Ce opened and closed, dropping a few seemingly "friendly" little animals, squeaking aimlessly as they wandered around the space. "You even found me some little companions, it seems you really do love me." Lu Ce continued his banter, even starting to lure the bugs towards himself. He wasn''t in a hurry to urge the other players, letting them slowly digest the situation while he thought about other ways to exploit the system. While he was leisurely, the other players were unwilling to accept reality, casting suspicious glances at each other, thinking of ways to break the deadlock. Especially Number Two, who was the most unwilling! She was still thinking about how to turn the tables. "Everyone, this is just the worst-case scenario, a conspiracy of this game." "As long as we unite..." But halfway through her speech, she found it hard to convince even herself. Why would others believe her? Right! "Number Three, Number Five, I can privately offer you..." Just as she was about to use her points to win over Number Three and Number Five, to gain their trust. But before she could finish, she remembered that in the previous round, Lu Ce had already extorted all the points from the four players! Despair filled Number Two''s eyes as she looked at Number One, full of shock, as if gazing up at a towering mountain. Could it be that he had foreseen even this situation earlier? Chapter 19 - Rationality may not be worth expecting, but greed and human nature are eternal! Number Two''s eyes turned vacant as she thought about it. "As long as, as long as we all trust each other, there won''t be a situation where only one person takes the lion''s share..." She was still racking her brain, talking to herself meaninglessly. This matter was actually very simple. As long as everyone trusts each other, as long as everyone can trust her, how could they only get such a small benefit! But just this bit of suspicion had everyone stuck here. "Stop thinking about it, Number Two." At this moment, Lu Ce spoke again, interrupting her thoughts. "Can you really face your own heart? Would you trust yourself, that if I died, you wouldn''t think about taking the most?" "And, if you really found some way to make everyone trust you, and threw me out to put yourself in the best position." "Don''t you think Player Three would use the same method to throw you out too?" The light in Number Two''s eyes gradually dimmed. Hearing this, she finally realized it was unsolvable. Originally, she thought she could turn the tables with her ''intelligence.'' If only... But there was no ''if.'' Lu Ce was now playing with the little bugs that had crawled in. One, which looked like a scorpion with a huge tail, climbed onto his body at his beckoning. He picked it up and squeezed it slightly. The seemingly strong giant bug was instantly powerless. After a brief thought, Lu Ce brought the bug closer to his wounded leg. Suddenly, the scorpion''s tail shook violently, and something unexpected happened¡ªit spewed fire! [Chosen of Pain! Pain Value +6!] Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. "Holy! What the hell is this alien creature!" Lu Ce was shocked, looking at the charred and raw edge of his severed leg. He hadn''t expected the bug to be so powerful. "It even spews fire? By the way, its hemostatic effect isn''t bad." Hemostatic? You call charring a severed limb hemostatic?! The other players, watching him play here and witnessing the bug''s power, felt an even heavier weight on their already pressured hearts. "Can we take this thing with us? Can you give it to me? Where are the organizers? Why aren''t they saying anything?" [...] Lu Ce''s voice received no response. Whether it was the previous escape game or the current loot distribution game, they weren''t inherently difficult. It''s just... a severed leg, lava, a rusty saw. A swarm of bugs, death, a door to poisonous insects that could open at any time. All constantly adding pressure to one''s heart, breaking down all psychological defenses, making you collapse, make wrong choices, or even give up on life. But all of this was ineffective against Lu Ce. "Number One, I have a question for you." In the silence, Player Three, who hadn''t spoken, finally spoke, as if in a last struggle. "You analyze well, but this distribution method relies on everyone being in a rational state." "What if, among us, someone doesn''t care about benefits, doesn''t care about anything, just wants to vote you out and let you die?" As soon as he finished speaking, there was a loud bang, and Number Five, like a madman, forcefully blew on the chair beneath him. "I don''t care! I don''t care! Why is it that I''ve also lost a leg, suffered so much, and now in the safest position, yet haven''t gained any benefits!" "I want at least ten points! It doesn''t matter who''s distributing, as long as I don''t get it, I won''t agree! We might as well all die! Anyway, I''m the last one, I can''t die!" Number Five shouted crazily, like someone who had been driven mad. It was unclear whether he was pretending or had really gone insane. In this type of game, dealing with such people is the most troublesome. Number Two''s previously dim eyes lit up again, staring intently at Number Five. As long as Number Five went crazy, as long as Number Five was a fool! For whatever reason, as long as he disagreed! And at this moment, Number Four, who had been allocated 0 points, suddenly spoke: "Number One! Give me five points! Don''t worry about Number Five''s thoughts, I can agree!" ... Silence. Quiet. In the empty room, it seemed as if even people''s breathing had stopped, and the buzzing of insects was gradually ignored by everyone. Number Five''s eyes widened, his previous crazed expression completely vanished, staring incredulously at Number Four! His act of madness, which didn''t even pressure Lu Ce, was effortlessly broken. "Hahaha." "Hahahahaha!" In Number One''s room, Lu Ce laughed heartily, the expression on his mask full of amusement. He hadn''t done anything, just watched a weak alliance fall apart on its own. Turning to Player Three, he gave his answer: "Rationality may not be expected, but greed and human nature are eternal." "You will believe from the bottom of your hearts that no matter who distributes, once they get that power, they will make the choice I mentioned before." "You want to maximize your own benefits, but don''t want others to have the chance to maximize theirs." "Greed and suspicion are eternal." "Whether I live or die doesn''t matter. For your own benefits, the choice you have is between life and death, 0 or 1." "This is a hell game, the difference between the rewards of 0 and 1 can be significant." "The things I showed you earlier, those that ignite your deepest desires, won''t let you give up the gap between 0 and 1." "Moreover, after this experience, you might never dare to enter this game again." "In other words, this might be your last chance to gain benefits and change your reality..." In the end, only Lu Ce''s voice echoed in the room. It was like he was speaking to others, but also like a self-review. No one responded, and the organizers said nothing. In the extremely oppressive atmosphere, every player hoped for an unexpected event. But nothing happened. When the second five minutes passed, a giant spider entered Player Three''s room. Soon, Player Three and Number Five silently changed their votes to agree, without any approval or resistance, as if completing a silent contract. [Game Over!] [Hell Difficulty Instance, Magma Cavern, Five Players Cleared! One Perfect Clear!] [Game rewards distributed according to the results of the bonus game!] [Welcome to Chosen''s Paradise!] Chapter 20 - Settlement harvest, function activation, and ranking forecast The game''s mechanical voice echoed in everyone''s ears, and in front of every spectator, the game screen instantly ended. [Game Over. Please visit other ongoing games or look forward to the next game.] [Welcome to Chosen''s Paradise, where you too can become a player.] After Lu Ce''s game ended, the spectators who had been watching the game saw the same two sentences appear before them. Watching this exhilarating Hell-level difficulty game, everyone was thrilled. [That was intense. I thought I''d watch a few more game instances, but once I got here, I couldn''t leave. I didn''t expect there to be such people in the world now.] [I didn''t really get it in the end. Was that a perfect clearance? Why did people agree to his allocation method?] [Go play upstairs, with that level of intelligence, let''s not get involved in this game.] [Why does he always wear a mask? I want to see what he looks like. If he showed his face, he''d probably become an internet celebrity quickly!] [...] Even though the game had ended, everyone was still reluctant to leave, discussing fervently in the now blacked-out live stream room. From start to finish, the number of people watching Lu Ce''s game had reached tens of thousands, and a large portion didn''t want to leave once they arrived. Even among the many perfect-clear players, Lu Ce was the most captivating, fulfilling the public''s fantasy of a new world. Of course, most people''s comments were incredibly naive, still thinking about fame and internet celebrity status, feeling proud because they were from the same country. But given the large number of people, hidden among the foolish majority were also quite a few with ulterior motives. On the laptop in front of Blank, dozens of documents were open, recording all the intelligence he had gathered during this game. This included game types, categories, various undisclosed information, and powerful players. Among them, the document titled "A Player Wearing a Blue Mask" had the most words and content! Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. After Lu Ce ended the live stream, Blank immediately went to other live streams to continue gathering intelligence. But in his mind, he kept replaying Lu Ce''s previous performance and his various actions. "With such a mindset, possessing power that clearly exceeds human limits, and having a mentality that completely disregards pain and fear..." "The game has just begun, and there are already players of this caliber..." "How many more such strong players are there..." Blank''s heart was filled with excitement, worry, and awe. As the game progresses, there will surely soon be individuals in the world who can influence global situations single-handedly. The world is just a game! At the same time, various official and domestic and foreign organizations were also observing the live stream and watching Lu Ce. "Record this: erratic personality, immense strength, suspected mental illness, no fear of pain, even a longing for it." "Speaks Mandarin, should be from China, which should be considered a good thing..." "Backup all data, highest confidentiality level, send to the Secretariat!" "Observe! Analyze! Find a way to locate him!" Not to mention where this suddenly appearing world game came from, just these top-tier players might become strategic assets in the future. We must find them first, guide, cooperate... or rather, control! In the unseen corners of the world, turbulent undercurrents have always been surging. ... Meanwhile, on Lu Ce''s side, he entered the game settlement interface, listening to his game settlement and looking at what he gained from this trip. [Game Over!] [Number of Participants:] [Completion Count:] [Perfect Clearance Count: 7529!] [Your Clearance Rating: SSS Rank, Perfect Clearance! Current Consecutive Perfect Clearances: 2] [Reward Settlement in Progress...] [Special Event Triggered: Guided and caused a game bug, received Achievement Badge: System Attacker (Epic).] [Special Event Triggered: Due to personal reasons, caused a game retest, received enhanced final reward!] [This Round''s Reward Points: 8800!] [This Round''s Reward Items: Intermediate Healing Potion*5, Advanced Healing Potion*3, Game Exit Token*1, Epic Weapon Lottery Ticket*2, Random Sealed Artifact Lottery Ticket*1, Special Skill Lottery Ticket*1] [This Round''s Special Reward: Awakening of the Soul, Personal "Soul"+1, Note: Soul is the foundation for mastering various special skills.] Looking at the list of benefits in front of him, Lu Ce was quite satisfied. The Chosen''s Paradise is definitely an opportunity not to be missed; whether it''s the Pain Value or the in-game rewards, they are enough to rapidly increase his strength. The next phase of the world''s great change is often great chaos! He must enhance his strength as much as possible before that day arrives. Wearing a mask to wreak havoc, but it''s best not to be targeted when the mask is off. A man without sin may be guilty of having a treasure; the growth of his strength will certainly be seen as a threat by some... "Let''s take a look at the benefits in the backpack; these things are quite a lot." He opened his game backpack and looked at the items inside. Including what he extorted, his points had already reached. He didn''t know what this concept was, but it must not be low. As for weapons, aside from the unused lottery tickets, he only had the Sharp One he acquired this time. The weapon level wasn''t high, but it suited him well enough for now. As for the two badges, they should be the main features that distinguish Lu Ce from other players, as they are both triggered by special events. [God Slayer (Legendary)] [Effect Bonus: When facing high-level attacks, immune to all effects except direct damage. In same-level attack determination, your effect takes precedence.] [System Attacker (Epic)] [Effect Bonus: Cracking or guiding game loopholes will yield higher-level rewards.] Lu Ce didn''t know the limit for wearing badges, but since they had bonuses, he decided to wear them for now. As for the newly obtained Game Exit Token, the description was simple: [Exit Token: Allows forced exit from the game, cost: all items, abilities, and points obtained from the game are reset to zero!] [Description: Cowards can save their lives, but don''t expect the benefits of the strong.] A pure life-saving item... After looking at various descriptions, he decided not to use the lottery tickets for now, and Lu Ce left the game. The same dizziness, the same opening of his eyes from the bed, only this time, as he opened his eyes, the game''s voice suddenly echoed in his mind. This voice also appeared in the ears of every Chosen One. [Chosen''s Paradise, the first official game has ended.] [Special Notification, informing all Chosen Ones, function activation, ranking preview.]