Hunger and Zombies

"The theme of the second challenge is 'Hunger,' which was inspired by my favorite zombie movie when I was a teenager."

This challenge is quite difficult and carries significant weight; outstanding performers may even receive a "Skip Pass."

Mr. Question Mark's fingers had already pulled out a glittering gold card.

"Furthermore, I will not personally intervene in the second stage, but will entrust it to my capable assistant, Jia Wen, to take direct charge."

Many people here should recognize him. Now, please welcome Jia Wen to the stage.

As the second spotlight shone and a dynamic melody played,

A man with white hair, eyes, skin, and clothes appeared. Unlike Mr. Question Mark, he didn't dance his way in; he simply walked forward normally and stood beside Mr. Question Mark.

He looked to be in his fifties or sixties, and stood there very respectfully.

Luo Di immediately caught a scent on the man—the scent of a corpse.

"Hua, is this a zombie? It has the same attributes as Shia?"

Yes, but the gap is huge.

This is the strongest known zombie inside the corner, and also the first monster to enter the corner in a [Zombie Manifestation].

Rumor has it that he was once a servant personally chosen by Mr. Question Mark, who participated in Death Grand Gauntlet and won the final victory, and has stayed by Mr. Question Mark's side ever since.

This guy is very strong, his rank is higher than everyone here, he's dangerous.

It's a pity Shia didn't come; otherwise, having Shia take you through the second stage might have been the best option.

"The earliest zombie?"

Just as Luo Di was carefully observing this person, Mr. Question Mark continued his explanation of the level, "All 279 master-servant teams that have advanced will simultaneously head to the second level scene - [Detached Villa Community]."

The neighborhood has been hit by a severe zombie outbreak, but you will be safe as long as you stay inside your villa.

The requirements for clearing customs are very simple.

It only needs to survive for three days.

Each group will have its own small villa.

However, the food in the villa is only enough to survive for one day at most. Some individuals with larger appetites and stronger appetites may not even last a day.

So you need to risk getting infected by zombies, find food, and survive—it's that simple.

Because the quality of your players this year is very high, I'll give you a little hint: don't be bound by conventional understandings of food, but unleash your imagination! As long as you have food, you can survive this level.

in addition,

Due to potential privacy concerns, private video footage of the villa's interior will not be provided; only regular video footage of the community's interior will be shown.

Since the event will last for three days, guests who are not participating should go to the lounge where we will provide free meals and accommodation. Please wait quietly for the end of the second game.

If you have any questions, please ask them now. You only have ten minutes.

Soon, someone raised their hand and asked, "Is 'hunger' something that is forcibly imposed upon us?"

"Great question, that's right! Once you confirm your participation, our staff will inject you with a dose of the Hunger Virus, which will be effective for three days."

Once injected, they will die completely if they do not eat enough within a day.

"Can consuming one's own regenerated limbs or the limbs of one's servants satisfy hunger?"

"This is a good question~ Self-devouring is prohibited in this game, as is devouring your own servants."

But you can kill your own servants to end the game, if necessary. However, I believe that no one would be so cowardly as to be forced into such a despicable way to quit the game.

If you really do that, I'll most likely look down on you, and you'd better not come here to take up game slots in the future.

"Approximately what level of threat do the zombies in this neighborhood pose?"

"This involves game content, I cannot answer that. Next."

Can the villa building be destroyed?

"Oh, good question! I forgot to mention this. Since the villa is everyone's ' Safe House,' it can absolutely prevent zombies from entering."

During the challenge, it is forbidden to damage the villa by any means, whether it is your own or someone else's; otherwise, you will be eliminated immediately.

Of course, as residents and neighbors in the same community, visiting each other is permitted, but whether the other party is willing to open the door for you is another matter entirely.

Through a question-and-answer format, the relevant rules were basically completed, and Luo Di also roughly deduced the key to the "second level".

Similar to the first level.

Since they need to find food and are forbidden from eating themselves, the other participants become an Bright Side "choice," which still encourages killing each other.

But there should be other options on the darker side, which can only be discovered by actually venturing into the game.

Luo Di could also sense that Mr. Question Mark had been hiding a lot. This level, which involved hunger and zombies, would have many variables, and he could die inside if he wasn't careful.

Time's up! Mr. Question Mark clapped his hands loudly to signal to the audience:

"The Q&A session is now over. If there are any rules that need to be added, I will announce them to everyone through the community broadcast within the second stage scene."

Let's not waste any more time. Now, please begin forming your master-servant teams.

Once your two-person teams are confirmed, please proceed to the west entrance of the waiting area to receive the virus injection. Once we verify the virus is effective, you can enter the venue ahead of schedule.

Limited to half an hour.

Everyone should head over early! Although you'll be confined to your respective villas, it will allow you to adapt to the game environment and the specific effects of the virus on your bodies, giving you a head start.

The previously enclosed wall on the west side gradually opened up.

A large number of waiters wearing animal masks were already in place in an area resembling a security checkpoint, each holding a pure white syringe.

Just moments ago, Mr. Question Mark's capable assistant, known as the first-generation zombie, [Jia Wen], also arrived at the security checkpoint.

He will personally oversee this process to prevent monsters with special abilities from trying to slip through by disguising themselves.

Most participants were paired up as master and servant, without needing to choose a partner, and went directly to the security checkpoint.

Servants like Luo Di, who are brought to the scene by two or more masters, need to be carefully selected.

"Luo Di, let's go~ It sounds like fun."

"Besides, Shia and I are already quite familiar with each other, and we've even had in-depth conversations. I have some zombie cells left in my body; surviving for three days shouldn't be a problem."

Hua Yuan pulled Luo Di along immediately, and she even had some personal thoughts on the matter.

Listening to the game rules, it seems that as long as you find enough food, there's no need to go out. When you get bored, you'll have a reason to berate people inside the villa.

Just as the two were about to go to the entrance to inject the virus.

Snap! A cold hand suddenly reached out and grabbed Luo Di's other hand.

"I'll bring Luo Di along."

A cold voice came from his lips, icy and with a hint of command.

Hua Yuan did not back down and responded while maintaining their sisterly friendship:

"Sister Yu ~ Luo Di and I have collaborated many times, so the two of us are the most suitable. You can stay in the rest area and keep watch, and take a rest. If there are any more collaborative levels later, you can take over, okay?"

Yu Lu showed no intention of letting go, simply replying:

"This is my Grandmother's request."

Hua Yuan had no way to refute these words and could only let go of her hand with a displeased expression.

But upon closer reflection, it doesn't really matter. This time, the Death Grand Gauntlet is a bit different. The first level is already quite difficult, and the second level will only be more challenging.

Even if she and Luo Di were in the same room, they would never have time to do anything else.

"Alright then... By the way! Sister Yu, Luo Di attracts a lot of clowns, and they might be mixed in with the crowd. If you run into them in the game room, Sister Yu, you have to be careful."

Yu Lu simply nodded casually, then floated away with Luo Di.

As Luo Di was being pulled away, he was also considering the clown's threat. He couldn't help but look back at Hua Yuan behind him, at the Grandmother's Arm, which couldn't be brought into the game.

Unexpectedly, Hua Yuan's voice suddenly appeared in his mind.

"Luo Di, I'm warning you! You are absolutely forbidden from harming Sister Yu, or I'll kill you!"