Not only that, Zai Zong spotted an extremely eye-catching Electrical Device on the Finger-Breaking Torture Device.
The massive apparatus and tangled cables looked incredibly dangerous at a glance. A Voltage Meter also hung above the backs of Clancy and Hoffman's hands, each displaying a dial numbered from 1 to 9.
But there was no 10, because a Red Skull had been painted where the number 10 should have been. Its meaning could not have been clearer.
It represented death!
Below the Voltage Meter were two Metal Contacts wrapped in layers of copper wire.
"Holy shit, is that an electrical appliance!?"
Zai Zong could not help voicing his shock.
But his instincts told him that this thing was extremely dangerous!
[This is a little toy I specially built for this occasion.]
Masked Man's voice rang out again.
There was excitement in his tone, so obvious that even Zai Zong could hear it.
[Can you guess what it is? Ah, I bet you guessed it!]
As soon as he finished speaking, the Electrical Device suddenly started up.
Thick white arcs of electricity flowed across its outer layer, making sounds like steam and lightning.
At the same time, the Voltage Meters on the Finger-Breaking Torture Devices slowly rose, their red needles rapidly pointing at 4.
Then, like a huge boiler, the Electrical Device began to tremble and rumble, as though it contained an immense force seeking release.
Zai Zong immediately understood what this thing was for. This was fucking—
At that moment, the Voltage Meters suddenly dropped.
The two Metal Contacts beneath them pressed directly against the restrained backs of their hands.
Then—
Bzzzzzzzz—
[Ahhhhhhh, mmph—!]
[Ughhhhhhh—!]
A massive current surged from the backs of their hands through their entire bodies.
Bursts of white light flashed through the cramped space.
Clancy and Hoffman simply could not endure such electric torture. They screamed in unbearable agony, their bodies convulsing into unnatural positions.
Zai Zong, meanwhile, was completely dumbfounded.
From the first-person VR perspective, white flashes kept erupting before his eyes.
It formed an extreme contrast with the blurry red screen that had previously depicted gore!
The motion controllers in his hands seemed to have come alive, shaking violently.
Because he shared Clancy's perspective, he could clearly feel just how much agony the constantly trembling head before him was suffering.
So much so that wisps of white smoke had begun rising from the backs of his hands!
As for Hoffman across from him, thick white arcs of electricity were visibly crackling over his clothes.
"Guys, I can say for certain that this game is destroying my sanity."
Zai Zong was not the only one stunned by this. So were the viewers in the livestream.
"Holy shit, that's insane!"
"Is this really a game? Why would they make a game like this?"
"Finger-breaking, electrocution, and that huge chainsaw... I might not even dare watch it as a movie, let alone play it myself."
"I'm just watching from the sidelines, and I almost died on the spot!"
"This game is unbelievable. I seriously never imagined a game could offer an experience like this."
"How is this a Card Game? This is a fucking torture game!"
Fortunately, this round of electrocution did not last long.
The needle on the Voltage Meter jumped back to 1, rising again to hang above the backs of their hands.
The Clancy controlled by Zai Zong and Hoffman across from him slumped in their chairs, wisps of white smoke rising from their clothes.
"Thank god it's over. Even a veteran gamer like me was about to crack."
Zai Zong shook his head and steadied himself.
Then Masked Man's voice sounded again.
[This little toy was left behind in an old execution chamber. I repaired it!]
[See the meter above you? Every time you lose, you'll be electrocuted. The current will grow stronger each time, and at the same time—]
Before Masked Man could finish, the Irregular Circular Chainsaw between Zai Zong and Hoffman began spinning rapidly.
Then it slowly descended, sending sparks flying!
The dozens of kitchen knives welded onto it were like the teeth of a vicious beast, carving several terrifying gouges into the rusty tabletop!
If that thing came at his face—
Zai Zong immediately shuddered, no longer wanting to keep playing.
Just imagining losing the Card Game and having that thing—
Cut into his face!
Grind him into meat!
Zai Zong's scalp went numb!
This was VR!
There was no computer screen separating him from it!
If that thing came at his face, it would definitely leave him traumatized!
But—
He was livestreaming right now, and he was an old hand at games. He could not possibly give up this easily, could he?
He would play a little longer.
Just then, the chainsaw abruptly turned and sliced straight toward Hoffman.
Zai Zong's eyes widened.
Hoffman was startled as well and screamed in terror.
[What!? No, no! What are you doing!? Hasn't it even started yet!?]
But the chainsaw suddenly stopped at a certain distance in front of his head.
Then Masked Man's voice rang out with a smile.
[At the same time, this chainsaw will slowly move closer to you.]
Next, the chainsaw slowly turned toward Zai Zong.
Watching the dozens of kitchen knives spinning at high speed, he felt discomfort spread through his entire body.
Especially as that thing gradually moved closer to him.
At that moment, he felt that it was no longer Clancy sitting at the card table, but himself!
The blades on the chainsaw gleamed coldly as they closed in step by step, growing larger and larger in his pupils.
His heart also began pounding faster without him realizing it. His breathing grew ragged, and his throat tightened.
Until—
The blades stopped right before his eyes.
The distance between them was so narrow that he could not even fit a hand through it!
"Fuck! That pressure! It was like barely escaping death's door!"
Zai Zong cursed loudly.
Then the chainsaw slowly retreated and stopped in the exact middle between them.
[Did you see the Red Skull at the end of the meter? That's maximum power. When you experience an electric shock at that level, you'll surely feel as if you're soaring through the clouds! Hahahaha! Hahahahaha!]
Masked Man let out a deeply unsettling, sinister laugh, the complete opposite of his initially gloomy voice.
[But I won't let you enjoy that pleasure! So, when the meter reaches maximum power, the chainsaw will also arrive right in front of you. Then... haha! Hahahaha! Hahahahahaha!]
Masked Man's laughter was filled with madness and excitement.
So much so that even Clancy screamed in terrified rage with a sobbing voice.
[Someone get me out of this madhouse!! Someone save me!! Save me!!! Ahhhhhhh!!!!]
Zai Zong silently watched the swaying view before him.
He knew that Clancy, the protagonist he controlled, was on the verge of a breakdown.
And as the player controlling him, was he any different?
Both the protagonist and the player were about to be driven insane by this game!
Although Masked Man did not explicitly state what would happen, his deliberately unfinished words made it even more terrifying to think about.
Zai Zong now understood what awaited them.
They would endure a lethal high-voltage shock while being mercilessly ground into meat by the chainsaw!
What kind of torture was this!?
Did Shuo Guang, the developer, really want to torture players to death...!?
He had specifically made the game VR and released it for free. Wasn't that just to lure people in with curiosity and novelty?
The visuals were so realistic, the movements so smooth, and the story sequences so gripping that people simply could not resist becoming immersed in it!
But once they got into it, they discovered they were fucking suffering!
"Fuck your mother!"
Zai Zong cursed again.
[For this round, I placed some Special Cards in the dealing machine. If you feel like your luck is terrible, you can use these Special Cards to turn the situation around.]
As Masked Man spoke, the Card Game began again.
A small metal card was swiftly dealt out by the dealing machine.
Zai Zong raised his brows and quickly picked it up.
The moment he looked at it, he froze.
Double Bet After use, the opponent's stakes (number of fingers broken / meter level / chainsaw distance) will be doubled.
"So this is... a Special Card?"
Immediately afterward, another small metal card was dealt in front of him.
Card 6 After use, immediately draw a card numbered 6 from the deck. If Card 6 is already on the table, the Special Card is invalid.
"That powerful!?"
Zai Zong was instantly delighted. With Special Cards like these, he might really be able to turn the tables in a desperate situation!
At the same time, Hoffman also received two Special Cards, and he seemed extremely surprised as well.
Even with a hood over his head, Zai Zong could hear it in his startled voice.
After the Special Cards were dealt, the regular cards began!
It was still two cards per person: one face-up card and one hole card each.
The moment Zai Zong saw his cards, his eyes went wide!
His face-up card was 10, and his hole card was 9.
Together, that was a fucking 19 points!
Did he even need to draw?
Draw my ass!
But this time, Hoffman went first.
His hole card was unknown, while his face-up card was 6.
So he directly asked for another card.
[Give me... another card.]
Swish—
The dealing machine first gave him a Special Card, then dealt him a face-up 7.
Zai Zong could not see what the Special Card was, nor could he have.
But Hoffman now had 13 points with 6 plus 7. Including his unknown hole card, it probably would not exceed 20.
Zai Zong had 19 points, so he was still very confident.
When it was his turn, he directly used a Special Card!
Double Bet After use, the opponent's stakes (number of fingers broken / meter level / chainsaw distance) will be doubled.
Hoffman was instantly startled when he saw the Special Card.
Right afterward, the needle on the Voltage Meter above the back of his hand moved from 1 to 3.
At the same time, the chainsaw between them began to spin, moving a little closer toward Hoffman.
This was the doubled stake!
Masked Man's voice suddenly rang out with exaggerated surprise.
[OMG! Clancy actually used a Special Card! Hoffman is in danger now! How will he deal with this situation and make it home victorious?]
Zai Zong smiled, then gave up drawing and waited for the result.
The cards on the table were 10, 9, 6, 7, and one unknown card.
The deck still contained 1 through 5, 8, and 11.
Hoffman, if you want to win, you'd have to draw a card that puts you above my 19 points. Otherwise, you're going to lose no matter what!
Just as Zai Zong was feeling smug, Hoffman coughed twice, with flecks of blood mixed in.
[I have a family to support. I have a daughter to support. She's only five years old. I can't die here. Do you understand? I have to win!]
Then, he used a Special Card.
It was also a Double Bet Special Card.
"Holy shit! You've got guts!"
Just as Zai Zong admired his courage, another Special Card came down.
It was another Double Bet!
Hoffman had actually placed a fourfold bet!
How did he dare!?
After using two Special Cards, Hoffman stood.
At that moment, the needle on Zai Zong's Voltage Meter jumped straight from 1 to 5.
That terrifying chainsaw whirred as it spun, stopping not far in front of him.
Zai Zong:
"You think you can beat my 19 points!?"
"I don't believe your luck can be that good!?"
Though he said that, he had not stopped thinking.
Hoffman's face-up cards were 6 + 7, for a total of 13.
Then the reason he dared to play two Special Cards in a row was probably that his hole card was a 5!
At the very least, there was an extremely high chance it was a 5!
Because only then would he have 18 points, putting him very close to 21 Points.
After all, Zai Zong had already unilaterally declared victory with 19 points, so why could someone else not declare victory with 18?
But even so, I don't believe you can beat me!
[I... stand.]
Zai Zong stood.
The Masked Man's voice suddenly rang out, announcing the result.
[Then the winner is]
After a two-second pause, the answer was revealed!
[Hoffman!]
"What the fuck!!!!?"
Zai Zong immediately looked at Hoffman's hole card.
Then he froze.
His hole card was not a 5.
It was an 8!
6 + 7 + 8.
21 Points!
Holy shit, exactly 21 Points!!
No wonder he had been so confident. No wonder he had dared to play two Special Cards in a row. His hand was a perfect score!!
The Masked Man's voice broke into a sinister laugh.
[Then the loser will pay the bet.]
Zai Zong froze, then hurriedly turned to look beside him.
There stood that massive Electrical Device.
Now, just as it had upon its entrance, it began operating.
The Voltage Meter on the back of his hand slowly rose, while the Electrical Device shook violently as though enormous energy was about to be unleashed.
At that moment, the protagonist, Clancy, began struggling wildly and cursing.
[Murderer! You're a murderer! You'll die a horrible death, aaahhhhhh—!!!]
The Voltage Meter's needle rapidly dropped, and the Metal Contacts touched his skin in an instant.
A massive current immediately surged through his entire body, cutting off his curses.
All he could do was scream in agony.
At the sight, Zai Zong unconsciously sat up straight.
The agonized screams, flashing white light, and clouds of smoke constantly demonstrated the power of the electric punishment.
As a player, he kept swallowing, too stunned to say a word.
It was as though a real person were being tortured right before his eyes, leaving him dumbfounded.
After quite a while, the electric punishment ended.
The meter needle pointed at 6, then slowly began rising again.
The view returned to normal as well.
But Clancy collapsed face-first onto the table, groaning continuously. Zai Zong worked the controls and, after much effort, managed to make him stand up.
[I... I'm sorry. But I can't lose. I didn't do anything. I can't lose. I have to go home. I have to see my daughter. I'm sorry... I'm sorry.]
The viewers in the livestream were deeply drawn into the game.
They began sending gifts nonstop, offering suggestions and teaching Zai Zong how to beat Hoffman.
[Let's play the next round.]
The cards on the table immediately vanished, signaling the start of a new round.
The card dealer first dealt each of them a Special Card.
Hoffman's was unknown, but Zai Zong's Special Card seemed quite useful.
Card 5 After use, immediately draw a card numbered 5 from the deck. If Card 5 is already on the table, this Special Card has no effect.
"Come on, there's no way I'm losing this time!"
Zai Zong rubbed his hands together, took off his VR headset, dug out a piece of chocolate that had been sitting in a drawer for who knew how long, peeled off the wrapper, and stuffed it into his mouth.
"Come on, I'm invincible now!"
The dealer immediately dealt cards to both of them.
This time, his hole card was 1, and his face-up card was 11.
"Not bad. Starting with 12 points. The future looks bright. It's a good omen—the chocolate did not lie to me!"
Across from him, Hoffman's hole card was unknown, while his face-up card was 2.
Hmm.
All he could say was that there was plenty of potential!
This round, Zai Zong went first.
Without another word, he drew a card.
Whoosh—
A Card 3 was dealt in front of him.
1 + 11 + 3.
15 points!
Very good!
It was Hoffman's turn. He began to draw as well, but he received a Special Card first, followed by a face-up card.
A Card 6.
That meant Hoffman's cards were 6 + 2 + ?.
Hmm. In that case, the Special Card in Zai Zong's hand that could force a draw of a 6 was useless.
Because Hoffman had drawn Card 6, he could no longer use the Special Card to draw one.
But—
So what if you drew a 6? As long as your hole card isn't a 5, you still lose!
Zai Zong grinned again.
"Go wash up and get some sleep. I'm definitely winning this round!"
It was his turn again. This time, he directly used a Special Card.
Card 5 After use, immediately draw a card numbered 5 from the deck. If Card 5 is already on the table, this Special Card has no effect.
"Come on! I don't believe your hole card is a 5! Come on!"
Very soon, due to the effect of the Special Card—
The dealer directly dealt him a Card 5.
His hand was now 1 + 11 + 3 + 5.
20 points!
Unbeatable!
Hoffman was guaranteed to lose!
Zai Zong was already laughing mercilessly in the livestream.
His viewers also began sending him gifts because of his play, praising him for handling this round well and not embarrassing himself.
Now it was Hoffman's turn. Zai Zong shook his head as he looked at the cards in Hoffman's hand.
Poor guy.
Hoffman stared at his cards for a while in silence before speaking.
[I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I have to go home.]
Then Hoffman slowly played a Special Card.
Remove Return the opponent's most recently drawn face-up card to the deck.
With a swish, the Card 5 that Zai Zong had just drawn with his Special Card went back into the dealer.
Zai Zong:?
What was this...?
Then he saw Hoffman use two Double Bet Special Cards.
The Voltage Meter on the back of Zai Zong's hand immediately jumped from 6 to a Red Skull.
At the same time, the terrifying chainsaw began whirring and moved before him.
It was practically pressed against his face!
Zai Zong:?
Zai Zong:
Zai Zong: speechless.jpg
"Fuck this game!"
The livestream chat instantly exploded with comments because of the spectacle.
Meanwhile, Hoffman stood.
Thus, neither side drew any more cards, and the result began to be announced.
[Then, the winner is]
After the Masked Man's customary two-second pause, he spoke in a sinister voice.
[Hoffman!]
"Damn it!"
The hole cards were revealed.
Zai Zong's hole card was 1, and his face-up cards were 3 and 11, totaling 15 points.
Hoffman's hole card was 9, while his face-up cards were 2 and 6, totaling 17 points.
Zai Zong lost again this round.
He had lost to Hoffman's Special Card.
He had never imagined this game would have a Special Card that could send back a card someone else had drawn!
"Did I eat that chocolate for nothing!?"
Just as Zai Zong cursed under his breath, the Masked Man's voice rang out again.
This time, it carried extreme delight and barely restrained viciousness.
[Then the loser will pay the bet.]
The moment he finished speaking, the Electrical Device started up, its massive body beginning to shake.
At the same time, the chainsaw whirred as it spun, flashing with a sharp, cold gleam.
Clancy, meanwhile, trembled and screamed in terror without stopping.
[Wait, wait! I want another round! Wait! Wai—aaahhhhhhh—!!!]
The Red Skull-level current was high-voltage electricity, and it entered him through the back of his hand.
In a single instant, it spread throughout his entire body.
The flashing white screen, billowing smoke, and clothes catching fire made Zai Zong's eyes widen.
Across from him, Hoffman only lowered his head and apologized again and again.
But even more terrifying was that irregular chainsaw.
White currents crackled across it as it spun at high speed.
"Wait, is this for real? There isn't even a black screen or red screen to cover it up, leaving only the screams?"
But Zai Zong was doomed to be disappointed.
That chainsaw slashed toward him at incredible speed.
"Holy shit!! Holy shit!! Stop!! What the fuck!! Holy shit!! Stop it!! Wait a second! Holy shit!!!"
In his pupils, the chainsaw grew infinitely larger.
In the end...
Flesh and blood flew everywhere, chunks splattering wildly!
The screams came to an abrupt halt.
In the game, only the grinding sound of cutting remained.
Feeling unwell all over, Zai Zong could no longer endure it. He immediately took off the VR headset, gasping for air, still shaken.
Because the detailed description of Chainsaw Face Wash did not align with certain values, I could only use the idiom "flesh and blood flew everywhere" to convey it.
Before you continue