Evaluation

After walking through a 45-meter long corridor, the five people finally arrived in the same space, which was the entrance to the official game arena.

"Are you okay?"

Wang Yongxin supported Cai Zhiyuan, letting him lean against the corner of the wall to rest.

However, Wang Yongxin's own condition wasn't much better. His original composure and confidence had completely vanished, replaced by sweat and dishevelment.

His suit was also stained with blood, though not as severely as Cai Zhiyuan's.

Cai Zhiyuan shook his head, "I'm alright, nothing serious. I don't think I'll die."

Wang Yongxin looked at Ding Wenqiang, wanting to say something but stopping himself, finally just sighing silently.

He really had no standing to criticize the other man.

After all, in "Blood Poker," after Wang Yongxin re-entered the cubicle and discovered the secret of the Chip Exchange Machine, he could have left the cubicle to share this information with the others, but he ultimately didn't.

Wang Yongxin looked up at the game arena, preparing to listen carefully to the official game rules.

In the center of the arena, there was a huge four-sided display screen, with a VCR below it capable of playing old videotapes.

In front of the VCR was a locked glass cabinet containing a crown, a golden scepter, and five videotapes, each locked in a different slot.

[Ding Wenqiang has obtained the "King" identity. Please swipe your visa to continue the game.]

Ding Wenqiang, who had been looking in Cai Zhiyuan's direction with a hesitant expression, as if contemplating whether to go forward and offer comfort or an apology, didn't react immediately upon hearing the prompt.

At this moment, Gao Zhankui, the burly middle-aged man with a face full of rough flesh, had already pushed Ding Wenqiang aside and extended his wristband to the visa swiping area.

[Violation detected.]

A fierce electric current sound erupted, and Gao Zhankui abruptly pulled back his left hand, screaming in pain.

"Ahhhhhh--"

His whole body convulsed as he knelt on the ground, the wristband on his left wrist clearly showing blue electrical sparks.

[Violators will have their visa time deducted by 50,000 minutes. Further violations will result in an instant death penalty.]

Ding Wenqiang had panicked for a moment, but now he shook his head with a hint of amusement.

What an idiot.

These games were all vetted by the Gallery, chosen from the best, and wouldn't have any obvious low-level loopholes. To think he'd try to exploit one like this was incredibly stupid.

Ding Wenqiang stepped forward and extended his wristband to the visa swiping area.

With a "click," the glass cabinet unlocked.

Immediately after, game instructions continued to appear on the screen.

[The scepter before you is the King's exclusive item. When you make a legitimate request in accordance with the game's flow and the other four prisoners refuse to comply, press the scepter's button to electrocute the prisoner as punishment.]

[The videotapes record the crimes of each sinner.]

[In the arena, there are six different prison cells, each corresponding to a different punishment.]

[You can choose to lock any sinner into any cell for judgment, but please note:]

[Cells No. 1 and No. 2 are unlocked by default. Only after one of them is used will Cell No. 3 unlock, and so on.]

[The initial judgment time for each cell against a prisoner is 10 minutes. As the number of uses increases, the judgment will become increasingly severe.]

[Most cells will put the prisoner's life in danger during the 3rd judgment.]

[Once a cell is bound to a prisoner, it cannot be changed. Please choose cells carefully and deliver just judgments to the sinners.]

[The game ends when one of the following two situations occurs:]

[1. Ten judgments are completed. If there is still remaining time, the King may choose to end the game immediately or continue until the countdown ends.]

[2. Any special circumstance occurs that makes it impossible for the game to continue.]

[After the game ends, you will be injected with an antidote and regain your freedom.]

[Finally, here is a piece of unwelcome advice for the King:]

[No matter who you were before, or what your attitude towards this world is, after becoming King, you must learn to play your role:]

[You must find the right advice amidst the chaotic voices, and then, with a just and compassionate heart, decide the fate of others and yourself. For this is the King's duty.]

[Now, as the King, please take out your own videotape and first reveal your sins to the public.]

With a "snap," the glass cover of one of the videotapes automatically popped open. Three words were written on the tape: Ding Wenqiang.

The speakers in Lin Sizhi's room began to broadcast a continuous stream of announcements only audible to the spectators.

[Spectator No. 10 has bet on "King."]

[Spectator No. 7 has bet on "King."]

[Spectator No. 8 has bet on "King."]

[Spectator No. 3 has bet on "Prisoner."]

More and more spectators began to place their bets.

It was clear that with the announcement of the game rules, the King's identity offered significant advantages.

To bet on the King's side, one had to be quick, as there were only five spots available.

However, Spectator No. 3 still chose the Prisoner's side. Lin Sizhi remembered that this spectator had once sent Cai Zhiyuan a "Good luck!" message.

It could have been Officer Cao, or perhaps someone with a stronger sense of empathy.

Lin Sizhi looked at the betting buttons on the table and, after some consideration, chose to press the "Prisoner" side.

[Spectator No. 5 bets on "Prisoner".]

About five more seconds passed.

[Spectator No. 2 bets on "King".]

[The King's side betting slots are full. Spectators No. 4 and No. 6 will automatically bet on the Prisoner's side.]

Inside the game arena, Ding Wenqiang picked up the Golden Scepter.

It felt cold and heavy in his hand.

Gripping the scepter firmly, Ding Wenqiang felt a strong sense of security.

Then, he looked at the Crown.

The rules didn't mention what the Crown was for. It seemed to be merely decorative, with no practical function.

As Ding Wenqiang hesitated, the thin young man with dyed yellow hair, Zhang Peng, quickly approached him.

"Uncle Ding, how could you handle something like this yourself? Let me do it."

As Zhang Peng spoke, he picked up the Crown.

Ding Wenqiang froze, almost pressing the button on the scepter directly at Zhang Peng.

But in the next second, Zhang Peng respectfully and carefully placed the Crown on Ding Wenqiang's head, then bowed subserviently and retreated.

The heavy Crown pressed down on his head, fitting snugly. Ding Wenqiang inexplicably felt a strange sensation.

He instinctively wanted to take it off, but then he thought, it was just a game prop. Since his in-game identity was the King, wearing the Crown to distinguish himself from others wasn't wrong.

It wouldn't be appropriate to leave a prop arranged by the game lying around.

Ding Wenqiang said nothing more. He simply picked up the videotape beside him and inserted it into the VCR.

A moment later, static filled the large screen, followed by a first-person view.

A dispassionate narration began.

[As a delivery driver, you work 10 hours a day. You consider yourself diligent, yet your life remains meager.]

[To support your family, you have no choice but to push your tired body through the city.]

[Until that accident changed everything.]

[You might have many reasons. Perhaps you were forced to drive while fatigued to complete a delivery, or perhaps you were just robbed by masked thugs and beaten, causing swelling and limited vision in your left eye. But regardless, you were directly responsible for the accident.]

[Although you have paid the price, will you still see that blood-covered face in countless midnight dreams?]

The image on the television flickered slightly and became blurry, as if indicating the driver was extremely drowsy, even dozing off.

However, in the next second, a yellow figure on an electric bike suddenly appeared ahead!

A piercing screech of brakes echoed, but it was too late. The figure collided with the windshield and was flung far away.

Then, the videotape content ended, and Ding Wenqiang's file appeared on the large screen.

[Ding Wenqiang, Male, 53 years old.]

[Occupation: Large item express delivery driver.]

[While driving fatigued, he collided with a delivery worker running a red light on an electric bike, causing severe injuries that ultimately led to death.]

[Verdict: Sentenced to 1 year and 3 months in prison for the crime of traffic manslaughter, with a 2-year suspension (400,000 yuan compensation paid to the victim's family, and their forgiveness obtained).]

The room became very quiet.

Zhang Peng involuntarily looked at Ding Wenqiang, then quickly averted his gaze.

As for Ding Wenqiang, he lowered his head slightly, avoiding eye contact with anyone. However, his somewhat stiff expression revealed his inner thoughts to some extent.

Although he had mentally prepared himself to some degree beforehand, the sudden reopening of a deeply buried wound still caused him severe discomfort.

"Uncle Ding, it wasn't your fault. It was just an accident." Cai Zhiyuan seemed to be in better condition and offered comfort in a hoarse voice.

However, Ding Wenqiang ignored him. With a stern face, he addressed the other four: "All of you, get up and move forward!

"The game is still going on!"