No. 1 followed suit, and No. 6 showed his sincerity too, putting up not only an Instance Authorization Letter but also an ultra-A-grade spatial device. Nos. 5 and 2 didn't participate, while No. 8 used a pharmaceutical company as his stake.
Unlike the previous wager, this one was completely unrestricted, so there was no concept of raising the stakes. As long as the stakes were roughly equal in value, that was good enough.
Those who abstained didn't participate, but they didn't leave either. There were still six people around the table, but only four were playing.
After discussing it, the four decided to use the previous method, except that the Fair Croupier would take over calling out the numbers. They would take turns stopping the dice. Anyone who called correctly would advance to the next round, while anyone who lost would be eliminated. If all four won or all four lost, they wouldn't need to change their stakes and would proceed directly to the next round. Using the same method, someone would eventually be eliminated if they kept at it long enough.
"Honored guests, please note that only fifteen minutes remain in this Mermaid Game," the Fair Croupier reminded them.
"That's enough time." No. 6 urged it to begin.
The game soon started. They took turns stopping the dice according to the order they'd drawn: No. 8 went first, Xu Huo second, No. 6 third, and No. 1 last.
No. 8 and Xu Huo both passed without trouble, but when it was No. 6's turn, a faint force shot out from behind the screen and jolted the dice just as he was about to call out.
After calling the wrong number, No. 6 flew into a rage. "Who was that? Who's interfering with me?"
Along with his angry shouts came