Game

Young man, understanding the value of keeping a low profile is a good thing, but some things are destined to never be low-key. If you don't do something arrogant and rebellious while you're young, you won't have any interesting memories to look back on later in life...

In his past life, Chen Qiang had seen this sentiment online. Back then, he was still young and yearned to do something big that would make the world take notice of him.

But as he grew up, Chen Qiang discovered that it was merely his own wishful thinking. The world would teach you what it means for mediocrity to be the truth, tell you that you are actually no different from anyone else, and make you understand what it means to be the nail that sticks out and gets hammered down.

However, things are different now. Since he has transmigrated into this world, if he were to remain as obscure as he was in his past life and let everything take its natural course, then what was the point of transmigrating at all?

So, after arriving here, Chen Qiang had been pondering a question: what exactly should he do with this life? It wasn't until he saw those slaves that he understood, and he knew exactly what he had to do.

His transmigration into this world was a chance given to him by the heavens to change all of this. Since this world is already rotten, why not let him be the one to shatter this rotten world completely and allow a new world to be reborn from the ruins?

Soon, Chen Qiang wove through the amusement park. It didn't take long for him to find someone who knew the layout and forced them to lead him to his desired destination.

He arrived at the location of a Den Den Mushi capable of broadcasting to the entire city.

"Hello! Hello! Hello! Looks like this thing actually works!"

Just then, the city, which had fallen into silence due to the battle between Chen Qiang and Toby, suddenly saw the loudspeakers on every street corner roar to life.

"Greetings, everyone! I am Chen Qiang—yes, the very same Chen Qiang who participated in the Summit War."

Just as everyone in the city, whether slave or slaver, was drawn in by the sound, Chen Qiang's voice rang out from the speakers once more.

"Chen Qiang? The one who participated in the Summit War?"

"The Undying Chen Qiang? Isn't he supposed to be fighting Lord Toby right now?"

"Why is he using the broadcast? Could it be that Lord Toby was defeated?"

"..."

Upon hearing the self-introduction from the speakers, the people in the city began to murmur, looking toward the direction of Toby's amusement park in disbelief.

But regardless of whether they were shocked, terrified, or otherwise, the voice on the broadcast did not stop; he continued to speak his piece.

"Of course, whether you know me or not is unimportant. I have appeared here to announce two things!"

"First: This city is now officially under my control. From this moment on, I shall be the one to dictate all the rules of this city!"

"Second: Since this city belongs to me now, to celebrate, I have decided to play a game with everyone in the city to express my current joy."

At this point, Chen Qiang paused before continuing.

"After taking over the city, I did a cursory survey. Aside from the slaves, this city is filled with nothing but slavers or merchants who buy slaves. You could say there are hardly any good people here at all."

"How can my city be without good people? So, I have decided to let you all participate in this game. Whether you are a slave or any other kind of trash, you are required to participate. This is mandatory; whether you are willing or not, you must take part."

"Now, let me explain the rules of the game!"

"The rules are simple: I will arrange for someone to wait in the plaza of the amusement park. They will be holding the keys to the slave collars, as well as the keys to the handcuffs and shackles. Any slave who can reach that spot will receive help for free to break their bonds."

"After breaking their bonds, any slave who wishes to leave can do so. I will take it upon myself to provide you with the ships at the docks. Of course, this is not free. To board, you need a ticket—and that ticket is the corpse of a slaver or a slave merchant from this city."

"Considering that the number of slavers and slave merchants in this city is only one-third the number of slaves, I have decided that one corpse will grant you two tickets to board. Of course, children can board for free; after all, I consider myself a good person, and respecting the elderly and cherishing the young is the hallmark of a good person!"

Chen Qiang's words continued to pour from the broadcast, leaving the entire city in an uproar. They had no desire to play this damned game.

"Who does he think he is?"

"Forcing us to play a game?"

"He must have lost his mind!"

"..."

One by one, the slave merchants and slavers began to lose their composure after hearing Chen Qiang's rules. They roared with fury, shouting about how they should all strike together and hack Chen Qiang to death.

Yet, they were only talk; not a single person took action. Most of them began running toward the harbor outside the city, hoping to escape before Chen Qiang could blockade the port.

"I can already hear the cheers from the city. Everyone must think my game is quite good, right? This is a game I've been thinking about for a long time."

"Alright, I now announce that the game has begun! The game duration is one day. At this time tomorrow, I will use my own method to completely destroy this city. So, slaves who wish to gain their freedom, act quickly!"

"I will add one more thing: all you slaves, listen well. No matter the reason you were captured and turned into slaves, I have given you this chance now. Whether you choose to continue living as slaves until you die in numbness, or choose to stand up and resist, to fight for your own freedom—that is entirely your own choice."

"One last sentence for you all: Since you cannot live in freedom, why not choose to die in freedom? At the very least, the moment you die, you will be free! Hahahaha! Now, the game officially begins!"

As soon as Chen Qiang finished his last sentence, he split himself into two. One version remained in the center of the plaza, while the other flew rapidly through the city toward the entrance of the docks.

The people in the city, having heard Chen Qiang's words, were at a loss for what to say. The entire city stood still at that moment.

All the slavers looked at the slaves around them with wary eyes, their hands fumbling for the controllers that operated the collars.

As for the slaves, their previously numb eyes began to regain a glimmer of light. Something called hope emerged in their gazes, causing their breathing to grow heavy, while the way they looked at the slavers around them began to turn frantic.