The finals of the Thriller Contest were in full swing.
On the massive main screen, the broadcast had been following Ethan Walker, the fan favorite among the finalists. The crowd was engaged—until a sudden change made the air buzz with excitement.
The feed cut abruptly from Ethan Walker's calm, calculated movements… to Lucas.
And opposite him—Ivy.
---
The first time two players had confronted each other inside Verne Town, and the system had chosen to showcase it live.
When Ivy's skill, [Puppet Thin Thread], flared into existence, the audience's reactions came fast.
"Based on stats and skills, Lucas can't possibly beat her."
"Yeah, this is reckless—he misjudged the gap between them."
The assumptions lasted only seconds before the plot twisted hard.
The threads wrapped around Lucas… and nothing happened.
---
"???"
"Only 10 points?! His mental value dropped by just ten?!"
"At this point, Ivy's basically as good as dead."
Someone in the stands added darkly,
"Honestly, if she just died here, she might be happier than what's coming."
---
Even the clown host on stage couldn't resist the drama. He whined theatrically, dabbing at fake tears.
"Why did our beautiful contestant Ivy have to run into this disgusting guy, Lucas?!"
---
[Player Lucas' popularity has increased — current rank: 15th in the finals]
---
Morning in Verne Town
7:50 a.m.
The tinny crackle of the town's loudspeaker filled the streets.
"Dear Verne villagers, because many of you failed the internal affairs inspection yesterday, there will be a surprise inspection today…"
Lucas sat inside his small house, his gaze fixed on the fresh, spotless tile outside his door. He let out a long, quiet breath.
"There are dangers hidden everywhere here."
---
The sound of boots on stone grew closer. Moments later, the iron gate swung open, creaking on its hinges. Six prison guards in crisp uniforms entered in perfect formation.
Five fanned out to begin the inspections. The sixth—a woman with a neat bun and a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes—stepped toward Lucas.
"Maintaining good housekeeping habits helps us Verne folk cultivate self-control," she said warmly, as though reciting from a manual.
---
While she spoke, Lucas' attention drifted past her to one of the guards examining his tiles. The man wore a spotless white shirt, hair slicked back into a heavy pompadour. He was scribbling in a small notebook with perfect focus.
He looked exactly like the big-headed guard Lucas had seen Victor hack to death yesterday.
---
"Again…?"
His system flickered to life.
[Modeling…]
[Under preparation…]
[Verne Town Staff: Advanced Danger]
[Verne Town Staff: Advanced Danger]
[Verne Town Staff: Advanced Danger]
Every single prison officer read exactly the same.
"No difference… no variation… Are they respawning? Clones? What kind of setting is this dungeon?"
---
The woman finished her speech, accepted a checklist from her colleague, and smiled brighter.
"Villager Jason, you've passed the surprise inspection. You may proceed to today's work assignment."
---
Lucas watched silently as the six guards crossed into Ivy's yard.
There she was—half-dead on the ground—but the guards didn't blink. They simply began checking her home with the same meticulous thoroughness as any other.
When they finished, the woman's expression soured. She took the checklist, scanned it, and frowned.
"Villager Ivy, you have failed today's surprise inspection. Your home is dirty and disorganized. You will be taken for re-education."
Two guards grabbed her without a second glance at her wounds. Her body was dragged away, limp and bleeding. No one asked why she was in that condition. No one cared.
---
Back in his doorway, Lucas allowed himself a faint smile.
"See? If I don't kill you outright, I avoid another trip to the confessional."
---
Assignment Time
The inspection delay meant fewer people were left waiting for their work orders. Lucas kept his gaze low, avoiding eye contact with other players.
"Ivy's not the only one in here hostile toward other players."
The guard with the clipboard began reading names.
"Tian Jing — garment factory."
"Big Niu — farmland."
"Gouzi — farmland."
"Fang Jun — farmland."
"Zhao Guanghui — food factory."
"Jason — food factory."
---
A few of the villagers who had worked farmland yesterday glanced at Lucas with quiet sympathy. Being sent to the food factory wasn't common—and lately, it carried a bad omen.
Lucas' thoughts tightened around the name.
"Food factory…"
A creeping unease began to coil in his gut.
"The two players eliminated yesterday were both assigned there. Coincidence…?"
Whatever the reason, he started preparing himself for the worst.
---
On the Other Side
Zhao Guanghui, the other player assigned to the food factory, looked like he'd swallowed a fistful of nails.
A friend patted his shoulder.
"We don't know for sure what happened to Mu Liao and Guan Wanwan in the food factory. Don't overthink it."
Zhao's voice was low, bitter.
"They went in. They never came out. What else could it be?"
The friend had no answer.
---
"Mu Liao had A– level overall attributes," Zhao continued, his hands rubbing together anxiously. "Second only to Ethan Walker. If he couldn't make it…"
His laugh was humorless.
"If I skip my assigned job, I'll die like Xiong San. If I go, I'll probably die anyway."
The two exchanged a grim look, each reading the same fear in the other's eyes.
---
Zhao took a deep breath.
"Even Ethan Walker might not survive the food factory. This dungeon's settings… they've gone beyond the upper limit for all of us."
---
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