Volume Two: The Devil’s Game Chapter Two: The Foolish Veteran

On a certain shadowy stage, one lamp after another slowly flickered to life. Gradually, the figure of a creature emerged—a pointed-eared being whose face was wrapped in bandages, topped with a battered, resolute wizard’s hat.

“Good evening, friends, and welcome to ‘Demon Game.’ Our program upholds the traditions and artistry of the craft, striving always to bring our audience a truly unique experience.”

“Now then, today we return to familiar grounds. Once more, sixteen humans will struggle for survival within the game. Allow me to introduce them one by one.” With a sweep of his hand, a projection screen appeared at the host’s side.

Within the mission world, Lu Yi sat up slowly. He realized he was lying before a clock tower. Blinking in surprise, he recognized it at once—this was the very tower described in the mission briefing. At that, Lu Yi sprang to his feet.

“Oh? Not bad, rookie. You’re actually the third newcomer to wake up,” remarked a man perched atop a stone sphere, a greatsword in hand. He flashed Lu Yi a friendly grin.

Lu Yi glanced in his direction and saw that the man belonged to a small group—four men and one woman, standing together.

The woman carried an air of mystery about her, suggesting she might be a mage or some other member of a mystical profession.

Beside her stood a burly man wielding a double-edged axe, a shield half his height strapped to his back.

Of the other two, one carried a bow, while the last stood empty-handed, with nothing else to hint at his role—Lu Yi could not guess his specialty.

After quickly sizing up the team, Lu Yi offered a polite smile. “Are you the veteran challengers for this mission?”

He turned his gaze to the two who had awakened before him: one was a strikingly dressed woman, the other a man exuding a sturdy presence.

As Lu Yi observed them, they returned his look, each nodding briefly before glancing away. A cursory count told Lu Yi there were sixteen participants in all.

At that moment, a soft grunt was heard—someone else awoke and, as if prompted, the remaining figures scattered on the ground began rousing one after another.

When the murmurs and whispers grew into open discussion, the greatsword-wielding veteran clapped his hands for attention. “Everyone, please.”

“I am Ge Wendong, captain of the Windchaser Squad. I imagine this is not the first time for most of you. I’ll keep it brief—let’s start with quick introductions, beginning with myself.”

He rose to his feet. “My name is Ge Wendong. I’m a warrior with a talent for amplification.”

He pointed to the burly man with the axe and shield. “This is Yang Tonghua, also a warrior, but without an awakened talent.”

He gestured to the mysterious woman. “This is Deng Yuqi, our team’s mage. She has a talent for elemental affinity. The archer here is Wang Ge, who has an enhanced ability. Lastly, Huayang Hui, the ranger, is versed in martial arts but has not awakened a talent.”

Lu Yi was impressed by their arrangement. Two close-combatants, two ranged fighters, and a ranger capable of both melee and mid-range attacks—a well-structured team, even if small in number.

While Lu Yi was admiring their formation, Ge Wendong’s brow furrowed. “There’s still one more veteran among us. Please step forward and introduce yourself.”

Ge Wendong’s words startled Lu Yi and the others. Another veteran? Who was it? Why hadn’t they awakened sooner? Was it because they were weak, or perhaps scheming something in secret?

No one stepped forward, and Ge Wendong’s expression soured. “I used a special privilege to confirm—there are six veterans in this mission. No point in hiding.”

Still, no one moved. Ge Wendong’s gaze swept the gathering, his irritation suddenly freezing, then shifting to a peculiar look. He pointed at a girl. “Frog, come here. Introduce yourself, as I did.”

The crowd parted to reveal a girl sitting on the ground. She looked around in confusion, dusted herself off, and asked, “You mean me?”

“Yes,” Ge Wendong replied with a kindly smile, as if coaxing a child. “Come and introduce yourself.”

The girl tilted her head. “But my name isn’t Frog. I’m Jade Toad.”

Everyone turned to stare at the girl.

Jade Toad soon walked to Ge Wendong’s side, facing the group. “Hello, everyone. My name is Jade Toad.”

Lu Yi finally saw her clearly—a round-faced girl with a hint of baby fat. Though not as striking as the flamboyant woman from earlier, her clean and adorable appearance was immediately endearing.

“What’s special about you?” Ge Wendong prompted.

“I’m a bit hungry,” Jade Toad replied, rubbing her stomach.

A wave of exasperation swept through the group. Ge Wendong’s mouth twitched. “I meant, what’s your special trait?”

“Oh.” Jade Toad’s eyes widened with innocence. “My name is Jade Toad, and I’m especially hungry.”

The room fell silent.

Ge Wendong propped his forehead with his left hand and waved her away with his right. “Alright, you can step aside now.”

As Jade Toad moved away, the captain turned back to the crowd. “This Frog girl suffered a head injury, so she’s a bit slow. Don’t pay it much mind.”

“I’m not Frog, and I’m not slow,” Jade Toad protested, clearly offended, though her demeanor made it hard for anyone to believe otherwise.

“Can’t the City heal injuries? Why is she like this?” Lu Yi asked offhandedly.

Ge Wendong gave a mysterious smile. “That depends on what caused the injury.”

Lu Yi felt he only got half an answer, but Ge Wendong showed no intention of continuing the topic. Amid Jade Toad’s muttering, he turned to the attractive woman.

Meeting his gaze, she stepped forward gracefully and addressed the group. “Hello, my name is Shen Yixue. In the real world, I’m a new employee, but here I have awakened my talent: I can manipulate starlight.”

With a charming smile, she stepped aside. Despite moving away, many newcomers couldn’t help but keep their eyes locked on her.

“Starlight? That sounds mysterious. I doubt she’s mastered it yet,” Wang Ge murmured to Ge Wendong, who simply shrugged.

“Hmph.” The burly man strode up to Shen Yixue. “I’m Liang Feisong, also an awakened challenger. My ability is tied to earth.” As he spoke, he clenched his fist, and a coating of soil enveloped it. After a sweep of the crowd, he looked back at Shen Yixue.

She returned a gentle smile, captivating the newcomers further.

“Wow, sixteen participants, six veterans, two talented newcomers with awakened abilities—what a lineup!” a newcomer exclaimed.

Lu Yi, thinking he was the third newcomer to awake and lacking any special talent, decided to introduce himself. Just as he was about to step forward, a wiry man beat him to it.

“My name is Wang Xun, an awakened challenger. My ability is speed. I plan to become an assassin.” Wang Xun zipped around at startling speed.

Everyone—veterans and newcomers alike—turned their attention to him.

Lu Yi estimated that, using his own dark powers, his speed might fall just short of Wang Xun’s, but with the Wind Pendant, he could surpass him. Relieved by this, he introduced himself: “I’m Lu Yi, a university student, without an awakened talent.” He then quickly stepped aside.

The rest were less noteworthy: salesperson Shi Xiaolu, worker Guo Fu, middle-aged woman Ma Yan, office worker Peng Kai, recluse Cui Xin, and Tan Weiwei, a woman not as lovely as Shen Yixue but attractive in her own right.

“Now that we’re acquainted, why not share your thoughts on the mission?” Ge Wendong suggested with a smile.

“That’s easy.” Cui Xin stepped to the front. “It’s a blend of battle royale and predator-prey games, but easier than either. The map is larger, which will spread us out. With only one warden, just catching someone is a time sink.”

“Hmph,” Liang Feisong scoffed. “That applies to us as well. Walking the length of the map could take over an hour.”

“I know, just hear me out.” Cui Xin continued, “The key is the sealing stones. The longer distances will affect our sealing process, so we need strategy. I suggest we set a time for everyone to bring their sealing stones to the central clock tower. And we should decide the order, since the City has said there will be no fewer than two sets each delivery. We should place complete sets together, and use extras as decoys for the warden.”

“What? Gathering everyone at the clock tower is too dangerous!” Shi Xiaolu protested.

Cui Xin had anticipated this. “There are sixteen of us and only eight sealing pillars. We can pair off, each team covering a section of the map. When it’s time to deliver, one goes while the other continues searching or acts as backup.”

“Not a bad plan,” Ge Wendong nodded. “Dividing labor will speed things up, and the sooner we finish, the safer we’ll be.”

Emboldened by the veteran’s praise, Cui Xin looked to Shen Yixue. “Then I’ll team up with her.”

Lu Yi watched Cui Xin carefully. He was wary of people like Fang Hao, but Cui Xin seemed straightforward enough.

“Wang Xun, want to pair up?” someone quickly approached the speedster.

Soon others formed teams as well.

Lu Yi observed the Windchaser Squad. Though they praised Cui Xin’s plan, they said nothing about their own grouping. If they didn’t split up, the rest’s pairings might be meaningless.

So Lu Yi simply watched, declining any partnership offers.

Back in the packed studio, the host stood before a floating model—a miniature of the mission map. He swapped cards. “Welcome back. Our program now has a live online stream. You can watch the show there as well. All contestants have been introduced, and they’re making their pre-game preparations.”

The host’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “Now, I will draw the first warden. Who will it be?”

He slowly spun the lottery machine. Multicolored balls bounced within, until one rolled out.

The host in the pointed hat lifted it, presenting the name for all the audience to see.