Chapter 1 [Ball Sharing Game] A deadly question? (1/2)

(Warning: As the story progresses, the content will become increasingly twisted and dark, and the protagonist will spiral into madness. If you're not comfortable with this tone, please proceed with caution.)

(The protagonist's worldview does not reflect the author's own.)

(If you enjoy it, please leave a comment or review and help me promote the book! Please don't leave me alone; I'm afraid of being isolated.)

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What should I do?

This is a deadly puzzle!

This is a rather well-known intelligence test that Yu Tu had once played around with online.

The result is that no matter what you choose, everyone dies together!

Yu Tu stared at the game rules written on the blackboard, his face pale, cold sweat dripping down!

[Welcome to the God Cage Game: Beginner's Trial. The rules of this game are as follows:]

1) Each participant takes a certain number of balls from the table. The order of picking is decided by a drawing before the game starts.

2) After picking the balls, based on the order of ball exchange, each person will take turns to request exchanges of balls with other players. You can only request an exchange with the same player once. The order of exchanges is decided by a drawing before the game starts.

3) The player with the most or the least balls will die, and those who have the same amount of balls (either the most or least) will die together.

4) The surviving players can share 100 exchange coins. Exceptional performers will receive special rewards.

5) No fighting or grabbing is allowed. Balls can only be exchanged during the exchange phase and must be mutually agreed upon by both parties.

Notice: Do not forcefully leave the room or violate the rules, or you will be executed immediately!

In front of the blackboard is a dilapidated table, with 12 glass balls and 6 black bags placed on it.

The six people in the room tremble, staring at the ground, where brain matter and blood are scattered, and the body of a large man, headless, lies near the iron door.

The man with glasses remains the calmest and speaks first: "Although I don't know where we are, if we want to survive, we should follow the rules."

The others swallow nervously. The large man's death served as a demonstration of the consequences of breaking the rules.

Trying to break the door led to his head exploding, and the 14 balls were reduced to 12.

The man with glasses pushes up his glasses and says, "Let's talk about it. 12 balls, 6 people—how should we divide them?"

A middle-aged woman shouts loudly, "I don't care about the others; I want two!"

The fashionable woman and the elderly man in a Zhongshan suit immediately declare, "I want two too!"

The tattooed man curses, "Are you all crazy? If everyone takes two, we all die together!"

Yu Tu sneers inwardly. Yes, if everyone takes two, they will all die together.

Unless someone is willing to sacrifice themselves.

Before Yu Tu can speak, the tattooed man steps forward and points at the elderly man in the Zhongshan suit:

"Old man, you've lived long enough; it wouldn't be a loss if you died now! You take 3 balls first, and that sickly one (referring to Yu Tu), you take last!"

Yu Tu, who was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer before coming here, looks at the tattooed man but only sneers, too lazy to respond.

The old man replies excitedly:

"Don't even think about it! My granddaughter is still in the hospital. I'm here to earn money to save her! I can't die!"

The man with glasses' eyes brighten, and he pushes his glasses, smiling:

"Big brother, how about this? Let everyone speak up about what they need. Then we can help each other out. If someone is willing to die, we'll help them fulfill their unfinished wishes. What do you think?"

The middle-aged woman slaps her thigh and immediately starts babbling:

"I'm so miserable! My son is waiting for me to make money for his bride price, you know? The advertisement said that game exchange coins can be exchanged for money…"

Seeing the middle-aged woman about to continue, the man with glasses quickly interrupts: "Alright, I understand. You're doing this for your son's bride price. What about you, old man?"

"My granddaughter is seriously ill and needs surgery, and I'm trying to raise money. I saw the ad and agreed to participate."

"I see. You're doing this to save your granddaughter."

The tattooed man, displeased with the glasses man stealing his thunder, kicks Yu Tu.

"You, speak!"

The space seems not to consider this kick as a violation. Yu Tu slowly pats the dust off his clothes, glances at the tattooed man, and his eyes flash with cold light:

"As for me, I'm in the late stages of cancer. The advertisement said that playing the game could earn exchange coins to extend life, so I clicked on it out of curiosity."

"Damn, another sickly one! You're up, bitch!"

The fashionable woman shyly says, "My loan is due soon, and I'm being pressured. I didn't have a choice but to click yes."

The man with glasses immediately stands up.

"Look, it's simple, right? Old man, old woman, your goal isn't for yourselves; it's for your grandchildren and sons, right?"

Both the old woman and the old man nod: "Yes!"

The man with glasses gives a thumbs-up: "I admire you. For the sake of your grandchildren, parents and elders are willing to give up their lives, aren't they"?

The old man sighs deeply: "If I could save my granddaughter…"