Bad Luck

Like many others who had arrived here, Billy lost her life in the earthquake and became part of the "Terminus." 

She also became Ethan and Wendy's teammate.

With her amiable personality that meshed well with everyone and her background in sanshou martial arts, she quickly became the team's backbone, guiding them through numerous crises. Strangely, her chronic back pain seemed attenuated in this place.

During Liam's absence, Billy effortlessly participated in physically demanding "Ox," "Tiger," and "Rooster" category games. But her true calling was undoubtedly "Horse" category races. 

Stunt performers truly had remarkable skills. Whether it was rollerblading, skateboarding, mountain biking or motorcycle racing, Billy possessed basic proficiency in all. Her exceptional balance and reflexes made her nearly invincible.

This ultimately led to her downfall.

The Earth Horse.

The Earth Horse's game was extreme. The rules provided each team with an automatic transmission vintage car for racing. The Earth Horse held eight cards labeled "Brake," "Accelerator," "Accelerator," "Steering Wheel," "Steering Wheel," "Door," "Windshield," and "Seat."

Teams took turns selecting needed cards. Unclaimed components would be removed from the cars by the referee. After rock-paper-scissors decided priority, the winner chose first pick while the loser selected inner or outer track position.

When Billy won the initial round, she immediately proposed a "life gamble" with Earth Horse. At that moment, the rules shifted as a figure called "Black Tortoise" descended to become the new referee. The contestants were no longer teams, but Billy versus Earth Horse.

Ethan strained his mental faculties to strategize for Billy. If taking turns selecting, they absolutely needed "Brake" and "Accelerator." Since the circular track resembled a school field, "Steering Wheel" was crucial. With two copies each of "Accelerator" and "Steering Wheel," their priority was securing "Brake."

Fortunately winning rock-paper-scissors, Billy could first claim "Brake," then split "Accelerator" and "Steering Wheel" with the opponent. Components like "Seat," "Door," and "Windshield" were expendable.

When Ethan recounted this part, Jack Li slightly furrowed his brow. He sensed flaws in the strategy, but Billy completely trusted Ethan then.

She stepped forward first and decisively took "Brake." As expected, Earth Horse claimed "Accelerator." In round two, Billy selected another "Accelerator." But instead of taking "Steering Wheel," Earth Horse shockingly chose "Door," baffling everyone present. 

By round three when Billy secured "Steering Wheel" per strategy, Earth Horse again eschewed the obvious choice for "Seat." The crowd exchanged confused glances - without steering, how would Earth Horse navigate turns?

Ethan immediately urged Billy to seize the second "Steering Wheel," a seemingly checkmate move. Though wasting a selection, it permanently denied Earth Horse directional control. Now Earth Horse's car only had "Accelerator," "Seat," "Door," and eventually "Windshield" - completely uncontrollable. Billy's vehicle boasted "Brake," "Accelerator" and dual "Steering Wheels." Even without a seat, squatting to drive seemed manageable.

Under the referee's supervision, both modified their vehicles. Billy used a wooden crate as a makeshift seat. As racing commenced, Earth Horse chose the inner track - typically shorter, a logical choice.

Billy focused ahead. Knowing Earth Horse couldn't navigate turns, surviving the first curve would secure victory. When Black Tortoise signaled start, both slammed accelerators.

Cold sweat dripped down Ethan's face as he narrated. "Jack Li, I was wrong," he murmured. "Had I known what would happen..."

There were two ways to win a race: reach the finish line first, or eliminate a driver. Earth Horse had chosen the latter from the start.

They stayed neck-and-neck on the straightaway, but Billy's car had brakes. Normal drivers slow for curves, but Earth Horse's madness exceeded expectations. Choosing inner track meant Billy would pass his position during the turn. Earth Horse gambled everything on that instant.

Though Ethan realized this, he was too distant to warn Billy. As Billy passed Earth Horse's position, the latter floored the accelerator.

Vehicles collided violently. Earth Horse's windshield and seat prevented ejection, though his horse head smashed through the glass, blood gushing. Billy, unprepared for the suicidal impact, crashed into her steering wheel, bleeding profusely. 

Recovering her stunt performer instincts, Billy wrestled control. This was her final chance - clear the curve and win. But Earth Horse's every move had been calculated. 

He'd left them no "Door." As cars ground against each other, Earth Horse shattered his window and lunged for Billy. She dodged, realizing his murderous intent. Failing to grab her, Earth Horse seized her doorframe instead.

Abandoning driving, Earth Horse moved to his passenger seat while maintaining a death grip on Billy's car. His monstrous strength actually latched his vehicle onto hers - wherever she turned, he followed. This was gambling against an "Earth" rank. Beyond strategy, it required confronting their inhuman strength and madness.

Billy tried everything to shake him off. Without brakes, stopping meant being slaughtered. The rules never mentioned murder. She accelerated desperately, using her vehicle to crush Earth Horse's arm between the cars. 

Flesh pulped, yellow-white bones exposed, Earth Horse wore a maniacal grin. He kept clinging even as Billy's car dragged his wreckage. "You dare gamble with us? You've no idea how desperately we cling to life!" Those were Billy's last words.

At high speed, Earth Horse killed Billy. The absurd race ended in under thirty seconds before the first curve. With one driver dead, the match concluded.

Hearing this, Wendy looked mournfully out the window. "Jack Li, know our first thought upon seeing Billy dead? 'Next time we'll change tactics.' This place... through endless cycles... we've lost all reverence for death."

Ethan added, "And our teammate Billy... never reappeared since."

Jack Li's mind reeled. "So this is why you warn against gambling with Earth ranks? You've never defeated one?"

"Correct," they nodded.

"Then what of 'Celestial' ranks?" Jack Li pressed. "Your tactics seem incomplete. If Earth ranks are insurmountable, why plan against higher tiers?"

Ethan pondered. "In over two years here, we've scoured every corner but never seen a 'Celestial' rank."

Jack Li frowned. "Meaning they don't exist?"

"Unconfirmed, but current intelligence says so."

Nodding, Jack Li understood. No wonder Liam avoided gambling with Earth Bull previously. The "Paradise Port" organization feared permanent deletion from Terminus upon failure. But Jack Li knew better.

"Since you've shared secrets, I'll reciprocate." His expression turned grave. "This may overturn your entire plan."

"What?" they asked.

"I've seen Billy." Jack Li revealed. "She wasn't 'eliminated' - she's becoming a 'native.'"

Ethan stared blankly. "Native? You mean... a 'Madling'?"

"If that's your term for those between 'Sane' and 'Mad,' yes. She still seems salvageable."

Wendy urgently stepped forward. "Where is she? I'll find her!"

Ethan added, "Jack Li, Wendy and Billy were close. If she's still here... tell us. Paradise Port will repay you."

"Paper and pen?" Jack Li requested. Sketching on Wendy's scented notepad, he explained, "North along the main road, 25-30km to a derelict black building. An old taxi there. But this was last cycle - uncertain if she remains."

Studying the distant location, Wendy resolved, "Ethan, even as a Madling, we'll retrieve her!"

"Take Xiao Yanjin and Kim Won-hoon," Ethan decided. "Use the repaired vehicle out back."

Wendy hurried out, determination overriding her usual demeanor. The hunt for their lost teammate had begun.