Daisy_Flower_4657

"I Want to Play a Game" blends elements such as time loops, infinite streams, rule-based games, and post-apocalyptic survival, all set against a unique Chinese aesthetic with mind-bending plot twists. The story unfolds in an alternate realm known as "The Land of Endings," where all participants are "the Guilty"—people burdened with sins in the real world—who are forcibly drawn into a death game controlled by the Twelve Zodiac. The game is divided into three levels: "Heaven," "Earth," and "Human." Within ten days, participants must win "the Dao" through strategic play, deduction, or cooperation; once they accumulate enough, they can escape. Those who fail will lose their memory and be resurrected on the eleventh day, while only those who awaken the "Echo" ability can retain their memories and move on to the next cycle of reincarnation. Originally a "place for divine creation," The Land of Endings has become a brutal battleground for survival following the betrayal of the Zodiac leader, "Tianlong" (Heavenly Dragon).

I Want To Play A Game

"The upside is we've learned the Zodiacs' motives," Jack Li said. "Does that mean we've found their weakness?"

"If this contract is real… maybe." Officer Liu pointed to clauses 5 through 10. "It says the contract only has four sections. These extra clauses shouldn't exist. Was it altered?"

"Likely." Jack Li nodded. "But in a place where you conjure cigarettes from thin air, phantom contract terms aren't surprising."

"Your acceptance of madness is… impressive." Officer Liu sighed. "How are you not losing your mind?"

According to the contract, if Human Sheep saw more than four clauses, it proved his insanity. Yet both of them could read the extras. Either the rules were lies, or "Black Tortoise" had rigged the document to eliminate Human Sheep.

"He kept it anyway," Officer Liu mused. "Suspicious, but not suicidal."

"Look at you," Jack Li smirked. "Adapting to the madness."

"I'm a homicide detective, not a paranormal investigator." Officer Liu rubbed his temples. "Let's keep this between us until we find another trustworthy Echoer."

As Jack Li tucked the contract away, Officer Liu produced four *Dao*. "Take these."

Jack Li refused until Officer Liu insisted: "They're safer with you." Relenting, Jack Li took one to avoid suspicion. "Balance restored."

The school's lights offered false comfort as they returned. Crickets chirped outside, but the horde kept its distance—*Paradise Port's* presence deterred the swarm.

Most teammates slept when they reentered. Jack Li rigged the door with a plastic lighter before collapsing into a chair. For the first time in this hellscape, he dared rest.

The lighter clattered softly. Embers dead, darkness swallowed the room. Jack Li counted eight sleeping forms. A ninth shadow loomed over Taylor, inhaling her scent before moving to Tony.

Jack Li ghosted behind the intruder, who paused at Officer Liu's thunderous snoring. "Strange…" the shadow muttered, scanning the room. When he counted heads and froze, Jack Li lunged for the door.

The intruder bolted. Jack Li gave chase, shouting, "STOP!"

Footsteps echoed. The hallway's trap snapped—a tripwire sent Jack Li sprawling. By the time he scrambled up, the shadow had vanished.

Barrett burst from the classroom, fists clenched. "What happened?!"

"Intruder." Jack Li vaulted through a window into the courtyard, Barrett hot on his heels.

The night swallowed all traces. No footsteps. No rustling. Only the oppressive hum of cicadas.

Back inside, the team clustered anxiously. Taylor hugged herself. "Did they take anything?"

"No." Jack Li relit the firepit. "He was… observing."

"Observing?" Dr. Lee adjusted his glasses. "Like recon?"

Jack Li's gaze swept the group. "Either *Paradise Port* has a traitor, or something else is hunting us."

Barrett cracked his knuckles. "Next time, I'll rip their—"

"No next time." Jack Li tossed the tripwire coil onto the flames. "We sleep in shifts. Two guards nightly."

Emma trembled. "You think they'll come back?"

"They know we're alert now." Jack Li stared at the dying embers. "But in this place, certainty is the first lie."

The Intruder