“Listen to number 56, you dumbass! Go kill them all! Kill all those scum!” Staff member ‘first Bright fan/anti-fan’ George is yelling into the scream, and looks as if he would jump in and pinch his ear while shouting into it if only he could.
His leader is left dumbfounded. There’s nothing more troublesome than coworkers becoming avid fans, “stay professional.” He knows he won’t listen to him, like the other 35 times he said it before.
“I’m just monitoring number 199 and investigating his chances of advancing.” George has an excuse for his actions.
The leader gives him the latest news, “number 199 has hit it off with someone big, so he’ll advance whatever he does. In their team, the Dwarf and the Giant pair is undecided, but the Old Veteran is already on the list of eliminations.”
Shocked, George knocks his coffee over but doesn’t notice, “hit it off with a bigshot?! When? How? Is he the top or the bottom? Oh—I’m gonna go crazy!”
The leader is speechless “…”
George only realises his predicament after a good while, and jumps, “ouch! Hot hot hot! It’s all your fault number 199!”
The coffee has also landed onto the legs of the leader’s trousers. He moves back in minor annoyance. This is why an avid fan employee is trouble!
At this moment Bright doesn’t know someone is in emotional distress due to him.
He analyses the thoughts of each team member, saying, “Old Veteran, let’s talk a little, and the others move on first.”
Number 56 asks, “what will we do?”
“Collect reed and make rope, duh.” Thin Bamboo rolls his eyes.
Number 56 is going “…”
Old Veteran walks to the side with Bright with unease.
“Talk about your time in the military,” Bright said.
Old Veteran is surprised, “why?”
“A gamble.”
Bright finishes hearing about Old Veteran’s story, then relays his thoughts. Old Veteran worryingly looks over to the camera. Will the show let them talk about that out in the open?
The sky is currently filled to the brim with clouds, and the sound of thunder can be heard in the far distance. Even if lightning isn’t seen yet, that thick black cloud is a clear indication of a coming downpour. The man says plainly under such a sky, “if the story is good enough.” The show will welcome them doing something like that.
Hearing the low voice of the man, Old Veteran feels a coldness seeping up from his feet. It is as if he is back on the battlefield facing the fiercest outlaws and monsters. He emits a noncommittal noise in a daze.
Old Veteran is suddenly hit by Bright and thrown into the mud, appearing to have paid his price for challenging the leader’s power.
His body completely immersed in wet mud emanating a rotten smell all around, Old Veteran feels a sickening fear and desperation. He does not struggle knowing that he would sink faster the more he struggles. He opens his arms and relaxes his muscles to increase the area of contact, increasing his buoyancy. He does not move at all so that no gaps are formed by the movement of the dust and sand which would suck him deep into the swamp.
Bright looks at him with a deep gaze before ignoring him and walking back to his team.
The other members, standing far away, can only see that they appear to have had a conflict after talking for some unknown reason. They only know that Old Veteran hasn’t come back – he’s been abandoned.
Their expressions are all different, there’s surprise, there’s resignation, there’s disinterest.
“I’ll give you my bonus.” Bright stops what Thin Bamboo was going to say with one sentence. The latter feels he has nothing to lose, and a burden removed from the team, so he shrugs, and keeps working.
Number 56 is looking very pleased, “should’ve done that a long time ago.” Afterwards, he has become obedient, no longer questioning Bright’s leadership.
The team ties their bodies together with the rope. Bright is in the front blazing a trail forward, number 56 is just after him. After them is Thin Bamboo and Big Retard. They prepared themselves well before walking into the swamp full of danger.
The four men walks with only a set of footprints.
They are attacked on the way by wild beasts and other groups. The Dwarf and the Giant pair performs well. Neither Bright nor Ochrehair steals their kills and letting them appeal.
Despite Thin Bamboo looking like he would be blown away by a gentle breeze, he has a drive when fighting that even ignores his own life. No weapons? Then fists and kicks. Limbs incapacitated? Then bites. Even if he looks like he’s in a horrible state, he’s firmly secured advantages in fighting; Big Retard is itself a humanoid weapon. His power, with each first making a new cake of flesh, makes up for his dexterity, and is attractive to audience who loves to see such violent gore.
In the end, their team finds the mysterious man successfully. They handed in ‘treasures’ such as a rock, pile of mud, worms and skulls and advanced.
When the show reveals the list of people who have advanced from the third episode, some contestants can be heard protesting, “that’s cheating! How could Old Veteran have advanced? Is it because number 199 likes old flabby JB ?!”
Bright is speechless, “…” Hey hey I’ll sue you for defamation if you keep saying shit like that!
He feels as if new gossip about him will start floating around soon.
Even his joy from his victory has therefore been largely neutered.
Even his teammates next to him are in shock, especially number 56. He grabs onto Bright’s arm, his nails digging into his flesh, and questions him with ferocity, “you must be the one behind it! Tell me how you did that!”
“Haha! I can get double the money!” Thin Bamboo happily goes to visit Old Veteran. Big Retard follows him from behind.
Bright furrows his brows, “let go.” What’s with all the touchy-feely?
Number 56 is defeated in their staring contest, “my name is Piers. Remember that.”
Bright goes ‘oh, Xiaopi ‘ in his mind.
About how Old Veteran has advanced, both the person in question and the show has their lips shut. They only figured it out when the third episode aired. Of course, the version is the one edited and enhanced by the show.
Besides that, Bright and other contestants who have advanced have been sent into a hotel outside to celebrate them getting into the top 50.
Top 50 means they have transformed from a slave into a slightly valuable slave. They can have their dog tags on and make money for the show now.
Stepping into the hall, they see that there are no patrons wearing dovetail coats and masks, just normal handsome men and women in revealing clothing. Bright is relieved considering he still has PTSD about hotels.
The manager in charge of accommodating them explains passionately, “this place is full of cameras, but not in the rooms. You know what I mean, so find me whenever you need service.”
Bright sneaks out of the orgy when he was unnoticed. He finds a room, quickly heads in and locks it, then opens the TV.
Before, when he was with the trainer for the night, he saw that he had a TV in his room. He has since wanted to try using the electronic devices here, but restrains himself to be cautious.
He hopes the TV here are smart and can connect to the internet. Then he can get information on this world.
Some R-18 content is showing up. The sound system is probably 3D surround sound, and the moans are pitched and contoured, pleasing to the ears, as if one is actually there.
There’s a search button on the top of the screen.
Bright clicks on it.
Author’s notes: At least 2000 characters a day, and sometimes I’ll give a second chapter release.