Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Bare wastelands stretched out on both sides of an endless highway, the scorching air tinged with the faint scent of singed leather and exhaust fumes.

This was what Ji Xinghai saw, smelled, and felt.

Dressed in a white shirt and jeans, he gripped the steering wheel and pressed his foot down on the accelerator, seated in a moving mini car as the scenery rushed past him in a blur.

Due to inertia, there was a pulling sensation on his body, indicating that his appearance had been sudden.

The car was somewhat stifling, emitting groans akin to those of a vehicle on its last legs.

The cream-colored wasteland outside the window swayed gently, almost like an illusion, before the speeding car lunged toward a bend, about to collide with a road sign.

In the nick of time, Ji Xinghai swiftly turned the steering wheel to avoid it, simultaneously releasing his foot from the clutch to shift gears until the car smoothly entered the next stretch of road.

After judging that there was no danger, he pulled over to the side of the road but remained inside the car.

He had narrowly avoided a fatal crash.

To be thrown into such heart-stopping action right away, the Hungry Academy could hardly claim innocence.

Ji Xinghai's heart rate slowed as he looked out the window once more.

Wasteland, highway, vast sky—it all appeared as it had before. Could the earlier shaking of the earth have merely been an illusion caused by the old car's jostling frame?

"It's now five thirty-two, clear skies, dry air, temperature around twenty-five degrees."

The day broke early, and so did the rise in temperature, suggesting it was summer. Yet, the vegetation on either side wasn't the lush green typical of summer, instead bearing a hint of autumn's desolation.

There wasn't a soul nearby; even the sky was devoid of birds, the entire environment exuding a sense of lifelessness.

Ji Xinghai then inspected the contents of the car.

It was a two-seater mini car with a trunk, the military-green leather worn in several spots, and the PU leather on the steering wheel peeled off, looking shabby. However, the car's functions were relatively intact, with no broken parts, and the radio could still pick up 'lively and catchy' music from the broadcast.

He turned off the music.

It was already hot enough outside; he didn't need the angry tunes laced with profanity to further raise the temperature.

Notably, every place with text in the car was written in English—only English. The song that had just played was also in English.

Seated in the driver's seat, Ji Xinghai had an ax that looked familiar resting on the passenger seat beside him. It was the perfect size and weight for his hand, though not the same one he'd handled previously.

What was the Hungry Academy trying to convey by giving him this? Was it a warning of impending danger on the road?

Aside from the ax, there was only one other item unrelated to the car—a folded map roughly the size of a newspaper, placed in the storage compartment.

Apart from that, there were no other remarkable items in the car.

He unfolded the map.

It displayed a complete city route map, with buildings in black, highways in red, forests represented by green triangles, and blue droplets symbolizing water sources.

The roads were as tangled as a ball of yarn clawed at by a cat. These chaotic lines were accompanied by tiny explanatory texts, causing dizziness after a brief glance.

Ji Xinghai had intended to determine his location, but the similar environments made it difficult. In every direction, vast expanses of wasteland were indicated by yellow dots.

"Right, there was a road sign earlier."

He reversed the car until he reached the sign, which was covered in rust and bore the letters 'Ram's Horn Bend.' Comparing it to the map, it matched the position at the lower right corner—a highway embedded in the heart of the wasteland, miles from any human habitation.

Only then did Ji Xinghai open his mission watch:

Student: Ji Xinghai

Credits: 12

Theme of this Exam: As the building collapses, will you make a mad dash for survival?

Content of this Exam: The city will fall within 240 hours. Find a way to save yourself before then.

Exam Start Time: February 1st, 6 AM.

Participants: 291/291

Passing Criteria: Survive until the end of the exam, scoring 60 points.

Excellence Criteria: Board the Ark.

Bonus Points: Not triggered.

Carriable Items: 3 (Unselected. Please choose before the official start of the exam, or it will be considered a waiver.)

After the exam, the top ten students will receive high-score rewards of varying levels, and their scores will be converted into points for purchasing supplies from the 'Store' post-exam.

We hope all students strive for excellence and achieve good results.

Similar to the first game, the only addition was the option to carry items, allowing three choices. Ji Xinghai directly selected the 'Game Backpack,' 'Item Card,' and 'First Aid Bandage.'

Then, he reviewed the mission details, reading each word carefully.

First Key Point: The city would fall in ten days, indicating a major disaster.

With insufficient information, it was impossible to determine the nature of this disaster. Whether it was nature's retribution or humanity's self-inflicted demise was unknown. It might be related to the earlier ground tremors, but specifics required further information gathering and analysis.

Although he couldn't ascertain the type of catastrophe, there were generally three approaches to deal with it: hastily construct a fortress, drive out of the city, or seek the Ark.

Considering the ten-day timeframe, the provision of a vehicle by the organizers, and the hints about racing against all odds for survival in the title, it's clear that the game explicitly encourages them to seek out the Ark. This time, the focus should be on finding and entering the Ark.

Second Key Point: The Existence of the Ark.

The term 'Ark' frequently appears in films and literature, referring to a means of transportation or temporary shelter capable of saving a select few from a great disaster. It could be a colossal ship, a spacecraft, or an underground safety base.

When a major catastrophe looms, humanity pools all its resources to construct the Ark, but with limited space, a significant portion of the civilian population is inevitably left behind.

What determines who gets to board is the 'Ticket'.

Politicians trade their status for tickets, the wealthy exchange their riches, scientists offer their intellect, while the common folk largely rely on luck.

The game emphasizes the need to enter the 'Ark', but doesn't mention the 'Ticket'. There might be a hidden catch here.

Regardless, for the participants to reach this place, they first need to know where it is.

Given that the exam wouldn't leave the participants without a way out, information about the 'Ark' is likely hidden somewhere, waiting to be discovered by the participants. And the only place in this vehicle to obtain external information...the car radio?

Currently, the car can only tune into one channel, which blares fast-paced English songs filled with profanity. Ji Xinghai turns it back on with a look of disdain, lowering the volume.

He simply can't appreciate it.

The third key point is 'Supplies'.

Participants have ten days, during which they cannot go without food and water. The car also needs fuel, and as they search for a 'way out', they will require continuous resupply of provisions.

Considering the numerous restaurant and inn icons on the map, roadside shops may be one source of supplies. Even those small towns could become sources through plundering.

After all, when it's a matter of survival at the end of the road, morals can take a step back.

"If mere looting could secure supplies, this game would be too simple."

For a game to be more engaging, it must develop multiple storylines and introduce elements of uncertainty. Especially since this is a game that encourages, even forces, players to take risks.

"If I were designing this, I would not leave too many supplies in the outside world, while simultaneously setting up high-risk environments. Those participants wanting safety and regular meals would have to go to restaurants and inns. And these establishments would certainly charge exorbitant prices, with currency being 'lifespan', 'health', 'soul'.

"Participants would struggle between sacrificing their lifespan and exploring the wilderness."

The dynamics between humans and the harsh environment, humans and their desires, humans and each other, each point can branch out into different narratives. And each narrative has its own unique appeal.

To witness humans suffering yet unwilling to give up, give them despair, then offer a glimmer of hope.

If he were the game designer, he would definitely do it this way.

Had it not been for the elder from JiuZhou stating that the Hunger Games couldn't forcibly require participants to kill each other, he would have included a setting where 'participants often encounter each other and are incited to kill for loot'.

Because the conflicts and infighting between people are the most thrilling and unpredictable aspects.

"Pity I'm not the designer," Ji Xinghai thinks to himself.

Not only is he not the designer, but he is also a player thrown into the mix, a truly unfortunate turn of events.

The car starts again, and he isn't planning to leave the city; his destination is the nearby gas station.

The crux of this exam lies in the 'Ark', and going against the grain by leaving the city or building a safe base would be a 'misinterpretation of the question'.

Although he doesn't know where the Ark is, getting some gasoline first is always right.

Bathed in the hot wind and listening to the aggressive music, Ji Xinghai leans against the slightly worn faux leather seat, one hand gripping the steering wheel. His peripheral vision catches sight of the axe vibrating on the passenger seat as the car moves, his expression relaxed.

Cars, highways, wastelands, uninhabited areas—how perfect for unleashing one's nature.

It's just that the sunlight is a bit glaring; sunglasses would make it absolutely perfect at this moment.

In the real world at this time.

"How many minutes left?"

"Ten minutes, hurry up."

Similar conversations occur in various corners of the world, another monthly heart-stopping moment.

Even in war zones, there is an unspoken agreement to halt the gunfire as soldiers lean against their barricades, streaming live videos. Behind them, the minefields, with little yellow flowers swaying in the breeze amidst the scorched earth.

"I've survived another month."

A smile appears on the young soldier's face, worn by hardship: "I want to live another month."

Last month, a monstrous newcomer emerged, allowing most countries' participants to survive the brutal alternate world. Not many places experienced abnormal natural disasters.

This has generated a bit of anticipation for this exam—life always leaves a sliver of hope amidst cruelty, right?

Beep beep beep, viewers continuously log in, and within a few short minutes, billions of people flood the live streams.

"I want to watch that...that JiuZhou participant's stream!"

In the noisy bar, the drunks crowd around the bartender, loudly clamoring. They reek of the sea. After the oceans became physical barriers, these men, who normally fish and occasionally moonlight as pirates, haven't had any business for a long time. Their enthusiasm is now channeled into the live streams.

"Why not watch our own country's stream?"

"Hahahaha," all the drunks laugh, "That's for the rich. What does it have to do with us poor folks outside the walls? Even without abnormal natural disasters, we can't survive. Let's watch the JiuZhou participant's stream, I like that kid."

"That's right, let's watch his."

The drunks shout again, yelling while gulping down the murky, low-quality bacterial alcohol in their hands.

Across class lines, skin colors, and nationalities, countless people gathered in Ji Xinghai's livestream room, expressing their excitement and anticipation in various languages.

To this day, authoritative forums overseas continue to analyze and dissect his moves from the first game, with each YouTuber having their own perspective and criteria for judgment. He is the most active man on foreign shores this month.

"A new god emerges from every game; we should view Brother Hai more objectively."

"Don't take unnecessary risks, Brother Hai. Completing the journey is victory!"

Foreign viewers shouted and cheered in the livestream room, which paradoxically calmed down the JiuZhou audience.

The first game had already demonstrated Ji Xinghai's excellence, but no one is perfect, especially when the second scenario would surely target him. To hold him to the standards of the first game would clearly be unfair.

"Tsk, if the trainee isn't outstanding enough, it's tough; if they're too excellent and expectations soar, that's also tough."

'Slap', a file folder smacked onto the head of a Black Tower staff member: "Alright, stop being cute. If foreigners heard you, they'd curse you out. We have three minutes left, are all departments ready?"

"Equipment checks complete."

"History Group is okay."

"All members of the Analysis Group have arrived."

Black Tower staff filled the room as the head looked up at the ticking clock, with less than a minute until the second exam officially began.

The right wall transformed into a massive screen, Ji Xinghai's livestream screen. It was currently white because they had blocked all the comments.

But one could imagine the liveliness in Ji Xinghai's livestream room at this moment.

In fact, that staff member wasn't wrong; Ji Xinghai's performance in the first exam was truly outstanding, beyond what anyone dared dream, instantly raising everyone's expectations to the max. Even though some rational voices tried to dampen the overheated atmosphere, most JiuZhou residents still held the expectation of 'seeing dawn again'.

The focus of this operation still lay in 'controlling public opinion', suppressing where necessary, striking back if needed, not allowing it to overheat and explode.

Tick-tock, Exam Time: 06:00.

The white screen flickered, color appeared on their retinas.

A vast, brownish-yellow wilderness, a winding road ahead, a creaky car, and a young man holding the steering wheel with one hand, the other propping up his head.

Wind blew through the window, ruffling his slightly long bangs, revealing a full, smooth forehead and eyes sparkling with springtime joy, looking incredibly content.