The Endless Game: Olivia's Trials

Chapter1: First Judgment - The White Flower 1

In 2168, a new form of public entertainment had emerged - virtual criminal judgments broadcast live to select viewers. Today's stream showed 18 viewers watching intently as the proceedings began.

[Platform Interface]: Criminal Judgment Live Stream #2168-Q1Q2

[Broadcast Status]: Active

[Current Viewers]: 18

"Clang—clang—"

The chains on Olivia Chen's limbs rattled rhythmically as she walked. Head bowed, she shuffled forward in a long line of prisoners, guided by an armed guard toward the towering hundred-story building. Though she yearned to strangle him with her chains and flee, she remained docile. With hundreds of heavily armed guards surrounding the area, escape was impossible. Hell might await ahead, but forward was her only option.

At the entrance checkpoint, while the guard was checking credentials, Olivia put on her most pitiful expression. "Please, kind sir," she cooed in a sugary voice, "help me. I'm innocent - can't you request a reinvestigation? I'm so scared..."

"Save it," the guard swiped his access card without sparing her a glance. "The line of people reporting your violence stretches all the way to the third ring road."

"Oh." Olivia's demeanor changed instantly, her face going blank. After a pause, she added flatly: "Only the third ring?"

[Livestream Comments]: "LOL did she just complain that her victim count wasn't high enough?"

[Livestream Comments]: "This one's going to be interesting to watch..."

The guard's lip twitched as he ignored her, ushering her into an elevator. They ascended to the 58th floor.

Down a long corridor they walked, stopping at the second-to-last door. A small screen displayed "7/8". The guard swiped his card again, and the heavy door opened just wide enough for one person. With a rough shove, he pushed Olivia inside. The door sealed behind her with a hiss as the display changed to "8/8".

Olivia slowly picked herself up from the floor, chains jingling. The noise drew stares from the other inmates. She ducked her head timidly, whispering a soft "Sorry."

[Livestream Comments]: "Look at her playing weak. Classic manipulation."

[Livestream Comments]: "That innocent act won't last long in here."

"It's alright, let me help you up."

A gentle hand gripped her arm, easily pulling her to her feet. Olivia glanced quickly at her helper before dropping her gaze, murmuring a shy thank you. Her portrayal of timidity was masterful.

Suddenly, a cold female voice echoed from above: "All prisoners present. Judgment will commence in ten seconds."

"Nine."

"Eight."

"..."

"The first round of public judgment for death row inmates from the first and second quarters of 2168 will now begin."

The room's white lights flared blindingly bright. When Olivia could see again, everything had changed. They stood in a living room with several closed doors and a staircase leading to a second floor. A single table held eight black boxes. Nothing else remained.

The eight prisoners stood scattered around the room. Olivia flexed her now chain-free limbs experimentally. Her joints creaked realistically - if not for the semi-transparent comment feed floating in the corner of her vision, this virtual world would have seemed entirely real.

[Livestream Comments]: "Latest gen virtual tech is insane!"

[Livestream Comments]: "Can't believe we get to watch this live..."

"So this is the trending virtual game room? Awesome!" A bald inmate exclaimed while pinching his arm.

"Hmph, how provincial," sneered a man with sleeve tattoos as he strode toward the boxes in the center.

[Livestream Comments]: "That tattooed guy's already making his move"

[Livestream Comments]: "Watch out for the aggressive ones"

Before everyone could approach, an announcement rang out: "Please select one blind box. Note: its contents will be your only survival item during this judgment."

The tattooed man immediately lunged forward, snatching all eight boxes into his arms. The others swarmed toward him, but Olivia remained still, as did the man who had helped her earlier.

She turned to him, meeting his calm gaze. Her lips curved downward as she pressed closer behind him, whimpering, "Big brother, they're so scary! I'll never get one... won't you help me?"

[Livestream Comments]: "Ugh, this damsel act is making me sick! Can't wait to see her get eliminated"

[Livestream Comments]: "Bet this guy's about to teach her a lesson"

"Don't worry," the man smiled warmly, his eyes creasing pleasantly. "The rules state one box per person. We can wait until things settle down."

The camera focused on his face.

[Livestream Comments]: "Holy s**t! That's Eric Pei!"

[Livestream Comments]: "THE Eric Pei? The actor who turned himself in for double homicide?"

[Livestream Comments]: "He's here? I need to tell my friends!"

[Livestream Comments]: "Can we stay professional? This isn't a fan meeting - we're certified viewers"

[Livestream Comments]: "Still as gentle as he was on screen... hard to believe he's a killer"

Olivia scanned the comments with surprise. She'd thought he looked familiar but hadn't expected him to be that person. She remembered seeing him promoting his new drama right before her arrest - how had he suddenly become a murderer?

Meanwhile, the others were expressing confusion over their boxes, which seemed empty and wouldn't open.

Eric finally said, "Let's go get ours." Like a gentleman, he led Olivia, who was still hiding behind him, toward someone holding two boxes. With a gentle smile, he extended his hand. "May I have one? The rules specify one per person. I suspect they won't open until everyone has their share."

After a moment's hesitation, the person handed over a box. Eric immediately passed it to Olivia, then received another for himself. Finally, all eight were distributed.

The familiar announcement voice returned:

[JUDGMENT RULES]

1.Survive seven days and nights

2.Must sleep alone in assigned rooms at night

3.One person becomes a ghost nightly

4.Only one death allowed per day

5.If someone dies before the ghost acts, the ghost cannot move that night

6.Escape door opens for one hour after seven days

7.Time flows 4x faster, but hunger and fatigue remain normal

The boxes clicked open simultaneously. Olivia found a water bottle and a key labeled "206" inside hers.

"Wait, that was too fast to process," the bald man scratched his head. "So one of us is a ghost who kills one person each night, and we have to survive here for seven days?" He paused. "Doesn't that mean everyone except the ghost is doomed?"

"It's not just about the ghost," Eric shook his water bottle with concern. "Remember, these box items are our only survival resources for the entire week."

[Livestream Comments]: "The real game begins..."

[Livestream Comments]: "This setup is brutal"

His words caused several faces to pale instantly. Four people held only small, fist-sized bread loaves. Besides the keys everyone received, Olivia, Eric, and the tattooed man had water bottles, while the man with a facial scar...

Had drawn a gleaming knife from his box.

The man with glasses holding bread went white. "I've heard... people can survive over a month with just water, but with only food and no water... you'll die in three days."

[Livestream Comments]: "The resource distribution is savage"

[Livestream Comments]: "Water holders have the advantage here"

Olivia suppressed a smile, quickly masking it as she glanced at the only armed man. His eyes glinted with undisguised menace.

Even death row inmates wouldn't simply accept their fate when given a chance at survival.

[Livestream Comments]: "Interesting rules. Looks like Werewolf, but it's actually villagers killing villagers. The wolf might not even get a chance to act"

[Livestream Comments]: "Testing human nature on criminals? Is that necessary?"

[Livestream Comments]: "Betting the female prisoner goes first - she's the only woman here"

People always target the weak first, especially when they appear as delicate as this "white flower" who happened to possess life-sustaining water.

The "white flower" seemed well aware of her situation, shrinking into a corner of the room, trembling as she hugged herself. She carefully positioned her body to shield the water bottle behind her.

The scarred man's gaze swept across the room before inevitably landing on Olivia. He smiled coldly, raising his knife as he approached unhurriedly. "I don't want to kill anyone. Be smart and hand over the water, and I won't hurt you."

Olivia stared at him in terror, repeating in a tearful voice, "Please don't come closer... please..."

[Livestream Comments]: "This tiny scared girl won't last three minutes"

[Livestream Comments]: "Shame, she's pretty for a criminal"

[Livestream Comments]: "Already saying my prayers for her"

Seeing her apparently about to faint from fear, the scarred man didn't back off but instead quickened his pace. He reached her, grinning as he tapped the knife against her cheek. "Pretty thing like you, I'd hate to kill right away. One more chance - give me the water now, and I won't—"

THUD! A vicious strike to his groin cut him off.

Before he could even cry out in pain, Olivia had already seized his wrist, twisted it backward, and snatched his knife! She followed with a kick, then used her body weight to slam him to the ground!

The scarred man's head hit the floor hard, leaving him dazed. As he finally gathered his strength to resist, he froze - the razor-sharp blade hovered less than a centimeter from his eyeball.

Olivia knelt on his chest, her left hand trailing along his scar as she smiled viciously. "I told you not to come closer. Why didn't you listen?"

[Livestream Comments]: "HOLY s**t!"

[Livestream Comments]: "The white flower just turned into a venus flytrap!"

[Livestream Comments]: "Now THIS is entertainment!"