LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 2: Games are never fair
The man sent to pick up Cillian introduces himself as Satan's butler.
He's a man in his fifties, round-faced and round-bodied, looking very much like a walking black potato in his crisp black suit.
Outside, a long limousine waits by the curb. The butler gestures politely, inviting Cillian to step inside.
The interior feels like a compact business class cabin—smooth, spacious, and impeccably comfortable. A small cabinet displays an array of wines, adding a touch of elegance to the ride.
Cillian leans back against the sofa, arms crossed, his sharp gaze catching the camera mounted in the car.
"What would you like to drink, Mr. Hollis?" the butler inquires.
Cillian knows Satan isn't the type to pamper the players. Whatever luxuries are offered now are merely a prelude to the grueling torment that awaits in the coming months.
Still, there's no harm in enjoying it while it lasts.
He isn't much of a wine connoisseur, but he knows exactly what to say in moments like this.
"The most expensive one."
The butler chuckles softly and selects a bottle of red wine. Its ruby hue gleams like a precious gem, and its rich, aromatic fragrance fills the car.
"As one of this year's contestants, Mr. Hollis, you are now officially under global surveillance," the butler explains. "Every word you speak, every move you make, will be watched by the entire world."
Cillian remains relaxed, his posture unchanged.
He had already noticed the camera when he entered.
[Live Comments]First time watching. What happens when they need to shower?LOL
[Live Comments] The system blocks that stuff. Bathroom and shower moments are invisible.
[Live Comments] What if someone hooks up outdoors? You know, during the game…
[Live Comments] Bro, are you serious? Who's thinking about that in a death match? Stop embarrassing yourself with these shit.
The butler continues, "Allow me to explain the rules. This year's game has seven participants. Each has a codename: Strategist, Assassin, Medic, Boxer, Sniper, Sorcerer, and you, the Warrior."
"I'm the last one, then."Cillian smirks.
The butler responds politely, "You were, after all, thirty minutes late."
He goes on, "You will not meet the other players until after the initial phase begins."
Cillian's expression finally shifts. "That's different from previous games."
In past competitions, contestants' identities were made public during the selection rounds. Everyone knew who had earned a spot.
No wonder this year's public displays use codenames instead of real names.
"Yes," the butler affirms.
"Enhancing the game's complexity and unpredictability is part of our responsibility.That is a part of entertainment. Games are entertaining"
"But the audience still sees us," Cillian points out.
"Correct."
"So, during this seven-day waiting period, if a viewer decides to dig up my information and pass it to one of the players they know, that contestant would have an advantage over me. They'd know my details while I'd know nothing about them. That's what you call… starting at a disadvantage."
"Precisely."
"So the game is rigged again."Cillian sighs.
"Games are never fair," the butler replies, as if it's the most natural thing in the world.
Cillian can't help but marvel at Satan's morbid fascination—and by extension, his butler's.
The butler adds, "For the past six years, contestant information was always shared. Many will assume this year is no different."
"Well," Cillian says with a shrug, "I'll just have to hope the others are as honest and naive as I am."
[Live Comments]Someone definitely already dug up the info.
[Live Comments] Not necessarily.
The butler taps a nearby screen, and a list of items appears.
"Before entering the game, you may select three items. Apart from these, and the clothes you're wearing, nothing else can be brought in. Please choose carefully."
Cillian absentmindedly fiddles with the hair tie on his wrist. "What about this?"
The butler glances at it.
"That's allowed."
"And once we leave the game, everything we bring in becomes useless?"
"Correct. Once the game begins, you are merely tools. Whether you use them, or let them use you, depends entirely on your choices," the butler says with a practiced smile.
"I tell every contestant the same thing."
"Noted."
Cillian shifts his attention to the screen. The list offers a variety of items: medical kits, melee weapons, fire-starting tools, thermal clothing, tents, compressed biscuits, drinking water, flashlights, compasses, binoculars, oxygen pills, shovels, pots…
Most of the items make sense. But when his eyes reach the last entry, he chuckles.
"…Lucky charm beads?"
The butler remains composed. "I believe someone might choose them."
"I doubt it," Cillian replies.
After all, anyone who survives the brutal selection process wouldn't rely on luck.
Trusting luck is akin to gambling your life on a whim—a fool's game in a contest like this.
[Live Comments]Kid, you're way too naive.
[Live Comments] I think anyone who picks the lucky charm beads is a total idiot.
The screen flicks to the next page.
Special Item: Gun.
Cillian pauses. "Gun?" His brow lifts slightly.
A gun would make someone practically invincible—one shot to take someone out, and the game would essentially be over for everyone else.
In a game where killing is not only legal but encouraged, anyone who chooses the gun might as well have a guaranteed path to victory.
His eyes linger on the words Special Item.
"I don't believe Satan would make it that easy."
The butler explains, "The gun contains only one bullet. Additionally, the rules explicitly state that it cannot be used to kill another player, even in self-defense. Violating this rule results in immediate disqualification. Furthermore, selecting the gun means forfeiting your other two item."
Cillian doesn't laugh this time.
At first glance, choosing the gun might seem foolish, but Satan would never introduce such a dull option unless someone, somewhere, might actually pick it.
The butler smiles faintly.
"So, Mr. Hollis, what will you choose?"
Cillian studies the list briefly.
"Fire, short knife, and medical kit."
"Understood. Your choices have been registered in the game system."
The butler puts away the electronic screen and continues, "Before the game begins, there is one last detail to inform you of. This year, one participant will be designated as the 'Chosen One,' codenamed King or K. They will have a special advantage."
Cillian raises an eyebrow. "What kind of advantage?"
The butler meets his gaze calmly. "They will have an extra life."
Cillian's brow arches higher.
Originally, he only needed to eliminate six players; now there's a seventh chance to account for.
"And how is this person chosen?"
"It's random. Only the Chosen One knows their identity—not even the audience is aware."
[Live Comments]LOL, Satan's really out to destroy them this year.
[Live Comments] New betting pool idea: guess who the King is!
[Live Comments] OMGThis is brutal, but I love it!
Cillian lets out a soft sigh.
"I always thought your claims that this year's game would be the most challenging yet were just marketing fluff. Turns out, you meant it."
The butler smiles politely. "We don't do false advertising."
Cillian snorts. That statement alone feels like a lie.
The idea of a Chosen One with an extra life throws the game even further out of balance.
Cillian smirks wryly to himself.
Clearly, he's not the Chosen One.
The butler glances at his watch. "Mr. Hollis, we're about ten minutes from the airfield. Once you board the plane, there is no turning back. This is your final chance to withdraw. Will you?"
The answer is obvious.
"No," Cillian replies.
"I respect your decision," the butler says.
"But I must remind you that the game is extremely dangerous and could cost you your life. Please be mentally prepared. However, should you win, you will have the privilege of presenting your request directly to Satan himself. Whatever it is, he will grant it."
"Anything? Even a country?" Cillian asks.
"Yes."
"Interesting…" He tilts his head.
"And what if I ask to destroy the world?"
[Live Comments] Haha, I like this guy. He dreams big.
[Live Comments] Looking forward to him beating the game and then blowing up the galaxy!
The butler doesn't mad at the question. His smile remains as steady as ever.
"You can test that theory if you win."
"Alright then."
"We look forward to your success. And do you have any other questions, Mr. Hollis?"
Cillian thinks for a moment.
"How many levels are there in this game?"
"The winner will discover that answer."The butler smiles enigmatically.
Cillian wonders how he hasn't already punched this man in the face. Clearly, Satan is pushing psychological warfare to its limits this year.
An endless, uncertain game is far scarier than the game itself.
The car arrives at the airfield, and Cillian hears the sound of helicopter blades slicing through the air.
The pilot and an assistant wait nearby. Two helicopters have already taken off in the distance, likely heading toward the rainforest.
Cillian boards the helicopter, where the assistant straps a parachute to his back and secures his harness.
The butler speaks respectfully.
"Once inside the game, the three items you selected will be at your disposal. Use them wisely and ensure they are not stolen by others."
"And if someone tries to take them from me? Can I blow their brains out?"
The butler responds with a calm smile, "You may."
He says it so casually, as if Cillian had just asked about swatting a fly.
Cillian gives him an "OK" sign.
"Good luck." The butler bows slightly.
The assistant fits Cillian with a headset and blindfold before shutting the helicopter door. The blades stir up dust as the aircraft lifts off, heading toward the rainforest.
At that moment, the global live broadcast's viewership silently surges.
The annual game has officially begun.
Cillian silently counts the time. About thirty minutes later, the assistant removes his blindfold and says, with the same polite tone as the butler, "Mr. Hollis, please prepare yourself."
As he unbuckles his harness, Cillian glances outside. Below him stretches an endless expanse of dense forest, broken only by a few rivers. There is no visible edge—just a sea of green.
It looks like the Amazon rainforest.
The assistant opens the door, and Cillian steps to the edge.
"Good luck," the assistant says, then gently pushes him out.
Cillian immediately jumps, the rushing wind slapping his face as he plummets toward the trees.
Before the selection process, contestants had to fill out a skills form. One of the boxes to check was Parachuting—among hundreds of other options spread across three pages.
Even though he'd guessed it might come up, Cillian hadn't taken it too seriously.
As he free-falls, he briefly wonders what would happen to someone who randomly checked boxes without considering the consequences. Would they splatter on the forest floor?
[System Notification] You have reached the optimal altitude for parachuting. Please prepare.
At that moment, the automatic deployment device for the parachute emits a steady beep, followed by the chute opening with a loud snap.
The sudden resistance yanks Cillian from his freefall, and he begins to drift slowly downward.
He carefully maneuvers the parachute, aiming for an open patch of land.
But the terrain below is an endless sea of trees, their dense canopy obstructing his view. The forest seems impenetrable, and landing in an ideal spot feels like a matter of luck.
As he gets closer to the ground, Cillian assesses the varying heights of the trees and redirects his glide toward a lower cluster.
If there's no flat ground, it's better to land on shorter trees; getting caught in the canopy of a towering one would make descent nearly impossible.
"Crash—"
Cillian plunges into the dense forest, branches and leaves scraping against him as he descends.
Fortunately, the parachute catches on the chaotic tangle of branches, stopping his fall. He takes a moment to steady himself before glancing down.
The ground appears to be about eleven or twelve meters below. It's relatively flat, with no sign of animals—or people.
"Short blade," he says calmly.
[System Notification] Command received.
A blade materializes in front of him. Cillian grabs it and begins slicing through the parachute cords holding him in place.
[System Notification] Short blade usage +1. Durability reduced by 0.1%. Please monitor its condition.
That's surprising—the blade is incredibly sharp, cutting through the cords with minimal effort.
Cillian lands smoothly on the ground, brushing off a few leaves. Almost immediately, the global live chat erupts with excitement.
[Live Comments]This guy's moves are amazing. I'm a fan!
[Live Comments] Mom, I think I'm in love again!
[System Notification] Dear contestants, welcome to the first stage of the game: Endless Rainforest.
This stage includes two side quests. Locate the quests to receive clues for progression.
[Side Quest 1] Find the Rising Sun.
The rising sun…
Cillian assumes the first quest must lead east.
He immediately prepares to head in that direction but halts when he realizes the surroundings are nearly identical—dense foliage obscuring his vision.
Which way is east?
As he considers his options, a massive shadow flashes across the ground. He instinctively looks up.
A figure flails wildly in the air, clearly unable to control their parachute. Moments later, they crash headfirst into a large tree, dislodging a flurry of leaves.
It seems Cillian has encountered his first fellow contestant.
Whether they are an ally or an enemy—or perhaps something else entirely—remains to be seen.
[Live Comments]Look, it's the idiot who picked the lucky charm beads!
[Live Comments] Everyone, salute!
[Live Comments] SALUTE!!!