Satan’s Game

Caught off guard, Carlos plunges into the water with a loud splash, immediately swallowing a mouthful.

He flails, desperately trying to find something to grab onto, but nothing is within reach. 

He even considers explaining to the man that the game is still under peace mode—killing someone would result in immediate disqualification.

But he can't speak.

He's already swallowed three gulps of water.

Above the water, the short man's laughter grows louder, almost maniacal, as if finding all of this hilariously entertaining.It seems that human life is worthless for him.

Suddenly, a hand grabs his collar and yanks him up. Carlos breaks the surface, coughing violently.

A steady voice comes from above. 

"Hey, man, killing will definitely get the system on your case."

The thin and short man sneers, "I didn't kill him. He's drowning on his own. You see me holding his head underwater?"

The newcomer raises an eyebrow. 

"Are you one hundred percent sure it won't flag you as the killer?"

"Nosy bastard."

The man scoffs but doesn't push his luck. He takes a deep breath and enters back into the lake.

Carlos coughs out the remaining water, his body trembling slightly.

The man who saved him pulls him fully onto the rock. 

"Take this, it'll help."He shoves a pill into Carlos's hand.

Carlos swallows it, his breathing still ragged. 

"Thanks. You're a good man." 

The man sits down beside him. 

"If you can't swim, how are you planning to handle the challenges?"

"I have a teammate. He's down there right now."Carlos regains some composure. 

The man tilts his head, surprised by the term. 

Carlos looks at the man properly now—a handsome individual in his late twenties. His appearance is clean and composed, even after two days in the jungle. Remarkably, his face, hands, and even his blonde hair show no trace of dirt.

Carlos thinks for a moment. 

"You're the Medic."

"How could you tell?"

"Just a guess." With only seven contestants, it isn't too hard to figure out.

The man chuckles and extends his hand. "I'm the Medic, Willian."

Carlos shakes his hand. "Strategist, Carlos."

"You mentioned someone you teamed up with before the game, or after it started?"

"After."

The man smirks knowingly but says nothing further about it. 

"Well, see you around. I'm off to find the clues."

"Wait," Carlos says quickly. 

"There's another exit or entrance down there. It's not straight down—it's off to the right. You'll hit it at around three minutes, ten seconds in, but be careful. Something's guarding it."

"How do you know that if you haven't gone down yourself?"

"The direction my teammate's rope was pulled tells me where the exit is. As for the guardian… the last guy who came up was roughed up. His clothes were torn, which suggests something down there is… unfriendly."

The man hesitates for a moment before nodding. 

"Noted. Thanks."

"Good luck."

[Live Comments]Why is Carlos so nice? He needs to stop handing out free intel!

[Live Comments] But the guy just saved his life—sharing info seems fair.

[Live Comments] Still, Carlos is too pure for this game. I'm worried for him.

The system suddenly chimes.

[Progress Update] Current Chests Found: 1/3. Clues Available : 1/3.

Carlos looks at the screen. So the first person to grab a clue has already left the lake.

After the man dives back in, Carlos starts wringing out his soaked clothes.

The damp heat of the rainforest isn't doing him any favors. His clothes stick uncomfortably to his skin.

He glances at the nearby fire pit. It's still burning; he could use it to dry off.

But then he remembers Cillian might need him. What if Cillian tugs the rope for help?

So he stays put, sitting on the rock and waiting.

Meanwhile, Cillian emerges from the tunnel, finding himself in clearer water.

Unlike the murky pool by the waterfall, this side of the lake is pristine.

Strange, Cillian thinks.

Rainforests never fail to surprise.

He continues swimming, and soon, the lakebed comes into view. Three large chests sit firmly on the bottom, their iron frames solid and immovable.

Near the chests is Ali, smashing one of them open. 

From the looks of it, one has already been emptied—its contents claimed by someone else.

Cillian dives lower, approaching cautiously.

[System Notification] You have reached the first clue chest. Please retrieve the clue to unlock the level's hint.

Cillian examines the chest, about 40 inches wide and 20 inches tall.

He presses against it, trying to shift it, but it doesn't budge. 

Iron. 

This isn't going to be easy.

Ali glances at him briefly, seemingly calculating that with two boxes left, they could each claim one without conflict. 

Flashing a grin that seems more celebratory than threatening, Ali turns back to his own chest.

Cillian examines the iron lock on his box and quickly realizes it's too sturdy to break by force.

Meanwhile, Ali picks up a large rock from the lakebed and smashes it repeatedly against his chest's lock. The rock chips and crumbles, but the lock remains unscathed.

Cillian doesn't panic. He calmly pulls his hair tie loose, revealing what appears to be an ordinary black band. But within moments, he extracts a thin wire hidden inside and inserts it into the lock's keyhole.

*Click.

The lock pops open with a dull thud.

[Live Comments]Jesus christ! Did you see that? Smooth as hell!

[Live Comments] Who the hell is Cillian? This technique isn't just casual.

[Live Comments] Anyone find out his background? It's like he doesn't exist.

[Live Comments] He's either a ghost or, like, some kind of elite spy or criminal. No way he's just an ordinary contestant.

Ali watches him with growing frustration. Realizing the clue isn't officially claimed until people open the chest, he charges at Cillian, hoping to snatch it away at the last second.

But Cillian anticipates this. He grips the chest and darts sideways, dodging Ali's assault.

Ali quickly pulls a feint and comes back at her.

In the water, their fight begins.

Ali's strong frame, which usually gives him an advantage, proves a liability. 

The water resistance slows his movements, making his attacks feel like they're striking through wet cement. 

Meanwhile, Cillian's more agile figure allows him to dart away, evading Ali's strikes entirely.

Cillian even lands a few sharp kicks on him, pushing him back and leaving him increasingly agitated but helpless.

Realizing the stalemate, Cillian gestures toward the other chest and holds up the wire.

His message is clear: Let me take this clue, and I'll help you open the other one.

Ali, acknowledging the futility of brute force here, nods begrudgingly.

Cillian opens his chest, revealing the clue inside.

[System Notification] Congratulations, you have obtained a clue.

[Progress Update] Current Chests Found: 3/3. Clues Available: 1/3.

Keeping his promise, Cillian doesn't leave immediately. 

After all, it's better for Ali to get the last clue than for one of the remaining contestants to snatch it.

With an exaggerated shrug, Ali raises his hands and floats backward, giving Cillian room.

Cillian quickly unlocks the last chest and swims away without waiting.

Ali wastes no time and lunges forward, grabbing the open chest.

But before he can claim his prize, a blur of movement catches his attention. 

Startled, he turns, expecting the giant fish to have returned. Instead, it's a slender, wiry man slicing through the water at alarming speed, heading directly for the chest.

F*uck!!!

Ali tries to intercept him, but the man, without hesitation, draws a knife and thrusts it toward him.

Ali jerks back just in time to avoid the blade, cursing internally. 

Is this guy nuts? He could stab me and get disqualified!

Using the opening, the thin man kicks the chest open and grabs the clue in one swift motion.

[System Notification] Congratulations, you have obtained a clue.

[Progress Update] Current Chests Found: 3/3. Clues Available : 2/3.

[System Announcement] All chests have been claimed. Contestants, please proceed to the next stage based on your clues.

Ali glares at the wiry man, his eyes practically burning holes through him.

The man, clearly at his limit without the aid of an oxygen pill and exhausted from their earlier scuffle, doesn't even spare him a glance. He quickly swims away, moving like a streak of light through the water.

Ali's swimming skills are average at best, so he can only watch as the wiry man vanishes into the depths.

Carlos, still sitting by the water, keeps checking his watch. It's been about half an hour since Cillian went under, and there's still no sign of him.

*Splash!

The surface breaks again, but it's not Cillian. It's the wiry man, gasping desperately for air.

Carlos feels his stomach churn at the sight. He hasn't forgotten the terror of being dragged underwater earlier.

The wiry man, having held his breath to the breaking point three times already, doesn't have the energy to torment Carlos further. 

But as he spots the younger man sitting on the rocks, he grins—a wide, ear-to-ear stretch of his mouth that seems impossibly large and chillingly sinister.

Carlos stiffens, instinctively averting his eyes.

[Live Comments]LOL, Carlos is legit scared!

[Live Comments] Why does this guy give off horror movie clown vibes?

[Live Comments] Seriously, that grin is nightmare fuel.

The man crawls out of the water and disappears into the jungle.

Only then does Carlos relax, shifting his gaze back to the water. 

Still no sign of Cillian, Ali, or Medic.

From behind, heavy, wet footsteps echo through the forest.

Carlos turns to see Cillian emerging from the jungle, dripping wet and visibly exhausted. Without a word, he walks over to the fire and plops down beside it.

Carlos rushes over. 

"Cillian!"

Without looking up, Cillian waves him off with a tired hand. 

"Cook me something. I'm starving."

Carlos immediately grabs a few bananas and places them over the fire. 

"Is there another exit in the water?"

"Correct," Cillian replies. His sharp gaze shifts to Carlos. 

"Aren't you curious if I got the clue or not?"

"Well, did you?"

"…I did."

"Did you see Ali or the Medic?" Carlos asks.

"I saw Ali. Who's the Medic?" Cillian raises a brow. 

"I've only been gone 30 minutes, and you've already befriended someone new?"

"Actually, two," Carlos admits. 

"But one of them is incredibly dangerous."

Cillian's sharp eyes sweep over Carlos's wet clothes and hair, immediately piecing together the story. 

It seems the sheltered Carlos has finally gotten a taste of life's cruelty.

A flicker of satisfaction rises in Cillian's chest. At least Carlos isn't as naive as he was two days ago.

As if finally succumbing to the discomfort of soaked clothes, Cillian pulls off his jacket, tossing it aside. Then, without hesitation, he lifts his damp undershirt to wring it out, exposing a flat, toned abdomen and sharp, elegant collarbones.

[Live Comments]OMG, Cillian's body is incredible! 

[Live Comments] Fall in love with Warrior!

[Live Comments] How does he have such a great body after taking off his clothes?

*Drip, drip.

Another set of wet footsteps approaches from the jungle, drawing both their attention.

Carlos looks up and immediately recognizes the figure.

It's Ali.