It was now Jiang Yu's turn.
"According to the effect of Player 11's item card, Player 6 no longer has the right to draw cards. Do you wish to end the game?"
The Bullhead-Masked Referee's gaze was cold, his voice detached.
The others turned their attention to Jiang Yu, awaiting his decision.
Player 11 was grinning with triumph, while Player 18 let out a long sigh of relief.
The other players gathered around the table spat insults, their faces contorted with disdain as they cursed Jiang Yu. It seemed they blamed him for not living up to expectations.
Meanwhile, others cheered with excitement, as if they had already placed their bets on Players 18 and 11, unable to contain their elation.
Jiang Yu felt a sudden chill down his spine. For a fleeting moment, it felt as though he were sitting alone at the game table, the surrounding darkness overwhelming, a single beam of light illuminating him. He was isolated, surrounded by nothing but malevolent shadows. It was as though he were trapped in hell, and the figures around him were demons.
In that instant, he made a decision.
If this was to be his fate, then he would carve his way out of this bloody game with every ounce of his strength.
Jiang Yu leaned back in his chair, his expression a mask of calm, showing not the slightest flicker of emotion. From his pocket, he drew an item card and flung it onto the table. He looked at the Bullhead Referee and spoke with cold determination:
"No. I choose to activate this S-rank item card. Target, Player 11."
The room fell silent, the other players surprised. All eyes immediately turned to him.
They suddenly remembered that Jiang Yu had more than one item card.
On the table, glowing faintly as if it were made of pure gold, lay an S-rank item card.
[S-Rank Item Card: Rank Swap Card]
[Description: When used, this card allows you to swap your ranking with another player's.]
Player 11 shot to his feet, his hands slamming down on the table. His face turned pale, eyes wide with disbelief, his chest heaving in panic. He pointed at Jiang Yu, his voice hoarse with shock:
"How... How is this possible? How do you have an S-rank item card? And one like this!?"
The giant's face twisted in despair. He knew, deep down, that he was done for.
He had no more trump cards to play. His sole item card had already been used.
Player 18 pressed a hand to her chest, feeling a wave of anxiety. She was relieved that Jiang Yu hadn't used the card on her. If he had, she might have been the one eliminated in last place.
With a grateful nod toward Jiang Yu, she silently thanked him.
The spectators were in an uproar.
"Wow, these S-rank cards are absolutely OP! How are we even supposed to play now?"
"Yeah! I bet on Player 11, thinking it was a sure win! And now this?!"
"Wait... I think I voted for Player 6! Hahaha, who would've thought?"
"Oh my god, this is a total reversal! The game can be played like this?"
The Bullhead-Masked Referee, although surprised, picked up the item card from the table. After confirming its authenticity, he turned to Jiang Yu and asked,
"Please confirm: do you wish to use this S-rank item card on Player 11?"
Jiang Yu answered calmly,
"Yes."
"Confirmed. Player 6's item card has been activated. Player 11, please hand over all of your Zodiac cards."
The referee extended his hand towards Player 11, his voice as cold as ever.
With a furious scowl, Player 11 reluctantly surrendered his Zodiac cards. The Bullhead Referee collected them and placed them on Jiang Yu's side of the table.
[Monkey 3, Sheep 3, Snake 5, Sheep 4, Horse 3, Monkey 2]
The game's dynamic shifted instantly.
Jiang Yu (Player 6): Monkey 3 + Sheep 3 + Snake 5 + Sheep 4 + Horse 3 + Monkey 2 = 20 points. [2nd place]
Player 18: Rat 6 + Monkey 4 + Rat 5 + Horse 5 + Ox 3 + Rabbit 6 + Chicken 6 = 35 points. [1st place]
Player 34: Exploded - 0 points.
Player 11: 0 points.
Jiang Yu cast a glance at the giant, his eyes gleaming with mockery.
He remembered the previous round's 123 Red Light, Green Light game, when the giant had snatched his iron bead. The memory of that moment was still vivid in his mind.
Player 11 gnashed his teeth, staring hatefully at Jiang Yu, wishing he could tear him apart with his bare hands. But there was nothing he could do.
The game was not yet over.
It was Player 18's turn.
Without hesitation, she shook her head and chose to stop drawing cards.
Next was Player 34, whose cards had exploded. He could only stare helplessly.
Finally, it was Player 11's turn. He had no item cards left, and having chosen to stop drawing in the previous round, he was powerless.
The game had come to a halt. All players had stopped drawing cards, marking the end of the round.
Player 34 and Player 11 were both eliminated, their scores at zero.
A voice echoed in Jiang Yu's mind, the system's notification ringing clearly:
[Congratulations, Host, you have won this round of the Death Game.]
[Game Buffs are being converted...]
[Conversion complete. Host's Luck permanently +100%.]
Jiang Yu's heart raced. The system was far too overpowered.
As long as he dared to keep playing, to gamble with his life, his chances of winning would skyrocket. The longer he played, the more buffs he gained, making it nearly impossible for others to compete.
On stage, the Pig-faced Masked Man grinned and clapped his hands.
"Not bad, that was quite an interesting game. Now, it's time for the punishment phase."
At that moment, Player 34, the little boy, suddenly raised his hand.
"I want to use this A-rank item card. Stay of execution."
Everyone turned to look at him, surprised. Jiang Yu noticed the content of his item card.
[A-Rank Item Card: Stay of Execution]
[Description: A game-related item card. When used, the penalty for losing the game is postponed until three games later.]
The others murmured amongst themselves.
"What's the point of a stay of execution? After three more games, he'll still be dead."
"What's the use of living a little longer?"
"The poor boy, doesn't he know that waiting to die is the worst part?"
Among them, only Jiang Yu remained silent.
The boy, like himself, had collected multiple item cards. In the Rock, Paper, Scissors game, he had acquired one. In the 123 Red Light, Green Light game, he gained another. He still had one remaining. This Stay of Execution card was his final trump card.
Others may have dismissed it, but Jiang Yu understood: this card meant there was still hope.
If he won the next game and drew an S-rank Immunity card, he could cancel the penalty from the earlier rounds.
The Pig-faced Masked Man nodded after inspecting the card.
"Alright, it seems our Player 11 will be saying goodbye to the game. Everyone, say your farewells."
With a chilling laugh, he raised his hand, looking at Player 11. With a stiff motion, he waved his hand and pressed the button on the remote control.
Player 11's expression was one of complete despair as he fell to his knees, clutching the metal collar around his neck, shouting in a panicked voice,
"No! Please! Let me go..."
In the next instant, the collar around his neck emitted a shrill beeping sound, followed by a violent explosion.
The onlookers couldn't bear to watch. Many closed their eyes, some turned their heads away.
In the minds of everyone present, the scenes of their own potential failure in the game played out vividly.
The Pig-faced Masked Man turned his gaze to Jiang Yu.
"Players 6 and 18, having won this round, may each draw one item card at random."
He then signaled to the Bullhead Masked Man, who collected a stack of cards from the table.
Jiang Yu and Player 18 each drew a card in turn, quickly slipping their respective items into their pockets, ensuring no one could see them.
In this game, Jiang Yu had demonstrated the power of item cards to perfection. They had proven to be his greatest trump card.
If he exposed his hand, revealing his advantage, it would immediately put him at a severe disadvantage in the next rounds.
Next, the Pig-faced Masked Man began tallying the votes. Only a handful of people had participated in the voting process.
Those who had guessed correctly received an item card as a reward.
Their faces flushed with excitement, as if they had won a five-million-dollar lottery.
But those who had guessed wrong lost one item card.
They were filled with regret, none more so than Player 14.
He had voted for Player 34, the little boy, and now, slapping himself in frustration, he muttered under his breath, cursing his poor judgment. He regretted not reflecting on his decision to vote in the first place, rather than blaming his bad luck.
Finally, the tallying was complete.
The Pig-faced Masked Man stood at the podium, his excitement barely contained.
"Today's game has been quite thrilling. You may all return to your rooms in an orderly fashion to rest. I'll give you a little hint: tomorrow's game will be physically demanding, so be sure to rest well tonight!"
He paused for a moment before adding with a mischievous smile,
"And remember, don't go running around at night!"
Jiang Yu froze for a second, processing the announcement.
A physically demanding game?
He recalled the 50% increase in his physical stats. If that applied to tomorrow's game, he would undoubtedly have a significant advantage.