The game had barely begun, yet the air was already filled with a chaotic barrage of stones.
The logic was simple: the stones weighing down the pouches at their waists significantly increased the burden on their arms, reducing the time they could cling to the bars. By hurling the stones at others, players could not only disrupt their competitors and alleviate their own stress but also lighten their load, giving them a better chance of survival.
As stones plummeted into the abyss below, the resounding crashes from the unseen depths sent chills through everyone's hearts.
Jiang Yu wasn't spared either. Several stones struck him, though they caused only minor pain, leaving him largely unaffected. Unlike the others, he had deliberately left his pouch empty. Several reasons led to this decision, though the most pressing was an inexplicable feeling of unease he couldn't quite place.
The pig-faced man's intentions were a puzzle that gnawed at him. What was the purpose behind this game? Could it be as straightforward as the first—a brutal endurance test where the last person holding on would claim victory?
But something about this didn't add up. During the previous rock-paper-scissors game, the pig-faced man had emphasized the punishment for failure—death—rather than the game itself. It seemed the true point was to instill a profound fear of losing, forcing the participants to go to any lengths to survive.
If that was the case, what was the purpose of allowing players to attack each other with stones? At best, the projectiles caused minor disturbances; as long as someone held on tightly, the attacks were of limited consequence. So why include this element at all?
The spectators in the distance observed the unfolding chaos with bated breath. None dared to cheer loudly, fearing the pig-faced man's notorious dislike of noise. Still, quiet whispers of encouragement were directed toward their chosen contestants. Most had bet on Player 14 and Player 47, their eyes glued to these two, silently willing them to endure.
Half a minute passed.
From his vantage point, Jiang Yu could see Player 24—a slender, frail-looking young woman—struggling desperately to maintain her grip. Her face was pale, her fingers trembling with exertion. Occasionally, she would muster enough strength to release her right hand, hurriedly toss a stone from her pouch into the abyss, and immediately latch back onto the bar, her panic evident. After repeating this process three or four times, her pouch was finally empty, yet her struggles only intensified.
She seemed on the verge of collapse. Her initial strategy had been simple: carry only a few stones, not intending to attack anyone. But her principles dictated one unyielding rule: if someone struck her, she would retaliate without hesitation. Yet now, dangling mid-air, her arms were so fatigued that even retaliation felt impossible.
On the first bar, Player 14 remained steadfast, his powerful frame unshaken. He made the feat look effortless, as if this were a mere warm-up for a sports competition rather than a life-or-death struggle.
On the second bar hung Player 36, a middle-aged man with an air of refined intellect, accentuated by his gold-rimmed glasses. But Jiang Yu quickly noticed the man's cunning: rather than targeting those nearest to him, he hurled stones at distant players, sowing confusion about the source of the attacks. His neighbors—Player 14 and Player 24—chose not to retaliate, conserving their strength.
It was, Jiang Yu realized, the hallmark of seasoned wisdom—shrewd tactics honed through years of navigating the complexities of life.
A minute passed.
Jiang Yu glanced behind him, catching a glimpse of Player 26, the street-smart youth with unruly blond hair. The young man seemed unfazed, his movements casual. Beyond him was Player 5—the hefty man, Ye Tengwen—gripping his bar with visible strain. Jiang Yu couldn't see the others clearly.
Returning his gaze forward, Jiang Yu felt his enhanced stamina ease the burden of hanging from the bar. He looked again at Player 24, curiosity tinged with concern. How much longer could she endure?
Suddenly, a sharp kick landed squarely on Jiang Yu's lower back. The force jolted his right hand from the bar, leaving him clinging on with only his left. His body swung precariously in mid-air as he turned to see the culprit—Player 26.
The young man's eyes gleamed with malice, though his surprise was evident; he hadn't expected Jiang Yu to recover. It had been a full-force kick.
But then, from behind Player 26, Ye Tengwen retaliated with equal ferocity. The blond youth, unable to maintain his grip against the hefty man's powerful blow, fell into the abyss, his arms flailing for something to grab. The silence of the fall was haunting—his bandaged mouth preventing any screams.
Jiang Yu glanced at Ye Tengwen, offering a grateful nod. The hefty man, however, looked pale, his hands trembling as sweat poured down his face. Before long, his right hand slipped from the bar.
Jiang Yu watched helplessly as Ye Tengwen's left hand followed, his fingers losing their tenuous hold. The man's massive body plummeted into the abyss.
The spectators erupted with excitement. With two players eliminated, the chances of victory for their bets increased.
At two minutes in, Jiang Yu observed Player 28, Dr. Luo Jun, enduring a barrage of stones from several players. Yet the doctor didn't retaliate. Instead, he looked directly at Jiang Yu, nodded, and let go of his bar, willingly plunging into the abyss below.
Jiang Yu's heart sank. Dr. Luo Jun's actions echoed his disdain for the twisted brutality of these games.
Another sharp pain jolted Jiang Yu's thoughts—a stone struck his head, leaving a throbbing welt. He turned and saw Player 36, smirking as he prepared another throw. Jiang Yu adjusted his grip, turning to face his adversary.
By the two-minute mark, four players had fallen: Players 5, 24, 26, and 28. Only six remained: Players 14, 36, Jiang Yu (Player 6), 42, 31, and 47.
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Jiang Yu noticed Player 14 still hanging effortlessly, even appearing to rest with his eyes closed. The sight was both impressive and infuriating.
Jiang Yu glanced downward, the abyss beckoning ominously. Doubts crept into his mind. Could he outlast Player 14? And what of Player 47, whose presence radiated equal menace and strength?
This game, Jiang Yu realized, was more than a test of physical endurance—it was a harrowing reflection of human nature, a stage where cruelty and compassion coexisted in stark contrast.