Satan's Game: Round Two Goes Live Today.
By six in the morning, the sky is barely bright, yet the live-streaming channels are already packed.
The right side of the screen flashes nonstop as viewers flood in—hundreds of thousands, millions, tens of millions, and eventually billions.
With three hours left before the broadcast begins, the numbers continue to soar.
[Live Comments] It's finally starting!
[Live Comments] I've been so bored lately.
[Live Comments] Rooting for the Boxer!
[Live Comments] Reporting in! The Sorcerer Global Fan Club!
The live stream had paused for a week, giving fans plenty of time to dig into the contestants' personal information.
Everything—except their current addresses, which were blocked by the game's official security—was unearthed.
Even details about their ancestors surfaced.
Forums were dominated by threads compiling the contestants' profiles. The engagement and views were leagues beyond what any PR firm could dream of achieving.
The event's reach was unavoidable, its influence seeping into daily life even for those uninterested in the game.
But among all the exhaustive research, one contestant's profile thread remained conspicuously blank.
Three words sat atop the empty post: "Awaiting Updates."
[Live Comments] The Warrior is practically invisible! Can't anyone dig up info on her?
[Live Comments] I've checked the top 100 discussion boards globally—still nothing!
[Live Comments] It's unreal.
[Live Comments] Here's my theory: if Satan's in the game, why can't there be an angel? The Warrior must be an angel!
[Live Comments] Then I'll not vote for the Warrior. I want Satan to win—I need my entertainment!
[Live Comments] Good point. If Satan loses, what happens to the game?
[Live Comments] Exactly.
Evie wakes to find Cillian already up, standing on the balcony.
"Morning."
"Why are you up so early? They're not picking you up until 8 a.m., right?"
"Woke up early."
Was it because he couldn't sleep, or because he woke naturally?
Evie doesn't pry.
She pours herself a glass of water at the table.
"Aren't you the second to leave? Why are they coming for ya today?"
"It's not just me. All seven of us are leaving today. But only the Sorcerer departs immediately. The rest of us are being isolated—no internet, no communication, nothing."
"To prevent leaks?"
"Exactly."
Evie takes a sip, contemplating. "I guess the last three must be in for a rough time, sitting around with nothing to do."
"I'm just glad I'm leaving on the second day."
Cillian isn't overly attached to technological products, but losing access for too long would be unbearable even for him.
***
"Congratulations on clearing the first round, Mr. Hollis."
"Don't you think it's a little late for that?"Cillian leans back, a faint smirk on his face.
"Perhaps. All seven contestants are now in the vehicle. While the Sorcerer proceeds straight to the second round, the rest of you will be taken to separate manors. Starting now, all communication with the outside world will be cut off."
Before Cillian can respond, his phone vanishes from his hand.
The butler continues, "Let me explain the rules for the second round."
"Go ahead."
"There's one main task: find three chests, each holding a clue. Use them to figure out the exit and advance to the next stage."
Cillian nods.
Simple enough.
"And," the butler adds, "before the game begins, you can choose one item to take with you."
Cillian sits up straighter. "Just one?" he asks, narrowing his eyes.
"Correct."
"What's the setting?"
"The desert."
[Live Comments] Desert! Torture!
[Live Comments] Rainforest first, now the desert? What's next—volcanoes? Icebergs?
The butler adds, "But any items you collected in the rainforest can also be used in this round."
Cillian's eyes light up for a moment, and a small smile crosses his lips.
[Live Comments] Did you see that? Cillian is 100% thinking about Carlos!
[Live Comments] The devs knew exactly what they were doing. Carlos the hoarder for the win!
[Live Comments] I can't forget when Carlos looted the Sniper's bag, even taking a tiny mushroom!
"Please select your item," the butler says, gesturing to the screen.
Cillian scans the options: water, fire, anti-heat medicine, even a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
The car is tempting—no walking under the blazing sun and all the speed he'd need.
But his thoughts wander to Carlos.
What would he choose?
They couldn't afford to waste their choice by picking the same thing.
After a moment, Cillian taps the screen and picks something simple but useful.
"This one."
"Item selected," the butler confirms. "Good luck."
"Thanks."
The vehicle glides into the manor's driveway. Cillian will stay here for the day, leaving tomorrow for the second round.
Carlos won't head out until the day after.
And the Sorcerer? He's already in the desert, setting traps.
Cillian leans back, thinking about the Sorcerer's cunning.
Being the second to enter the game might not be as big of an advantage as it seems.
It could be downright dangerous.
***
The manor is quiet, with only the occasional birdsong breaking the silence.
It feels more like a secluded retreat deep in the mountains than a waiting ground for a brutal game.
Breakfast in the manor is simple yet gourmet: eggs, bacon, toast, and hash browns—a selection of about seven items. It's balanced and nutritious —— but hardly satisfying.
After finishing the meal, Cillian puts down his fork and sighs. "Still not full."
The butler, who has been standing silently nearby, speaks up.
"The chef's portions are meticulously calculated based on your caloric needs. According to our scientific measurements, you are sufficiently nourished."
"You're limiting the food supply to prevent contestants from storing energy reserves, aren't you? Only providing the exact amount needed daily?"
"Precisely."
The butler continues, "Feel free to move about the manor grounds. I will come for you at 8 a.m."
"Okay, uhh — when will access to the game inventory be unlocked?"
"The moment you enter the game."
Cillian leans back with a disappointed, "Fine…"
"This ensures that no one can hoard items during their stay here."
[Live Comments] The butler is so sneaky! Cutting off all their backup plans!
[Live Comments] Why is his smug face so punchable?! First thing in the morning, and I'm already mad.
[Live Comments] They can't even save scraps from their meals! Ruthless planning here.
As soon as the butler leaves, Cillian grabs the water jug from the table and sits quietly, sipping water.
Food might be restricted, but water is unlimited. He stays still, conserving every ounce of energy.
While drinking, he glances out at the lush green garden beyond the window.
The trees are tall, the grass vibrant, but there isn't a single fruit in sight.
How stingy.
***
At last, it's 8 a.m.
The butler arrives on time, as promised.
[Live Comments] Reporting for duty, followers here!
[Live Comments] Carlos starts tomorrow—what if they don't meet in the desert? I'm worried!!!
[Live Comments] Shippers are stressing out. What if Cillian gets taken out by the Sorcerer right after entering?
[Live Comments] I trust Carlos's lucky charm will lead him to Cillian again!
Stepping out of the car, Cillian is greeted by the familiar sight of the helicopter.
Just like before, it's blindfolded takeoff all over again.
As they near the destination, the heat begins to seep through the aircraft's body. It's not scorching yet, but the rising warmth is unmistakable.
"We've arrived, Mr. Hollis," the butler announces.
Cillian removes the blindfold and straps on the parachute.
The moment the cabin door opens, a gust of hot wind rushes in, striking him square in the face.
Cillian peers down, spotting an endless expanse of desert below.
The sand, a reddish-brown hue, looks like a flowing river of molten copper from this height— silent yet full of vibrant intensity.
"Again,good luck."
"Thank you," Cillian responds before leaping out of the helicopter, heading toward the red sands below.
As his parachute deploys, Cillian can't help but think, At least this time Carlos won't get stuck in a tree.
Guiding the parachute with steady hands, he lands smoothly on the sand.
The moment his boots hit the ground, he feels the warmth radiating through the soles.
It's only 9 a.m., and the sun is merciful for now, but Cillian glances up at the blazing orb in the sky, knowing the midday heat will be relentless.
Wasting no time, he cuts the parachute cords and the large canopy.
The cords go into his pack, and he slices off a sizeable piece of the canopy to wrap securely around his head, leaving only his eyes exposed.
If he doesn't protect himself from the sun now, by the time his face starts to hurt, he'll be dangerously close to a full-blown sunburn.
After wrapping the parachute fabric securely around his head, he stashes the remaining material in his backpack.
The contents of the bag remain untouched. Inside, there's a bunch of bananas that have ripened significantly over the past eight days.
Knowing he has something to eat calms him a little.
[Game Notification]
Welcome to the second stage of the game:
Cursed Desert. Please collect your main mission and locate the final exit.
[Main Mission]
The light of the holy sword falls upon the ancient city in the desolate night.
Cillian reads the mission carefully, his focus landing on the words "ancient city."
The key seems clear enough.
But with endless sand in every direction, there isn't a single sign of civilization—not even a small dune shaped like a castle, let alone an ancient city.
Still, the system isn't completely merciless this time; it provides a clue.
If he has the system's guidance, that means the sorcerer does too.
From this moment on, he knows he must stay vigilant in case the sorcerer sets traps ahead.