Gao Zhankui, his face fleshy and fierce, stared at Ding Wenqiang with a hint of mockery in his eyes, seemingly unconvinced.
"I don't want to say it a second time!"
Clearly agitated, Ding Wenqiang raised his scepter and pointed it at Gao Zhankui.
Gao Zhankui reluctantly walked towards the first cell.
Zhang Peng followed closely behind, while Cai Zhiyuan, supported by Wang Yongxin, trailed at the very back.
After walking a short distance, the group arrived at the first cell in the main area.
There were six cells in total, arranged in a rough circle, with an opening at the passage where they had entered. The large screen and the glass cabinet containing the videotapes were encircled in the center.
From the outside, it was unmistakably a cell, about a dozen square meters in area, with iron bars and a cell door.
At the entrance of the cell, there was also a screen displaying the game description for this cell.
[Cell 1: Running on Empty]
[The criminal is forced to push a horizontal bar. Each full rotation earns 10 minutes of visa time. Stopping will result in an electric shock punishment.]
[When playing multiple times, the intensity of the electric shock will increase incrementally.]
The group then looked at the adjacent cell.
[Cell 2: Lamppost Hanging]
[The criminal is hung by a noose. While on tiptoe, their feet will not be completely off the ground. Earn 1000 minutes of visa time per minute. After 10 minutes, the mechanism will automatically release.]
[When playing multiple times, the game duration will increase by 5 minutes.]
Further away were cells 3, 4, 5, and 6, but these were all currently in a locked state, with no game information on their screens.
According to the game rules, Cell 3 would only be unlocked after a prisoner entered either Cell 1 or Cell 2.
The cell door was open, like a monster's gaping maw, waiting for a willing victim.
In addition, there was a line of reminder text in a prominent position.
[Judgments Completed: 0/10]
Ding Wenqiang's gaze swept across the faces of the other four. It was obvious that one unlucky person needed to enter one of the cells to unlock the third one.
Finally, his eyes settled on Gao Zhankui.
Ding Wenqiang had no clear idea what to do, but Wang Yongxin and Cai Zhiyuan were, after all, players from Community 17. They saw each other all the time, so there was a natural difference in closeness compared to the other two.
More importantly, Ding Wenqiang felt a little guilty towards Wang Yongxin and Cai Zhiyuan because of the previous Farmer's Walk game.
Zhang Peng had a low presence, so the first unlucky person could naturally only be Gao Zhankui.
From the very beginning, Ding Wenqiang's impression of him had been extremely poor.
What's more, Gao Zhankui had just tried to snatch the identity.
"You, get in," Ding Wenqiang said with a cold face.
Gao Zhankui's eyes widened, his face full of defiance, but upon seeing the scepter in Ding Wenqiang's hand, he ultimately swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.
The game rules were crystal clear. Within the rules, Ding Wenqiang could make any demand of the four of them, and they could not disobey.
Otherwise, Ding Wenqiang could use the scepter to electrocute him to death.
However, just as Gao Zhankui was grimly considering which cell would be better to enter, a weak voice spoke up.
"Uncle Ding, wait a moment.
"I think I should be the one to enter the first cell."
Ding Wenqiang was taken aback. He turned to see it was Cai Zhiyuan, who was being supported by Wang Yongxin.
Cai Zhiyuan still looked battered, but fortunately, his wounds had mostly stopped bleeding and were gradually scabbing over. His spirits had also improved a lot.
"You should rest first." Ding Wenqiang shook his head slightly.
It was obvious that the games, or rather, the punishments, in these two cells required a certain level of physical fitness.
_And Cai Zhiyuan's current physical condition was worrying. Ding Wenqiang was afraid he would die inside before completing the game.
Cai Zhiyuan shook his head: "Uncle Ding, haven't you noticed?
"The games in these cells aren't arranged randomly, they have a certain meaning.
"The rules also said you need to make us accept a 'just judgment,' which means the content of the games has to be related to our crimes."
He pointed to the first cell: "Running on empty, isn't that the fate of a beast of burden?"
Wang Yongxin was silent for a moment: "But... that doesn't seem to have anything to do with a so-called crime, does it? What do you think your crime is?"
Cai Zhiyuan sighed: "How would I know! I'm just a law-abiding programmer. I even say thank you to the delivery person when I get my food. I work 996 every day and just collapse into bed when I get home. What crime could I have committed?
"If I have to say, I work on big data algorithms, corralling many low-level working stiffs like me with virtual algorithms, dangling a carrot in front of them, and making them grind away tirelessly.
"Now that I'm locked in a cage like this, grinding away nonstop for a pitiful reward, I guess I'm getting what I deserve."
Ding Wenqiang looked at him and was silent for a moment: "Whether you deserve it or not, we'll only know after watching the videotape."
As he spoke, Ding Wenqiang returned to the center of the scene.
Although Cai Zhiyuan claimed to be just a law-abiding programmer, it was clear that no one would completely believe such a statement.
After all, these five people were sinners chosen by the Arcade, and no one was completely innocent.
Ding Wenqiang pressed the button in front of Cai Zhiyuan's tape. With a "click," the glass cover opened, and the videotape popped out.
He picked up Cai Zhiyuan's videotape and inserted it into the VCR.
[As an outstanding programmer, you are highly proficient in various algorithms and skilled at using programs to optimize human behavior and calculate human value.]
[The layoff program you developed caused countless people to be laid off at 35, losing the jobs that supported their families.]
[The route algorithm program you developed constantly pushed delivery drivers to their limits, forcing them to run on empty just to earn a meager reward.]
[From the very beginning, you knew full well what consequences the algorithm would lead to, but you still spent countless days and nights iterating and improving it, making it what you considered 'perfect.']
[You tried hard not to feel too much guilt, telling yourself over and over that you were only developing a tool, a sharp dinner knife, and that the ones using it to kill were those evil bosses.]
[You said it was just an ordinary job, that you were just doing your part.]
[But deep in your heart, you knew you were just lying to yourself, that you were an accomplice to evil.]
[If one day, you too fall into a deadly trap, can you calmly accept your loss?]
On the screen, Cai Zhiyuan worked day and night in front of his computer, but judging from his excited and happy expression after each program iteration and update, his heart was filled with pride and accomplishment.
Then, the content of the videotape ended, and Cai Zhiyuan's file appeared on the large screen.
[Cai Zhiyuan, male, 28 years old.]
[Occupation: Algorithm Programmer.]
[Mainly responsible for artificial intelligence, big data, and algorithm development. The 'BaiChengTong' food delivery system he led the development of has been adopted by multiple food delivery companies.]
[Verdict: Not Judged.]
Ding Wenqiang was silent for a moment, then pressed the buttons for Wang Yongxin and Gao Zhankui.
But unfortunately, the buttons were unresponsive.
[After 1 more judgment, any two videotapes can be unlocked.]
Ding Wenqiang hesitated for a moment, then finally looked at Cai Zhiyuan.
"You go."