In the end, in that dark alley, Zhang Tao lay unconscious, bruised and beaten beyond recognition.
Of course, Lu Ce wasn’t exactly unscathed either—his body was covered in blue and purple bruises.
But unlike Zhang Tao, all of his injuries were self-inflicted.
He had long since mastered this trick. Since he didn’t feel pain anyway, he could make it look like a fair fight. With their injuries appearing roughly equal and Lu Ce having no family or assets, the police would likely brush it off as a simple dispute.
However, during the fight, Lu Ce had noticed something…
If he wanted to, there were countless ways he could have killed Zhang Tao.
Yet, he didn’t.
Lu Ce understood his place. He knew he wasn’t strong enough to act recklessly just yet.
After rushing back to his small room, he grabbed a piece of paper and began writing down his observations about Chosen of Agony:
2. The most effective way to gain Pain Points is through direct harm inflicted by others. Even if he has the ability to escape, as long as he chooses not to resist, it still counts.
Lu Ce believed this might be an exploit.
After thinking for a while, he added a third hypothesis:
3. If harm is caused indirectly by an enemy or external force—whether intentional or not—it still counts!
For example, in the Initial Game, when he tore off his own fingernails while struggling to escape.
Or just now, when he deliberately used his fist to block Zhang Tao’s attacks.
Pausing, Lu Ce took a deep breath and looked at his notes.
"Alright, that should be the basics."
"Tsk, my system doesn’t even have a beginner’s tutorial. I have to figure everything out myself."
"For now, I’ll leave it at this. I’ll update it as I learn more…"
He slipped the paper under his pillow and lay back on the bed.
His heart was still restless.
His strongest asset was ready.
Which meant…
【Time until next game: 29:24:43】
【Time until next game: 00:30:23】
A full day and night passed quickly.
Lu Ce ignored his classmates’ discussions—his mind was already focused entirely on the game.
As the countdown ticked down, glowing text appeared in his vision, and a voice echoed in his head.
【30 minutes until game start.】
【Please prepare accordingly.】
【Select your role: Player or Spectator.】
Looking at the two options, Lu Ce recalled Xie Antong’s serious warning from two days ago.
Then, he chuckled softly.
"Thanks for the advice."
"But you’re right about one thing—there’s no way I’d pass up this opportunity."
"When fate calls, there’s never really a choice to begin with…"
"Player!"
【Player status confirmed.】
【Welcome to Chosen’s Paradise. May your courage take you to the heavens!】
Thirty minutes later, streams of data wrapped around Lu Ce’s body.
His figure vanished from his tiny room.
【Welcome to the game. Your current difficulty: Hell Mode!】
【You have five minutes to configure your initial settings.】
The rapid stream of data solidified into a familiar interface, displaying his player stats:
Game Points: 3000
Pain Points: 7
Strength: 10
Agility: 10
Speed: 10
Luck: 3
Spirit: 0
Bonus Medal: Godslayer (Legendary)
Equipment: None
Inventory: Starter Pack
Pending Reward: 1
Seeing his stats, Lu Ce was slightly surprised—his Pain Points were now displayed on the panel and could be allocated.
Not sure which stat is the most important… I’ll hold off on spending them for now.
"Claim reward!"
【Your reward has arrived.】
【You have obtained a Sealed Artifact: A-007 – Soul of the Seven Deadly Sins.】
【Effect: Amplifies the user's corresponding weakness while granting immense power in return.】
【Please select an initial appearance.】
A swirling mass of gray mist appeared before him, shifting without a defined shape.
Lu Ce had an idea.
"Make it a fluid mask."
The mist twisted and solidified into a sleek mask, seamlessly fitting onto his face without any noticeable weight.
【Select a Sin: Pride, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony, Lust.】
After some thought, he chose a Sin that seemed manageable.
"Greed!"
The mask twisted again, darkening into a deep shade of blue.
【Select a mode: Normal / Overload.】
"Normal!"
【Setup complete. Entering the game.】
His vision blurred, and a sense of weightlessness washed over him.
The next second, he was inside.
As soon as he opened his eyes, the dizziness remained. His head felt heavy, his body light.
And the heat—it was scorching. Like he was inside an oven.
Realization hit him.
He was dangling upside down, a chain wrapped tightly around his left ankle.
Below him, dozens of meters down, was a sea of boiling lava.
"AAAAAHHHHHH!!"
A woman’s terrified scream jolted through the air.
Only then did Lu Ce notice—he wasn’t alone in this game.
Including himself, there were ten people, all suspended like roasting ducks over the inferno.
"What the hell?! I thought this was a game—why am I hanging like this?!"
"It’s too hot! What are we supposed to do?!"
Some of the others had already started panicking. The sheer realism of the game was making them lose their composure.
Lu Ce quickly scanned the group.
Nothing special.
They were weak—whether as enemies or allies, they didn’t matter to him.
【Welcome to the game. Unfortunately, you have been selected for Hell Mode. However, you are also very lucky.】
【Below each of you is a platform. Beneath the platforms, the lava is steadily rising.】
【You must escape in time. Otherwise… well, we sincerely apologize.】
【Your first escape tool is being provided.】
A mechanical voice echoed through the burning air.
Then, from the center of the group, a rope lowered.
Dangling from the rope was…
A saw.
A rust-covered, jagged, horribly worn saw.
As they stared at it…
As they watched the lava creeping higher and higher…
Everyone instantly understood what "escape" meant.
A wave of icy dread surged through them all.
—All except for one.