“Damn it, we've been trapped here for so long, I'm sick of it already, let's go, let's go!”

They all rushed forward in a frenzy.

After running past a few corners, the people at the very front of the hallway suddenly froze in place.

“What’s wrong? Don’t block the way, keep moving!”

The people in the back were noisy and confused, not understanding why the group had suddenly stopped.

For some reason, a strong sense of unease suddenly swept over Charles Bennett's senses.

He was just about to look up when he felt something hot and sticky fall from above onto his head.

His eyes were suddenly covered. Instinctively, Charles Bennett tore the thing away from his face. “What is this?”

When he grabbed hold of it, he realized something was very wrong.

The thing was sticky and bloody, one end dripping with viscous tissue and blood, the other end, where it was torn, leaking foul-smelling blackish-yellow slime.

A body, torn in half, crashed heavily into the crowd, blood and shattered organs splattering everywhere.

The expressions on their faces were forever frozen in joy, perhaps mixed with a hint of bewilderment.

Charles Bennett was trembling. He let out a scream, higher than any note he’d ever hit at a concert, and flung the thing in his hand away as fast as he could.

What he had just been holding was, in fact, a bloody length of intestine.

####

The main system explained the rules of this infinite talent show to all the trainees in the studio in a flat, matter-of-fact voice.

Although Henry Clark already knew these rules, he still listened carefully from beginning to end.

The rules were actually very similar to those of talent shows in the real world.

The hall was filled with horror trainees who had successfully passed the preliminary selection—at least tens of thousands of people, all of whom would compete together in the future.

They would go through countless terrifying scenarios, facing repeated eliminations, until the final one hundred and the sole C-rank were chosen.

The preliminary selection divided trainees into seven ranks—S, A, B, C, D, E, and F—based on the main system’s assessment of their individual abilities.

“After each round, the system and mentors will re-evaluate each trainee’s rank based on their performance in that round.”

“The higher your rank, the more privileges you have in the dormitory, and the greater your personal authority. High-ranking trainees can have their own rooms, special services, and may even get early hints or information about the next round.”

Everyone in the hall was already standing on different tiers according to the rank shown on their chest badges. Even the other nine thrones each had someone seated, but the throne representing NO.1 remained empty.

The white-haired young man silently looked up at the highest row behind him.

Unfortunately, Henry Clark was standing too low; those above could easily see him, but he couldn’t see the people at the top.

Henry Clark recalled the description from the original text.

The S-rank trainees’ dormitory was on the top floor—a super-luxurious open-air suite with a 360-degree sky garden, the ultimate in luxury, with a surfing pool as big as an entire floor.

Meanwhile, those in E-rank lived in the same kind of shabby eight-person rooms as before—barely humane.

“Because this is a variety show, the entire program will be broadcast live to the survivors, with bullet comments enabled. To maintain the show’s effect and prevent leaks, the bullet comment and live room functions are not open to trainees. During the show, except for fellow trainees, the survivors’ communication system is also not open.”

“That concludes the explanation. Next is the Q&A session. As long as your question is within the rules, I will answer it.”

Clearly, someone else was as confused as Henry Clark. “Why is the first seat in the top row empty?”

“That’s a very good question,” the main system said coldly. “If you are NO.1, you also have the privilege of not participating in gatherings.”

The crowd immediately stirred. The older people squinted and whispered to each other, their expressions tinged with fear, as if they weren’t surprised about the empty NO.1 throne.

At first, people were just scared and obediently listened to the explanation. Now, as soon as the main system finished, voices of discontent immediately arose: “Why should we listen to you?”

“Yeah, there are so many of us. If everyone works together, we can get out. We could drown you with our spit alone. If we unite, what can’t we do?”

The main system never responded to these noisy doubts.

Instead, it was the elders standing to the side. While the newcomers were still confused and questioning, they had already memorized the rules the main system had just explained and begun analyzing them quickly.

At that moment, a faint voice suddenly rang out, easily overpowering the arguments in the hall.

“You didn’t mention the rules for elimination.”

The voice came from high above, from the ten thrones on the top tier.

The elders exchanged glances.

“If dying in a scenario is equivalent to elimination, is that related to the ranking system? If so, can it be considered that falling behind in rank means elimination equals erasure?”

That pleasant, unhurried voice hit the nail on the head, directly pointing out what the main system had left unsaid.