Oh yeah, that's right. I still have to play a game, huh?

After going through those crazy 10 minutes, how can I think about the next game? Um… It was only 10 minutes, but it felt like hours.

Again an object appeared from the bottom of the lake that rose to the surface. It was a very large model of an old ship with a very sinister shape. The wood is dark black, and a big mouth seems to give an evil smile on its head. There are fourteen of such spooky ships. They are lined up in front of the stage where the purported executive of the Chronosseum was standing.

Another very large number. If this is the real world, the budget is definitely not kidding.

The fourteen ships did not float. Instead, each ship's main mast was connected to a long cylinder above it that could rotate, making it possible for the ship to swing back and forth.

Don't tell me… Pirate rides?!

Actually, it's weird because I didn't see any pirate rides in this amusement park. It's a must-have ride. But… This is too enormous. Fourteen pirate rides lined up and connected into one? Never in a million years would I imagine this being available in the real world.

Moments later, fourteen piers protruded from the cliff below the land where we stood, each headed for a ship. Thanks to the appearance of these two foreign objects replying to each other with immeasurable dimensions, we were able to feel a large-scale earthquake for 10 minutes long.

“Woah~ how interesting isn't it, ladies and gentlemen?! I'm really jealous because it's not my time to… Ahem… Alright, now look at your TickBit. The screen will show a green button. Please press; it will show a random number generator to determine which ship you will 'sail' with. The number one is the farthest left from your point of view.”

A fifteen-sided dice appears after I press the green button. All fourteen sides are marked with numbers, while one side shows an image of a wall clock with roman numerals. Maybe this is some sort of Chronosseum's logo?

The dice scrambled when I tapped it, determining my fate. I boarded ship number 13. Hopefully not a sign of bad luck.

All of Estre are then guided to their respective rides by human skeleton dolls dressed up as pirates. Once we were on the ship, we asked to sit anywhere, as long as our focus remained on the crow tamer and the giant monitor behind him.

What distinguishes the pirate ride here from the usual amusement parks I've been to is the non-unity seats; there is a little gap so we can walk more freely between the seats. The mast divides the ship evenly so that there are two equal groups of seats at the fore and aft of the ship, which is twenty-five. This also makes it much larger and spacious than the usual pirate rides.

I chose to sit in the middle.

Since there are currently 98 Estres and they only assigned seven Estres for each ship, then what is the use of these tens of empty seats? Is it related to the game?

After all the passengers were seated on their respective ships, the pirate robots locked the ride doors and left us. They were carried by the mechanical piers which re-entered the cliffs of the mainland. This made the land shake again, and the lake became a little tidal. Now there are only these pirate rides and one big stage in the middle of the lake.

This is my second time riding a pirate ride. It might be a little strange when I feel nostalgic after sitting down, going back to my childhood for a while. I remember very well the first time I rode this ride with Mama after waiting in line for hours. I'm actually afraid of heights and something that can carry me at terrific speed. But I ventured because 'swing' was my favourite playground equipment when I was in kindergarten. And after coming home from the amusement park, my mom washed my wet pants.

That's why my legs haven't stopped shaking ever since I sat. But at least I'll try not to wet my pants again, even though on the 'ride' this time, it will undoubtedly be much more stressful and spine-chilling.

“Welcome to today's main game… [ the Flying Dutchman's Trial]! Uh… Please give me a moment…” The crow tamer hand was trying to reach something on his body that the crow covered. The figure pulled a piece of paper from his shirt pocket. Seriously, how can he move or even breathe if dozens of crows are perched on his body?

“Ahem… 'The Flying Dutchman Pirates require a new formidable crew to replace many crew members who have been shot dead by their enemy and killed by sharks. Ladies and gentlemen are the chosen ones: recommended by the village lord, former skilled fighters from other pirate ships, or simply enlisting voluntarily.'”

The crow tamer smiled and chuckled, “'Because the number of applicants is too large, the captain of the ship has a unique idea for screening. The Flying Dutchman will not reject those who are worthy. Let this mighty ship decide! He shouted excitedly. Sailing with the Flying Dutchman meant choosing to be ready to die; braved various tsunami-scale waves, hit the reefs with a spark on his heart, and went through a big storm, plus the captain's crazy sailing style. Therefore, every crew must have the guts and the ability to survive in all kinds of dangers at sea. The prospective crew members must be able to stay on the ship during the probationary period to become the part of the Flying Dutchman Pirates!'”

The figure was telling a story in a soft and soothing voice, which made me shudder slightly in horror. I couldn't believe the person who had read the fairy tales with such enthusiasm was the same as the previous vile person who could control those black birds to tear someone apart.

“Sorry if I put you all to sleep, but the most beautiful symphonies are those that have meaning and story behind them, right? Well then, allow me to show you the rules of the game. Please keep your eyes on the monitor.”

Standard Games

“The Flying Dutchman's Trial”

Survive aboard the Flying Dutchman as it crashes into the raging sea.

Game type:

Individual - Survival

Number of players:

7 (Every ship)

Rules:

1. The fifty seats on the ship have a unique number, each from 1-50. The number is displayed through a [Tiny Monitor] placed randomly and hidden in the respective seat. The number will appear as soon as the game starts to keep Estre out of the upper hand.

2. Of all the seats, only six had working seatbelts—[Safe Seats].

3. The monitor will announce the [Safe Seats] number in four stages. Three seats on the first stage, while the other three stages only one seat.

4. Estre is given a certain amount of time to find the [Safe Seats] in every stage.

5. There will be [Obstacles] between stages. Further information will be conveyed by our beloved [Game Master].

6. The [Safe Seats] seatbelt can only be operated when the number has been notified and when Estre has made [Eye Contact] with the [Tiny Monitor].

7. If Estre has sat in one of the [Safe Seats] and fastened the seatbelt, ownership of the seat cannot be contested.

8. In order to keep the game fair, it is ensured that each ship has a different seat number placement.

Win condition:

Survive; standing still on the ship until the game is over.

Losing condition:

Dipped into the lake.

Rewards:

- 10 Chrono Tokens

- Become a permanent platinum member of the Flying Dutchman.

Punishment:

Loss of a job.

Wait a minute… What would they do to make someone lose their job in real life? I don't understand… Then… If the game's consequences are given in the real world, aren't the two unequal? They give unclear prizes while if we lose, we will lose our job?

Shouldn't it be…

The uncertain thoughts were interrupted by the crow tamer.

“Ladies and gentlemen, isn't this game unique and interesting? But that's not enough. There are many other interesting things about this game!”

“First, uh… I have to explain in advance about the stages in question. It should have been animated or at least written on the monitor, asshole! So I took the trouble to explain! Lazy goats.”

He lost his 'polite' persona in my eyes. His words aimed at someone were heard as far as where I was standing. How not, he cursed in his mumble in front of the mic that was still on. And he didn't even bother himself to keep his mouth away.

Well, actually, all of the 'polite' impressions have been lost since he did those horrible things with his birds.

Uh, I said it in a weird way, but you know what I mean, right?

“So, in general, the game will be divided into four stages, as mentioned. In each stage, the monitor will announce two hints: the [Safe Seat] number and the time for the appearance of [Obstacle]. The obstacle in question can be in the form of a ship bobbing, swinging, and the like. In the end, it's a pirate ride, so it makes sense, doesn't it?”

“[First obstacle]: The Great Barrier of Sea Stacks. The Flying Dutchman will pass through a collection of large stones that make it difficult to depart for the cruise. Therefore, the ship will shake and vibrate violently."

“[Second obstacle]: Katrina. In the midst of an adventurous voyage, the ship encounters a great storm called Katrina. The storm made your ship tilt and swing sideways."

“[Third obstacle]: the Black Eyes. Your ship is carried away by a gigantic whirlpool in the black sea, which is capable of sucking the ship into the middle of the vortex and then sinking it. As a result, the Flying Dutchman will rotate with the main mast as the axis and also swing in a horizontal circular motion.”

“[Fourth obstacle], the final blow: Wall of the Ocean. The last obstacle came from the biggest wave in the history of humanity that the Flying Dutchman had to pass. The waves almost formed a huge wall. The boat will swing back and forth vigorously until eventually the ship will flip over in mid-air and make one complete loop.”

“There are other things we do to provide an immersive experience. In addition to the obstacles I have described, the ship will continue to sway, heave slightly, and may stop or accelerate suddenly, as if it were sailing for real. I will read the narration about the ship's journey and obstacles like the previous fairy tales."

Now I understand. The essence of winning this game is not being thrown into the lake. The first three obstacles are still passable without that [Safe Seats]. As difficult and dangerous as it was, we could survive by clinging to the mast or hugging the unsafe seats, taking advantage of the spaced seats. That's why they announce [Safe Seats] one by one, not all of them at once.

Estre may also enlist the help of another who already sat on the seat to help them survive. But that situation most likely won't happen; we were all just strangers to one another, except maybe a teammate who happened to be on the same boat.

What is certain is, we have to make sure to secure that [Safe Seats] before the final obstacle because those who don't have the seat are sure to fall into the lake and lose due to the ship flipping over in mid-air.

“Oh, did I say 'immersive experience'?”

There was a clatter of steel clanking but muffled by the water. Maybe a large cage was being opened somewhere below the lake. Something was released to swim freely in the lake.

I got up from my seat to go to the ship's side and look out over the lake. The thing that they released was a shark.

Only one was released, but what was worse was that it was a bull shark, which, as far as I know, is the most dangerous shark for humans. This shark can survive in freshwater, although I don't know if we're in a natural lake or a lake-like sea. What's even worse, that is the giant shark I've ever seen. I don't understand how the Chronosseum government enlarged that bull shark many times over.

"Not a cruise on the sea without a shark, is it?" I could clearly see his cynical smile, and his evil eyes narrowed behind his face that was surrounded by crows.

My previous thought was right. I realized it after looking back at the consequences of losing in this country. Basically, Estre is given a tough choice if they give up in a game. Die in the game and die in the real world, or stay alive and suffer bad consequences—tormented in the real world from the consequences of losing.

I still clearly remember the punishment of the first game. 'Family members of the loser will die from a traffic accident'.

Mr Wayne didn't really have to die.

I can imagine Mr Wayne, who, despite mistreating his family, was in a hurry to go home because his family was in danger. Because of that, he ran a red light and had an accident. Since there is no specific information about the 'family member that dies due to an accident', the conditions for the sentence have been met with his death; Mr Wayne was a member of his own family, and he died in a traffic accident. That's why Mrs Sophia and Marie are still alive; that's why the crow tamer and maybe the Chronosseum government don't feel guilty about Mr Wayne's death. Well, they wouldn't feel guilty about anyone's death, for sure.

From this I understand, it seems that the purpose of the punishment of losing is to make the Estre 'bound' to this country. Now think about it, in every game, punishment is not given in a fatal form like the death of Estre, but in the form of a real-life 'torment'—targeting valuable people around them, a job, you got the idea. So, if Estre doesn't want to live in the torturing real world, the world where Estre's real life is, then they have to fight hard to win. Not to mention that Estre has to make sure that they really survive in every game.

To be honest, this is… Very cruel.

So, we are forced to win the game with a prize that may not be worth the lives.

Or to be more precise... 'We were forced to win a game that involved our lives to avoid the 'torture' in the real world'.

It was indeed atrocious; at least give us an equivalent reward.

But I have come to understand more about how this country works. Having plunged into this madness, there was nothing I could do but try to stay alive and avoid the punishment. I… I will also really find the mastermind behind all of this. I'm going to find those scumbags who make fun of humans. This concerns the issue of a person's 'welfare of life', which in my opinion is much crueler than the issue of 'life' itself.

Hmm… But considering 'we' who have sin in the real world… Considering that 'we' are trash in the real world… Could all this madness be the punishment 'we' deserve?

The question will only result in an infinite loop answer. 'We' have indeed sinned. 'We' may also have destroyed someone's life in the real world. However, does that sin have to be avenged by 'our' tormented real life? But it's true, 'we' have indeed sinned, maybe making someone's life in the real world destroyed, so this is the punishment for 'us'. But does this sin mean—see what I mean by the infinite loop?

About whether or not 'we' deserved all of this… Only a wise person can answer that. And I'm not one of those people.

Oh, I use an apostrophe on the word 'we' because I don't think I'm in the category of sinners. Therefore, I am still confused about my existence in this world.

Hmm, this is too much. I had to clear my mind and save that for later. Better get back to the game now. At least I had to make sure I didn't die.

Back to the most urgent topic, shall we?

Each ship does not provide sufficient [Safe seats] for all passengers—one short. Losing by falling into the lake didn't mean Estre's death. This means there will be at least fourteen Estres who are forced to survive from the bull shark.

I'll try to keep no one on my ship plunging into the lake. In that final maneuver, I'll try my best to survive if I don't secure the [Safe Seat], or help another Estre, whoever it is if I get one. Estre doesn't have to sit in a [Safe Seat] to win the game. The important thing is that Estre stays on the ship until the end of the game. Yes, that's the one I'm sure of.

Estres were fixated on the colossal bull shark dancing under the ships, waiting patiently to rip apart the unlucky souls. However, not all of Estre was hypnotized by the presence of the shark. I could see those who had calmed down and made plans, going around the ship looking for information, and he who talks to the ship's passengers for cooperation.

While I want to be the third type of person. To that end, I observed the passengers of the 13th ship to come up with a plan I called 'no-one-died-before-my-eyes'.

The other six Estres on this ship consisted of three young adults, maybe a little older than me. Then there are two women; one is a pretty girl with braided hair and glasses, the other is a granny who looks weak and fragile. The other one is a man with a fairly stocky stature with a body as big as Farkas. He looks powerful.

Damn, actually I'm traumatized by a girl-with-glasses-who-looks-weak because of that previous mini-game, and that granny must be hard to contribute. But it looks like it's the two of them whose safety should be prioritized. This meant that I had to talk and cooperate with the burly man and the other three young adult men.

Before I could start a conversation, the crow tamer again occupied our attention, who were busy in our respective activities. A patch of wood under his feet opened. A large cannon next to a fiery torch appeared from below the stage. He really didn't give us a chance to do much before the game, huh.

“Very well, ladies and gentlemen, it seems I have conveyed all the necessary information without missing a single important point. Hence, let's start the game!"

The crow tamer raised the torch, preparing to fire the cannon into an empty space, signalling the start of the game. However, his actions made several crows on his body and his face flying. I could see his thin, sinister face, with his long curly, pale purple hair. But then somehow, suddenly, the black birds came back to him and covered the man again. Aren't crows afraid of fire? Either he is really a good bird tamer, or there is another trick I don't understand.

The game will start soon. I'll be careful, try to remember all the game rules, and look for weak points, so I don't let my guard down again. I didn't want to miss a crack, like when Farkas used it in the previous game. I want myself to be in control of the outcome of my own game. And, once again, I emphasize, I will also try so that no one dies on my ship.

Oh, how naive I was.

"Ah, that's right, I apparently forgot one thing. I remember something that is no less important and interesting. To add to the excitement of the game, we have prepared a door prize that you can use upon returning to the mortal world: [Golden Pass to the Dreamland's Grand Opening]. We hid the physical ticket, one each on each ship. We do this to honour the place that gave us the idea. Look for and secure the ticket before the game is declared over."

I-I need that.

But, will I be able to steal the opportunity to search for that sur'prize' while also focusing on surviving and taking care of others?

Then, which promise is more important to me?

The crow tamer is counting down, assisted by festive songs and funny sound effects. “ Game: [The Flying Dutchman's Trials] will begin in 3… 2… 1… ”

The crow tamer ignited the cannon's trigger rope, directing it to an empty spot. My second game, or rather, my first game after 'officially' becoming a resident of the Chronosseum country (Estre), begins.