God's imitator

Chapter 40 The Timing of Buttons

"damn it……"

Wang Yongxin cursed subconsciously, but at this point he had no time to think and could only rely on instinct to pick up the mechanism again and move forward.

Ding Wenqiang beat him to it.

Clearly, Ding Wenqiang has a distinct advantage in situations where he doesn't need to think and only needs to blindly follow the rules.

The most tragic one, of course, is Tsai Chih-yuan.

The earlier the first stage is completed, the longer the rest time can be gained.

Ding Wenqiang could rest for the remaining 22 seconds, but Cai Zhiyuan had just arrived at the rest area when he had to set off again.

He could only gasp for breath, and before his heart rate could even calm down a little, he had to pick up the machine again.

The only good news is that the mechanism has wide support legs at the bottom, so it won't tip over.

Otherwise, if you fall due to exhaustion and get trapped under the trap, you're doomed.

The second stage is 15 meters long, 5 meters shorter than the first stage, but the time limit has also been reduced from 60 seconds to 38 seconds.

The added physical exertion makes the game even more difficult for those with lower stamina.

Just then, a clear, emotionless electronic voice rang out from the speaker.

[Viewer #5 tipped Ding Wenqiang 8000 minutes of visa processing time, with the message: Press again when the countdown is almost over.]

[Special Reminder: Players who receive a tip are free to decide whether or not to complete this requirement.]

The sudden notification left everyone somewhat bewildered.

The five people in the arena had no time to think; under immense pressure, almost no blood was available for their brains to function.

However, this broadcast revealed at least two basic pieces of information:
Those who voluntarily signed up for the game became 'spectators' in the game.

The audience doesn't seem to need to do these physical tasks themselves; they can tip the five players in the arena, granting them visa time and adding one request.

Of course, the person receiving the tip can also choose not to do so.

This is somewhat similar to a streamer receiving tips on a live streaming platform.

Ding Wenqiang hesitated for a moment. The request from audience member number 5 was not difficult to fulfill; it was just a small favor for him.

Once you reach the rest area, you can put down the mechanism you're carrying on your shoulder and rest. As for when you press the button, it doesn't seem to have any particular impact on the game.

The ease with which he obtained 8000 minutes of visa time put Ding Wenqiang in a good mood and gave him even more motivation.

Keep moving forward.

However, just as he was about to reach the rest area, the announcement came on again.

[Viewer #1 tipped Ding Wenqiang 8000 minutes of visa processing time, with the message: Press the button now for yourself.]

"Ok?"

Ding Wenqiang was at a loss for what to do.

The two viewers who tipped him made completely opposite requests. Fulfilling one would inevitably mean going against the other.

As they were about to reach the rest area for the second phase, Ding Wenqiang was still a little undecided.

Just then, Wang Yongxin suddenly realized something and shouted, "Uncle Ding... don't... don't press!"
"I...I understand! The time you press...the time you press now is the time for the next stage...the next stage!"

Because he was carrying heavy objects, Wang Yongxin's voice was intermittent.

Moreover, his loud talking caused him to lose his composure, leading to the collapse of his core mechanism and the temporary fall of the device.

Then, he took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, picked up the mechanism again, and continued walking forward.

Upon hearing Wang Yongxin's words, Ding Wenqiang instinctively paused for a moment.

The others in the room instantly understood what was going on.

The time limit for the second stage is 38 seconds, which is a number with both zeros and whole numbers.

At first, no one thought much of it and assumed it was a timed event within the game. However, the information from audience member number 5 made Wang Yongxin realize that the 38 seconds was actually the time it took Ding Wenqiang to complete the first stage.

In other words, if Ding Wenqiang presses the button at 58 seconds, the standard time for the second stage will become 58 seconds.

If the button is pressed after 20 seconds, the standard time for the second stage will become 20 seconds.

The same principle applies to the third stage.

...Through the glass window, Lin Sizhi looked at the location of audience member number 1.

According to the numbers, Lin Sizhi was audience member number 5, and he was the one who sent out the initial message.

But clearly, Player 1 reacted quickly, realizing the meaning behind his message almost instantly, and responded.

……

Ding Wenqiang hesitated for only two or three seconds before decisively pressing the button.

The countdown for his path was frozen at 9 seconds.

This time, Ding Wenqiang took 29 seconds to cover the 15-meter path. But after deducting the thinking time, his average speed was even slightly faster than the previous 38 seconds for the 20-meter path.

"Grass."

The remaining four lowered their heads and cursed under their breath.

For Ding Wenqiang, waiting an extra 10 seconds wouldn't do any obvious harm, but it would give the four people lagging behind a precious chance to catch their breath.

Especially Wang Yongxin and Cai Zhiyuan.

[Viewer #1 tipped Ding Wenqiang 3000 minutes of visa processing time, with the message: Well done.]

Upon hearing the new broadcast, Ding Wenqiang became even more convinced that he was right.

Although pressing the button would significantly increase the difficulty for Wang Yongxin and Cai Zhiyuan, but...

In such a life-or-death game, who doesn't look out for themselves first?
It's important to know that whoever reaches the finish line first becomes the "King," and the game rules state that the player who becomes the "King" will have a significant advantage.

If we give others a chance to catch their breath, what if they are overtaken at the last minute?

Since the game is called "King's Game," then any price is worth paying to obtain the title of king.

[Beep. 】

With the last second of the countdown, Wang Yongxin barely crossed the finish line of the second stage and arrived at the rest area.

As a sharp buzzing sound rang out, Cai Zhiyuan, the only one who had not completed the entire path, also let out a miserable cry.

The countdown on the path returned to 38 seconds. At the same time, the mechanism on his shoulder extended several spikes and barbs, piercing deeply into his shoulder!

These spikes and barbs are not large enough to cause serious damage to his body, and even if they leave wounds, they will stop bleeding naturally very quickly.

But the excruciating pain still caused Cai Zhiyuan to scream uncontrollably.

The pain stimulated a surge of adrenaline, giving Cai Zhiyuan renewed strength, and he persevered to cross the finish line.

The spikes and barbs on the mechanism retracted, but blood gushed out instantly, staining Cai Zhiyuan's shirt shoulder red.

He didn't get any rest at all, because the countdown timer lit up again.

This time it was indeed 29 seconds, which is the time it took Ding Wenqiang to press the button when he completed the second stage.

The group seemed numb, with no more room for thought. They simply picked up the mechanisms again and headed towards the final finish line.

Cai Zhiyuan's condition was obviously the most worrying, and unsurprisingly, he was left at the very back again.

[Viewer #3 tipped Cai Zhiyuan 2000 minutes of visa processing time, with the message: Keep it up!]

The audience can influence the behavior of the five people in the room to some extent, but that's all.

The only variable in the game now rests in Ding Wenqiang's hands. If Ding Wenqiang is unwilling to extend the time, there's nothing anyone else can do.

[Beep. 】

The countdown ended, and only Ding Wenqiang, Zhang Peng, and Gao Zhankui were able to finish within the time limit.

As the countdown returned to 29 seconds, spikes and barbs extended from the mechanisms on Wang Yongxin and Cai Zhiyuan's shoulders.

Wang Yongxin groaned. Although he had prepared himself mentally and tensed all his muscles, the excruciating pain still made him feel dizzy.

But he had no other choice. If he put the mechanism on the ground and removed his shoulder before the spikes extended, he could avoid the damage caused by the spikes. But that would make it more difficult to pick up the mechanism again and would only cause him more pain.

Therefore, we have no choice but to grit our teeth and persevere.

As for Cai Zhiyuan, he fared even worse. His wounds, which had not yet healed, were torn open again, and the clothes around his shoulders were almost completely soaked in blood.

After a dozen seconds or so of the second countdown, they finally managed to reach the finish line.

All the spikes retracted, and Cai Zhiyuan stumbled and pressed the final button.

(End of this chapter)