Current Position in the Tiles of Fate Game:

  Brant - Floor 56, HP 2, Support Item: Switcher

  Frey - Floor 35, HP 1, Support Item: Switcher

  Orian - Floor 48, HP 3, Support Items: Life Shards +1 and Immunity Charm

  Liam - Floor 62, HP 3, Support Item: Golden Dice

  Victor - Floor 59, HP 3, Support Items: Life Crystal +2 and Immunity Charm

  Orian confidently rolled the dice and landed on a 3, moving to floor 51.

  Next, it was Liam's turn. He pressed the dice, and it stopped on 2 again.

  "Ah, damn it!" he shouted in frustration.

  Rolling the same number meant a penalty. His HP decreased by one, and an electric shock instantly surged through his body. His muscles tensed, and he staggered for a moment before managing to stand upright again.

  "Stupid dice! Why the same number?!" Liam yelled, his face red with anger.

  Next was Victor's turn. He rolled a 2, moving to floor 61.

  "Fifteenth round," Grumford's cold and unhurried voice announced, making the atmosphere even more tense.

  Brant, who was on floor 56, rolled a 6, moving to floor 62, where he refused to jump to floor 78.

  It was my turn. I stood up and pressed the button. A 5 appeared, making me stagger to floor 40. Orian, with his usual excitement, rolled a 5 and danced his way to floor 56, which turned out to be a quest floor. Before the quest even appeared on the screen, he immediately used his Immunity Charm to protect himself.

  Meanwhile, Liam was growing increasingly anxious.

  "Damn it, because of the same number, my HP is down to 2. If I get a 2 or 3, I'm done for," he thought, panic creeping in.

  “If I get a 2 again, I’ll lose 2 HP… same number twice,” he murmured, panic creeping into his voice. “And if it’s a 3… I’ll land on the Dog’s Head floor. That’ll be the end for me.”

  "There's no other way. I have to use the Golden Dice to avoid rolling a 2 or 3," he decided desperately.

  "I'll use Golden Dice for this round," Liam declared, his voice shaking, though he tried to sound confident.

  He pressed the button, and two dice spun rapidly. All eyes were on the numbers that would appear.

  3 and 2.

  Liam's face turned pale instantly. His body froze as if time had stopped. The very numbers he needed to avoid had appeared before him.

  Stunned, he turned to Orian, searching for even the slightest mercy. His voice trembled.

  "Please, Boss! Give me your Life Shards! I won't survive this!"

  Orian remained silent. Not a single word escaped his lips. Liam's expression twisted with fear, tears beginning to well up in his eyes, but there was nothing he could do.

  "Hurry up and choose your number! Stop wasting time!" Grumford's voice boomed, shaking the room.

  The spectators' cheers echoed throughout the arena, a chorus of death whispers drawing ever closer.

  Liam could only stand there, frozen, unable to say a word. Even Brant, who had been ordered to move back to floor 61 by Grumford, could only avert his gaze, powerless to intervene.

  "You have 5 seconds to choose. If not, the death penalty awaits," Grumford's ominous voice rang out.

  "BOSS, PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR LIFE SHARDS! I DID EVERYTHING YOU PLANNED! PLEASE HELP ME!" Liam shouted desperately.

  But time ran out.

  "Your time is up. Judgment begins," Grumford declared, his voice even colder than before.

  "NO, WAIT! BOSS WILL GIVE ME THE LIFE SHARDS! GIVE ME MORE TIME!" Liam pleaded, his cries growing more frantic as he clung to the last shred of hope.

  Suddenly, a massive glass chamber emerged from the floor beneath Liam, trapping him inside. The walls began to close in, crushing his body with overwhelming force.

  "Boss... help me..." Liam's voice cracked with terror.

  But nothing could stop what was about to happen.

  His desperate screams for help filled the air, but they were soon replaced by the sickening sounds of bones shattering and flesh being crushed.

  The glass finally sealed completely, leaving behind nothing but blood and mangled remains inside.

  The VIP spectators roared with excitement, their laughter ringing through the arena as if this was the best entertainment they had ever seen. They clapped enthusiastically, as if celebrating the highlight of the show.

  The glass slowly sank back into the ground, restoring the floor as if nothing had happened.

  "What a spectacular performance," Grumford said proudly.

  "Victor, your turn."

  Victor, who was on the floor 61, rolled a 5 and moved to the floor 66. I could only stare blankly.

  Seeing Liam die like that made me think... maybe I would die the same way. All hope seemed to fade. I could only lower my head.

  Suddenly, a rock was thrown at me, hitting my head hard. I slowly lifted my face, looking to see where it had come from. My eyes met Jessica's and the others', their eyes filled with tears.

  They kept shouting my name.

  "Frey! Don't give up!" they cried, full of hopeful determination.

  "You're stronger than us! We believe in you!"

  Their words echoed in my head, giving me a surge of energy.

  Even though my body felt exhausted and sore, their voices helped stabilize my breathing. I looked at them, slowly standing up. I clenched my trembling fists and lifted my head, staring straight ahead.

  "THE FREY YOU KNOW IS BACK!" I shouted with all my strength, my voice echoing throughout the room.

  Cheers of joy and encouragement filled the space. Even the spectators, who had been silent, started cheering. From a distance, I saw Victor giving a small smile at my resurgence.

  I knew... this wasn't over. I was still here. And I would survive.

  "Everyone, please remain calm as the sixteenth round begins," Grumford's voice rang out, though it was drowned by the growing roar of the audience.

  I focused on the screen, checking the remaining time-only 13 minutes left. At the same time, I checked each player's position, their HP, and the items they still had.

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  "Hey, Brant," I called while keeping my eyes on the screen. "I'm still on the 45th floor. Do you think I have enough time to reach the 100th floor with this much time left?"

  Brant stared at the screen, his fingers trembling. He pressed his button, and a 3 appeared on his dice, forcing him to step onto the 65th floor. However, as soon as he saw the dog-head symbol on the floor, his expression changed instantly.

  "Damn!" he muttered in panic. His HP was only 2-that floor could be the end for him.

  Brant furrowed his brow, then decided to use the Support Item: Position Switcher.

  "I'll switch places with Victor, who's ahead of me," he muttered.

  As soon as the mechanical arms swap their positions, Victor was swapped onto the 65th floor. Immediately, his body jolted violently as an electric shock surged through him. His HP dropped by 2 points, leaving him with only 1 point remaining.

  Despite the pain and convulsions, Victor remained calm. He held his head, which felt dizzy, but his expression remained blank, showing no emotion. With a flat voice, he said, "I only have 1 HP left. Will my gamble fail?"

  Orian, who had been watching, scoffed in frustration.

  "Brant, you idiot?! If you had switched places with that kid, he'd be dead for sure because he only has 1 HP!" he snapped.

  "I'm not taking any risks. Victor's position is safer. Besides, he doesn't have a Position Switcher, so he won't be able to swap back," Brant replied, trying to avoid Orian's anger.

  I remained silent, but deep inside, I had already anticipated this. Just as I thought, they were targeting me first. However, as long as I still had my Position Switcher, they had to think twice.

  This was my ace card.

  I took a deep breath and pressed my dice button. A 3 appeared. With unsteady steps, I moved to the 43rd floor.

  Orian, looking increasingly frustrated, pressed his button harshly. When a 5 appeared, he immediately cursed.

  "Damn it! The same number again?!" His voice was filled with anger, especially since this meant he would receive a penalty and couldn't move. Instantly, his body convulsed as an electric shock struck him.

  Victor, with an expressionless face, used Life Crystal to restore his HP back to 3. He then rolled his dice and got a 2.

  "My first quest floor," he muttered.

  Victor stared at the screen intently, his expression unchanged, but the tension in the air grew thick. The displayed quest required him to cut off his left hand.

  Without hesitation, Victor nodded.

  "I accept this quest."

  Cheers and shouts erupted from the VIP audience and the spectators in the room, breaking the silence. There was a mix of admiration and rising tension.

  The three of us were stunned, unable to believe how calm Victor remained. With a blank expression, Victor stretched out his left arm and positioned himself.

  From below, a sharp blade emerged with deadly speed, shooting straight toward his left shoulder.

  Slash!

  In an instant, Victor's left hand was severed cleanly, blood pouring out in a thick stream.

  Victor collapsed, the pain evident on his face, though he tried to endure it. He clutched his wounded shoulder, remaining silent as he endured the excruciating pain. A few seconds later, with trembling hands, he tore a piece of fabric from his shirt and tightly wrapped it around his shoulder, trying to stop the bleeding.

  The atmosphere in the room was suffocating, and the VIP spectators, who had been momentarily silent, began clapping loudly, admiring Victor's bravery.

  "Let's give a round of applause for Victor!" Grumford shouted, unable to hide his excitement. The crowd began praising his resolve and courage.

  A light appeared on the large screen, indicating that Victor had obtained the Support Item: Lucky Star.

  I looked at Victor, who was struggling through the pain.

  "Victor, are you okay?" I asked with concern.

  "This is just a small gamble," Victor replied, forcing a smile despite the unbearable pain on his face.

  Grumford laughed in satisfaction. "Round seventeen begins!"

  Brant, who had just witnessed Victor’s hand being severed, looked terrified. In a panic, he slammed his button and got the number 5. Instantly, he was moved to the 71st floor—only to be forced forward again as a ladder connected it to the 85th floor: a quest floor.

  When Brant arrived on the 85th floor, his quest appeared on the screen.

  "Cut off your right hand."

  Brant froze. His face turned deathly pale. "I... I can't..." he whispered.

  The VIP audience, who had been enthusiastic before, immediately let out disappointed groans. Jeers and boos echoed throughout the room.

  Brant grew increasingly panicked. However, because he refused the quest, a penalty was immediately applied.

  His body convulsed as a strong electric shock struck him. His HP dropped by 1 point, leaving him with only 1 point remaining.

  I pressed the button. The number 2 appeared. I ascended to the 60th floor and opened a chest. Inside, I found Life Shards-at least it gave me a bit of hope.

  Orian moved to the 62nd floor with a roll of 6, but refused to jump to the 78th floor. Meanwhile, Victor continued to the 73rd floor with a roll of 6, his face tight with the lingering pain.

  "Round eighteen begins!" Grumford announced.

  Brant rolled a 1, I rolled a 4, and Orian rolled a 1 and used his Life Shards to restore his HP points.

  Victor, with a weakened body and sweat pouring down his face, pressed his button once more. The number 3 appeared. With heavy steps, he made his way to the 76rd floor.

  "Round nineteen begins!"

  Brant stepped onto the 88th floor, I moved to the 67th floor, and Orian reached the 68th floor, standing right in front of me. Meanwhile, Victor rolled a 2, moving up to the 78th floor, getting closer to the top.

  ---

  "Round Twenty"

  Brant rolled his dice with trembling hands. When the dice finally stopped, the number 6 appeared. Hurriedly, he stepped onto the 94th floor. The finish line was now in sight, but instead of relief, pressure filled his mind.

  I rolled a 5, advancing to the 72nd floor. Orian rolled a 3, placing him on the 71st floor, just one floor behind me. His sharp gaze pierced through me, filled with the restrained anger he had carried since the start of the game.

  Victor remained composed as his dice landed on a 6, moving him to the 84th floor.

  "Round Twenty-One"

  Brant looked anxious. He pressed his dice button, praying for a number that would push him toward the finish line. However, luck was not on his side. The number that appeared forced him to descend to the 82nd floor, as the 96th floor ahead required him to pass through a downward staircase.

  Frustration was now evident on his face. His breathing grew ragged, and panic slowly crept into his expression.

  I pressed my button and rolled a 1, advancing to the 73rd floor. Meanwhile, Orian rolled a 5, stepping onto a quest floor.

  On the screen, the quest appeared:

  "Pull out all of your teeth."

  Orian's face turned pale. Without a second thought, he refused. Immediately, his body convulsed violently as electric shocks struck him. His HP dropped by 1 point, but he remained standing, clenching his jaw tightly to endure the pain.

  Victor remained unfazed and rolled a 2, moving to the 86th floor.

  "Round Twenty-Two"

  Brant bit his lip, realizing time was running out and he had only 1 HP left. His hands trembled as he rolled the dice, desperately hoping for a high number that would save him. However, as soon as the dice stopped, his face turned ghostly white.

  The number 3.

  Horrified, he realized that the 85th floor was another quest floor. On the large screen, the task appeared:

  "Pull out ten of your fingernails."

  Brant stared at the screen, his eyes widening, his breathing erratic. Fear overtook his thoughts, pushing him into an instant decision-he ran, trying to escape the punishment.

  BZZZZTTT!!

  The sound of an electric surge roared through the arena. Brant screamed, his body convulsing as brutal electricity coursed through him. Sparks burned his skin, and within seconds, thin smoke rose from his charred flesh before his body collapsed onto the floor, unmoving.

  Brant has been eliminated.

  The cheers of the VIP audience echoed throughout the room, as if they were enjoying his death.

  I ignored the chaos around me and immediately used a support item, restoring 1 HP, bringing my remaining HP to 2. Without wasting time, I rolled my dice and got a 4, moving to the 77th floor.

  Orian, looking annoyed, quickly rolled his dice and moved to the 78th floor. Victor followed with a 6, bringing himself to the 92nd floor.

  ---

  "Round Twenty-Three"

  6 minutes remaining. If we didn't reach the finish line in time, everything would end here.

  I rolled a 5 and stepped onto the 82nd floor. Orian arrived at a chest floor on the 79th floor and obtained Reverse Gear x2. However, instead of being happy, he cursed in frustration. That item wouldn't help him much.

  Victor rolled the dice and got a 4, heading to the 96th floor, but it forced him to descend to the 82nd floor with me.

  ---

  "Round Twenty-Four"

  The dice I threw stopped at 3, bringing me to a Quest Floor.

  The screen lit up again, displaying the quest I had to complete:

  "Break ten of your fingers."

  I bit my lip. This option was too risky. I had no choice but to refuse.

  BZZZTTTTT!!

  Pain surged through my body as an electric shock struck me. I screamed, feeling as if my body was burning from the inside. My HP dropped by 1, leaving me with only 1 point left.

  Orian rolled a 5 and advanced to the 84th floor- his HP remained at 2 point. Victor, with an expressionless face, rolled the dice and got a 6, bringing him to the 88th floor.

  ---

  "Round Twenty-Five"

  I rolled my dice and got a 4, moving to the 89th floor.

  Orian, seeing Brant's lifeless body on the ground, turned slightly pale and glanced at Grumford.

  Seeing Orian looking at him, Grumford responded by closing both his eyes as if signaling something.

  Orian's confidence returned. He rolled his dice and happily got a 3, stepping onto the 87th floor. The screen displayed an item: Life Shards +2. Without hesitation, Orian used it immediately, increasing his HP to 3 points.

  Victor pressed his button and rolled a 5, advancing to the 93rd floor. However, the 93rd floor was a Dog Head Floor.

  ZZZZT!

  His body jolted as the penalty struck him, reducing his HP by 2 points. Now, he only had 1 HP left.

  ---

  "Round Twenty-Six"

  Time was running out-only 4 minutes remained.

  I quickly rolled my dice. A 6 appeared.

  On the 95th floor, there was a chest floor. If I could reach it, maybe I could get an item to help me cross the finish line. Without hesitation, I moved forward.

  But just before I reached the 95th floor, a notification sounded.

  "Ding! A player has used a support item on you."

  I immediately turned to the big screen.

  "Reverse Gear x2 has been used on Player Number 2."

  My body tensed. That meant... I had to step back two floors.

  From floor 95... back to floor 93.

  I instantly felt suffocated. The 93rd floor was a Dog Head Floor.

  With only 1 HP left, that meant... I would die.

  I froze, my ears ringing, while the cheers from the VIP audience grew louder. They clapped, shouted, celebrating my impending death as if it was the show they had been waiting for.

  I stood there, paralyzed, realizing I had no way out.

  With heavy steps, I moved backward, approaching the inevitable end.