Chapter 77: The Slaughter Game Begins

Chapter 77: Chapter 77: The Slaughter Game Begins

The tension between the two Archfiends instantly filled the entire square.

Below, the Hogmen and Roostermen began glaring at each other.

Deep growls and sharp squawks rose and fell in waves.

A bloody "exchange" competition was on the verge of erupting.

And the hearts of all the human temporary workers were in their throats.

They understood that they were the most insignificant Chess Pieces in this conflict, yet also the most likely to be crushed first.

"When gods fight, mortals suffer," Seraphina Sullivan said, looking at the temporary workers on both sides.

"Tell me about it," said Dustin Sullivan.

Of course, the problems between the slaughterhouse higher-ups were their own.

For now, as temporary workers, Seraphina Sullivan and the others needed to prepare for the upcoming slaughtering competition.

Wessuri’s icy gaze swept over all the temporary workers below who belonged to the pork slaughterhouse.

Her beautiful yet frigid voice reached everyone’s ears clearly:

"Next, our pork slaughterhouse will engage in a ’friendly’ exchange competition with the chicken slaughterhouse—a contest of slaughtering efficiency."

She especially emphasized the word "friendly," the corner of her mouth curling into a sarcastic arc.

"The rules are simple: within the allotted three days, whichever side processes more ’standard units’ wins."

She paused, her dark eyes sweeping over those in the crowd whose faces showed a flicker of desire.

She dangled the bait: "And I promise this: for any temporary worker on our side who participates, if we are victorious, some will be promoted to permanent employee status, enjoying better treatment and protection."

The two words, "permanent employee," caused a brilliant light of longing to erupt in the eyes of many of the previously numb and despairing temporary workers!

Promotion to permanent status meant a better chance of survival, of not being casually butchered by the Hogmen in the slaughterhouse.

However, there were also people like Ash, who were terrified of the competition.

They understood that behind the allure of this "promotion" was undoubtedly a near-certain death experience.

Although Wessuri’s tone sounded somewhat "reasonable," her commands were impossible to refuse.

"For the honor of the slaughterhouse, all temporary workers must participate in this competition against the chicken slaughterhouse. Everyone, perform well."

With that one casual sentence, she eliminated any possibility of retreat for anyone.

Hearing "all temporary workers," Ash froze instantly.

’That’s not right... That’s not right at all! This kind of competition usually only picks a few dozen of the most elite temporary workers to participate... Why is everyone being sent this time?!’

Seraphina Sullivan quickly exchanged a look with Dustin Sullivan, who was not far off. Both saw the gravity in the other’s eyes.

’Could this unusual scale be because the intervention of Players like us has inadvertently increased the instance’s difficulty?’

They had no time to ponder it further, as the surrounding Hogman Supervisors had already begun to roughly herd the crowd.

"Move it! What are you dawdling for!"

"Keep up! Anyone who falls behind will be considered to have forfeited and sent directly to the processing workshop!"

The Hogmen and Roostermen escorted their respective human "assets" toward a massive, ancient gate at the far end of the square, which seemed to be made from some kind of black beast bone.

The gate emanated an ominous Aura, its frame carved with distorted runes. Within the gate was a swirling, chaotic, and dim light.

Seraphina Sullivan saw the temporary workers at the front of the line vanish the instant they stepped through the gate, as if they were being devoured.

’It’s a Space Transmission portal!’

They were being teleported in batches to the true competition grounds.

An unknown "arena" destined to be filled with blood and slaughter.

The line moved steadily forward, getting closer and closer to the massive gate.

Seraphina could feel Ash trembling beside her, but there was nothing she could do.

She took a deep breath, clenched her fists, and glanced at the puppet she had reinforced, Sean Chandler, who stood beside her.

’If Ash does as he’s told, I might be able to protect him, as long as it’s within my power.’

Stepping through the gate, she found herself standing in a dense forest the very next second!

’This change in scenery is a bit much!’

Seraphina was a little surprised.

To go from that dark, bloody, enclosed slaughterhouse to a sun-drenched primeval forest in an instant...

Her eyes even squinted, unaccustomed to the sudden brightness.

"Welcome to the Slaughter Pasture." Wessuri’s cold voice seemed to come from the sky itself, echoing clearly in everyone’s ears.

"All sorts of ’animals’ are raised here. Not just the pigs you’re familiar with, but also many... more ’powerful’ creatures. Your job is to find them and deal with them! The counters on your wrists will automatically record the number you slaughter."

Seraphina looked down and saw that a crude metal watch had appeared on her wrist at some point. Its screen displayed a single, cold number: [0].

All the temporary workers wore the same device.

"If you lose the competition..." Wessuri’s voice paused, laced with undisguised cruelty. "I don’t think you’ll have any value to us anymore."

A chill instantly shot up from the soles of all the temporary workers’ feet!

’What would happen to them?’

The answer was self-evident.

They would just end up as food for the Hogmen.

"Looks like we have no choice but to win," Seraphina said in a low, grave voice to Dustin Sullivan and Lily Underwood, who had gathered near her.

Dustin Sullivan said, "This competition format is more difficult than I imagined."

Searching for prey itself requires time and luck, and it’s full of uncertainty.

Lily Underwood cracked her knuckles with a soft CLICK and complained, "Yeah, and here I was thinking they’d just lock us in a big cage and see who could butcher a fixed number of animals faster! Now we have to scour the whole damn mountain for them. What a pain in the ass!"

After speaking, she habitually glanced at the silent Sean Chandler, as if wanting to hear his opinion.

Sean Chandler: "..."

Sean Chandler maintained a golden silence.

Elsewhere, Wessuri and Leon Gilmore exchanged a look, each seeing the scheming and coldness in the other’s eyes.

"Well then..." the two Archfiends began simultaneously, their voices echoing throughout the pasture. "Let the competition begin!"

The moment the order was given, all the temporary workers sprang into action!

Most people’s first instinct was to rush toward the several makeshift weapon racks at the edge of the pasture.

Piled on them were basic butchering tools like choppers, axes, and spikes.

Seraphina immediately rushed toward the weapon racks as well.

However, she never would have expected the slaughter to begin the very moment they started scrambling for weapons!

Just as she gripped a chopper that felt decent in her hand, a vicious gust of wind came at her from behind!

A male temporary worker from the chicken slaughterhouse, his face twisted with savage malice, didn’t even turn to look for prey the instant he grabbed a chopper.

Instead, he swung his arm, bringing the sharp blade down hard on the back of Seraphina’s head!

From the look of it, he clearly intended to eliminate a "competitor" first!

Seraphina: "???"

’What the hell, buddy? Are you blind? Do I look like an animal? Or do you just think I’m an easy target?’

Seraphina instantly realized—in this so-called "slaughtering game," the targets weren’t just animals. Temporary workers like them were on the menu too.