God's imitator

Chapter 42 Running Around
Gao Zhankui, with his face full of scars, glared at Ding Wenqiang with a hint of mockery in his eyes, seemingly somewhat unconvinced.

I don't want to say it a second time!

Ding Wenqiang, clearly somewhat agitated, raised his scepter and pointed it at Gao Zhankui.

Gao Zhankui reluctantly walked towards the first cell.

Zhang Peng followed closely behind, while Cai Zhiyuan trailed behind, supported by Wang Yongxin.

After walking a short distance, the group arrived at the first cell in the main area.

There are six cells in total, arranged roughly in a circular pattern, with only an opening in the passageway where people come from. The large screen and the glass cabinet containing the videotapes are located in the center.

From the outside, it is indeed a prison cell, with an area of ​​about ten square meters, and has iron bars and a cell door.

There is also a screen at the entrance of the cell, which displays an introduction to the game in this cell.

Cell No. 1: Running Around Non-Stop

[The criminals were forced to push a horizontal bar, earning 10 minutes of visa time for each rotation. If they stopped, they would be subjected to an electric shock.]

The intensity of the electric shock will increase progressively with each subsequent play session.

The group then looked toward the cell next to them.

Cell #2: Hanging Streetlight

[The criminal is suspended by a noose, but while standing on tiptoe, his feet will not be completely dangling in the air. He is granted 1000 minutes of visa time per minute. The mechanism automatically disengages after 10 minutes.]

[The game duration increases by 5 minutes with each subsequent play.]

In addition, there are cells 3, 4, 5, and 6 further away, but these cells are currently locked and there is no game information on the screen.

According to the game rules, cell number 3 will only be unlocked after a prisoner enters either cell number 1 or cell number 2.

The cell door was open, like a monster opening its gaping maw, waiting for someone willing to take the bait.

In addition, there is a prominent message.

Number of trials completed: 0 out of 10

Ding Wenqiang's gaze swept across the faces of the other four people. Clearly, one of the unlucky souls needed to enter any of the cells before the third cell would be unlocked.

Finally, his gaze settled on Gao Zhankui.

Ding Wenqiang is currently clueless, but Wang Yongxin and Cai Zhiyuan are both players in the 17 community, and they see each other all the time. Compared to the other two, they are naturally closer or less close.

More importantly, in the previous Farmer's Walk game, Ding Wenqiang felt somewhat guilty towards Wang Yongxin and Cai Zhiyuan.

Zhang Peng was hardly noticeable, so naturally Gao Zhankui had to take the fall as the first unlucky one.

From the very beginning, Ding Wenqiang had a very bad impression of him.

What's more, Gao Zhankui had just tried to steal the identity.

"You, go inside," Ding Wenqiang said coldly.

Gao Zhankui glared, his face full of dissatisfaction, but when he saw the scepter in Ding Wenqiang's hand, he swallowed back the words he was about to say.

The rules of the game were clearly stated. Within the rules, Ding Wenqiang could make any demands on the four of them, and they could not violate them.

Otherwise, Ding Wenqiang could have used his scepter to electrocute him until he died.

However, just as Gao Zhankui was considering which cell to go to with a dark expression, a weak voice rang out.

"Uncle Ding, please wait a moment."

"I think I should go into the first cell."

Ding Wenqiang was stunned for a moment, then turned around and saw that it was Cai Zhiyuan, who was being supported by Wang Yongxin, who was speaking.

Cai Zhiyuan was still in a sorry state, but fortunately, his wounds had stopped bleeding and were gradually scabbing over, and his spirits had improved a lot.

"You should rest for a bit," Ding Wenqiang said, shaking his head slightly. Clearly, the games, or rather, the punishments, in these two cells required a certain level of physical fitness.

Cai Zhiyuan's current physical condition is worrying, and Ding Wenqiang is also afraid that he will die inside before finishing the game.

Cai Zhiyuan shook his head: "Uncle Ding, haven't you noticed yet?"
"These games in the cells were not arranged randomly, but had a certain meaning."

"The rules of the game also state that you must give us a 'fair trial,' which means that the content of the game must be related to our crimes."

He pointed to the first cell: "Running around like a dog, isn't this the fate of cattle and horses?"

Wang Yongxin was silent for a moment: "But...this doesn't seem to have anything to do with so-called crimes, does it? What do you think your own crime is?"

Cai Zhiyuan sighed: "How would I know! I'm just a law-abiding programmer. I always thank the delivery drivers when I receive takeout. I work 996 every day until I get home and fall asleep as soon as I get home. What crime could I have committed?"

"If I had to put it in words, what I do is big data algorithms. I use virtual algorithms to keep many low-level workers like me in captivity, and then I put a carrot in front of them and make them work tirelessly."

"Now I'm locked in this cage, grinding grain non-stop for meager pay, which is what I deserve."

Ding Wenqiang looked at him and remained silent for a moment: "Whether he deserved it or not, we'll only know after watching the videotape."

As he spoke, Ding Wenqiang returned to the center of the scene once again.

Although Cai Zhiyuan claims to be just a law-abiding programmer, it's clear that no one will completely believe him.

After all, these five people were chosen sinners by the gallery, and none of them were absolutely innocent.

Ding Wenqiang pressed the button in front of Cai Zhiyuan's recording. With a "click," the glass cover opened, and the videotape popped out.

He picked up Cai Zhiyuan's videotape and inserted it into the VCR.

As an excellent programmer, you are highly proficient in various algorithms and adept at using programs to optimize human behavior and calculate human value.

The layoff program you developed has caused countless people to be laid off at age 35, losing their jobs to support their families.

The path-finding algorithm you developed constantly pushes delivery drivers to their limits, forcing them to work themselves to the bone for meager pay.

From the very beginning, you knew exactly what the algorithm would lead to, but you still spent countless days and nights iterating and improving it until it reached what you considered "perfect."

You try hard not to feel too guilty, repeatedly telling yourself that you're just developing a tool, a sharp knife, and that those who use it to kill are the wicked bosses.

You said it was just an ordinary job, and you were simply doing your duty.

But deep down you know that you're just deceiving yourself; you're an accomplice to evil.

If one day you too fall into a deadly trap, will you be able to calmly accept the consequences of your gamble?

In the video, Cai Zhiyuan works day and night in front of the computer, but judging from his excited and happy expression after each program iteration and update, he is full of pride and joy.

Then, the videotape ended, and Cai Zhiyuan's file appeared on the big screen.

Cai Zhiyuan, male, 28 years old.

Occupation: Algorithm Programmer.

[Primarily responsible for artificial intelligence, big data, and algorithm development. Led the development of the "Baichengtong" food delivery system, which has been adopted by multiple food delivery companies.]

[Verdict: No trial held.]

After a moment of silence, Ding Wenqiang pressed the buttons for Wang Yongxin and Gao Zhankui.

Unfortunately, the buttons are all unpressable.

[After one more trial, you can unlock any two videotapes.]

Ding Wenqiang hesitated for a moment, then finally looked at Cai Zhiyuan.

"Go ahead."

(End of this chapter)