Chapter 11: The Rules of the Game (Part One)

At this moment, Li Gang had already exited the tracking function and switched to the communication module to check another message—the game rules issued by the deity.

He opened the message containing the game rules.

“The main rules of the Ten-Year Hunt are as follows:

Rule One: Whatever this deity declares is the rule.
A reminder from your deity: Do not attempt to exploit loopholes in the rules, for whenever any loophole appears, Rule One shall prevail!

Rule Two: From this moment forth, the upper limits of your four basic attributes are permanently unlocked.
A reminder from your deity: From now on, you will grow ever stronger. Of course, no matter how powerful you become, ants are still but ants.

Rule Three: Among the 10,000 chosen, for every ten who fall, the survivors will be granted a choice—either an enhancement of one basic attribute or a comprehensive restoration and healing of their bodies.
Enhancement means: You may choose any one of your four basic attributes—physical endurance, mental capacity, strength, or speed—and increase its base value by 10% (i.e., an original value of 100 becomes 110, 200 becomes 220, and so on).
Comprehensive restoration and healing means: Your body will revert to its healthiest state, with all injuries repaired, organs restored, and flesh reconstituted—no matter how grievous your wounds, as long as breath remains, you will be restored to perfect health.
A reminder from your deity: You are being made stronger solely for my amusement!

Note to Rule Three: The first time the number drops by ten, you will receive both an attribute enhancement and a full body restoration. The enhancement effect will be multiplied tenfold.
A reminder from your deity: Cherish this opportunity—it may help you survive a little longer.

Rule Four: During these ten years, no more than ten humans on Earth may remain alive. If only one survives, I shall grant that person any wish, even the possibility of replacing me to become the new deity.
A reminder from your deity: Strive, ants! The chance to become divine is before you.”

There were only four rules in total.

The one that drew Li Gang’s particular attention was Rule One: Whatever this deity declares is the rule.

The deity’s reminder further emphasized not to attempt finding loopholes, as Rule One would take precedence over any others should inconsistencies arise.

In essence, the game was simple: the deity, seeking amusement, had transformed the world into a competitive stage. Li Gang and the other ten thousand chosen ones were to hunt and kill each other for ten years, performing for the deity’s entertainment.

However, the deity was not omnipotent and seemed to acknowledge that flaws might exist in the rules. Rule One was clearly designed to seal any potential loopholes.

This was Li Gang’s own speculation, though he dared not assert its absolute correctness.

Rule Two mentioned the permanent unlocking of the limits on their four basic attributes. These attributes were also referenced in Rule Three, but not explained in detail.

“Xiaobai, what exactly are the four basic attributes?” Li Gang asked directly.

Xiaobai was the artificial intelligence within his smart black wristband. Li Gang found the serial number 4444 too cumbersome and ominous, so he had given her a nickname instead.

No sooner had he finished asking than another virtual screen appeared before him, displaying a diagram of the human body with four values branching off to the sides, corresponding to physical endurance, mental capacity, strength, and speed.

Simultaneously, the cute, animated voice of Xiaobai sounded in his ears.

“Li Gang, the four basic attributes of the human body are: physical endurance, mental capacity, strength, and speed.

Physical Endurance: This determines how far you can travel on foot.
Simply put, it reflects your stamina, endurance, recovery rate, and the resilience of your flesh. The higher your physical endurance, the less easily you tire.

Mental Capacity: This determines how long you can remain alert and awake.
In essence, it encompasses your willpower, memory, and determination. The higher your mental capacity, the greater your psychological resilience, memory, learning ability, and comprehension.

Strength: This determines how much weight you can lift.
Put simply, it refers to your physical power—the explosive force your muscles can exert. The higher your strength, the more powerful your bursts of force.

Speed: This determines how quickly you can evade danger.
In essence, it's your agility, nervous system response, and dexterity. The higher your speed, the better these abilities.

For an adult male on Earth, the average values are: Physical Endurance 100, Mental Capacity 80, Strength 100, Speed 80.
For an adult female: Physical Endurance 80, Mental Capacity 100, Strength 80, Speed 100.

These figures were compiled by the great deity over thirty years, through careful calculation, observation, analysis, and summary of every person on Earth, and have been quantified accordingly.

On the diagram before you, your own four attributes are as follows:
Physical Endurance: 72
Mental Capacity: 67
Strength: 72
Speed: 60

Li Gang, all of your current basic attributes are below average.”

By the time Xiaobai finished her explanation, Li Gang had a clear understanding of what the four basic attributes represented. Hearing that he was below average in every category left him speechless.

The realization struck him: no wonder his life had been so mediocre. Not only could he not find a job after graduation, he spent his days in idleness, lacking ambition, content to drift through life, a self-proclaimed deadbeat.

So it wasn’t entirely his fault after all!

It was all determined by his innate conditions!

Thinking this, Li Gang nodded repeatedly, recalling his life—it seemed he had never truly excelled at anything. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became.

“Li Gang, you’re mistaken. Unless someone is born with a disability or a congenital defect, everyone’s innate qualities at birth may differ, but not by much. Your parents are both healthy, so your basic attributes at birth weren’t outstanding, but certainly not below average.

The four basic attributes constantly change as you grow.
Many factors influence their levels—nutrition after birth, environment, habits, personal effort, and more.
The current state of your attributes is largely due to your lack of effort in later years.”

Xiaobai, clearly able to read Li Gang’s thoughts, explained gently.

Li Gang was momentarily at a loss for words. He wasn’t surprised that Xiaobai could read his mind—he’d known from the start, since she had read his entire life’s data when first activated.

What she said was true: he had rarely put in any real effort, spending most days coasting along, seldom exercising, and never truly applying himself to his studies.

After years of indulgence and laziness, it was perfectly natural that all his attributes had fallen below average.

He couldn’t even recall when he had started down this path, but he didn’t think there was anything wrong with the way he had lived. After all, no one ever said you must strive relentlessly, or that you must spend your life in pursuit of achievements—especially when living in such a peaceful, carefree era.