Chapter 3: Pretty Face, Deadly Grace
"Welcome, our dear audience, to the most thrilling and exciting new season of the show that redefines the spirit of courage, resilience, survival, and challenge... Survival Quest."
This season, twenty brave participants from diverse backgrounds and professions have joined us. They've left behind their comfort, security, and mundane daily lives to prove just one thing: they are capable of facing nature, conquering it, and emerging victorious.
Over the next thirty days, our brave heroes will face various challenges, from wild, dangerous terrains, to ferocious predators, and even the plants in this forest may be deadly. Armed with nothing but a tiny survival kit containing barely enough food to last two days, the bare essentials, and simple weapons, they will rely solely on their unwavering determination and steadfast mentality as their weapon against these terrifying changes. They will test the limits of their adaptability, endurance, and survival in the face of these hardships.
This is no ordinary survival show. Dear Followers, here the stakes are real, the challenges are tough, and the rewards... are beyond compare. Will these contestants endure for an entire month? Which one will become a symbol of perseverance and innovation? Who will succumb to fear and weakness? And who will discover that this forest... demands far more than they ever imagined?
To our audience, prepare for breathtaking moments, life-altering decisions, and the true strength of the human spirit. And to the new contestants—welcome to the arena of survival. The forest awaits you, as does your destiny.
Let the journey begin.
Thunder_Toast:
"Wow, I've been waiting for this season to start forever!
Witty_Biscuit:
"Let's go. I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when they enter the forest!"
Mysterious_Toe:
"Last season was insane. I saw someone get bitten by a black snake. I bet it was the black mamba. Even though the guy didn't die, it was crazyyyyy..."
Paper Boat in the Wind:
"Wow, is this really a variety show? It looks so dangerous. What if the contestants die?"
Sleeping Taco:
"Looks like the little brother is new here. Of course, if anyone dies in the forest, the show won't be held responsible. That's because every participant has to sign a waiver and liability release form. This means that even if they die or get injured, it's all on them since they agreed to join the show."
Paper Boat in the Wind:
"Wow, I didn't know that. So is this show really dangerous? Can anyone survive even two days in this hell? That forest isn't just any forest; it could be more dangerous than the Amazon. It has snow-capped mountains, rugged terrain, poisonous plants everywhere, not to mention the predators, caves, and even sudden storms..."
Clumsy_Penguin:
"Don't worry, little brother. All the contestants are either strong athletes, military school graduates, or experienced adventurers. It's impossible to see a weak person among the-..."
It seems this fan suddenly stopped writing. This was because the camera, which had been broadcasting the faces of the twenty participants as they moved toward the helicopter, caught something that shocked the entire internet.
The commentator had always started the live broadcast without even introducing the contestants, partly for publicity and excitement, but also because the show would last an entire month, so personal introductions and details about the participants were meant to unfold through daily interactions.
So, the camera recorded the faces of the contestants without any explanations.
As the participants moved to board the helicopter, the camera captured each one of them and, of course, one of them was Sian. When the camera stopped on his stunning face, the audience, who had been cheering just a moment ago, went silent.
It wasn't that the contestants weren't handsome; they were all extremely good-looking, with every kind of hair and eye color. But Sian's beauty was different. He looked like a delicate and charming princess walking among monsters.
It might sound exaggerated, but honestly, if you saw the scene, the first thing that would come to mind is a small, weak rabbit standing among a group of fierce lions and wolves.
After a minute of shock, the network erupted again.
Dreaming in Wonderland:
"Hey, beauty, did you lose your way? Don't go over there... Hello..."
"OMG, who is this cute guy? Look at him, he looks like he's about to be eaten by the other contestants any moment."
"Maybe he's an athlete, he doesn't look like a soldier or an adventurer."
"If he's an athlete, I bet he plays ice dancing, hahaha."
"How did they even let him participate in such a dangerous show?"
"Okay, okay, we'll know soon enough. It's the first day and, of course, he'll introduce himself. Honestly, I like him. I feel like he'll make the show even more exciting and fun."
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...
The person who shocked everyone and made them look forward to his presence on this variety show was now resting his head against the seat, eyes closed.
The helicopter was so big, it looked more like a military plane. That's why the participants were seated in two-facing rows. The director and some photographers and assistants were also seated.
Even with advanced flying cameras and high-quality filming equipment, having something flying inside the helicopter could cause unnecessary problems. Plus, there were cameras in the corners of the helicopter focused on the contestants, and some photographers were recording. This, of course, was to process images and videos later into episodes of the show.
This was a live broadcast, but it wasn't free. Followers had to pay to watch the live stream and also become VIP members. Because of that, the show not only broadcasted live but also produced special two-hour episodes, which were aired on agreed-upon local channels.
Of course, watching the live stream was different, and the freely produced episode wouldn't be aired until ten days after the reality show started.
That's why there were millions of fans who preferred to pay to enjoy the live stream.
And also, this is the reason why Sian's identity as an idol wouldn't be revealed until later. It would cause a huge stir. All this in the near future.
The contestants looked at Sian with various expressions: some with mockery, others with pity, and still others confused about why someone like him would participate in such a dangerous show.
Sian kept his eyes closed but was fully aware of his surroundings. You could say this was a habit he developed after the apocalypse. He wouldn't lower his guard just because he was in a "safe" place. No one knew what could happen.
But he didn't mind letting these people stare at him. He couldn't control their eyes anyway, and frankly, he didn't care.
Suddenly, Sian felt a movement in the air, and it seemed to be targeting his face. In a split second, he opened his eyes and moved his hand... Then something cold was in his right hand. He was holding a red soda can.
He raised his gaze and looked coldly at the person who threw the can. It was one of the contestants. Although he had a strong body, he didn't seem as tough as the surrounding others. He had a childish face with delicate, arched eyebrows, large black eyes, and light pink-dyed hair.
He was smiling innocently, but the look in his eyes revealed a deep hatred and disdain. Was there even a hint of jealousy?
What the hell is wrong with this arrogant brat?
"Ah, sorry, sorry! " I meant to pass the soda to my buddy next to you, I didn't mean to throw it at you," the young man with pink hair stammered, looking like a scared puppy who had done something wrong.
But this trick didn't fool Sian. He had encountered many people like this in the apocalypse. They hid their evil side behind a mask of kindness and innocence. Honestly, this poor acting didn't fool even the other people there, so how could it fool Sian?!
Sian looked at the young man, smiling innocently and stuttering his apologies.
He shook the soda can in his hand and threw it upward for a few spins.
The young man with pink hair stared at Sian with a confused and questioning look, but he didn't have time to ask.
Because, suddenly, the soda can was flying toward his face. He was so stunned that he didn't move, but a hand from beside him reached out and caught the can just one centimeter away from his eyes. Then the soda can explode, splashing juice all over his face, making him look exactly like a wet puppy everywhere.
Marco's face was dripping with juice, and his pink hair was soaked too. After two seconds, he regained his senses and realized what had happened. That little bitch threw the can at him. If it hadn't been for the guy sitting next to him, his beautiful face would have been hit. How dare he do this to me, that little !
He wiped his face with his sleeve, then looked at Sian, who was smiling broadly at him, as if mocking his state.
Just as Marco had guessed, Sian was indeed mocking him, but not because he was covered in juice. It was because he didn't expect this person to miss the trajectory of the soda can flying directly toward him. He thought he was a little strong, so he used half his strength to throw the can at him.
The plan from the beginning was for the can to explode the moment it was caught. But he didn't expect it to be caught by the person next to Marco, not Marco himself.
He looked at the man who was wiping his hand with a wet napkin to get rid of the juice. That man was also looking at him, but with an amused smile. It seemed even he didn't expect the can to explode.
Not only him, but the audience watching the live stream was also in chaos.
Clumsy_Penguin: "Damn! Did anyone record that scene? I couldn't catch it!"
"Damn, that little angel is so strong."
Mommy's_Boy: "I just got hit with a broom by my mom because I yelled 'f*ck'... But, seriously, is this guy an immortal cultivator?"
Dreaming_in_Wonderland: "So handsome! Look at those glowing amber eyes when he's angry, look at those beautiful white joints. Who would've thought such power could be in those tiny, delicate hands?"
Bouncing_Squirrel: "Upstairs, I feel like you really want to lick those hands, get a grip on yourself, man."
Mysterious_Toe: "For anyone who wants to see that thrilling scene again, I just posted it on my Weibo a few seconds ago."
Crazy_Fish_97: "Ah, I'm going, I'm going! I want to see that killer beauty again."
Sleepy_Taco: "heyy, doesn't anyone here feel sorry for that poor wet puppy?"
Thunder_Toast: "Nah, buddy, are you blind? It's obvious that that person threw the can right at the little angel's face when our angel was asleep and doing nothing. Honestly, instead of pity, I'm really happy. What would've happened if the little angel hadn't caught the can? I can't imagine that divine face getting a bruise."
Witty_Biscuit: "Yeah, he deserved it. Stay away from our angel, you ugly."
"Stay away from the angel!"
"+1 Stay away."
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Do u think that man is our ML?
We will found out next chapter (✯ᴗ✯)
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