According to the invitation email, this event is unparalleled and incredibly exciting—even extreme sports can't compare. It promises the most primal sensory stimulation, and just one participation will be unforgettable for a lifetime.

Strangely, aside from that email, there was no other related promotion on the ship, and the other passengers seemed completely unaware of it. This was a bit different from what everyone had expected. If the organizers had really come up with such a spectacular event, there’s no way it would be so obscure.

“Is it possible... we’re the first group of participants?” David Carter sat down again. “There are people from all over—north, south, east, and west. If the event is really as amazing as they say, the news would probably spread worldwide the very next day.”

“Or there’s another possibility.” The American said indifferently, “That is, this event isn’t suitable for widespread publicity.”

“Mr. James, you mean...” Ethan looked at him.

“Would an ordinary game really interest all of you?” he countered.

This made Anthony Smith show a meaningful smile.

So-called ordinary games, of course, refer to legal games. If life is seen as a game, then the law is nothing more than the greatest set of restrictions.

The more you cross the line, the greater the thrill.

“Miss...” the burly man frowned again.

“But we’re on a cruise ship,” David Carter reminded. “No matter how amazing the game concept is, it has to be realized on the ship. I really can’t think of what new tricks could be pulled off here.”

Surely it couldn’t be a real-life battle royale, right?

“How about we make a guess?” James pulled a chip from his pocket, the golden rim signifying a value of two hundred thousand. “Winner takes all—let’s call it a little wager before the game.”

A two hundred thousand dollar wager—four people, that’s eight hundred thousand.

Even excluding himself, winning six hundred thousand in one go is no small sum.

“No need, none of you will be able to guess it.”

Suddenly, someone interrupted.

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw a man in a purple vest and pure black trousers walk into the room. He wore a Sichuan opera mask in red and black, completely covering his face, and a name tag hung on his chest, with the word 朝阳 (chao-yang) written in multiple languages.

There was no doubt—this was the host of the game.

“Thank you for waiting. The game is ready and will begin shortly.”

“Wait, wait, wait, we’re starting right here?” Joe James put away the chip. “You haven’t even explained what kind of game this is.”

“That’s right,” Mark Smith agreed. “There should at least be an introduction to the rules, right?” “Actually, that’s not important,” the host smiled. “Please look at the table.”

At some point, a VR headset had appeared in front of each person!

There was nothing strange about the VR headsets themselves—what shocked them was that this was a stone table, with nothing underneath except the legs, making it impossible to hide any secret compartments. And since the host entered, he’d been standing by the door, never approaching the table. In just a few seconds, how did the headsets appear?

“So... the game you’ve planned really is just a game?” The Russian picked up the VR headset, his face showing displeasure.

That attitude was already quite polite.

If not for the VR headsets appearing out of thin air and surprising him, he probably would have slammed the table and left already.

Let people like them play video games? And claim it would be unforgettable for a lifetime? That’s clearly treating them like fools! Who are the people on this ship? Who hasn’t tasted the finest delicacies, who hasn’t been to the highest peaks or the deepest seas? Anything that can be enjoyed just by spending money is nothing to them.

Virtual games? That’s just entertainment for the poor!

“Didn’t the email say? Even if you exhaust all your imagination, you still can’t picture the game itself, let alone describe it in mere words,” the host said politely. “The reason I’m not introducing it is because it can’t be introduced. All you need to do is put on the headset and experience it for yourselves.”

The four looked at each other.

But the host was right about one thing—they were already here, and putting on a VR headset wouldn’t take much effort. If it really was false advertising, they had ways to hold the Caribbean company accountable—and at that point, it wouldn’t be a matter that could be settled with a million-dollar entry fee.

Reputation—especially among the wealthy and powerful—was of utmost importance to a company specializing in luxury cruises.

“Let’s give it a try, then.” James sighed dramatically. “But you’d better watch out for the angry Russian—if you can’t satisfy him, the tigers in Siberia won’t mind an extra meal.”

“Miss, I’ll wait for you outside.” The burly man, now reassured, bowed slightly to Ethan and then left the room.

Seeing the others put on their VR headsets, David Carter also placed the headset over his face.

“I’m ready. Now what?”

No one answered. The surroundings were so quiet, it was as if everything had frozen.

Wait a minute, this thing is a headset, not earmuffs—how could it suddenly make the room go silent?

Something’s not right!