"The slips have been randomized. None know which bears death." He Zhi's boots clicked as she snatched a paper ball. "Your tricks mean nothing to me."  

    Shi Yi's cross-embroidered robes billowed as pseudo-divine threads connected to San Yin's eyes - visible only to Yu Yi. When Rhine reached for her slip, all twelve glowed crimson.  

    "Can't let you cheat our protagonist." Yu Yi's dagger pinned San Yin's hand to a candelabra. Blood pooled across zodiac carvings. "Enjoy your own death warrant?"  

    Rhine stared, trembling. The 01 code on Yu Yi's collarbone flared - matching Lin Yi's collar. Su Luan's gaze sharpened.  

    [Warning! Illogical actions detected!]  

    "1:00 remaining." The steward's fangs glistened. Iron manacles clamped onto all candidates. "Vote your sacrifice."  

    "Let's see if everyone dies together." Yu Yi grinned at the countdown. "More fun that way."  

    Screams erupted as mechanisms ground. Voting screens lit: *Yu Yi: 6 votes.* A cannon barrel emerged, aimed at his skull.  

    "……System, what happens if I die here?"  

    [Physical termination.]  

    "Farewell, unreturning hero—"  

    "Stop!" Rhine lunged.  

    Su Luan's yellowed talisman tore. Twin deities materialized - Hypnos with feathered blindness, Thanatos coiled like smoke.  

    "Our little princess calls." Thanatos traced Su Luan's jaw. "Costly favor."  

    "Save him."  

    The steward's ears drooped as divine light erupted. Manacles shattered.  

    "You……changed." Rhine touched Yu Yi's 01 brand.  

    Su Luan approached, hair sparking against his cheek. Her irises fractured into kaleidoscopic deaths - all her own, clocks frozen at 3:21.  

    "Mediator." She revealed glowing fissures on her neck. "I've sought you eternities."