God's imitator

Chapter 12 Hidden Rules
Lin Sizhi went to the second floor, where there were rooms numbered 1 to 12.

The entrances to each room are cleverly separated, preventing doors from facing each other or sharing a corridor.

The room numbers are in a random order.

This makes the entire second floor somewhat like a maze, but it also better protects everyone's privacy.

Lin Sizhi quickly found room number 12, which, like the community entrance, required a visa to enter.

The room is quite spacious; it's a very luxurious suite with a large living room, a private study, a cozy-looking bedroom, and a clean and bright bathroom.

The room has all the necessary daily necessities. In a prominent position in the living room, there is a large whiteboard with a striking poster that reads "Community Basic Rules and Notices".

Lin Sizhi glanced at it briefly, and it was consistent with the rules that had been explained in the hall earlier.

There is also a laptop computer on the desk in the study.

Unfortunately, this computer was not connected to the internet, and there were very few available software programs on it.

On the homepage of your computer browser, you'll find a list of all the games in the arcade, along with their detailed rules.

This is consistent with what everyone saw on the large screen in the lobby.

In addition, you can also check the remaining visa time, check the prices of goods, and so on on the computer.

In other words, all the functions in the lobby, including the large screen and vending machines, can be operated on a personal laptop with better privacy.

Lin Sizhi moved the mouse and looked at the rules of a few more games.

Suddenly, a brand new pop-up window appeared on the computer screen.

Hello, Lin Sizhi.

[“Redemption Roulette” received an S rating, it seems your understanding of the role of “God’s copycat” is currently superior to that of other game designers. Hopefully, this is not a coincidence.]

All copycats who receive an S rating will have a special privilege: they can freely conceal any extra visa time they receive as copycats in any public visa time inquiry system.

I hope you will make good use of this privilege.

Now, the gallery extends a new design invitation to you:

Design a game for all players to complete the allocation of time for the first visa application.

The game design document is in your desk drawer.

The deadline is 8 AM tomorrow. You have 12 hours to complete the game design.

The "Arcade" will evaluate all submitted proposals and adopt the highest-rated design to set up the game area.

Participation will be mandatory for all players.

[Now, the 12-hour countdown begins. Please make your choice.]

Lin Sizhi raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

It wasn't because of the sudden invitation to design games that he was surprised. Since he had already accepted his special identity, the invitation to design games for the "Arcade" could appear at any time.

He was fully prepared for this.

What truly surprised him was that this game design invitation was different from the last one.

It is not aimed at any specific criminal with relevant case details, but at "all players".

The purpose was not to "punish the sinner," but to "complete the allocation of the first visa time."

This game design invitation was sent to all players who have the identity of "God's imitator," which means that simply passing the review is not enough.

Lin Sizhi's game plan must be better than everyone else's plan in order to be selected by the arcade.

Then the problem is coming.

What kind of solution is considered "best" and will receive the highest score in the arcade's rating system?
Obviously, depending on individual understanding, each designer will have completely different answers.

Before reviewing the proposal, Lin Sizhi checked her remaining visa time on her computer. A new option appeared on the page: "Hide the extra visa time obtained due to her impersonation status in the public visa time query system."

After a brief moment of thought, Lin Sizhi naturally checked the box.

Then, he took out the game design document from the drawer to examine it.

It has the same format as the proposal I've seen before, except for some pre-filled details.

What Lin Sizhi paid particular attention to was the list of available items in this game.

1. Display devices: 4 units.

2. Timers: 8.

3. Simple loudspeakers: 8 units.

[4. Desktop platforms with customizable functions: 4 in total.]

5. Seating: Not limited.

6. Restraint devices: 8 units.

7. Standard playing cards: No restrictions.

8. Various tokens that can be exchanged for visa time: Unlimited

[9. Customizable special mechanisms: 8 sets.]

[10. Other scene props unrelated to the game content: No restrictions.]

[Note 1: Unless otherwise specified, the designer may decide the model and appearance of the props used.]

[Note 2: No item may be taken out of the game area; otherwise, it will disappear into thin air.]

[Note 3: All items are the quantities required for 'one game'. The Arcade will automatically match players for multiple games, and the required items will increase with the number of games played.]

"Has the degree of freedom actually decreased?"

Lin Sizhi looked at the item list, lost in thought.

When designing the "Redemption Roulette," there were significantly more available items and a higher degree of freedom compared to this time.

For example, the item list last time included weapons like guns and melee weapons that could directly damage players, but this time it doesn't.
Last time, there were no restrictions on the type of gambling equipment; any set of gambling equipment from the casino could be used. However, this time, the gambling equipment is strictly limited to playing cards.

"This shows that the game demand in the arcade this time has a very clear tendency."

"The absence of guns and melee weapons means that the arcade does not want widespread deaths in this game."

"After all, the goal of this game is not a trial, but merely to complete the allocation of the first visa time. Of all the gambling instruments, playing cards are the most common, which means the arcade wants to lower the barrier to entry for the game."

"Therefore, try to avoid choosing overly complicated poker games."

"There are three types of items: 4, 8, and unlimited. That is to say, the arcade encourages 4 to 8 people to match."

Although it was just a simple list of props, Lin Sizhi still managed to deduce a lot of information from it.

Clearly, each game invitation from the arcade carries an underlying requirement, but it is never explicitly stated.

Designers must figure it out themselves.

"Low risk" and "simple poker rules" are the two basic points of this game.

But these two points alone are not enough.

Lin Sizhi pondered for a moment: "Since the goal is to 'complete the allocation of time for the first visa application,' then there must be a 'selective' aspect."

The new world is certainly not paradise.

This is a cruel jungle world, only disguised in a false guise.

As stated when the rules were read: The gallery is the cleansing and judgment institution of the new world.

Judge the guilty and eliminate the waste.

Allocating visa time equally to everyone seems fair, but it absolutely does not meet the requirements of the consulate.

But how do we select them?

After careful consideration, Lin Sizhi began writing the game rules in the proposal.

Although there was still a relatively ample design time allotted, Lin Sizhi did not intend to spend too much time repeatedly considering the game's details, as doing so would be of little significance.

The game he designed wasn't complicated, so it was actually completed in just over an hour.

Lin Sizhi reviewed the entire plan from beginning to end, and after confirming that everything was correct, she wrote the words "Design Completed" in the bottom right corner of the last page.

A new message popped up on the computer screen.

[The gallery is currently reviewing your submitted proposal.]

[Review complete, approved.]

[Awaiting submissions from other designers]

Lin Sizhi closed the page on her computer.

He certainly couldn't be sure whether his proposal would be selected by the "Arcade," but now that things had come to this, any worry was unnecessary.

Lin Sizhi felt a little tired, and after washing up, she lay down on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

……

……

Lin Sizhi woke up naturally just after 7 a.m. the next morning.

"It's not a dream."

The unfamiliar scene before him reminded him that this was not a dream; he had indeed come to this place called the "New World," and he might have to stay here for a long time to come.

Will I be able to return to my original world in my lifetime?
No one can give a definitive answer right now.

However, Lin Sizhi was a person who took things as they came and was not too anxious about it.

After a quick wash, he went downstairs to the lobby.

Surprisingly, most people were already up. Lin Sizhi glanced around and saw that there were at least seven or eight people in the hall.

Good morning, Attorney Lin.

Fu Chen raised his hand to greet Lin Sizhi.

Lin Sizhi nodded in acknowledgment, then went to the vending machine and ordered a breakfast sandwich and a cup of hot milk, taking a total of 25 minutes for the visa interview.

Fu Chen ate the last fried egg on his plate: "By the way, Attorney Lin, you can use the kitchen if you want."

"Uncle Ding and Aunt Su used the kitchen this morning. There are plenty of tableware in it, enough for more than a dozen people, and they come in different colors and styles so they can be distinguished."

"Their tableware is placed in the far right corner of the sideboard. If you want to use it, it's best to put your own tableware in a designated place so it's easy to distinguish them."

"Also, they bought some ingredients and put them in the refrigerator. If you're going to buy ingredients, it's best to put them in different areas so they're easy to distinguish."

Lin Sizhi glanced in the direction of the kitchen: "I know, I don't need it for now."

Just as predicted, Ding Wenqiang and Su Xiuqin would eventually choose to cook for themselves in the kitchen.

They deliberately got up early in the morning, perhaps to avoid other people and avoid embarrassment. Of course, it's also possible that people their age are used to getting up early.

Not long after, Wang Yongxin, who was the last to get up, also arrived in the hall.

He seemed to be in good condition; he probably slept until he naturally woke up.

Overall, after a night's rest, most people were much more relaxed.

There's no need to work here, and for the time being, there aren't many things to worry about.

Aside from sunbathing by the window, drinking coffee, or reading a book, there really isn't much else to do.

Lin Sizhi went to the book reading area and briefly browsed through the books there.

There are common bestsellers as well as some complex and profound monographs; the variety is quite rich.

I have to say, this is a great place to clear your mind.

However, just as Lin Sizhi found a book and was about to sit down to read it, another notification appeared on the large screen in the lobby.

Good morning, players!

The "Arcade" will open in 1 hour.

[The game is called "Blood Poker," and the objective is to "complete the allocation of the first visa time." Participation is mandatory for all players in the New World. The game is an 8-player match with random matchmaking.]

Please prepare yourselves, players.

Then, a one-hour countdown appeared on the big screen.

59:59
59:58
(End of this chapter)