The Place Where Everything Begins

"I told you killing him is the best way out for all of us!"

"I agree with you..."

"What are you people saying? He also fights hard against the monsters; he doesn't deserve to be a sacrifice like that."

"But he is a fucking killer!"

"A killer is also a fucking human. Damned you!"

"Can... can we find another way? I... I think there must be a peaceful method to lea..."

"Peaceful? You nuts, gramps? There is no more peace after we were brought here. It is either kill or be killed. Remember that."

*Sob* *Sob*

"I don't... I don't want people to be killed..."

The situation was chaotic as much as it could be, as the people of all ages with different opinions to stay together within the rectangular-shaped chamber like this...

A gramps sought to ask for another way out of this situation 'peacefully'.

A kid even cried for fear of someone being killed; how naive was that?

When most people were arguing with one another endlessly, trying to convince and express their thoughts and opinions for others to understand and agree with them, some people currently chose to keep quiet.

The reason for their quietness was because... they were still thinking...

Thinking whether to step out of the middle, grey zone and choose one of the two sides or not...

After all, if they chose to kill Benjamin for their own survival, it was also akin to stepping their own feet into an unredeemable road.

As after that, there was no going back for them anymore...

However, if they somehow chose to spare Benjamin and fight for another round against the monsters, it actually meant they would have to throw the immediate survival opportunity ahead of them away into a trash can.

Nevertheless, the norms from their old Earth were still there, as the concept of good and bad was mainly defined by people in the society.

Still, this place was not Earth...

When nobody knew, and there was nobody here to judge their decisions and actions anymore, then the concept of good and bad also did not inherently exist anymore the same.

This was such an ideal place for everyone to behave anyhow they wanted...

This was precisely the place where nobody knew about...

This was also undoubtedly the place where nobody would judge them and their actions...

That's why some people fell silent when this kind of situation commenced...

That's why some people were thinking, for it was such a dilemma worth thinking about...

Left zone, the good one defined by the old norms, they chose to discard their immediate survival but still retain humanity.

Right zone, the bad one defined by the old norms, they chose to discard their humanity but would survive for another day.

Those thinking so deeply right now were none other than Mitchell, Joshua, Bob, Grayson, and three other combatants.

As for Eddie?

He had long wanted Benjamin dead, but the man had somehow miraculously survived the onslaught from two goblins. So, this was such an excellent opportunity to seek revenge for Skylar.

Thus...

"I also agree. Let's kill him."

Eddie's manly voice resounded amidst the chaotic 'debating' stage, causing everyone to turn their heads to look at him instinctively.

After all, Eddie was one of the two leaders; his opinion naturally held more weight than other people here.

If he said so, then who would disagree with hi...

"Wait..." Mitchell spoke up suddenly.

Well, another leader of the group might disagree with him sometimes.

When everyone had heard Mitchell's sudden voice, they alternately shifted their eyes between Eddie and Mitchell, waiting for the two following words.

Of course, Eddie chose to keep quiet for now because Mitchell had shot him a look that said, 'do not speak any further'.

After seeing he finally gained everyone's attention, Mitchell spoke his mind,

"We cannot argue with one another like this, and we also cannot postpone the decision whether to kill Benjamin or not. Thus, I would like to suggest that we vote... vote for kill or not kill."

"Tsk!"

A certain bald-headed someone, who had been interfered midway by Mitchell, clicked his tongue audibly.

However, the water current seemed to favor Mitchell more, for many people had nodded their heads in agreement while some chose to keep quiet, still thinking about choosing between kill and not kill.

When everyone was busy with their own thoughts, a man voice was heard suddenly,

"If we are going to vote, can I suggest something?"

The person who had spoken was surprisingly Joshua...

After Mitchell had heard Joshua's request, he nodded his head slightly and said,

"You may tell."

"Alright, if we are going to vote anyway, let's make it more secret and confidential. What do you guys think?"

While saying so, Joshua skimmed past everyone's face to see their reactions.

Unsurprisingly, no one disagreed this time, as they thought that secrecy regarding a sensitive matter like this should be kept only to themselves.

Like that, no third party would know what their decisions were; subsequently, the only one who could judge whether their choice was right or wrong would be themself alone. 

From now on, only the fittest would survive...

"Okay, I agree..."

"I agree, too."

"I don't see any problem with that."

"Alright..."

"..."

After hearing Joshua's proposal, everyone started agreeing one by one with the notion of anonymous voting.

When Mitchell saw most people had voiced out their endorsements regarding the anonymous voting, he spoke up again,

"So, it has been decided then. We will vote by writing 'yes' for the kill and 'no' for the no-kill. Does anyone disagree?"

Mitchell paused for a bit to see everyone's feedback; after seeing no one had dissented with the idea, he continued,

"Alright, Anna, please cut the paper into pieces and distribute them to everyone. As for the pen, you guys can take turns to use one, or you can use your SP to buy another one for yourself from the Shop."

When a woman in her 40s, who used to bicker with Benjamin ever since everyone first came into this place, had heard Mitchell's words, she promptly brought out a notebook from her bag and tore it into pieces before distributing them to everyone.

Well, Anna was actually a clergy and secretary of the group, so it was normal for her to carry a bag full of writing-related stuff.

Not long after, the paper pieces were finally handed out to everyone thoroughly...

Upon seeing Anna turn her head to nod at him, Mitchell looked at the crowd and spoke again,

"I believe everyone had already received the paper; now you guys can vote. Please note that 'yes' for the kill and 'no' for the no-kill. Moreover, do keep in mind that this decision of yours will decide everyone's fate, so think about it thoroughly."

After saying so, Mitchell also turned his back towards other people and wrote his own choice within the paper piece without letting others see or know his decision.

In fact, everyone was also doing the same as Mitchell, for they didn't want others aware of their choice.

Thus, the silence of the calm before the storm reigned in the tutorial chamber once again...