Chapter 16 (1/2)
Translator: Atlas StudiosEditor: Atlas Studios
Although he had expected it, when he heard that Blood Moon Judgment was indeed a death sentence, Ash’s heart could not help but skip a beat.
In actuality, he had more or less held on to a little fantasy. Perhaps the people here could recognize that he wasn’t the leader of a cult. Perhaps he still had to go through a long period of trial, or perhaps there were two years of reprieve for the death sentence…
This fantasy reached its peak after he entered the prison. As Ash saw it, how could a death row criminal possibly have such a nice room with its own bathroom?
How could a death row criminal possibly move freely in prison?
How could a death row criminal possibly receive such good treatment in prison?
Runner’s words shattered all his childish hopes—it was precisely because they were going to die that the prison treated them so well.
“The prison domesticates us just to let us die more miserably?” Ash said with difficulty. “Isn’t this a waste of resources?”
“Would you disdain fireworks for not blowing up with enough brilliance?” Runner smiled and said, “I’m very surprised. You really don’t seem to know much about the Blood Moon Judgment. That’s a live broadcast program in every city. Most citizens would stay home at 8 PM on the first and fifteenth of every month to turn on the hologram and watch the end of every sinner together. The ratings are close to 70%.
“By the way, compared to the advertisement fees brought in by Blood Moon Judgment, the prison’s expenses on us are really nothing.”
“Watching executions” was actually a popular program in this world…
The corner of Ash’s mouth twitched. “This is ridiculous. How can 70% of people watch entertainment programs at 8 PM without working overtime? I think they just don’t have enough work…”
Runner wasn’t the least bit surprised by Ash’s useless rage.
He had seen too much of the ugliness of death row criminals when the Blood Moon Judgment was approaching. Their reactions ranged from denouncing the social system to criticizing the ignorance of the people in the world. One would see everything if they’ve stayed in this prison for long enough.
“But if you want to escape from the Blood Moon Judgment, it’s not impossible either.”
Ash perked up. “How?”
Runner did not keep him in suspense and said straightforwardly, “Although one person will definitely die in every Blood Moon Judgment, there will be eight people who will participate. These eight people are not fixed but ranked according to ‘contribution points’.”
“Every death row criminal will initially have 50 contribution points. 10 points are deducted every month. However, it doesn’t matter if it’s deducted to 0. The prison won’t do anything to a death row criminal because of this.”
“But the higher the contribution points, the later they are in sequence for judgment, and the lower the contribution points, the earlier they are in sequence for judgment. Theoretically speaking, the top eight in the sequence are the participants of the Blood Moon Judgment.”
“There are many ways to earn contribution points. The simplest way is to create value. Although Memory Masters had retrieved all our memories before we came to prison, rendering any intelligence we could provide worthless, we still have many ways to make contributions.
“Some people came in because of malfeasance and corruption. They can suggest institutional improvements to reduce the possibility of subsequent malfeasance and corruption.
“Some people came in because of illegal experiments. They can continue to do legal experiments and write papers in prison.
“Some people had all sorts of talents to begin with. There are even people who write best-selling books in prison. Naturally, that can be considered creating value.”
“But in this prison, there are more who came in for murder, and detest labor and advocate plunder by nature—such as me.” Runner pointed at Ash. “And such as you.
“Then, how would we get contribution points? The Deathmatch Society is our answer.”
Ash realized something. “You just said that there’s a cost for participating in the deathmatch…”
“In addition to death and pain, the greatest price of a death match is the transfer of contribution points,” Runner said. “In each death match, both sides must place a certain amount of contribution points. The victor will escape the Blood Moon, and the loser will be judged.”