When Eugene was about to take his first step on the bridge, he noticed a miserable man curled up at
the corner of the balcony. “Uhh, if this man doesn’t go on the bridge first, I can’t cross the bridge
carefreely.”
With that thought, Eugene retracted his leg and decided to talk to the man. I will start crossing the
bridge after him. That way, I don’t have to worry about the things happening behind my back. If he
blocks my path later, I can always push him off the bridge.
Although Eugene had just debuted, he was as cruel as anybody there because he had been in society
for many years.
Eugene went forward and pushed that miserable man. The man was skinny, and he looked
malnourished and extremely sick.
“Are you going to get on the bridge? If you want to give up, you can follow the organizer and get down
from the balcony. If you still want to cross the bridge, I suggest you hurry up,” said Eugene. I’m eighty
percent sure he doesn’t have the guts to step on the bridge. However, I still have to scare him, as I will
only feel relieved if he leaves the place.
One could see the terror in the man’s eyes. He was so afraid that the nails on his fingers pierced
through his arms.
“I can’t leave. My son is still waiting for the money…” Although the man was afraid, he didn’t want to
give up.
Eugene snorted at his reply. Why is he pretending to be a great father? Besides me, most people
standing here are debt-owing gamblers. They are mostly the parasite of their family. I don’t think
anyone here is a good father and responsible husband. A person that is addicted to gambling is
heartless!
“If you really want to save your son, you should start crossing the bridge as soon as possible. There
isn’t much time left,” said Eugene.
The man stretched his head out and looked outside the balcony that was a hundred meters from the
ground. After taking a glance, the man almost fainted as he was terrified. “I-I’m scared. I’m afraid of
heights!”
Eugene hated indecisive people. He looked at the time and realized there were only twenty minutes
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtleft. At that moment, the fastest contestant had only reached the middle of the bridge. Fear was like a
heavy shackle slowing everyone down.
“How much is your debt?” asked Eugene. “You can get twenty million if you successfully walk over to
the other end of the bridge!”
“Three million… However, if I die, there is nobody in the family who can take care of my son.”
“If you give up here, you will owe the organizer ten million. When that happens, I’m sure you can’t look
after your son anymore. Do you understand?” Eugene forcefully pulled the man up and dragged him in
front of the iron bridge.
The man immediately cried and crawled back to the balcony after taking a step forward. It seemed like
he still couldn’t conquer his fear of heights.
“Useless!” Eugene despised people like this. How can he say he is a great and loving father if he
doesn’t dare to sacrifice his life for his son? All his actions are merely for show.
“Hmm, since he is a coward, it will be easier for me. I don’t think he will start crossing the bridge. As
time is running out, I should quickly start my journey,” Eugene mumbled.
Eugene decided not to bother the man. He then took his first step on the iron bridge.
All the gamblers were courageous. After a few people died, they finally conquered their fear.
Unfortunately, when they were about to reach the finishing line, a strong gust of wind blew on the
contestants as they stood on the bridge between the two high-rise buildings.
Instinctively, many of the people hugged the iron bridge. As electric currents flowed through the iron
bridge, they passed through the people’s bodies and burned them. Along with their cries, they lost their
grip and fell to the ground.
The gamblers who felt more confident about the situation moments ago were in a mess again. The
cries of the people falling and the howling wind that would occasionally blow on them caused them to
have the thought to retreat.
Just like that, two groups of people had a dispute on the narrow bridge. One group wanted to fall back,
while the other wanted to move forward. The result of the two fighting parties would mean they would
fall off the bridge together. Staring at the scene in front of him, Eugene was worried that the person in
front would start moving backward. Thus, he had no choice but to make the first move and push the
person off the bridge.
When Eugene was about to do so, he suddenly noticed someone coming toward him from behind.
Cautiously, Eugene turned his head and saw the miserable father, who mustered up his courage,
walking in his direction.
“F*ck! Why didn’t he overcome his fear just now or afterward? Why does he have the courage to walk
on the bridge now! Wouldn’t I end up in a difficult situation?” Eugene was frustrated. If the man, who
got on the bridge last, had a wicked idea, Eugene’s life might end here.
Half of the people in front of Eugene fell off the bridge. At the moment, only a few people were left on
the iron bridge. As expected, Eugene was gifted. He could suppress his fear and take every step
steadily. Gradually, he headed toward his destination. However, the cries from people, who slipped off
the bridge, made him feel anxious. In addition, the wind on the high-rise building would blow
unexpectedly. Every time he thought about these, fear arose within his heart. He didn’t know when he
would mentally collapse.
There were only five minutes left, and Eugene was about ten meters away from the finishing line.
Besides that, only three people remained on the bridge. The person closest to the finishing line was a
courageous gambler. As for Eugene, he was the next in line. Therefore, naturally, the person behind
him was that miserable father.
However, because the miserable man had acrophobia, he froze on the spot after walking a few meters.
He dared not look at the ground. Instead, he stared at Eugene’s back.
“Please… help… me…” the man begged for Eugene’s help. The latter felt troubled when he heard the
man’s voice.
“Shut up!” At the moment, Eugene’s calves were shaking profusely due to the tension. He was worried
that his calves would cramp because of his mental issues. If that happened, everything would be over.
Suddenly, the gambler at the front yelled. The person fell off the bridge when he was two steps away
from the finishing point. His ear-piercing cries echoed between the two buildings.
“D*mn it! I can’t believe they will do something so despicable…”
Eugene observed the area and found out that there were two sharp steel thorns near the end of the
iron bridge. As a person would feel tensed when walking on the bridge, the steel thorns would be
invisible to most people. In other words, the organizers set up a trap and waited for the contestants to
step on it.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
It was apparent that the people behind this game didn’t want any of the gamblers to win. That was
because people were betting on the gamblers. Many people inside the building placed bets on the
gamblers through a surveillance camera. If they thought a gambler had the potential to survive, they
would place the bet according to their assumptions. Of course, some would buy that all of the gamblers
would die. Thus, the two steel thorns should be a way the organizers secure their win.
Eugene inhaled a deep breath. He couldn’t concentrate due to the many unforeseeable circumstances
happening around him. If Eugene were at the gambling table, he wouldn’t be in such an embarrassing
state.
“All the best! I’m sure you can reach the finishing line!” When Eugene was still deep in his thought, he
heard a person encouraging him from behind. Hearing that, Eugene was shocked as he turned around.
Is that miserable man cheering for me? But why? Why is he encouraging me when he is in a more
dangerous state than I am? Isn’t he afraid of heights? Moreover, he looks so weak a breeze can send
him flying away from the bridge. So, what makes him think he is worthy enough to cheer for me?
Although there were numerous questions running through Eugene’s mind, the man’s words comforted
him. At least his legs were no longer shaking uncontrollably.
“I’m sure I can’t reach the finishing point. However, young man, I know you are different from us at first
glance. You are a man that can be successful in life. Thus, you must continue to cross the bridge. You
must survive.” The man continued to encourage Eugene while he choked up.
Even though Eugene was ruthless, he felt touched when he heard such words during a life-and-death
situation. In reality, he was cruel, not heartless. Eugene was indifferent because he had seen too much
evil side of a human being. However, that didn’t mean he hated a person who showed love.
“Stop talking. We will cross the bridge together. Your son is still waiting for you,” replied Eugene.
After all, humans could not live alone. They would show unity under extreme circumstances like this.
The man wiped away his tears. “Forget it. I should probably return to the starting point, as I cannot take
another step forward. I need to stay alive to take care of my son. I wish you the best of luck! You’re
almost there! Oh, one more thing. When the wind blows, you can squat down and hold onto your shoes
to maintain your balance and counter the electric currents flowing through the bridge.”
Piqued by the suggestion, Eugene’s eyes gleamed. Why didn’t I think of this? Now, I am not afraid
even if the wind blows on me. At the man’s suggestion, Eugene was confident as he overcame his fear.
You’ve helped me. If I successfully get through this stage and get the money, I will help you pay part of
your debts. Eugene was only a few steps from the finishing line. He would be the winner after walking
over the two steel thorns.