By noon, the registration desk had been dismantled, and volunteer selection was complete.

The death row inmates who had been chosen wasted no time spending their Contribution Points, eating and drinking without restraint. Some even treated others, sharing their joy.

"Six bottles of Foddin over here! It's on me!"

"One extra-large platter of Lobster Lala Fat! I'll pay with my Contribution Points!"

"Drinks for everyone! This round's on me, Black Beast Tuck!"

Once they became volunteers, only two outcomes awaited them. They either walked out alive or vanished without a trace. Contribution Points no longer mattered to them, and they might as well spend them all while they still could.

The cruelest thing in life was dying with money left unspent, but if there was anything more cruel, it was, perhaps, having money left unspent while desperately wanting to die.

Ronald Wade belonged to the latter. He stared at the lavish spread before him. His stomach growled, yet he couldn't summon a shred of appetite.

A server set down a mug of ice-cold ale, paid for by Black Beast Tuck. Ronald hadn't touched...