Every story is the same, nowadays. A major conflict fleshed out chapter after grueling chapter, some explosions or something of the sort, a villain bent on world domination, ruthlessly murdered by a heroic vigilante in a cape and tights, and everybody living happily ever after! Doesn't this saccharine bullshit get tiring?

Wouldn't you rather take a gamble?

I apologize for my outburst, dear reader. Allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Porter, and although I may not sound like it, I am an expert storyteller, if I do say so myself.

The story I'm going to tell is, in fact, different from the ones you've heard so many times before. You see, past a certain point, I don't know what the fuck is going to happen.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Oh dear. Excuse my profanity, please.

All I know is, everyone in this story is going to play a game. The winners of this game will live, and the losers of this game will die. It may be a bit morbid, but it will become apparent soon enough why the stakes are so high. Our players, sadly enough, do not know the rules of the game yet. And that's about all I know! Anything else before we begin?

My my, you're right! I've forgotten to even introduce you to the players yet, now haven't I…

No worries, I'll just introduce you to them now! One more thing before we depart, though...I cannot tell you how this story will end, simply because I do not know myself. I can promise you, though, that I will report every event as I see it, and restrain no information whatsoever. As my audience, you deserve to know every bit of what happens! So, please do trust what I say. That's all I ask of you, to stand by my word every step of the way. I promise, I'll show you the truth.

Now, shall we?

[End of Prologue to the Prologue.]