The staff gathered around the large cage, observing the white tiger inside.

"This white tiger is huge and majestic," one said. "It's less energetic after its injection, but still intimidating. I can't imagine how scary it will be when it recovers."

Another added, "Whoever raised it is incredibly skilled. Many organizations research crossbreeding wild animals to create new species, but few succeed. Releasing this tiger would end the game for everyone."

"Well," a third voice chimed in, "Xtreme Survival is about to become an extreme escape show. Interesting!"

"Aren't the bosses worried about the trouble if too many players die?" someone asked.

"As long as the players signed the contract, no one cares if they die," came the reply.

"You're overthinking it," another said. "Nardor is lawless."

"No wonder they chose Nardor, the world's most chaotic country," someone observed. "The government couldn't care less. Their online environment is terrifying too. I was shocked watching a medical examiner perform a livestream autopsy. There are countless other creepy livestreams."

The crew unloaded iron cages from the truck, but they didn't release the animals until receiving orders. The survival show had just begun; they needed to let the players orient themselves.

Meanwhile, a dozen billionaires watched the Xtreme Survival livestream in a large conference room. Three screens displayed different feeds: the public broadcast, an investor-only internal broadcast, and global broadcast data, including betting activity. The internal broadcast showed the crew unloading the cages.

The long conference table held fruit, snacks, and glasses of red wine. The investors watched, ate, and drank.

Kenji Mockasin, a billionaire from Japrium with a handlebar mustache, exclaimed, "Mr. Wade, where did you find such a huge white tiger? It's magnificent! It'll terrify the players, but once freed, it'll kill them all within days. How will the show continue? Our revenue will plummet!"

John Wade, a billionaire from Atharia, elegantly sipped his wine and smiled. "I bought this tiger for $10 million. Don't worry. It won't kill everyone. Jeffrey will protect anyone who seeks refuge with him."

"But even though Jeffrey is powerful, this tiger is unusual. He can't defeat it, right?" Kenji asked.

John raised a finger. "No. Before the show, I had someone train the tiger and Jeffrey. Jeffrey has something to frighten the tiger, and I also gave him secret weapons. He's invincible in the forest!"

Kenji was shocked. "Mr. Wade, why did you do that?" The other billionaires also looked at John.

"Do you know why Jeffrey joined this season?" John asked, pausing for effect. "It's because Evangeline Castillo from Clusia demanded it. I didn't understand why until she forced the director to cut his tongue in half. Then I remembered what happened ten years ago. The players on this season's roster are the same as ten years ago. Evangeline must have known that girl. She wants revenge for her humiliation."

Everyone was stunned. Some had been involved in the incident; others knew about it. Ten years had passed, and they'd forgotten until John mentioned it.

"Evangeline is overconfident," Kenji scoffed. "How dare she try to avenge the dead girl alone? She'll become our plaything, just like the dead girl."

"First, let Jeffrey abuse her on the show for exposure," John chuckled. "Then we'll bring her here and have her experience what her sister went through ten years ago. She'll learn ants can't kill an elephant."

Kenji rubbed his hands. "You're thoughtful, Mr. Wade. We'll make money and get a new plaything! Clusian women are amazing! I still remember that girl ten years ago!"

The billionaire from Kepraria glanced at Evangeline on screen with contempt. "Humph! An arrogant Clusian woman! I can't wait to see her cry." The other billionaires also regarded Evangeline as prey.

"Evangeline's better than the girl from ten years ago. Better figure, hotter temper. Taming her will be more fulfilling!"

"I can't wait to see her kneel before us!"

"I'm looking forward to—"

"Does anyone still have the video from ten years ago? I want to watch it again."

"I have it. Let's put it on the screen!"

"When Evangeline arrives, let's show it to her!" A laugh followed.

Evangeline and her companions reached a supply drop-off point, but twelve others were already fighting over supplies. They weren't in teams, so they fought each other. Marian, Leigh, and Riley teamed up, quickly defeating several opponents. Evangeline then stole their supplies. One tried to resist, but Evangeline slapped him, knocking out a tooth. The remaining eight attacked her. Someone used a smoke grenade. Those with grenades also had goggles providing a ten-foot range of vision in the smoke. The man with the grenade ambushed Leigh and Riley. Just as he thought he'd won, something moved through the smoke, knocking everyone down.

When the smoke cleared, everyone lay on the ground, hands bound behind their backs. One man hung upside down from a tree. Only Evangeline was unharmed, still on all fours until everyone else fell. The man with the grenade was severely beaten.

"Evangeline, what's wrong with you? Why did you hit your teammates?" he yelled.

He hadn't expected her to attack indiscriminately instead of panicking. Marian and the others were also silent and injured. They hadn't expected Evangeline to attack them.

Evangeline kicked the man. "Don't yell at me! Watch your language! Millions are watching!"

She searched him, taking his grenades and using his clothes as a bag. Then she checked the supplies.

Approaching Marian, she asked, "Are you okay?"

"You beat us. What do you think?" Marian retorted.

Evangeline pinched her chin. "Why don't you quit?"

Marian sat up, spitting blood. "I can handle it."

Leigh: "I only lost a tooth."

Riley: "I curled into a ball and rolled. Just bruises."

Evangeline felt guilty.

[Holy cow! Evangeline stunned me again!]

[I thought she'd panic, but she turned a disadvantage into an advantage!]

[Evangeline lives up to her name! Unpredictable!]

Evangeline: "I'll protect myself first. If I can't distinguish friend from foe, I'll attack indiscriminately. I might kill you."

Leigh: "Just protect yourself." Marian and Riley agreed.

Evangeline led the way. They had minor injuries. This forest was more primitive than the one in Jungle Survival. It was muggy and humid, with lush vegetation and decaying leaves. Insects fled as they walked. Evangeline crushed centipedes, millipedes, and scorpions to prevent poisoning.

[Oh my! This is a real old-growth forest! Shivers!]

[Jungle Survival is nothing compared to this. The production team must have removed the venomous creatures.]

[Horrible! But Evangeline didn't even frown!]

[Evangeline is heartless! She killed them! It's cruel!]

[She should be shut out by the media!]

[Blame the production team! Animals and insects die every season! You knew what you were watching!]

[Give me your address if you love animals so much! I'll send you cockroaches.]

Walking further, Evangeline found something wrong with the ground. She tried to step back, but a noose tightened around her foot. A powerful force pulled her up, hanging her upside down from a tree. Marian and the others screamed.