The Juggernaut System

​The roar of the private jet’s engines was the only sound Alex could hear, aside from the thumping of his own heart.

​He sat stiffly on the handcrafted Italian leather seat, afraid that his cheap suit—bought from a discount store for $50—would scratch the expensive material. He subconsciously pressed his hand against his chest pocket. Inside, there was a small, red velvet box.

​It contained a diamond ring. 0.5 carats.

​To the people in this circle, it was trash. But for Alex, a delivery driver who worked sixteen hours a day, it represented three years of savings. It was his life, his promise, his everything.

​"Nervous?"

​A soft, melodic voice broke his trance.

​Alex looked up and saw Alice walking towards him from the cabin bar. She was wearing a red silk dress that hugged her curves perfectly, looking like a goddess who had descended from the heavens. She held two crystal glasses filled with amber liquid.

​"A... a little," Alex stammered, his face flushing red. "I still can't believe this is real. You, me... going to a private island."

​Alice sat opposite him, her smile flawless. But if Alex had looked closely, he would have seen that the smile didn't reach her eyes. Her eyes were cold, like a frozen lake.

​"Believe it, Alex," she said softly, handing him a glass. "You’ve worked so hard. You deserve a... reward."

​Alex took the glass with trembling hands. "Alice, I know I’m poor. I know I’m just a delivery guy. But I swear, I will treat you like a princess for the rest of my life."

​He gripped the ring box in his pocket tighter. I’ll propose tonight, he told himself. Under the stars on the island.

​"I know you will," Alice said, clinking her glass against his. "To destiny."

​"To destiny."

​Alex didn't know much about wine. He threw his head back and downed the expensive liquor in one go. It tasted strange—slightly bitter, with a metallic aftertaste. But he figured rich people's wine just tasted different.

​"So," Alex wiped his mouth, grinning like a fool. "What are we going to do on the island? Sunbathing? Swimming?"

​Alice didn't answer immediately. She placed her glass down on the table, picked up her phone, and glanced at the screen.

​Then, the smile on her face vanished. Instantly.

​It was as if a mask had been ripped off. The gentleness was gone, replaced by a look of utter boredom and disgust.

​"Alice?" Alex blinked, confused.

​"The wind is picking up," Alice said into her phone, ignoring him completely. "Yes, the cargo is secure. He’s drinking the sedative now. Vital signs are normal. He should be good for the opening round."

​Cargo? Sedative?

​Alex frowned. "Alice, who are you talking to?"

​He tried to stand up, but suddenly, the world spun. The luxurious cabin tilted violently. His legs felt like they were made of cotton, and he collapsed back into the seat.

​"What..." Alex’s tongue felt thick. He couldn't articulate his words clearly. "The wine..."

​Alice finally looked at him again. This time, she looked at him as if she were looking at a cockroach on her shoe.

​"You really are stupid, aren't you?" She stood up and walked over to him, looking down from above. "Did you really think I, the heiress of the Sterling Group, would fall in love with a delivery boy who smells like sweat and cheap ramen?"

​"W-Why..." Alex gasped, his vision blurring. Darkness was encroaching from the edges of his sight.

​"Because we needed 'fresh meat' for the game," Alice chuckled, a cruel, melodious sound. "My friends and I made a bet. I bet that I could get a fool to follow me to Hell voluntarily within a week. You broke the record, Alex. Three days."

​She reached into his pocket. Alex wanted to stop her, but he couldn't move a finger.

​She pulled out the red velvet box. She opened it, looked at the small diamond ring, and burst into laughter.

​"Look at this garbage," she sneered. "It’s pathetic. Just like you."

​Clink.

​She tossed the ring into the trash can beside her seat.

​"Alice..." A tear rolled down Alex’s cheek, a mixture of heartbreak and the drug's effect.

​"Don't call me that. You are not a person anymore, Alex," Alice’s voice sounded distant, echoing as if from a long tunnel.

​Two burly bodyguards in black suits stepped out from the cockpit.

​"Tag him," Alice ordered coldly as she wiped her hand with a sanitizer wipe, as if touching Alex’s pocket had contaminated her. "He is Participant Number 100. Make sure the tracking collar is tight. I don't want him dying before the cameras start rolling."

​"Yes, Miss Alice."

​As the bodyguard’s rough hands grabbed him, Alex’s consciousness finally faded. The last thing he saw was Alice pouring herself another glass of wine, celebrating her victory.

​I will kill you...

​The thought screamed in his mind, drowning in the darkness.

​I will kill you all!

​Then, there was nothing.