In the end, a man named Hugh volunteered to take the first shift.
The moment his foot stepped into the outlined circle in front of the television, a soft pulse of light spread outward beneath him—cool blue lines tracing the edges of the circle.
A chime echoed through the house, followed by a mechanical voice:
"Weekly Task Initiated."
On the massive screen behind Hugh, a countdown timer appeared in bold digital numbers:
167:59:59… 167:59:58…
The challenge had officially begun.
The rest of the housemates let out a collective breath, some clapping, others cheering lightly in encouragement.
But the mood remained laced with tension. This was just the beginning. A single mistake could cost them the entire week's comfort.
Leaving Hugh to concentrate, the group filtered back into the dining area.
Some returned to begin their meals, while others began serving themselves portions from what remained.
But it didn't take long for the atmosphere to sour once again.
