Chapter 263 Legendary Pentathlon Challenge

 …

 In the square on the west side of the circus.

 The wonderful tiger jumping through fire hoops attracted many people’s attention.

 As the tiger is induced by the trainer to make various dangerous jumping movements.

There are always bursts of cheers from the crowd.

Matthew and Sif stood side by side in the front row, quietly watching the performance.

Sif’s little hands held tightly and were very cold, but there was no sweat on them, giving Matthew the feeling of holding a cold jade stone.

This free performance lasted approximately 5 minutes.

 After the last wave of triple jumps.

The animal trainer took his tiger and bowed.

At this time, the staff who were originally maintaining order began to distribute leaflets to surrounding spectators.

 Matthew also received a copy.

 The texture of the leaflet is very rough, probably made of the cheapest straw sandpaper.

It is clearly written on it -

 …

“The Legendary Pentathlon Challenge monthly competition will start today!

 Each time you complete a challenge.

  You can get 1000 gold coins!

 If someone can complete five challenges at the same time.

Then he will get the super gems that have been carefully collected by the gem king Kratos for many years.

Now or never.

Hurry up and call a partner you trust enough to join a team of two to participate in the Legendary Pentathlon Challenge!

 Venue of competition: Gem Theater.

 Participation fee: 200 gold coins per team. "

 …

 “Is it time for the legendary pentathlon again?”

“Last time, I remember that two young men almost made it to the final level, but unfortunately they were a bit unlucky and failed to find the remaining two bald falcons.”

"How can it be so easy to pass the level? Mr. Kratos is the shrewdest businessman in Rapid City. I heard that he personally controls the specific contents of the legendary five items. Even the most tacit partners and powerful adventurers will find it difficult to clear the level. Passed five levels in one breath!"

 There were low murmurs from the crowd.

Sif’s big eyes were dazzling, and she seemed to be very interested in this legendary five-event challenge.

She politely asked a potbellied uncle next to her:

“Excuse me, what is this Legendary Pentathlon Challenge? What is the specific content?”

The uncle saw that the person he was chatting with was a girl with bright eyes and white teeth, and her attitude was quite good:

"The Legendary Pentathlon, of course, has five challenges, but each challenge has a separate bonus calculation. If you are interested, you can only choose one of them to participate, but then you will not get the final gem prize. ”

“If you’re asking about specific content, you’re asking the right person. No one in the entire Grand Rapids knows this challenge better than me.”

“These five projects are Unlocking in the Water, Dancing with Beasts, Night of the Dead, No Trace, and the most mysterious fifth level.”

“The first four projects are all carried out separately, but only by completing these four projects at the same time can it be possible to open the fifth level to compete for super gems.”

“Because no one has done this before, no one knows the specific content of the fifth level, except Mr. Kratos himself.”

That uncle was talking eloquently.

After hearing this, Matthew lost interest in this legendary pentathlon challenge.

In his opinion.

This kind of challenge is a clumsy trick used to defraud middle and low-level adventurers out of their pockets.

 If I go to participate, it will be a waste of time.

And Sif is not an adventurer either.

 There is no need for the two of them to join in the fun.

 “Let’s go, how about we go over there and have a look?”

 He said to Sif.

 The girl seemed to be somewhat interested in this battle, but she obviously had no intention of disobeying Matthew, so she nodded obediently.

 The two of them were just about to leave the crowd.

 Suddenly an amazing cheer erupted from behind!

 The two of them looked back subconsciously.

But on the stage where the tiger jumping through the fire ring had just been performed, four gorgeously dressed waiters came up carrying a box covered with red velvet in a very respectful manner.

 With the help of other staff.

The box was hung on a hanging rope and pulled to the highest point of the stage.

　　followed by.

The sound of a loose mechanism sounded.

 The wooden board on the front of the box fell down, revealing the true appearance inside.

There lies a huge gem lying quietly and quietly!

The color of the gemstone is clear yellow, and the texture inside is like amber, reflecting dazzling brilliance in the sunlight.

This gem is as big as a human head.

If it were formed naturally, it would probably be extremely rare.

 The eyes of many people looking at the gem were filled with fiery brilliance.

 Matthew is not exempt from vulgarity.

 He was not attracted by the appearance of this gem, but he sensed its inherent value!

 …

 Hint: You have discovered the Crown of the Earth!

 Crown of the Earth (gem): A rare treasure born from the earth. It has been favored and protected by the power of the earth for thousands of years, and it contains extremely rich power of the earth.

 Through resonance and research on this gemstone.

 You will be able to control the realm, authority, and even the priesthood of the earth! "

 …

 “Such a precious thing?”

“That gem king actually used it as a challenge prize?”

Matthew felt a little weird.

 But it was repeatedly confirmed by the staff on the stage and the people around.

Matthew is certain that this thing is the treasure thrown out by Kratos, the king of gems, to attract everyone to participate!

 The attraction effect of gemstones is extremely powerful.

Many people like Matthew who had no interest in the challenge started gearing up.

Even some impoverished gamblers began to borrow money to collect the 200 gold coin registration fee!

Matthew looked deeply at the gem.

At this time, Sif shook his arm. When Matthew turned around, he found that the other party was looking at him with a fascinated look:

 “What a beautiful gem, Matthew!”

 “Are we really not going to try?”

“I mean, the registration fee is only 200 gold coins anyway, I can pay this amount…”

 Are women really not immune to gems?

Matthew smiled to himself.

But he also nodded:

 “Then just join in and have fun.”

quickly.

 The two of them came to the registration channel nearby.

  200 gold coins is a considerable registration fee after all.

 Although many people are moved.

But it is still rare to see people like Matthew take direct action.

 So they quickly came to the front of the line.

“Apply for all 5 projects?”

 “That’s 1,000 gold coins!”

“I suggest you sign up for 4 first. If you can clear the first 4, you can sign up for the fifth. This is a well-intentioned suggestion. Of course, if you insist on giving money to my boss, I won’t stop you.”

 At the suggestion of the guy responsible for registering and collecting money.

Matthew finally paid 800 gold coins, and also received 4 pink coupons proving his participation status.

“Take this coupon and go directly to the east gate of the theater, and you two can participate in the challenge.”

“I wish you a happy competition, but be sure to remember that competition comes second and feelings come first!”

 The money collector said cheerfully.

Sif asked curiously:

 “Why do you say that?”

Brother explained:

“Because the Legend Five Challenge often tests the tacit understanding and trust of both parties, it is best for buddies to participate together.”

“I have seen many couples join the challenge together and then break up. This is really miserable for most men. After all, they paid a life insurance fee and then lost their girlfriends.”

“Anyway, if your boyfriend does not perform well in the competition, please be more considerate to him. After all, I think you two are not serious adventurers, right?

I guess you are young ladies from rich families who come to experience life, so just remember that happiness is the most important thing! "

Sif didn't seem to listen to her brother's specific explanation, but when she heard "your boyfriend", her eyes narrowed into slits, and her eyebrows were filled with smiles.

Matthew did not deliberately pour cold water on it.

 The two people quickly left the registration desk.

They walked half a circle around the theater and came to the east side. Passing a small door, they met a few idle staff.

Matthew showed them the pink coupon in his hand.

 One of the fat men came up to him and asked meticulously:

“You are the first group to participate in the Legend 5 Challenge today. According to the usual practice, you are eligible to choose the order of participation in the first four levels. Which level do you plan to start from?”

Matthew said calmly:

 “Just in the normal order.”

 The fat man clapped his hands:

 “Then open the lock first.”

 As he spoke, he took the two of them to a room that resembled a secret room.

 The walls of the secret room were painted black.

 It is decorated with more than a dozen candles.

 It’s neither bright nor dark, but it gives people a rather depressing feeling.

 In the middle of the secret room is a transparent and airtight glass jar.

 There is a small box at the bottom of the tank.

 There is a 6-digit combination lock on the box.

 There are two water pipes hanging at both ends of the glass tank, and there are still some water stains at the bottom of the tank that have not been cleaned up.

"The content of "Unlocking in Water" is very simple. One of you must choose to enter the tank at the beginning of the game. Remember, the sound insulation effect inside and outside the tank is very good. No matter how loud you roar, you will hear each other. No sound is heard. "

“As soon as the challenge starts, these two water pipes will fill the tank with water. People in the tank can only successfully escape and win the level by opening the combination lock at the bottom.”

“Of course, because we are not allowed to use lockpicking tools or lockpicking scrolls during this process, and in order to reduce the difficulty, we will directly tell the answer to the combination lock to the people standing outside.”

“You can use gestures or lip language to convey the answer. This process is bound to be a bit painful, but if you believe in the tacit understanding between both parties, you will be able to pass the level smoothly.”

“So, who do you want to go in?”

The fat man asked while rubbing his hands.

Matthew said calmly:

 “Let me go in.”

 The fat man nodded:

 “I’ll find someone to carry a ladder for you.”

 Three minutes later.

 Matthew climbed up through the ladder into the tall and closed glass tank.

 Sif stood outside nervously.

 Matthew gave her a reassuring look.

 “The challenge begins!”

 The fat man made an exaggerated gesture to Matthew.

that moment.

 The water from the top of the water tank fell sizzlingly.

 In a blink of an eye, it was up to Matthew's ankles.

 He glanced down.

Good guy, although this combination lock has 6 digits, the content on it is not numbers at all, but all kinds of strange patterns!     At this time, it is outside the cylinder.

Sif was led aside by the fat man, who showed her a piece of parchment with 6 complicated patterns engraved on it.

Xif took a closer look, and her beautiful brows suddenly wrinkled.

 But the following 6 things were clearly drawn in order on the parchment—

hedgehog.

fork.

Hydrangea.

 Knight.

Bear.

moon.

“You only have two minutes at most to remember the pattern above and tell your boyfriend the content, otherwise you will fail the challenge.”

The fat man said with a smile:

“But don’t be too nervous. Maybe your boyfriend is a master at picking locks and he can open them without your prompting... ah?”

　　When an extremely surprising syllable comes out of the fat man's mouth.

A loud machine sound sounded—

 Click!

 The bottom of the glass jar suddenly loosened, and the four pieces of glass surrounding Matthew slowly rose upwards.

Matthew walked out with a calm step.

 The fat man looked down, his face full of shock.

 Because just when he showed Sif the parchment, the other party had already unlocked the complicated code lock!

"How can this be?"

“Did you accidentally switch to the correct password during debugging yesterday? It’s impossible…”

The fat man looked confused.

 The two staff members behind him were equally at a loss.

Sif looked at Matthew in surprise and joy, her eyes full of admiration.

“So, can we move on to the next level?”

Matthew asked gently.

 The fat man woke up from a dream:

"Okay, the next one is "Walking with Beasts". This level is a bit dangerous. The two of you will be locked in a cage with a hungry beast at the same time. The cage has only one exit. You can only cooperate with each other..."

His rambling voice was interrupted by Matthew calmly:

 “Take me there.”

The fat man was stunned for a moment, and then he hurriedly led Matthew and the two out of the room and quickly went to the next secret room.

 …

 In a larger secret room.

 The huge iron cage slowly lowered.

not far away.

 A hungry tiger walked over at a slow pace.

Sif nervously held Matthew's hand.

　　　I don’t know.

 The fat man outside the cage seemed even more nervous.

 “He looked like he was really hungry.”

Sif whispered.

Matthew smiled softly:

 “Then he should feel lucky that I’m not hungry today.”

 While speaking.

He took Sif and walked towards the exit in a swaggering manner.

The tiger followed Matthew closely.

 At the moment Matthew passed by him.

 In the surprised eyes of Fatty and other staff.

The tiger suddenly fell to the ground, its chin firmly pressed against the cold granite, its tail was tightly curled, and unknown liquid was leaking from its lower body!

A strong smell of urine spread in the cage.

Sif quickly pinched her nose.

 The two of them walked out quickly.

 From beginning to end.

The tiger didn't dare to cross even half a step.

 …

 The third project is called "Night of the Dead".

 The content is to remove a key from the neck of a ghoul bound by iron chains.

 Except for this powerful ghoul.

There are some zombies chained up in the room.

 Just after entering the door.

Even the fat man and other staff couldn't help but frown.

 This level is even easier for Matthew.

 He threw his hand directly:

 “You go and get it!”

 He thought Sif would hesitate.

 But the girl's courage was obviously beyond Matthew's expectations.

 She just said "Okay".

Then he strutted towards the ghoul in the center of the room.

"Be careful…"

It seemed that because of the sharp contrast between the girl with bright eyes and white teeth and the unrecognizable ghoul, even the fat man couldn't help but warn him.

But Sif rushed to the ghoul regardless.

 The zombies next to him were completely indifferent.

 But at this moment, Sif stopped.

She held her nose with one hand, a look of disgust on her face—

This ghoul has not been treated with negative energy at all, and its body is so rotten that the smell alone is enough to make people faint.

Sif tried hard to overcome the nausea in her heart and wanted to reach out for the key around the other person's neck.

 But at this time.

The ghoul suddenly lowered his head, grabbed the key with his right hand, and actually took the key off and threw it to Sif!

 Sif was startled for a moment.

 He took the key and ran back.

 “I got it!”

 Outside the room.

 She happily asked Matthew for credit.

Matthew just looked at the fat man calmly:

"next level."

 A few drops of sweat broke out on the fat man's forehead.

“Wait a minute, the bald falcon required for the fourth level needs to be summoned by Lord Kratos himself. I will inform him right away.”

“How about you go sit in the VIP room next door first?”

 Matthew did not embarrass him:

 “Yes, but you have to do it quickly.”

“By the way, can you settle the bonuses from the first three projects to me first?”

 Hear this.

 The sweat on the fat man's forehead increased.

 …

10 minutes later.

 In the VIP room.

 A middle-aged man dressed in jewelry walked in quickly.

His appearance is very eye-catching, with a pair of large and small eyes of very different sizes, and three scars on the left side of his face that are suspected to be left by the claws of wild beasts.

 “Hello you two.”

“I am the owner of this theater and circus, and the king of gems as people call it, Kratos.”

 “Let’s get straight to the point.”

 The middle-aged man looked at Matthew politely:

“How about I offer you 9,000 gold coins and ask you two to withdraw from the competition?”

Haven't waited for Matthew to answer.

 The middle-aged man smiled bitterly and said:

"With your skills, you are either a mage or a high-level druid. If you come to a place like ours and cause trouble, we really have no way to deal with it."

“As long as you can withdraw from the competition, even asking for more compensation is negotiable.”

“To be honest, there is no way I would let you take that super gem.”

 “This is a loss I cannot afford.”

Matthew asked with some confusion:

“But since you chose to take out the gems to attract others to compete, you should be prepared to meet capable people, right?”

The expression on Kratos's face became a little ugly, but he quickly spoke again:

“I am a businessman, and businessmen only care about profits. In order to attract more people to participate, of course I need some gimmicks.”

"But I just went to verify it and found that my people made a mistake about the final reward. What I provided for this competition was actually a slightly smaller sapphire, not the yellow sapphire that was shown by mistake just now. .”

“If you insist on continuing to pass the level, even if you get the final reward, you won’t get what you want.”

"Instead of this, why don't I give you a little more gold coins? How about we all take a step back?"

"I know that you must have some abilities, but I am not ashamed of my words. I also have some connections in Rapid City..."

Matthew heard the threat.

  Can’t help but speak sarcastically:

“So you do this to everyone who passes three levels in a row? Pay 9,000 gold coins? No wonder no one has passed level 4.”

 Kratos is extremely thick-skinned.

 He turned a deaf ear to Matthew's sarcasm, and just said with a smile:

 “I’m just a businessman.”

“And someone like you, who has passed three levels in a very short time, is the only one in the history of my Legend Challenge.”

The voice fell.

 The door to the VIP room was suddenly pushed open.

　　The fat man sweating profusely from before rushed in furiously.

 He seemed even more embarrassed at this time.

As soon as the fat man entered the door, he whispered a few words in Kratos' ear.

Kratos's face suddenly showed a look of surprise:

"What?"

 “Is there anyone else who has connected the three levels?”

His voice is soft.

 But Matthew heard him clearly.

 A sarcastic smile suddenly appeared on the corner of his mouth.

 At the same time, I also became curious about another group of people who passed three levels in a row.

“How about letting them come and sit in the VIP room?”

“Let’s talk together to see if the compensation of 9,000 gold coins is sincere enough?”

Matthew added without hesitation.

Kratos glared at him fiercely.

 Then he called another follower and whispered:

 “Go and ask for Master Hood quickly!”

 …

 (End of this chapter)