Chapter 2: The Escape Room
Yi Zhen stood at the entrance of the single-player escape room dungeon, its facade resembling an old, decrepit building. The sign above the door read "Crime Scene: Case Closed," a chilling reminder of the challenge awaiting him. With a determined breath, he stepped through the threshold into the dimly lit interior.
The room was designed to mimic a crime scene from a vintage detective novel. Dusty furniture, faded photographs, and scattered papers created an atmosphere thick with the illusion of long-abandoned mystery. An old clock on the wall ticked ominously, its hands frozen at 12:00, marking the start of the 24-hour limit Yi Zhen had been given.
A holographic prompt flickered to life in front of him, detailing the objective: solve the crime within 24 hours to escape. The faster he completed the puzzle, the better the rewards he could draw. For someone like Yi Zhen, who had spent over a decade mastering the trials of the Oblivion Cascade Realm, this was child's play.
Yi Zhen's keen eyes scanned the room, his mind already piecing together the clues with practiced ease. The room's layout was deceptively simple, but he knew that every detail mattered. He began by examining the scattered papers and photographs.
His swift and methodical approach revealed a series of hidden clues: a cryptic note hidden under a loose floorboard, a torn photograph with a revealing inscription, and a set of numbers etched into the back of a desk drawer.
As he moved around the room, Yi Zhen's movements were fluid and confident. He found a hidden compartment behind a bookcase, which revealed a series of encoded messages. Using his extensive experience, he deciphered the codes almost instinctively. Each piece of the puzzle fell into place with astonishing speed.
The final clue was a combination lock on a safe, which required a specific sequence to open. Yi Zhen, using the information he had gathered, quickly cracked the code. The safe opened with a satisfying click, revealing a final piece of evidence—a detailed confession letter that explained the motive and the identity of the culprit.
Yi Zhen stepped back, surveying the room with a sense of satisfaction. The escape room had been designed to test basic problem-solving skills, but with his twelve years of experience, it was no more challenging than a simple warm-up. He had solved the case in just 10 minutes, a feat that exceeded even his own expectations.
As the last clue was solved, the room's lights dimmed momentarily before a new holographic prompt appeared. The MAIN SYSTEM's voice was terse and efficient: "Record broken. Escape room completed in 10 minutes."
At the same time, the city-wide notification system buzzed to life. On every screen throughout the Player City, the message was brief but clear: "Yi Zhen—Escape room record: 10 minutes."
The city reacted with a mix of surprise and curiosity as players read the announcement. Yi Zhen's achievement was noted by all, a significant milestone in the realm.
A new screen presented him with a choice of rewards, reflecting his exceptional performance. As someone who broke a world record, Yi Zhen was entitled to select three rewards from the following:
1. Spectral Lantern (B-Class Prop): This lantern reveals hidden clues and secret passages in dark environments, useful for navigating complex dungeons.
2. Invisibility Cloak (C-Class Prop): Grants temporary invisibility, allowing Yi Zhen to avoid detection by enemies for short periods.
3. Ethereal Elixir (C-Class Item): A potion that boosts stamina and regenerates health over time, crucial for long and arduous battles.
4. Crimson Key (D-Class Key Item): An ancient key that can unlock hidden compartments and chests in dungeons, potentially leading to valuable finds.
5. Ancient Tome of Wisdom (D-Class Item): Provides insight into solving complex puzzles and riddles, increasing problem-solving abilities.
Given the significance of his achievement, Yi Zhen chose the Spectral Lantern, the Invisibility Cloak, and the Ethereal Elixir. These items would provide substantial advantages in his upcoming challenges.
With a final glance at the now-unremarkable escape room, Yi Zhen exited, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. This easy victory was just the beginning. The real trials awaited him, and he was determined to face them head-on, using every bit of his experience to outwit the MAIN SYSTEM and secure his escape.
As he walked away from the escape room, Yi Zhen's thoughts turned to his next challenge. The realm was vast and filled with dangers, but he was ready. This was his chance to rewrite his fate, and he would not waste it.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone