Thieves' Tournament

Butterfly Island.

The outskirts of Pumpkin Town.

Despite having no idea what was about to happen on the island.

Roger continued to subtly use bluffing to get information out of the uniformed man.

Very soon.

Roger ended up figuring out the background of the uniformed personnel who were supposed to be selling him "Top Secret Information."

After coldly draining the remaining value from this uniformed man.

Roger then unceremoniously shook him off.

By the way.

He also had a stack of so-called Top Secret Information in his hand.

Through friendly communication with this person.

Roger learns that a seven-day celebration is being held on the outskirts of Pumpkin Town.

The celebration was quite grand.

It is the highlight of Pumpkin Town's annual event.

People from the entire Butterfly Island and even the surrounding Sky Island will come to participate.

And in this celebration.

The most attractive thing is the "Triathlon Tournament" mentioned by the uniformed man.

Three of the three events in the triathlon.

It refers to theft, lock picking, and escape.

therefore.

The Triathlon Tournament is also known as the "Thieves' Tournament".

Although it's Thieves' Tournament.

But in reality, it's a grand event that everyone can participate in.

The reason is quite simple.

The organizers offered generous rewards to the winners of the Thieves' Tournament.

The top 10 will receive a large amount of gold coins as a reward.

The champion has an even greater chance of securing a permanent meal ticket—

He could get a high-paying job at the Lord of Butterfly Island's manor.

Most importantly.

Meals and accommodation included!

at this point.

This was incredibly appealing to the Sky Island inhabitants, whose living conditions weren't exactly ideal! Therefore...

The annual Pumpkin Town Celebration begins.

Regardless of whether they are thieves or not.

Everyone will be eager to sign up.

With generous rewards.

A series of chaotic phenomena have arisen as a result.

The ' Top Secret Information ' in the uniformed officer's hand just now are a perfect example.

Roger's mind was as clear as a mirror.

Information that can be bought for a small amount of money is either invalid.

Or it's simply harmful.

"I just don't know how many people will fall for it."

Roger smiled silently.

He strolled through the streets of Pumpkin Town as if he were invisible.

He casually shook the newspaper he had swiped from the uniformed man's hand.

This newspaper has a very rough design.

The above only contains some very brief information.

It's less a newspaper.

It's more like a different kind of bulletin board.

Roger noticed.

The words written at the very top are as follows:

"The 9th Pumpkin Town Celebration and Triathlon Tournament, as in previous years, are generously sponsored by Mr. Constantine..."

Below the title.

It is a portrait of a rather kind old man.

His eyes were sunken.

His eyes gleamed with wisdom.

Roger glanced at it.

I quickly looked up some background information about the elderly man.

He is the owner of Butterfly Island.

He was also the initiator of the Thieves' Tournament.

According to the brief introduction in the newspaper.

Roger learned that Constantine was a "high-ranking alchemist".

He is also one of the few non-magicians who own Sky Island.

This information is quite intriguing.

An alchemist.

Why hold Thieves' Tournament?

Especially in a social context like that of Floating Island.

There are hardly any legitimate thieves at all!

The Triathlon Tournament is essentially a competition where novices fight each other!

At least.

Roger learned the details of previous Thieves' Tournament from the uniformed man as follows:

first.

Regarding lock picking.

Throughout history, the victors have mostly been blacksmiths or similar professions.

Because it's on the Sky Island.

Very few people actually know how to pick locks.

The deeper reason is...

Sky Island doesn't have many locks that people can open.

Under the "Mage Autocracy" of the early civilization.

Even the profession of thief is extremely rare.

Petty theft does occur.

But professional locksmiths.

Almost none.

Next came the theft.

On this project.

The backgrounds of the winners from previous years are quite varied.

Men, women, young and old are all included.

Anyway, we're all self-taught.

Everyone's just trying their luck and using their own methods.

Stealing doesn't require much learning.

In a situation where novices are pecking at each other.

It is said that the competition is quite fierce every year.

As for the final escape.

The Harvesters held an absolute advantage.

The escape challenges from the first eight Thieves' Tournament.

The championship was won by experienced ground Harvesters.

After all, compared to ordinary people.

They have more experience in escaping.

Whether it's special terrain or traps and mechanisms.

Harvesters can always escape life-or-death crises are naturally superior.

In addition to the three individual items mentioned above.

The top 30 players based on their overall score.

They will also be invited to enter Constantine's "Alchemy Castle".

Engage in a fun and exciting "Treasure Chest Scramble".

According to the uniformed man.

This project is the Pumpkin Town Celebration Festival.

Almost everyone will be watching this competition for the alchemy treasure chest.

The atmosphere of the conference will reach its climax at this moment.

In summary.

Roger cautiously guessed that Mr. Constantine might be using the Thieves' Tournament to select people proficient in these three skills.

As for what the other party actually wants to do.

Roger didn't have enough information.

It is also difficult to draw specific conclusions from this analysis.

to be honest.

He himself had no interest in the Thieves' Tournament.

Therefore, after only a brief understanding, they discarded the flyers.

Not long after.

Roger took advantage of the "secrecy" aspect.

They then arrived near the coordinates of the "Mystic Mark".

Ahead.

It is a strictly sealed-off area.

Roger glanced into the distance.

To my surprise, this place is protected by a barrier!...

"Alchemy Barrier?"

"This power..."

"This is the Dream Ether?"

Roger took a few steps forward.

A violent feeling of nausea welled up in his chest.

His stomach churned violently.

It was as if an indescribable Foul Odor had been inhaled into his nostrils! He immediately held his breath and shut down some of his senses! On the data panel.

"Warning: The energy within you is strongly repelling the Dream Ether!"

"Sixth Sense: You can sense that Qi is extremely averse to the existence of Dream Ether..."

Roger frowned.

This was the first time he had encountered such a situation! Qi and ether are two types of energy.

He was well aware of this.

But he has used quite a few magical items in the past.

It's not that dramatic to be angry.

But this time, as soon as he approached the area filled with a high concentration of Dream Ether, he realized that...

The reaction from Qi was unexpectedly strong.

What does this mean? Roger took a few steps back.

After the intense nausea subsided.

Only then did I begin to think and perceive things calmly.

"That feeling just now."

"It's like encountering a corpse that's been rotting for who knows how many years..."

"Too."

"The so-called Dream Ether is itself an abnormal energy extracted from a Star Beast..."

"The aberration concentration is a bit high..."

Roger walked around the area in front of him.

He did not force his way in.

Instead, they slowly gathered all the information about this place.

Just as he had guessed.

This venue is where the final project of the Thieves' Tournament is held.

Dream Manor Treasure Chest Scramble.

There is an Alchemy Castle inside the barrier.

The Mystic Mark is inside.

And nine times out of ten it's in one of those treasure chests!

Roger hesitated for a moment.

Ultimately, he did not choose to force his way in.

on the one hand.

He needs some time to adjust to the nausea brought on by the Dream Ether.

on the other hand.

He suddenly sensed a powerful aura casting its gaze in his direction.

That was a very conspicuous "Eye of Surveillance"!...

At that time.

The azure Eye of Surveillance flew over Roger's head.

Out of caution.

He used his skill slightly.

The 541 points of Concealment are combined with the Ascended's stealth.

It should be enough to evade the scrutiny of Eye of Surveillance.

In hindsight...

Once that Eye of Surveillance bypassed this place, it never looked back.

Its owner probably didn't find Roger.

"Those are Constantine's eyes..."

I glanced at the data panel.

Roger pondered for a moment, "This world is truly bizarre. Human civilization almost couldn't survive, but it has no shortage of cutting-edge combat power..."

Lost in thought.

He turned and left.

Then he ran to the northeast corner of Pumpkin Town.

After hand-copying a registration form for the Thieves' Tournament.

He wrote "Ciel" in the signature section at the end.

After submitting their names to the already overflowing "Contestant Mailbox".

He then quietly left Pumpkin Town.

This prompted Roger to make this decision.

There are no other factors.

It was merely the minuscule information about Constantine that he had just sensed.

"Constantine (Alchemist/LV149/Creator/ Sky Guardian /Redeemer/ Hero Template...)"

"Injured Wolf: Information error! Constantine's true information is being updated..."

Constantine's level has been revised to LV179+.

It's ridiculous that such a powerful man could emerge from such a small place as the 8th History Realm! For a moment...

Roger even suspected that Slaughter Mask was also a level 179 pervert!

However, he quickly dismissed the idea.

Because what clashes between the two is their position and authority.

If Slaughter Mask is really that powerful.

He will probably use a "No Mercy" approach against me!

"Slaughter Mask is definitely not immortal."

"But I always felt he was almost immortal..."

"No, I have to kill him before he becomes immortal..."

Thinking this way.

Roger's composure wavered slightly.

It's not that he can't achieve immortality.

It's just that if one can ascend a few more times before achieving immortality.

It feels like such a waste...

certainly.

Slaughter Mask really pushes him to the limit...

Roger will also try to directly initiate the Immortal Ritual! Anyway, regarding XP.

He always had it under his thumb.

all in all.

Under the intimidation of the Immortal-grade alchemist.

Roger decided to maintain the fine tradition of keeping a low profile.

Guai Guai chose to participate.

He signed up on the second day of the Pumpkin Town Celebration.

The first event of the Thieves' Tournament wouldn't begin until the fourth night.

Therefore, Roger had enough time to do his homework.

It also allows for a deeper understanding of the ecology of Sky Island.

With Ripley's help.

The intelligence gathering work is progressing very smoothly.

Two days later.

Pumpkin Town.

As dusk settles, the city lights begin to twinkle.

In a dense forest north of Butterfly Island.

The ' Drow Brothers,' dressed completely differently from when they arrived, were having a detailed discussion—

"... That was pretty much what happened 30 years ago."

Ripley paused:

"To be honest, I always find it very bizarre."

"The ecosystem of Sky Island does not provide fertile ground for top-tier rogues to thrive."

"That ' Slaughter Mask ' seems to have appeared out of nowhere!"

"His arrival was suspicious, and his departure was mysterious, just like a real legend..."

Roger nodded.

Ripley's report matched the intelligence he had gathered over the past few days.

Generally speaking.

He also figured out the 30-year-old incident that had been left out of Historical Knowledge—

30 years ago.

Friction between Buddhist and non-Buddhist groups is intensifying.

The Harvesters discussed launching yet another strike to protest the Mage Autocracy.

And this time...

The mages didn't seem to have any intention of backing down.

They were really angry.

Many people died on the Floating Island during that period.

The situation for non-professional teachers has taken a sharp turn for the worse.

And at that very moment.

The Slaughter Mask has appeared out of nowhere! He's Night Clothes.

Masked Single Blade.

First attempt.

In one fell swoop, he beheaded all the mages on a remote island!

The next day.

The news has spread.

The entire Floating Island was shocked! The enraged Future Mages deployed the "Security Mobile Team".

They began a thorough search of the entire Sky Island.

Slaughter Mask has demonstrated astonishing power.

Before him.

Due to the interruption of civilization.

Only mages and a few spellcasters have demonstrated extraordinary power.

And this time...

Slaughter Mask demonstrated the strength of a top-tier rogue.

He evaded the Mobile Team's search several times.

Then came the assassination attempts targeting the weaker groups of mages.

This caused great panic among the mages of Sky Island.

Many weaker mages began to band together for mutual support.

The Mobile Team was repeatedly pressured.

The two sides engaged in a relentless pursuit and escape, day and night.

The most intense moment.

Slaughter Mask almost escaped to the "Heaven-Human Platform" where the sky and the ground meet!

The Mobile Team mages, who were always afraid of the surface environment, gritted their teeth and charged down.

But to their surprise...

Slaughter Mask mysteriously disappeared before their eyes.

When the Mobile Team, which had been lured away, returned to the main city of Sky Island.

The Future City lord at that time.

He will also be the deputy leader of the Future Organization.

His entire family was found lying in pools of blood.

All the dead were beheaded with a single blow.

His Blade Technique were astonishingly swift and precise.

This time.

Slaughter Mask became famous overnight! The extreme non-magic sect worshipped him immensely.

They believed him to be a savior sent from heaven.

However, some people have criticized his indiscriminate killing of innocent people regardless of age.

But in any case.

The appearance of the Slaughter Mask severely dampened the arrogance of the mages.

The next three months.

He reduced the number of shots he took.

But the targets of the attack are even more unpredictable.

One after another, renowned monks were beheaded.

Blood stained every inch of the air on Sky Island.

The non-teacher community gradually went from cheering to remaining silent.

Because they suddenly realized.

Slaughter Mask is not fighting for them.

He seemed to be simply trying to satisfy his bloodlust.

It just so happens that they chose a mage!

Another time.

He even targeted an ordinary person who wasn't a sorcerer.

The reason was simply that they worked for a mage with a decent reputation! That's all.

The Slaughter Mask is killing with increasing ferocity.

No survivors were left at the scene of the killing.

Sky Island is gripped by unprecedented panic! However...

Three months later.

The long-planned Future Organization has finally unleashed a major move.

They pinpointed the location where Slaughter Mask was hiding using some means.

Then, he was thrown into the Space-Time Turbulence by a large-scale Exile Forbidden Spell.

certainly.

They publicly claimed that they had completely killed Slaughter Mask.

This was inside information that Ripley had gone to great lengths to uncover.

"So, he was thrown into Space-Time Turbulence and accidentally ended up in ' Dinosaur Manor '? And got the Pure Silver Mask?"

Roger stroked his chin.

Ripley nodded and said:

That should be the case.

"If it's a Space-Time Turbulence, then it can explain the confusion about the time being 30 years ago."

"Oh, by the way, I also heard another piece of gossip."

"However, the credibility of this news is generally low."

Roger raised his eyelids slightly. "What news?"

Ripley pondered for a moment and said:

"According to internal records of the Future Organization."

"Slaughter Mask is a Spell Resistance monster..."