Rooftop No-Rope Bungee Standing Challenge

"Is that Wolf Knight strong?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"Wolf Knight isn't strong, but the Three-Headed Hellhound under his command is extremely vicious."

"More importantly, he's that person's sworn brother."

French Plane Tree said gravely.

"That person?"

"That's right, that person. We don't dare mention his name, because to a tree, he's even more terrifying than a lumberjack."

The leaves rustled, as if Dai Lego were trembling.

"He must have a nickname, right?"

Liu Zheng said.

"He has many nicknames: City Wanderer, Wandering Master, Man Who Feels Up Bears..."

"But we trees usually call him the Fire Mage."

French Plane Tree said slowly.

"Fire Mage?"

"That's right. Because he likes setting fires everywhere. Lumberjacks cut down our flesh, while that person burns our souls."

French Plane Tree trembled even harder.

"Then it looks like I can't get that hat."

Liu Zheng said regretfully.

"Not necessarily. I heard that Fire Mage and Wolf Knight both love good food. If you can get perfect-grade dishes or a large quantity of fine-grade dishes, they should be willing to trade."

French Plane Tree calmed down as it spoke.

"A large quantity of fine-grade dishes."

He looked at the Legendary Delivery Box.

That didn't seem impossible.

"Wouldn't they just rob me directly?"

Liu Zheng thought of another question.

"Probably not. This city has rules, and those two aren't known for being utterly vicious."

French Plane Tree shook its head.

"Compared to them, the Landfill itself is far more dangerous."

"I heard Cow-Horse say that someone named Black Claw got his guts turned inside out at the Landfill."

He recalled the conversation between Cow-Horse and Oink.

"I know Black Claw. He used to run around this street all the time, pissing everywhere. I was wondering why I hadn't seen him in so long. Turns out he'd already been slaughtered."

French Plane Tree said in realization.

"What exactly is the Landfill?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"The Landfill is where garbage gets buried, of course."

French Plane Tree looked at him strangely.

Why could this human ask such a stupid question?

"Once I collect the Legendary Deliveryman Set, I'll hold a grand appreciation party. And guess who won't get an invitation?"

He said expressionlessly.

"How dare you!"

French Plane Tree was enraged.

"I absolutely dare. If you don't want Cow-Horse to be the first to appreciate them, answer my questions patiently."

Liu Zheng threatened.

"What the hell does that stupid donkey know about appreciation?!"

French Plane Tree screamed reflexively.

But Liu Zheng's threat had indeed worked, and its explanation became much more serious.

"The Landfill is a giant cesspit. City Hall throws all the inedible and harmful things into it."

"And those who can no longer survive, along with those harboring ulterior motives, gather at the Landfill because of that, making it even more dangerous."

"Cow-Horse might dare take you to the Black Market, but if it dared take you to the Landfill, it'd be turned into jerky in no time."

French Plane Tree rattled it all off in one breath.

"Is there no safe way to enter the Landfill?"

"There is. As long as you get on Fire Mage's good side, entering and leaving the Landfill will be as easy as going home."

French Plane Tree said.

"You're just going in circles."

Liu Zheng rolled his eyes.

"Why don't you let me finish first?"

French Plane Tree said unhappily.

"Go on, go on."

"The reason Fire Mage is also called City Wanderer is because he appears all over the city. Whether you can run into him depends on your luck."

French Plane Tree said.

"Luck?"

Liu Zheng's gaze flickered.

He had already returned that Lucky Clown Card to Cow-Horse. It looked like he would have to find a way to get it back.

--

"Stop."

When he reached the entrance of Jiahe New Residence Complex, the security guard stopped him again, just as expected.

"Go ahead, then. Meat or cigarettes?"

Liu Zheng sighed.

They had to go through this every time. Those guys weren't sick of it, but he was.

If real-world security guards dared pull this crap, he'd smack their walkie-talkies right out of their hands.

"Who are you calling names?"

The triangular-eyed security guard immediately flew into a rage.

"Then... this?"

He extruded several banknotes.

Now Liu Zheng could control his tentacles to secrete mucus. It was useless in a fight, but quite convenient in daily life.

"You're insulting my dignity!"

The triangular-eyed security guard gritted his teeth and reached for the baton at his waist.

"I was blind and looked down on you. Please don't take offense."

Liu Zheng apologized at once.

"That's more like it."

The triangular-eyed security guard snorted.

"I'm a security guard with ideals and ambitions. Don't lump me together with that trash from other professions."

"Understood, understood. So can I go in now?"

"No."

The triangular-eyed security guard said decisively.

"You won't take the money, and you won't get things done. You're making this difficult for me, brother."

He said helplessly.

At the same time, his body secretly began gathering strength.

"Our complex is holding a tenth-anniversary celebration. Outsiders aren't allowed in."

"Unless?"

"Unless you complete a challenge or perform a talent."

The triangular-eyed security guard said.

"What challenge?"

"Pick one yourself."

The triangular-eyed security guard took out several posters.

"Pirate Ship Deck One-Legged Stand Challenge."

"Flying Saucer Ninety-Nine-Lap Straight-Line Walking Challenge."

"Carousel Tenfold-Speed Lyric Relay Challenge."

There were ten challenge events in total, each one more absurd than the last.

Liu Zheng picked up the final poster. It showed a middle-aged man in a suit with a deathly pale face standing at the edge of a rooftop.

"Rooftop No-Rope Bungee Standing Challenge."

What bungee jumping? This was clearly jumping off a building.

"I'll choose this one."

He handed the poster to the triangular-eyed security guard.

Under the effects of Flesh Rebirth, Liu Zheng feared crushing injuries the most, followed by cutting injuries. Blunt-force trauma barely mattered, as long as he protected his head.

"Follow me."

The triangular-eyed man took the poster and led him into the complex.

The instant he stepped through the gates, Liu Zheng's vision blurred.

Once his sight cleared, he found himself already on a rooftop.

Judging by the layout, it was exactly the same as the one on the poster.

"Residents, this delivery guy has voluntarily signed up for the Rooftop No-Rope Bungee Standing Challenge! Let's applaud his courage!"

The triangular-eyed security guard shouted.

The moment his words fell, thunderous applause rang out all around them.

"Thank you, thank you."

Liu Zheng waved toward the empty air in acknowledgment.

"Alright, challenger, please take your position."

Under the triangular-eyed security guard's guidance, he walked into the painted circle.

Liu Zheng looked down at the ground below, where a pool of blood entered his view.

It probably belonged to that middle-aged man in the suit.

"The residents' judging committee will score your performance as you jump off the building. If your score is high enough, you can even receive a small gift."

The triangular-eyed security guard said.

You just said jumping off a building, didn't you? You're not even pretending anymore, are you?

Liu Zheng squinted at him.

"I'll count down from three. Then you jump."

The triangular-eyed security guard took a step back.

"Three."

"Two."

"One."

"Jump!"

"Jump! Jump down already!"

The audience's urging turned into a massive wave of sound that shoved Liu Zheng from behind.

He pursed his lips and leaped.