Chapter 1421 - 1417: What Use Are Men?
Constantine Stewart led the team, and the group headed to the Arena. Chloe Winston still sat at the back of the train, Desmond Wood eagerly sat next to Chloe. In contrast, Constantine Stewart and Link could be seen sitting at the front, a clear separation.
The train for the Arena was naturally covered with Arena-themed designs, reminiscent of Ancient Rome’s gladiatorial setups, where slaves were enslaved by the Slave Master, fighting against beasts released from the Beast Cage, and dueling with humans. The scenes were very bloody.
The train was adorned with eight paintings in total, with the first few depicting the bloody Arena. From the fifth painting onwards, it tells the story of a slave’s son disguising as a noble, thriving in the aristocratic circles, eventually leading a slave revolt, overthrowing the brutal regime.
The slave’s son becomes the empire’s Governor, then abolishes the Arena, marking the start of a new era.
Chloe Winston finished looking at these intriguing designs on the train, seemingly deep in thought.
The train quickly arrived at the Arena level; unlike Chloe Winston’s first attempt at the level, as soon as the group got off the train, they saw a circular type of Ancient Roman gladiatorial arena structure. A robot stood at the entrance, mechanically saying, "Please verify identity."
The group was perplexed. Where was the promised Ancient Roman Arena? Why are there no Gladiators, and no beasts? Although everyone appeared calm while on the train, there was a slight sense of panic internally. After all, this was a live broadcast watched by nearly a billion viewers. Without a scripted plan, every move was unpredictable, like walking on a tightrope.
Reality shows could attract fans, but if the guests’ weaknesses or even flaws are exposed, it could be disastrous. After all, no one is perfect, and removing the celebrity halo, everyone is just an ordinary person. Moreover, in extreme and unknown environments, human weaknesses are more easily exposed.
A popular saying within the circle nowadays is: We Fall in Love Here, it’s both Heaven and Hell. The most daring variety show in the circle, ordinary people wouldn’t dare to join; Starshine Media’s leading lady Lo Yi-Er, who’s been universally criticized, is a living example.
Constantine Stewart walked in front; everyone tacitly acknowledges his strength, making it natural to accept his dominance.
The graceful, jade-like man mingling in the business world, his figure slender and long, with no hints of a merchant’s aura, could easily be mistaken for a professor from an academy. This genteel man harbors a beast-like explosive force within.
Constantine Stewart stepped forward, looking at the glowing screen on the robot’s belly, which clearly displayed the words ’Please verify identity,’ without any input buttons, evidently a voice-activated system.
The man smiled faintly, leisurely saying, "I’m here to sell slaves, three slaves who can fight and endure, perfect for the Arena."
Desmond Wood looked dumbfounded, Link was astonished.
Chloe Winston: "..."
What the hell is this operation; weren’t we here to clear the level? Constantine Stewart started selling slaves? Have they become slaves?
Eerily, a mechanical male voice responded, "Identity verified, Slave Master Asgell has delivered three slaves, numbered 4023, 4024, 4025. Please input fingerprint to enter the system."
The robot with a blocky head looking rather adorable finished speaking, the image on the white belly screen changed, Constantine Stewart pressed his thumb onto it, becoming Slave Master Asgell. He turned around, with a graceful face still carrying a hint of a smile, his eyes deep, and said in a low voice, "Come press your fingerprint, fight well in the Arena, I’ll be watching you."
The group: "..."
Chloe Winston stepped forward to press her fingerprint, becoming slave 4023. Next, a perplexed Desmond Wood was designated slave 4024, followed by Link.
"Ah, Chloe, what’s going on here? Why is he different from us?" Desmond Wood noticed Constantine Stewart walked through the right passage, while the robot directed them to the left passage, suddenly becoming speechless. We’re all humans, why such disparity?
Chloe Winston, carrying a backpack, followed behind the robot, and said calmly, "Because he found the key to clearing the level."
Desmond Wood was speechless; he didn’t even know what the level was about, and Constantine Stewart was about to clear it? What the hell!!!
Chloe Winston had suspected Constantine Stewart’s intention when he verified his identity. Though she vaguely guessed that the eight paintings might be key to clearing the level, Constantine Stewart not only observed meticulously but also took the most effective action within a short time.
Initially, Chloe planned to follow the rhythm of the eight paintings to launch a slave revolt and become the Governor depicted, but while she was still pondering how to become the Governor, Constantine Stewart had already sold the three of them as slaves, taking a leap to become Slave Master Asgell.
Selling people? Chloe Winston, even if she racked her brains, wouldn’t have thought of selling all her teammates. She clearly hasn’t detached from the established thinking of the game level.
Well, it must be said, the man is ruthless!
Link didn’t get along with Chloe Winston; Desmond Wood was noticeably closer to Chloe Winston. Consequently, Link inadvertently became isolated, changing from his previously active and cheerful demeanor, now speaking little, with a vaguely aloof attitude.
The three entered a huge pure white hall, containing a dozen or so seemingly sophisticated devices, resembling semi-reclining sofa chairs, each topped with a big screen with Charles Taylor sitting in one of them, eyes closed, wearing a helmet, while Wendy Starling was sitting beside, looking pale as she rested.
"Ah, Chloe, Desmond? Is it really you?" Wendy Starling saw Chloe Winston and Desmond Wood among the group, she stood up excitedly.
Chloe Winston smiled slightly at her, saying, "I brought you food and water."
Saying this, Chloe Winston put down her backpack, took out food and pure water to give to her.
Speaking of food, Wendy Starling was almost in tears, couldn’t wait to do away with the director Daniel limb by limb!
They promised there’d be no worries about food and drinks this time, but it turned out only those who cleared the level could go outside to the entrance and replenish energy, eat and rest; those who didn’t clear the level could deal with hunger.
The production team, as expected, is very black-hearted!
Wendy Starling had been struggling to clear the level all day, now frustrated and equally hungry and thirsty, seeing Chloe Winston bringing food and drink, she nearly offered herself in gratitude, clung to her leg, and said, "Ah, Chloe, marry me please."
"So, have all the men died?" Desmond Wood rolled his eyes.
"Ah, Chloe, can handle ten men. Hmph. What would I need men for!" Wendy Starling couldn’t help but retort, her gaze catching sight of Link behind, though Chloe Winston and Desmond Wood didn’t pay attention to her, Wendy Starling politely smiled and said no more.
"Eat quickly, then tell me about your progress in clearing the level." Chloe Winston looked at Charles Taylor seemingly in deep sleep, furrowing her eyebrows.