The Number Puzzle Challenge

After his swift victories in both the crime scene and word puzzle dungeons, Yi Zhen felt a growing sense of satisfaction. Each dungeon he conquered brought him closer to his ultimate goal. His reputation within the Player City was steadily rising, and he intended to keep that momentum going. The next challenge he faced was a number puzzle dungeon, known to be one of the trickiest tests of mental agility in the escape room series designed for new players.

As Yi Zhen entered the dungeon, he was greeted by a simple, unadorned room. The walls were smooth, reflecting a dim, ambient light that created a serene yet focused atmosphere. In the center of the room was a sleek, futuristic console with a glowing screen that pulsed with a soft blue light. This console was the heart of the number puzzle challenge.

The MAIN SYSTEM's cold, emotionless voice echoed through the room:

**Objective:** Solve fifteen number puzzles within the allotted time. Faster completion results in better rewards.

Yi Zhen's eyes narrowed slightly as he approached the console. He knew that this challenge would be different from the others. It required not just logic and pattern recognition, but also speed and precision. However, with twelve years of experience in the Oblivion Cascade Realm, he was more than prepared.

The first puzzle appeared on the screen:

**1. What is the next number in the sequence: 2, 4, 8, 16, __?**

Yi Zhen's fingers flew across the console as he input the answer almost instantly.

"**32.**"

The screen flashed green, confirming his answer and immediately transitioning to the next puzzle.

**2. Find the missing number: 3, 9, 27, __, 243.**

"**81.**"

Another green flash. The puzzles were coming at him fast, but Yi Zhen was faster. His mind worked like a finely-tuned machine, processing the information and calculating the answers with incredible speed. Each time a new puzzle appeared, it barely had time to register before he had already solved it.

**3. What is the sum of the first 10 prime numbers?**

"**129.**"

**4. If 5x = 20, what is the value of x?**

"**4.**"

**5. A train travels 60 miles per hour. How far will it travel in 45 minutes?**

"**45 miles.**"

The screen continued to flash green, marking each correct answer as Yi Zhen effortlessly breezed through the puzzles. His fingers never hesitated, moving with the certainty of someone who had done this a thousand times before. The room, once quiet, now buzzed with the intensity of his rapid calculations.

**6. Solve for y: 2y + 6 = 18.**

"**y = 6.**"

**7. What is the square root of 144?**

"**12.**"

**8. If a triangle has sides of length 3, 4, and 5, what type of triangle is it?**

"**Right triangle.**"

Yi Zhen didn't even pause to think. The answers flowed naturally, as if they were second nature to him. The console kept up with his pace, transitioning seamlessly from one puzzle to the next. He was in a rhythm, his mind moving faster than ever.

**9. A car travels 240 miles in 4 hours. What is its average speed?**

"**60 miles per hour.**"

**10. If a person has 12 apples and gives away 5, how many are left?**

"**7.**"

**11. What is the result of 9²?**

"**81.**"

**12. What is the next number in the Fibonacci sequence: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, __?**

"**8.**"

**13. If you multiply a number by 6 and then subtract 4, you get 32. What is the number?**

"**6.**"

**14. What is the smallest prime number greater than 10?**

"**11.**"

**15. What is 15% of 200?**

"**30.**"

As soon as Yi Zhen entered the final answer, the console screen flashed brightly, and a notification appeared in bold, green letters:

**Congratulations! All puzzles solved correctly. Time taken: 2 minutes.**

The MAIN SYSTEM's voice immediately followed, colder and more precise than ever:

**"Yi Zhen—Number Puzzle Challenge record: 2 minutes. Record-breaking performance."**

The announcement reverberated through the room, but this time, the notification wasn't just confined to the dungeon. Every player in the Player City received a notification, marking Yi Zhen's incredible achievement.

**Notification:** "Yi Zhen—Number Puzzle Challenge record: 2 minutes."

Yi Zhen allowed himself a moment to breathe, his mind already processing the potential implications of breaking yet another record. This was the fourth time in less than an hour that his name had appeared in the Player City's notifications. The entire city was buzzing with curiosity and intrigue about this new player who had shattered records one after another.

The notification quickly spread through the player base, causing a ripple of discussions and debates. Players, both veteran and new, couldn't help but pay attention to the name "Yi Zhen." It was clear that this newcomer was not just another fresh recruit. His speed, intelligence, and ability to solve puzzles at a record-breaking pace were making waves.

Back in the dungeon, the rewards interface appeared before Yi Zhen, showcasing the five possible rewards he could choose from. Because of his record-breaking performance, he was allowed to select three:

1. **Calculation Crystal** (B-Class Prop): A small crystal that boosts mathematical and logical thinking. Useful for solving complex puzzles and enhancing calculation speed in future dungeons.

2. **Rapid Thought Potion** (C-Class Item): Temporarily increases the user's cognitive processing speed, allowing them to think and react faster in high-pressure situations.

3. **Infinity Abacus** (C-Class Prop): An ancient, magical abacus that can calculate any number or equation instantly. It also has the ability to store calculations for later use.

4. **Number Shield** (D-Class Equipment): A defensive item that generates a shield based on numerical values. The higher the number, the stronger the shield.

5. **Puzzle Solver's Gloves** (D-Class Equipment): Gloves that enhance the wearer's dexterity and speed when interacting with puzzle mechanisms.

Yi Zhen carefully considered his options, eventually choosing the **Calculation Crystal**, **Rapid Thought Potion**, and **Infinity Abacus**. Each of these items would significantly enhance his mental abilities, making him even more formidable in future dungeons. The rewards materialized in his inventory, ready to be used when needed.

As he exited the Number Puzzle Challenge, Yi Zhen felt a surge of confidence. Breaking four records in such a short amount of time was no small feat, and he knew that he was now firmly on the radar of other players within the city. The attention would bring both opportunities and dangers, but Yi Zhen was ready for whatever came his way.

He walked through the Player City with a newfound sense of purpose, aware that eyes were on him, but unconcerned. The MAIN SYSTEM might not know of his rebirth, but it wouldn't be long before everyone knew the name Yi Zhen.

The world of the Oblivion Cascade Realm was vast and treacherous, but Yi Zhen was determined to rise above it all. He wasn't just here to survive—he was here to dominate. And with each dungeon he conquered, he was one step closer to achieving that goal.