The trio boarded the Hyper Velocity Coaster's platform, and what they saw was bizarre.
Tourists were slumped against the walls of the platform.
Each of them was pale, bloodless, and drenched in sweat, as if they'd just been pulled out of a pool.
"What's going on?" one of them asked, curious.
The scene was just too strange; everyone looked like they'd been through something terrible, catching their breath, still shaken.
"You guys here for...?" Jake approached them.
"Oh," the first guy said, grinning. "We're here for the Hyper Velocity Coaster. Heard you guys are giving out ten grand to anyone who can stand for a minute after getting off, right?"
Jake nodded. "That's right."
"Haha, it's true!"
"Alright, we're gonna get rich!"
"Let me think... with ten grand, what should I do?"
The three were incredibly excited.
So hyped up, they didn't notice the weird looks from the other tourists!
The tourists watched them, a mix of annoyance and amusement on their faces.
Annoyed because these guys were clueless, thinking they could pass the Hyper Velocity Coaster's hellish test and snag the reward.
Amused because they'd been just like that before, only to end up like *this*.
"I'd advise you not to even think about the reward. Keeping your damn life is more important!"
One kind-hearted tourist couldn't bear to see them get on the Hyper Velocity Coaster and spoke up.
The other tourists nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly!
But these three were blinded by the thought of ten grand, completely ignoring everyone else.
One of them even scoffed, "You're a real piece of work, aren't you? Can't get it yourself, so you don't want anyone else to get the reward?"
"You...?" Seeing his good intentions thrown back in his face, the tourist who had offered advice got angry, his eyes wide as he glared at the three.
"Enough arguing. If you wanna ride, get on with it. Don't waste time," Jake called out.
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The three immediately quieted down and found seats on the Hyper Velocity Coaster.
Near the Hyper Velocity Coaster's platform, besides the tourists who were resting after their ride, there were some waiting for the next batch!
"Aren't you guys coming up?" A young man with a bag, looking like he was there to collect the money, asked curiously from the coaster.
The tourists all shook their heads violently!
No way.
They'd just witnessed everything firsthand.
Watching the Hyper Velocity Coaster move like lightning, leaving streaks of afterimages in their vision.
And watching the last batch of tourists get off, looking like they were about to throw up their insides!
They wouldn't dare get on that Hyper Velocity Coaster, even if you gave them eight guts!
"Man, bunch of idiots who don't know how to make money!"
"Forget 'em. We'll take the cash!"
The three on the coaster shouted gleefully.
The tourists exchanged knowing smiles, not saying a word about the horrors of the Hyper Velocity Coaster.
Instead, they smiled at the three and cheered them on!
"You got this, guys!"
"That's right, that's ten grand, three months' salary for a normal person!"
"We're rooting for you to succeed!"
Amidst the well-wishing of the tourists, the Hyper Velocity Coaster slowly started moving.
All the tourists stood up, watching as the coaster carrying the three brave souls climbed to the top of the track.
At that moment, their frustration vanished, and a faint smile appeared on their faces.
Most people have an instinct to compare themselves to those even more unfortunate when they're feeling down or experiencing bad luck.
It's as if doing so can make them feel better.
The three on the coaster were now serving that role for the tourists.
With the tourists watching, the coaster finally reached the highest point of the track!
"Here we go!"
As one tourist spoke, the beastly roar of the engine they'd heard once before erupted again!
In that instant, all the tourists who'd just gotten off the coaster involuntarily trembled!
The experience on the coaster had clearly left them with deep psychological scars.
Like the old saying goes – once bitten, twice shy!
Hearing the roar of the coaster's engine, their bodies instinctively began to tremble, as if they were about to pee their pants!
"Boom!"
The Hyper Velocity Coaster's acceleration was instantaneous.
With a muffled thunder-like sound,
All the tourists could see was the coaster turning into a streak of light, speeding down the track like lightning!
"Holy crap, that's fast!"
"How did I even survive that coaster?"
"Damn, that speed's so insane, I almost had a heart attack just watching! What the hell possessed me to get on that thing in the first place!"
The tourists were amazed.
Seeing the Hyper Velocity Coaster from a different perspective, they were just as shocked by its terrifying speed!
Thirty seconds felt like an eternity to those on the coaster, but for the onlookers, it was just a few breaths.
Soon, the coaster carrying the three guys who came to pick up money with bags slowed down and entered the platform.
The tourists immediately crowded around.
The three were slumped in their seats, their eyes rolled back, faces pale, even their breathing was abnormal!
Liam and Mike hurriedly stepped forward, holding out the trash bags.
"Blegh!"
The three made the same movement simultaneously, burying their heads in the trash bags and throwing up violently.
"Little buddies, regretting it now, huh?"
"I told you not to go, but you insisted!"
"Haha, still wanna show off?"
All the tourists who had been mocked by the three earlier burst into laughter, their frustration vanishing.
The three looked like death, on the verge of tears.
Now they understood that Liam and the tourists had been genuinely trying to help them with their earlier advice!
But they never imagined...
That a mere coaster could be so terrifying!
It was just unfair!
"Ten grand ain't worth this!" one of them said, grumbling.
