Chapter 42: Speedrun The Trials (1)

Ethan found himself in the same forest again.

He frowned. Why do I keep ending up here?

“This rest zone ... is it just for me? Do others come here at different intervals? Or are there copies of it?”

{This is a unique space. It belongs solely to you. You can even rename it if you wish.}

Ethan nodded. It made sense. The Tower controlled countless realms and dimensions—something like this was well within its capabilities.

What he didn’t know was that he was the only climber with this advantage. Everyone else? They got plain white rooms as their rest zones.

Like after every trial, Ethan took a moment to reflect.

This time, the lesson was simple: he had been holding back.

He had forgotten two of his greatest assets—his Gift of Benevolence and his Infinite Return System. He hadn’t fully utilized his wealth, his resources, or his power.

That changed now.

From here on out, if a problem could be solved with money or resources, he’d throw both at it without hesitation. No more playing by the rules. No more unnecessary suffering.

It was time to speed run these trials.

“Tower, take me to the next trial.”

The space shifted.

Ethan found himself in a cold, lifeless city. Buildings stood like empty shells. The streets were eerily silent. No guards at the gate. No merchants in the market. Just ... emptiness.

{Fourth Trial: The Hollow City}