The trio persevered through the unforgiving wasteland, their steps unyielding, interrupted only by sporadic breaks or the need to quiet their growling stomachs. The relentless heat and parched winds intensified with every passing minute, offering no solace except the absence of calamitous disasters, roaming creatures, and fellow participants as forewarned by the imp.

Slim broke the silence, his voice cutting through the arid air. “Do you guys have any idea how long we've been here?” He glanced at his watch, only to find the hands frozen in time since the trial commenced, a peculiar and inexplicable phenomenon.

“I've lost count,” Zara admitted, shaking her head. A small, transparent water bottle materialized in her hands, and she splashed her face with the cool liquid. Despite her cloak absorbing the scorching heat, the dry winds occasionally slapped against her face. Her condition fared better than Slim's; he had once again stripped down, and Scott, walking shirtless, revealed a thin body covered in scars and stitches. Even though it had been hours since the brawler had laid eyes on them, she refrained from commenting. Certain things were best left unspoken, or so she believed.

Zara withdrew another water bottle from her inventory and casually tossed it over to Slim. The skeleton effortlessly uncorked the transparent plastic bottle and poured the refreshing water over his bony form.

“That felt good,” Slim grinned, relishing the sensation as he stretched his arms. His attention then shifted towards Scott. “You've been awfully quiet for a while now. Is something on your mind?”

Scott turned to face the skeleton. “Not really. I've been contemplating what the imp mentioned.”

“Oh? Share your deductions with us,” Slim encouraged, draping one arm around Scott's sweat-covered shoulder and the other over Zara's.

Scott leaned forward, his gaze fixed on the brawler. “Zara, did you also step onto the main stage at midnight?”

“Yes. Why do you ask?” Zara inquired; her curious eyes focused on the masked man.

Scott paused for a moment before resuming, “The journey from the tower to here didn't even take an hour, and it's likely we've been stuck in this place for at least fifteen to sixteen hours, give or take.” Scott suddenly halted because both Zara and Slim came to an abrupt stop in their tracks.

Turning his head from side to side, Scott couldn't spot anything out of the ordinary. The fact that the duo stared at him with open mouths all but confirmed he was the source of their incredulity.

“What? Did I say something weird?” Scott inquired.

Slim spoke up first, “You were awake during the transfer?”

Scott nodded. “Weren't you?”

Zara and Slim simultaneously shook their heads, and Scott frowned behind his mask. That explains a lot.

He remembered that his mana barrier shattered before the others, and he still couldn't explain why. Now that he knew he was likely the only one awake during the transfer, he had no intention of revealing the details about the shattered mana barrier to the duo just yet.

“Could there be some meaning behind it?” Zara pondered aloud.

“Maybe it has something to do with his second race,” Slim suggested, the uncertainty in his voice palpable.

Scott cleared his throat while adjusting his hair. “That's not important, guys. We can discuss that later. What I was trying to say earlier is that we might be the fortunate ones during this trial, especially if this desert is much larger than we expected.”

Slim burst into laughter. “There's no way that little trickster would do something nice for us. Come on, that little devil would...”

Slim paused, rubbing his jaw as a stray thought blossomed in his mind. He opened his mouth to speak again but suddenly fell silent, a sense of realization dawning on him.

“I can't believe it,” Slim muttered in a daze.

“Wait, what are you guys talking about?” Zara asked, confusion evident in her wandering eyes. “It will be more difficult for others to find us if this place is bigger than we expected. There are literally thousands of people searching for us. But it should... wait a minute.” Zara paused, her frown deepening as she tilted her head to the side. Then, her pupils widened in realization.

“If this place is freakishly large, then it’s practically impossible for all the purple hearts to find the bearers of death,” Zara whispered in a daze.

Slim interjected, “Even worse, a lot of people will be driven into desperation the longer the trial continues. Can you imagine a hundred people searching for only one person in this place?”

“I'm glad you guys finally understand,” Scott remarked. Were it not for the imp's parting words, he might have missed their advantageous position.

Perhaps that explained why the pursuing warriors hadn't given chase. I need to be cautious around that man. Hopefully, our paths won't cross again, Scott mused, reflecting on the encounter with Kigen and his tribal brothers.

Suddenly, Slim erupted into laughter, lifting both arms in amusement. “I'll make sure to give that little bastard an autograph when I see him. Who knew the creep had our backs?”

The skeleton tightened his grip on Zara's shoulder, encouraging the cat girl to join him in a dance.

“Before you start celebrating, give it a moment. Don't forget about the sand wall,” Scott reminded them.

Slim halted his celebratory dance, his expression shifting to a frown once more.

“We can't afford to become complacent just because we find ourselves in a favorable position. That's when things tend to take a turn for the worse,” Scott cautioned.

“Nicely said,” an unfamiliar voice reverberated, causing Scott, Zara, and Slim to shudder. The source of the voice materialized suddenly, a figure standing among them. They couldn't discern when or where he had arrived, but there he stood, as if he had been present from the outset. Wrapped in a hooded black cloak, the figure exuded an enigmatic presence. The cloak swayed gently, responding to the capricious whispers of the wind, while a diminutive leather satchel adorned with two gemstones dangled freely from the robe secured at the figure’s waist.

You have found the Tower Trader!

“There's no need to be scared; I come seeking trades, not fists.” The trader slowly raised his hands. “See? I have no weapons on me,” he assured, simultaneously reaching for his satchel. His bubbly voice echoed once more. “You don’t know how hard I've been searching for you three, but I’m glad to finally make your acquaintance. I’m the tower trader, and peddling is my game.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Scott narrowed his gaze, fixing his eyes on the system notification in front of him. It wasn't surprising that Hastur’s gaze couldn't discern anything about the trader. Yet, a lingering doubt crossed Scott's mind. Can we really trust this guy? he pondered silently.

No matter the angle or position from which they observed the trader, they couldn't see beyond the cloak. However, none of the trio harbored any intentions of approaching the mysterious individual.

The tower trader sighed, detecting the unmistakable suspicion emanating from the trio. He opened his satchel, the echoes of clanks and creaks filling the air as he rummaged through the leather bag. Then, with a speed beyond the trio's perception, he withdrew three snow-white crystals and tossed them onto the loose sand. The crystals collided with the ground, yet produced no dust and emitted no sound.

“These elemental shards should prove useful in warding off the heat. Consider it a gift,” the trader said.

Scott turned his gaze to Slim. “Is that really an elemental shard?” he inquired mentally. The skeleton nodded, but neither of them extended a hand to claim the item. They had both endured enough to understand that nothing was ever freely given. Zara, too, refrained from picking up the shard; instead, she brought her fists together, subtly assuming a fighting stance.

The trader sighed deeply, scratching his head in frustration. “Why are you guys being so difficult? I've already made it clear that I'm not seeking a fight.” With a sudden, almost magical gesture, the trader vanished, reappearing next to Scott. Simultaneously, another trader materialized beside Slim and Zara.

“I don’t mean to boast, but you lot don’t even stand a chance against me,” the trader declared, reappearing in his initial position.

Scott crouched low, his fingers reaching for the elemental shard. An icy sensation tingled through his fingertips as the smooth gemstone settled into his palm. Slim and Zara watched in awe as a thin layer of frost enveloped Scott’s body, shimmering each time the violent winds clashed against the protective barrier.

Scott lifted his gaze to his companions. “You should grab one too. I don’t think it's a trap,” he communicated mentally, before stashing the elemental shard into his pocket after removing his clothes from his inventory.

“I’m pleased my benevolent intentions have reached you,” the trader chuckled, his attention shifting to the latch of his leather bag.

“Can you tell us more about what we can and can’t purchase from you,” Scott inquired, folding his arms across his chest. His gaze shifted towards Slim and Zara, and for some reason, their attention wasn’t fixed on the tall figure.

What are they looking at? Scott narrowed his eyes but couldn’t see anything beyond the mysterious peddler.

“Guys, what’s wrong?” Scott asked through their shared mental connection, but only silence met his words.

The trader laughed, executing a courteous bow. The tall figure shot its head up, materializing in front of Scott within a heartbeat. “Your friends are engrossed in their own transactions at the moment. It wouldn't be fair to disturb them.”

Then he cleared his throat as he continued. “I can provide any item you desire—potions, information, weapons, or armor, and a whole lot more. However, whatever I deem of suitable value must be paid in exchange. Now, what do you desire?”

Standing up close to the mysterious being, Scott's eyes bulged as thick veins distorted the sides of his face. The darkness veiling the peddler's figure slowly dissipated, transforming into a blurry mist instead of absolute obscurity.

The trader chuckled, extending his hand toward Scott's mask. Despite Scott's attempt to evade the reaching arm, he found himself immobilized.

“How intriguing,” the trader remarked, his fingers halting just before the churning darkness in the mask. “There's no mistaking this energy concentration. I'm truly honored to stand in the presence of a spawn of a great old one.” He withdrew his hand and continued, “If you relinquish that mask, I'll grant you anything you desire—be it information regarding the gods or detailed notes on all the test floors.” The trader suddenly paused, lifting his head.

Scott felt as though he was being watched, though he wasn't the primary focus. A sickening chortle soon filled his ears, and the trader spoke again. “Forget my previous offer. Give me your eyes and the mask, and I’ll guide you to the last floor personally. I will restore your former eyes, and I will ensure there’s a place for you when the trial of champions is over, regardless of the outcome.”

Scott opened his mouth to speak, but no words emerged. Instead, a blackened fist squirmed out from his insides, gradually transforming into a towering figure clad in yellow. The peddler had vanished, replaced by a creature beyond his comprehension. It possessed a humanoid physique yet bore mountains and towering trees on its body. Fiery eyes, akin to stars, gleamed, while an all-consuming void stretched from the center of its being.

Scott observed the two colossal figures in the eerie quiet of the abyss, struggling to comprehend his surroundings and identity. The only solace he found lay in the familiar hue of yellow that enveloped him. Gazing down, he expected to see his arms, but they eluded him. The search for his legs proved equally fruitless. Turning in desperation, he was met only by boundless emptiness. When he tried to speak, the abyss swallowed his voice in a profound silence.

With a single blink, the humanoid monstrosity vanished. A second blink, and the yellow-clad figure disappeared. On the third blink, he found himself under a sky of azure, with a skeleton and a captivating feline creature peering down at him, their expressions marked by concern.

Oh. I remember now. My name is Has… A knock landed on the head of the half-human, rousing him from his daze, and his confused eyes shifted between Slim and Zara.

“Buddy, you’re finally awake!” Slim said with an anxious smile. Zara’s tensed muscles relaxed, but concern still clouded her eyes.

Scott, on the other hand, stared at the system notification in front of his eyes.

Abnormal Stat: Madness has increased by 6! Warning! The user will succumb to their insanity if Madness exceeds Composure by 10 points!

Scott cursed under his breath as he shifted his position, scanning his surroundings for the elusive tower trader. Zara extended her right hand to the dazed man, asking, “Are you sure you're okay?” Scott grabbed her hand, and with a gentle pull, he regained his footing.

“I don't know how I ended up on the ground, but I'm fine now, I think,” Scott replied, brushing lingering sand off his hair. “Where's the trader, and how long was I down there?”

“He left more than an hour ago, and you've been out for the same amount of time,” Slim explained, placing a hand behind Scott's back. “Did he do something weird to you?”

“I don't know. The last thing I remembered was him asking for my mask,” Scott said, grappling with his fragmented memory. Slim and Zara exchanged perplexed glances, unsure of their next move. The skeleton swiftly accessed its inventory, retrieving a small parchment that dissipated as soon as it materialized.

“I managed to barter my right to pose a question to the examiner in exchange for a map of the desert,” Slim explained, gesturing towards an inconspicuous arrow pulsating on the screen, unbeknownst to his companions. “There's a shelter that way, about four or five hours from here. If his words hold true, discovering the shelter will automatically clear the trial.”

Scott's eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

The skeleton nodded, uncertain whether it was a fair trade, but intrigued by the prospect of discovering the type of shelter awaiting them at the end of the map. Scott released Zara's hand, his expression shifting suddenly to a frown.

“Where's your cloak?” he inquired.

Zara wore a wry smile, skillfully avoiding his gaze. “I traded it for some information,” she admitted.

Could it be linked to the Vakham hound? Scott pondered, but respecting their autonomy, he refrained from probing further.

Slim, ever curious, posed the same question. “So, what about you? Did you gain anything worthwhile?”

Scott shook his head. “Nope, didn't get a chance to,” he replied before steering the conversation in a different direction. “I'm sure another opportunity will come up. Let's follow your map to the shelter. I don't know about you guys, but I'm eager to conclude this trial.”

Slim chuckled, dropping his arm onto Scott's shoulder. “Me and you, buddy.” He extended his free hand to Zara's shoulder. “Let's go, buddies.”