The examiner's introduction was accompanied by a monotonous beep, yet Scott remained unmoved, his curious gaze fixed on the mirror at the far end of the room.
“Before I continue, is there anything specific you'd like to know?” Nex's voice carried a newfound excitement.
Scott lifted his head, scanning the unremarkable ceiling as if searching for answers in its monotony. “Why am I still trapped in this illusion?”
A moment of silence hung in the air before a series of clicks and clanks echoed through the room. The spacious surroundings contorted, as if being torn apart by unseen forces. Scott watched the shifting scenery with indifference, his attention drawn to the mirror, unaffected by the chaos around it.
As quickly as it began, the upheaval ceased, leaving the room physically unchanged, save for a cool, refreshing breeze that now permeated the air.
“I apologize for the inconvenience,” Nex's voice broke the silence. “I needed to confirm it wasn't a fluke,” the examiner added from his concealed vantage point.
“So, what exactly is this ranking game?” Scott inquired, crossing his arms.
“It's quite simple,” Nex's excitement bubbled over. “While the earlier trials may not have fully revealed your potential based on your chosen path and companions, the ranking game is designed specifically to unlock every ounce of dormant ability within each champion,” he explained in a single breath.
Pausing briefly, as if to allow Scott to digest the information, Nex continued, “Most champions typically reach the ranking game through the boatman, but on rare occasions, some find the hidden path and traverse it without meeting their demise. Those individuals, like yourself, often begin the ranking game at the tenth level, which challenges the mental prowess of each champion.”
Another pause followed, allowing Scott to process the new information. Before Nex could resume, however, the eldritch knight interjected, “So, if I understand correctly, my companions are also undergoing similar trials elsewhere?”
“Yes, that's correct,” the examiner affirmed.
“What happens if they're unable to see through the illusion?” Scott inquired, an ominous glint reflecting in his eyes.
“They'll have to keep trying until they overcome it,” Nex explained. “I don't know what kind of place you think this is, but senseless killing and hindrances aren't on our agenda. While the games may be physically and mentally demanding, their purpose is to enable all champions to surpass their limits. The only penalty for failing a game is demotion to the previous floor, and each champion is free to participate in any game an unlimited number of times, as long as they're qualified, of course.”
Scott's murderous aura subsided after the examiner's explanation, though he maintained his earlier vigilance.
“How many games must we participate in to clear the ranking game?” Scott asked.
“Unfortunately, there's no definitive answer to that question. It depends entirely on the starting point of each champion and their adaptation to the games. I haven't had the chance to mention it earlier, but the games are dynamic and tailored to each champion. However, you'll unmistakably encounter other champions during the games who may either aid or antagonize your progress,” Nex explained carefully.
“I understand you've explained the purpose of the games, but what do the gods hope to accomplish by having us participate in them?” Scott asked after a brief pause, his focus shifting to the mirror at the end of the room.
“Firstly, and most importantly, entertainment,” Nex stated matter-of-factly. “There's nothing more entertaining than watching people strive to break through their limits or succumb to the pressure of inadequacy.”
The corner of Scott's eye twitched momentarily, but he didn't voice any disagreement with the hidden examiner.
“Secondly, many of you are significantly lacking compared to the champions in the floors above the ranking game. So much so that one of them would easily overpower a thousand of you if pitted against each other. You could say the aim of the ranking games is to refine all the rough gems before releasing them into the wild. After all, a whole new world awaits you once you complete the games,” Nex elaborated.
Scott prepared to pose another question, but he noticed one tile suddenly turning red out of the corner of his eye.
“How interesting,” Nex giggled excitedly. “The path that suits you best has been determined, but you'll need to clear the ranking stage first.”
A click punctuated the examiner’s words, and a series of red spots morphed into a doorway on the wall, corrupting several white tiles in their wake. Silently, the red spots dispersed, unveiling a dimly lit pathway beyond.
“That path will lead you to the ranking stage,” Nex explained. “You will encounter champions who have also completed the first ten stages waiting over there. Oh, another thing. You will be assigned a number based on your entry batch; don’t be disheartened if it’s low. It’s within your power to raise it. I’ll address more of your inquiries and divulge further details about the ranking game once the ranking stage concludes. Best of luck.”
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A deep resonance filled the room as the white tiles dimmed, while the passage behind the doorway gradually brightened. Scott averted his gaze from the mirror, turning toward the illuminated passage.
Although there are restrictions stopping me from contacting others, they don’t seem to restrict any of my other abilities, Scott pondered as he approached the passage in quiet steps. I hate the fact that I don’t even have time to think about what happened with my variant; and it’s not helping that his memories are still a mess. I don’t know why, but I have a feeling this isn’t my own reality, Scott speculated as he crossed over to the well-illuminated passage.
A stone door sealed off the previous area, compelling him to proceed along the narrow path strewn with numerous gemstones. Yet, Scott scarcely noticed the winding path or the seemingly precious minerals around him. Instead, he methodically reorganized his thoughts as his footsteps reverberated in the silence.
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t shake the unsettling speculations brewing within his mind. Though lacking concrete evidence, he always harbored the sense that someone or something had summoned him to the nameless tower, and purposely left him there. However, the countless remains and battle scars within the Nameless Tower provided no answers.
Lost in contemplation, Scott ventured further along the passage for thirty minutes until he reached an imposing wooden door devoid of handles. Two burning silver lanterns served as substitutes, while several runic carvings adorned its surface.
Coming to a halt a few feet from the door, Scott narrowed his gaze, studying the enigmatic carvings. He glanced to either side of the door but discerned nothing out of the ordinary. Approaching the door with cautious steps, he paused when he stood directly in front of it. Without hesitation, he reached for the burning lanterns serving as handles, his palm brushing against the makeshift knobs.
“Hmm… why is it cold?” Scott muttered, his brows furrowing as he stared at the flickering crimson flames within the lanterns. The eldritch knight pushed both knobs, and the door groaned as it parted.
Scott narrowed his gaze, fixing his eyes on the expanse beyond the door. A vast arena unfolded before him, its towering walls lined with razor-sharp spikes, the sandy black earth devoid of life, and mystical cyan orbs hovering in the air. Scott spared only a moment to take in the surreal sight before his attention was drawn to the bloodthirsty champions within the arena.
A subtle chime echoed in the ears of the eldritch knight, and he instinctively glanced at his right hand. The number eighty-nine hovered faintly above it. Since when was this here? Scott pondered as he stepped into the arena.
A gentle breeze slammed the door shut, but the artistic door garnered no attention. Instead, all eyes were fixed on the new entrant, the champions sizing him up meticulously. Scott followed suit, scanning each champion in turn, hoping to recognize someone among the group.
“Welcome, participant number eighty-nine. We currently have forty-eight champions gathered here. The ranking stage will commence upon the arrival of two more participants. Thank you for your patience,” announced a voice emanating from a floating orb. It sounded familiar, reminiscent of the examiner, yet subtly different.
Scott raised his head toward the orb. He briefly furrowed his brow before finding a spot to stand within the vast arena while observing his potential competitors. Most champions appeared visibly tense, preferring to stand further apart from each other.
I wonder what's going to happen when the last two participants arrive, Scott mused as he crouched, gathering a fistful of blackened sand in his right hand and bleached sand in his left. His actions drew curious glances from some of the champions. Moments later, he unclenched his fists, watching as the wind dispersed the sand.
A creak broke the silence, and the champions turned their attention to its origin. Another opening materialized on the arena's walls, and a new figure emerged. This time, however, several champions unconsciously took a step back, their eyes fixed on the newcomer.
Scott stood upright; his gaze fixed on the creature with deep crimson skin akin to molten magma. It boasted three heads, six arms, all supported by unshod sturdy legs.
What in the world is that? Scott pondered, staring at the towering champion. Though not as tall as cyclopes or giants, its aura far surpassed both.
“Why did it have to be an asura?” a champion muttered, dread etching his features.
“Asura?” Scott frowned, recalling bits and pieces about the creatures from various popular media but lacking detailed knowledge.
“Welcome, participant number nine. There are currently forty-nine champions gathered here. The ranking stage will commence upon the arrival of one more participant. Thank you for your patience.”
As the declaration concluded, horror contorted the faces of several champions, and they instinctively distanced themselves from the malevolent presence in their midst. Their expressions soured at the mere mention of the number. Yet even without it, Scott couldn't deny the imposing strength of the champion making his way to a spot several meters away. He hoped they wouldn't demand an all-out brawl.
Scott quickly averted his gaze from the creature, then suddenly refocused on the asura again. One of its heads, adorned with iridescent golden eyes, fixed its gaze on him with palpable excitement. Though it spoke, Scott couldn't make out the words, yet his expression soured beneath his mask as all heads turned towards him. To his dismay, the asura approached with confident strides, its devilish grin revealing massive fangs.
Fuck! Please, let this not be what I think it is, Scott silently prayed.
Despite Scott's silent plea, the champion continued his advance, the other champions in the area parting to make way for the imposing figure. While most could discern the asura's trajectory towards Scott, they remained clueless about the nature of the encounter.
Stopping a few feet away from Scott, the asura fixed its golden eyes on the eldritch knight, who returned its gaze without a hint of fear.
In the ensuing silence, a commanding voice reverberated in the mind of the Eldritch knight. “Harbinger of Madness. Why have you been calling us?”
Scott attempted to respond, but was interrupted by another creak, followed by the appearance of a new participant. Once again, the expressions of the champions contorted. The creature, with a humanoid body and an octopus-like head encased in a crystal-clear bowl fastened with a sapphire lock, commanded attention. Bluish veins formed a menacing pattern across its neck and arms, while it wore a fisherman's overall which covered its chest and lower body.
“Welcome, number participant two,” a disembodied voice announced. “There are currently fifty champions gathered here. The ranking stage will now commence. Thank you for your patience.”