Silence enveloped the group of awestruck champions as they gazed at the floating overseer, who observed them with lazy indifference.

“It's a floating fish,” one champion muttered, unable to conceal his surprise.

“It's even wearing a cute dress,” whispered a feline, waving at the golden overseer. Several female champions and a few males joined in, waving back at the floating figure.

Meanwhile, the fish's face turned pink with embarrassment as it coughed. “Ahem, please restrain your enthusiasm, ladies and gentlemen,” it said. “I will now explain the details of this trial.”

Mr. Fishido floated higher, stopping near the first step, his deep and alluring voice echoing once more. “The objective of this trial is to reach the tenth island via the steps. You are permitted to use any means at your disposal to achieve this. The top ten among you will be rewarded with core elemental shards, and there will be no penalties for those who finish below the top ten. There is no set time limit, so champions may remain in the valley until they reach the final island. That will be all,” the overseer declared.

Without waiting for questions, the toga-clad fish ascended higher and higher, ignoring calls from champions with queries. Moments later, the overseer vanished from view, and the fish's voice boomed once more. “You may begin!”

Several champions exploded into a sprint, racing towards the edge of the cliff. However, a few, including Scott and the asura, remained in place, watching the frontrunners closely.

The champion at the forefront reached the cliff's edge, preparing to leap towards the steps below. But before she could jump, a sudden kick struck the back of her head, sending her hurtling away from the silver step. A piercing scream filled the air as the champions halted, their eyes fixed on the falling figure, which rapidly swelled in size. In less than five seconds, she had ballooned to over ten times her normal size, and with a sickening pop, her body burst apart, blood and viscera spraying in all directions. Simultaneously, the steps in the vicinity trembled, flipping upside down and zigzagging erratically.

Silence hung heavy in the air for a moment, broken only by the gentle chime that followed. A portal materialized in the field, expelling the body of the fallen champion. The stunned champion lay on the grass, visibly shaken but undeniably alive.

Champions, one after another, hurled themselves toward the steps, grappling with assailants in a desperate bid for ascent. Meanwhile, those who remained on the grassy expanse stood motionless, their attention fixed on the unfolding spectacle.

In less than a minute, the tranquility shattered into anguished cries as several champions met their demise, succumbing to the same grotesque fate that had befallen the female champion earlier. With each subsequent pop, the steps inverted, flinging their occupants to certain death below. Of the seventy contenders who had initially approached the stairs, not even one endured. Once again, portals materialized on the grass, disgorging the bodies of the fallen.

This time, none of the champions dared to approach the treacherous steps. The grim reality of the game had dawned upon them, dispelling any illusions of ease they might have harbored initially.

Footsteps echoed once more, drawing the attention of the champions towards a trio of Avian champions advancing toward the cliff. With graceful strides, they reached the cliff's edge, their majestic snow-white wings settling smoothly behind them. The towering figures, humanoid in form yet adorned with avian heads, paused at the edge of the grassy expanse. Ignoring the ground beneath them, they took to the air, soaring towards the distant island with effortless speed.

“Fucking hell! This hardly seems fair,” a champion grumbled, watching the Avians navigate the shifting terrain.

His sentiments were shared by many, who saw the advantage flight conferred in the game. Undeterred, those who had fallen earlier rose, determined to follow the Avians' lead. Summoning various flying items from their inventories, they prepared to take flight. But before they could join their winged counterparts, the sky split open, and three colossal bolts of lightning descended, annihilating the avian champions without a trace.

Silence fell once more, broken only by the opening of another portal nearby. The stunned Avians emerged, their gaze fixed apprehensively on the serene sky above.

“How intriguing,” a nearby champion remarked; he wore a blue and white mage’s robe while wielding a sturdy staff adorned with obsidian beads.

“The steps inverted abruptly upon any unfortunate fall, offering no means of grasp. Furthermore, it appeared one could ascend only to approximately a thousand feet before encountering a sudden demise. How fascinating,” the champion mused, adjusting his glasses with a subtle tilt. Halting before the avian champions, he lowered himself into a crouch. “Would you mind taking flight once more? My data collection remains incomplete,” he inquired, his smile warm yet insistent.

The avians' demeanor shifted, feathers ruffling with defiance against the human's unreasonable request. Yet, despite their inner turmoil, their powerful wings unfurled with resolve, propelling them skyward with unexpected speed toward the distant island. As they breached the thousand-foot threshold, a colossal lightning bolt crackled across the sky, descending upon them with merciless precision, obliterating their forms into nothingness. Moments later, a portal materialized mere feet away from the mage, disgorging the terrified creatures back into his presence. Their eyes met once more with his penetrating emerald gaze, mirrored by his unwaveringly affable smile.

“The thousand-foot mark indeed,” the mage murmured, stroking his chin in contemplation. His gaze shifted away from the avians, smile still intact, as he turned to address another champion. “You were close to hanging on earlier, weren't you? Care to give it another try?” he suggested, his tone encouraging.

Before the champion could respond, he was already moving, compelled by some unseen force. Simultaneously, the mage redirected his focus to the female champion who had been the first to tumble over the edge. “I regret having to ask this, but could you take a leap once more?” he implored. “It's solely for the purpose of data collection.”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

The champion's face contorted in horror, yet she, too, stood up and strode swiftly toward the cliff's edge. The two champions reached the precipice simultaneously; one leaped onto the silver step, while the other propelled herself towards the abyss. Her body expanded several times over before bursting into a gruesome mess. However, the mages and several stunned champions focused their attention on the remaining champion who clung tightly to the silver step, anticipating its expected flip.

As predicted, the step flipped, but the champion remained firmly attached to it, hurtling away at incredible speed.

“Remarkable,” the mages murmured softly, nodding in approval. “You can release your hold now,” he suggested.

Without hesitation, the champion disentangled himself, hurtling towards the abyss while screaming, swelling until he exploded into a gruesome residue of flesh, blood, and bones.

The mage nodded to himself, muttering inaudible words. Simultaneously, two portals opened, ejecting the manipulated champions. Silence once again enveloped the scene. Every champion within a hundred meters of the mage hastily retreated without exception, some covering their eyes and ears with odd items from their inventory.

The mage spared the frightened champions a brief glance before shaking his head, unable to conceal his amusement. Then, he randomly selected ten other champions, declaring, “You lot, come with me. The rest of you should kindly remain here, at least until we reach the first island.”

Most of those chosen by the mage had their vision or hearing obstructed, and some had both senses blocked, yet their bodies obeyed the mage's summons. Meanwhile, the remaining champions remained motionless, resembling mindless corpses as they watched on.

The mage and his chosen companions approached the cliff with slow, synchronized steps. However, on their tenth stride, a new set of footsteps interrupted their rhythm. The mage paused, turning to face the newcomer.

There stood a figure in an animated black mask, accompanied by a hulking creature seemingly crafted from molten magma. The mage's brow furrowed slightly, surprise flickering in his emerald eyes. Yet, excitement soon replaced the shock as a charming smile spread across the mage's face.

“My friends, I thought I told you to remain here. This research means so much to me, so it would be best if you could sit still,” he declared with a smile. However, Scott and his companion continued their advance, slowly closing the distance between themselves and the mage. For the first time, the mage wore a perplexed expression, a crease forming on his forehead. He slammed the base of his staff on the ground and spoke out again, “My friends, I'll have to insist you remain here. It's for your own good, after all.”

Scott and the asura stopped, much to the mage's delight. He prepared to speak, but Scott's caustic voice cut him off before he could open his mouth. “Get the hell out of my way before I make you regret it.”

Both men locked gazes, a tense silence filling the area. The mage's emerald eyes flickered ever so slightly as his features slowly morphed into horror. Without warning, the mage's right eye exploded into a gory mess, but he erupted into laughter while holding the remains of his right eye.

“What... What are you?” the mage asked with a crazed smile, his singular eye brimming with curiosity.

“Not only did my persuasion fail on you, but you were also able to lure me into an illusion as soon as our eyes met. I can't believe you're able to induce an illusion so authentic I can't even differentiate it from reality. This is incredible,” the mage roared in excitement, glancing at the other motionless champions.

“Such detail,” the mage murmured with maniacal delight, surveying the flawless replication of every champion around him. “The air, the temperature—everything mirrors my data bank. Even my hidden records have been perfectly replicated. This illusion surpasses the mediocre rubbish of the lower floors. Though I am aware it's not real, I find myself unable to awaken. How incredible.”

He took a step toward Scott, still clutching his mangled eye. “What do I require to learn this illusion—no, what would it cost me to accompany you? I believe there's a chance I'll gather incredible data while with you.”

“How does time function here?” the mage pondered aloud; his excitement palpable. “It could have been a minute or perhaps an hour, even years since I arrived. This is exhilarating.”

With another step forward, he continued his excited ramblings. “Can you blow off my leg next?”

The mage's leg exploded as soon as the request left his lips, eliciting a scream that mingled with excited roars.

“Next, my spleen!” he exclaimed.

A muffled explosion erupted from the upper left side of the mage's abdomen, his eyes rolling inward as he convulsed in pain. “So much data,” he managed to utter, despite the agony.

“Please, my testicles next,” the mage pleaded with fervor.

Scott shook his head incredulously before erupting into laughter. He had never encountered such deranged yet perfectly lucid behavior. The mage's omission of any mention of being called confirmed he wasn't succumbing to madness or any similar influence.

The mage blinked, his singular eye finding himself once again in the grassy field, body unscathed. He blinked multiple times, gaze shifting from one champion to another. “Am I out?” he pondered aloud, scrutinizing the area intently.

Scott and the asura silently took a step forward, halting only at the cliff's edge. Scott's voice reverberated, “You can join us if you need more data. I hope you won't regret your decision.”

Saying nothing further, Scott and the asura deftly maneuvered from one step to another with nimble grace. The mage turned toward the duo, a broad smile spreading across his face.

Pointing to the champions he had chosen earlier, he declared, “I'll call for you if I need you,” before joining Scott and the asura in ascending the shifting steps.

The trio climbed in silence, leaping from one silver step to the next, gradually nearing the first island. Scott and the asura halted simultaneously at the thousand-feet mark, and the mage soon joined them at the infamous checkpoint.

“I was hoping my friends down there could help determine whether the thunder strike is a punishment or a feature, but I'm eager to see what you have planned,” the mage remarked.

Scott turned to him, “I don't know about you, but I don't plan on getting hit. I'll go first.”

Scott's body gradually became intangible as he floated toward the next step. The heavens split open again, hurling a massive thunderbolt toward the eldritch knight. However, it simply passed through Scott's intangible form, striking empty air before he reached the first step beyond the checkpoint.

“So, it was indeed a feature,” the mage murmured, adjusting his glasses. He turned to the asura; his right brow raised. He didn't know how or when, but the malevolent creature now wielded six halberds brimming with earth element.

“Is this how he plans to evade the thunderbolt?” the mage muttered, observing the asura taking a deliberate step forward.

Another thunderbolt descended, and the colossal creature swung all six halberds towards the elemental onslaught, absorbing the impact and devastation in one fluid motion. Like Scott, the asura advanced after the checkpoint, its leftmost head turning towards the mage with curiosity.

“How intriguing. I foresaw the outcome the moment you summoned those halberds, and you handled it admirably,” the mage remarked, stepping closer. The heavens parted once more, and another thunderbolt raced towards the mage with ferocity. Undeterred, he raised his head, a smile playing on his lips as he faced the elemental onslaught. The thunderbolt streaked past him, hurtling towards the abyss, its brilliance expanding before erupting into a vibrant display. Simultaneously, the steps hummed in synchronization with the flashing lights, and Scott, the asura, and the mage vanished, reappearing on the final step near the first island.

“Data is indeed invaluable. Had I known about the lightning bolt's capabilities from the onset, I wouldn't have expended so much effort in the field. Then again, I wouldn't have gotten such valuable data,” the mage reflected, turning towards Scott and the asura.

“I suppose I should properly introduce myself. I am Orion, named after the constellation; my father was an astronomer. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”