Scott reined in his wandering thoughts, his gaze sweeping cautiously across the expansive streets. Ignoring the panting champions and those who showed no signs of exhaustion, he scanned the buildings one by one. Most stood abandoned, their structures worn down by the relentless passage of time, yet traces of their former architectural ingenuity remained visible.

  It doesn’t look like anyone has been here in ages, Scott observed, his gaze lingering on a massive building with a domed roof. Unlike most of the other structures, time had left no visible scars on its pristine marble walls. Its ornate pillars and steps stood strong, though nature had partially reclaimed them, with vines, flowers, and other vegetation spiraling around the columns and cascading from the dome.

  Scott narrowed his gaze, staring at the dust trail only he could see. Why is it leading me to that building? he pondered.

  He glanced at the ticking timer. There’s still seventeen minutes left. I can use that time to explore, he decided.

  Scott moved toward the grand edifice in measured steps. Weaving through the throng of panting champions, his gaze occasionally drifted toward a few parties but never lingered on anyone for too long.

  Naturally, as he distanced himself from the other arrivals, several champions began to take notice. However, he paid them no mind since none tried to impede his path. Within minutes, he arrived at the pristine staircase—its ascending pathway numbering in the hundreds.

  Scott took his first step, then a sharp voice rang out behind him.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  Scott turned toward the speaker. An elven party with flawless dark skin stood a fair distance away. The woman who had spoken, clad in slim-fitting ranger’s clothes, glared at Scott with piercing silver eyes.

  Scott silently assessed the group before resting his impassive gaze on the woman. “Why do you care?” he retorted.

  “What nonsense is that?” she huffed. “Is this your first time here or something? Who gave you permission to do as you please in—hey!”

  Scott turned away midway through her sentence, ascending the stairs without hesitation.

  “Don’t ignore me when I’m talking to you!” the elf bellowed. “You’re going to regret this! Don’t say I didn’t warn you!”

  Scott, however, continued climbing, undeterred. One step at a time, he ascended the immaculate steps. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed some other champions approaching with interest, and chatter from the surrounding crowd intensified.

  Scott reached the twentieth step—and deafening silence fell over him.

  The grand edifice at the top of the stairs vanished, as did the surrounding buildings, as though consumed by the void. The reddened skies gave way to billowing layers of darkness, punctuated by rare flashes of cyan lightning. The step beneath Scott’s foot glowed with the same cyan hue, as did the next nineteen steps ahead. Beyond them, nothing existed—just emptiness.

  Scott blinked multiple times, assessing his surroundings. Lifting his foot from the glowing step, he watched as the mysterious changes vanished, the familiar cityscape returning. He planted his foot back on the twentieth step, and the void-like phenomenon resumed.

  Why can’t anything be straightforward in this goddamn place? he cursed inwardly, sighing as he lifted his foot again.

  Turning back toward the gathered champions, he spotted the smug grin plastered across the elf’s face as she crossed her arms over her chest.

  So this is what she was trying to warn me about. And here I thought she was just another pompous bitch throwing a tantrum, he sighed again, shaking his head.

  “If you all know what’s good for you, you won’t climb those stairs,” the elf declared, her voice cutting through the air. Then she pointed at Scott. “If you think I’m talking nonsense, then ask him.”

  Several champions who had begun their ascent hesitated. Their gazes flickered between the elf and Scott, lingering on him as if awaiting confirmation.

  Scott remained silent.

  He turned his attention back to the massive building—or what had been there. What exactly was that place? I know it’s not an illusion, he mused. Could it be some kind of dimensional transfer?

  He raised his foot once more, and the elf’s voice interrupted him before he could step forward.

  “How can you be that stubborn?” she scoffed, irritation lacing her tone. “You saw that, and you’re still determined to continue?” She let out an exasperated sigh before adding, “Some people are truly doomed, no matter how much you try to save them.”

  Scott planted his foot once more, and the scenery shifted again. He focused on the stardust trail, which continued rising beyond the cyan-lit stairs.

  Lowering his gaze, he stared at his planted foot. Something tells me that the moment both of my feet touch this step, there’s no going back. Scott glanced backward, but nothing entered his vision—emptiness surrounding him.

  I should get more information first, he decided, lifting his foot off the step.

  The familiar surroundings returned. He turned toward where the elves had been, only to find they had already begun retreating. Wasting no time, Scott descended the stairs.

  “Hey, human, why did you stop?” an orc casually asked.

  Scott glanced at the champion. “I didn’t have enough information to venture further,” he replied. Then he suddenly paused. That sounds like something Orion would say, he mused, wearing a wry smile.

  “What does that even mean?” the orc pressed, but Scott ignored him and continued his descent.

  He pursued the elven party at a measured pace, blatantly ignoring the curious champions calling out to him.

  As he drew closer, the elves halted and turned to face him. Scott stopped a few paces away, offering a thin smile.

  “So you do have a brain after all,” the elf leader remarked, glaring at him. “Is there a reason you’re chasing after us?”

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  “Thanks for earlier,” Scott said with a chuckle. “I had no idea you were trying to help.”

  The elf rolled her eyes. “Enough with the chit-chat. What do you want?” she groaned, resting her hand on her hip.

  Scott chuckled softly, wasting no time. “I won’t bother with pleasantries. What would’ve happened if I had stepped forward with both feet?”

  “You really are a newbie,” the elf smirked, shaking her head. “Friendly advice—take your reward and leave, or come back when you have trustworthy companions,” she stressed, flipping her hair aside. “To answer your question, you’d have been kicked out of The Silent City.”

  “Kicked out?” Scott repeated.

  The elf nodded.

  “To where?” he asked, intrigued.

  She shrugged. “No clue,” she admitted. “Based on what we’ve seen, it’s random. Some get sent back to the Five-Way Market, others end up in random territories or even different timelines. Some just disappear—never to be heard from again.”

  Scott nodded slowly, digesting her words. He noticed her gaze sizing him up before she smirked.

  “Of all the people who’ve made that mistake, you would’ve been one of the dumbest,” she said, her companions chuckling.

  “How so?” Scott asked, ignoring her derisive tone.

  “A clueless newbie,” she muttered, prompting more laughter from her party.

  Scott remained impassive, waiting for her to explain.

  “Despite being alone, you somehow survived the first trial of the Expanse. Yet, you almost threw away your reward by climbing those stairs,” she said.

  Scott’s brows rose in realization. So, I wouldn’t have gotten the reward if I had continued, but how good are the rewards to begin with? Scott pondered.

  Unable to curtail his curiosity, he posed another question. “How good are the rewards?”

  The elves chuckled. “How did you even survive the first phase?” one of them asked.

  Before the leader could answer, gasps erupted from the gathered champions near the steps.

  Scott turned toward the stairs, his gaze sweeping the area. Did that orc go through with it? he wondered, unable to find any trace of the champion.

  The stunned faces of the other champions spoke volumes—none dared to advance further.

  “Another idiot. What a waste,” the elf’s voice reached him, though he didn’t turn.

  The hesitant champions began rapidly descending, their faces twisted in fear.

  “How do so many smooth-brains even make it this far?” the elf muttered before leading her party away.

  Scott stretched out his hand, considering calling them back, but abandoned the thought. Instead, he glanced at the timer.

  It’s almost over, huh, Scott mused, his fingers drumming against the glowing panel. His gaze shifted back to the stairs.

  The map keeps guiding me toward that building. Based on what she said, it probably won’t factor into the next trial. Then again, the previous notification said we can’t leave the 9th zone until the timer elapses—are those steps an anomaly?

  As Scott pondered, more champions materialized within the spacious streets, each wearier than the last. Some were covered in murk, blood, dust, and grime, yet none bore injuries or deformities.

  Scott, his attention still focused on the steps, watched as the crowd gathered beneath them began to disperse. Yet a few curious champions lingered, some even ascending the steps with caution. As the seconds continued to count down, the moment of transition arrived.

  Scott stared at the notification, his gaze momentarily shifting toward the other champions who had received the same message.

  Groans echoed around him. Several champions looked visibly frustrated, some outright wearing their disappointment on their faces.

  “Damn it! Why did so many people have to survive?” a champion cursed aloud.

  “With this many survivors, the rewards are obviously going to be crap,” another spat, kicking a loose stone away.

  “We would have had more time to trim the numbers if those freaks from The Hive didn’t show up,” a third lamented with a sigh.

  A wave of cheers erupted from veteran champions as a new system notification appeared.

  A small runestone with lilac runic inscriptions manifested out of thin air, hovering directly in front of Scott. As soon as it appeared, a new notification followed.

  That’s it? Scott read through the notification; his expression impassive. They’re risking death and turning into mindless zombies for something like this? he mused, shifting his gaze from the runestone to the surrounding champions.

  Various runestones floated in front of the champions, each displaying unique runic inscriptions. Many clutched their rewards tightly, their faces brimming with excitement, as if fearing someone might snatch them away.

  Scott turned his gaze toward the elven party standing a fair distance away, and they too were just as elated as the others nearby.

  Am I the only one who thinks this isn’t worth it? He wondered, shifting his attention elsewhere.

  That’s when he noticed a group standing a fair distance from the elves. Unlike most parties clad in armor, they wore simple snow-white robes adorned with blood-splattered sleeves and crimson boots.

  Why does that robe look familiar? Scott pondered, racking his memory. Then—it hit him. They’re members of the Blood Cult from another timeline, he realized, a smile blooming on his face.

  He took a step toward the unsuspecting champions, but a new notification interrupted him.

  The system’s familiar chime was the last thing Scott heard before deafening silence swallowed the city. A new arrowhead manifested before him, and he halted his advance. He studied the arrowhead, then glanced at the dust trail only he could see.

  They’re leading me in opposite directions, Scott noted, his gaze flickering between the two indicators.

  While the dust trail led toward the steps, the arrowhead pointed toward another section of the city. Before he could deliberate further, the scent of ash, fresh blood, and dust invaded his senses. His gaze followed the scent to a brutal scene—scores of champions lay massacred, their lifeless bodies sprawled across the streets. Others engaged in fierce battles, yet not a single sound echoed through the expansive area.

  Scott’s gaze shifted from the chaos, catching sight of a group of orcs approaching him, their eyes gleaming with bloodlust. A smirk curled his lips as he raised a single finger, taunting them.

  Oh? So that’s why they’re killing each other… Understanding dawned on Scott as the orc party charged toward him—ready to unleash the carnage their bulging muscles and murderous eyes promised.