Kale stepped through the portal, his senses bombarded by the sudden shift in atmosphere. He now stood in a grand banquet hall, far unlike anything he had seen in the Tower before. The room was massive, with high arched ceilings supported by towering marble pillars. Crystal chandeliers hung from above, casting shimmering lights that danced across the polished floors. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting legendary battles and heroic feats, each woven with rich colors and intricate details.
The hall was filled with players, all of whom had the unmistakable aura of heroes. These weren't ordinary Tower climbers—they were the best of the best. Each one stood tall, exuding an air of confidence, their weapons gleaming and their armor flawless. The tension in the room was thick, a silent understanding that only one of them would walk away victorious.
Kale took it all in with calm eyes, his senses sharp and alert. Despite the grandeur and the fierce competition around him, there was a strange serenity in his mind. He found a bench near the back of the hall, away from the clusters of players who were already sizing each other up, and sat down.
"This is expected," Kale muttered to himself, crossing his arms as he leaned back. "There aren't many heroes to begin with, and most reject the quest because of the danger."
He watched as more players trickled in, their faces a mix of determination and uncertainty. Some carried legendary weapons, while others had enchanted artifacts radiating with power. But no matter how strong they appeared, Kale knew that not all of them had the resolve to see this trial through.
After a few minutes, the room quieted as the host appeared. He was a tall, imposing figure dressed in flowing robes, his eyes gleaming with authority. The crowd of players turned their attention to him, and Kale straightened slightly in his seat, his curiosity piqued.
"Welcome, heroes," the host's voice boomed, echoing through the vast banquet hall. "You have all chosen to participate in one of the most dangerous trials the Tower has to offer: the Battle Royale of Heroes. I commend your courage, but know this—many of you will not make it past today."
Kale narrowed his eyes, listening intently. He had known the stakes when he accepted the challenge, but hearing it spoken aloud made the reality of the situation even sharper.
The host continued, "The rules are simple. The last one standing will be declared the victor. If your health drops to near zero, the system will automatically teleport you out to prevent death. However," the host paused, letting the tension build, "if the person you're fighting is fast enough or clever enough, they can kill you before the system has a chance to intervene. So, fight wisely."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Kale's eyes flicked around the room, taking stock of the other players. He wasn't worried about them killing him—he was more concerned with how many would gang up on him once the battle began. His reputation had been growing with each trial, and he knew he wouldn't fly under the radar for long.
"Oh, and one more thing," the host added with a smirk. "This Battle Royale will be monitored by high-ranking players and, yes, even gods. They will be watching your every move. Impress them, and you might earn their favor. Disappoint them, and, well... let's hope that doesn't happen."
Kale knew this already. The gods and high-ranking players often watched these trials, searching for potential apostles or future warriors to serve them. Many of the gods had hit their limits long ago, unable to gain strength through normal means, which was why they took an interest in these battles. They needed warriors to do their bidding, and the Tower was the perfect proving ground.
The host's voice grew louder, filled with anticipation. "The stage is set. The battlefield is ready. May the strongest hero emerge victorious."
The ground beneath the banquet hall shifted slightly, signaling the trial was about to begin. Kale tensed, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The other players around him were doing the same, some of them visibly nervous, others eager to prove their worth.
Kale's mind was calm, laser-focused on the task ahead. He had fought against overwhelming odds before, and this time would be no different. But he also knew that this battle wasn't just about survival—it was about making a statement. His title, The Mythical Rank Hero, was already gaining attention, but he needed more. He needed to solidify his place among the strongest in the Tower.
As the banquet hall's walls began to dissolve, revealing the battlefield beyond, Kale stood up from the bench. The landscape that emerged was vast and treacherous, with jagged cliffs, dense forests, and open plains stretched out before them. It was a place designed for war—a perfect arena for the chaos that was about to unfold.
Kale could feel the eyes of the gods on him, their presence heavy and expectant. The stakes couldn't be higher.
"This is it," he whispered to himself, drawing his sword as the light of the banquet hall faded completely. The battlefield roared to life, the sounds of wind and distant battle cries filling the air. "No more holding back."
The host's voice echoed one final time. "Let the Battle Royale of Heroes begin!"
Without hesitation, Kale activated his most powerful skills—Sage's Eyes and Hero's Nandaki—feeling the familiar surge of power course through his body. For the first time in a while, the system chimed:
[You have Activated the Skill Hero's Nandaki.]
[You have Activated the Skill : Sage's Eyes.]
His vision sharpened, and time seemed to slow down as his enhanced perception kicked in. He could see the subtle movements of the players around him, each one preparing to strike, to defend, or to hide. He could predict their actions before they even took them, the battlefield laid out before him like a complex puzzle he was about to solve.
The wind howled, carrying with it the tension of the coming battle. Kale's heart raced, but not from fear—from excitement. This was what he had trained for. This was the moment he had been waiting for.
"Come at me," Kale muttered under his breath, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "Let's see who's really worthy."
And with that, the battle began.
Players lunged at each other with ferocity, spells crackled through the air, and the sound of metal clashing against metal echoed through the arena. But Kale stood his ground, his eyes scanning the battlefield, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
He wouldn't just survive this trial—he would dominate it.