Chapter 42: Speedrun the Trials (1)
Ethan found himself in the same forest again.
He frowned. Why do I keep ending up here?
"This rest zone… is it just for me? Do others come here at different intervals? Or are there copies of it?"
{This is a unique space. It belongs solely to you. You can even rename it if you wish.}
Ethan nodded. It made sense. The Tower controlled countless realms and dimensions—something like this was well within its capabilities.
What he didn't know was that he was the only climber with this advantage. Everyone else? They got plain white rooms as their rest zones.
⸻
Like after every trial, Ethan took a moment to reflect.
This time, the lesson was simple: he had been holding back.
He had forgotten two of his greatest assets—his Gift of Benevolence and his Infinite Return System. He hadn't fully utilized his wealth, his resources, or his power.
That changed now.
From here on out, if a problem could be solved with money or resources, he'd throw both at it without hesitation. No more playing by the rules. No more unnecessary suffering.
It was time to speedrun these trials.
"Tower, take me to the next trial."
⸻
The space shifted.
Ethan found himself in a cold, lifeless city. Buildings stood like empty shells. The streets were eerily silent. No guards at the gate. No merchants in the market. Just… emptiness.
{Fourth Trial: The Hollow City}
{Description: The people of this city have lost their memories. They live in confusion, uncertain of their past or future. Give them a new beginning by providing new memories to live for.}
{Time Limit: 7 Days}
{Reward: S-Grade Question Voucher}
{Good Luck, O Giver.}
Ethan read the description carefully, then nodded.
Alright. Easy enough.
He strode into the city.
The people were hidden inside their homes, lost in despair. Without memories, they had no sense of purpose. They weren't dead, but they weren't truly alive either.
Ethan smirked. This should be fun.
'System, I got sound affinity as my last reward, right?'
[Yes.]
'How much karma did I earn for giving those ladies hope in the previous trial?'
[20 billion karmic points.]
'Good. Upgrade my sound affinity to S-rank.'
[1 billion points required.]
Do it.
[DING! Your Sound Affinity has been upgraded to S-rank.]
Instantly, knowledge flooded his mind. The secrets of sound, resonance, and influence became clear to him.
Ethan steadied himself, a wicked grin forming.
To give them memories to live for? Easy.
Movies, anime, novels—he'd let them experience the best stories from his past life. The epics of warriors defying fate, assassins reincarnating into noble families, heroes rising from nothing.
And if that wasn't enough?
He'd show them his own memories of Earth.
He opened his inventory and searched for a skill.
[Lord's Voice (S-Grade)]
A skill that made his voice irresistible. Commands spoken with it would shake the minds of weaker-willed listeners, compelling them to obey.
Perfect.
'System, set up mana speakers and projection screens. Play my memories, movies, and novels when the people arrive.'
[Cost: 5 billion karmic points.]
Done.
Ethan took a deep breath. Then—
BOOOOOOM!!!
His voice erupted through the city like a shockwave.
"EVERYONE, GATHER IN THE CITY CENTER—IMMEDIATELY!!!"
The air shook. Windows rattled. The sheer force of his voice rippled through every street and alleyway.
Inside their homes, the citizens froze—then, as if guided by an unseen force, they moved.
Step by step. Street by street.
They all marched toward the center.
Ethan stood tall, watching thousands of people flood into the square.
He smirked.
"Let's wrap this up."
⸻
{You have completed the Fourth Trial.}
{Exceptional Results! You cleared it in 1 day.}
{Bonus Reward: The people of this city are now loyal to you. You can find them in the Tower—they will follow you unconditionally.}
{Returning to the Rest Zone…}
Ethan scoffed. "No. Send me straight to the next trial."
{Understood.}
⸻
The scenery changed.
Ethan now stood in a grand royal chamber, decorated with gold and jewels.
Kneeling before him was a king, his crown trembling on his head as he bowed.
{Fifth Trial: A King's Plea}
{Description: The king of this kingdom lacks the strength to protect his people from an impending monster invasion. He begs for your power to save them.}
{You may give him your strength, soul power, or mana. But anything you give will be lost forever.}
{Alternatively, you may kill him. His death will save the kingdom.}
{Your inventory has been locked.}
{Reward: Rank Up to D-rank.}
{The choice is yours.}
Ethan glanced at the kneeling king, then let out a low chuckle.
'System, how many karmic points did I earn for saving an entire city?'
[500 billion.]
Ethan grinned.
The Tower locked my inventory? Cute.
But it forgot one thing—
He had a system.
And a ridiculous amount of points to burn.
"D-rank, here I come."
—End of Chapter 42—