Chapter 9: The Test of Will
The next chamber they enter is vastly different from the first. It's not empty — instead, it's filled with strange, floating platforms hovering over an abyss of darkness. The platforms shift and move, creating an ever-changing path across the room.
Above them, words appear once again:
"Only the brave may cross. Your fears will be your downfall."
Ryo's breath catches in his throat. The room is designed to test their courage, and from the looks of it, one wrong step means falling into the abyss below. He peers over the edge of the platform, but the darkness below seems bottomless, endless.
Hana looks pale as she takes in the scene. "This looks bad," she mutters, her voice trembling.
Ryo clenches his fists, trying to control his fear. He can't show weakness now, not when they've come this far. "We have to do it," he says, stepping onto the first platform. It wobbles under his weight, but he steadies himself and motions for Hana to follow.
She hesitates, her eyes wide with fear, but she steps forward. The moment she's on the platform, it jerks to the side, and she lets out a small yelp, grabbing onto Ryo for balance.
"It's okay," Ryo says, his voice steady despite his own fear. "We'll take it one step at a time."
They move carefully, hopping from one platform to the next as the path shifts and changes. The air is thick with tension, every movement fraught with danger. Ryo's heart pounds in his chest, but he focuses on the task at hand, keeping his fear at bay.
Halfway across, a low rumbling sound echoes through the chamber, and the platforms begin to move faster. Ryo's pulse quickens. The tower is testing them, pushing them to the edge of their limits.
"We need to move faster," he says, grabbing Hana's arm and pulling her onto the next platform just as the one behind them vanishes into the abyss.
The platforms are disappearing now, forcing them to make quick decisions. Ryo's mind races as he calculates the best path forward, but the fear is creeping in, making it harder to think. His hands are shaking, and his breathing is shallow. He knows that if he lets the fear take hold, he'll make a mistake.
"Come on!" he shouts, pulling Hana onto the final platform just as the rest of the path collapses into the void. They land with a thud, panting heavily, their hearts racing.
The wall in front of them slides open, revealing another staircase leading upward. Ryo slumps against the platform, his body trembling from the adrenaline.
"That was close," Hana says, her voice shaky.
Ryo nods, unable to speak. His mind is still reeling from the near-death experience, but he knows they can't stop now. The tower isn't finished with them yet.
They ascend once more, their bodies tired but their resolve stronger than ever. The tower of trials is testing more than just their physical abilities — it's testing their will to survive.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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