My eyes narrow as the space around me shifts in an instant.

My grip tightens on my swords, but slowly, I ease the tension as I take in my surroundings.

Another white room.

I don't relax just yet—my waves scan for anomalies, any sign of movement. While a few features catch my attention, there seems to be no imminent danger.

My gaze locks onto the counter on the wall ahead.

7:00:00:00

4/14

So it's similar to the last one. Seven days. A minimum number of participants required to start the countdown. But this time, it's 14 instead of the 7 from before. Why?

I calmly watch as the number climbs—13/14 → 14, 15, 16—all the way to 25, where it stops.

The moment it hit 14, the countdown began.

6:23:59:41

So, another week alone, huh?

I sigh. I'm gonna miss her.

I take another look around the room. It's undeniably an upgrade from the previous accommodations.

The space is noticeably larger—about 900 square meters. The walls, ceiling, and floor are made of the same sleek white material as the other white rooms, smooth and featureless except for a few attached fixtures along the walls.

To my surprise, I spot a toilet bowl, seamlessly integrated into the wall behind it. It feels like forever since I last used one of those. A welcome relief from squatting behind bushes and digging holes in the dirt. Even if it's just for the next seven days, I'll take it.

Next, I notice a long, singular table built into the wall, with a single white chair in front of it. On top, there are a few plates and basic cutlery, neatly arranged.

I grin. So, The Tower finally decided to treat us like humans?

Beside the table, I find several smooth, barrel-shaped containers—all a uniform white, their surfaces unmarked. Water? Food? Probably.

Well, I have enough supplies in my backpack to last for a few days, but I won't say no to free rations.

Further along the wall, I spot a large rectangular container, also white. No markings, no handles. Not sure what it is. I'll check it later.

Then, my eyes land on something truly luxurious—an actual bed.

A real, modern bed.

It has no pillow or blanket, and the mattress looks plain, but after weeks of sleeping on rough stone, dried leaves, and whatever makeshift bedding I could scrape together, this might as well be royalty-level comfort.

On top of the bed, I notice neatly folded clothes. Seven sets.

A white shirt, gray sweatpants, and… white boxers.

I smirk. Quite the detail.

Moving on, my attention is drawn to a tube-like fixture protruding from the wall. I scan it with my waves and pick up several tiny perforations at the end.

I frown. The shape, the positioning…

A shower?

I glance down. Sure enough, small drainage holes dot the floor beneath it.

Curious, I step closer, but just as I do, something appears at the edge of my vision. My senses sharpen, muscles tensing—only to realize it's just a mirror.

Intrigued, I approach.

A reflection stares back at me.

I'm clad in full black armor, its surface seamless and smooth, with a metallic sheen. My helmet retracts, and I find myself staring directly into my own eyes.

Wild. That's the first word that comes to mind.

My hair is a mess, even though Ayu had helped me cut it a couple of weeks ago. It grew too fast. I run a hand through it, feeling the uneven strands.

Then my gaze drifts lower. Scruffy beard.

I chuckle. Time for another shave.

Yet as I keep staring, I find myself drawn to my own gaze.

Those eyes…

Sharp. Focused. Intense.

I linger for a moment, taking in how much I've changed—how much The Tower has changed me.

Then, shaking the thoughts away, I turn and continue toward the shower.

As I reach it, I notice there are no buttons. No handles. No levers. Nothing.

How do I even turn it on?

Unless…

I extend my hand toward it.

The moment I do, a high-pressure stream of water blasts from the showerhead, catching me off guard. Instinct kicks in, and I jerk my hand back.

The water stops immediately.

I stare at it for a second before extending my arm again.

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This time, I let the stream hit me. The pressure is intense—far stronger than any shower I've ever used. I'm not even sure a normal human could withstand it comfortably. But for me? It feels just right. Probably strong enough to scrape the dirt out from under my nails.

The temperature is perfect, too. Warm—exactly how I like it.

For a brief moment, I consider stripping off my clothes and armor right here to take a shower. But there's no rush. I have plenty of time.

Instead, I continue walking along the walls, my fingers trailing across the smooth white surface. It brings back memories. Not good ones...

As I move, I pass directly in front of the countdown display.

Just then, something flickers in my vision.

I pivot, hands on my swords, instinctively creating distance as my senses lock onto the anomaly.

But then, I relax.

A holographic screen has appeared—just below the countdown timer.

I frown, studying it. I send out my waves, scanning for anything unusual. To my surprise, I can interact with the panel using my EM waves—almost like an extension of my mind.

Curious, I focus on it.

Three options appear: Send Message, Read Messages, and Send Invitation.

Invitation? Invitation to what?

Before I can dwell on it, a prompt appears in my vision, accompanied by a sharp, brief sound.

Lukas Gruber has sent you an invitation

Huh?

The message catches me off guard. Below it, two options appear: Accept, Refuse.

Well, it's Lukas. I focus on Accept with my waves—

And suddenly, the space around me shifts.

In an instant, I find myself somewhere else.

I blink, glancing around. It's the same white room, yet—

"So it works," Lukas grins, looking right at me.

Before I can react, Ayu and Chiara materialize out of thin air. Moments later, Imani, Wang, and Arjun follow.

Realization dawns. So this is how it works.

"Well, apologies for spamming the invites," Lukas chuckles, glancing at us.

"How did you do it?" Chiara asks.

"There's a holographic panel near the countdown. Step closer, and it appears. It lets us invite each other into our spaces. There's also a messaging option—I haven't tried that one yet," Lukas answers.

"So we can invite and send messages to each other during the seven-day wait? That's great!" Ayu beams, her eyes drifting to mine, filled with pure relief and excitement.

I return her smile, feeling the same way.

"Seems like it," Lukas muses, glancing around. "Also, I noticed the accommodations are a serious upgrade this time. Basic waste disposal, plenty of water, a bed, actual clothes… and a few things I haven't checked yet."

Following his gaze, I spot what he's referring to. "That's a shower," I point out.

"Oh, convenient," he remarks with an approving nod. "Looks like The Tower is treating us better the further we climb. First, just fruits and water in a barrel. Then, proper meals at a table. Now, a toilet and a shower? Not bad."

"Speaking of which, what did you guys get for food?" Wang interjects, suddenly curious.

"Khao Pad," Ayu grins. "Really missed it."

"Jollof Rice," Imani adds, his eyes gleaming with nostalgia.

"Khichdi," Arjun says simply, though a hint of happiness slips through.

Wang hums in thought before nodding. "So it's selective. Makes sense. Would've been weird if you all got Wonton Soup," he chuckles.

Lukas raises an eyebrow. "Wait, where is it stored? Those white containers?"

"Yeah, some have water, others have food," Wang confirms.

Chiara smirks and locks eyes with Lukas. "Well then, why don't we check what you got?"

Lukas sighs dramatically. "Fine, fine. Although, if it's what I think it is, I won't be surprised." He strides toward the containers, Chiara right beside him, anticipation clear in her expression.

As he approaches, the container automatically slides open, releasing a rich, spiced aroma into the air.

I catch a whiff of it and instantly recognize the scent—deep, earthy spices, slow-cooked meat, a hint of coconut.

Chiara leans in, intrigued. "Huh? That doesn't smell Western to me."

Curious, I step closer for a better look. Inside, tender cuts of meat are coated in a thick, dark sauce, the unmistakable scent of slow-cooked rendang filling the space.

Lukas chuckles. "Well, while I have nothing against the food from my home country, I was living in Malaysia for a few months before The Tower got me, and… let's just say the rendang won me over."

"And what did you get?" Ayu asks, looking at me.

"Oh… I haven't checked yet," I admit. I have some guesses, but I'm not too sure which I'd call my favorite. I'll have to wait and see.

"We can exchange later," she transmits privately, her smile playful.

"Sure."

"Well, with the invitation system, we potentially have 25 different dishes to enjoy over the next few days," Lukas points out. "Good times ahead."

I suddenly remember the only thing I haven't checked yet. "And what's with the rectangular container?"

"That's for waste disposal, I think," Wang says.

Handy.

"Well, I think that's it for the room. Anyone notice anything else?" Lukas asks.

"A mirror," Chiara says. "Right next to the shower."

"Finally, a place to rehearse my epic one-liners before a fight," Lukas grins before shifting his gaze to the display on the wall.

"The countdown follows the same pattern as last time, though the required participants increased from 7 to 14… not exactly reassuring," he comments, his tone more serious.

"There's something bothering me about that," I say. "What if we had fewer than 14 people left alive? What then? Do we just… stay in this room forever? Do we… fail The Tower?"

Silence follows.

"I'd like to think there's another way around it," Lukas says after a moment. "Maybe an adjusted challenge? Maybe a way to start the next stage if that's all we have left? Either way, that's a problem for another time. Let's not dwell on it. For now, let's focus on staying alive and beating the crap out of whatever challenges these alien masterminds throw at us," he smirks, lightening the mood.

"But even ignoring that potential issue… what's the point of the participant limit? Why does it allow for more than the minimum? And why do we have to wait seven days? What's the purpose of this room?" Chiara asks.

Lukas grins. "As wise and knowledgeable as I may seem, even I don't have all the answers." He crosses his arms. "But the waiting period makes sense. If each stage is a challenge, maybe The Tower wants everyone to start at the same time, properly prepared, rather than just throwing people in as they climb the stairs. It could also be a way to give us a break between challenges or ensure there are no stragglers before a new stage begins. Like right now—the stage was collapsing, with seven days acting as the timer before everything sank. So if a group of 14 entered first, the remaining 11 would be forced to climb and join them before the countdown finished, ensuring everyone started the next phase together."

"But what about back at the Oasis?" I ask. "There was no stage collapsing, no push to climb. What if groups of seven entered with a seven-day delay? Would they go to the same stage? Or a different one?"

"Well, no one came after us," Lukas points out. "But that could be because we left no one behind. If there were survivors outside the Oasis, they might never have made it." He exhales. "Again, it's a question we can't answer, and knowing the answer won't help us climb. We just have to take things as they come and keep moving forward." His expression hardens slightly. "At the end of the day, we only have each other. Everything else… is just another challenge."

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