The Colossus Trial

Mark felt the ground vanish beneath his feet. A white light engulfed him as the system announced his transfer.

[[Teleportation to the fourth floor in progress. Prepare yourself.]]

The next moment, he found himself on his knees, breathless.

The environment was simple: a vast rocky plain under a gray sky, without a clear horizon. But it wasn't the scenery that terrified him. It was the pressure.

The gravity was crushing.

Mark tried to stand, but his legs trembled and refused to obey. His own weight seemed to have doubled.

— What the hell is this?!

[[Welcome to the fourth floor: The Colossus Trial.]]

[[Main Objective: Survive for 72 hours.]]

[[Conditions: Gravity increases progressively every 12 hours.]]

[[Endurance consumption: x3.]]

[[Rewards: Permanent physical improvement and passive skill.]]

Mark gritted his teeth. No monsters, no traps… just him, facing his own limits.

He crawled toward a flat rock, using his arms to pull himself up. Every movement was torture. His breath came in short, ragged gasps.

— Okay, Mark. Don't panic. Stay calm, conserve energy.

He checked his status.

[[Mark's Status]]

[Physical]

Strength: 22

Agility: 22 (+3 from Silent Boots)

Constitution: 41

Charisma: 2

[Mental]

Intelligence: 9

Perception: 12

Luck: 4

Mental Endurance: 16

[Skills]

Unyielding Stride: Reduces fatigue during long distances.

Steel Mind: Reduces the effects of mental illusions by 30%.

Body Resilience: Reduces physical fatigue by 20%.

[[Endurance: 78%.]]

Time stretched. Each hour felt like a day. He sat cross-legged, forcing himself to breathe slowly.

Inhale. Exhale. Save energy.

After six hours, his muscles burned. After twelve hours, the gravity doubled.

Mark collapsed.

— No… I can hold on.

He clenched his fists and dragged himself into a natural hollow in the ground, creating a makeshift shelter. He rationed his movements, avoiding unnecessary exertion.

The hallucinations began on the second day. Shadows danced at the edge of his vision. The ground seemed to ripple beneath him.

[[Endurance: 34%.]]

— I must hold on… Just a little more…

The third day was hell. The gravity had quadrupled. Each breath was a monumental effort. Mark lay still, focused solely on survival.

His mind began to wander. Memories resurfaced—fragments of his past life, his classroom, his friends, his family. They all seemed distant, almost unreal. He wondered for a moment if the world he once knew still existed or if the D.M.U. had erased it all.

— No. I can't give up.

He dug his fingers into the cold dust of the ground, using the pain to anchor himself to reality.

When the interface finally appeared, he could hardly believe his eyes.

[[Congratulations! Main objective completed.]]

[[Rewards:]]

+5 Permanent Constitution

Passive Skill: Body Resilience (Reduces physical fatigue by 20%.)

1,000 credits

[[Available Credits: 1,000]]

The gravity suddenly lessened. Mark rolled onto his back, laughing weakly.

— I did it… he murmured, his gaze lost in the gray sky.

He knew he'd grown stronger. Not just physically, but mentally. Patience, self-control—that was his true victory.

He slowly stood, savoring the newfound lightness.

But as he tried to walk, his legs buckled again. His muscles, though adapted, were exhausted. His body screamed for rest.

He staggered to a rock and sat down heavily, staring at the floating interface.

[[Do you want to proceed to the next floor?]]

Mark stared at the question for a long moment. His mind wanted to push forward, but his body disagreed.

— No… Not yet. I need to recover, to process what I just endured.

He reopened his status, observing the changes.

[[Mark's Status]]

[Physical]

Strength: 22

Agility: 22 (+3 from Silent Boots)

Constitution: 41

Charisma: 2

[Mental]

Intelligence: 9

Perception: 12

Luck: 4

Mental Endurance: 16

[Skills]

Unyielding Stride: Reduces fatigue during long distances.

Steel Mind: Reduces the effects of mental illusions by 30%.

Body Resilience: Reduces physical fatigue by 20%.

[Special Items]: Wanderer's Compass, Silent Boots, Clarity Amulet.

His eyes fell on the compass. The needle spun slowly, as if reminding him there was still a long path ahead. He watched it for a while, wondering if the object held a deeper meaning.

Curious, he opened the shop to see what his new credits could afford.

[[Shop – Available Items]]

Minor Strength Gloves – 800 credits

+2 Strength, improves grip.

Vitality Crystal – 1,200 credits

+5 Constitution, permanent effect.

Recovery Bracelet – 900 credits

Increases endurance recovery by 10% during rest.

Mark hesitated. The vitality crystal was tempting, but he ultimately chose the recovery bracelet, thinking of the intense fatigue he'd just endured.

[[Recovery Bracelet purchased for 900 credits. Remaining balance: 100 credits.]]

He fastened the bracelet around his wrist. A gentle warmth enveloped his arm, as if his body finally understood it could relax.

— I'm staying here for a while… he murmured, closing his eyes.

True strength wasn't just about hitting harder. It was knowing when to advance and when to rest.

He lay back, hands behind his head, savoring the peaceful silence of victory. The next floor could wait. For now, he'd earned the right to breathe.

Sleep took him quickly, this time without nightmares or tension. He knew that when he woke, he'd be ready to face whatever came next.