Lava's Edge

The second trial was about to begin.

A notification flashed before every player's eyes, and in that instant—

Tension filled the air.

The nervous chatter from moments ago vanished as reality set in.

No one paid attention to the exploded vendor's shop anymore.

And the culprit behind the destruction?

Alex.

He stood there, still grinning like a madman as if he had just finished a work of art.

Freya, standing beside him, had a look of sheer disbelief on her face.

"Did you really have to—" she started but stopped herself.

There was no point.

Instead, she just sighed and shook her head.

Meanwhile, every player began moving toward the starting line—

A narrow cliff's edge that overlooked a deadly chasm.

They were anxious. Tense.

Only a few, like Alex and Onigi, seemed excited.

Then they saw it—

The trial itself.