The subordinate reported: "The fleet just sent a message, they've already circled the tower's base, but didn't find any entrance whatsoever. It's impossible to enter!"
The veins on the commander's forehead protruded, he felt very annoyed: "What the hell! Making a trial tower like this but it can't be entered, are they toying with people?"
They were troops from a neighboring city who had joined with City J's military to maintain order, but clearly they were now understaffed. Although troops from various regions were on the way, it was already too late. The situation was almost out of control.
But right at that moment, the Sacred Ruins Trial Tower above the sea suddenly shook violently.
Blue rippling waves appeared around it and spread in all directions. Before long, a row of gates appeared at the tower's base and opened wide, emitting beams of bright blue light toward the coastline.
"What's happening?"
Everyone simultaneously turned toward the tower.
The Sacred Ruins Trial Tower began rotating slowly, faster and faster over time. The beams of light emitted merged into a giant pillar of light that struck the coast forcefully.
"This is bad!"
The main commander's face changed, he had just been about to order a retreat, but it was already too late.
That giant pillar of light directly enveloped the entire coastline. All sentient beings there were covered by the light, and at that very instant the pillar of light shrank back. The coast that had been packed full, now suddenly became completely empty.
"This... what has happened?"
People who were quite far away and still on their way to the coast immediately stopped their steps, staring at the empty coast with feelings of dread and confusion.
Fear began mysteriously enveloping their hearts.
In an instant everyone disappeared, were they sucked into that Sacred Ruins Trial Tower?
They looked at the tower, and saw the tower's ground floor slowly beginning to light up.
The light grew brighter, until suddenly a giant pillar of light shot toward the sky. Then, in the vast blue sky, stretched a giant crystal screen covering the heavens, displaying an image.
In that image, the people who had just disappeared from the coast could be clearly seen. At this time they were gathered in a giant square with various expressions; some happy, afraid, angry, to panicked. No one understood what was actually happening.
At the same time, from inside the trial tower's first floor, a heavy voice that was unclear whether male or female was heard, echoing in everyone's ears, including those outside watching the screen.
[The Sacred Ruins Trial Tower will open once every seven days. The number of participants entering is unlimited. Each floor passed will receive appropriate rewards. All sentient beings entering within a thousand kilometer radius of the tower are considered trial participants. There are only two ways to exit: death or completing the trial. After seven days, whatever the result, all participants will be forcibly expelled from the tower.]
[Trial participants will be placed on different tower floors based on their respective strength. The first floor is designated for those with power level below 100 and will be broadcast live. Trial content differs each time, participants are expected to be careful.]
[Death is not the only end.]
[Power is also not the only standard for passing.]
[Everyone, take care of yourselves.]
[The trial, OFFICIALLY BEGINS.]
Along with the disappearance of that voice, the space on the first floor began to shake.
Light disappeared quickly, and the surroundings became pitch dark to the point one's own palm couldn't be seen.
People's emotions began to become restless and anxious, some people began shouting loudly.
"What exactly is happening? Why did I suddenly enter here? I just wanted to watch!"
"What the hell is this? You said there's no danger? Why can there be death? I want to get out! Release me!"
"Hahahahaha, interesting, very interesting... Death huh... Power, I just want power!"
Some were angry, some were excited. But all that didn't change anything. Because they had been chosen, what controlled their fate was no longer themselves.
Outside the tower, although the image on the screen appeared dim, the expressions and conditions of everyone inside were clearly visible to the outside world. Those emotions made people outside feel tense and anxious too.
"This tower... what exactly does it want to do!"
The bespectacled man who had just arrived now stood at the peak of a tall building, staring at the giant crystal screen in the sky while muttering to himself.
Saitama spread the wings on his back, trying to approach the trial tower or crystal screen in the sky repeatedly, but he was always repelled by an invisible force.
"Is this really made by the Gold List's First Place...?" Saitama floated in the air, also staring at that crystal screen.
Not just him, many strong fighters who came from outside the area also didn't have time to enter within the tower's range. In this first trial, most who entered were ordinary people, and the majority were placed in the trial tower's first floor room.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
Inside the Trial Tower's first floor room.
The darkness began to be dispelled, and the surrounding space slowly became clear.
People realized they were on a remote island.
The vast ancient forest on the island appeared silent and terrifying, occasionally strange roars were heard that made hair stand on end.
"What place is this? Aren't we inside the trial tower?" Someone asked in a fearful voice.
"Where is this? Are we inside the tower or still in City J? Why are we suddenly on an island?"
The crowd became noisy, full of debate. Several people ran to the island's edge, trying to find traces of an exit. But they discovered with dread that this island was actually floating in the middle of the sky.
When looking down, what existed was only pitch darkness that couldn't be penetrated by sight. The slippery cliff appeared endless, and in that darkness it was as if there were many pairs of eyes watching them.
Suddenly, that voice echoed again.
[Trial: Isolated Island]
[Trial Content: On this island, various strangeness and mysteries are hidden. They have unimaginable abilities and natures; cruel, brutal, and bloodthirsty. They are everywhere. Only by finding the large gate emitting blue light can you escape from here.]
[Trial Rules: Survive for seven days / Find the teleportation gate. Hint (Inside each person's body has been implanted hints of the gate's location or weapons; those objects are used to fight against strangeness and mysteries. Perhaps that will bring unexpected benefits to you).]
That voice disappeared again. Everyone looked at each other, their faces appearing pale.
"What does that mean? Inside each person's body is implanted hints or weapons? Then how do we get them out?" Someone asked.
The person beside them glanced with a cynical look and chuckled: "Just open your stomach, maybe you'll know..."
The faces of people around changed drastically. They simultaneously distanced themselves from each other, their expressions becoming very wary and full of suspicion.