Time was running out.
[Remaining Time: 00:07:12]
The pressure inside the Trial Tower had reached its peak.
No one spoke anymore.
No one wasted movement.
Every second mattered.
Some had already stopped.
Their eyes filled with frustration.
Their hands trembling with unwilling acceptance.
Others—
Were pushing desperately.
"Just one more…!"
"I can still do it…!"
"Focus…!"
Rian gritted his teeth.
[Manual Comprehended — 4/10]
"…Come on…"
His breathing was unstable.
But he refused to stop.
Meanwhile—
Far away—
Mooncoin Magus stood still.
Her presence remained calm.
Untouched by pressure.
Before her—
The ninth manual floated.
Beside her—
Stood her guard.
Leon Farris.
A descendant of the Farris Family—
A lineage known for producing sword masters.
His posture was firm.
His gaze sharp.
Always watching.
Always guarding.
But for a brief moment—
His eyes shifted toward Mooncoin.
Something unreadable passed through them.
Then—
[Manual Comprehended — 9/10]
A ripple spread.
"She's at nine…"
The tension grew heavier.
Leon's grip tightened slightly.
Not in surprise—
But in expectation.
As if—
He already knew she would reach the top.
But when the murmurs about another name began—
His expression changed.
Slightly.
Barely noticeable.
But real.
Meanwhile—
Namus sat quietly.
[Manual Comprehended — 9/10]
His hands rested on the final manual.
The tenth.
Slowly—
He opened it.
Inside—
There were no techniques.
No instructions.
Only words.
"Flow like time."
He stared at it.
"…Time?"
Around him—
Everything felt faster.
People rushed.
Panicked.
Forced understanding.
But the clock—
Did not slow.
[Remaining Time: 00:03:28]
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
Namus closed his eyes.
"What does it mean… to flow like time?"
Memories surfaced.
Time had always moved forward.
It never stopped.
Never waited.
Never returned.
No matter what—
Time continued.
"…It can't be reversed."
His breathing slowed.
"…It can't be changed."
The noise around him faded.
"…The only thing we can do…"
His fingers loosened.
"…is accept it."
The pressure disappeared.
Time was still moving.
But he—
Was no longer resisting it.
"…If I waste it…"
He exhaled softly.
"…I get nothing."
A deep calmness filled him.
"…If I use it…"
His mind became completely clear.
"…I gain something."
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
[Remaining Time: 00:00:19]
Around him—
People were failing.
Stopping.
Giving up.
But Namus—
Did not rush.
He simply—
Understood the meaning of his manuals.
And in that moment—
[Manual Comprehended — 10/10]
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Time—
Reached zero.
[Time Limit Reached]
The phase ended.
Some collapsed.
Some cursed.
Some stood frozen.
Rian dropped to his knees—
[Manual Comprehended — 5/10]
"…I made it…"
Relief filled his face.
Elsewhere—
Mooncoin Magus opened her eyes—
[Manual Comprehended — 10/10]
A golden aura shimmered around her.
For the first time—
Leon Farris's eyes widened slightly.
Not because she succeeded.
But because—
Someone else had too.
A list appeared in the air.
[TOP 10 COMPREHENSION RANKING]
Mooncoin Magus — 10/10
Namus Nam — 10/10
Arven Kral — 9/10
Selene Virex — 9/10
Darius Holt — 8/10
Leon Farris — 8/10
Kael Thorn — 8/10
Mira Solen — 7/10
Rian Verik — 5/10
Juno Hale — 5/10
Gasps spread.
"Ten manuals…!"
"Two people…?!"
"Who else reached ten?!"
"Namus Nam…?"
"Never heard of him…"
Mooncoin's gaze shifted.
Slowly.
Searching.
For the first time—
Her calm expression changed.
A trace of curiosity appeared.
Someone—
Had reached the same height as her.
Without status.
Without recognition.
Interesting.
Beside her—
Leon's gaze darkened slightly.
A name he didn't recognize.
Someone who stood beside her—
Without permission.
He said nothing.
But his silence—
Spoke enough.
Meanwhile—
Rewards began.
[Reward Distribution Initiated]
Those who completed 10 manuals:
Significant stat increase
Early skill resonance (locked until Level 10)
Legacy detection (hidden, locked)
Those who completed 7–9 manuals:
Moderate stat increase
Talent strengthening
Those who completed 5–6 manuals:
Basic stat increase
Stabilization bonus
A faint energy flowed into Namus.
His body didn't surge with power.
Instead—
It stabilized.
Refined.
Aligned.
A quiet strength settled within him.
A message appeared—
[Hidden Legacy Detected]
[Condition: Level 10 Required]
[Status: Locked]
He didn't react.
Because he already understood.
This wasn't the end.
It was only the beginning.
The voice echoed once more.
"Proceeding to Floor 2 — Adaptability Trial."
Light engulfed everything.
And as the world shifted—
Two paths had already begun to form.
Those who chased power.
And those who understood it.
And Namus—
Had taken his first step.