Chapter 43: Chapter 43
White.
Everything was white.
White walls. White floors. White ceiling.
The whole universe was bleached in a consistent, achromatic shade.
Standing amidst a world of white, Idris lost all perception of physics. The volume, area, and distance of the stark room were impossible for him to gauge.
White is bright, creating a sense of space.
White is sterile, creating a sense of isolation.
But Idris was at ease.
Rather than experiencing the effects of sensory deprivation, he felt calm.
Nothingness cleansed his mind.
"Welcome, Idris Tyler Soll."
A robotic voice manifested. Articulating every word precisely, it blended into the serene environment.
"Where am I?" whispered Idris with a husky voice.
His voice assimilated into the environment seamlessly, as if the world was specially designed to revolve around him.
Looking down, Idris's eyes interacted with the vibrant spectrum of colors adorning his human body. As his receptors began to perceive, the soothing sensation of peace and weightlessness that enveloped him dissipated naturally.
When Idris finally glanced back up, he found a figure standing meekly in front of him.
"You are within." The figure answered sparingly with a monotone voice.
The humanoid figure was featureless, its body composed of drifting, transparent particles as if it were some sort of energy-based entity.
"Are you ready for the testing?" The entity floated closer in a swift motion. Its plain appearance inhibited any display of emotions.
"Testing?" questioned Idris.
"Yes. It is an evaluation of your genes and development." Replying calmly, the entity changed its color palette from a translucent hue to a milky shade. "Take a step whenever you are ready."
"What exactly are the procedures for this test? Is it dangerous?"
Idris clasped his front suit pocket instinctively. The cardboard picture frame was also transported to this dimension. It seemed that all personal belonging from outside could be brought into the obelisk.
"The testing process is instantaneous. It records your energy level and the full scale of your power. Individuals will not feel pain. They will not experience death." The entity answered as fluctuating particles compacted and intertwined, forming a physical arm.
Flicking its wrist, a mythical portal, tall enough for an elephant to enter, concocted before Idris's eyes. A translucent vortex tinted with streaks of Byzantium purple swirled within the circular frame of the portal, permeating a dreamy haze.
"This is where the testing commences. You will engage in a series of battles and your level of excellence will be judged based on your performance."
As the faint portal flickered, the scenery within the portal changed dramatically. Lush greenery sprouted atop a vast, open field. The rugose mountains on the horizon kissed the dashes of cotton in the infinite blue sky.
Dispersing its arms to its original state of matter, the entity continued. "To fully evaluate our participants, you will be challenged by respective evolutions in large quantities. Your precise abilities and skillsets will be thoroughly dissected and simulated to perfection."
Black figures emerged from the peak of the craggy mountains, gazing down at the grassy field as they remained stationary like ominous trees growing densely across the winding hills.
"Another brutal battle?" Idris knitted his brows, observing the isolated world within the stable portal. He remembered Theodore's promise to him: the obelisk possessing the power to bring him the best news of his life. But considering how things were progressing, Idris had doubts about the validity of his peculiar remarks.
As if it had read Idris's mind, the entity tempted unhurriedly. "Outstanding participants will receive corresponding points. There are unlimited participants, but limited rewards. Early decisions can change the course of your story."
"Points? How will they benefit me?" Idris tried to inquire further, but the entity interrupted him.
"Information classified."
"How are rewards distribut—?"
"Information classified." The entity levitated in place emotionlessly, stubbornly refusing to provide details.
Realizing that lingering was pointless, Idris took a step forwards resolutely, for actions spoke louder than words. If he wanted to gain more information from the entity, he needed to follow its instructions.
However, just as the front of his leather shoes made contact with the wispy portal, it vanished.
"Congratulations. The testing is over. You have been assigned a ranking."
What? I completed the simulation?
Perplexed, Idris turned to scan his surroundings. But other than leaving his original position with the single stride he had taken, nothing else had changed in this empty, white room.
"Don't be confused. As I have previously informed you, the testing is instantaneous." The entity's monotone voice traveled into Idris's ears. "You will also have no memories of the battle."
"But I haven't even lifted a finger…"
"Your subconscious mind has accurately depicted how your fight would have progressed against various scenarios. Now, please wait patiently for the outcome."
Idris frowned, visibly shaken by the shocking information he had received. In a split second, he had spilled blood, and perhaps perished on the field of green within the portal?
Ding-Ding-Ding-
Just as Idris began speculating, a flurry of ringing bells alerted him.
"Idris Tyler Soll, congratulation once again!" The translucent entity was now dyed in a spectrum of bright colors, exchanging between apple red; gold; and tangerine. "You have secured a phenomenal placing!"
Countless, small pockets protruded from the white walls around Idris and began beaming neon lights in celebration of Idris's success. Blinded by the flashing lights, Idris felt his heartbeat accelerating rapidly.
This was indeed good news.
****
"I wonder what's taking Idris so long".
Yawning, Theodore toppled onto a wooden bench. Leaving the obelisk, Theodore expected himself to be the last one to reunite with his guild. But he was very wrong.
His trusty old pal Idris was nowhere to be found.
"Don't ask me, wise guy. I am clueless as compared to you," said Qi Rui as she adjusted her exoskeleton with her hands while observing the flow of traffic. "Maybe there were some technical difficulties. This futuristic tower must not be as technologically advanced as I thought. Who knew alien technology could lag…"
Listening to Qi Rui's rant, Theodore couldn't help but burst into maniacal laughter. "HAHAHA! Oh wow! So that's what you perceive the centerpiece as!"
"Huh? What do you mean?" Flustered from his laughter, Qi Rui immediately interrogated.
Yanking his head to view the tower again, Theodore grinned mischievously. "Fun fact about these centerpieces. Everyone, I mean every single person in this world, will have a different perception of the tower."
Reflected in his eyeballs was a crimson tower, ablaze with reigning hellfire with sexy sculptures of demon ladies adorning the surface.
"Slow down there! Are you sure you're not playing a prank?" Rubbing her eyes in disbelief, Qi Rui immediately grabbed a passerby to confirm Theodore's statement. "Hey! Tell me what this tower looks like!"
The random man who was suddenly intercepted wanted to retaliate in frustration, but after seeing that it was a beautiful lady, he instantly ceased his anger and answered her question.
"Go— It's a gold tower. With pearls trailing into the sky."
"Oh my…" Releasing the man, Qi Rui stumbled back and sat down on the bench beside Theodore, dumbstruck and in awe.
Around them, thousands of people were coming in and out of the obelisk. Almost all survivors who had congregated here entered the obelisk in a trance and exited it with a mixture of bewilderment and excitement.
Numerous highlighted names ran down the broad surface of the obelisk starting at the pinnacle.
No. 3.
Name: Unknown.
Gene Evolution: Rank 1
Total Power: Class 1 B
No. 12.
Name: Julia Liraz.
Gene Evolution: Rank 1
Total Power: Class 1 D
No. 64.
Name: Veca Keren.
Gene Evolution: Rank 1
Total Power: Class 1 E
No. 179.
Name: Oralee Fevronia.
Gene Evolution: Rank 1
Total Power: Class 1 F
Detailed names of participants were continuously generated, their respective records perceivable from great distances away.
All of a sudden, the entire ladder shifted, descending one level.
Dominating above the thousands of names appeared a golden line of words, ruthlessly shoving down the previous glorious victor.
"Oh come on! I was proud of being number 3!" Grimacing in pain, Theodore clenched his heart dramatically as he witnessed his demotion from No. 3 to No. 4.
"You were in third place but called yourself 'unknown'?" Qi Rui chuckled.
"Unknown is just a universal title for those who have yet to input their name," Theodore explained. "This only applies to the top 10 candidates on every centrepiece. By the way, only the top 10 can choose their own names."
Leering at Qi Rui, Theodore scanned through the list once again. "I wonder which of these are you?"
"Shush! This is less of an important issue! Look at the statistics of the person at the top!" Qi Rui exclaimed, her eyes purely focused on the obelisk.
Gazing up, Theodore's jaw dropped.
He has never seen such absurd numbers even in his past life on Earth.
Brightly lit, golden rows of words illuminated the night sky like a beacon.
No. 1.
Name: Soul.
Gene Evolution: Rank 1
Total Power: Rank 4, Class C.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
bacon_bacon
bacon_bacon I’m probably gonna make a few changes later depending on how my next chapter progresses.
Btw, tell me your perception of the tower. Entertain me with your imagination!
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone