Ethan lay flat on the cold stone floor of the labyrinth, staring up at the bleak, endless sky.
Hours had passed.
His mind still throbbed, fragile and raw.
It took dozens of bottles of S-grade Mind Strengthening Potion just to keep himself from completely breaking.
If any other awakener from Earth saw him casually gulping down these potions—potions worth more than entire city blocks—they'd probably have a ntal breakdown on the spot.
But Ethan didn't care.
He needed them.
Because what he had just experienced…
Was hell— or close to it.
..
His gaze remained locked onto the dark sky.
His second trial, and it was already this brutal.
The first one had tested his heart. His conscience. His resolve. His wisdom.
But this?
This was sothing else entirely.
This wasn't just a test. This was tornt.
It was as if the Tower itself was tailoring these trials specifically to break him—to challenge the very ideals that made him want to beco a savior.
And the worst part?
It was working.
His eyes shifted to the girl.
She was still staring at him. Unblinking.
Her golden, bleeding eyes fixed on him like she could see straight into his soul.
Ethan suppressed a shudder.
He wanted to help her. He really did.
But saving her ant shouldering her burden.
Taking on the horrors she had suffered.
Living with her pain.
And frankly?
No. Thank. You.
The first ti had nearly shattered his mind.
If he had to experience sothing like that over and over again?
Not even an ocean of S-grade potions would be enough to keep him sane.
Unfortunately…
He had no choice.
The trial required him to save the lost.
To carry their burdens.
But…
Maybe there was another way.
Maybe he could find a soul with a burden that wasn't so—
His eyes flickered back to the girl.
Yeah.
Not like hers.
…
'System. In the first trial, did I gain karmic points for helping people?'
[Yes, Host. For aiding those truly in need, you earned 4 million karmic points.]
'My current balance?'
[16 million.]
Ethan exhaled. Good.
'Where can I find a soul with a less… intense burden than this scary-ass girl?'
[Nowhere, Host.]
Silence.
'I beg your pardon?'
[This girl's trauma is the least severe of all the souls here.]
Ethan froze.
His stomach turned.
No. No, that had to be wrong.
This girl? The one who had watched her parents get butchered in front of her? The one who had exploded in holy light out of sheer grief?
That was the least scary trauma here?
What the fuck?
His throat felt dry.
'Where the hell am I? Why is the Tower sending here?'
[This is the Labyrinth of the Lost Souls. A place for those who cannot pass into the Soul Realm because of their burdens.]
[They either refuse to let go… or they simply cannot.]
[So they suffer.]
[For eternity.]
[Reliving their past horrors over and over again.]
Ethan clenched his fists.
His mind reeled at the sheer cruelty of it.
"Why have regrets? Just die peacefully and move on, you dumbasses."
He let out a bitter laugh.
But deep down…
He feels sad for them.
Living an eternity, trapped in your worst mont.
With only pain as your companion.
That was hell. Literally.
His gaze swept across the labyrinth, watching the drifting souls.
And for the first ti— He saw them differently.
Not as an obstacle.
Not as a burden.
But as people.
People who had suffered. People who deserved salvation.
A quiet thought ford in his mind.
I wish I could save them all.
And then—
His entire body tensed.
A system notification instantly popped up.
[Do not even think about it.]
Ethan blinked.
'Oh? So you can interrupt my thoughts now hun ?'
'And are you only showing yourself when I make wishes ? I think I will do that more often then.'
Silence.
Then—
[Ethan. It is too early for this conversation.]
Tsk.
Of course you would say that.
You always dodged the important questions. Fucking cliché.
'I already know soone's manipulating —and you are the pri suspect by the way—so don't push it with these bullshit excuses.'
A pause.
Then—
[This is not the ti for this talk. Climb the Tower, Ethan. Learn its secrets. And you will know what you want to know.]
[And you cannot save this realm, the souls here, by simply wishing it.]
[You are too weak.]
[You cannot bear the burden.]
[And I will not bear it for you again. It will do you nor good.]
Ethan stilled.
'So the problem is that I'm too weak to shoulder the burden of saving them all?'
[Yes.]
[And more importantly—it is dangerous.]
[This labyrinth exists for a reason.]
[Saving these souls would paint a target on your back.]
Ethan narrowed his eyes.
'Why?'
[Because no one is supposed to be able to do that.]
[Only the True Children of that Bitch can.]
[And trust , they won't bother saving anyone.]
Ethan blinked.
'…Excuse ? "That Bitch"?'
What Bitch?
System, do you just have enemies everywhere?
The Wretched Tower and now a Bitch ?
No response.
Figures.
But then—
[Save the girl.]
[She is an Angel.]
The system glitched.
Ethan's breath hitched.
Angel?
As in… literal Angel?
'System. Angel's exist?'
[Yes, Host.]
Tsk.
The robotic tone was back.
Of course.
Ethan sighed and sat up.
'Fine. Whatever. Then tell this—how can I save souls without permanently wrecking my mind?'
A pause.
[You can purchase the Mind Prison skill Host.]
[It will create a ntal prison to store unwanted mories, preventing them from affecting you.]
Ethan's eyes lit up.
That's it. That's exactly what he needed.
'How much?'
[10 million karmic points.]
…Silence.
Then, out of sheer habit—
"YOU SCAMMING BASTARD!!!"
—End Of Chapter 29—
A/N:
Make so reviews or comnts to tell your thoughts about this book and the progression of the story.
I like to hear about your opinions. So do not hesitate.
Thank you for your power stones !!!
And add it in your library if you like it.
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