Return Of The Strongest Player

'A time loop…'

Arthur's eyes widened.

It was downright terrifying what would have happened, had he not realized the familiar moments. Would he have been stuck in a time loop for all of eternity, or was realizing his state inevitable?

Would the element of time ever come to a halt, or was it simply endless?

The possibilities were endless, and none of them came with happy endings… The endings that would result in Arthur receiving first place in the Trial, and receiving the twelfth Constellation Token.

He could only be thankful, and continue.

'Wait… but how do I continue?' Arthur wondered, observing the scene around him. The area in which he stood was a mere combination of rocks, boulders, and the never-ending smell of rotten eggs.

'Where are the eggs coming from, anyway?'

Arthur glanced at the entrance, which had been obstructed by boulders he could not possibly move without the assistance of mana, Sun Energy, or any other abilities. He attempted to call out to Skofnung, but even that seemed impossible.

Clenching his teeth, the crimson-eyed searched for any exits but was unsuccessful.

Suddenly, his gaze fell upon the hourglass, which seemed to move excruciatingly slowly. Arthur noticed a single particle fall each second and judged it would take at least several hours for the bottom half to fill.

'I don't have that time… It won't be long before Kyler completes the trial…'

'After that, I'll probably be warped out of the floor.'

Arthur paced around the room, wondering what to do. Since waiting for the hourglass and moving the debris were out of the question, Arthur needed to do something different. However, there was nothing.

'Should I press the button again?'

'Will I retain my memories, or will the time loop begin once again?'

Arthur hesitated, staring at the rectangular button. He tried pulling it, pushing the wall around it, and many other maneuvers, but nothing seemed to work. It seemed as if the only option was to press the button.

'Will I get transported back again?'

It was a question he couldn't get rid of.

With trembling fingers, Arthur pressed the button. A clicking sound resounded across his ears, following the manifestation of a blinding light that enveloped his vision as if forcing him unconscious.

All of his senses vanished except sight, after which an emerald glow engulfed his vision.

'What…'

Arthur felt as if he were aging at a rapid pace as if he were speeding through the universe, not bound by the laws and restrictions placed upon mortals. Time was the sovereign of it all, yet it felt as if Arthur was not bound by the element.

It was as if he had shed the shackles forever.

An unexpected sense of ecstasy arose in his heart, which vanished just as quickly. Arthur felt the shackles bind him yet again as if his escape was merely temporary. He felt his body ache, following the disappearance of the blinding light.

What lay before him was a world devoid of light.

Or, perhaps a world graced with only enough light for visibility.

What lay before Arthur was a statue.

Turning his head, the crimson-eyed man observed his surroundings. Beneath him was a cold, hard, marble floor covered in layers of dust. The walls seemed to contain undecipherable, abstract portraits.

The corners of the room were encompassed in spider webs, and Arthur spotted many insects roaming the place.

The statue that stood before Arthur was forged using a grey material, with many, tiny air pockets that caused the texture to be rough. The statue was of a woman with peerless, unparalleled beauty.

Even without color, one could still observe how charming she was.

She possessed expression of confidence, and long, silky hair that cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall. Her skin was spotless, while the garments she wore were thick robes. Even the robes couldn't properly mask her curves and her hourglass figure.

In her left arm was a lance, while her right arm was extended forward.

A gauntlet encompassed her right hand, atop which an emerald gemstone with inexhaustible luster lay. Arthur's eyes were instinctively drawn to the gemstone, which seemed so… delicious?

It was a feeling he couldn't ignore.

However, as Arthur began approaching the gemstone, two soldiers manifested before him, clad in steel armor and wielding long swords that could slice the crimson-eyed man's neck clean off. Especially when Arthur did not have access to his powers.

So, swallowing his pride, Arthur was forced to surrender.

"If you wish to obtain that gemstone, you must complete three trials."

One of the guards announced, his voice authoritative and bold. The other guard retrieved a lock.

"You must open this lock by obtaining a key spread throughout Heaven's Spire."

"But the key is not spread through a certain timeline."

"It is located along several timelines that intertwine."

"Like a web."

The guard approached Arthur, to which the man responded by backing away in a hurry, plastering an expression of wariness upon his face. Unsheathing his sword regardless of his lack of power, he prepared to face the guards.

"Do not wield that Cursed Blade before us, or else you shall suffer the consequences."

Suddenly, emerald-colored strings crept up Arthur's forearms, wrapping around him as if they were slithery snakes. Arthur felt a slimy sensation on his arm, but he didn't have the leeway to think about such things.

"Surf through the various timelines of Heaven's Spire, and locate the three fragments of the 'key.'"

"Then, and only then can you obtain the gemstone of Time."

"So, do you wish to challenge the Trial Of Time?"

Silence.

The guards awaited an answer, their eyes gazing into Arthur's crimson pupils. At that moment, the slimy, emerald strings released the crimson-eyed man.

"The Trial Of Time…"

Arthur realized this was the opportunity to obtain the item he needed. Although unconventional, he still had a chance.

With a rejuvenated expression, despite the severe confusion he'd previously experienced, Arthur nodded.

"I will attempt the Trial Of Time."