"What is that?"
Ethan really wanted to see clearly what that staircase was, or what the place at the end of the staircase looked like, but aside from the staircase that stretched on forever, he couldn't see anything else.
"The Tower of Babel, Babel Tower, call it whatever you like. It's just a place that can take you to the next level... that's all."
"Take me to the next level?"
Ethan turned to look at the old man beside him, wanting to ask something but realizing he didn't even know how to address him.
"It seems not having a name makes you uncomfortable. In that case, just call me Eugene."
Ethan glanced at the old man. It seemed like a name he just made up on the spot, but it didn't matter.
"What do you mean by 'take me to the next level'?"
Wasn't this supposed to be the arena for him and Abraham to fight to the death? Ethan noticed that Abraham had disappeared at some point. Only he and Eugene were left here.
Although he didn't know why, Eugene then began explaining what this so-called Tower of Babel, or Babel Tower, actually was.
For countless years, Eugene's goal had been to reach the center of the Source Sea and ascend to the peak of the Main Gods.
But accomplishing that was not easy. After countless years, Eugene still hadn't reached the core—not even the center, just a place still quite far from it.
This so-called Babel Tower was a trial ground. It allowed Main Gods who had comprehended the power of rules to further integrate those rules with themselves. At the same time, it served as a passage from the surface of the Source Sea to its inner layers.
"You mean, you want me to go inside this?"
"Yes."
"What does that have to do with the outcome of my fight with Abraham?"
"Whichever of you passes the trial of the Babel Tower first and emerges from it, wins."
"Huh?"
"Your current powers aren't significantly different. You're at about the same level, so neither of you can kill the other. But if one of you emerges from the Babel Tower first, that person will have stepped into a higher realm, and at that point, killing the other will be simple... That's why I said, whoever completes the Babel Tower trial first, wins."
Ethan turned to look again at the endless staircase. No matter how he looked at it, it didn't resemble a tower.
"I call it the Babel Tower simply because I think the name is easy for you to understand. Whether you call it Babel Tower, the Path to Heaven, or anything else, it makes no difference."
"Got it."
This wasn't the Babel Tower he knew. Eugene had just used the name to make it easier to explain the function of this place.
He also confirmed one thing because of this: Eugene could, to some extent, read his thoughts. That was truly bad news.
"As long as you can pass the trial, completely integrate the rules into yourself, and forge a perfect divine body, I won't be able to read your thoughts anymore."
"..."
Ethan was speechless. He didn't understand what Eugene was after by doing this.
But he knew there was no point in asking. If Eugene wanted to answer, he would.
Sure enough, Eugene waved his cane and gently pointed in the direction of the staircase.
That place, like the surroundings, was filled with countless streams of mysterious energy resembling flowing water. This energy emitted a soft light, illuminating the area, but also making it difficult to distinguish direction—every direction looked the same.
"After countless years, I finally understood that with the power of one Main God alone, I cannot reach the interior of the Source Sea."
"So you need a helper?"
"Yes. I need a helper. Either you or Abraham will do."
For Eugene, entering the interior of the Source Sea was his greatest pursuit. Now, he needed help, and he didn't care who that help came from.
"Are you sure the interior of the Source Sea has what you're looking for?"
Ethan was curious about what was inside the Source Sea. From what Eugene had said, it seemed he had never actually entered it. And apparently, no other Main Gods had either. So how could he be sure that entering the center would allow him to reach the peak?
"It's a feeling... especially since all Main Gods, and the powers they possess, originate from the Source Sea."
Eugene had wanted to say that this was common knowledge among all Main Gods, but then remembered that Ethan wasn't a Main God from their world, but a god from another one.
"For so many years, although I haven't truly entered the interior, just approaching the core has allowed my realm to steadily rise. I believe that as long as I can reach the center, I can rise even further."
Rise even further? Become a king among Main Gods? Considering that the Source Sea was a uniquely special existence for Main Gods, if one could control it by entering the core, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they would rule over all Main Gods.
"Rule over the Main Gods? No, no, I just want to stand at the peak..."
Ethan noticed that Eugene, who had spoken in the same tone all along, showed obvious emotion for the first time. It seemed the Source Sea held a truly special significance to him.
But Eugene quickly returned to normal, continuing to speak with Ethan in that same polite, calm tone.
"In short, this is the trial I've arranged for you and Abraham. To ensure absolute fairness, I've even created two completely parallel spaces, ensuring that you will enter the Babel Tower at the same time and from the same place."
Only then did Ethan understand why he couldn't see Abraham. Eugene had split the space in two. So even though both of them were standing before Eugene, they were actually in separate spaces.
According to what Eugene said, even if Ethan delayed a bit here, he would still enter the Babel Tower at the same time as Abraham. So this trial was absolutely fair.
"As long as either of you completes the trial, the other will be forcibly removed. As for what happens after that, I don't need to explain, do I?"
Whoever completed the trial first, upon seeing their enemy again with a realm's worth of advantage, would obviously kill them. There was no suspense.
"So the trial inside this Babel Tower isn't dangerous?"
"How could it not be?"
Eugene gently waved his hand.
"Crossing from the surface to the interior of the Source Sea is no simple matter, and certainly not without risk. Although the Babel Tower is a very special passage, that doesn't mean it's safe. In fact, to serve as a trial, it will be even more dangerous for a god at your level."
Ethan nodded. This wasn't unexpected. If a trial ground capable of raising a Main God's realm was completely safe, that would be strange.
He really wanted to ask what the so-called trial inside was like, but after seeing Eugene's expression, he knew he wouldn't get an answer.
"Your instincts are spot on. I won't tell you the details of the trial."
Ethan turned to look at the staircase before him. According to Eugene's explanation, once he stepped onto those steps, he would officially enter the Babel Tower. From then on, everything would be up to him.
He hesitated, wondering if he had any other options.
The answer was obvious. He had none.
Not to mention whether Eugene would let him leave. Once he learned that completing the trial of the Babel Tower could significantly raise his strength, Ethan knew he couldn't say no.
Even if he did refuse and Eugene let him go, what about Abraham? If that old man passed the trial and gained a whole realm's advantage, what would happen then? There was no need to even ask.
More importantly, Ethan didn't think Eugene would actually let him go. From what he had said, Ethan was sure Eugene didn't care about his grudge with Abraham at all. What he cared about was the Source Sea and whether someone could help him reach its inner layers.
That's right. Ethan felt that what Eugene needed wasn't a partner. He just needed a helper—or maybe a tool.
He was being polite now because Ethan had value. But if he refused this so-called kindness, Eugene would likely turn hostile in an instant and erase him completely. There was no doubt about it. A useless tool didn't deserve to be kept.
Since there was no choice, there was no point in hesitating. Ethan stepped toward the staircase, and at the same time, felt the pressure from behind instantly lift.
Ethan's judgment had been correct. He had no right to refuse. If he didn't step into the Babel Tower for the trial, only death awaited him.
"...Somehow, I feel a bit annoyed."
"Don't feel annoyed. Just think of it as a kind and benevolent old grandfather bestowing you with an extraordinary opportunity, one that only requires a little effort on your part."
"..."
Ethan really wanted to turn back and complain, but in the end, he held it in. Looking at the staircase right in front of him, Ethan turned and made one last request to Eugene.
"I hope time can be locked."
He didn't know what things would be like inside. Ethan wasn't sure if his own power would let him return to the moment he left, but Eugene should be able to lock time with ease.
"As long as you complete the trial, you'll be able to handle matters of time yourself." If he failed, then there would be no need to worry about such trivial things.
With that understood, Ethan let go of his last worries and hesitation. What he had to do now was focus completely, complete this trial, and then kill Abraham. As for the larger goal, he pushed it deep into his heart, not letting even a trace escape.
He lifted his foot and stepped onto the staircase. Something around him changed. When Ethan looked again, he saw that the platform behind him had vanished. He was now standing on an endless staircase, with no end in sight ahead or behind.
"It seems this is a game with no way out halfway."
(To be continued.)