Leon and his team didn't rest long. The moment Floor 603 stabilized, the system cleared the path forward. And unlike the reflective, quiet nature of the Causal Gate, Floor 604 didn't wait for the climbers to be ready.
It pulled them in.
No portal glow. No system announcement. One moment they stood on the safe return platform of Floor 603—next, they were falling.
They landed hard, not on stone or steel, but ash.
A vast plain stretched in every direction, blanketed in scorched earth and black sand. The air was heavy, hot, humming faintly with a vibration deep underfoot. In the sky above, three crimson moons loomed, orbiting slowly.
The system chimed softly as they stood.
[Welcome to Floor 604 – The Outer Trial]
Zone Type: Trial of Extension
Participants: Full Party
Challenge Mode: Endurance / Engagement Lock
Floor Traits:
– Magic Suppression: 40%
– Physical Fatigue Multiplier: x1.7
– Respawn Disabled
– External Reinforcement Denied
