The instant the Third Shadow Trial ended, Max reappeared in front of the enormous gates.
The spatial light around his body faded, and he was standing inside the third monolith once more.
For a brief moment, nothing around him changed. Then people started noticing him, and several nearby participants turned toward him almost at the same time.
"He's back already?"
"Did he clear it?"
"That fast?"
The murmurs spread quickly, but Max ignored them, since he had no intention of staying in the third monolith any longer than he had to.
Three shadows were behind him now. The first had tested battle instinct, the second had tested sharpness, and the third had tested speed, and the pattern was only getting more interesting.
Max looked toward the distant exit that led to the Fourth Monolith, and then he started walking.
As he crossed the third monolith, more and more people watched him go.
