Synergy [1]

[Expansion]

[The chain of this weapon can extend infinitely. The range will depend on the amount of qi injected]

The ability was simple, but definitely the most useful for a weapon like this. The chain sickles were already sharp enough and the handles were fit enough to be used as a close combat weapon. 

The only lacking aspect in Atlas's opinion was the length. Since he could simply imbue his own skills into the weapon or use the weapon as a conduit for his attacks, he didn't need any additional offensive abilities to add to his repertoire.

Not to mention, the entire weapon was made out of Darkstar metal. Any metal in the Darkstar class was specialized in sapping and sealing qi, with Darkstar Iron being the most powerful one he knew of.

Since this weapon was only Mortal Grade, it clearly wasn't made out of Darkstar Iron. Perhaps it was just an alloy that was lacking in terms of purity. However, even this would have its effects.

Mortal Grade was the lowest tier of artifact, followed by the Earth and Heaven grades. Each of these tiers somewhat corresponded to the 3 tiers of mortal cultivation. The 3 Warrior Realms, the 3 Sage Realms, and the 2 Emperor Realms.

The quality of artifacts varied even within their respective tiers, as no two artifacts were created equal. Still, Atlas could tell that the system was providing High-level Mortal-Grade artifacts that would retain their use until one entered the Earth Sage Realm.

'Actually, now that I think about it, shouldn't I have chosen some sort of armor?'

It wasn't long ago that he realized the fragility of his body, and by any logical thought, he should have chosen an armor to compensate. Even if he was only able to get a chest plate, it would still serve to protect him from damage. 

'It isn't like me to make such a rookie mistake.' 

He should have known better. It was concerning that he let his excitement for a weapon overtake his logical thought. 

When Atlas returned his focus to the battles taking place, he noticed that the beast tide had almost ended. Although he wanted to test the efficiency of his new weapons, he had lost his chance.

[All participants have passed the Trial of Attrition. Transporting Ascenders to the 7th trial.]

When Atlas opened his eyes again, he was in a vast desert surrounded mostly by the people who were in the last trial. The only difference was that each of them now had some sort of weapon or armor on their body.

The most glaring among them was the little girl, who was somehow wielding a massive double-edged axe that was twice her size.

There were also 3 new faces that he didn't recognize.

Suddenly, tens of meters away from their group, another 10 Ascenders appeared on the trial ground. 

The ground beneath their feet started to rumble and quake as if they were caught in a natural disaster. The space around both groups became heavy and from beneath their feet, large structures began to rise.

As the Ascenders attempted to maintain their balance, temples formed around both teams, one white and one black. And in the middle of these temples were podiums that held palm-sized glowing stones that were shaped like large eggs.

[Beginning the trial of Floor 7: Trial of Synergy.]

[Description: Not every trial within the Tower can be completed alone. One must possess the ability to work with others. And not every situation will be solved with destruction. Sometimes, one must desire to protect.]

Time Limit: Until one team wins

Conditions for success:

1. Destroy or Capture the opposing team's crystal

2. Protect your own team's crystal from the opponents

3. Do not intentionally harm a fellow team member 

[Rewards: Mortal Grade weapon or armor]

[24-hour grace period begins now.]

[23:59:55]

Reading through the details of the trial, Atlas's first thought was to sigh in relief. Luckily, his previous blunder hadn't taken away his chance to gain some armor for himself.

He had to thank the tower for its generosity.

Looking around, he saw the others on his team with varying expressions on their faces, each with their own thoughts on the situation.

"Since we have to work together, I think it's necessary that we know at least the basic information on our strengths and weaknesses. Since nobody else wants to talk, I'll go first." The little girl said, taking control of the situation.

"My name is Helia and as you've probably guessed, I'm a halfling. My main strengths are my physical abilities and weapon mastery."

"You can call me Leon," the lion man followed.

"I also exceed in physical strength, but I prefer to use my fists." 

Slowly, the rest of the team members introduced themselves. As for the three that Atlas didn't recognize, it turns out they came from a different 6th trial. 

Three of the people from the previous trial had apparently failed, and the tower used these new faces to replace them and even out the teams for the upcoming trial. 

The mechanism wasn't the problem, rather, he simply didn't know how to feel about the fact that those three people had most likely died without anyone even noticing.

As for Atlas, his introduction was as simple as the rest. "I go by Atlas. I'm an average all-rounder." 

With only 24 hours of grace period before the teams began competing, it was imperative for them to make some sort of strategy and divide between those attacking and defending. 

For the first 3 hours, they took their time to make out the layout of the temple they were in, making sure there were no routes to the crystal that they didn't know about. After that, it came time to split the team.

Atlas, Leon, and Helia were all placed in the attacking team along with two others who specialized in long-range combat. 

Although it was risky to put too many strong ascenders on a single team, it was the best move at the moment. There was no synergy between them, so there was no way to appropriately balance the teams.

And the three new additions also seemed strong in their own right. It didn't seem like they made the wrong decision.

Once they got the basic stuff out of the way, it was time to make some rough plans they could follow if it became necessary. 

There was nothing intricate, but it was flexible enough to allow them to react accordingly to most situations they might find themselves in.

[15:45:23]

They still had plenty of time left, and they chose to use it to recover from any fatigue they might have accumulated in the previous trial. 

It was likely that a good portion of their current energy came from adrenaline, especially considering that they had been fighting nonstop during the previous trial.

There were also some like Atlas, who even after almost 10 hours had passed, was still in the process of refilling his qi reserves.

Atlas found a spot in the corner of the wide main hall of the temple before he started absorbing spiritual energy. And before he knew it, the grace period reached its end.

[Grace has been lifted. Beginning the trial.]