"Magic Tree Climbing Tournament?"
Even Ethan was shocked that this strange world actually had such a bizarre competition.
Mr. White wasn't surprised by Ethan's reaction at all. Instead, he calmly explained, "This so-called Magic Tree Climbing Tournament is actually one of the ways heroes are selected. It's held about once every ten years."
"This year just happens to be Year 2000 of the Magic Era, which is considered an important year."
"Whenever it's a round-number year like this, something major usually happens."
"We still don't know what will happen this year..."
"But a year ending in double zero is also the ten-year hero selection year. This year's event just happens to be the Magic Tree Climbing Tournament, which is fair enough."
"And it's said that the top ten receive incredible rewards!"
"Incredible rewards?", Ethan raised an eyebrow, "Can I participate in this Magic Tree Climbing Tournament?"
"Any race that lives on the Mist Continent, possesses a certain level of intelligence, and isn't harmful to the Mist Continent can participate," Mr. White replied. Then he looked at Ethan seriously and added, "But Lord Ethan, this tournament is extremely dangerous."
"Once you register, whether you're crippled or on the verge of death when the event begins, you'll be teleported into the tournament on the opening day. You can't withdraw."
"And the most terrifying thing about this event is its incredibly high death rate. Even in the year with the lowest death rate, over 85% of the participants died."
"As for the worst year, there was practically no one left alive. Fewer than one in ten thousand participants survived."
"Don't Archmages take part?", Ethan asked, "That death rate is a little ridiculous, isn't it?"
"Archmages can't participate. Only combat classes below the advanced rank are allowed. Non-combat classes have no such restriction," Mr. White continued, "But the most dangerous thing about the Magic Tree Climbing Tournament isn't the danger of each stage itself. It's the danger brought by greed."
Ethan clasped his fists, "Please enlighten me."
"The Magic Tree itself is infinitely tall, or rather, no one knows how tall it is or how many stages it has," Mr. White said, "So there's no need to clear the final stage before you can leave. As long as you reach an exit point, you can withdraw safely."
Ethan became even more confused, "If that's the case, shouldn't the survival rate be quite high?"
"The problem is that there are restrictions on withdrawing. There's only one exit point every five floors," Mr. White explained, "And most people overestimate themselves."
"Let's say someone reaches the first floor and finds it a bit difficult, but still thinks they can handle it."
"But each floor afterward is several times more dangerous than the one before. So by the last two or three floors before the next exit, that's when the death rate is the highest."
"And most geniuses meet their end because they overestimate their own abilities."
"I see."
After hearing Mr. White's explanation, Ethan finally understood what made the Magic Tree Climbing Tournament so terrifying.
It didn't force you to fight to the death once you entered.
But... it also didn't let you leave whenever you wanted.
Instead, there was only one exit every five floors. Say you reached the fifth floor and felt you could probably handle the sixth, but underestimated just how dangerous the seventh and eighth floors would be.
Once you passed the exit on the fifth floor, you had no choice but to reach the tenth floor before you could leave.
By then... most people wouldn't have the ability to make it to the next exit before they died.
It really was a terrifying design.
Because, it exploited the one weakness in human nature that was the hardest to resist. Greed.
"Anyway..."
Mr. White continued trying to persuade him, "A small businessman like me would never get involved in the world of the big shots. It's far too dangerous."
"I know you're incredibly capable, Lord Ethan, and I mean that as genuine praise, not sarcasm. But I still urge you to think it through carefully. The Magic Tree Climbing Tournament is truly dangerous."
"Over the years, I've seen quite a few geniuses perish inside the Magic Tree."
"It's such a pity!"
"All right. I'll think it over carefully."
Ethan nodded. Then he turned to the dwarves standing behind Mr. White, looking somewhat at a loss.
"What about them?"
"Oh, them. Since it's the Eternal Night period right now and there's not much work for them, I took the opportunity to hire them to build the Merchant Alliance branch," Mr. White explained, "You know how the dwarves are the best race when it comes to manufacturing, forging, and construction. If we don't invite them now, once the branches at the other Magic Tree settlements hear the news, we'll probably miss our chance."
"You've worked hard, Old White," Ethan nodded before asking, "So what's your plan?"
"My idea is to build around ten inns centered on the Magic Tree," Old White looked around at Ethan's apartment buildings, "We'll use the same style as your residential buildings. I think it looks pretty good."
"Then we'll build two taverns and ten restaurants with different themes."
"We'll also need a weapon shop, a potion shop, and so on."
"The exact details will depend on the situation, but..."
"Lord Ethan, your estate is really a bit too small. If this place were the size of a town, things would be much easier."
Mr. White sighed regretfully, "If this place were the size of a town, the money we'd make could easily multiply several times over."
"Upgrade it into a town...", Ethan rubbed his temples. Then he looked at Mr. White seriously and said, "That's not impossible."
[🎉 Shoutout to Mozart and Photobug for joining p@treon. Thank you very much.🤗]