Conquering the Tower Even Regressors Couldn’t

[Complete a contract within the designated time. Time remaining: 95 hours 16 minutes.]

The relentless sun scorched the wasteland’s boundless expanse, and its heat prickled against my skin. The horizon shimmered and rippled under the oppressive heat, and the tiny patches of shadow cast by tufts of withered grass were the only sources of shade.

The wind carried the scent of dry dirt, swept across the desolate terrain, and scattered red dust into the air. Now and then, thistles and tumbleweeds rolled aimlessly across the barren land, caught in the gusts.

I pulled up the edge of my robe with my left hand, covering my nose once more. Dust kept creeping into my nostrils.

We had been riding at breakneck speed across the wilderness for nearly forty minutes now.

How long until something shows up?

So far, I hadn’t seen a single structure, not even the faintest silhouette of a building on the horizon.

However, I had spotted a few travelers in the distance. Some moved in small caravans, likely merchants, while others wandered alone, much like me.

I didn’t approach them, nor did they make any effort to come closer. It wasn’t that I was avoiding them. I simply didn’t know this world’s customs yet.

Likewise, their guarded expressions suggested that they were reluctant to interact as well.

Or maybe this wasteland is just that dangerous.

One thing was certain: some of those travelers had replaced parts of themselves with mechanical elements.