The attendant on Floor One looked bored as Alexander approached the registration desk.Behind the desk, a tired-looking woman in a Gallant Inc. uniform barely glanced up from her tablet."Name?""Alexander Howard. I'm registering as proxy for Katarina Volkov."That got her attention. She looked up, her eyes flicking between Alexander and Katarina with barely concealed disdain."You're doing all the challenges for her?" The attendant's tone made it clear what she thought of that arrangement. "Both of you started on Floor One. That means neither of you has any notable wealth or status. What makes you think you can act as anyone's proxy?""The rules allow it," Alexander said calmly. "Any competitor can designate a proxy for challenges they choose not to complete personally."The attendant snorted. "Sure, go ahead. Waste your time. Most people on this floor wash out by Floor Three anyway." She tapped something into her tablet. "Your first challenge is the obstacle course. You have to comp

Damien Cross stood in the monitoring room on Floor Eighty, watching dozens of screens displaying different floors of the competition.His hood was down—he was using his public persona here, the billionaire philanthropist overseeing Gallant Inc.'s latest PR initiative.But his attention wasn't on the lower floors where nobodies struggled with basic challenges. It was on Floor Seventy-Five, where the real power resided.The five families had established their territory there, surrounded by their entourages of servants, advisors, and—most importantly—proxies.These weren't ordinary proxies.These were elite specialists: former special forces operatives, corporate espionage experts, combat athletes, genius strategists.The kind of people the ultra-wealthy employed to handle problems they couldn't or wouldn't address personally."The God of War has to be up there," Damien muttered to himself, studying each proxy carefully. "Someone with his skills wouldn't waste time on the lower floors. H

The thirty-fifth floor lobby was designed as a social space—comfortable seating areas, a small café, floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the city below.It was meant to be a place where competitors could relax between challenges, network, strategize.For Lila and Ethan, it had become a prison of frustration.They sat in one of the bay window alcoves, surrounded by notes and strategy documents, nursing expensive coffees that had long gone cold.Across from them sat their newly hired proxies—a muscular ex-MMA fighter named Jake who'd handle the physical challenges, and a thin, intense woman named Dr. Sarah Chen who specialized in complex problem-solving."This is costing us a fortune," Ethan muttered, reviewing the contract he'd just signed with the proxies. "Ten thousand per floor, plus bonuses for exceptional performance. If we make it to the top, this will have cost us over half a million dollars.""It's an investment," Lila said, though her voice lacked conviction. "If we win

Alexander looked at Ethan with an expression of pure indifference that somehow cut deeper than any insult could have."I don't have time to listen to this rubbish," Alexander said flatly. "If you think I'm cheating, Ethan, then file a formal complaint. Go ahead. Do whatever you like. But right now, I have challenges to complete."He turned and walked away, Katarina close beside him, leaving Ethan standing there with his mouth hanging open, his face still purple with rage."You—you can't just walk away from me!" Ethan sputtered. "I'm not done talking to you!"Alexander didn't even look back. The dismissal was complete and absolute, made even more humiliating by the dozens of competitors watching and recording on their phones.Lila touched Ethan's arm again. "Let it go. You're just making this worse.""Worse?" Ethan rounded on her. "How could this possibly be worse? That nobody just—" He stopped, aware of all the eyes on them, all the cameras recording. "We're going to my suite. Now."A

The entrance to the VIP casino lounge was marked by velvet ropes and two security guards who checked entry chips before allowing competitors inside. The space beyond promised elegance and exclusivity—crystal chandeliers, polished mahogany tables, the soft murmur of wealth in conversation.Alexander and Katarina were nearly at the entrance when a voice called out behind them."Alexander! Wait!"He turned to see Lila hurrying toward them, Ethan following a few steps behind with a thunderous expression. Lila looked agitated, her carefully composed business façade cracking at the edges."What do you think you're doing?" Lila demanded, positioning herself between Alexander and the casino entrance."Entering a competition," Alexander replied calmly. "Same as you.""No, this is different. This is—" Lila gestured helplessly at the casino lounge. "Alexander, you're out of your depth here. Way out of your depth.""Am I?""Yes!" Lila's voice rose with frustration. "This is high-stakes poker, Ale