Several people on the steps between the 10th and 20th began to complain about the same thing. The pressure they felt was becoming heavier, making each step feel like lifting a multiplied burden. Their faces tightened, and their breaths grew more labored.
"The pressure here... is incredible," murmured one climber, bending his body to stabilize his breathing. Meanwhile, a young woman was forced to stop for a moment, her hands gripping her knees as she struggled not to give up.
Elsewhere, far below, Hana sat calmly in the monitoring room. She observed the progress of the climbers through her Protector panel, which emitted a soft blue light.
[Protector of the Ascension Stairs]
- Climber List: (Budi), (Bianka), (Cold-Blooded Assassin), (Eastern Prince), …
"Already at the 98th step?" Hana murmured, her gaze fixed on Budi's name on the climber list. The name stood at the top position, clearly displayed on the screen.
Moments later, a notification appeared on the panel:
[Congratulations, participant (Budi), for reaching the top of the stairs.]
"Ah, it's finally done," Hana said with a relaxed smile. She had anticipated this outcome. With the strength of a grandmaster, overcoming the Ascension Stairs was clearly not a difficult challenge for Budi.
Budi's success notification immediately appeared on all the panels of the participants still climbing the stairs. The atmosphere became lively in an instant. Some showed expressions of surprise before their faces shifted to admiration.
"Mr. Budi is truly amazing! It hasn't even been an hour since the Ascension Stairs appeared, and he's already at the top," said a young man, his tone filled with awe.
"Yes, you're right. But I wonder, did he face any difficulties up there?" replied a woman, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Light conversations began to flow among the participants still struggling on the lower steps. While many were astonished, others found themselves inspired. Budi's success fueled their determination, as if they wanted to prove that they too could achieve the same.
Meanwhile, Hana was still sitting leisurely on the soft black sofa in her room. She picked up a wine glass from the table and took a slow sip. The sweet aroma of the wine mixed with the warmth of the room, widening her smile.
"Delightful..." Hana murmured with a satisfied expression, letting herself sink momentarily into the relaxing moment.
However, the moment didn't last long. The panel in front of her emitted a new notification sound.
[Guardian, please proceed to the top of the stairs and grant a blessing to participant (Budi).]
Hana stared at the panel with a slightly raised eyebrow. "Me? Giving a blessing?" she said, a little surprised.
Without much thought, she placed the wine glass back on the table. She stood up and took a deep breath, then stepped out of her room. Her steps were steady, but there was a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Alright, let's see what awaits at the top," she murmured as she walked toward her destination.
It didn't take long for Hana to reach the top of the stairs. The environment at the peak appeared simple, with nothing particularly striking except for the thick clouds surrounding the area and a grand altar standing in the center.
In front of the altar, Hana saw Budi. The man stood tall, as if waiting for something. His face shifted to one of surprise upon realizing Hana's presence.
"Y-you... here?" he asked in a confused tone. He couldn't fathom why Hana was in this place. Had she climbed the Ascension Stairs like the other participants?
Hana shrugged slightly, responding casually. "It's nothing," she said as she walked closer to the altar. Her gaze was fixed on the altar and the clear water that filled the vessel atop it. She read the inscription engraved on the altar, explaining how to use the water to bestow blessings upon participants who successfully reached the summit.
"Excuse me, I'm going to sprinkle this water on you," Hana said calmly to Budi. Her gaze was steady but gentle. She wanted to ensure the process went smoothly.
"Alright, Ka," Budi replied, his posture straightening, his hands at his sides, ensuring he was ready to receive the blessing without flaw.
Hana stepped closer to the altar. She extended her hand slowly, her fingers touching the cold surface of the water. She submerged her hand slightly into the water, creating small ripples before lifting it again.
With a gentle motion, Hana sprinkled the water toward Budi. The droplets moved like sparkling crystals through the air, landing perfectly on Budi's body.
In Budi's view, a notification suddenly appeared before his eyes.
[You have received (Ascension Stairs Blessing)]
100 steps: Attribute +5% & 1 entrance ticket (1 week)
"Five percent attribute increase? This is amazing," Budi murmured, his eyes widening in awe. Though it was just five percent, he understood how valuable such an enhancement was for his journey.
However, his attention shifted to another detail in the notification. "An entrance ticket?" he said again, this time with a tone of confusion. He tilted his head, trying to understand its meaning. "Entrance to where? What kind of ticket is this?"
His mind filled with various speculations, but he couldn't find a clear answer. Even the ticket itself didn't have a physical form.
"Ahhh..." Budi sighed as he observed his body. He noticed something different. His body was now enveloped in a special aura, like an invisible yet palpable energy.
"This blessing... it seems to represent the entrance ticket," he said, looking at Hana. "But... to where?"
Hana, who had calmly dried her hands, noticed the confusion evident on Budi's face. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice flat but attentive.
Budi explained the benefits he had gained from the blessing, but both remained clueless about the actual purpose of the "entrance ticket."
"Alright," Hana finally said. "Let's head down first. Perhaps Brother Lein can explain."
Without wasting time, the two left the summit and returned to the area below that Hana had prepared earlier. The place was simple yet comfortable, complete with a sofa and a small table.