Floating Island - Triple S Talent

Hana stepped back into the Ascension Stairs area with calm strides, standing right next to the railing near the entrance. After a moment of reflection, she moved her hand, and from thin air, several objects began to appear one by one.

First, a plush black sofa materialized, followed by a simple table adorned with intricate, captivating carvings. Shortly after, a flower pot with a fresh fragrance, a teapot complete with several cups, completed the scene. Hana skillfully arranged all the items, creating a cozy atmosphere for herself.

Once everything was in order, Hana sat on the sofa. Her eyes observed the people approaching from a distance. Their steps were hesitant, their faces filled with caution. The previous incident had left a deep impression, revealing that Hana, usually seen as serious yet approachable, could display such a terrifying side.

The people whispered among themselves, occasionally glancing at Hana. Fear was evident in their eyes, like children who had just been scolded harshly by a teacher they had always admired. They tried to mask their unease, but their overly careful movements betrayed them.

"Haha, you've managed to scare them, Sis," said Budi, who had just entered the Ascension Stairs area. A faint smile graced his face.

"It's fine. Things like this are necessary so they can learn to understand how this world works," Hana replied without turning her head, her tone flat but filled with conviction.

"Well? Are you going to try?" Hana asked, breaking the silence.

"Yes, I'll give it a go," Budi replied briefly. Without waiting any longer, he walked toward the stairs. Standing before them, he carefully read the description panel engraved near the steps.

(Ascension Stairs)

Stairs to the heavens and the blessings of the gods. The higher you climb, the greater the blessings you will receive.

- 30 steps: +2% attributes (1 week)

- 50 steps: +4% attributes (1 week)

- 100 steps: +5% attributes & 1 entry ticket (1 week)

[Ascend]

After reading the description, Budi nodded slightly. He lifted his foot and stepped onto the first step.

"Thud!"

The sound of his step echoed as his foot touched the first step. "One," he murmured softly as he counted. He paused for a moment, trying to feel any changes in his body.

"There's a slight pressure, but it's barely noticeable," Budi muttered again, trying to identify the sensation enveloping his body. However, due to his strength as a grandmaster, the pressure had almost no effect on him.

Shaking his head, he decided not to dwell on it. With steady steps, he moved to the second step.

"Thud."

The sound of his step was heard again. Budi murmured lightly, "Hmmm." He still didn't feel any significant pressure. Feeling the process was too slow, he decided to move faster toward the next steps.

Step by step, Budi climbed the stairs with a steady rhythm. Within 30 seconds, he had reached the 10th step.

When he paused for a moment and looked back, the view he saw was only an endless row of stairs. It seemed as though the stairs extended beyond human sight, trapping him in a boundless space. "Is this an illusion?" he murmured softly.

He closed his eyes briefly, extending his awareness to the surroundings. Sure enough, he realized there was a layer of illusion enveloping the staircase area. Its effect made it seem like he was in an infinite world, a test for both his mind and body.

Budi ignored it and continued his steps with unwavering confidence.

Thud, thud... thud...

His steps were steady, constant, like a leisurely walk in the park. There was no sign of hesitation or fatigue in each stride he took.

When he reached the 20th step, the atmosphere around him suddenly changed. The air grew cold, and illusions of flying swords appeared, darting toward him from all directions.

The swords looked sharp and radiated a menacing aura. However, as soon as Budi gazed at them with calm and unwavering confidence, the swords vanished like smoke blown away by the wind.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Mental attacks, huh?" he murmured with a faint smile, as though he understood the simplicity of the trick. With firm resolve, the illusion posed no significant challenge to him. Without hesitation, Budi continued climbing to the next step.

Upon reaching the 30th step, the nature of the illusions shifted. This time, ferocious beasts appeared around him—giant wolves with sharp fangs, snakes coiling along the sides of the stairs, and a massive bird stalking from above. Yet, like the swords before, as soon as Budi focused his mind, all the visions faded, disappearing within seconds.

After overcoming that challenge, he proceeded to the 50th step. This time, the illusions were no longer physical threats. Emotions began to assault him: visions filled with sorrow, hatred, and guilt emerged one after another.

Bitter memories attempted to drown his thoughts, but Budi remained unaffected. He climbed with extraordinary composure, like a storm unable to shake a mighty tree.

When he reached the 80th step, the atmosphere grew darker. The air felt heavy, and the illusion that appeared this time was different. Budi found himself in a dark room.

His hands were tightly bound, and in front of him, a shadowy figure was torturing a woman he knew well—his wife. The woman's cries echoed in the room, striking Budi's heart like a hammer. Feelings of anger, sadness, and despair began to creep in, trying to seize his mind.

"Release," Budi said in a flat but resolute voice.

In an instant, the illusion shattered like glass struck by a stone. The shadow disappeared, replaced by the sight of the towering stairs. Budi now stood on the 81st step, the air feeling lighter, and his consciousness fully restored.

He turned to look down, observing the people also attempting to climb the stairs. Some were visibly struggling on the lower steps. He gave a small smile, then shifted his gaze upward.

"I wonder what reward awaits at the top," he murmured with enthusiasm before continuing his climb. His steps now moved faster, passing the 82nd, 83rd, and subsequent steps with ease.

Meanwhile, on the 15th step, a young man was struggling hard to take another step. Sweat drenched his face, his breaths were labored, and his legs trembled violently. He tried to lift his right foot, but the pressure weighing down on his body felt like an invisible mountain.

"Come on, you can do it!" he shouted, trying to motivate himself. The muscles in his legs bulged, his face turned red, but his foot remained unmoving.

Beside him, a middle-aged man seemed to be struggling just as much. All his equipment was activated, glowing with a bright green light, but it wasn't enough to reduce the pressure. Every step felt like pushing against an invisible, raging current.

"I give up," the middle-aged man finally said, his voice full of regret before his body disappeared from the stairs.

The young man turned his head, his eyes filled with exhaustion and doubt. "Am I... really this weak?" he whispered softly, as though questioning himself.