The City of Ascension

The City of Ascension sprawls out before them, its towering structures gleaming under a perpetual twilight sky. The entire city feels otherworldly — modern yet ancient, filled with a strange fusion of futuristic technology and archaic, medieval architecture. Scrapers walk the streets, some in groups, others alone, each with the same hardened look in their eyes. Ryo can tell they've all faced trials similar to his and Hana's, but now they seem to be preparing for something much bigger.

They walk through the crowded streets, unsure of where to go. Around them, holographic screens display cryptic messages and symbols, likely directions or challenges meant for the more experienced Scrapers. Ryo notices that many of the Scrapers are equipped with advanced gear — weapons, armor, and gadgets far more sophisticated than anything he's ever seen. Some even have what appear to be cybernetic enhancements, their bodies augmented for battle.

"We need to figure out what this place is," Ryo says, keeping his voice low. "There's no way the Manager brought us here just to give us a break. There has to be a purpose for this city."

Hana nods, her eyes darting from one strange sight to the next. "Do you think it's another trial? Something bigger than the Crap Field?"

"Probably." Ryo's expression is grim. "Whatever it is, we can't just wait around. We need information."

They walk past a group of Scrapers gathered around a large, glowing terminal in the middle of the street. The terminal projects a map of the city, with various zones marked out in different colors. Ryo and Hana approach cautiously, listening in on the conversation.

"—the high-tier zones are locked unless you've completed the Guardian Trials," one Scraper says, his voice gruff.

"I heard only those with the highest scores in the Crap Field can even enter," another Scraper adds, frowning. "If you're not strong enough, you won't last long there."

The mention of "Guardian Trials" catches Ryo's attention. He steps forward, addressing the group. "What are the Guardian Trials?"

The Scrapers look at him with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. One of them, a tall woman with silver hair and glowing, cybernetic eyes, eyes him up and down before speaking. "Newcomer, huh? The Guardian Trials are the real test of whether you belong in the City of Ascension. Think of the Crap Field as… training. This place? This is where you prove yourself."

"And if you fail?" Hana asks, her voice tentative.

The woman smirks darkly. "You don't get to fail. If you don't pass the Guardian Trials, you don't survive. Simple as that."

Ryo feels a chill run down his spine. The Crap Field had been brutal, but this… this feels more calculated, more deadly. Whatever these Guardian Trials were, they were clearly on a different level.

"How do we start the trials?" Ryo asks, his resolve hardening. He has no intention of backing down, no matter how dangerous this city is.

The silver-haired woman points toward the central tower that looms over the city, its spires reaching impossibly high into the sky. "The Tower of Ascension," she says. "That's where the trials begin. But don't think you can just walk in. You'll need to qualify first, and that's not easy."

"Qualify how?" Ryo presses.

"Combat. Strategy. Survival," she replies, crossing her arms. "They'll put you through a series of challenges before you're even allowed to set foot in the tower. Only the strongest Scrapers make it through, and even fewer survive the trials themselves."

Ryo clenches his fists. It's just as he suspected — this city isn't a place of safety. It's another arena, another test. But he can feel the strength he gained from the Crap Field surging through him. He's not the same person who first arrived in this twisted game. He's stronger now, faster, more determined.

"We'll make it through," he says, glancing at Hana.

She nods, though there's a flicker of doubt in her eyes. "We have to."