"The Echoing Ascendance: Archivist System Promotion II"

Snake Calendar, Year 2025

14th Day of December, Sunday Late Morning

Fortress Outer City of Stormhollow Bastion, Storm Inn

The sun hung high in the sky as Accel stepped out of the Storm Inn, the bustling streets of Stormhollow Bastion stretching before him. The fortress city was massive, and divided into three distinct sections: the Inner City, the Outer City, and the Outside City. Each had its character, purpose, and population, making the city one of the most strategically important locations in the Central Continent. Today, he would take the time to explore its depths before heading to the library for more information about the Infinity Room.Exploring the Outer City

The Outer City was the first area Accel entered. It was the busiest section, filled with merchants, adventurers, and traders from all across the continent. Stalls lined the streets, selling weapons, armor, potions, enchanted items, and exotic goods from distant lands. Blacksmiths hammered away at molten steel, their forges burning bright even under the midday sun. Street performers played lively tunes, adding a sense of vibrancy to the marketplace.

He paused at a weapons shop, its sign reading Ironfang Armaments. The blacksmith, a burly man with soot-covered arms, was showing off a newly forged longsword. Accel inspected the weapons displayed, but none came close to the quality of Aetherium & Voidbringer, the mythical sword he had obtained. Still, it was useful to note the local smiths' craftsmanship.

Further down, he noticed a bustling adventurer's guild branch. Notices and quests were posted on a large board near the entrance. Many adventurers gathered, discussing bounties, dungeons, and upcoming expeditions. While it was tempting to look deeper into the guild's offerings, Accel reminded himself that his priority was the Infinity Room.

Venturing into the Inner City, Sunday Early Afternoon

Leaving the Outer City, Accel made his way through the guarded gates into the Inner City. This section was more orderly, home to noble estates, government buildings, and high-end establishments catering to military officials and the elite. The cobblestone streets were cleaner, and towering stone buildings displayed the city's wealth and power.

He passed by a large military compound where soldiers trained in formations. The sight reminded him of Unity College's training grounds, but the atmosphere here was different—strict, disciplined, and efficient. The soldiers of Stormhollow Bastion were among the best in the Central Continent, tasked with defending the borders against external threats.

A massive statue stood in the city center, depicting an armored warrior holding a raised sword. The plaque at the base identified him as General Ardyn Voss, the Defender of Stormhollow. Legends said he was one of the first challengers to survive the Infinity Room and return stronger than before, eventually leading the military to numerous victories. Seeing the tribute, Accel couldn't help but wonder what kind of strength one could truly obtain from completing the Infinity Room's trials.

Outside the City Walls

Feeling the need for fresh air, Accel decided to step outside the main walls of Stormhollow Bastion. Beyond the city lay a vast open field, where traveling merchants, mercenary groups, and caravan guards set up temporary camps. Some practiced sparring in makeshift training areas, while others sat around campfires, sharing tales of their adventures.

The walls themselves were an architectural marvel, standing tall and reinforced with defensive enchantments. Mounted ballistae and patrol towers were stationed along the perimeter, ensuring that no external threats could easily breach the fortress.

Among the travelers, he overheard a conversation about a challenger who had entered the Infinity Room recently but had yet to return. Some believed he had perished inside, while others claimed he was still climbing, striving to push further than anyone before. The rumors only added to the mystery surrounding the Infinity Room.

The Library and the History of the Infinity Room, Sunday Late Afternoon

With the exploration done, Accel returned to the Inner City, making his way to the Grand Archive of Stormhollow. The library was an enormous stone structure, its interior filled with rows of bookshelves stretching toward the high ceilings. Chandeliers illuminated the space, giving it an air of wisdom and knowledge.

He approached the librarian, an elderly man with round glasses and a calm demeanor. "I'm looking for information on the Infinity Room," Accel said.

The librarian nodded knowingly. "A popular topic among adventurers. Follow me."

He led Accel to a section dedicated to historical challenges, where an ancient tome titled The Trials of the Infinity Room rested on a pedestal. Accel opened it and began reading.

The Infinity Room, originally known as The Echoing Ascendance, dates back to an age when the Central Continent was still a land of warring tribes. It was said to be a structure of unknown origin, appearing suddenly in the middle of an unclaimed land. Early warriors saw it as a divine test—those who entered either returned home transformed or were never seen again.

According to the records, only a handful of individuals in history had ever reached its highest known floors. The most famous among them was General Ardyn Voss, the same warrior honored in the city's central plaza. He was one of the first to integrate the lessons from the Infinity Room into real-world combat, revolutionizing military strategies.

The tome also described various rooms within the Infinity Room. Rest Zones provided healing and supplies, while Challenge Rooms tested one's combat prowess to the extreme. Puzzle Rooms required intelligence and wit, Gambling Rooms allowed challengers to risk their earnings for greater rewards, and Story Rooms revealed cryptic insights into the tower's origin. Most intriguing of all was the Mimic Rooms, which recreated past battles but with unexpected twists, forcing challengers to adapt or perish.

As he turned the page, Accel found an account of a long-lost civilization that once studied the Infinity Room. They believed it to be an artifact left behind by an ancient power, designed to push individuals beyond their limits. Some theorized that the highest floors held knowledge capable of reshaping reality itself, but no recorded explorer had ever reached that far.

Closing the book, Accel took a deep breath. The Infinity Room was more than just a challenge—it was a legacy, a trial that had tested countless warriors before him. He was about to step into a place where history had been written and where he would carve his path.

With renewed determination, he left the library, ready to face whatever awaited him inside the Infinity Room.