"The Echoing Ascendance: Archivist System Promotion III"

Snake Calendar, Year 2025

15th Day of December, Monday Early Morning

Fortress Outside City of Stormhollow Bastion

The Infinity Room of Echoing Ascendance, Entrance, Ground Floor

The Infinity Room stands as a towering monolith of ancient design, its dark stone exterior radiating a faint, mysterious glow. Its surface is adorned with intricate carvings of forgotten symbols, some eroded by time, while others pulse faintly with energy. The structure lacks windows, reinforcing the impression that whatever lies within is entirely cut off from the outside world. At the very top, a colossal emblem of interwoven rings marks the tower's peak, said to represent the infinite trials awaiting within. A grand archway serves as the only entrance, its doors made of an unknown metal that shifts in color under the sunlight.

Upon stepping inside, challengers find themselves in a vast, circular chamber serving as the ground floor marketplace. Unlike the tower's eerie exterior, this area is bustling with life. Merchants from various backgrounds set up shop along the curved walls, offering an extensive array of weapons, armor, potions, and enchanted accessories. Stalls filled with trinkets, scrolls, and rare materials from the tower's depths line the walkways, and the air carries the scent of roasted meat and exotic spices from food vendors catering to challengers seeking a last meal before their trials. Some seasoned adventurers barter for equipment, while others exchange stories of their past experiences within the tower. The ground floor is also home to a series of administration counters, where first-time challengers can register and receive basic guidance on what to expect.

Beyond the marketplace lies a grand staircase, spiraling upward to the tower's true challenge. The second floor marks the beginning of the endless trials, structured with a vast hall lined with exactly one hundred doors, each leading into separate challenge rooms. The doors are identical, and featureless save for an ancient rune that shimmers when approached. Once entered, challengers find themselves in isolated spaces, disconnected from any sense of time or outside intervention. Each room presents a new obstacle, ranging from fierce battles with summoned creatures to mind-bending puzzles that test intelligence and adaptability.

From the second floor to the tenth, the structure remains the same—each level containing one hundred doors, each door leading to an unpredictable trial. Some rooms are short, requiring only a quick battle or puzzle completion, while others stretch on endlessly, pushing challengers to their physical and mental limits. There is no fixed path, and challengers can never be certain of what lies ahead. Only upon completing the required number of trials do challengers receive a key that allows them to ascend further. Rumors persist that certain doors lead to hidden realms within the Infinity Room, containing rewards beyond comprehension—or trials that no one has ever returned from.

Infinity Room (1st) - (10th)

Accel took a deep breath as he stepped into Room 1 of the Infinity Room of Echoing Ascendance. The door behind him sealed shut, and in front of him, ten lesser slimes jiggled in place, their translucent bodies reflecting the dim blue light of the chamber. He tightened his grip on Aetherium and Voidbringer, fully aware of his energy limitations. There would be no grand abilities, only pure skill and calculated attacks.

With a swift motion, Accel activated Enhance Sword, boosting the attack power of both swords from 10,000 to 12,500, while also increasing his Critical Rate and Critical Damage. He dashed forward, executing Mighty Strike on the first cluster of slimes. The impact flattened them instantly, dispersing their gooey remains into the air. Without hesitation, he spun around and slashed through the remaining enemies, ending the fight in seconds.

Room 2 had fifteen slimes. Accel wasted no time, activating Fire Sword Enhancement to coat his blades in flames, increasing their damage to 13,500-15,000. With the added attack speed boost, he moved fluidly between enemies, slicing through their gelatinous bodies before they could react. Each strike left behind searing trails of fire, ensuring the slimes that weren't instantly destroyed burned away within moments. The battle ended swiftly, and the exit revealed itself.

Room 3 introduced twenty slimes, but Accel had already established his combat rhythm. He combined Mighty Strike and Fireball strategically, reducing clusters of enemies in one go. By utilizing his Mind Acceleration, he ensured precise movements while managing his stamina. The battle was over before his Fire Sword Enhancement expired, and he moved forward without pause.

Room 4 contained twenty-five slimes. Accel activated Fireball, hurling a blazing orb into the center of the enemies. The explosion eliminated several at once, allowing him to focus on the remaining ones with enhanced sword strikes. Though his stamina was gradually depleting, he maintained efficiency, avoiding unnecessary movements.

Room 5 increased the number to thirty slimes. Accel altered his strategy, prioritizing Mighty Strike to clear multiple enemies per hit. He dashed between targets with rapid slashes, making quick work of them. He took a brief moment to regulate his breathing before proceeding.

Room 6 presented thirty-five slimes. A quick assessment told Accel he needed to pace himself. He activated Fireball first, then utilized Mighty Strike on weakened enemies. He refrained from activating Fire Sword Enhancement this time, conserving energy and stamina for later challenges. The fight lasted slightly longer, but he remained in control.

Room 7 escalated to forty slimes. Recognizing the growing difficulty, Accel employed Fire Sword Enhancement and Enhance Sword simultaneously. The boosted attack speed allowed him to cut through enemies swiftly, minimizing prolonged engagements. Despite this, his stamina continued to drain, a reminder of his limits. He finished the fight efficiently and moved on.

Room 8 contained forty-five slimes. Accel leaned on Mind Acceleration to track enemy movements, ensuring each swing counted. He avoided overusing abilities, relying more on swordplay. He executed a mix of Mighty Strike and regular slashes, wrapping up the battle while leaving himself enough stamina for the next room.

Room 9 had fifty slimes. Accel activated Fireball, wiping out a section of enemies, then engaged in rapid swordplay. He executed Mighty Strike in calculated intervals, preventing unnecessary exhaustion. The battle took longer than previous ones, but he maintained control and cleared the room without significant issues.

Room 10 was the final challenge before the next phase. Fifty-five slimes awaited, spread out in unpredictable movements. Accel took a deep breath and activated Fire Sword Enhancement, feeling the energy course through his weapons. He initiated the fight with Fireball, thinning the numbers, then moved in with precise, fast-paced strikes. His swords cut through the slimes effortlessly, flames searing through the gelatinous bodies. By the time his stamina reached dangerous levels, only a handful of slimes remained. He executed one final Mighty Strike, ending the battle. As the last slime dissipated, a scroll materialized in the air before him.

[Beginner Promotion System Class Scroll Obtained]

He reached out and stored the item. The exit opened, and Accel exhaled deeply, feeling the fatigue creeping in. He knew the next set of rooms would be even more difficult, but for now, he had cleared the first stage.

Total Rewards from Room (1st) to Room (10th)

> Infinity Chest (Common Tier): Accel has received 10 Infinity Chest that contains the following:

1. Ascendance Coins (Quantity: 100): A special currency usable only inside the Infinity Room of Echoing Ascendance. It can be exchanged for potions, weapons, armor, enchantments, or other utility items at the ground floor shops.

2. Echo Potions (Quantity: 10): A special potion usable only inside the Infinity Room of Echoing Ascendance, it gives random buff effect like: Stamina Recovery, Energy Recovery, or Temporary Boost Stats.

3. Refined Etherstone (Quantity: 10) – A rare enhancement material that temporarily increases the power of weapons or armor while inside the Infinity Room of Echoing Ascendance. It loses its effect when leaving the challenge.