September 30, 2024 - ???, India

The general leaned forward at the table, his sharp gaze fixed on Siddharth. Beneath his calm demeanor lay a hint of deep respect, though it was buried under the weight of his responsibility. "What's your assessment of this batch?" he asked, his voice measured and serious.

Siddharth, seated with his usual composure, his hands resting lightly on the table, responded without hesitation. "They're similar to the others. Dedicated, disciplined… but there's only so much I can accomplish with the limited time I have for each group."

The general nodded, his expression grim but understanding. "I know. Unfortunately, statistics show that roughly only one in 30,000 within the age group of 20 to 40 will be selected. If we're unlucky, out of ten batches, perhaps only one or two will be chosen for the Second Ascent."

"Assuming conditions remain unchanged," a voice interjected smoothly from across the table. It belonged to a middle-aged man with a distinctly different air from the uniformed officials around him. His sharp suit and composed demeanor set him apart, his presence quiet yet commanding.

Siddharth's gaze shifted to the man. Rahit. The enigmatic liaison from the shadowy organization funding the initiative.

This was the man who had approached him with tempting offers—offers that displayed the true extent of the organization's power—only to be turned down, as Siddharth desired nothing for himself. But the request, that was different: training soldiers for The Tower. It was a call he couldn't ignore.

"What do you mean 'remain unchanged?'" the general asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Well," Rahit said, his tone calm yet edged with an almost unsettling confidence. "We know nothing of The Tower. All we can do is make assumptions about what might or might not happen. The Second Ascent could differ vastly from the first: the age range could shift, the number of climbers could change, and perhaps most cruel of all—the challenges themselves might evolve."

"Indeed it could," Siddharth said, his voice steady and unyielding. "But that changes little, does it not? There is only so much we can do. The real test will lie in the chosen themselves—how they adapt, how they grow once inside. We can give them a push, but a push, no matter how forceful, can only take them so far."

Rahit's smile widened, his gaze flickering with a mix of amusement and intrigue. "Well said, Mr. Kubar. Adapt—that is the key to survival. It always has been. And in The Tower, it is paramount." He paused, his eyes now fixed on the general. "But let us consider this: assume the challenges remain the same. Even with all the initiatives, the helmets, the training sessions, Morales' speeches, and the new incentives—they can only help for so long. The question is, how far can they truly carry someone when the unseen comes into play?"

The general frowned, his expression darkening with thought. After a moment, he spoke, his voice deliberate. "An enemy we can see is a challenge we can fight. But an enemy we cannot see—that is one we truly fear."

"Well said," the man remarked, his tone shifting slightly as if steering the conversation onto a less formal track. "On another note, Mr. Kubar, a few familiar faces from The Tower may be visiting soon. They've just completed the SRP. It's unfortunate—being in the wrong place at the wrong time led to a rather… crushing conclusion for their ascent. Still, the information they brought back has proven invaluable."

Siddharth raised an eyebrow. He had heard of Vikram, Devansh, and George's fall. It was a shame.

"It's always unfortunate to lose climbers of such caliber," Siddharth said, his voice calm but tinged with quiet reflection. "Their insights will no doubt prove critical."

The man smiled faintly, nodding as he stood. "Indeed. And thank you, Mr. Kubar, for your unwavering dedication. Your efforts make a difference for humanity."

Siddharth inclined his head in acknowledgment, his expression unreadable as the man walked away, leaving the room heavy with unspoken thoughts.

This place is… beautiful.

Ayu glanced around, taking in the surrounding waterfalls cascading into crystal-clear pools, the lush greenery stretching out over the vibrant isles, and the way the sunlight played through the mist, creating faint rainbows.

It reminded her of places she used to visit as a kid, the rare vacations her father managed to take her on, back when things were… simpler.

Her lips curled into a wistful smile as she crouched low, her muscles coiling like springs. With a powerful leap, she launched herself onto a nearby boulder. The cool mist brushed her skin as she kept moving, jumping from rock to rock with effortless grace.

Her feet barely touched the ground before she was airborne again, vaulting over a stream and landing on a moss-covered outcrop. She paused, her hands on her hips, breathing deeply. The air was clean and fresh, carrying a faint, earthy scent that grounded her in the moment.

Suddenly—her instincts flared.

She pivoted sharply, her body moving in a fluid arc. Only then did her mind catch up, registering the faint vibrations rippling through the ground and the subtle shift in the water's surface nearby.

An enormous octopus-like creature surged from the water, its slimy tentacles snapping toward her previous position with incredible speed. But Ayu was already gone, spinning to the side and avoiding the strike with ease.

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Another tentacle lashed out, but she bent backward, her body arching gracefully as the appendage whipped harmlessly past her face.

"Seriously?" she muttered, her voice tinged with mild annoyance. She straightened, hopping back a few steps as the octopus settled into a defensive posture, its dark, glistening form pulsing ominously.

Ayu tilted her head, studying the creature. Oversized, with an innate desire to kill—just like everything else in this place.

Her fists clenched instinctively, her hand drifting toward her sword. She could take it down—she knew she could. It would just be a matter of time and effort. The way her body moved now, the world seemed to stumble behind her, its pace struggling to match her own. The sensation was intoxicating, making her feel almost invincible.

But… she wasn't in the mood for a fight. She'd probably end up soaked and covered in its gross, slimy blood.

She smirked, lowering her fists. "Another time, big guy," she said, her tone light and teasing. "I'll come for you later."

Before the octopus could react, Ayu leaped away, her movements quick and effortless, putting herself well out of its range. She took one last glance at the creature, her smirk lingering, then turned her focus back to the landscape. With a graceful bound, she disappeared into the greenery, leaving the giant octopus behind.

There was still so much to see. For now, she wanted to lose herself in the beauty of the world around her.

She kept leaping from place to place, careful not to stray too close to the water. Not that it mattered much—if something lunged at her, she could easily evade it.

Minutes passed as she basked in the sights. The area was dotted with caves, some perched in scenic spots with breathtaking views. It struck her as a perfect location for a camp. Definitely leagues apart from the coastal jungle, and the thought of a diet change from the crabs she was growing sick of was tempting.

Well, that idea would have to wait until the others caught up. She glanced at the sky; the sun was dipping lower. Returning to camp would take hours, even at her fastest pace. Should she spend the night here? Maybe hunt an octopus for dinner?

It didn't sound half bad. She could get some rest and rack up stage progress early tomorrow without the hassle of back-and-forth travel. Yep. That was the plan.

She smiled to herself, leaping gracefully from one rocky outcrop to the next. But as she moved, her waves picked up something unusual. The odditie came from near a waterfall—a hidden cave?

Intrigue lit her features as she raised an eyebrow.

A hidden monster, maybe? Some kind of treasure? Worst case scenario, she could just dodge and escape. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she climbed up toward the source of the signal.

"What the hell…" Ayu whispered, stepping cautiously inside.

The space was nothing short of magical.

The cave opened up into a cozy chamber, its walls smooth and glistening faintly as though polished by time itself. Window-like holes carved into the stone let in streams of soft, golden light, perfectly framing the setting sun on the horizon.

Through them, she could see the breathtaking landscape beyond—the lush greenery of the valley below, the cascading waterfalls in the distance, and the serene lakes that glimmered in the fading sunlight.

Further inside, her gaze was drawn to the centerpiece—a pool of water, its surface steaming gently as bubbles rose to the surface. The warm mist swirled through the cave, lending the space a serene, dreamlike quality.

She blinked, her head tilting slightly as she stepped closer. "Is that… no way…" she murmured, her brows furrowing in disbelief.

Kneeling by the edge, Ayu hesitated for a moment before reaching out. Her fingers dipped into the water, and the sensation was immediate—perfectly warm, soothing, like the embrace of a long-forgotten luxury. Her shoulders slumped slightly as she let out an audible sigh.

Her smile widened as she took it all in. She couldn't believe such a hidden gem existed, untouched and serene. Could this be a secret resting spot, waiting just for them? A gift at the end of this stage, designed by the alien gods Chiara always mentioned?

Her eyes darted back to the steaming water, her body instinctively relaxing at the sight. It looked heavenly. After days of intense battles, bruises, and exhaustion, her entire being longed for that bath. The thought of submerging herself in the warmth, letting her muscles unwind, was overwhelming.

She bit her lip, hesitating for a moment, but the temptation won in the end.

"Why not?" she murmured.

Without further thought, Ayu stripped off her cloth, setting her sword and gauntlets within arm's reach—just in case the unexpected happened.

She stepped into the water, and the moment her skin touched the heated surface, a sigh escaped her lips. The feeling was… heavenly. The warmth seeped into her aching muscles, melting away the tension and fatigue from her body. Every inch of her seemed to relax as the water wrapped her in a soothing embrace.

Her eyes fluttered shut as she let herself sink deeper, savoring the sensation. "So good," she whispered to herself, a blissful smile spreading across her face. For the first time in what felt like forever, Ayu felt like she was truly enjoying a bath.

Not only that, but from this resting spot, she could perfectly take in the view outside—the serene landscape framed by the natural openings in the cave. This… this was divine.

Wait. This place. Why not just make her home here?

The thought struck her, and her eyes sparkled with excitement. All she needed was a bit of wooden furniture, maybe a bed woven from plant fibers, and perhaps she could expand the cave a little by digging. This place had potential—no, legendary potential.

"Aren't I a genius?" she said, grinning smugly as the refreshing water soothed her skin. She chuckled at the thought of the others arriving and seeing her hot spring. Hehe. They were already jealous of her new skills, but this? This would push it over the edge.

She laughed out loud, the sound echoing softly through the cave. "Maybe I'll share it with Chiara and the other girls," she mused with a playful smirk. "Let's see."

As she was relaxing, however, her waves suddenly picked up movement not too far away. Hmm?

Her instincts flared. She straightened, alert, and rushed to put on her gauntlets, gripping her sword tightly.

What?! The perturbation was closing in fast. Too fast. Damn it.

There was no time to take this lightly. She leapt out of the water, her body tense, adopting a fighting stance. Her mind raced, ready for anything—or so she thought.

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