Chapter Five: The Endless Staircase

But then... The deputy security officer's gaze suddenly fell upon the scattered corpses of security personnel, and a sliver of hope quietly emerged.

“These are all members of the Fifth Security Team, directly answering to the Control Center. The anomalies in their jurisdiction are mostly of the safe category. Even if there’s a chance of encountering a Chaos Apostle, it’s still much safer than the established route. Besides, their presence here means the dangers along the way have already been greatly reduced. As long as we acquire the Fifth Security Team’s access card, we can safely reach the Control Center!”

Each security team was responsible for different areas, and their access passes were not interchangeable.

The deputy security officer was convinced his judgment was sound. However, the body of the Fifth Security Officer was nowhere to be found. He followed the traces of combat left on the ground, his gaze finally settling on the damaged containment door of the anomaly. A strange glint shone in his eyes. "It seems the opponent the Fifth Security Officer faced was exceptionally strong; otherwise, he wouldn’t have chosen to recklessly enter the domain of the 'Endless Staircase.'"

The Endless Staircase—this was the anomaly before them.

"The Endless Staircase is fraught with danger. If I venture deep, even I might never return. Should I give up just like this? What if the Fifth Security Officer hasn’t ventured far?" The deputy security officer was unwilling to accept defeat. "No, someone has to try, and it will take time anyway, which can help delay those pursuing us from behind."

Having made up his mind, the deputy security officer immediately looked to the five players. With the staff handbook’s rules, he could have his subordinates avoid unnecessary risks. In this kind of suicide mission, he was all too eager to send the players, mere temporary members of the Foundation, instead.

A mission was coming!

Seeing this, Ember and the others tensed. Everyone knew that if chosen, they would be risking their lives. If the Fifth Security Officer was still alive or had perished with his foe, it might be manageable. But if he’d lost, even if the Endless Staircase wasn’t truly inescapable, the chosen player might not make it out alive.

Still, seeing that it wasn’t an expert exploiting a novice’s talents for an advantage, the other players secretly hoped to be chosen. After all, risk and reward go hand in hand; sometimes the most dangerous place is paradoxically the safest.

At that moment, Ember couldn’t help but glance at his novice talent—Willpower Enhancement. Others could approach the Brocade thanks to their life talents, but what could his bring? Whether it was fate or luck, after inspecting them all, the deputy security officer happened to point straight at Ember.

“You seem to have a strong will. That gives you a bit more chance of survival in the Endless Staircase. I order you to enter immediately. If you find the Fifth Security Officer, explain the situation. If he’s dead, bring back his access card!”

The deputy security officer’s voice brooked no refusal. Ember slowly exhaled in relief.

Now that the matter was settled, he might as well go.

...

[Notification: You have accepted a mandatory assessment mission—Retrieve the Access Card.]

Mission Name: [Retrieve the Access Card]

Requirements: Enter the anomaly 'Endless Staircase' and recover the access card from the Fifth Security Officer.

Reward: Contribution Points

Description: The Fifth Security Officer was ambushed and forced to move the battle into the anomaly known as the Endless Staircase. Now, following the deputy security officer’s orders, you must enter the Endless Staircase and retrieve the access card from the Fifth Security Officer.

[Beginner Tip: Though the Endless Staircase is not actively aggressive, its deepest secrets remain unknown. Your willpower talent will help you avoid some dangers. Nevertheless, remember: while relying on your will, you must also know your limits.]

...

“Since the Chaos Apostle is likely pursuing us from behind, I will set traps nearby. You’ll have at most five minutes to act.” The deputy security officer handed Ember his flashlight. “The display shows the time. If you don’t return within the limit, you’re on your own.”

The flashlight was cold to the touch, but the deputy security officer’s tone was colder.

“Sir… I’d like a weapon for protection. If I encounter danger, I’ll be better able to handle it.”

Ember didn’t refuse the mission but tried to secure his chances of success. His request perked up all the players; everyone was still unarmed and felt terribly insecure.

Unfortunately, the deputy security officer dashed their hopes. “All Foundation weapons require identity verification and strict qualifications to operate. Otherwise, you can’t touch them. The Chaos Apostles who broke in here are all elite. With your current abilities, you wouldn’t be able to use our weapons anyway. You’re welcome to try if you don’t believe me.”

Hearing this, the players all tried their luck, only to be met with warnings about insufficient attribute levels. Staring at the weapons scattered across the floor, unable to use any, they could only feel helpless.

The sense of something so close yet unreachable was deeply frustrating.

With his hopes dashed, Ember put aside any fantasies and stepped toward the pitch-black Endless Staircase. Just then, Rain Tomorrow took a step forward. “Sir, I’d like to go with him, so we can look out for each other.”

Hmm?

Ember glanced back at Rain Tomorrow, unsure why he’d take the risk. True, completing a specialty mission together might earn a lot of contribution points, but the dangers were great. Look at Scale Arm and Not a Pro; the two veteran players calmly stayed put, not showing the slightest interest in joining. They understood very well that rather than scrambling for scraps with Ember, it was better to secure the real prize for themselves.

As for Gallop, still recovering from his injuries, he had no ambition to take such a gamble. He only wished to trail the veterans for as long as he could.

Rain Tomorrow held his breath, gazing at the deputy security officer. The officer narrowed his eyes and spoke slowly, “Though I doubt two of you entering the Endless Staircase will make much difference, I’ll grant your request.”

The mission update appeared, and Rain Tomorrow breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief. A faint glimmer flashed in his eyes as he clenched his fist and smiled at Ember. “Mind if I join you?”

Ember said nothing, just nodded, turned on the flashlight, and stepped into the pitch-black staircase.

...

Unlike Brocade, the name “Endless Staircase” was straightforward.

Ember shone the flashlight downward, but the beam seemed swallowed by darkness, barely illuminating a stretch of stairs.

Each flight had thirteen steps, with semicircular landings connecting them. There were no wall lamps, no windows. The air was heavy, dust swirling in the gloom. The walls, stained black, showed faint graffiti-like marks and drawings. Tattered clothing and drying blood on the floor bore silent witness to the recent fierce battle.

[Notification: Your Life Level is zero, your Strength Level is zero. You cannot break through the anomaly's field, and your maximum speed is greatly reduced.]

An invisible force pressed upon them, impeding both players’ movements. Even if they tried to run, they found their pace much slower; brisk walking was more efficient and spared their energy.

After five flights, the stifling air abruptly changed.

A faint, cool breeze wafted up from below, as if heralding an exit ahead. But Ember noticed the flashlight’s illumination was weakening; though the battery was full, the beam had inexplicably shortened by half a step.

This was certainly no good omen.

Oblivious, Rain Tomorrow was intent on making conversation. “Where are you from, brother?”

“Yangzhou. Just a small place,” Ember answered tersely.

“East of the Hedong, where the sun rises, quiet and pleasant, a great place for retirement. I have several northern friends planning to settle their elders there.” Rain Tomorrow first showed off his knowledge, then paid Ember a mild compliment. “You carry yourself with poise; may I ask your profession?”

“Unemployed.”

Ember’s answers remained brief. He just wanted to finish the mission and not get distracted, so his tone was cold.

Rain Tomorrow, however, thought Ember was being evasive due to his unemployment and was secretly pleased. He went on, “Brother, have you considered joining Thunder with us? As a test player, you’d easily meet our recruitment standards. With a bit more effort, you could qualify as an internal member! Thunder is eager to make a mark in Anomaly Paradise and we’re short on talent. If you join us, making a little money is guaranteed.”

Ever since Singularity released the test accounts, the trading price had soared daily. Especially after Duke Thunder spent a fortune on over thirty test accounts, the price on the eve of testing nearly hit six figures. Rain Tomorrow felt it was crucial to recruit Ember.

One more test slot meant one more chance for Thunder to get ahead. There were even more important reasons he hadn’t mentioned.

“Forget it. I’m just a free spirit, used to being on my own.”

By nature, Ember disliked getting involved in such matters. Rain Tomorrow grew anxious, glancing into the darkness below and trying to persuade him, “Come on, at least think it over. Thunder may not be top-tier, but we’re well-known in the industry.”

Ember chuckled and shook his head, utterly resolute. Rain Tomorrow frowned, thinking, “This guy is really stubborn. If it weren’t for your test slot, I wouldn’t waste my breath.” After a brief silence, only their footsteps echoed in the stairwell. Rain Tomorrow looked once more into the darkness, seemed to steel himself, and said in a low voice, “To tell you the truth, Thunder has managed to get some insider information. If you join us, we’ll be on the same side…”