Previously on Raising My Trash Ability into a Broken SSS+ Rank Skill...
Teresa and Fiona resolved their differences, reconciling and strengthening their bond. The group then proceeded to the next floor, Vritra increasing their speed due to growing anger towards the gods. They swiftly cleared floors, reaching the 290th, where a test of trust forced Asmodeus to overcome his fear and join Vritra's group. They continued to ascend, with Shitless proving his strength against golems on floor 298. Reaching floor 299, the group faced a challenging road defended by powerful portals, which they endured despite heavy attacks.
An intense wave of destructive force surged towards the group of eleven, the surrounding environment erupting under its power. A sphere, comprised of countless colors and radiating a destructive buzz, hurtled towards them. Upon contact, the bubbles and barriers they had erected moments before began to disintegrate. BOOM
BOOOOOOM
'Damn it!' Vritra grimaced. All of them pooled their remaining energy, constructing their most potent barriers.
BANG
Yet, even these formidable defenses were crumbling, while the sphere remained virtually unscathed, its sheer power overwhelming. Vritra understood that their current strength was insufficient to withstand this onslaught; only one option remained.
Without even a glance at his points, he commanded, "Expend all points and immediately purchase the strongest barrier available for us."
He didn't register the flurry of messages that appeared before him. It had been a considerable duration since he had utilized his sin points. After vanquishing numerous adversaries, the accumulated points had amassed into the millions. In the subsequent moment, a radiant white barrier materialized around them, offering a brief respite.
The colorful sphere slammed into the barrier, causing it to shudder violently. "Please hold…" A collective plea echoed among them, the unspoken fear of severe injury if the barrier failed.
To bolster their defense, the group channeled their abilities once more. WHIZZZZZZ
The confrontation between the barrier and the sphere persisted for several minutes. Gradually, fissures began to spiderweb across the barrier's surface, while the sphere also noticeably diminished in size.
A sense of relief washed over the group as the oppressive pressure lessened, and they resumed their forward march. It appeared the barrier, though reinforced, was still outmatched by the destructive sphere.
BOOOOOM!!
Finally, the barrier shattered, erupting outwards. However, the precious time it provided was enough for the group to advance.
They hastily plunged through an open doorway, narrowly evading the concussive blast. The sphere impacted the ground, consuming everything in its vicinity.
"Haa, that was a close one. We've reached the 300th floor now. Given this level of peril, this must be the final stage," Diana breathed, her voice laced with exhaustion. The preceding challenge had been immensely taxing.
"Let's take a moment to rest, but remain vigilant," Vritra advised, his heart still pounding from the near-fatal encounter on the previous level. He pondered the potential danger of this final stage, especially with their points completely depleted.
After a brief period of recovery, they collectively decided to commence their exploration of the floor. The environment presented as a serene, ordinary landscape, with verdant grass carpeting the ground beneath a clear sky. Lush trees lined their path, and a cool breeze swept past, yet none of them could detect any immediate threat.
Meanwhile, the observing deities exchanged glances, a sigh escaping them. They marveled at the group's improbable ascent to such heights, noting that even the ten elite players wouldn't have achieved this.
There was little the ten players could do; they too were bound by the established rules.
"It matters not; there is no way they can overcome this final trial. This challenge is specifically designed for players alone," declared the Sun God, his confidence unwavering.
"One can only hope," the foremost deity responded, shaking his head.
…
After traversing the seemingly tranquil landscape for some time, the eleven found themselves standing before a singular door. Above it, an inscription materialized in a language utterly foreign to them.
"What is this now?" Vanessa inquired, her gaze fixed on the peculiar symbols hovering in the air. There was nothing in their surroundings to offer any clues.
"My dear, you possess knowledge of numerous languages, do you not? Can you decipher this?" the goddess asked, a flicker of hope in her eyes.
"Ah, yes, darling, you have that particular skill. Do you think it will still function?" Yasmine remembered, a fleeting smile gracing her lips. However, a sense of uncertainty pervaded as none of their previously used abilities seemed to be active.
"Indeed, I can understand it," Vritra affirmed, nodding. That skill had been instrumental in imparting a vast amount of knowledge into his mind. Though the skill itself was no longer present, the assimilated knowledge remained, and with Vritra's exceptional memory, comprehension was assured.
'It states that we must push the door open to proceed after burning the talisman,' Vritra conveyed, his attention drawn to a paper talisman affixed to the door's handle.
"Ah, there it is! So, all we need to do is burn it to continue," Fiona exclaimed, her expression a blend of happiness and pride in her husband's abilities.
"Yes, proceed, though this is not the culmination of this floor's challenges," Vritra acknowledged, gesturing for Fiona to act.
Fiona extended a finger towards the talisman. It ignited instantly, crumbling into fine ash. Vritra then applied pressure to the door, causing it to swing open.
They emerged into a land of perpetual winter, where pristine snow blanketed the ground and extended up the surrounding mountains. As they stepped further in, a new message appeared before them, penned in the identical, unknown script. This was the language commonly used by players from their home planet, a language they all understood. The fact that Vritra could comprehend it, however, astonished them, causing the Sun God's earlier confidence to waver slightly.
This undoubtedly served as a deterrent, designed to impede anyone who wasn't a player, but the challenges were far from over, compelling him to remain vigilant.
"It states that we must ascend to the summit of Mount Tirosishima within one hour to proceed..." Vritra articulated, his gaze sweeping across the multitude of towering peaks.
This particular mountain was an icon, instantly recognizable to all players, yet it remained unfamiliar to Vritra and his companions.
However, there was indeed one player among them.
"I know this place!!" Asmodeus exclaimed, practically leaping with elation, finally sensing an opportunity to be of some worth.
He had been entirely reliant on the others up to this point, saved by their intervention, and to find himself facing a mountain from his home planet filled him with pride.
Asmodeus recognized this as his moment to seize the spotlight and prove his utility.
"Well done, my slave," Shitless declared with evident satisfaction.
"Indeed, this is a mountain from my world; it's quite renowned for its challenging ascent, but if one is aware of the correct routes, the climb isn't nearly as arduous," Asmodeus elaborated.
For an inexperienced climber, navigating the mountain's labyrinthine paths could easily consume well over an hour, leaving them utterly stranded.
"Very well, you shall lead us then," Vritra commanded, inwardly grateful for having brought a player along.
He had foreseen such scenarios, anticipating a time when the unique skills of a player might become indispensable.
Furthermore, he grasped a crucial point: the divine entities were employing these trials as a barrier, specifically to obstruct those who were not players.
Even ordinary humans, should they miraculously reach this stage, would struggle to pinpoint the correct mountain within the imposed timeframe.
And should they, by some sheer luck, select the right peak, they would inevitably become ensnared in its deceptive maze.
Vritra attempted to take flight or propel himself upward using his abilities but discovered it was utterly impossible.
Consequently, their sole recourse at this juncture was to proceed on foot.
"Yes sir, please follow me. I guarantee I'll have you at the summit in no more than 40 minutes!" he affirmed, setting off along the snow-covered trail.
The group followed Asmodeus, finding the trek challenging due to the thick snow and the steep incline.
Nevertheless, they had grown accustomed to such unforgiving environments, and their inherent strength remained unhindered, unlike their ability to fly.
Expertly navigating through obscure shortcuts within the maze, Asmodeus astoundingly guided them to the peak in under 40 minutes.
There, at the summit, stood another doorway, already ajar, awaiting their arrival.
