Chapter 1258

Sebastian's steps were steady and deliberate, with each one planted firmly on the Ascending Ladders as he climbed. His pace wasn't fast, but he noticed the other participants moved faster than the last. While the gravity field affected every floor, the first 20 posed little challenge. The real pressure started after the 22nd floor. Since he started later than most, he was quickly overtaken and left far behind. But Sebastian wasn't in a hurry since there was no time limit. Then, something interesting happened. Many ahead of him were overwhelmed by the gravity field and gasped for breath. Some collapsed from the strain, while others gave up and jumped down. The struggle became especially intense on the 33rd floor. Many collapsed as soon as they stepped onto it. Some gritted their teeth and pushed on, while a few managed to pass the floor and continue climbing higher. At the front of the group was a woman—Dorothy Siemens, the second-place contestant in the Nine-Layer Golden Pagoda Te