Journey Of A Legend

The moment the two noticed the words on the slab, they looked at each other in confusion.

They looked confused not because they didn't know what the Eternal Kingdom should have meant, but it was the opposite. They were extremely clear about what those two words meant.

The Eternal Kingdom was one of the greatest Kingdom from the past, which had an extremely great history.

Legends said that the Eternal Kingdom was the only Clan in the past which ruled over almost all of the whole Federation.

But for some unknown reason, when it seemed that the Eternal Kingdom would reach the summit and rule above everyone, they vanished mysteriously.

No one knew why or what was the reason, but everyone knew that they had an insane amount of resources that could make any Family or Clan to become the best.

That was why every Family and person in the whole Federation wanted to find where the Eternal Kingdom has vanished and tried to obtain their resources for themselves.

But no matter how hard everyone tried, no one was able to find it, so as a result it just became a Legend.

However, seeing the two words written on the wooden slab, Joe and Greg couldn't believe it. Could it be that the long-forgotten legend was all along here in this mountain's interior? 

That would be extremely shocking that was for sure!

With each passing second, it was visible that Joe's expression started to become more and more excited and a small while later he glanced at Greg.

"Let's go. It seems this place could be much greater than I have first thought."

Greg knew that if this place was truly the legendary Eternal Kingdom from the myths then they have hit the jackpot for sure.

As a result, he nodded, and without saying anything else he started to walk toward the buildings in the distance.

Walking for almost 15 minutes in silence, the two finally arrived before a huge gate.

Just like those buildings that were visible from the cliff, the gate was made out of wood, while it was dyed with black color.

On top of it, another slab was visible, but instead of the two words of 'Eternal Kingdom', what the two could read was 'Eternal Skyfall'.

"Let's go.", said Joe after he looked at the slab for one last time and started to walk upon the stairs that led toward the buildings above.

As Greg followed, he noticed that each stair he stepped foot on started to vibrate and turn back to its original state after a few seconds later.

Joe noticed this too, but feeling that they were no hostile toward them and it was not a trap either, he continued to walk forward.

However, their anxiety only became levels bigger when somewhere in the middle of the staircase, not only the stairs started to vibrate, but the whole environment around them.

The air, the trees on the sides, and the stairs below their feet. Each time they step forward the tremor would become greater, making them feel anxious instantly.

However, even after all of this happened, nothing seemed to change which was quite confusing.

"Let me go first.", said Greg and stepped before Joe.

Knowing that he had the demon mask and the nullification power, Greg felt safer. But if things turned to the worst and suddenly a shocking power would break out, he wasn't sure that he could save Joe.

The vibration around his proximity somehow gave him bigger pressure than anyone else on the God rank which was strange.

Joe knew why Greg said those so nodded and without arguing he nodded and let him to go first.

One step after another, Greg watched as his proximity turned more and more unstable, while the last stair was only a few meters away from him.

Just before the last stair, Greg stopped and at himself. He was sweating like hell while his body shook from an unknown power.

From the outside, he looked like he just took a quick swim in the lake, while wearing tons of weight on his body, making his body look like it could collapse at any given moment.

Even with his abnormal physical strength, Greg knew that this was no joke at all and he truly felt like collapsing.

Joe who saw this from below looked shocked and looked around.

"I don't see any prints or magic circles which could cause such power. Also, it is obvious that there is no one here, so how could this be?", asked Joe, not understanding the current situation.

Ability Prints and Magic Circles were a kind of carvings that could be used on objects or things that are none living.

By fusing one's power into these prints or circles, one can transfer one's Guardian's ability into things.

For example, if one drew an Ability Print on a piece of stone and fused an explosion ability into it, then that stone would become a grenade.

However, right now, Joe was not able to notice any Ability Prints or Magic Circles that would be able to surpass Greg like this.

Even if it was drawn under the surface, when the power was triggered, a small sign should be seen on the surface that yelled it was an Ability Print, but Joe couldn't see any.

"Strange...", murmured Joe with a deep frown and glanced at Greg's shaking figure before him.

"Don't push your limits too far. We have time to figure out a better way to get up, so I think the best should be for you to co-."

*BOOM!*

However, just before Joe could have finished his sentence, Greg took the last step and stepped on the last stair.

Instantly as he did, the air around Greg turned unstable and a huge explosion occurred, making Joe step back a few meters.

"!"

As dust and smoke flew everywhere and Joe covered his face, Greg felt like his body undergone strange changes.

Instead of tearing his body or creating a fatal wound on him, his body instead started to heal and show positive changes.

His body turned more muscular, his vision turned clearer and his hearing became sharper.

Greg didn't know how all of these things were possible, but he felt quite satisfied.

After a small, while later when the changes started to vanish was Greg able to step completely on the last stair and look back at Joe with a wide smile.

"It is completely harmless. You can come."

"!?"

Looking at Greg who somehow looked different, Joe stayed silent and waited for a while.

"What happened?", asked Joe suddenly after thinking for a bit, still not understanding what could have happened just a few moments ago.

Glancing at his hands, Greg shrugged slightly and explained.

"I don't know either, but it seems this staircase is a test. If you can resist the unknown power and step walk up onto the top, it will improve your body's state."

When Joe heard this his eyes widened with surprise and shouted instantly, "Endless Pressure!"

"Huh? Endless Pressure? What is that?", asked Greg with a deep frown.

Joe instantly looked at the stair and started to explain.

"In legends, Eternal Kingdom was famous for its impenetrable defense. From one of its defense mechanisms was the Endless Stairway, known as the Endless Pressure. The more steps one took, the bigger the pressure would become, but in legends, it was told the staircase was miles long. But this is only a hundred meters long if not shorter!"

As Greg listened to Joe's explanation looked stunned and looked at the staircase below his feet.

Just imagining the fact that this stairway would have been several miles long, he wondered just how strong one needed to be to reach the top.

"Such a scary power. It seems legends about the Eternal Kingdom are true."

As Greg thought about this, he saw as Joe started to move and soon he too arrived at the few last steps.

Just like Greg, he too was covered with an insane amount of sweat, while his whole body was shaking like leaves in autumn.

If Greg didn't have to know the reason why Joe was like this, he would have thought Joe was in great danger.

Just looking at his trembling body and struggling figure, Greg felt like helping but knew it would only be a bad choice.

He didn't know if this place had any restrictions or if there would be any punishment if he helps him, so he decided not to.

Also, the best way for one to improve oneself is to break through with only one's power and strength. 

Choosing the easiest way not always meant success and reward. It could also mean failure and punishment, so the best way was to let Joe to take the final step on his own strength.

"You can do it! It's just one last step!", said Greg loudly while jumping here and there as he cheered for Joe to take the final step.

"This guy...", said Joe quietly as he looked at Greg's crazy act.

After taking a deep breath and clenching his teeth, Joe raised his right foot and without hesitation stepped on the last stair.

*BOOOM!!*