The journey up Asuri had begun. They had reached approximately 200–250 steps.
Generally, there are two main routes to climb Asuri. One is a well-constructed path, and the other is a temporary route. The two paths lie in opposite directions.
Apart from these, there were many other small and large paths that connected various locations on Asuri, but since no one used them anymore, they had almost disappeared.
The journey continued.
After processing for a while, Shiro spoke while explaining the game,
"Alright, I've thought of a game. Let me explain how it's played."
Everyone listened carefully.
Shiro said,
"You will play this game in two stages. In the first stage, it will be decided who gets a task. In the second stage, a task or punishment will be given."
Ansh replied,
"Hmm… this sounds interesting. Go ahead, Shiro. Everyone is ready."
Everyone agreed.
Shiro continued,
"To start the game, I'll say 'one, two, three, go,' and then each of you must say a number. The person who says the smallest number will move the game forward."
Suraj asked,
"Okay, but how will we decide who gets the task?"
Shiro replied,
"There's still a twist. The number you say must have a specific reason behind it."
Sheetal said,
"So random numbers won't work."
Shiro said,
"Yes. I'll keep track of events. The person with the next higher number can cross-check the reason of the smaller number. If the reason is found to be wrong, the second stage will begin immediately and a task will be given. But if the reason is correct, the checker's turn to be checked will come next, and the game will continue like this."
Adhir said,
"Okay, I understand a bit. But what if everyone passes the checking?"
Shiro replied,
"Then the person who gave the smallest number will get the task."
Sapna said,
"Alright, this level is clear. But I still have one or two questions."
Shiro asked,
"What are they?"
Sapna asked,
"Who will assign the task? Also, what advantage does the checker have by passing? Everyone will eventually be checked, right? And who will check the highest number?"
Shiro answered,
"The checker will assign the task.
Second, if the checker feels the reason is correct, they can pass it. If they pass correctly, they will be skipped from checking. But if they pass incorrectly, they will immediately receive a task without their number being checked.
And for the last question—when it reaches the highest number, it will be checked automatically, and everyone together will assign the task."
Adhir said,
"Then even if the checker passes correctly, the next person could still trap them by falsely claiming it's wrong."
Shiro replied while tying a wristband on everyone's wrist,
"Before checking or passing begins, you must write the reason for your number on this band. It will be stored with me."
Suraj said,
"Okay, so the higher the number, the better!"
Shiro replied,
"No. The more checks you skip before confirming your number, the more tasks you'll receive. For example, if you say 10 but only confirm your reason up to 5, you'll get 5 tasks."
Sheetal said,
"So with smaller numbers, the chances of getting a task are higher whether right or wrong, and with larger numbers, you'll get more tasks if you're wrong."
Ansh said,
"So neither small numbers, nor large numbers, nor middle ones are safe. It all depends on passing and checking."
Sapna said,
"Nice. In a way, this also tests observation and concentration."
Shiro asked,
"Are you all ready? Shall we start the first round?"
Everyone agreed.
Shiro said,
"You have two minutes before the first round begins. Observe everything carefully and decide your number."
Everyone observed attentively. Shiro scanned everything as well. After two minutes, everyone sent their number and its reason to Shiro.
Shiro announced,
"Let's begin the first round. One… two… three… go!"
Sapna said,
"24."
Ansh said,
"8."
Adhir said,
"88."
Suraj said,
"26."
Sheetal said,
"7."
Ansh exclaimed,
"Adhir is bluffing big time! What could 88 possibly mean?"
Suraj and Sheetal agreed.
Adhir replied,
"Wait till my turn—I'll explain."
Sheetal said,
"You think saying such a big number will keep you safe?"
Shiro said,
"Alright, Ansh will start by checking Sheetal. Ansh, will you check or pass?"
Ansh replied,
"Hmmm… such a small number must have some calculation behind it. I'll pass."
Shiro said,
"Sheetal, explain the reason for number 7."
Sheetal replied,
"Seven times, the monkey climbed onto Ansh's shoulder."
Everyone looked toward Shiro.
Shiro said,
"Correct."
Sheetal sighed in relief.
Ansh said,
"Alright, I am safe too."
Now everyone began enjoying the game.
Suraj said,
"I think Sapna's number is also correct—so pass."
Sapna said,
"Yes. Today's date is 24."
Shiro replied,
"Correct."
Ansh and Sheetal protested,
"That shouldn't count!"
Shiro said,
"The reason for the number is valid. This time, we have passed this stage. From the second round onward, you will get 2–5 minutes of time. Your number must be related to it.""
Suraj said,
"Alright, me safe as well."
Adhir added,
"You didn't use your intelligence properly there!"
Suraj replied,
"Fine, fine. Now tell us the secret behind your 88."
Everyone looked at Adhir.
Adhir said,
"In those two minutes, we climbed 88 steps."
Shiro replied,
"Correct, Adhir."
Ansh said,
"Well played."
Suraj said,
"So now Sheetal will get the task, and Ansh will assign it."
Ansh said,
"What task should I give? I'll have to think."
Adhir suggested,
"Ask for some personal secret."
Ansh replied,
"We've been together since childhood. There's nothing useful left to hide."
Sapna suggested,
"Then make her sing something."
Ansh said,
"No. I have a question. Who do you think is the weakest in our group?"
Sheetal replied,
"That's a very difficult question."
Ansh said,
"Yes, but you must answer—and with a reason."
Sheetal said,
"Why should I give a reason? I won't."
Ansh insisted,
"You have to."
Sapna added,
"Give a reason so no one keeps any misunderstanding in their heart about why you named someone."
Sheetal replied,
"Alright. Sorry, Adhir, but in my opinion, you are the weakest—because you don't have natural elemental abilities."
Adhir replied calmly, though annoyed,
"Hmmm. No problem. Time will tell."
Ansh: "Before starting the second round, I have one question—what is the name of this game?"
Shiro: "You suggest something!!"
Adhir: "Watching Game."
Suraj: "Number Path."
Sheetal: "Step of Observation."
Sapna: "Silent Count."
Adhir: "Sheetal's and Sapna's names are good. Shiro, which one do you like better from these two?"
Shiro: "Both names are good, but if I have to choose one out of the two, I'll keep Step of Observation."
Ansh: "Great! So the name is decided. Shall we start the game now?"
While playing the game this way, they reached close to the 1,000-step mark. Everyone received tasks one by one—some difficult, some easy. For example, Suraj was tasked with carrying Ansh until the next round. Sapna was asked to communicate with birds using their sounds.
This time, it was Adhir's turn to receive a task.
Sapna said,
"You have extensive knowledge of history and have studied a lot. So tell us everything about Asuri—from its origin until today."
Suraj added,
"Yes, that's a good question. We've heard bits and pieces, but never properly. Start from the beginning today."
Sheetal said,
"Yes, tell us—and let's take a short rest here too. I could use some rest."
Sapna said,
"Alright. Let's sit for a while. Until then, you tell us the history of Asuri."
Adhir said,
"Alright. Today, I'll tell you the story of Asuri. But I'll warn you in advance—this will affect you deeply."
Ansh replied,
"That's fine. Go ahead."
Everyone sat down to rest, and Adhir began speaking.
What is the secret of Asuri…?