The android administrator hovered calmly above us, her holographic presence shimmering in gentle pulses of light as the massive gate solidified behind her. Unlike the participants below, her face remained impassive, completely unbothered by the tension filling the air.

  "Participants," she began, her voice echoing across the landing field with authority that silenced all whispers. “Let me inform you about the Second Phase: The Maze of Whispers."

  Maze of Whispers. To my knowledge, it was going to be a lot more difficult than the first trial.

  "As you noticed, the gates have merged. If you enter, you'll find a shifting magical labyrinth located beneath Nevaramis," she continued calmly. "You will be randomly grouped or paired with other participants. Your goal is simple: survive, gather points, and reach the Central Sanctum at the heart of the maze. Only the first hundred will be accepted as the victor.”

  Random grouping, huh… I had hoped that part would have changed from the original game. Not ideal, but not unexpected.

  I glanced at my companions, all three of them watching the android intently. The chances of us staying together were slim, but we'd find a way. We always did.

  A tentative hand shot up from among the gathered adventurers—a bushy-bearded man with a weathered face and tired eyes. "How exactly do we earn points?"

  "Good question. Points are primarily obtained by defeating maze guardians and collecting their cores," the android replied smoothly. "There will also be hidden challenges and puzzles scattered throughout the maze. Additionally, rare treasures that might boost your overall score significantly."

  The bearded adventurer hummed before nodding, seemingly satisfied. Another participant—a young student with glasses perched nervously on his nose—stepped forward anxiously.

  "Uh, how long will it take? S-since it's a maze, some people might find it difficult to clear it quickly, right? So, is there food inside, or do we have to prepare our own?" His voice cracked slightly, betraying his age and inexperience.

  "It will take significantly longer than the first phase, indeed. Inside, there will be limited sources of sustenance," the android explained, its voice maintaining a mechanical calm. "However, supplies are scarce and guarded by creatures. Cooperation or competition will be necessary for survival."

  The student swallowed visibly, stepping back into the crowd. I almost felt sorry for him.

  Victor Seraph raised his voice next, that insufferable smirk playing across his lips as he asked, "Since you mentioned maze guardian cores, I'm curious… Are there rules about attacking or robbing other participants?"

  His eyes briefly drifted toward Riasmin, lingering just long enough to make his intentions clear. I suppressed a growl, keeping my posture relaxed despite the urge to introduce his face to my fist.

  Since “Iskandaar” wasn't here, he dared to plan trouble for my sister instead. After all, she was one of the few people close to his level, and so he didn't want to take the risk.

  The administrator's holographic eyes shifted briefly toward him. "Violence among participants is permitted. However, it's neither mandatory nor encouraged. The maze itself will be challenging enough."

  She paused, then added with a hint of subtle amusement, "You will need to discover further specifics yourselves. Ultimately, this isn't just a test of strength but of wisdom and willpower, too."

  Victor clicked his tongue, but nodded, clearly hoping for a more permissive answer. His disappointed expression brought me more satisfaction than it should have.

  He didn't know shit, but I did. I'd have to keep an eye out for Riasmin and Iaskin in there.

  Prince Orion raised a hand politely, every inch the perfect prince. "How long will this maze last? When you said significantly longer, should we expect days? What if some people fail to find an exit, even though winners have been decided?”

  The android regarded him briefly, the slightest inclination of her head betraying something like consideration. "The maze is extensive. Expect weeks, not days. As for those stuck even after winners have been decided, they'd be teleported to safety.”

  “No way… weeks?” Murmurs spread quickly through the crowd, expressions ranging from shock, determination to outright dismay.

  "If there are no more questions," the android declared firmly, "it is time. You have thirty minutes to enter the gate ahead. Those who hesitate or refuse will forfeit."

  With that, the hologram vanished, leaving the participants to exchange uneasy glances.

  The four of us drifted away from the main crowd, finding a relatively quiet corner to talk. I turned quickly toward the girls, leaning in slightly to lower my voice. "Alright, listen up. We'll be separated at first, from the looks of it. Nebula and I should be able to regroup quickly thanks to our telepathic bond, but Lilian and Solara, you'll have to hold your own for a bit. I'll find you as soon as I can."

  Nebula nodded immediately, confident beneath her blue mask. Lilian and Solara exchanged wary looks but gave determined nods as well.

  "Maybe we could wait by the entrance?" Lilian suggested, brushing silver hair from her face. "If we all know to return there after the initial separation..."

  Solara shook her head. "Staying at one spot isn't practical since the android mentioned it's a shifting maze. Plus, since we'll be grouped randomly, it's easy to assume that there'll be multiple entrances.”

  "She's right," I confirmed. "Staying put rarely works in places like these. Keep moving, stay alert, and we'll find each other."

  "Yeah. By the way, doesn't Nebula need a disguise name?" Solara pointed out, gesturing to our masked companion. "The rest of us already have our cult names."

  "True. Let's decide your alias quickly," I suggested, smirking beneath my mask. "How about... Nightshade? Fitting for a half-vampire, don't you think?"

  Nebula tilted her head, thoughtful, then smiled faintly. I didn't see it, but I felt her lips curl thanks to my Demonic Sphere. "Edgy, but suitable. It works."

  Solara rolled her eyes playfully. "What's with your taste in names, Cheonma? Our little group sounds like we're planning to destroy the world, not save it from Outer God."

  Lilian chuckled lightly. "We're cultivating quite the reputation, aren't we? But I have to admit, it's kind of fun. Makes me feel like we're in some secret society."

  "Just think of it as branding," I replied with a grin. "And technically, we are a secret society."

  I glanced around quickly, ensuring that no one was close enough to overhear, then leaned in closer, my voice barely a whisper. "Some things to remember. Assume this maze as an artificial dungeon. The layout shifts every day at midnight. Err, not that we can see the sun to know when its midnight… So, assume 12 hours from now.”

  “I can feel the moon,” Lilian said. “Doesn’t matter if we’re underground.”

  “Another reason to regroup faster, then. Anyhow, don't count on memorizing the layout since there's no point. As the android said, food and water spots will be contested, so be prepared to fight or negotiate. There will also be secret restrooms where we'll find free food. And watch out, especially for the Whispering Shadows—they can mimic the voices of people you care about to lure you away."

  Solara raised an eyebrow sharply. "Well, sure. But how exactly do you know this? Did you secretly get a rulebook the rest of us missed?"

  Nebula nodded slowly, also curious. "Seems awfully specific, Iska."

  I shrugged innocently. "A magician does not reveal his secrets, my loves. The Maze of Whispers isn't exactly a new concept, legends of it exist in ancient texts, haha. Take it as a gift."

  The girls exchanged glances and then gave me a suspicious look. Lilian eventually shook her head. "Whatever you say, young master. Thanks for the heads-up.”

  Then I looked around at the crowd, my eyes flickering once again to look for the Outer God Cultists. I didn't find any. "By my count, there are about four hundred participants left. The android said only the first hundred will be allowed to the next phase… meaning many will die, or be unable to clear in time. Be careful. Don't trust anyone.”

  "Hmm. If we get stuck with difficult companions," Nebula added quietly, "should we abandon them or help?”

  An interesting question. I pondered it briefly before answering. "Use your judgment. Some allies are worth keeping, even temporarily. But don't risk yourselves for strangers who might stab you in the back. Especially if the difficult teammates are cultists. Don't risk it.”

  "Well, let's hope we get lucky with our groupings," Solara said, flexing her fingers nervously. "I really don't want to be paired with Victor or his cronies."

  "In the worst-case scenario," I reassured them, "remember that all four of us are exceptionally strong. Even alone, we can handle most threats. Trust yourselves."

  The girls exchanged amused looks, knowing my words were correct.

  "Alright," I said firmly, glancing around at the thinning crowd as people began approaching the gate. "Stay safe, everyone. Remember, our priority is regrouping. As long as you have me, we'll be able to find the exit.”

  The four of us nodded at each other one final time, determination clear behind our masks.

  "See you soon," Nebula murmured softly to me, a gentle warmth in her voice that made me smile.

  "Count on it," I replied, squeezing her hand discreetly before turning toward the massive, swirling gate at the center of the landing field.

  All around us, groups of adventurers, students, and mercenaries stepped forward anxiously. Some looked confident, others pale with dread. Taking a deep breath, we joined the throng moving toward the gate, the pulsing energy growing brighter with each step.

  As I reached the threshold and stepped into the gate, brilliant white engulfed my vision. For a brief instant, everything vanished into silence and warmth.

  Then, abruptly, I blinked into existence elsewhere.

  A cool, slightly damp breeze brushed my skin, carrying the scent of stone and moss. I found myself standing inside a circular chamber, carved from ancient, glowing stone.

  The space was roughly thirty feet in diameter, with five archways leading out in different directions. My companions were nowhere in sight.

  As expected.

  I quickly scanned the chamber, noticing several unfamiliar figures instead.

  “Ugh, there are kids in my team?”

  Three adventurers with grizzled faces and well-worn armor stood together, eyeing everyone suspiciously. A mercenary with an eyepatch leaned against a wall, cleaning his nails with a dagger. Meanwhile, two students dressed in Waybound Academy uniforms looked around cautiously.

  “This might get difficult…” one of the students said and my ears perked up.

  Oh, look at that. To my surprise, it was Prince Alaric! I noticed him even before I noticed his name and level floated above his head.

  But I had to take a proper look at the others. None were particularly threatening—

  [Alaric Roshmar, Level 36]

  [Selene Cintra, Level 88]

  [Jin Ha-Yun, Level 87]

  [Lucas, Level 52]

  [Joran, Level 93]

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  My gaze stopped abruptly in the middle.

  How had I missed her, even though her uniform was custom-made? I caught sight of the elegant young woman standing off to the side, calm and poised. Raven-black hair cascaded down her shoulders, contrasting sharply with her silver robes.

  When she turned slightly, our eyes met.

  Ha-Yun stared back for just a heartbeat before a charming smile curved her lips—a heart-melting expression that made my breath hitch briefly despite myself.

  She tilted her head slightly, pink eyes sparkling with playfulness, naturally recognizing me beneath my disguise.

  Well, I mused inwardly, feeling a strange thrill mixed with slight apprehension, at least I won't be lonely.

  ****

  For the first half a minute, the six of us stood in an awkward semicircle within the stone chamber, silently assessing one another like predators sharing the same watering hole.

  The glowing walls cast blue-green shadows across unfamiliar faces, making everyone look slightly more sinister than they probably were.

  I kept my posture relaxed but alert, watching through the narrow slits of my mask as the others shifted uncomfortably.

  Somehow, two small groups had formed already without any words being exchanged.

  The three adventurers huddled together, whispering, while Ha-Yun stood slightly apart, elegant and unruffled. Prince Alaric had concealed caution and curiosity, his eyes occasionally darting to me with weariness.

  This uneasy silence couldn't last forever.

  "Well, since fate's thrown us together," a booming voice broke through the tension as the burly mercenary stepped forward with an easy-going grin, "might as well get to know each other. I'm Joran, mercenary captain, Level 93—good with swords, better with stories."

  His broad face was weathered by sun and battle, with a thick beard that didn't quite hide the deep scar running across his jaw. Despite his intimidating appearance, his eyes held a warmth that immediately lightened the atmosphere.

  I didn't know how much of that was genuine and how much was trained.

  The blonde, scholarly-looking woman in blue robes took his cue, stepping forward with a small nod. "Selene Cintra. Level 88. Ice and divination magic." Her voice was soft but carried clearly across the chamber.

  Her calculating gaze assessed each of us methodically, lingering a half-second longer on my masked face. I must be a mystery for most strong people since it was difficult to perceive my mana thanks to these robes.

  She seems smart. Cautious. Potentially useful. I filed away the observation for later.

  The nervous young man fidgeted with his light armour, eyes darting between us all. "Um, I’m Lucas. Just Lucas. Level 52. I'm... I'm a C-rank Adventurer, and the healer of my team." His voice cracked slightly, betraying his nervousness.

  He doesn't seem very strong. How did he even survive the first trial? I wondered.

  Prince Alaric stepped forward next, his posture impeccable as always. “I feel a little embarrassed,” he said with an easy smile. Despite being isolated from his usual entourage, he carried himself with undeniable royal confidence. "I'm Alaric Roshmar, Third Prince of Roshmar. Not as strong as you guys, just Level 36." He smiled apologetically. "I know my level seems low compared to all of you, but I specialize in Hydromancy. I hope I can be of service."

  “You'll do fine, Prince,” Ha-Yun chuckled softly, drawing everyone's attention as she introduced herself with a graceful tilt of her head. "Jin Ha-Yun of the Goryeo Peninsula. Level 87." Her playful eyes drifted toward me before adding, "I'm reasonably good at staying alive."

  The understatement made me want to laugh. Princess Ha-Yun could split mountains using her sakura petals.

  All eyes turned to me expectantly.

  "Cheonma," I stated simply, keeping my voice even and unreadable. "Level 69."

  "Just Cheonma?" Joran raised an eyebrow, his friendly smile never wavering. "No titles? No specialties?"

  I shrugged. "None worth mentioning."

  “You have a good voice, Mr Mysterious,” Ha-Yun said, her eyes sparkled with barely contained amusement, her lips curving into a mischievous smile. She clearly found this situation a bit too entertaining.

  Joran clapped his hands together. "Well, that's everyone. I think we should move soon. Before that, any of you clever ones have ideas on how we should proceed?"

  A silence passed before Selene the Mage stepped forward, her blue robes shifting like water as she moved. "I suggest we map our path carefully. We should stay close to the walls to reduce the chances of ambush, and use magic to mark passages we've already traveled. The maze is rumored to shift daily, but marking our path should help us avoid circular wandering, at least within a single day cycle."

  “Hmm,” Joran nodded appreciatively. "That’s smart thinking, Selene. Alright, let's go with your plan. Anything else?”

  “Yes. I can use my Divination Magic to lead the way first,” she said.

  “Great! We'll be in your care then,” Joran said, grinning as he crossed his arms.

  We gave her some space. She closed her eyes, tapping her staff on the floor as she muttered a spell under her breath. Her voice sounded ghostly for a moment. When she opened her eyes again, light bloomed from them.

  She pointed ahead with her staff, “Let’s go. Fifty meters from here, there are two turns. My magic says the left one is the easier path.”

  “Let's do that, Joran said.

  With that settled, we formed a loose line and began moving through one of the archways.

  Selene took the lead, conjuring small glowing runes that attached themselves to the walls every few yards. Joran followed close behind, hand resting casually on his sword hilt. Lucas stuck nervously to the middle, while Alaric walked with careful grace, eyes constantly scanning our surroundings.

  I deliberately positioned myself at the rear, giving me a clear view of everyone. Ha-Yun, too, had her own idea as she kept her pace slow, enough that she walked beside me.

  "Fancy running into you here," she murmured softly, eyes twinkling mischievously. "I thought you'd be babysitting your other companions."

  I kept my gaze forward, feigning mild disinterest despite the smile tugging at my lips beneath the mask. "They can handle themselves. Besides, it looks like you're the one who could use a partner. Can we pretend to be strangers, please?”

  “Ouch,” she feigned a hurt look before chuckling softly, edging slightly closer. "It's alright, I'm just keeping an eye out so that the mysterious man doesn't stab us in the back.”

  "Scared of me, Princess?" I decided to play along with her joke, amused by her persistence.

  "Worried for you, more like," she replied, tapping her fan lightly against her palm. "After all, you do have a habit of getting into unusual situations. Dragons, ancient werewolves, and academy politics… Who knows what trouble you'll find in this maze?”

  Probably Outer God worshippers, I thought, but didn't say out loud.

  "You make it sound like I seek trouble."

  "Don't you?"

  I glanced sideways at her, catching the playful challenge in her eyes. "Perhaps I'm simply drawn to interesting company."

  "Is that why you're walking beside me?" she countered smoothly. "You consider me an interesting company, Junior?"

  "Among other things," I admitted. "Well. A floating ancient city has much appeal, and yet it loses its charm when compared to a simple walk with the Lady of Rosy Death.”

  “Gosh, not that title again, Is- Cheonma,” Ha-Yun whined but didn't look bothered, correcting her words. She continued, "Of course. A flying fortress would be quite the addition to your collection, wouldn't it? Are you confident in getting it?"

  "I'm not sure…. Perhaps we should focus on surviving the maze first," I said.

  “Yes. That's why we're passing the time by talking,” she said. “We’ll get a better idea about our chance of winning after we encounter a challenge here.”

  "To be fair, most will give up as they keep getting lost," I explained. "Others will fight over resources or be picked off by guardians. The ones with genuine potential... probably about ten percent."

  "And us?"

  "You're quite lucky that you encountered me like this, Princess. We'll make it," I stated with quiet confidence.

  Although the initial plan was to find Nebula, I failed to sense her mind anywhere near. Till I could, I'd stick around Ha-Yun. Perhaps bring her with us, too.

  She hummed. "When do you mean by we, exactly? This group? I'm not sure about our current companions. The prince seems capable but inexperienced. Selene is sharp, but Lucas..." I shook my head slightly.

  I nodded in understanding. "Joran seems competent, at least. Though I don't know if I want to trust a mercenary."

  Our conversation paused as we entered a long corridor lined with faded symbols carved into the ancient stone walls. The air felt heavier here, with a subtle chill that raised the hair on the back of my neck.

  “Hmm,” Alaric, walking a few paces ahead, was examining the wall carvings with scholarly interest. "How interesting. These appear to be from the Third Age," he remarked, fingers hovering near but not touching the symbols. "I wish—"

  My Demonic Sphere pulsed outward suddenly, detecting a subtle shift in the wall's energy pattern.

  Without conscious thought, my body moved.

  As Alaric leaned closer to the symbols, a hidden slot snapped open in the wall, and a silver arrow shot directly toward his face. My hand snapped forward, catching the arrow mid-flight, mere inches from the prince's wide eyes.

  The corridor went deathly silent.

  “Careful,” I said. “There are traps.”

  Alaric's breath caught, his face paling as he stared at the arrow clutched in my hand. "I—” he stammered before backing off and letting out a heavy breath. “...Thank you. I owe you my life," he said, visibly shaken but composed enough to show genuine gratitude.

  I nodded once, casually tossing the arrow aside. "These ancient places are rarely without defenses. Let's not get too close.”

  Joran whistled low, impressed. "Never seen anyone move that fast before. Are you really Level 69? Nice catch."

  Before I could respond, a low, threatening growl echoed down the passage. The sound vibrated through the stone beneath our feet, making Lucas step back with a barely suppressed whimper.

  From the shadows ahead, a massive figure emerged—a golem at least nine feet tall, its body formed from interlocking stone plates that glowed with internal magical energy.

  Runes similar to those on the walls pulsed across its surface, and its blank face held only a single glowing crystal where eyes would normally be. A Maze Guardian.

  “Hargh…” Heavy footsteps shook the corridor as it advanced toward us, each step emphasizing the threat of its presence.

  Joran's easy-going demeanor instantly transformed as he drew twin curved blades from their sheaths, the steel gleaming in the dim light. Beside him, Selene's left hand clutched her wand, while her fighting hand traced complex patterns in the air, summoning glowing blue runes that crackled with cold energy.

  "Finally, some action!" Joran grinned, spinning both swords with practiced ease. "Lucas, stay back with Prince Roshmar. Selene, hit it from range. Everyone else, support whenever you can and don't die!"

  I crossed my arms, deciding to just watch for now. Ha-Yun raised an eyebrow at me before doing the same.

  With surprising speed for his size, Joran charged the golem, ducking beneath its massive swinging arm and slashing at the joints between stone plates. Sparks flew where his blades connected, but the golem seemed barely fazed.

  Selene wasn't idle. Her fingers danced through complicated gestures, and shards of ice materialized around her, spinning like deadly crystalline stars before launching toward the golem. They struck with precision, embedding themselves in the creature's seams and slowing its movements as frost spread across its surface.

  Prince Alaric, despite his lower level, contributed admirably. Water coalesced from the air around his hands, forming into a spiraling vortex that he directed along the floor, turning the stone slick beneath the golem's feet. It staggered momentarily, giving Joran an opening to strike.

  “Why’re you just watching, Cheonma?” Ha-Yun asked, and I just assessed the fight.

  “I'm curious about something,” I said. “You can participate if you want.”

  “Hmm,” Ha-Yun pondered over my words for a moment before she stepped forward gracefully, her fan snapping open.

  With a delicate flick of her wrist, she sent a cutting wave of pink energy slicing through the golem's shoulder, severing one of its arms completely. The detached limb crashed to the floor, dissolving into dust.

  I remained where I stood, observing carefully.

  The golem, now enraged, slammed its remaining fist into the ground. The entire corridor shook violently, knocking Lucas off his feet. From the cracked floor, smaller stone constructs pulled themselves free—miniature versions of the guardian, each about two feet tall but no less vicious.

  "Reinforcements!" Joran shouted, now surrounded by three of the smaller constructs. He spun in a tight circle, blades extended, cutting two of them in half but missing the third as it leaped onto his back, clawing at his armor.

  Selene's next ice barrage scattered, targeting multiple constructs at once but leaving the main golem momentarily unattended. It seized the opportunity, charging directly toward Lucas, who scrambled backward in panic.

  Alaric dashed between them, raising a hurried water shield that the golem crashed through with barely slowed momentum. The prince was knocked aside, hitting the wall hard enough to crack the stone.

  "Enough watching, I guess," I muttered to myself, finally stepping forward.

  I didn't need to use my full power since that would raise too many questions. But I couldn't let the others get seriously injured either. Drawing power from my Stellar Qi, I accelerated forward, moving just fast enough to impress without revealing my true capabilities.

  As the golem raised its fist to crush Lucas, I appeared between them, catching the massive stone arm with one hand. The impact shot pain through my arm, but I held firm, channeling just enough energy to match the golem's strength without completely overwhelming it.

  With my free hand, I drove a precise punch into the glowing crystal at the center of its face.

  [True Demon Fist Art, First Form— The Burning Barrage of the Bull of Heaven!]

  Although I used Stellar Qi here rather than Demonic Qi, my fist slammed and exploded with the power of a Minotaur. Cracks spiderwebbed across its surface, and the golem staggered backward, its movements becoming erratic.

  "Mister Joran," I called out, giving the mercenary his moment to shine. "The crystal!"

  Understanding immediately, Joran broke free from the smaller constructs, leaping with remarkable agility. His twin blades flashed as he drove them directly into the cracked crystal, twisting brutally.

  The golem shuddered violently before collapsing, its stone body crumbling into dust as the light faded from its core.

  The smaller constructs disintegrated simultaneously, leaving us standing in a corridor littered with stone fragments and glowing dust.

  At the center of where the golem had fallen lay a fist-sized crystal, pulsing with inner light—clearly the core we needed to collect.

  “Look at these things,” as Joran reached down to retrieve them, Selene stepped forward sharply, her eyes narrowing.

  "I should have the core," she asserted, voice suddenly cold yet firm. "My Divination guided us safely here."

  Joran paused. His easy-going expression vanished, replaced by an incredulous glare. "Is that so? And who risked their life holding that monster off? Your spells helped, but I did most of the work."

  The temperature in the corridor seemed to drop several degrees as tension crackled between them.

  Lucas stepped back nervously, while Alaric watched with cautious eyes. One hand discreetly moved toward a dagger strapped to his waist.

  I sighed inwardly, exchanging a glance with Ha-Yun. This is what I was waiting for earlier.

  This temporary alliance was already showing cracks, exactly as I'd expected. After all, even the most careful travelers could be undone by the whispers of greed.

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