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[You have been chosen by The Labyrinth!]
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[You are now a participant of the 1st Round!]
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On December 4th of the year 2021, half the world was indiscriminately 'Chosen'.
People of all ages, races, stature, and beliefs suddenly found themselves gathered in the middle of a dark field surrounded by what looked like gargantuan steel walls. The only source of light was the countless crystals far above, dimly glowing in an orange hue.
"...w-what the hell?!"
"Where am I!"
"Am I dreaming? Or hallucinating?"
"Why...who are you guys?? I was home just a second ago!"
"Okay. Everyone, just calm down. We're gonna figure this out together—"
"Ahh! It's the apocalypse! The apocalypse, I tell you!"
"Man, you crazy."
"I can't make a call! What is this place?!"
As you can probably guess, everybody was confused and the situation was in shambles. Panic was slowly creeping closer and the large crowd was only making it worse.
I listened to them bicker, but none of that was my immediate concern.
"Alva? Alva!" I looked around, worried. A small hand grabbed mine out of nowhere.
"Dad, I'm okay." Alva smiled at me comfortingly. I was able to relax and let out a sigh of relief, the urgency of the situation seemed to tone down.
[%#?$—Greetings!]
A melodic voice rang seemingly directly into my ears along with everybody else as we looked unto the source simultaneously.
[Rejoice Humans! All of you have been selected by 'The Labyrinth'.
Now. You do not yet understand what that insinuates nor how fortunate you all are to be able to participate, so lend us an ear.]
There drifting not too far were onion-shaped creatures with a single vertical eye and a mouth.
[We are called the "Omen".] It said, the thick green roots twitching like tentacles. Again, I noticed an oddity as all the creatures spoke in perfect synchronicity.
[I am Magni, your guide for this round. I shall explain to you the rules and conditions of The Labyrinth. Further, the mechanics of the ga—]
"Are you kidding me?!" a young man from the inner crowds exclaimed. One could immediately tell that this person was rich, given all the glittery trinkets and jewelry he wore.
"Who put you all up to this gimmick, ah?!
Is this another one of Richard's pranks?!
I will sue you! I'm gonna make sure all of you are behind bars as soon as possible! Do you even have any idea who my father is?!
You miserable lower-class lot—"
*POP*
A loud pop was heard from the man's nether regions, followed by silence.
[You've got some balls to actually interrupt me. I think you won't be needing them now.]
One of the eight creatures' eyes turned blood-red as it stared down at the man writhing wordlessly on the ground while clutching down his pants. His jeans had slowly become drenched in red and a foul smell filled the air.
[You're lucky we're not allowed to execute the participants on the first round, brat. My show has fallen behind schedule because of you.]
I covered Alva's eyes. Anyone watching could feel the poor guy's pain. His face was pale as it contorted into different expressions while his mouth was agape and writhed like a worm.
'How did it do that?' was the first thing that came to my mind, along with:
'Calm down. I just have to keep Alva safe. Nothing else matters.'
It long settled in my mind that all of this was "Real" the moment I smelled the air. We were underground, that was certain at least.
[Damn! I'll have to skip the instructions, in this case, it'll be better than receiving the tardiness penalty. This wouldn't have happened if it weren't for that ignorant fool.]
Then something strange happened. The creatures started convulsing as their eyeballs emitted an intense golden light, beaming at us like spotlights. It was then, I heard a strange noise.
*PING*
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Challenger: Doma Curtis
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Strength: 10pts
Stamina: 10pts
Intelligence: 14pts
Spirit: 13pts
Talent: 18pts
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Units: —
Power(s): —
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"What...?"
A wide black screen blinked before my eyes. I was confused for a bit before later realizing what the information written, meant. The yellow font almost hurt my eyes as I looked around and noticed that I was surrounded only by darkness.
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[Please select your Power!]
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1. [Indomitable]
- Greater Skeletal Structure
- Greater Physique
- High Adaptability
- Strength Boost
- Stamina Boost
- Starting Units +15
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2. [Old Hermit's Apprentice]
- Increased Affinty to all Magic
- Greater Growth
- Intelligence Boost
- Spirit Boost
- Starting Units +20
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3. [Frost King's Curse]
- Ice Magic: Perfect Affinity
- Water Magic: Perfect Affinity
- Basic Magic Knowledge
- Talent Boost
- Intelligence Boost
- Starting Units +15
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The Challenge begins in (2:59).
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I had seen this situation before. Media dedicated to entertainment once showcased such gamelike genres.
'Calm down. Though I don't know what on earth is going on, I can ultimately guess what's gonna happen. From what that onion-thing said, or at least tried to say, this is a game. So everyone else should be in a similar situation as me, Alva should be fine.'
I looked over at the choices and carefully read the contents. As I read through, a sense of dread filled my gut.
"...challenger?" I muttered to myself.
Strength and Stamina were obviously measurements of physical capabilities. On the other hand, Intelligence, Spirit, and Talent were rather vague. I wish I had a way of confirming what they represented but...I was unable to move in this space; rather I was unsure whether I was actually here or if it was some sort of mental presentation.
Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by an abrupt notification.
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[Alert!]
[An error has occurred within the system.]
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[Initiating Reboot Protocol]
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[Rebooting...]
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The red notifications flooded my face, blinking ominously. I had a feeling something bad was bound to happen and make things worse. That's how my life had always been.
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[Reboot failed.]
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[A higher entity has interfered with 'The Labyrinth'.]
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[>%®%$@"?!!:)]
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[???>:)$@$@]
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[!!!!0@$]
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Unintelligible messages followed and once again covered my screen. Yet they all suddenly disappeared and three messages remained.
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[??? has selected you as a potential Successor!]
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[Compatibility Rate: 98.4%]
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[Will you accept? (Y/N)]
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"No."
The entity, or whatever it is, seemed shaken by my abrupt response.
All that was left on my screen was "[...]" and it stayed like that for a while until I felt like there was a need to explain my choice.
"If you're listening, then think about it. I'm not dumb. You really think I'm gonna be your successor just because you ask me too?
You must feel pretty entitled, huh?
Just because you're some higher being doesn't mean it'd do me good to work under you—there weren't even any terms, rules, or salary talk!
Smells like a scam, if you ask me."
*PING*
My screen returned to the previous display. I felt a bit stupid for actually talking out loud, not quite sure if anyone really was listening.
I was about to resume my selection when I noticed a fourth choice.
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4. [Monarch of The 8th Sin]
- ??? ('Talent' is too low!)
- ??? ('Talent' is too low!)
- ??? ('Talent' is too low!)
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I frowned. This entity was quite persistent. What does it even see in me? My misfortunate nature?
I decided to ignore it and choose among the first three. Albeit 'Magic' was quite alluring, I don't think it would be appropriate in this situation. It might be useful in the future but it wouldn't grant me anything useful in the following moments; as I would have to learn how to use it.
This 'Game' of theirs would most likely have a time limit, seeing as to how that Omen 'Magni' was particularly careful with following the schedule.
"I choose [Indomitable]."
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[You have selected 'Indomitable' as your first Power! Please Confirm (Y/N).]
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"Yes, confirm." I sighed, nervous about what's coming in a few minutes.
Little did I know of the disaster that was about to befall me.
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[Challenger Doma Curtis has gained the power 'Indomitable'!]
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[Error.]
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[Challenger Doma Curtis has gained the power 'Monarch of The 8th Sin'!]
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[Challenger Doma Curtis has become the 'True Successor' of 'The Primordial God ???'!]
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[The System has detected cheating!]
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[Challenger Doma Curtis will be penalized for cheating!]
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"Wait, what!? Cheating!?"
I was used to being wronged, accused, and tossed aside. All that aside, my life took a turn for the better when my adorable daughter came barging in—and there is nothing I wouldn't do for her.
It was a strange experience as the past 7 years of me trying to be a father flashed before my eyes.
I crashed face-first and rolled around in the reddish-brown dunes of sandy clay, groaning as I raised my head and coughed out the dust. New notifications flashed in front of me and filled me with horror.
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[The punishment for Challenger Doma Curtis' act of 'Cheating' has been determined by the Administrators.]
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[You have been banished to the 'Scorching Dunes of Endlessness'.]
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[Time remaining: 99,999hrs | 3,599s]
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"I...I don't understand." my fingers trembled slightly, the situation slowly sinking in.
[Discipline...for...Defiance...]
I slammed down on the ground, frustrated.
"Why won't you just leave me alone, dammit!? What do you want from me?"
But there was no response.
The bitter heat bit my skin as the day hid behind clouds of sulfur, volcanic ash raining down constantly. My eyes boiled and my mouth dried like plum as every breath of air withered my body further.
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['Indomitable' has been activated!]
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[Your body is undergoing extreme changes!]
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[Due to the power 'Indomitable', your body is rapidly adapting to the environment!]
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['Indomitable' has partially alleviated your pain(10%)!]
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[Your 'Talent' has dramatically increased due to the occurring changes!]
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It took over five hours of excruciating torment of which every detail I could so vividly recall. For not only was I being cooked alive inside and out but my flesh was also being torn over and over while every bone raptured audibly as each one was slowly restructured, all at the same time. I blacked out and woke up out of the terrible pain more times than I can remember.
And then, everything was over in the blink of an eye.
"Ssso...hungryy!" I couldn't recognize the voice that came out of my mouth. My mouth watered as my eyes scoured the surroundings and my sense of smell caught wind of what I could only instinctively define as 'prey'.
'Alva. Please. Be safe.' were the only thoughts in my head, repeating endlessly like a spell to keep me from completely losing my mind.
Though I was conscious, my actions were mostly driven by primal instinct. A low guttural rattle sounded as I rushed in the direction of the distinct smell, running on all fours like an animal with fangs bared.
*ROAR!! *
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['Strength' 10 » 18(+50% Boost) ≈ 27pts]
['Stamina' 10 » 16 (+50% Boost) ≈ 24pts]
['Spirit' 13 » 15pts]
['Talent' 18 » 28pts]
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[The special attribute 'True Successor' has allowed you to partially unlock:
~The Scarecrow's Lust~
—an attribute of the power 'Monarch of The 8th Sin'!]
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A surge of abnormal strength filled my entire being. My body had become creepily stretched and my reach was unnaturally long ending in razor-sharp claws. Every part of me was covered in cloth-like black scales whilst a tail had sprouted from behind.
As I found the source of that luscious scent of blood, I was inwardly dumbstruck for a moment. There it was, feeding on a fresh kill ravaging flesh and bone. The most famous predator from the prehistoric era thought to have been a savage killing machine that sat on top of the food chain.
The Tyrannosaurus Rex...was being devoured.
The skull had caved in like it was hit by a blunt weapon, the most likely cause of death among other things. The hunter relished on the bloody feast, its club stained from the recent scuffle.
It was a minotaur from the myths. The half-man half-beast abomination stood at over four meters tall, taking notice of my presence.
It released a threatening aura, blood dripping from its weapon with shards of bone still stuck.
*GROAR!*
He warned me. If it were anything else they would've fled long ago, but I was different. I don't understand how I became like this or what I had become, yet there was one thing I was sure of.
"I...WANT TO EAT...YOU! ARRGH!" I struggled to talk as my words became more gibberish.
The power and adrenaline flowing in me boiled and I was filled with the desire to rip apart this creature and consume whatever was left.
It was addicting.
I began my assault, leaping towards it without thought. The bloody club slammed at my side in mid-air with overwhelming strength that made me understand our difference. My body was flung away like a ragdoll but I managed to mitigate the damage, landing with cat-like reflexes.
My bodily structure was still considerably humanoid despite the drastic change I had undergone. I could feel a few broken bones while my right shoulder creaked from the hit.
Still, it was nothing compared to what I just went through and the hunger was enough to disregard the pain. My body moved before I could even think.
*KIEEK!*
My movements were agile and low but the Bull was there meet me head-on, once again raising his club. It aimed down at me, looking at me with so much bloodlust that I got goosebumps. The minotaur wanted to decide this fight right now with one final blow.
'I can see it.' I thought, seeing the world in a slow haze.
*BAM!*
The earth shook and a resounding slam traveled through the ground. No matter how sturdy it was, the Minotaur felt the stress of that hit and staggered for a moment.
"Missed." I hissed, stabbing his throat without warning. The hunger reemerged and I took a large bite out of the bull's left shoulder, making it squeal and flail around in pain.
Its blood flowed into my mouth and filled me with short-lived delight. The hunger intensified and I dug deeper into the tough shoulder, trying to rip it out.
*GROALK!*
Blood gurgled in the beast's throat as it managed to grab me by the head and whip me flat on the ground like a doll.
"Argh!" I was flat on my face trying to get up when the bastard stepped on my back. It weighed like a ton as I couldn't even hope to slip off, watching in horror as it grabbed my left hand.
*SNAP!*
The Minotaur seemed to grin as it threw away my arm—following with a flurry of powerful punches that nearly killed me while it bellowed mockingly. Yet blood continued to flow out of the would I inflicted and it made him dizzy.
The beast coughed uncontrollably as it held its wounded windpipe, falling back.
'Alva.' I lay there half-dead, still, the thoughts of my daughter filled me with desperation.
"Carrrn't...dzzie heure!" I found my strength coming back to me despite the tears flowing. My body had been deformed, I was missing an arm, and the broken shards of bone caused me to bleed internally and worsen my condition.
"Haove...tso get horrme." My sight blurred as I dragged my body away from the also struggling Bull.
Dragging its club straight towards me, there was clear anger in its eyes. I could tell that he knew it was only a matter of time before he succumbed to the fatal blood loss. So, what it was about to commit was an indication that it possessed emotions and near-human intelligence to actually have the ability to keep grudges.
It just wanted to kill me, simple as that.
"Keuk...!" It managed to scoop me off the ground with a golf-like swing.
[Time remaining: 99,999hrs | 3,573s]
This world hates me, I already knew that the day I was born. But I couldn't care less, none of that mattered to me.
I stumbled across the arm I lost recently. Blue, viscous, ink-like fluid flowed out in place of blood—and the soil sizzled ever so slightly.
"!?"
Each stomp was loud and heavy as the minotaur went beserk, blindly rushing towards its target. I quickly stood and met with it head-on, everything would be decided in the next exchange.
I narrowly avoided getting my head blown off; stopping just in time to evade and whip out the blood from my lost left arm unto its eyes. The beast wailed, both its eyes blinded by the acidic substance—steaming gruesomely as it melted the vulnerable parts.
*GLARRGH—!!*
"Shurt up."
Words couldn't begin to describe the pleasure I felt the moment I ripped out the monster's throat.
[You have slain 'Ormakst', a B-grade Minotaur!]
[You have slain a 'Named One'! Bonus Units have been rewarded!]
[Units acquired: 20 (+5)]
The bull fell down with a thud, its blood pooling around the carcass. I took one glance at the notifications and cast it aside, it wasn't my greatest concern right now.
My stomach grumbled and a crazed light filled my eyes.
"Tzime tso eats...!"
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