XXIII
At the very last second, as if fate had a cruel sense of humor, someone stumbled into our circle. He had dark, unkempt hair and a face so nondescript it slipped from memory the second you looked away. Barely out of his teens, he carried the telltale signs of a Seeker—likely one of the luck-driven ones, judging by the way he'd been bumbling around the arena. I'd noticed him earlier, darting aimlessly across the battlefield, narrowly avoiding attacks like a headless chicken miraculously surviving in a storm.
Selena's jaw dropped, indignation flaring across her face. "How—how did he even get through?!" she sputtered, her voice sharp with frustration. "With that level of aura? My disguise, Sarah's barrier… that shouldn't be possible!"
The kid, blissfully unaware of the danger he'd just put himself in, blinked around in shock. He seemed as surprised as we were to find himself in a safe zone. His wide eyes darted over his shoulder, as though expecting another attack to come barreling his way.
Selena's eyes narrowed, and I could feel her pride bristling. "Oh, I'm not letting this one slide," she muttered, her fingers already sparking as she prepared to cast him out.
But before she could unleash her frustration, the announcer's voice boomed over the arena, halting everything in its tracks.
"Stage Three has concluded!" the voice declared, echoing across the battlefield. "Congratulations to the 5,782 contenders who remain standing!"
The tension in the air dissipated instantly, the sounds of fighting fading into an uneasy calm. The kid relaxed visibly, finally registering that he wasn't alone. His gaze darted between us, a nervous chuckle escaping him as he scratched the back of his head, looking almost apologetic.
Selena crossed her arms, her displeasure clear, while Sarah smirked, leaning toward me. "Surviving on pure luck… gotta admire the tenacity," she said, her tone laced with amusement.
The announcer's voice returned, triumphant and gleeful. "We began with exactly 12,245 contenders, and now, only 5,782 remain! Congratulations to those who survived this far! Prepare yourselves, my brave hunters, for what awaits in the next stage!"
The ground beneath us rumbled, and the arena began to shift. Walls rose from the earth, forming twisting corridors that stretched into the distance. The battlefield transformed into what looked like the entrance of a vast labyrinth, its winding pathways disappearing into shadow.
I kept my attention on the kid. There was something unsettling about him. Luck could only carry someone so far before it became something else—something unpredictable and dangerous. His unassuming demeanor only added to my unease, his hesitant movements masking a presence that lingered just enough to put me on edge.
"Name?" I asked, keeping my tone casual.
He blinked at me, startled, as though no one had ever bothered to ask him that before. "Wolf," he said, his voice quiet and uncertain.
Selena snorted. "More like Cub Wolf," she muttered dryly. "A very dumb but lucky cub wolf."
Wolf chuckled awkwardly, missing the edge in her tone, but I didn't dwell on him. The labyrinth had taken full shape around us, its walls tall and imposing.
Sarah stepped forward, testing the ground. She raised her hand, focusing her aura in an attempt to lift herself into the air. But as she tried to fly, her aura flickered and failed, leaving her firmly planted on the ground. She turned back to us, a faint twitch of annoyance in her expression.
"What was that?" I asked, watching her closely.
"Tried to fly," she said, irritation evident in her voice. "My aura… it's suppressed. Something's blocking it."
I frowned, studying the air around us. The energy felt dense, heavy. The labyrinth's aura wasn't just physical; it had a mental weight to it, an unyielding presence that seemed to suppress specific abilities.
Before I could analyze further, the announcer's voice returned, brimming with theatrical delight.
"Welcome, contenders, to the Labyrinth of Minos!" he proclaimed. "This next stage is one of our finest works, a real feat of folklore-inspired ingenuity! Here in the labyrinth, you will face both physical and mental challenges. Killing remains off-limits, so don't get any ideas!"
The maze loomed before us, a labyrinth not just of stone and shadow but of suppressed power and unpredictable dangers. I glanced at Wolf, then at Sarah and Selena. This stage was going to test more than just our skills. It would test our ability to adapt, to survive without the tools we relied on most.
And for some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that Wolf's luck would either make or break us in this twisted game.
That was how usually it would go in stories. Introduce a new character, highlight their traits, experiment with the character's chemistry with the others, and then organically either fail him or make him matter.
The announcer's voice echoed through the labyrinth, dripping with gleeful malice. "Welcome to the Fourth Stage, the Seeker Test!" His mocking cheerfulness made the tension in the air even thicker. "This time, it's a hunt! Scattered throughout this labyrinth are minotaur-like constructs—beasts with strength that nearly rivals cryptids. And in case you're wondering just how tough that is, let me make it clear: those beasts are strong as hell."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over us. "My advice? Hunt them down as a team."
Of course, he wasn't done. "Now, for those wondering, each minotaur kill will count toward your team of four. Forming a team is simple—find your designated party leader, shake hands, and form your alliances! If you're chosen as a leader, you just need a group willing to swear to aid you. Once those conditions are met, the labyrinth's rules will bind your auras together."
Four? Not five?
I barely had time to process that odd limitation when his voice dipped into a conspiratorial tone. "Why four? Well, let's just say it's because I'm a discordant little devil!" He let out a high-pitched, maniacal laugh that grated on my nerves. "Now, hunters, your objective is simple: complete your hunt within the next three hours, or you'll be labeled a failure. And who knows? Maybe a loser for the rest of your lives!"
A bold red countdown materialized above us, ticking down from three hours.
Wolf's grin spread wide as he glanced around. "Well, convenient, isn't it? We're already four." He turned to Selena with an almost boyish enthusiasm, extending his hand. "I swear to aid you, lady!"
Selena rolled her eyes and smacked his hand away with a sharp slap. "Absolutely not. No chance I'm leading this team."
Wolf flinched, rubbing his hand as his grin faltered. "Ouch. Just trying to be helpful… Sorry for misunderstanding… I thought you were the leader…"
I could almost see the moment she realized where he'd gotten that impression—probably from her relaxed demeanor back in the third stage when she'd been lounging in the sling chair. She huffed, turning toward me and crossing her arms.
"I swear to give you my aid," she said, her voice resigned but firm. Then, with a wry smile, she extended her hand. "Better you than me in charge."
I took her hand, feeling the faint surge of energy as our auras intertwined. "It's mutual, Selena. Trust me."
Her expression tightened slightly at my words, but she said nothing.
Sarah stepped forward next, her gaze sharp and assessing. "I guess we're all in, then," she said, her tone casual but her words measured. She offered her hand, her voice carrying a formal edge. "I swear to aid you in this exam. In exchange, you have to lead us well."
I clasped her hand firmly. "Glad to have you on board, Sarah."
Wolf, ever enthusiastic, gave a small shrug before stepping up again, his hand outstretched. "I swear to aid you, too, mister! Let's make a good team, huh?"
I nodded, shaking his hand. "Of course, Wolf. Let's do this."
As our hands broke apart, a subtle pricking sensation ran through me, like pins and needles, as the labyrinth's aura siphoned tendrils from my own. The energy pulsed faintly, binding my aura to theirs. It was seamless, yet unmistakable—a tangible link that connected us all. Without hesitation, I extended my Soul Link to all three of them, a precaution I wasn't about to skip.
Selena's sharp eyes immediately picked up on the change. "Did you just… connect to us?"
I gave her a half-smile. "Think of it as an extra precaution. You're all… valuable resources now."
Wolf tilted his head, his expression blank with confusion. "Resources? What's that mean?"
"It means," I said with a glint of humor, "if things go sideways, I'll have a little extra aura to draw from. Or, if needed, I can siphon from one of you and redistribute it where it's most useful." I paused, letting the implications settle. "And, theoretically, the labyrinth might have to shoulder my aura debt if I'm careful."
Sarah caught on immediately, a soft laugh escaping her. "Using its own rules to your advantage, huh?"
I nodded. "Exactly."
The labyrinth loomed around us, its walls thick with an oppressive aura. Somewhere within its depths, the minotaurs waited, their strength promised to be near-cryptid level. The countdown above ticked on, marking every second we wasted.
This wasn't just a hunt—it was a test of survival, strategy, and trust.
And I intended to pass.
The Soul Link pulsed steadily, a rhythm that resonated through my core. It was unlike anything I'd felt before, as though I'd gained an extension of myself—a network of threads binding us together into a single, cohesive entity. Each pulse from their auras intertwined with mine, lending me their strength and pooling like an untapped reservoir of energy. It wasn't just power; it was potential.
Sarah flexed her fingers, her expression curious as she adjusted to the new connection. "So, what's next?"
I met her gaze, then turned my focus to the maze stretching before us. Its rough-hewn stone walls twisted into the distance, illuminated by the flickering, dim light that danced with the shadows.
"We hunt," I answered simply.
Selena's sharp eyes locked onto mine, and I caught the unspoken demand there. She wanted more than just an answer. She wanted information.
So I gave it to her.
"This labyrinth isn't what it appears to be," I began. "It's likely the product of a combined ability. Several hunters working together—probably under the Association's orders—have created this environment. It's not just a test of survival but also of adaptability. They're manipulating the space and terrain as part of the challenge."
Selena's brows furrowed as she processed my words. "So the terrain changes wouldn't be random, but intentional," she said, her tone thoughtful. "That means any route we take won't stay the same for long."
"Exactly," I replied. "The labyrinth shifts every few minutes. We can't rely on backtracking or static safe zones. And as you already noticed, flight is restricted. They're enforcing the no-kill rule, so avoiding other hunters is our safest option for now."
Wolf let out a quiet breath, visibly relieved. "So, we're just focused on the constructs, then?"
"Yes," I confirmed. "Our objective is to hunt the minotaur constructs. They're tough—nearly cryptid-level strength. That means we need to be smart. Every fight has to be on our terms, not theirs. We lure them to us, control the environment, and minimize risk."
Sarah crossed her arms, her eyes scanning the shifting shadows. "And what about their patterns? If the labyrinth is controlled, the constructs might have preset routes or triggers."
I nodded. "Good point. That's what we'll need to figure out first. Movement patterns, weaknesses, and—most importantly—the best way to corner them."
Selena stepped closer, her voice calm but edged with steel. "And if another team decides to interfere?"
"We stick to the rules," I said firmly. "Avoid unnecessary conflict. If we're forced to engage, we incapacitate them without causing harm. But ideally, we stay ahead of the other teams and keep out of sight."
She didn't look entirely convinced, but she nodded.
Wolf, meanwhile, had a different question. "What if one of those constructs comes at us before we're ready?"
I turned to him, letting the weight of my words settle. "Then we adapt. If we can't run, we fight. And we don't hold back."
The labyrinth seemed to hum around us, its oppressive aura pressing in like a living, breathing entity. It was designed to test us—not just our strength, but our ability to think, strategize, and work together.
I could feel the threads of our Soul Link vibrating faintly, like a reminder of the strength we now shared. Together, we could do this. But we'd have to move quickly, think faster, and act with precision.
"Let's move," I said, my voice cutting through the tension. "Stay close, stay quiet, and watch for movement. We don't have time to waste."
And with that, we stepped into the maze, the hunt for the minotaur constructs—and our survival—officially beginning.
~023