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Arrival at the Labyrinth
The survivors stood before an ancient, monumental structure carved into the side of a colossal mountain. The labyrinth loomed before them, its gates pulsating with an eerie light. The runes etched into its surface seemed alive, shifting and glowing as though observing the contestants. The labyrinth exuded an oppressive aura, causing even the strongest rankers to hesitate.
Victor Carmine hovered above the crowd on his floating platform, his gaze sweeping across the participants with a sinister smile.
"Welcome to the second stage," he began, his voice amplified to reach everyone. "This is the Labyrinth of Trials, a living construct created to test your worthiness. It is not just a maze—it is a predator. Within these walls, you will face traps, puzzles, and creatures that will challenge not only your strength but also your intelligence and willpower."
Victor's smile widened as he gestured toward the massive gate.
"Be warned: the labyrinth evolves. The stronger you are, the harder it will push back. And remember—only 50 of you will advance. Those who fall behind... will not return."
The gates groaned open, revealing a dark, twisting corridor. The air was thick with mana, and a faint whispering could be heard emanating from within.
"Your time starts... now!" Victor declared.
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A Deadly Start
The contestants surged forward, some moving cautiously while others rushed ahead in a bid to gain an advantage. Jin held back, observing the chaos. Erebus's voice echoed in his mind.
"This labyrinth is sentient. It senses fear, arrogance, and hesitation. Keep your emotions in check, or it will exploit them."
Jin activated his Abyssal Perception, his vision shifting to reveal glowing patterns and energy flows embedded in the walls and floor. He noticed hidden traps—pressure plates, mana-infused tripwires, and runes designed to unleash devastating attacks.
One eager ranker sprinted ahead, triggering a hidden trap. A barrage of fiery spears shot from the walls, impaling him instantly. The rest of the group froze, the severity of the challenge sinking in.
Jin smirked.
"Amateurs."
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First Challenge: The Puzzle Room
Jin's path led him to a large chamber filled with floating platforms suspended over an endless void. Each platform bore a glowing symbol, and a system message appeared:
Puzzle Challenge: Step on the Correct Sequence or Fall. Clues Are Hidden in the Symbols.
Several rankers hesitated at the edge, unsure how to proceed. One attempted to leap randomly from platform to platform, only to trigger a trap. The platform beneath him shattered, and he fell into the abyss, his screams fading into the darkness.
Jin studied the symbols, noticing patterns in their arrangement. Activating Abyssal Perception, he identified faint energy trails connecting the safe platforms. Without hesitation, he leaped onto the first platform, then the next, moving swiftly across the room.
Behind him, a silver-haired girl followed his lead. She landed beside him with a grin.
"Mind sharing the secret, mystery man?"
Jin glanced at her but said nothing, continuing to navigate the puzzle.
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Shifting Alliances
Deeper in the labyrinth, Jin encountered rankers forming temporary alliances to tackle more challenging sections. However, mistrust was rampant, and betrayals occurred frequently.
At one point, Jin stumbled upon a group ambushing a weaker contestant, demanding his crystals. Jin stepped into the corridor, his presence immediately drawing attention.
The leader of the group, a muscular man wielding a massive axe, sneered at him.
"Hand over your crystals, or we'll take them by force."
Jin tilted his head, unimpressed.
"Is this really the best use of your time?"
The man growled and charged, swinging his axe with brutal force. Jin dodged effortlessly, summoning Abyssal tendrils to disarm and immobilize him. Within seconds, the entire group lay incapacitated, groaning in pain.
Jin walked past them without a word, leaving the others too stunned to react.
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The Celestials in Action
The labyrinth's intensity increased as Jin delved deeper. Roars echoed through the corridors, signaling the presence of powerful guardians.
In a massive chamber, Jin witnessed Thomas Boaris, one of the Celestials, facing a towering Minotaur wreathed in flames. The creature's roar shook the walls, but Thomas remained unfazed.
The Celestial launched himself forward with blinding speed, his fist colliding with the Minotaur's chest. The impact created a shockwave that obliterated the creature, reducing it to a pile of ash.
Jin observed from the shadows, his mind racing.
"So, that's the power of a Byonder. I'll need more than brute strength to deal with someone like him."
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The Labyrinth Adapts
As the contestants progressed, the labyrinth began to shift and evolve. Walls moved, corridors closed, and new traps emerged. Jin entered a room filled with shifting tiles, each inscribed with numbers. A system message appeared:
Logic Challenge: Step on the Correct Sequence or Face Elimination.
Jin analyzed the pattern, quickly identifying the prime numbers as the solution. He stepped carefully, avoiding the deadly traps. Midway through, he noticed Lia—the silver-haired girl—hesitating on the edge.
"Focus on the primes," he called out, surprising himself.
She nodded, following his advice and crossing safely.
"Thanks for the tip," she said, catching her breath.
Jin shrugged, already moving on.
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The Midpoint Showdown
Halfway through the labyrinth, the remaining participants were funneled into a massive arena. A system announcement declared:
Midpoint Challenge: Only 75 Participants Will Advance Beyond This Point. Survive the Onslaught.
Monstrous creatures poured into the arena, forcing the rankers to fight for survival. Jin activated his Abyssal abilities, summoning void tendrils to bind and crush the attackers.
Lia fought nearby, her daggers flashing as she danced through the battlefield. Meanwhile, Thomas Boaris cleared entire sections of the arena with devastating blows, his presence dominating the battlefield.
As the chaos subsided, the number of survivors dwindled to 75. The remaining contestants eyed each other warily, alliances dissolving as the realization of their competition set in.
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Moving Forward
A new passage opened, leading to the labyrinth's final section. Jin prepared to move on, but Lia approached him.
"Looks like we're stuck together," she said with a smirk.
"Don't slow me down," Jin replied curtly.
Lia chuckled.
"I could say the same to you."
The two entered the passage, their journey far from over.
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