The group whipped around, eyes widening in fear. Their weapons slipped from their hands, their hearts pounding as a bloodcurdling scream echoed through the darkness. Something no, someone had entered the shadows behind them, and an overwhelming sense of dread settled over them.
Emerging from the dark, a procession of mummified bodies shambled toward them, their decayed limbs moving with eerie precision. The group instinctively gripped their weapons, but before they could strike, a system notification flashed before their eyes.
[Special Event Triggered: Escape the Maze]
[Attacking the mummified is useless. They will regenerate endlessly.]
"A maze?!" Gorrath's eyes widened as he scanned their surroundings. The once-open path had shifted twisting corridors replaced familiar landmarks, and the entrance was now sealed by a thick wall.
"Shit, we're trapped," he muttered, clenching his fists.
"We should stick together," George suggested, and the others nodded in agreement.
"Desiree, you should stay in the middle. Our priority is protecting you," Shin added.
"O-okay," she stammered, quickly moving into the center of the group.
The team pressed forward, their torchlight flickering against the cold stone walls. Shadows stretched unnaturally, twisting like living things.
"Watch your step. Even with a light, there might be traps," George warned.
"I'll use my eyes," Lloyd said, activating his trait.
[Innate Trait Activated: Sight of Aura]
"See anything?" George asked.
"Not yet. It's clear," Lloyd replied.
They trudged through the maze for what felt like hours, frustration mounting with every dead end.
"Damn it, we've been walking forever," Jack groaned, slumping against the wall. "And we don't even have water."
"Just endure it," Lloyd muttered, though he himself was breathing heavily.
"Hey, mage. You really can't conjure water?" Gorrath asked, running a hand through his hair as he turned to Desiree with an unmistakable charm in his gaze.
Jack and Lloyd exchanged a glance, both making the same complex cringe expression.
"Look at this bastard trying to seduce her in the middle of a life-or-death situation," they both thought.
"I-I'm sorry, but I-I'm not allowed… T-this is being broadcast in the Great Hall," Desiree stuttered.
"Tch. I see. That's disappointing…" Gorrath sighed dramatically, putting on a sad puppy-like expression.
"W-what is he doing?" Desiree thought, feeling flustered.
Rayden and Shin shot Gorrath annoyed looks but said nothing.
"We should keep moving," George interjected.
"Why don't we just break through the walls?" Shin suggested.
"He has a point!" Lloyd exclaimed, gripping his warhammer. With a single mighty swing, he shattered the stone.
"Whoa!" Shin gasped in amazement.
"Why the hell didn't I think of that?" Georgetown muttered under his breath.
Gorrath clapped him on the shoulder. "Tsk, you should've just punched it."
One by one, they smashed through the walls, forging their own path. In no time, they broke free, stepping into a vast desert.
"That was fast," Jack said in disbelief.
"Yeah… almost too easy," Lloyd added.
Their brief celebration was cut short by another system announcement.
[Due to cheating, you students will be punished.]
[No Dry Land Man: Calamity Activated.]
A deep rumbling shook the ground beneath them. Sand shifted violently, as though something massive was stirring beneath the surface. Then, from the dunes, a towering figure began to rise…
A massive desert worm erupted from the ground, its sheer size stretching endlessly into the sky. Its gaping mouth was a circular abyss of serrated, blade-like teeth, each one large enough to shred boulders into dust.
As it surfaced, dozens more appeared across the desert, shaking the land with their monstrous presence.
The students' eyes widened in terror, but before they could react, the environment itself turned against them.
The scorching winds grew fiercer, sandstorms howled with newfound intensity, and whirlwinds massive and violent formed across the landscape. The force was unbearable.
One by one, the students were lifted off the ground and thrown in all directions.
Those unlucky enough to be caught in the whirlwinds together lost consciousness instantly, their bodies tumbling into the unknown.
Shin groaned, slowly regaining consciousness.
He blinked, his vision adjusting to the dim light around him.
"A… cave?" he muttered, pushing himself up. His body ached from the harsh landing.
Then, memories flooded back.
"I was… thrown here earlier."
As he struggled to his feet, a familiar voice stammered from nearby.
"Y-you woke up… w-we flew here together…" Desiree's shaky voice came from the shadows.
Shin turned to see her standing there, dust-covered and visibly shaken.
"I see… What about the others?" Shin asked.
"I-I don't know… The sandstorm was too strong. I c-couldn't see anything…" she replied, voice laced with unease.
Shin took a deep breath, trying to process everything.
"Good. Have you seen any paths we can take?"
Desiree hesitated before nodding. "The sandstorm outside is gone, but the desert is still dangerous. Monsters are roaming around."
Shin clenched his fists.
"That giant monster…" The image of the colossal worm flashed in his mind, its massive maw capable of swallowing them whole. His legs trembled involuntarily.
"If that thing is still out there… One wrong move, and it's over. It could swallow me whole and disqualify me instantly."
His thoughts spiraled.
"Finding the others will be difficult… And even if I do, what if they betray me? Survival comes first, after all…"
Suddenly, the voices in his head returned.
"I told you, little shit. Stop relying on others. Now look at you helpless."
A second voice cut through the darkness.
"Ignore him, Shin. Just think. You'll find a way out of this."
Shin gritted his teeth, shaking off the doubt.
"You're right… I just have to think!" he reassured himself.
The first voice sneered.
"Tch. How can you be so naive? Let me take control of your-"
"Shut up."
The voices vanished, leaving only the sound of Shin's own breathing.
Then a realization struck him.
"Rewards!"
His eyes lit up as he remembered something Rayden had said earlier.
"He was right! There might be hidden artifacts in this place!"
Excitement surged through him. If they could find one, they might just stand a chance.
"Desiree, let's search this cave. There could be something useful here!"
She nodded quickly, the fear in her eyes replaced with a flicker of hope.
With renewed determination, Shin clenched his fists. This wasn't over yet.