Day 7 – 8:00 AM – A Much-Needed Rest
The group collapsed into the open chamber, the first real space they had seen that wasn't twisting corridors.
The air felt different here—still dungeon-like, but stable. No shifting walls, no unnatural distortions. Just cold stone and the soft flicker of torches mounted along the walls.
Ji-hye dropped onto a flat slab of rock. "I don't care what happens next. I'm eating."
Tae-sik groaned. "Screw this place. Who the hell makes a maze that loops forever?"
Seok-hoon sat against the wall, rubbing his temples. "Someone who enjoys suffering."
Kyung-min exhaled, lowering himself onto a nearby stone. His legs ached from nearly two hours of constant walking.
Min-jun checked his watch. "We were inside that maze for one hour, fifty minutes. That was longer than expected."
The Silver-Haired Woman smirked. "And yet, we're still alive."
Kyung-min didn't respond.
Instead, he stared at the next massive door on the opposite end of the chamber.
Because beyond that door… the next trial was waiting.
Day 7 – 8:30 AM – Food and Recovery
For the first time since entering, the group took out their rations.
🔹 Kyung-min pulled out a System-issued food pack—basic but effective.
🔹 Ji-hye and Tae-sik shared a few of the canned goods they looted.
🔹 Seok-hoon drank some of their remaining bottled water.
The food wasn't much, but it was enough.
No one spoke much as they ate.
They were too tired.
And deep down, they all knew—this was only going to get worse.
Day 7 – 11:30 AM – The Second Trial Begins
After several hours of rest, the group gathered before the next door.
Ji-hye stretched, rolling her shoulders. "Alright. Let's get this over with."
Tae-sik frowned. "I swear, if this one is worse than the last—"
Min-jun adjusted his glasses. "It will be."
Seok-hoon stepped forward. "Same strategy as before. Stay together. No rushing ahead."
The Silver-Haired Woman glanced at Kyung-min.
She didn't say anything—but he understood.
The last trial had reacted to him.
Would this one do the same?
He stepped forward, reaching for the door—
And pushed it open.
A new System Alert appeared.
🔹 [System Alert!]
🔹 "You have entered the Second Trial: The Labyrinth of the Forgotten."
🔹 "Escape within the time limit."
🔹 "Weakness lingers in the dark. The lost shall hunt the lost."
🔹 [Time Remaining: 4:00:00]
The ground rumbled.
And the door behind them slammed shut.
They were locked in.
Again.
Tae-sik sighed. "Four hours? Are you kidding me?"
Kyung-min's pulse steadied.
This wasn't just a maze.
It was a hunting ground.
And something was already watching them.
Day 7 – 11:35 AM – Entering the Labyrinth
The massive stone door groaned as it closed behind them, sealing the group within the Labyrinth of the Forgotten. The air was thick with anticipation, and the only sound was the distant drip of water echoing through the corridors.
Seok-hoon tightened his grip on his sword. "Stay alert. We don't know what's waiting for us."
Ji-hye nodded, her eyes scanning the dimly lit passage ahead. "Let's move. The sooner we get through this, the better."
Day 7 – 12:00 PM – First Encounter
As they navigated the winding paths, the group remained vigilant. The labyrinth's silence was unsettling, but it was soon broken by the pattering of small feet.
From the shadows, a group of goblins emerged, their eyes gleaming with malice. Without hesitation, the group engaged.
Tae-sik swung his weapon, dispatching a goblin with ease. "These guys are weak. Shouldn't be a problem."
But as soon as they defeated the first wave, more creatures appeared:
Kobolds, their scaly bodies darting forward with crude weapons.Stirges, bat-like creatures that swooped down from above, aiming for exposed skin.Skeletons, their bony frames clattering as they advanced.
The group fought valiantly, cutting down the enemies that came their way. Yet, with each fallen foe, another seemed to take its place.
Day 7 – 1:30 PM – The Unending Horde
An hour and a half had passed, and the onslaught showed no signs of stopping. The group's movements became more labored, their breaths heavy.
Kyung-min wiped sweat from his brow. "This isn't right. They just keep coming."
Min-jun, adjusting his glasses, observed the fallen enemies. "And none of them have monster stones. It's like they're... illusions or something."
The Silver-Haired Woman glanced around, her expression unreadable. "Illusions or not, they can still kill us. We need to find a way out."
Day 7 – 3:00 PM – Fatigue Sets In
After hours of continuous combat, the group's stamina was waning. The once-coordinated attacks became sloppy, and the weight of exhaustion pressed heavily upon them.
Ji-hye leaned against a wall, panting. "We can't keep this up. There has to be an end to this maze."
Seok-hoon nodded, his face grim. "We need to move, find the exit. Standing here fighting will only get us killed."
Day 7 – 3:30 PM – A Glimmer of Hope
Just as despair threatened to overtake them, Kyung-min noticed a faint glow emanating from a passage to their left.
"Over there!" he shouted, pointing towards the light.
Summoning the last of their strength, the group pushed through the remaining enemies, making their way towards the glow.
As they approached, the light grew brighter, and the sounds of the monsters began to fade.
Day 7 – 3:51 PM – The Exit
Bursting through the final barrier of enemies, the group stumbled into a large chamber bathed in light. At its center stood an ornate archway, pulsating with energy.
Tae-sik laughed weakly. "We made it... finally."
Min-jun approached the archway, examining it. "This must be the way out."
The Silver-Haired Woman stepped forward, her eyes reflecting the glow. "Let's not waste any more time."
One by one, they passed through the archway, leaving the Labyrinth of the Forgotten behind.