As the group prepared to delve into the Maze of Transcendence, the mysterious second floor of Bizarre Tower, Victor’s voice echoed through the room — his description of the labyrinthine terrain and the challenges that lay ahead filled their ears.
"Next stop will be the Maze of Transcendence, the second level of the Bizarre Tower, following our triumph over the Shapeshifter Mirage on the first floor," Victor announced, and explained, "Within this rocky, undulating terrain lies a labyrinthine section, ticulously carved into the very heart of the stones. As we journey through this mystical dungeon, we will encounter five access points, each shrouded in its own set of challenges and concealed perils."
Xin, usually nonchalant, couldn’t help but comnt, "Now it’s a maze, huh?"
His casual observation hung in the air, montarily breaking the silence that Rever’s absence had left behind.
However, amidst the anticipation, Xin noticed sothing amiss. Yuzuro, who was typically cheerful and lively, seed different today. Her usual enthusiasm was replaced by a somber expression, her smile nowhere to be found.
Concern etched Xin’s tone as he approached her. "What’s wrong, Yuzuro? Is everything okay?"
Instead of responding with her usual cheerfulness, Yuzuro hesitated for a mont before voicing her concern.
"Xin, is it true that you have a girlfriend?" Her tone carried a hint of hurt, and her eyes teetered on the edge of tears.
Xin let out an exasperated ntal sigh. He had anticipated this mont, knowing that the news about his relationship with Seraphina Fey had circulated widely.
Their GC had been buzzing with discussions about it, and a viral video only made it more impossible to ignore.
"Yeah," Xin answered her after a mont.
As Yuzuro’s eyes widened in disbelief, she clutched her chest dramatically as if she were suffering from a sudden heart attack.
"I-I’m . . . I’m late again . . ." she lanted inwardly, feeling like she had missed out her chance for the second ti around.
To add to her dismay, it wasn’t just any relationship with soone — it was with the renowned Seraphina Fey.
How was she going to compete with that?!
Yuzuro bit her lip, holding back tears because she didn’t want to trouble Xin. "I . . . I wish you good luck," she managed to say, echoing the sa words she had said years ago when he got together with iliyn.
Xin, completely oblivious to Yuzuro’s turmoil, rely nodded, his expression unchanged. "Thanks," he replied, unaware of the emotional storm raging within his friend.
Yuzuro turned away, discreetly wiping her tears. She couldn’t help but wonder, ’Why is he so nonchalant about it? And you shouldn’t affirm your relationship with that stoic face!’
Just as the mont grew increasingly awkward, Victor’s voice bood, breaking the tension. "Hey, are you two even listening?" he called out impatiently.
"Huh? Sorry, did you say sothing just now?" Xin asked, his attention finally shifting from his internal musings back to the conversation.
"You . . ." Victor let out an exasperated sigh as he repeated himself, "I said there are five access points in the maze. What’s challenging about this second level is that we will be separated, and each of us will be teleported to one of these five access points."
Yuzuro felt like the weight of the world had landed squarely on her shoulders. "S-separate?" she stuttered, her panic escalating. "Why does today hate so much?"
Midnight Duchess, usually a creature of few words, remained silent, her stoic expression giving away nothing.
"How did you even know this?" Xin asked, genuinely puzzled. "I thought there was no information on the net."
Victor smirked with a sense of pride. "Ehehehe. I have my ways," he said cryptically, though he conveniently left out the part about paying a rare item to one of his in-ga friends for the information.
Xin decided not to delve deeper into Victor’s thods, much to Yuzuro’s increasing panic.
"This isn’t good, right?" Yuzuro blurted out, her healer instincts kicking in. "I’m a healer! How am I supposed to fight alone in there?"
Victor tried to assuage her fears. "I’ve already thought about it," he said confidently. "Xin’s Golems will accompany you. Don’t worry. Although this dungeon is tough because it will separate us, it’s a relatively short maze. We will eventually et at the center, give or take thirty minutes after navigating the maze."
Yuzuro wasn’t convinced. "B-but . . . there will be a lot of monsters and traps in there, right?" She couldn’t shake off the feeling that she was next in line to perish.
"Relax, Hikari," Victor reassured her, patting her on the shoulder. "Xin will lend you ten Golems. All you have to do is heal them and make sure they’re in tip-top shape."
Xin nodded in agreent. "I’ll make them right now. Ten Golems, coming right up."
"But are you sure they’ll co with ?" Yuzuro asked, her worry evident. "They aren’t technically mine, so . . ."
Victor grinned mischievously. "There’s only one way to find out," he said, pointing toward the portal with a dramatic flourish. "And that’s by entering that portal and embracing your newfound Golem army!"
Yuzuro’s face was drained of color. "You’re not sure?" she gasped, her eyes wide with horror.
Victor shook his head with a devilish grin. "Nope. But to up your chances of the Golems going with you, you and the Golems will enter last."
"N-no way . . ." Yuzuro stamred, her panic escalating.
Feeling the need to offer so reassurance, Xin gave Yuzuro’s shoulder a comforting tap. "Don’t worry. It’ll work out sohow," he said with a lethargic face.
"Easy for you to say!" Yuzuro shot back, her voice cracking. "How can you be so carefree? What if the Golems won’t to teleport with ? Then I’m all alone in there, right?"
Victor took a deep breath, his expression deadly serious, before he grinned. "You’ll die," he said bluntly as if stating a simple fact.
Xin nodded in agreent. "Most definitely."
"Egh?!" Yuzuro cried, her eyes widening in sheer horror.
In an attempt to console her, Midnight Duchess chid in, her tone surprisingly calm. "Don’t worry, if you die, we’ll carry on without you. You’ll be rembered."
"That doesn’t make feel better at all!" Yuzuro lanted, her distress was all over her face.
After a brief, albeit tense, discussion, the group reluctantly prepared to enter the portal.
One by one, they ventured through, leaving Yuzuro to face her uncertain fate as the last one to step into the unknown.
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