[Jordan's POV]
Ha! This is the Death Game! My clan told me it was crazy for a middle-aged man like me to enter, but I'm having so much fun. Even as blood runs down my arm and disappears into the abyss, I'm happy! Grateful to be here! To have the opportunity to climb this tower—can there be anything better?
Unlike many others, I barely escaped the clown's shooting.
And now I fall.
Fall.
And fall.
"Dammit!"
"When is this abyss going to end?"
I can't hear, see, or even feel a thing, caged by this darkness. Finally, after falling for what feels like hours, I see a small light flicker at the bottom of the abyss.
It's only been five minutes—don't be so dramatic, Jordan.
'You don't understand, Dionysus! Five minutes of nothing is hours for a guy like me.'
Hehehe, I see. Well then, clear level one quickly so we can drink some wine together and have real fun.
'Will do!'
However, as I approach the light, the solid stone beneath my endless fall reveals itself. Was the shooting meant to scare me off the platform?
I clench my fist and shout,
"So interesting! Let me die then, my guts spewed all over the ground!"
I close my eyes and embrace it.
But my sweet death never comes. When I open my eyes, I'm hovering, as if hundreds of invisible hands reached out to stop my fall.
Then—smack!
They drop me, and my nose crunches on stone.
I push myself up, holding my nose and swearing a ton. Around me, dying candles line a cracked-stone hallway that leads to a wooden door at the end. Above the door is a plaque with engravings.
"Death Maze Rules:"
"Be the 100th contestant or lower to reach the 2nd floor—or die."
"Find and bring the contents of three chests to the finish line—or die."
"Have fun (;"
I sprint to the door, smiling. What a game! A death maze. What could be more challenging and entertaining? My compliments to the chef.
As I approach, the door swings wide open, and I step through. To my left and right are humongous, leafy-green walls that tower into the abyss. The illuminated stone beneath my feet is on a slight incline, and laid out before me are more walls that create three different starting points.
Left.Right.Middle.
Hmm, what to choose? I rub my beard.
This is a tough decision! I'm willing to stake my life on it that one of these three will make my life much easier than the other two. If I were creating a death game, what would I choose to be the most difficult?
Middle.
Middle is what most indecisive people will pick out of fear.
I take a step forward and enter the middle path.
'Let's have some fun, Dionysus.'
Let's.
[Sierra's POV]
I hit the ground running, wasting no time. The leafy green walls around me create so many different paths that I have to be fast and precise. Think like a game creator.
Left,
right,
left—dead end.
Shit.
I circle back and try a new path. I have been running for thirty minutes, and although I've trained my whole life for this, I'm nervous. This isn't a dream anymore—it's real!
I pinch myself.
Ouch!
Where are these chests?
I have deduced two problems with the maze so far. Well, not really with the labyrinth, but for me. Firstly, the maze could stretch for hundreds of kilometers, and I wouldn't know until I ran it. With each step, my breaths are already getting heavier. The incline is no joke.
Secondly, how many boxes are there? There were at least six hundred contestants on the platforms, but I doubt there are 1,800 chests. Finding chests needs to be my top priority. Even if I reach the finish line, with no chests, I wouldn't be allowed to cross.
Hmm, actually, that is not a bad plan.
If I reach the finish line first, I can ambush anyone who tries to cross and take their chests!
'What do you think of that plan, Athena?'
Not bad. I would make sure to get a particle ball first so you can ambush more effectively.
'Right particle ball it is.'
[Damien Pov]
"I hate these fuckass walls, the floor, everything."
The maze is so dark, and every once in a while, I hear a blood-curdling scream that makes me jump. My confidence is gone, and I want to get out of this place.
*Fear not, my little lamb! I will direct you where you need to go.*
'Who is this?'
'Why do I have so many voices in my head… and why do all of them have to sound insane or demonic?'
*Ouch. I will pretend I didn't hear that. You don't mind if I steal your pup for a second, do you, Ophion?*
Hsss, go ahead, Jesse.
JESSE. Oh, gods, please leave me alone.
*I will not! Take a left up here, then a right, then a left, then straight, then a right.*
After following his instructions, I stand in a dead end created by three walls. However, in the dead end lies a vibrating golden ball about a meter wide and tall. I can feel the power radiating off it like an ocean of possibilities. Even the slight hum it gives off makes me feel at ease.
*Go ahead, lamb. Grab it.*
His eager tone makes me pause. Should I trust him? He is not a stable-minded person, but what other choice do I have? I don't think he would go through so much trouble to kill me when he already had the chance, right?
Ha, how would I know what a psycho thinks?
'Is this a particle ball?'
*Correct, amongo! Touch it, and you will evolve. It will be much easier for you to pass the game. Ah, I am such a helpful Ascender—the most helpful, probably.*
Sweat drenches my brows.
I'm going to trust him for now.
Step.
Step.
I reach out, and the warmth of the ball steadies my heartbeat.
Then, I touch it.
Immediately, the ball rushes into my body, and a scorching heat flares inside me.
"AHHHHHH!"
I scream and tumble over. My bones feel like they're melting, my muscles evaporating, and the pain is unbearable. I can't move any part of my body.
I shouldn't have trusted him.
"Dammit!" I cry.
But then, in my chest, I feel power—an energy that feels amazing, like a constant river flowing through me. Its thrashes give me new life, and my body stabilizes—no longer suppressed by scorching heat.
*My little lamb, my little lamb, gained his essence!*
I squeeze my hands. What is this? I feel stronger than I did just seconds ago, and I'm less frail.
Ba-dum
Ba-dum.
—
Suddenly, my heart stops.
And in its place, something cold and predatory takes over, beating with an unnatural rhythm. My body feels like ice, like I'm not even alive anymore.
I start hyperventilating.
Enjoy my power, brat.
My skin prickles, and when I look down at my hands, something's different. The shadows around my fingers seem darker, and my reflection in a puddle shows eyes that aren't quite my own anymore.
*HAHAHA, you are an amusing kid. Go on, try out your new abilities. I'm interested to see what Ophion has for you.*
I stare at my hands. This, this...
What the hell did I just become?