Chapter 55
Meanwhile, Sark, the Administrator of the 30th floor, was observing the maze while concealed.
As expected, no one has reached the central area yet. Of course they haven't. This maze was created by the ‘Maze Architect,’ after all.
One of the Constellations of Olympus.
It was said that this being had created every maze within the Tower, and among them, the 21st-floor maze was one of the most difficult.
One hundred people are already dead. How primitive. They let their guard down without even realizing those were doubles.
Sark watched the dying Players with amusement.
Then someone caught his attention.
Bong Taesu.
He was wandering through the maze.
[‘One Who Overcomes Adversity’ strongly insists that walking straight ahead is the true path of a man.]
The chosen Incarnations could now communicate with the Constellations who had selected them.
Reading the message in front of him, Bong Taesu burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! I quite like you, Lord Constellation. We seem to have a lot in common. But... something feels strange. I can't shake the feeling that I've been going in circles for a while now."
He kept passing the same wall.
Even when he tried taking another path, all he found were dead ends.
"Hmm. If Lady Yumi or Hyuna were here, this would probably be much easier. But I can't exactly stand around doing nothing either. This is quite troublesome."
Convinced there was nothing worth seeing, Sark turned his head away.
His individual combat ability is impressive, but he lacks proper judgment. He'll probably die before he even escapes the maze.
Sark was about to move toward another Player when Bong Taesu's next words stopped him.
"Ah! Right. I almost forgot. Hyungnim gave me something to use in an emergency. Let's see... where was it...? Found it!"
Sark glanced back.
The moment he saw the compass Bong Taesu had taken out, he froze.
...H-How does he have that?!
[Legendary - Daedalus's Compass]
When traps within a maze come within a 100-meter radius, the needle will shake to warn the user.
Shows the correct path through a maze.
This wasn't an item an ordinary Player should possess.
It carried the name of a Constellation.
Even if someone had access to the Hidden Shop, owning something like this was another matter entirely.
Th-Then...!!
Sark checked again.
It wasn't just Bong Taesu.
Lee Yumi and Kim Hyuna, the other members of Suhyeok's party, had one as well.
Grit.
Sark ground his teeth.
He had been certain that even Lee Suhyeok would struggle to escape this maze.
But now, cracks were forming in that belief.
Keugh! Lee Suhyeok... just what are you?!
Then a sudden thought struck him.
Sark flinched.
His expression went blank as he hurriedly raised his head.
Wait.
If that's the case, then d-don't tell me....
Sark immediately began searching for Suhyeok.
After some time, he followed Suhyeok's traces and discovered the staircase leading to the Hidden Dungeon.
Muttering that it couldn't possibly be true, Sark entered.
He passed through the massive door.
And soon...
He froze.
"...H-How...."
The Sphinx stood there in its grotesque petrified form.
What kind of being was the Sphinx?
It had lived here ever since the maze was created.
It was practically a divine beast of the labyrinth.
Even Sark, an Administrator, had been unable to treat it carelessly because of its authority.
Yet a mere Player had killed it.
[The ‘Sphinx's Key’ has been inserted into the maze on the 21st floor.]
[The Hidden Piece has been activated by Player Lee Suhyeok.]
Flash!
"...!"
The scenery changed instantly.
The Players were suddenly gathered together in the center of the 21st-floor maze.
Everyone looked utterly confused.
"W-What just happened?"
"I-I survived.... Am I alive?"
[This floor has been cleared.]
[Survivors: 892]
An unprecedented number of survivors.
The result was unbelievable.
The maze had been cleared in less than a day.
Something that should have been impossible had happened.
What? There wasn't much to see here either. I'm heading over there.
Tch. I stayed here for nothing.
No joke, the monkey on the 20th floor was more entertaining than this. Tsk tsk.
Good work.
I shall take my leave as well.
One by one, the Constellations left.
The channel's viewer count rapidly dropped.
Sark's face twisted with rage as he immediately found Suhyeok.
Suhyeok looked at him calmly.
Then, with a faint mocking smile, he casually threw out a few words.
"You're late. Unfortunately."
Grit!!
Lee Suhyeooook...!!!
"Hyungniiiim!!"
From far away, Taesu, Kim Hyuna, and Lee Yumi came running toward Suhyeok.
"Haha! Hyungnim! Did you do all this?"
"Of course oppa did it. Who else would it be? More importantly, ahjussi, you obviously got lost again, didn't you?"
"...Ahem. I found the right way halfway through. Anyway, Hyungnim, what's that shield on your back?"
"Something I just obtained."
"Wow, that thing looks incredible... Hm? W-Who's that girl next to you...?"
"H-Hello.... My name is Jeong Sua. Seong-a, you should also-"
Sua lowered her head and looked beside herself.
Seong-a had already disappeared.
Sua stared blankly at Suhyeok.
Then a familiar voice reached her ears.
"S-Sua!!"
She flinched.
"U-Unnies...? Oppa too?"
They were all alive.
Sua ran into their arms, tears filling her eyes.
After a long reunion, the whole group turned toward Suhyeok and bowed deeply.
"Thank you...! Really, thank you so much...!"
People had gathered around them before anyone noticed.
They hesitated at first.
Then one by one, they lowered their heads.
"Thank... you."
"If it weren't for you, I'd already be dead. Thank you."
"Ahem. Thanks."
These were words Suhyeok had never heard before his regression.
Back then, people who had spent too long drowning in despair had been left with nothing but selfishness.
Bong Taesu nudged Suhyeok with his elbow and smiled proudly.
"Hehe. Hyungnim, you seem to be in quite a good mood. Someone who barely ever smiles is smiling like he's happy."
"...You're noisy."
"Come now, there's no need to deny it. That gloomy face looks better when you smile. You should do it more often."
