"Iskandaar… if you can hear me... we're surrounded... a super strong guardian... can't hold much longer..."

  I didn’t have to wait for long. Nebula's second message came stronger, more desperate. The pain in my temples intensified as I strained to maintain our telepathic connection.

  "I'm coming. Hold on. Where are you exactly?" I projected back, my jaw clenching beneath my mask. The chances that she could point out the coordinates were negligible, this was a stupidly difficult maze after all.

  While waiting for her next call, I closed my eyes, blocking out the concerned faces of Alaric, Ha-Yun, and Selene. The Demonic Sphere – my most reliable detection skill – sharpened its already large range, expanding further in pulsating waves through the labyrinthine corridors. It was costly to use, but I had Qi to spare.

  Given the amount of Qi I released, under normal circumstances, the Demonic Sphere would map an entire city-block instantly, but these damn maze walls weren't normal. They weren’t cooperating.

  Their ancient enchantments scattered my energy, reflecting and distorting it like a funhouse mirror.

  Still, I could sense something.

  A faint thread of familiar energy, the unique signature of Nebula's vampiric mana, intertwined with the resonance of our blood bond.

  "East... from you… I think... chamber with... stone altar..."

  Her voice faded in and out like a bad radio signal. I opened my eyes, suddenly aware of Alaric's hand on my shoulder.

  "Mister Cheonma? Are you unwell?" Genuine concern colored his voice.

  "Yes. I'll be right back," I announced, not bothering with explanations. "Don't follow."

  Before any of them could protest, I channeled mana into my legs and activated the skill: [Void Step]. The world blurred around me as I vanished, leaving only a faint shimmer in the air where I'd stood.

  I reappeared at the end of the corridor, already moving. My feet barely touched the ground before I activated [Void Step] again. Then, again.

  When I encountered a turn, I sprinted for a bit, pushing my enhanced body to its limits. Then I used [Void Step] once again. The walls flew past in streaks of ancient stone. Each intersection required a split-second decision, guided by the strengthening pull of Nebula's energy signature.

  "Nebula? Can you hear me better now?" I projected as I ran.

  "Iskandaar! Yes! We're in... some sort of ritual chamber…! Giant insectoid guardian... mercenaries fighting but... losing badly..."

  Her voice was clearer now – I was getting closer.

  "Mercenaries? Who are you with? Are they worth saving?" I asked, leaping over a fallen column without breaking stride. Since she was able to converse like this, my worries lessened a little. She wasn’t dying right away, that was for certain.

  "Three academy students... scared out of their minds… and some mercenaries… the mercenaries are... decent. Would be a shame if they died."

  There was her characteristically cold assessment, even though she clearly cared.

  "Hold tight. Almost there. Anyone hurt?"

  "Nothing permanent. Just my pride," she replied, and I could practically feel her eye-roll. "And possibly my new… dress if… this keeps up."

  Even in danger, she maintained her dry humor. The Demonic Sphere pulsed stronger now, picking up multiple life signatures ahead—and one massive, alien presence that made my skin crawl. It was not Outer God corruption but something ancient and predatory.

  "I see you're making friends as usual," I teased, skidding around a corner.

  "You know me. Always the social butterfly,” she said sarcastically. “SHIT! HURRY UP, it just impaled someone! I– #$%&"

  The connection was severed. My eyes bulged. Half a minute later, I burst through an archway into a cavernous chamber and took in the scene with a single sweep of my eyes.

  Three bodies lay motionless on the floor.

  One seemed to be a Knight, while the other two were Waybound students judging by their uniforms, their young faces frozen in expressions of terror. Blood pooled beneath them, still spreading across the ancient stones. Their levels didn’t flash above their heads. They were… dead.

  At the center of the chamber stood a massive, half-mechanical creature that resembled a praying mantis crossed with a scorpion.

  Its exoskeleton gleamed like polished obsidian, six scythe-like limbs slashing through the air with lethal precision. A stinger-tipped tail arched overhead, dripping with venom that sizzled where it hit the floor.

  Two mercenaries—a woman with twin daggers and a man wielding a battle axe—maintained a desperate defense, their movements growing sluggish with exhaustion. Behind them, Nebula stood in her disguise, her blue mask still in place, alongside two trembling academy students who looked barely old enough to be here.

  “Argh-!” One of the mercenaries stumbled, the guardian's foreclaw missing her throat by inches.

  I didn't hesitate.

  My hand went to the fine steel sword at my hip. As I drew it, I channeled not my usual Stellar Qi, but the darker, more volatile Destruction Qi that I rarely employed.

  The blade hummed in response, its edge darkening to a deep crimson that pulsed with angry light. Destruction Qi didn’t directly imply “demons” like how Blood Mana didn’t mean vampire. So it shouldn’t be a problem to use it.

  I have to end this quickly.

  [True Demon Sword Art, Fifth Form—Midnight Serenade of the Phantom Locust!]

  I lunged with the sword, and in a heartbeat, a wave of shadowy locusts burst out of its edge. Their ghostlike bodies, lit up by the crimson glow of Destruction Qi, flooded the chamber in a swirling, freaky swarm. The hum of their wings echoed off the walls, sending vibrations through the floor under our feet.

  The guardian swung its scythe-like limbs, but the phantom locusts were way too quick, twisting around every slash like they were dancing.

  Each locust flared with destructive energy as it dove, smashing into the thing’s obsidian armor. With each hit, cracks spread out, eating away at its shell from the inside.

  It was an intense sight to witness.

  The constant droning of those wings pounded the guardian’s senses, every beat draining its strength and muddling its thoughts. It started staggering around, limbs flailing like it couldn’t get its bearings. The chamber rang with the screech of metal giving out and the grinding groan of armor coming apart.

  The locusts only got more intense, swirling in a mesmerizing but terrifying display. Each pass tore away another layer of its defenses, baring raw, vulnerable flesh underneath.

  Then they all closed in on the creature’s core, digging in deep before exploding in a surge of devastating energy. The guardian gave one last, awful shriek before collapsing, disintegrating into fading sparks of corrupted mana.

  The phantom locusts vanished back into the shadows, their eerie serenade cutting off in an instant.

  The heavy atmosphere slowly eased up, leaving nothing but the hush of victory—and the stunned faces of anyone who’d just witnessed what Destruction Qi could really do.

  A notification flashed in my peripheral vision.

  [You’ve leveled up!]

  [You have reached Level 70!]

  Not bad for a few seconds of work, I thought, the familiar rush of leveling up washing through me.

  I sheathed my sword with deliberate slowness, letting the Destruction Qi dissipate before fully securing the blade. Then I turned, facing the stunned onlookers with what I knew was dramatic flair, taking a stance that highlighted me amid this destruction.

  Nebula's telepathic voice carried a mixture of relief and exasperation.

  "Really? You just HAD to make an entrance, didn't you?"

  I chose not to reply.

  ****

  Given the bodies on the floor, I thought I was late. But according to Nebula's report, those bodies were already there when her team came here.

  The disconnection of our telepathic connection earlier was caused by the guardian releasing a burst of mana that messed with the telepathy.

  Her teammates were injured, but none were dead, and had given themselves immidaite treatment in the last few minutes. I spent this time conversing with Nebula in a corner.

  "You're getting too predictable," Nebula said telepathically, her mental voice tinged with amusement despite our grim surroundings. "Always showing up at the last second like some kind of hero from a children’s story book."

  “Pretty sure this is the first time this happened,” I ignored her teasing and walked over to where she stood with her group who were done patching themselves up.

  The mercs and students stared at me with expressions ranging from awe to suspicious relief. Fair enough—a masked stranger appearing out of nowhere and decimating a guardian with a single technique would raise some eyebrows.

  "Is everyone alright?" I asked, scanning the group. My Demonic Sphere detected no life-threatening injuries, but several of them had sustained cuts, bruises, and what looked like mild mana burns.

  "We're alive," replied the older of the two mercenaries, a stocky man with a salt-and-pepper beard and deep-set eyes that had seen too much combat. "Thanks to you... and her."

  He nodded toward Nebula, who perfectly maintained her mysterious 'Nightshade' persona.

  "I'm Arland. Captain of the Crimson Shield mercenaries—or what's left of us," he added with a grim look at the bodies on the floor. "Level 81." His tone was respectful but wary, one veteran sizing up another.

  [Arland, Level 81]

  He wasn’t lying about his level. The woman with twin daggers stepped forward, blood trickling from a shallow cut on her forehead. Despite this, she moved with the fluid grace of someone who'd spent decades perfecting her footwork.

  "Elysia," she introduced herself, sheathing her daggers. "Level 75. I've never seen attack locusts like that before." Her eyes narrowed with professional interest. "What kind of affinity produces that effect?"

  Before I could respond, one of the students blurted out, "Truly, that was the most amazing thing I've ever seen!" He was young, maybe twenty, with an eager face that hadn't yet been hardened by real combat. "Are you part of some famous group…? You must be Level 99, right?"

  "Tomas, don't be rude," chided the other student, a young woman with her hair tied in a practical bun. Her uniform bore the insignia of a second-year student from Waybound. "Sorry about him. I'm Mira, Level 48. We're... very grateful for your help."

  Despite her composure, I could see she was just as impressed and curious as Tomas, just better at hiding it.

  I kept my voice measured, maintaining the calm, commanding presence that Cheonma was supposed to project. "I'm just a traveler in the maze like yourselves. I won’t reveal my level, but no, I’m not Level 99."

  "Really?" Tomas asked. "But that technique you used—"

  "Experience and proper application trump raw level advantages," I cut him off, not harshly, but firmly. "You'd do well to remember that."

  Stolen story; please report.

  Arland grunted in agreement. "The man's right. I've seen Level 100 novices get slaughtered by veterans half their level."

  I myself was an example of that, so I understood his words. I glanced at Nebula, who was watching me with subtle amusement behind her mask. She wasn’t bothering to interact with them, so it meant she didn’t want to spend much time here.

  We’ll leave soon.

  But before that…

  "What is that?" I asked, turning my attention back to the group and pointing around the chamber we were inside. It was similar to the one with the ritual markings my group found earlier. Stone altar, ancient symbols carved into the walls, and a faint residue of dark energy that had nothing to do with the guardian.

  The two students and Knight who were lying dead on the floor? I had a guess they weren’t killed by the guardian. The Outer God Cult seemed to have more members than I expected invading this island.

  “Uh, we’re not sure,” Elysia wiped blood from her brow. "We've been trying to find the finish line of this maze like any other group, when we stumbled here and found all this. Including the dead bodies,” she confirmed my suspicion.

  The dead guardian's remains dissolved into motes of corrupted mana around us as I let out a soft sigh. "Listen carefully," I said, facing the group. "This maze isn't just a test of strength. It's designed to push you to your limits in every way possible. However, from what I understand of the android so far, it’s not fond of killing unless necessary. I think the three dead bodies were killed by fellow humans. Bad people.”

  My words brought an ominous silence over these people as they exchanged glances. I continued, “So stay together. Trust only each other, and don’t betray yourself because there are enough people in this place who are ready to kill you already. Don’t make your allies into enemies. Avoid reckless battles when you can."

  Mira stepped forward hesitantly. "Could you... perhaps come with us? We could use someone of your strength."

  I shook my head. "I have my own people to accompany and lead, I apologize."

  Disappointment flickered across her face, but she nodded in understanding.

  I pondered for a moment before reaching into my Soul Storage and pulling out a small bottle containing five Surging Blood Pills. I'd gotten them from Alaric earlier when I asked for some, thinking they might come in handy.

  Normally, I wouldn't share valuable resources with strangers, but Nebula had vouched for them, saying they were decent people. After meeting those Outer God mercs in the Phase 1 trial and Joran earlier, it wouldn’t be unwise to reward this group.

  Decent people were in short supply these days.

  "Take these," I said, handing the bottle to Arland. "These are Surging Blood Pills, quite popular in the empire these days. They'll temporarily boost your physical strength at the cost of some mana. Use them only when necessary."

  The mercenary captain's eyes widened slightly as he recognized what I was giving them. These pills weren't cheap—a bottle of five could easily cost a small fortune.

  "This is..." He paused, clearly struggling to find the right words. "Extremely generous."

  "Consider it payment for watching her back," I nodded toward Nebula, maintaining our facade of being merely acquaintances who happened to find each other in the maze.

  "I didn't need the help," Nebula said, her cool voice betraying no hint of our actual relationship. It wasn’t totally a lie, she herself could have fled if she chose to. "But I suppose it's appreciated all the same."

  Elysia took the bottle from Arland, examining it with the careful eye of someone who knew its value. "We won't forget this- ah, right…” she said and reached into her pocket and then toward me. She was holding a monster core. The one from the insect guardian. “Here. Even though we’ve been fighting it from the start, without you we couldn’t have defeated it. You deserve it.”

  “Elysia, even if you’re my wife, shouldn’t you ask the party leader before making such decisions?” Arland rubbed the back of his head, and she shot him a glare. He laughed, “I am joking, I am joking. I was thinking the same thing.”

  “I won’t be polite then,” I said, accepting the core and pocketing it. Any extra point was appreciated. Plus, I doubted they’d be able to win with this performance, so it was better with me than with them.

  "Good luck," I said, turning to leave. "You'll need it."

  Nebula fell into step beside me as we left the chamber, and I could feel her silent laughter through our mental connection.

  We walked in silence for several corridors, making sure we were well out of earshot before speaking again. Once certain we were alone, Nebula's composure relaxed.

  "That was quite the entrance back there," she said, a hint of amusement coloring her voice. "The phantom locusts were a bit much dramatic, don't you think? How did you even learn such a weird power?"

  I shrugged. "It worked, didn't it? Besides, I wanted to end the fight quickly. No sense dragging it out when lives were at stake."

  "You just wanted to show off," she countered, but there was no real accusation in her tone—just fond exasperation.

  "Maybe a little. I wanted to impress this girl, you see," I joked. "Though I had good reason to hurry. Your mental call sounded desperate."

  "I wasn't desperate," she huffed. "Just… well, fine. I didn’t want them to die."

  I chuckled. "They didn’t. Technically, you saved them by summoning me. Maybe you should have chosen a Summoner Class instead.”

  We continued through the maze, retracing my steps back toward where I'd left Ha-Yun, Alaric, and Selene. The stone corridors all looked similar, but I'd been careful to note distinguishing features during my mad dash to reach Nebula.

  Until I rounded a corner and stopped dead in my tracks.

  Where there should have been an open archway leading to a long corridor, there was now nothing but solid wall—ancient, weathered stone that looked like it had been there for centuries.

  "What's wrong?" Nebula asked, immediately alert to my change in demeanor.

  "This wall..." I murmured, my tone grim as I placed my hand against the cold stone. "It wasn't here before."

  I expanded my Demonic Sphere, pushing my awareness outward, searching for alternate routes, familiar energy signatures, anything. But the maze had transformed completely, reshuffling its layout while I was fighting the guardian.

  The administrator had warned us that the maze shifted, but I'd expected it to happen according to a schedule—every twelve hours or so. Had it already been that long…?

  Nebula's expression grew serious behind her mask. "You said you were with Princess Ha-Yun? Can’t you sense her at all?"

  "Nope," I confirmed, frustration evident in my voice. Not only was I separated from Ha-Yun's group, but we didn’t know where Solara and Lilian were as well. "The maze has shifted. Our original route is gone."

  She stepped closer, her hand resting gently on my arm. Her touch was reassuring, the pressure of her fingers conveying confidence despite our circumstances. "It’s alright, Princess Ha-Yun is strong. She’ll be fine."

  I looked down at her, seeing the reassurance in her crimson eyes.

  Despite our uncertain situation, I felt a rush of surprise and gratitude for her presence. Of all the people to be trapped with in an ever-changing magical labyrinth, I could do far worse than Nebula Carlstein.

  "Yes," I agreed, hoping for the best as I turned away from the impassable wall. "As will we.”

  ****

  Hours passed as Nebula and I navigated the ever-shifting corridors of the maze. Each turn revealed new challenges—some passages were flooded with ankle-deep water, others lined with pressure plates that needed careful navigation.

  We encountered a few minor guardians, but nothing that required my full swing to defeat.

  "This maze is really starting to piss me off," Nebula muttered after we circled back to what seemed like the same junction for the third time. It said something for Nebula to feel that way. Her graceful movements couldn't hide her growing frustration.

  “Don’t worry,” I said. “We’ve been on a loop for the seventh time now. That means–”

  I was about to continue when a flicker of soft blue light caught my eye.

  There, nestled in an alcove that definitely hadn't been there moments before, was a doorway unlike any we'd seen so far. Intricate runes carved into its frame glowed with gentle pulses of arcane energy.

  A memory from my past life flashed through my mind.

  "That means, we’re going to encounter something special," I said, excitement replacing my previous weariness. It was just as I’d planned once I realized that we’ve fallen into a loop illusion.

  Nebula raised an eyebrow, her mask now hanging loosely around her neck since we were alone. "Care to share with the class?"

  "It's a restroom. Well, a Rest Dungeon," I explained, moving toward the door. "A safe haven hidden within the maze. They're extraordinarily rare."

  She looked skeptical. "Sounds too good to be true. What's the catch?"

  I grinned. "For once, no catch. Just good fortune."

  We quickly walked over to it, and I pushed the door open to reveal a sight that even I, with my prior knowledge, wasn't fully prepared for. The Rest Dungeon was far more luxurious than its game counterpart had been.

  We stepped into a spacious chamber that defied the logic of the maze's dimensions. Rich mahogany furniture was arranged around a central fireplace that burned without smoke or fuel. Plush velvet sofas and armchairs invited exhausted travelers to rest.

  Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over polished marble floors, and arched doorways led to what looked like additional rooms. Nebula's eyes widened, her usual composure momentarily shattered by genuine astonishment. "Holy…" she whispered.

  This was beautiful.

  At the center of the room stood an ornate table with an intricate magical device resembling a small crystal speaker. As we approached, it activated, emanating the now-familiar voice of the android administrator.

  "Congratulations, participants Cheonma and Nightshade. You are the first to discover a Rest Dungeon. You've each been awarded an additional 25 points."

  We exchanged glances.

  Before either of us could respond, a beautifully bound leather menu appeared on the table with a soft pop of displaced air.

  "As dear guests, you may select any items you wish from this menu—food, beverages, and refreshments," the administrator continued. "Additionally, please enjoy the comforts of the shower room, sleeping chambers, and protective wards for the next twenty-four hours. You have earned this respite."

  Nebula picked up the menu, her fingers tracing the gold-embossed lettering on its cover. "This is way better than expected," she murmured appreciatively.

  I chuckled, enjoying her moment of amazement. "Told you. I bet there's even actual hot water in the showers."

  Her eyes lit up at that, a small but genuine smile curving her lips. "I've been dreaming about a hot shower since I took the airship a week ago!"

  "Go ahead, then," I offered. "I'll check the perimeter, make sure it's truly secure."

  She didn't need to be told twice. With an enthusiasm I rarely saw from her, Nebula headed toward one of the arched doorways, already unfastening her armor as she went.

  By the time I'd satisfied myself that the Rest Dungeon was indeed magically warded against outside intrusion, Nebula had emerged from her shower.

  Her silver-white hair was tied in a loose bun, damp tendrils curling against her neck. She wore a silken robe provided by the dungeon, the deep blue fabric clinging to her glossy, damp skin in ways that made my mouth go dry. It was split in the middle, making no effort to hide her cleavage.

  She caught my stare, and a teasing smile played across her lips. "Your turn. I left some hot water for you."

  I'd forgotten how much simple pleasures could mean in circumstances like these. The hot water washing away days of grime and stress felt like heaven. By the time I emerged, wearing a similar robe in dark crimson, Nebula had arranged a feast on the central table.

  "I got a bit carried away with the menu," she admitted, gesturing to the spread of dishes. "But there's no mention of limits, so..."

  The table was laden with delicacies from across the empire—roasted pheasant with glazed cherries, steaming bowls of seafood bisque, fresh bread still warm from some magical oven, and dishes I didn't even recognize.

  "You chose well," I said, taking a seat across from her. "I'm starving."

  We ate with the focused intensity of people who hadn't realized how hungry they were until food was before them. Eventually, our pace slowed, and Nebula leaned back with a satisfied sigh, a glass of ruby-red wine in her hand.

  "I've never had this before," she said, indicating a dish of thinly sliced raw fish arranged in delicate patterns. "It's from the Eastern Islands, apparently."

  I nodded. "Sashimi. It's quite the delicacy in certain regions."

  She raised an eyebrow. "Your mysterious knowledge extends to cuisine as well, I see."

  "I contain multitudes," I replied with a small laugh, pouring myself more wine. “I’ll tell you about more food one day, when we travel the world for our honeymoon?”

  As the meal progressed, the formal space between us gradually diminished. We moved from the table to one of the plush sofas, sitting close enough that I could feel the warmth of her body against mine. The conversation flowed easier now, relaxed by good food, wine, and the rare sense of security within the maze.

  "This reminds me," Nebula said suddenly, her voice softer than usual. “My mother asked me to find an item. Well, she and I were supposed to find it together, but she was kicked out. It’s called the Night Veil Fragment.”

  "Interesting," I said. “She did ask for my help, yes.”

  The Night Veil Fragment was special, indeed. In the original game, where the Vampiric Father won, he too was searching for it and ended up finding it. It made him an even stronger foe than before. I could understand why my mother-in-law wanted that.

  "Will you help?" She met my eyes directly, something vulnerable flickering behind her usual composure. "I mean… you don’t have to. I know you got bad blood with my mother and family, so… well, it’s totally up to you. I’m just saying."

  I set my glass down, turning slightly to face her better. "I think so, yes. Your mother isn’t as crazy as your grandfather, who was running after revenge for centuries. Your mother is wise enough to give up. I think it’s alright to help her out."

  "Thank you," she said, and there was a wealth of meaning in those two simple words. Her lips curled softly. "This... this is something I'm still getting used to, Iskandaar. Having someone who always helps me no matter what."

  My hand found hers, fingers intertwining. "Get used to it."

  Her eyes darkened as she looked at me, blue irises growing red in emotion, getting nearly swallowed by dilated pupils. She set her own glass aside and shifted closer, the movement causing her robe to part slightly, revealing the pale curve of her thigh.

  "I'm trying," she murmured, and then her lips were on mine.

  The kiss started slow, tentative, but quickly deepened as months of growing feelings crystalized into physical need. My hands slid into her hair, loosening the bun until silver-white tresses spilled over my fingers.

  Her skin was cool to the touch, but her mouth was warm, hungry.

  She straddled me in one fluid motion, the robe parting further to reveal the smooth expanse of her legs and the tantalizing shadow between them. My hands found her waist, feeling the perfect curve as she settled against me.

  "Someone's being needy," I teased, looking up at her with my hands firmly on her waist. "And in such a place."

  A blush spread across her pale cheeks, but she giggled—a sound so genuine and unguarded that it made my heart skip. This side of Nebula, vulnerable and happy, was something nobody else had seen. This was a side of her that was mine alone. Her true self.

  "Shut up," she whispered, leaning down to kiss me again. "Like you're not enjoying this."

  My hands traveled up her sides, feeling every curve, every perfect inch of her. With a quick movement, I shifted our positions, laying her back against the sofa cushions as I hovered above her. Her hair fanned out beneath her like a silver halo, and her robe had fallen completely open, revealing the full glory of her naked body.

  "Beautiful," I murmured, tracing my fingertips along her collarbone. "Every part of you."

  Her breath caught as my touch drifted lower, over the swell of her chest, down the flat plane of her stomach. "Iskandaar," she whispered, her voice thick with need.

  I silenced her with another kiss, deeper and more demanding than before. Then I pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. "Bed?" I suggested, my voice rough with desire.

  A smile curved her lips as she nodded, her hands already working to untie my robe. "Bed."

  I stood and swept her into my arms in one smooth motion, carrying her toward the bedroom doorway. Her arms wrapped around my neck, her body pressed against mine as if she couldn't bear even a moment of separation.

  As I laid her gently on the massive four-poster bed, Nebula pulled me down with her, her eyes shining with both desire and something deeper. Something romantic.

  "Mine," she whispered, leaning down to bite my lips bloody.

  In that moment, I knew with absolute certainty that I would do anything, face any danger, to keep her safe—to keep her looking at me exactly the way she was now.

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