Leon stretched his arms behind his head, still grinning. "Well, whatever's going on with you, it's working. Just don't get ahead of yourself. Power's great, but overconfidence?" He clicked his tongue. "That's what gets Hunters killed."
I didn't need the reminder. The memory of facing Sienna, the overwhelming gap between us, was still fresh in my mind. I wasn't stupid enough to think I was invincible. If anything, my recent growth only made me realize how much further I had to go.
I exhaled. "I know my limits."
Leon snorted. "Yeah? We'll see about that."
Before I could respond, my system interface suddenly flickered. A new notification appeared in my vision.
***
[ System Notice ]
You have met the hidden conditions for an Unclaimed Challenge.
Would you like to accept the new Quest?
[Yes] / [No]
***
I frowned. This was different from the usual system notifications. Most of my previous quests had been given directly. But this time… it was offering me a choice.
Leon raised an eyebrow at my sudden shift in focus. "What is it?"
I debated telling him, but instead, I just shook my head. "Ah, nothing."
He rolled his eyes observing me. "Alrighty. Let me know if something is wrong"
Ignoring him, I focused on the system prompt and selected [Yes].
The moment I did, a new window unfolded before me.
***
[Quest: Temporal Labyrinth]
Rank: C
Objective: Survive and conquer the Temporal Labyrinth, a hidden sub-dimension designed to test the adaptability of its challengers.
-
Restrictions:
Entry is immediate upon acceptance.
Time flows differently within the Temporal Labyrinth. No external interference is possible.
You must complete the trial to leave.
-
Bonus Conditions:
Defeat the Final Adversary.
Clear the trial within one hour.
-
[ Rewards ]
Mindweaver's Circlet (Rare Equipment) – A headpiece crafted from arcane silver, enhancing mental clarity, mana efficiency, and skill-casting speed. Passively increases Intelligence and reduces MP consumption of active skills by 10%.
Skill Enhancement Scroll (Special Item) – A scroll imbued with latent energy. Can be used to upgrade a skill's effectiveness, reducing cooldowns, improving effects, or unlocking hidden potential.
System's Exclusive Shop Access (Unique Permission) – Grants access to a hidden shop within the system, where rare items, skills, and enhancements can be purchased using special points earned through achievements.
-
[Bonus Rewards](If all conditions are met)
??? (A hidden reward awaits those who exceed expectations.)
***
I barely had time to register the quest details before a sudden pull yanked me forward. My surroundings blurred, Leon's training grounds vanishing in an instant, and then darkness.
The darkness pressed in around me, thick and heavy, like a tangible force. My breathing came slow and measured as I scanned my surroundings. Stone walls, cold and ancient, stretched endlessly in either direction, illuminated only by faint, flickering blue torches embedded in the walls. The silence was suffocating—no wind, no distant echoes, just the oppressive quiet of the Temporal Labyrinth.
A system notification flickered into view.
***
[ System Notice ]
You have entered the Temporal Labyrinth.
Time Distortion: External time flow is slowed. (1 hour inside = 1 second outside)
Exit: Unknown
Threat Level: Adaptive (Enemy difficulty scales based on the challenger's growth potential.)
Completion Requirement: Survive and complete the Labyrinth's secrets.
***
A chill ran down my spine as I took my first cautious step forward. The cold stone beneath my boots was smooth, almost unnaturally so. The flickering blue torches cast eerie shadows that twisted and danced along the corridor walls, making it hard to tell what was real and what was just an illusion.
Adaptive threat level… That meant whatever enemies I encountered wouldn't be fixed in strength—they would scale based on my potential. The system had already acknowledged my rapid growth, which meant I couldn't afford to underestimate anything inside this place.
I took a deep breath and checked my surroundings again. The passage stretched ahead in two directions, both paths looking nearly identical.
A dead-end trap? A maze designed to mislead challengers?
No. There was a pattern. I glanced at the torches. Though faint, the blue flames on the left side flickered slightly more than the ones on the right.
A clue? Or just a coincidence?
There was no way to tell unless I moved. But before I could make a choice, the system alerted me again.
-
[ System Notice ]
Hostile presence detected.
-
A low, guttural sound reverberated through the air, sending a shiver down my spine. The temperature dropped slightly, and the flickering blue flames cast erratic shadows along the walls.
I instinctively tightened my grip around Umbral Fang, its dark blade absorbing the dim light. My body tensed as I activated Predator's Instinct, heightening my awareness.
Something was watching me.
Then, a system prompt appeared.
***
[ System Notice ]
New Enemy Identified: Wraithborn Guardian
Threat Level: Adaptive
A spectral warrior forged from the remnants of fallen challengers. Bound to the Labyrinth, it will test the strength of those who seek to pass.
***
A gust of chilling wind swept through the corridor, and from the shifting shadows, a figure emerged.
It was humanoid in shape, clad in fractured armor that pulsed with a ghostly blue light. Its body flickered between the physical and ethereal, as if reality itself struggled to contain its existence. In its skeletal hands, it held a jagged blade crackling with spectral energy.
The Wraithborn Guardian took a slow, deliberate step forward, the air around it distorting slightly. Its hollow eyes locked onto me with an unnatural, eerie intelligence.
I exhaled, focusing. Phantom Dash was already at my disposal, and with Umbral Fang in hand, I had the perfect tools for dealing with an opponent like this.
I took the initiative.
Pushing off the ground, I activated Phantom Dash, my body blurring as I closed the distance in an instant. The Guardian reacted just as fast, raising its spectral blade to intercept me, but I had anticipated it.
At the last second, I feinted left, then teleported behind it in a flicker of motion.
Phantom Rend activated.
My dagger carved through its back with precision, the 10% defense ignore effect kicking in immediately. Instead of simply passing through the ethereal body, the blade disrupted its form, causing it to stagger. A distorted shriek echoed through the chamber.
Not letting up, I spun around for a follow-up strike. Shadow Infusion activated, shrouding Umbral Fang in condensed darkness. I slashed diagonally, the enhanced edge biting deep into the Guardian's frame.
The entity convulsed violently before dissolving into a mist of flickering blue embers.
Then, a system message appeared.
-
[ System Notice ]
Enemy Defeated: Wraithborn Guardian
Assessing Combat Performance…
Bonus Granted: Temporary Stat Increase (INT +2 for the next 30 minutes).
-
I straightened, rolling my shoulders.
"Adaptive difficulty, huh?" I muttered. If this was just a Guardian, I could only imagine what the Final Adversary would be like.
I adjusted my grip on Umbral Fang, feeling its energy pulsing subtly in my hand.
No time to waste. I moved forward, deeper into the unknown depths of the Temporal Labyrinth.