Two days of weary travel brought us to the gates of Necto Town. The air was thick with demonic aura, the streets narrow and shadowed. I exhaled deeply.
"Phew… we finally reached the right town. Let's head to the inn. It's afternoon, so I'll go to the forest for one day to fight monsters. I've already faced hidden towns before, so goodbye for now."
My companions exchanged glances. He has no way to survive the Mirage Forest, they thought. It devours adventurers whole.
The forest was foggy, its paths twisting like illusions. Cloaked monsters emerged, their stealth skills sharp as blades. They struck with Shadow Steal, but I dodged each attack, my footwork honed by endless training. My sword flashed, Holy Slash cutting through the mist.
By evening, I had reached the peak of high level. Exhaustion weighed on me, and I sought escape. Yet the forest's paths betrayed me—I could not find the way back to Necto. Desperation gnawed at me. I raised a vial of poison, ready to drink, when a voice stopped me.
"Even if you are desperate, no enhancement potion will save you. But I can help you leave."
A mysterious girl stepped forward, her eyes unreadable.
I thought grimly, I have no other choice. I must follow her.
She led me to an array etched into the ground. "Stand here. This is the way out."
I stepped onto it—and my legs froze. Bandits surged from the shadows, weapons gleaming. They tried to kill me with poison.
Luck twisted fate. Last Minute Luck activated. My Holy Immune resisted the array's binding. My Holy Shield turned invisible. My Holy Path created clones. Together, they struck with catastrophic Holy Slash, cutting down the bandits.
I stood over their corpses. "Even if you beg for your lives, I will kill you. You prey on innocents. You deserve no mercy."
Their blood stained the ground. Catastrophic points surged into my status. A new reward appeared: Advanced Soldier Certificate.
I did not understand its meaning. Using a bandit's poisoned dagger, I sent my clones searching until I found the way out.
Back in Necto, my companions lounged at the inn. They whispered among themselves. The Hero hasn't returned. Perhaps we are free of him. Perhaps we can claim glory without him.
I entered quietly. They smiled falsely. "Hero, you survived the Mirage Forest. We thought you were lost."
I nodded, but inside, my trust cracked. These people… I cannot rely on them.
Morning came. Narrate's voice stirred.
"It has been long since we spoke."
"Yes," I replied. "What message do you bring?"
"You can check your catastrophic skills by using the word catastrope."
I whispered it. My status revealed two skills at Level 4. At Level 10, they would reach maximum, with unlimited possibilities. Two certificates glowed in my profile, their definitions hidden as ???.
"What are these certificates? How can I use them?" I asked.
Narrate's tone was grave. "I do not know. But catastrophic skills are the most powerful. They will aid you in the future."
I turned to my companions. "Hero Party, it is time. Let's visit the labyrinth."
Sanot's eyes gleamed. "This time, we face the Legendary Impenetrable Labyrinth. Twenty floors. The nineteenth is a riddle floor with Swapers Study. Adventurers are forced to retreat, leveling instead in the Mirage Forest. This will be our first and last attempt. Let's go."
I clenched my sword. They cannot defeat this labyrinth. They spread fear to hide their weakness. But I have studied many things in my previous life. This time, I will test it.
Thus begins the march toward the Legendary Labyrinth—where riddles, betrayal, and catastrophe will decide the fate of the Hero.