The maze stood before them, its walls towering against Hori and Hobie. Intimidating at first, but the two had less than 10 minutes left.
"Let's get going, Hobie!" Hori said storming pass the white gate into the maze. Its immediate front had 3 lanes, one in front and one on each side.
The front lane was a no go seeing a dead end some meters away, so they took the route to the left. They sprinted, maneuvering past walls which obstructed their brisk movements. About 10 steps in Hobie suddenly stopped, causing Hori to slam against his back.
"Owww~" Hori held her nose, wondering why her partner stopped. Hobie pointed forward, another dead end, but this time splattered with rainbow paint.
Hori gasped and leaned in closer. She smudged her thumb against it to find out the paint was still wet.
"They must have done this so participants would slam against a dead end, staining our jersey!"
Hori said to Hobie who silently nodded.
<7 minutes left>
Mr Shiba announced with empathy absent.
Hori pouted, almost throwing a fit.
"This isn't fair! Hobie and I did really well in the obstacle course, so why are we left with so little time?!" She yelled at announcer.
Narrator - You're not wrong Hori.
"I know right?!" She replied. Talking to herself like a mad woman.
--------------
Back at the lavished room the Bishop occupied. Mr Shiba observed Hori and Hobie, as well other participants displayed on other screens.
He adjusted his circular glasses and thought to himself.
'This contestant Inori was honestly on to something just now.' He took a sip of water then continued.
'Not only did they finish the obstacle course quickly, but they did so with minimum stains from the paint.... I'm sorry kids, that's just how SHO works.'
He leaned back into his chair, still watching what the two would do.
Narrator decided to explain things to Hori.
Narrator - You're probably going to hate this Hori, but SHO is cheating.
Hori asked what she meant as Hobie and her tried the right route of the maze.
Narrator - You're time is actually less than other participants.
Hori gasped. "Are you sure?!" She asked out loud.
Narrator - Of course I am! I'm nigh omniscient! The "nigh" because you can somehow talk to me! Anyways it's all part of SHOs plan.
"Ehmm, can you explain a little better?! We're almost out of time!" Hori yelled, leaving Hobie afraid, who was she talking to.
Narrator - Your partner, Hobie Jones, did exceptionally well in the first trial. SHOs aim is to eliminate participants who didn't use the Bribery System. So you, who fits that criteria, as well as Hobie, will be put under pressure until you bribe the organization.
"That's just evil!!" Hori yelled, frustrated. Narrators words made sense. They hadn't spent up to 20 minutes on this trial but were now being told 5 minutes left. If that were the case for all participants, no normal human could finish this trial under such little time. Except with bribe.
"That must be why they separated us!" Hori told Hobie, who pretended to understand what she spoke of.
Narrator - You're correct, by separating participants, the higher ups can assign different amounts of time depending on your use of the Bribery System.
Hori's stomach lurched at the thought. The Sabbath Exams were no trials but a money maker for SHO. Given most participants used the Bribery System the organization deemed it fit to weed out those who didn't. Reducing the amount of participants who will receive the cash prize for completing every trial.
"At this rate, how many participants are going to even pass?"
Hori said before slowing down.
Hobie this time bumped at her shoulder as he also stopped running. They had reached a dead end again despite going so far.
Hori's eyes went half mad, she froze. Her teeth gnawed with frustration as she clenched her hands.
Hobie almost panicked, they had only 4 minutes left, this was no time for her to throw a tantrum.
"I've had enough of this!"
With understandable rage, she launched her right fist towards the wall. It effortlessly smashed its entire structure, revealing a path forward.
They both peeked through, then looked at each other. Hori, wondering why she felt little resistance from the wall, Hobie wondering how she suddenly broke it down.
Narrator - Due to expenses, SHO relied on an alternative of cement blocks. Dry wall. Much more less durable than concrete.... Basically paper when faced with Hori's fists.
Hori smiled at Narrator's words, they both quickly followed the path she just created until they reached another wall.
"Contestant Hobie, I believe I have found a solution!"
Hobie tilted his head, Hori grinned and yelled. "Please keep up, let's pass Trial 2 together!" She rose her fist and fired.
----------
Mr Shiba stood up from his seat, in disbelief seeing what was happening from participant Hori's screen.
He chuckled, honestly impressed. This was logically the quickest solution.
Hori was breaking through the entire maze!
He squinted his eyes.
'The walls may be made of a weaker material.... but... isn't she breaking them too easily?'
Mr Shiba almost got worried. Hori and Hobie were no longer visible. Replaced with a barrage of punches shot at walls as they ran forward.
Mr Shiba suddenly started laughing leaving the other priests present surprised, they had never heard the Bishop laugh.
'I don't know if she's too poor to use the Bribery System or just dislikes cheating! Such an interesting girl!'
He thought to himself, Hori was only going to get into more trouble if she refused to use the Bribery System. However she had no choice, Hori's current net worth was zero, she would need to rely on skill throughout the Sabbath Exams.
'Haha! Too bad kiddo!'
Mr Shiba smirked and tapped the announcer button.
<30 seconds left!>
Their time now less than before! Non bribery participants must be eliminated at all cost.
Hori heard the announcement and told Hobie whilst smashing through the dry walls.
"Please, I am going to increase my speed!" She said panting, reaching her limits for her barrage of punches. Hobie bent down and took a sprinting stance, signaling he was ready.
----------------------
1 mile ahead the maze, we see a clear field with some Hataki conversing, as if awaiting participants.
Boom!!!
A mini explosion scared the lot away from the walls they leaned on. "What the hell was that!" A male Hataki said with fear, clinging to his female colleague.
Two figures emerge, breathing heavily. The Hataki squinted his eyes, tilting his black cap as he walked closer.
Hori's hand, tho unbruised, trembled with exhaustion. She smiled at seeing the light after the constant darkness they experienced while burrowing through the maze. "We did it....!" She faced forward with a tired smile. She tried walking but her legs immediately gave up. Hobie immediately held her shoulder and lifted her up.
They victoriously emerge from the hole Hori created and stepped on the empty field.
Tadashi Shiba sighed and smiled.
Pressing the announcer button.