DEATH REALM— LABYRINTH
When Nakid opened his eyes, he understood one thing immediately.
He hadn't entered a game.He had become a piece of it.
Around him, everything was white. Too white. Smooth walls without seams, without shadows. A silent room where even his breathing felt out of place.
He tried to activate his aura…
Nothing.
A voice echoed, everywhere at once.
— First of all, I have absorbed you all.
The voice was neither deep nor high. It was… amused.
— You are currently in a resting chamber. You had a chance to leave this place: a door. Out of the four hundred players present, two hundred opened it. Among them, only one hundred chose to abandon the game and leave.
A brief silence followed.
— That leaves three hundred players.
Nakid clenched his fists.
— This is not a simple two-dimensional labyrinth. It exists in three dimensions. Ten floors. The center lies on the fifth floor. I will be there personally.
An invisible pressure fell upon every player at once.
— When you find me, you must defeat me in Rock–Paper–Scissors.— Victory: you leave… or you add a rule.— Draw: you add a rule.— Defeat: you are teleported elsewhere. And you try again.
A muffled chuckle spread through the space.
— In all cases… you must survive.
3… 2… 1… LET THE GAME BEGIN.
The instant the words were spoken, the labyrinth exploded into chaos.
Auras of every color erupted. Screams. Impacts. Some players bore the emblems of prestigious clans, while others were already fighting for their lives.
THIRD FLOOR
A brown-haired man with blue eyes calmly reloaded his revolver.
He wore a cowboy hat, boots with golden spurs, and a lazy smile.
— Ahh… I was taking a nap.
His orange aura spread like thick mist.
— Might as well make some money while I'm here.
Clint, lieutenant of the Flibustiers Clan, fired.
The bullet vanished before the sound could even spread.
TENTH FLOOR
Nakid was running.
Or rather… avoiding.
The stairways stood at the corners of the labyrinth. The center of the tenth floor was empty.
At least, it seemed so.
Someone was there.
Sitting cross-legged.
A man in ancient ō-yoroi armor, completely still. His fist rested against his cheek. A katana lay before him. His aura… nonexistent. Or deliberately concealed.
He wasn't even breathing.
Nakid approached despite himself.
The armor was covered in blood. Different colors.
Then he saw the tattoo.
87.
— I-is that… a Calamity…?
The samurai opened his eyes.
— That is of no interest for now, he replied calmly. I am merely observing.
Nakid swallowed.
— You… can read my thoughts?
— Yes.
A chill ran down his spine.
— My name is Onimaru. Hunter of mythical beasts.— You cannot see my aura because I conceal it. The aura of my katana alone would be enough to exterminate all of you without touching you.
Nakid didn't dare speak again.
Suddenly, bursts of laughter echoed.
A massive man arrived, followed by several underlings. Binoculars hung around his neck, and a deranged smile stretched across his face.
— I WANT THE CENTER! he shouted.— Huh? A samurai… and a kid?
He spread his arms.
— I'm going to enjoy killing you.
His men pushed forward an improvised throne.
— See this tattoo? Number 1. I am the strongest of the Calamities.
Even the labyrinth seemed to hesitate.
— Move aside, samurai.
Onimaru did not move.
Zobo attacked.
Then… nothing.
He kept talking. Gesturing. But his strike had missed. His gaze emptied.
He fell.
Dead.
The katana had not moved.
Nakid stepped back, trembling.
— Am I… dead too?
Onimaru remained silent.
FIFTH FLOOR
— Rock. Paper. Scissors.
— Rock.
— Rock.
Louis opened his eyes.
— A draw…
— What rule would you like to add? asked MazeBoy.
Louis hesitated. Time was running out.
— Cancel… everyone's aura for a limited time.
Silence.
— Accepted.
The voice resonated throughout the labyrinth.
— New rule: No aura may be used for ten minutes.
Shouts erupted everywhere.
— Is this a joke?!— Who added this stupid rule?!
Louis closed his eyes.
Hold on, Nakid.
— Perfect, Ysabella murmured. My turn.
— Accepted.
— Those who add a rule will play Rock–Paper–Scissors in your place… and will remain safe for twenty minutes.
A faint smile curved her lips.
— I will lose on purpose to Nakid.
Nakid felt a terrible premonition rising inside him.
MazeBoy's voice echoed one last time.
— Congratulations, players. The first rule has just broken the balance.
The labyrinth trembled.
And something… was smiling in the shadows.