(Walson)
At the end of the corridor, a dazzling, multicolored orb pulsated with energy.
"Hey—when will this maze ever end? We're basically trapped here," Chuck, leaning against the wall, complained in a disheveled manner.
He held up a leather water flask, allowing the water to cascade onto his helmet, cooling himself down while tilting his head back to drink a few sips.
"..." I didn't say much, just used a towel to wipe away the water stains on my body, accelerating the dissipation of body heat.
It's not that I couldn't talk; I just didn't feel like it... More precisely, I didn't have the energy to talk.
For a [Villager] like me, enduring for three days in this place is quite a hard thing to do. Furthermore, due to my race as a [Ancient Tree - Human], I'm much more sensitive to the scorching heat compared to the others.
"Is there any puzzle-like thing appearing? So far, there are only endless corridors— I don't understand the purpose of setting up this labyrinth." Belle, holding a damp towel to wipe her face, was finding it hard to endure the continuous heat.
At the beginning, when Chuck and I poured water on our heads, she scorned us for wasting water resources, but I just ignored her. After all, that water flask is my impromptu creation, synthesized with a regular water flask and two buckets. It contains an infinite water source inside.
As for why I did this... it's based on two considerations.
In the Nether of Minecraft, all water sources exposed to the atmosphere will be forcibly evaporated. So, I did this.
However, It turned out to be unnecessary; pouring water directly on myself didn't cause it to evaporate.
Well, at least it proves that this isn't the real Nether— It should be just the pollution phenomenon similar to what happened in the Water Labyrinth. Speaking of which, how was that pollution phenomenon caused?
Digressing, the second reason is simple. I exposed the trump card of an infinite water source; at least, putting it in a flask could make it appear as some kind of magical item, although suspicious, it's better than revealing the truth.
"No, it's not like that. Maybe passing through this corridor isn't the focus of this maze." Belle suddenly thought of something and spoke up.
"Hmm? Do you have any ideas?"
"Continuous annoying simple traps, low-intensity monsters, dehydrating high temperatures, and treasure chests appearing every so often. If other people are in the same situation as us..." Belle looked over, her eyes already showing a hint of realization.
At her words, I was startled.
That's right, why didn't I think of that? Assuming those adventurers are also in the same situation as us... I suddenly realized that because of my experience in the Water Labyrinth in the past, I had fallen into a thinking trap.
Who said enemies in the labyrinth had to be monsters?
After being exposed to that strange light, my original team was disbanded, and I was forcibly grouped with two other people. In other words, this is a random team assignment influenced by some mechanism.
And such a team not only lacks cooperation but also trust.
From our perspective, you can see this. Leaving Belle aside, as mentioned above, Chuck's identity is also a mystery. All we know is that he is a dwarf, and we can't see his face as he wears a helmet.
No matter how much of an amateur I am, I can see that the two metal spheres he controls are not ordinary, both in terms of power and craftsmanship. How could such a person be ordinary?
As for me, I don't need to say much. Many of my trump cards haven't been revealed yet. I haven't contributed much to the adventure along the way. I think if it weren't for me being a [Villager] and providing supplies, Chuck would probably have turned against me.
All the treasure chests we encountered along the way, the supplies given inside were all for two people—water or food. In addition, there was a piece of [Inferno Gold] that neither Belle nor I could use. Naturally, it fell into Chuck's hands.
These supplies are impossible to split evenly among three people, especially considering the clues mentioned above...
The boring simple traps aren't meant to harm; they're just meant to tire us out. Low-intensity monsters work the same way. The continuous three days of high temperatures and the endless corridor make people restless. Intentionally providing insufficient supplies fosters mutual distrust. And then, there's the rare metal, [Inferno Gold]...
"A trial that induces people to kill each other? That's really twisted." Chuck's voice, muffled due to his helmet, still conveyed a sense of anger.
"The Corridor of Trust..." Belle squinted her eyes, her tone filled with displeasure.
"..." I didn't say anything, just worried about the safety of Grace and the others.
Just as we reached this conclusion, the countless teleportation arrays that had appeared in front of us responded to our words, slowly turning into dust and disappearing.
The next moment, a gray-black corroded door appeared in front of us with a bang. The surrounding environment had quietly changed, and the path behind us had disappeared!
Looking at this door, everyone had an idea in their minds. Surely, ahead lies the next trial?
Before we can move forward, Chuck raised his hand and began to speak:
"Hold up, let me introduce myself first, my name is Chuck Barlow. I am the Fourth Crown Prince of Mahamatra, the Dwarven Kingdom. I came here to gain fame and wealth for the possible future position and influence I might obtain." Chuck suddenly spoke, turned around, and lifted his helmet visor in front of us.
A sturdy nose and deep facial features, a distinctive little beard, and the most noticeable thing was the totem tattooed on his right cheek.
I had seen this totem on the flags on the walls when I entered Mahamatra.
"Felia Belle, Vassal of The Light, female adventurer." Belle glanced at Chuck, her mouth slightly upturned, seemingly amused by his excessive honesty.
"...Doing this now makes me feel embarrassed." I couldn't help but laugh.
"Walson, no surname, Vassal of The Forest, a slightly stronger [Villager]." I said, looking at the iron door.
Around the iron door were many strange stones, mixed with colors resembling flesh and blood, neatly and chaotically arranged. It was the pollution of [Block]...
"Now that the introduction is over, let's break through this dungeon and end these nonsensical trials."
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