"You stay here, I'll go check what that was," Krum swallowed hard and spoke in a deep voice.
But unexpectedly, his remaining teammate Noah replied with a trembling voice: "Please don't, mate. We shouldn't split up. That's exactly how people die in horror films!"
Krum stared at him blankly. Had they already resigned themselves to being victims?
The two moved cautiously toward the entrance, wands raised and ready, shuffling forward with careful steps.
Fortunately, what had burst through the doors were actual people. A group of bedraggled Hogwarts contestants stumbled inside, led by a striking girl with dark golden hair that had been neatly tied back but now hung in wet, clinging strands around her face.
Her robes were completely soaked, having absorbed so much water that their original colors were unrecognizable. Only her eyes still blazed with bright, determined light despite her exhausted state.
The two teammates behind her looked equally miserable, as if they had forgotten basic drying spells in their desperate rush to reach safety.
Were they really that desperate?
Krum was surprised by their appearance. But seeing that they were clearly human rather than the demons and monsters from those cursed paintings, he felt a wave of relief wash over him.
Just as he opened his mouth to greet them, the newcomers suddenly burst into wild celebration:
"We made it! We actually made it!"
"Merlin be praised!"
"We finally shook off that monster! We're safe at last!"
As they shouted their relief, everyone except the leading girl collapsed to the floor, sobbing and thanking Merlin like the most devout worshippers.
Krum blinked in confusion. When had Hogwarts become a gathering place for religious fanatics?
He quietly stepped back a few paces, suddenly wary of these strange newcomers.
But then Krum froze as a terrible realization struck him.
"Wait... you didn't encounter any traps at the entrance?" His voice cracked slightly. No way. You just walked in smoothly like that?
Gemma Farley looked up, her brows furrowing as she replied coldly: "No."
She was exhausted beyond measure. Throughout their entire journey, she had heard that monster's low growls echoing behind them, as if it were following closely, its scorching breath puffing against the back of her neck, driving them relentlessly forward without rest.
When they finally reached the mansion, only three people remained from her original team, including herself. One of them was the mentally fragile Hamburg.
Find the Portkey quickly and end this nightmare. That was everyone's desperate thought.
Hearing Gemma's answer, Krum's eyes widened in disbelief. What happened to the exclusive shark trap?! So only our team got the special treatment?!
There it was again, that unmistakable feeling of being specifically targeted.
Krum couldn't help but glance around suspiciously. He knew with absolute certainty that he had been the first to arrive, so no one could have beaten him here. Yet he constantly felt some hidden presence lurking in the shadows, gleefully watching their suffering.
After both teams had rested briefly, Krum decided to share information: "This mansion is extremely dangerous. We searched the entire first floor but couldn't find the Portkey. I think we should work together..."
His words were cut off abruptly.
"You were the first to arrive?!" Among the Hogwarts contestants, a young man with bloodshot eyes and the look of a madman shouted frantically: "Before you got here, was there anyone else?!"
Krum frowned at this incredibly rude way of asking, but considering the boy's obvious mental instability, he still answered: "No. I was definitely the first to arrive."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but lift his chin with a hint of pride, though compared to his earlier confidence, exhaustion now weighed heavily on him.
Hearing this confirmation, Hamburg immediately broke into maniacal laughter: "I knew it! That bastard Ethan Vincent definitely didn't make it to the mansion! Maybe he died halfway here! Hahaha... gugh!"
His gloating was cut short as Gemma hit him with a Silencing Charm, leaving him clutching his throat uncomfortably.
"If you can't learn to shut your mouth, then never speak again," Gemma said with icy precision, each word dripping with frost. Her normally composed expression revealed genuine anger.
"Ethan Vincent? That first-year wizard of yours?" Krum asked with obvious skepticism. "How could he possibly arrive at the mansion before me? Or rather, he couldn't possibly have successfully crossed the great swamp. He simply doesn't have that capability."
The moment those words left his mouth, Krum suddenly shivered violently. That feeling of being watched returned stronger than ever! Coldness crept up his spine like icy fingers. He gripped his wand tighter, his breathing quickening as he searched the shadows fearfully.
What exactly is that presence hidden in the darkness?! Who have I offended?!
Gemma brought the conversation back to practical matters: "You mentioned earlier that you can't go upstairs. Why not?"
Krum was silent for a long moment, then gestured grimly. "Come see for yourself."
The group crossed the entrance hall and approached the staircase leading to the second floor. At the bottom of the stairs stood a nearly two-meter-tall living portrait!
"ROAR!"
The lifelike Cerberus in the painting let out a bone-chilling roar, staring at them with hungry, furious eyes.
Krum explained wearily: "The moment you get close, flames start shooting out. Trying to force your way past only invites more attacks. What's wrong with all of you?"
Gemma Farley's team stood completely frozen in shock. That familiar roar... wasn't this the exact same monster that had been hunting them throughout their journey?!
How did it get inside the house?!
It was like pulling back your blanket to find a terrifying demon grinning up at you and saying "hello." Their fragile sense of security shattered instantly.
"AHHHHHHH!"
One of the contestants suddenly let out a piercing scream! Then he spun around and fled without looking back, running straight out the door and disappearing into the rain.
Krum and Noah watched this breakdown in stunned silence. They could feel invisible terror slowly caressing their skin like a lover's touch.
Somewhere in the darkness, something demonic was smiling.
"Impossible... this is impossible... how can it be just an oil painting... no, impossible!" The mentally unstable Hamburg seemed to realize something his brain refused to accept. His eyes wide with rage and denial, he stumbled backward several steps before collapsing to the floor.
Holding his head in his hands, he muttered frantically, "Impossible, absolutely impossible."
The team leader, Gemma Farley, first opened her lips in shock. Then she actually relaxed, a faint smile playing at the corners of her mouth. No longer urgent or panicked, she simply found a comfortable spot, sat down, and closed her eyes to rest.
Krum stared at her in bewilderment. Rather than continuing this competition, the Ministry of Magic should first examine the mental health of Hogwarts students. None of them seem normal, as if their school houses some demon that constantly torments them.
Regardless, seeing that Gemma appeared to know something he didn't, Krum could only sit and wait like her. His heart churned with frustration and growing anxiety.
This tense waiting lasted until the next evening.
Besides their two teams, another group arrived: France's Beauxbatons Academy team, including their champion, Fleur Delacour. Shortly after, a combined Ravenclaw and Gryffindor team from Hogwarts stumbled in.
However, something deeply disturbing became apparent. Not a single person from Ilvermorny School had arrived. Complete annihilation.
What exactly had they encountered out there?
This unknown fate made the atmosphere even heavier and more oppressive.
Finally, when the clock struck midnight, the silent mansion stirred to life.
The Cerberus oil painting blocking the staircase suddenly vanished, transforming into streams of magical energy that flowed upward like liquid light.
Krum leaped to his feet, following the magical current with his eyes as it traveled all the way to the third floor. Then his eyes widened in complete disbelief!
Snap!
Like a theater curtain rising, brilliant light illuminated a figure standing calmly on the third-floor landing!
Black hair, cobalt blue eyes. His handsome face looked like a porcelain doll, his smile lovely but completely devoid of warmth. As if he were just a humanoid creature wearing human skin as a disguise.
Everyone fell into deathly silence, all of them staring in shock.
Only Gemma Farley allowed the corners of her mouth to curve upward, as if she had been expecting this exact moment.
The Hogwarts first-year wizard who everyone had assumed was eliminated, Ethan Vincent, spread his arms wide in a theatrical gesture.
Looking down at the crowd gaping at him in stunned silence, he spoke with cheerful, bone-chilling joy:
"Gentlemen and ladies, welcome to my mansion."
"[The House of No Return]."
(TL NOTE: Unfortunately, my LOTR: Playing Minecraft in Middle-earth book was mistakenly flagged as spam on Webnovel and removed. I'll re-upload it under a different title by today at the latest. Thank you for your patience!)