The palace gates loomed behind them like a wound in the sky, sealing the courtyard from the floating islands below. Lu Han and Kang Young stepped carefully across the fractured obsidian floor, their boots clinking against shards of fallen crystal. The air inside was heavier than the night outside, thick with ancient magic, blood, and something intoxicatingly sweet — the unmistakable scent of the Demon Princess.
> [System Update: Environmental Analysis — Magical Density: Extreme.]
[Emotional Influence Detected: High.]
[Suggested Caution: Maintain Mental Barriers.]
Lu Han's Enhanced Reflexes made every step deliberate, almost preemptive, as he sensed faint threads of energy weaving through the palace corridors. The walls weren't merely walls — they were alive, pulsing faintly with residual power from centuries of demons, battles, and rituals.
Kang Young whispered, voice barely audible over the soft hum of magic. "Why does it feel like the palace itself is watching us?"
Lu Han's fingers brushed over the faint glyphs etched into the walls. "Because it is. Every structure here is connected to her. Every stone, every rune… it's like a web. And we're walking right through it."
> [System Notification: Hidden Traps and Magical Wards Detected.]
[Suggested Action: Use Observation and Shadow Step to avoid detection.]
The first corridor opened into a massive hall. Crimson light poured from floating orbs, casting shadows that moved independently of any physical object. The ceiling arched impossibly high, carved with twisting motifs of wings, claws, and eyes. At the far end, a set of stairs wound upward, flanked by statues of demons frozen mid-battle. Their eyes glowed faintly, tracking their every move.
Lu Han's heart thudded. "We need to stay alert. These aren't just statues… they're sentinels."
Kang Young swallowed nervously. "Sentinels? Great. And I was worried about the stairs."
> [System Hint: Statues are linked to the palace's energy. Disrupting their connection weakens the interior wards.]
Lu Han concentrated, activating Observation. Faint threads of dark mana connected the statues to the walls, to the floating orbs, and to a central energy node near the stairs. A plan formed in his mind.
"We disable the node," he whispered. "It'll neutralize the traps long enough for us to move forward safely."
Kang Young gave a skeptical glance. "And you're just going to… touch it?"
Lu Han shook his head. "Not just touch it. Watch carefully."
> [System Notification: Node Detected — Dark Energy Concentration: Extreme.]
[Skill Suggestion: Mana Pulse + Shadow Step Combination Recommended.]
He charged the Mana Pulse in his palms, feeling the energy hum with anticipation. Shadows writhed around the node, sensing his approach, tendrils reaching for him.
> [Warning: Trap Activation Imminent — 15s.]
"Go!" he shouted.
Kang Young flung an obsidian shard, distracting the nearest shadow tendrils. Lu Han vanished midair with Shadow Step, appearing directly above the node. Mana Pulse — condensed, precise, unleashed.
The explosion of light shattered the node, sending ripples through the statues and orbs. Shadows screeched, convulsing violently before dissipating into harmless motes of magic.
> [System Notification: Node Destroyed — Interior Wards Weakened.]
[Reward: +200 EXP. Ability Unlocked: Mana Shield (Improved).]
Lu Han landed lightly beside Kang Young, exhaling deeply. "We're not out of danger, but at least the traps are down for now."
> [System Hint: Hidden Objective — "Discover the True Purpose of the Crimson Palace" — Progress 20%.]
They ascended the winding stairs, every step echoing through the vast hall. At the top, a balcony opened to a chamber bathed in red light. In its center floated a mirror-like pool, black as obsidian, perfectly still. Reflected in it was not just the room — but Lu Han and Kang Young themselves, flickering, distorted.
> [System Notification: Magical Reflection Detected — Possible Psychological Test.]
Lu Han stepped forward cautiously. The water's surface rippled without wind, and a voice, soft and silky, slithered through his mind.
> "Ah… the little flame approaches. You've done well, surviving my courtyard. But can you face what lies within yourself?"
The words weren't spoken aloud — they invaded his thoughts, intimate and precise, threading into his memories, his doubts, his fears. He felt his chest tighten.
> [Warning: Emotional Influence — High.]
[Recommendation: Activate Mental Barrier or Risk Corruption.]
He forced up a translucent Mental Barrier, but the reflection in the water seemed to push against it. It showed not just his own face, but another version — bound in chains of silver light, eyes glowing crimson, standing before a throne of black crystal.
Kang Young grabbed his arm. "Lu Han… what's happening? That's… not you."
"It's me… or it's her magic," Lu Han muttered. The System pulsed in his mind, analyzing, warning, guiding.
> [System Notification: Mirror Reflection — Potential Memory or Future Echo Detected.]
[Suggested Action: Interact Carefully to Avoid Emotional Manipulation.]
He swallowed and touched the surface of the water. The pool rippled violently, pulling him in. Reflexively, he activated Shadow Step, appearing above the pool, yet the mirrored figure raised its hand and imitated him perfectly. Every movement, every breath, every expression mirrored back with uncanny precision.
> [Alert: Psychological Challenge Initiated — Mirror Self.]
The figure spoke, its voice a distorted echo of his own. "You cannot resist. You are mine. You crave me as much as you resist me."
Lu Han shook his head, breath ragged. "I… am… not… yours!"
> [System Hint: Focus on Physical Actions to Counter Mental Assault.]
He concentrated on the Mana Shield, forming a barrier of condensed energy around himself. The mirrored figure slammed its hands down, shattering the shield partially, but Lu Han retaliated, sending a pulse of energy into the pool.
The reflection shattered into fragments of light and shadow, each one whispering fragments of temptation, fear, and desire. Lu Han dodged instinctively, Enhanced Reflexes guiding his movements, Observation highlighting dangerous points, and Mana Pulse clearing fragments that closed in too quickly.
Kang Young, panicked but determined, threw more debris at the pool, disrupting the magical feedback. Together, they stabilized the battlefield, though both were panting, drenched in sweat, energy crackling around them.
> [System Notification: Mirror Trial Completed.]
[Reward: +400 EXP. New Ability Unlocked — "Mind Pierce: Temporarily Disrupt Enemy Emotional Influence."]
[Hidden Objective Progress — 35%.]
The pool stilled, reflecting only the chamber and the red light now, calm but foreboding.
> "Good," a voice whispered from the shadows, unmistakable and intimate. "You survived the first trial within. But courage and strength are not enough. In the palace, little flame… I will challenge your mind, your heart, and your desire."
Lu Han clenched his fists, feeling the pull stronger than ever. Desire, fear, curiosity — all twisted together like molten threads threatening to consume him.
> [System Warning: Emotional Synchronization Rising — 70%. Risk: Extreme.]
He glanced at Kang Young, who gave a shaky thumbs-up. "We stick together. Don't let her win."
Lu Han nodded. "I won't. Not yet."
The air shimmered around them as the first doors deeper into the palace creaked open. Beyond them lay halls filled with more wards, traps, reflections, and whispers — a labyrinth designed to bend minds as much as bodies.
And somewhere, far above, in her throne room of shadows and fire, the Demon Princess watched, waiting for every misstep, every thought, every flutter of their hearts.
> [Quest Updated: Enter Deeper Into the Crimson Palace.]
[New Challenge: Trials of Mind and Will.]
Lu Han took a steadying breath. Each step into the palace was a step into the unknown — a place where power, desire, and survival intertwined. He felt the thrill, the danger, and the undeniable pull of her presence.
But one thought burned bright and clear in his mind: he would not succumb. Not yet.
And he would survive.
---
End of Chapter Eight — Within the Crimson Palace
To be continued…