The air within the palace grew heavier with each step, thickening like liquid. Every corridor twisted unnaturally, bending angles that shouldn't exist, staircases that led nowhere, and doors that seemed to whisper in half-forgotten languages. The crimson light shimmered on the obsidian walls, distorting shadows so that they seemed to twitch independently, watching, waiting.
> [System Update: Spatial Distortion Detected — Navigation Difficulty: Extreme.]
[Emotional Influence: High — Maintain Mental Barrier.]
[Recommendation: Use Observation and Shadow Step Frequently.]
Kang Young's hands brushed along the wall as he cautiously followed Lu Han. "This place… it's like it's alive. Like it wants us to get lost… or worse."
Lu Han's eyes scanned the corridors, threads of magic pulsing faintly like nervous veins beneath the surface. "It is alive," he said softly. "Every wall, every floor, every reflection — it's linked to her. We move, she moves. Think of it like… a chessboard, and we're the pieces."
> [System Notification: Magical Wards Detected — High Alert.]
[Trap Detection: Active.]
[Suggested Action: Mana Shield + Shadow Step recommended for safe navigation.]
Ahead, a hallway branched into three separate paths. Faint red runes glowed along each archway, each set forming sigils of different patterns. The System highlighted all three paths simultaneously:
1. Left corridor: Pulsing with dark energy, faint cries echoing from within.
2. Center corridor: Silent, runes twisting constantly, creating optical illusions.
3. Right corridor: Warmth radiates faintly, but shadows coalesce near the walls.
Lu Han studied the runes with Observation, tracing threads of energy. "Left is dangerous — maybe combat. Center seems like a mental trap… an illusion challenge. Right… could be a test of will, but the shadows are active. We need to be ready for anything."
Kang Young groaned. "Why can't we ever take the easy path?"
> [System Hint: Each corridor is part of a Trial. Completion may yield new abilities or hidden rewards.]
Lu Han inhaled sharply. "We split. We cover more ground, and regroup at the central chamber indicated on the map."
Kang Young's eyes widened. "Split? Alone? In her palace? Are you insane?"
"Better than dying together," Lu Han said firmly. His fingers glimmered with energy. "If she wants to manipulate our minds, we each need to face a challenge individually. It's part of the test."
> [Quest Update: Trials of Mind, Body, and Will — Sub-Objective Activated.]
They separated reluctantly. Kang Young went to the left, the corridor pulsing with agonized whispers, while Lu Han entered the center path — a twisting corridor of illusions and magic.
---
Center Path — Hall of Mirrors
The corridor stretched endlessly. Each step seemed longer than the last, as though the palace itself stretched space to confuse him. Reflections flickered on the walls, some showing past battles, others showing impossible versions of himself — some victorious, some broken.
> [System Alert: Hall of Mirrors — Psychological Challenge Detected.]
[Emotional Synchronization Risk: High.]
[Skill Suggestion: Mind Pierce + Mental Barrier to prevent manipulation.]
Lu Han's pulse quickened. "It's testing me… trying to make me doubt myself."
He activated Mind Pierce, focusing on the threads connecting his reflections. Every image whispered temptations, fears, and regrets:
"You're weak. You can't protect him."
"You crave her touch. You want her approval."
"Every choice leads to failure. Every step, despair."
He clenched his teeth, forcing his thoughts inward. "I am not weak. I fight for him. I fight for myself."
> [System Hint: Mental Focus Required — Dispel reflections using concentrated Mana Pulse.]
He condensed energy into his hands and fired precise Mana Pulses at the illusory reflections. Each pulse shattered fragments of the mirrored corridors, sending shards of distorted light scattering. His heart pounded as the illusions attempted to anticipate his movements, but Enhanced Reflexes and Observation guided him.
> [System Notification: Psychological Challenge Progress — 40%.]
[Reward: +300 EXP. New Skill Unlocked — "Mana Focus: Increases spell precision and potency."]
Finally, the reflections ceased. The corridor ahead opened into a circular chamber. A single pedestal held a glowing orb — its light pulsating gently, soothing yet hypnotic.
> [System Hint: Orb may contain ability enhancement or hidden knowledge.]
Lu Han approached cautiously. As he reached out, the orb whispered directly into his mind:
> "Power is not given… it is claimed. Take it, little flame, if you dare to defy the pull within."
He felt a surge of temptation — the promise of unmatched strength, at the cost of surrendering to her influence. His chest tightened. This was the pull of the Demon Princess, stronger than ever.
> [System Alert: Emotional Synchronization Rising — 85%. Risk: Critical.]
He gritted his teeth, forming a Mental Barrier, shielding his mind while carefully drawing the energy from the orb. Slowly, he absorbed it on his own terms, refusing to let the whispers control him.
> [Reward Obtained: Crimson Mana Core — Increases maximum mana and spell power. New Skill Unlocked: Mana Infusion: Temporarily amplify all abilities.]
[Hidden Objective Progress: 50%.]
Lu Han exhaled, his body humming with newfound energy. The pull lessened slightly — a temporary reprieve — and he moved forward toward the central chamber where he was to meet Kang Young again.
---
Left Path — Kang Young's Trial
Meanwhile, Kang Young's path led him through tortured corridors, screams echoing faintly. Shadows coalesced into monstrous shapes, lunging at him with claws and fangs.
> [System Alert: Combat Trial Initiated — Shadows of Despair.]
Kang Young swung a jagged shard of obsidian, striking the nearest shadow. His heart pounded, adrenaline guiding his reflexes. Each strike he landed caused the shadows to waver but never dissipate completely.
> [System Hint: Shadows are fueled by fear — maintain mental clarity to weaken them.]
He took a deep breath, forcing his mind away from fear, thoughts centered on Lu Han and survival. The shadows faltered as his will strengthened. One by one, they disintegrated under his resolve and the shards of obsidian, leaving him bruised but alive.
> [Reward: +200 EXP. Skill Acquired — "Resolve Strike: Power increases with mental clarity."]
Kang Young pushed forward, feeling the palace testing not only strength but courage, loyalty, and focus.
---
Reunion at the Central Chamber
The two finally met at the central chamber, a vast hall bathed in crimson light, arches stretching impossibly high. A bridge of blackened crystal floated across a chasm of fire and molten mana, leading to a set of enormous doors etched with glowing runes.
> [System Update: Final Trial Ahead — Demon Princess Anticipates Arrival.]
[Emotional Influence: Maximum. Prepare for Battle or Negotiation.]
[Hidden Objective: Reach the Throne of Shadows — Progress 60%.]
Lu Han and Kang Young exchanged tense glances. They were stronger, more capable, but they knew the true challenge awaited. Beyond these doors lay her throne, and with it… the Demon Princess herself, waiting to test them like never before — body, mind, and heart.
> [System Hint: All skills, barriers, and mental fortitude will be challenged. Prepare for multi-phase confrontation.]
Lu Han's gaze hardened. He felt the pull, the dangerous magnetic thread of her presence, but he forced his thoughts outward, centering on the mission, on Kang Young, on survival.
> "We go forward," he said quietly. "Together."
> "Together," Kang Young echoed, gripping his weapon tightly.
The doors creaked open, revealing the throne room beyond — vast, dark, and shimmering with crimson fire. The shadow of the Demon Princess stretched long and thin across the chamber, waiting.
And the real trial — the confrontation that would test everything — had begun.
---
End of Chapter Nine — Labyrinth of Shadows
To be continued…