Chimaera's Conquest: The Legend Of The Devourer-Chapter 302: Old Foe (1)

Adrian arrived at the second floor of the tower, and immediately realised it was a stark contrast to the bustling city of the first floor.

Unlike the first floor, the second floor was a desolate maze, a labyrinth of high walls stretching out in every direction as far as the eye could see.

There was no sign of life, no hint of the vibrant activities that the first floor was known for. Silence enveloped the entire floor, occasionally shattered by distant echoes that hinted at the presence of monsters hiding within the maze.

"So this is the forgotten maze," Adrian mumbled.

People said that the second floor wasn’t a creation of the admins and didn’t have an admin like the other floors. Instead, it was a playground for the mortal children of the entities.

When the children reached a certain age, their parents left them in a maze. Only those who found their way out were accepted back as part of the family. The ones who couldn’t escape were abandoned forever, lost in the maze and never seen again.

The maze was created to ease the rivalry between siblings and give each of them a chance to stand out and make their name. But over time, the maze was abandoned and fell into obscurity, earning it the name "The Forgotten Maze."

’At least that’s what the information brokers on the first floor had to say about this place.’

Before venturing into the unknown, Adrian had gathered information from a few people about the trial on the second floor. On paper, it seemed straightforward: find the way out of the maze. But he knew it wouldn’t be that simple.

The maze was notorious for its hidden secrets, lurking monsters, and buried treasures. The players before him had carved a basic path to clear the floor, a safe route known to those who sought a quick exit.

Yet, many adventurers had ventured off this path, lured by the promise of treasure or the thrill of the unknown. Most of these daring souls were never seen again.

The second floor was also known to be a floor that tested the players’ limits. Because of the messed up things hiding within the floor, only a few people dared to venture here, and those who did were either obligated, like himself, or seasoned explorers seeking the hidden treasures within the dungeon.

Standing at the maze’s entrance, Adrian took a deep breath. He was not here to follow the beaten path. He intended to carve his own way through the maze. After all, it was the perfect hunting ground for him to gain strength from absorbing various organs.

Most would call him foolish for making such a decision. But like the players before him, Adrian had a unique advantage: the ???’s egg.

The mysterious egg had an insatiable appetite for treasures as he had noticed during the entrance test, and Adrian planned to use it as a compass to locate the hidden riches within the maze.

"Alright, let’s get moving," Adrian muttered, feeling the egg pulse with excitement in his hand.

<Are you sure this is a wise decision, Master? There’s a reason no one visits this floor after clearing it.>

"I’m pretty sure Bellerophon is hunting for me like a mad dog. Since they won’t come to this floor, I need to get as strong as I can here. I’m confident those Olympians are definitely waiting for me on the third floor."

Lucina nodded. Since Adrian was a new player, they knew he had to go through the second floor to reach the third floor. Instead of wasting resources looking for him on the second floor, it made more sense to set an ambush on the third floor.

Even if Adrian didn’t show up, they would know he was stuck on the second floor. While this wasn’t the best outcome, Bellerophon would eventually accept the possibility that Adrian had died on the second floor and be done with the mess.

’A week should be enough to fool them.’ ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

With that thought, he stepped into the maze, his senses on high alert. Moss and vines covered the walls, giving the impression that they had stood for centuries, untouched by time.

The air was damp, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere of the first floor. Adrian walked carefully, hoping not to come across something he wasn’t ready for. As he got deeper, he soon began seeing the skeletal remains of players who had got lost or met another gruesome end.

After a few minutes of walking, he came to his first intersection. The paths branched off in three directions, each one looking as uninviting as the other.

Adrian found what he was looking for and took out the egg, which glowed faintly. He held it out in front of him and watched as it pulsed more brightly towards the left path.

"Left it is," he said, turning down the suggested path.

As he moved deeper into the maze, he remained vigilant. The eerie silence was unnerving, but he knew better than to let it get to him. After all, the maze had a reputation for its traps and monsters, and he had no intention of being caught off guard.

After a while, the path narrowed, the walls closing in slightly. Adrian noticed a faint shimmer on the wall to his right. Upon closer inspection, he saw a hidden switch cleverly camouflaged among the moss and vines.

"Interesting," he murmured, pressing the switch cautiously.

A section of the wall slid open with a low rumble, revealing a hidden chamber. Inside, there was a small chest, old and covered in dust. Adrian approached it, the egg in his pocket vibrating with anticipation. He opened the chest to find an ornate dagger and a small vial filled with a glowing liquid, which he immediately recognised.

’Isn’t it the elixir Bellerophon gave me?’

He picked up the dagger and examined it. The blade was beautifully crafted, with intricate designs etched into the handle. He tried using [Analysis] on the blade, but he couldn’t see any information about it.

[Note: Players in this trial are not allowed to use visual skills.]

Adrian sighed when the pop-up appeared before him. But it made sense if that were the case. Otherwise, people like him with [Analysis] and [Eyes of Absolute Truth] would have a field day making their way through the second floor.

Leaving the hidden chamber, Adrian continued through the maze, using the egg to guide him. The path became more convoluted, with numerous twists and turns.

He encountered a few small monsters along the way—goblins and oversized rats. With his daggers, he quickly dispatched them.

As he ventured further, the egg glowed more intensely, indicating the presence of a significant treasure nearby. He followed the egg’s guidance, taking a series of turns that led him to another hidden passage.

This one opened into a larger chamber, where a formidable creature awaited him. It was a Minotaur, its massive frame towering over Adrian. The creature roared, brandishing a giant axe.

"Here we go again," Adrian muttered, bracing himself for the fight.