Chapter 12: Return to the base

Adam's thoughts drifted to the mysterious items in his inventory. "When did I get these?" he wondered. "As far as I remember, I didn't have any items." He shook his head, pushing the confusion aside. His current challenge demanded focus.

Adam's Prediction skill and Mana Eyes allowed him to anticipate the maze's shifts. He concentrated, sensing the subtle energy fluctuations within the walls. The air seemed to vibrate with an otherworldly power, guiding his instincts. Suddenly, a section of the wall began to ripple, like water disturbed by a stone.

"The change is coming," Adam whispered, his eyes locked on the shifting wall. His Mana Eyes highlighted the new path, illuminating the previously hidden passage. With practiced ease, Adam navigated the altered maze, dodging dead ends and hidden pitfalls. His Prediction skill alerted him to potential dangers, allowing him to adapt and survive.

One hour had passed, and Adam remained lost in the fog-shrouded maze. He checked the mission update, seeking reassurance.

System Update:

[Time Remaining: 0 hours 02 minutes]

[Host Health: 380/600]

[Mana: 200/450]

[Task Progress: 39%]

Adam's brow furrowed. "Why is the task progress still at 39%?" he wondered. "How will I escape when time runs out?" The questions swirled in his mind, but he knew thinking wouldn't change his situation. Adam took a deep breath, waiting for the inevitable.

Two minutes ticked by, and the fog within the maze began to clear. A figure emerged from the shadows, his features obscured by the fading mist.

As the stranger approached, Adam's caution grew. His hand instinctively went to his dagger, ready for any unexpected threat. The man's calm demeanor, however, hinted at no immediate danger.

Adam's Prediction skill remained dormant, indicating no surprise attack was forthcoming. This reassured him, but he remained vigilant, observing the stranger's every move.

"Trainee, your mission is accomplished," the man declared, his voice low and soothing. He stepped behind Adam and grasped his shoulder. The world around them blurred, and Adam felt an unusual sensation, as if they were being teleported.

[Host Skill Active: Learning]

[Analyzing Skill...]

[Skill Analysis In Progress...]

[Skill is Very High Level... Analysis Taking Time]

The distortion dissipated, and Adam found himself back in the familiar corridor where his maze trial began.

Zara, the middle-aged man, stood before him once more. Beside Adam, three figures leaned against the wall, battered and bruised. Adam recognized Eli, Arin, and Kaide from their previous encounters.

Their condition shocked Adam. The trio struggled to stand, their eyes reflecting unbearable pain. Adam didn't need to guess what horrors they had faced within the maze.

He was surprised, though, that anyone had survived. The giant spiders and other unseen terrors had seemed insurmountable.

"Huh—" Adam shocked, but the elder's stern expression looking at him.

"Hey, look! He's still alive!" Kaide exclaimed, his voice laced with surprise.

As Arin turned towards Adam, the others followed suit. Adam's relatively minor injuries stood in stark contrast to the severe bruises and cuts covering Eli, Arin, and Kaide.

Eli's gaze locked onto Adam, and her expression softened. Memories flooded her mind, transporting her to a happier time.

She recalled her loving family: her father, mother, and beloved older brother. Life had been peaceful, filled with laughter and warmth.

But that tranquility shattered when her brother vanished. The shock proved too much for her mother, who soon passed away.

Eli and her father clung to each other, the sole remaining pillars of their shattered family. However, their fragile stability was short-lived.

One fateful night, strangers stormed their home, taking her father's life. Eli, only 12 years old, was left alone and helpless.

Desperation drove her to steal food, leading to her capture by the city guard and subsequent imprisonment.

The organization eventually took her in, guiding her toward a new purpose: assassination.

---

Eli's Perspective:

"When I saw this child, I remembered myself," Eli thought, her eyes still fixed on Adam.

"That's why I didn't want him to have the same past experiences as I had."

"When he separated from us, I thought he wouldn't survive."

"But now, looking at him... I was wrong. He's so strong, even at such a young age. I wish I was this strong back then."

Eli's resolve hardened.

"No, I too will have to be strong – for everyone."

---

Eli's thoughts retreated, and she rejoined the present. Her gaze lingered on Adam, a mix of admiration and determination etched on her face.

Arin's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Adam. "How can this be?" he thought.

"There were six of us in the maze, and only three returned. And he, so young, survived alone without a scratch? That's impossible." Arin's mind recoiled in disbelief.

Memories of the maze flooded back. The Ghost Bat's eerie shrieks, the torn bodies of their fellow trainees, Lyra and Jax. Eli, Arin, and Kaide had left them behind, abandoning them to their gruesome fate.

The Ghost Bat's claws had ripped Lyra apart, while Jax's screams were silenced by the bat's deadly venom. The trio had pressed on, determined to survive.

Kaide seethed, his anger boiling over. "How is this possible? We've trained for years, and our strength far surpasses this kid's. Yet he survives, unscathed?" Kaide's confidence had taken a blow.

He had considered himself the strongest in their batch, but Adam's unexpected survival challenged that notion. Kaide vowed to reassert his dominance.

"I'll show him who's boss when we return to our rooms," Kaide thought, his jaw clenched.

Zara's voice broke the tension. "This is very surprising... The casualties are fewer than last time, especially among the young ones." His gaze settled on Adam.

"Your maze trial is over for today. Now, you'll begin assassin training, but first, take some rest."

With that, Zara departed, leaving the trainees to retire to their rooms for a brief respite.

As they dispersed, Kaide shot Adam a menacing glance. "This isn't over," his eyes seemed to say.

Kaide sauntered into Adam's room, a feigned smile plastered on his face. "Hey, how are you, boy?"

But Adam's Prediction skill detected a hidden threat. Kaide concealed a knife behind his back, intent on striking.

[Host Skill Active: Prediction]

Adam glimpsed a 3-second snapshot of the future. Kaide lunged forward, knife aimed at Adam's hand. The blade sliced through the air, biting deep into Adam's flesh. A crimson gash materialized, and Adam's hand recoiled in agony.

The vision faded, returning Adam to the present.

Adam's eyes locked onto Kaide, his mind racing. Gathering kinetic energy in his hands, he prepared for the impending attack.

Kaide, confident in his plan, kicked Adam with full force. But Adam sidestepped effortlessly and unleashed a powerful punch, connecting with Kaide's face. The impact sent Kaide crashing to the floor, unconscious.

"Don't disturb my rest time," Adam said, his expression stern.

Arin watched from a distance, incredulous. Kaide, renowned for his strength, lay defeated.

"How can this small boy be so much stronger than me?" Arin muttered, frustration etched on his face.

Arin's thoughts swirled with questions. What secrets did Adam hide? How did he surpass them despite being younger and less experienced?

As Adam returned to his rest, Arin's gaze lingered, a mix of awe and trepidation brewing within.

Adam settled back into his rest, his mind replaying the confrontation with Kaide. His Prediction skill had saved him once again.

"Why did Kaide attack me?" Adam wondered. "Is it jealousy or something more?"

Adam recalled Zara's words: "Assassin training begins soon."

Adam's thoughts drifted to Eli, Arin, and Kaide. They had suffered in the maze, while he emerged unscathed. Guilt nibbled at his conscience.

"Am I truly stronger, or just lucky?" Adam asked himself.

Adam settled into his room and opened the status window.

__________________________________________

[Host Profile:

Name: Adam Bek

Level: 3

Experience: 30/500

Health: 390/600 (Regenerating)

Mana: 190/450 (Regenerating)]

---------------------------------------

[Skills:

Kinetic Enigma

(Default)Learning

Cure

Mana Eyes

Prediction]

---------------------------------------

[Inventory:

Umbra's Fang

Unknown Fragment]

---------------------------------------

[Quests:

Reach Maze Core (Ongoing)

Maze Survivor (Ongoing)]

__________________________________________

Adam recalled completing one step of the system's task. He opened the mission status.

_________________________________________

[Mission - Endure and Survival Status

Task 1: Completed - Survive for 4 hours

Reward: 10 EXP]

__________________________________________

Another mission caught his attention.

__________________________________________

[Alert: New Objective Unlocked - Reach Maze Core]

[Objective Description: Navigate to the maze's central hub, overcoming obstacles and enemies]

__________________________________________

"First, I'll complete this 30-task mission. Then, I'll head to the maze's center," Adam decided.

Adam's gaze shifted to his inventory, focusing on the Unknown Fragment. He retrieved it and held it in his hand, activating his Learning skill.

__________________________________________

[Host Skill Active: Learning]

[Analyzing the Fragment]

[Analysis Complete]

[Explain - Skill Fragment: This fragment is part of a larger skill. When all fragments are combined, the skill will be revealed.]

__________________________________________

Adam marveled at his Learning skill's capabilities: creating, analyzing, and discovering enemy skills and techniques.

With a sense of accomplishment, Adam closed the window and succumbed to exhaustion, having gone without sleep for nearly a day.

Eli, Arin, and Kaide gathered in the communal area, discussing Adam's sudden rise.

"I don't get it," Arin said, frustration etched on his face. "He's younger, less experienced, yet stronger."

"Adam's skills are unusual," Eli noted.

Kaide, still nursing his wounded pride, remained silent.

"I underestimated Adam," Eli continued. "He's not just lucky; he has potential."

Kaide's eyes narrowed. "I won't acknowledge him as stronger. I'll surpass him."

Meanwhile, Zara observed the trio from afar, a hint of satisfaction on his face.

"Kid's growth is impressive," Zara thought. "The organization's investment in him may pay off sooner than expected."

As the trainees retired for the night, Adam's reputation spread throughout the facility.