Second game

Unlike Leon's first game, which was a puzzle-based challenge, this one—Maze Runner—was a fighting format game.

"In this game," the MC explained, "everyone will be randomly dropped into a maze. The objective is to escape while battling beasts and other participants along the way. Special beasts guard treasure chests and hidden compartments filled with various rewards."

Killing is allowed, and nearly anything goes—except for using illegal substances or artifacts above the game's level.

The game is categorized as Silver Lower Level, meaning participants are expected to be skilled, but not yet at the highest tiers of power. The chaotic nature of the maze, combined with the unpredictable dangers and treasures, made it a high-stakes challenge for every participant.

The MC gave a round of applause as participants began to appear one by one. As she scanned the crowd, her eyes locked onto Leon, and she quickly dashed towards him.

"And here we have the Hero King, the brave soul on his mission to uplift humanity's standing in the SGA, regardless of race!" she exclaimed, grabbing everyone's attention.

Leon was momentarily stunned as the woman embraced him out of nowhere, her arms wrapping around his shoulders, pulling him into a soft hug. She smiled warmly at him, making the situation feel both unexpected and slightly uncomfortable.

"So, Mr. King," she continued, "how about you tell us—how does your mind work? In your previous game, you just took a quick look at the rooms and solved the puzzles as if you were strolling through a park." She gestured dramatically at the hovering MV title, "Walk in the Park," which was now floating above his head.

Leon looked at her, casually pushing her away as he fixed his hair. "Because I'm a genius," he replied confidently.

The MC, Bella Queen, was momentarily stunned by his arrogance, but as she gazed at his calm and charismatic expression, she felt her pulse quicken in a way she hadn't expected. Coughing to regain her composure, she said, "Let's see if you can maintain that in the game."

Leon, unfazed, responded coolly, "What's your MVP title?"

Bella Queen smiled slyly. "My MVP title is called The Blinker," she replied. "It's simple to earn—every 30 minutes, the maze resets its configuration. But if you manage to clear the entire maze before the next reset, the title is yours."

Another participant, clearly displeased with Leon hogging the spotlight, declared, "He won't get it; I will."

Bella Queen, maintaining her professional smile, approached the participant and asked, "And you seem confident, Mr. Tsun. How sure are you of winning this?"

Leon, meanwhile, was focused on his strategy, waiting for the game to start.

3... 2... 1... Go!

The audience erupted in cheers as the countdown flashed on the big screen.

Participants began to exit the game hall, which resembled a massive football stadium. They each appeared momentarily above the maze before being dropped into it.

Leon stood quietly on the grid, mentally confirming with Solomon, "You mapped it out completely, right?"

[Yes, Master, I have it all mapped out.] Solomon assured him.

Leon nodded and then activated his second ability, Fantasy Manifestation, summoning a sleek, futuristic bike. He hopped on and directed it straight towards the maze's exit.

Leon had no interest in the rewards from monsters or chests; he could obtain better items from the Existence Realm. Instead, he zoomed straight towards the exit.

Bella Queen, observing from the sidelines, was intensely focused on Leon. She cheered loudly, "It looks like once again the Hero King will win with his extraordinary brainpower!"

"Ah, but it seems there's an obstacle at the next turn. Let's see if he's just all brains and no brawn," she added with enthusiasm.

As Leon rode his bike towards the exit, he suddenly had to stop when he saw someone blocking the path.

"Road, end here, brainy kid," the figure said.

The figure was Liam Dio, a human with a peculiar bloodline related to lizards, evident from his kingly lizard tail and yellow reptilian eyes.

[Master, it seems he's a Peak Tier of 2nd replacement Blazing Salamander.] Solomon informed.

Leon nodded, lifting his hand to initiate a small hand gesture that triggered an attack.

"Huh, do you think—" Liam's words were cut short as Leon eliminated him with a precise strike.

With the obstacle dealt with, Leon restarted the bike and continued towards the exit.

MC Bella Queen's eyes widened as she slowed down the video replay. The footage showed Leon effortlessly eliminating Liam, and then a hand cannon forming in Leon's hands. He pulled the trigger, and an energy bullet struck Liam with deadly precision.

"Oh my god, what an attack! But what is this bloodline and these abilities?" Bella exclaimed, discovering something unprecedented. It wasn't just her; many in the audience were also astonished by the unique abilities Leon displayed. No one had seen such powers before; they seemed entirely new and unprecedented.

"It seems we definitely need an after-game interview," Bella declared, while the VIP section now focused intently on Leon.

"recruit him," recruiters from top clans ordered their men to quickly make contact with Leon, eager to bring him to their organizations.

"contact bloodline collectors, ask them what is this bloodline?" many knowledge able collectors called their friends hoping to find which beast bloodline is this.

Leon, feeling a surge of excitement, noticed the Tree of Hope seedling growing rapidly, reaching a meter in size due to the influx of faith energy he was receiving.

'With this amount, it looks like I'll soon break through from the Hero Apprentice stage and enter the next level of the Lesser Hero Realm,' Leon thought as he glanced ahead and applied the brakes.

"It seems another opponent wants to challenge me," Leon said, seeing a figure standing in front of him.

As Leon stopped the bike, five more people appeared, surrounding him: two in front and three in the back, effectively encircling him with three people in front and three behind

Leon dismounted the bike, dissolving it into energy, and faced the encircling group with a smirk. "So, gentlemen, have you had enough of my handsomeness?" he asked with a playful tone.

He drew a sword, the blade gleaming in the light, and added, "Shall we start?"