Labyrinth of Crete

After witnessing the death of the man, who looked like an actor, everyone swallowed dry saliva. No one uttered a single sound, fearing to irritate the creature again.

The administrator, noticing the absolute silence, began to speak calmly:

[Well, it's much easier when everyone pays attention and doesn't talk nonstop. Indeed, you are asking yourselves: Where are they? What is this place? Is it a fragment of the historical void?]

He paused before continuing.

[Right now, they are in the "Historical Void."]

The people and players looked around and realized they were surrounded by a thick grayish fog that seemed to obscure everything. They were amazed; they had never experienced anything like this.

Ignoring the expressions of surprise and nervousness of those present, the administrator of the Historical Void continued speaking:

[Let's start with the basics. You can access the <Inventory > and the <Status Window>. Those of you who are already players already have access to the status window; now you can also use the inventory]

The ordinary people began to shout aloud, "Status Window." Their expressions were of pure surprise.

The administrator clapped his hands softly, not considering the crowd's reactions, drawing everyone's attention.

[Now, they continue to watch their <Status Window>. Before we begin the first scenario, I'll mention a few essential things you should know...]

"Excuse me... one question: what exactly is the 'Historical Void'?" asked a blonde-haired woman, who appeared to be a businesswoman, interrupting the creature.

[Good question. In simple terms, the 'Historical Void' is a place where all the information of civilizations that have disappeared and been lost to time is stored. To sum it up even further, it is a realm separate from the material world. Are there any more questions]

Everyone was silent, their gazes fixed on the status window, especially those without access to it.

[I see no more questions so that I will continue] said the administrator. [At this time, you are not in your physical body but your spiritual body, your soul. You will also have all the experience you acquire here in the material world].

"So, if we die here? Will we also die in the material world?" someone asked.

The administrator calmly replied, [More or less. If you die here, your material body will become a story-devouring monster. You will be transformed into irrational creatures that seek only to devour stories].

At that moment, a woman who appeared to be a businesswoman spoke tremblingly: "So... that person became a monster..."

[That's right], the administrator confirmed bluntly. [Questions aside, I will tell you what you need to know. If you fail the scenario provided by the historical void, that scenario will merge with the material world. That is, if you all die or for some reason fail the mission, this place will come to life and escape the historical void. I have nothing more to say. If you didn't like my explanation, I don't care].

That said, the creature disappeared as mysteriously as it had appeared, leaving everyone somewhat puzzled. He had barely explained anything about the scenarios or the mission.

At that moment, the grayish mist that enveloped the place began to move as if it had a life of its own. After a few moments, the entire environment transformed, revealing what appeared to be the interior of a building. However, the walls were not smooth, but they had rustic and irregular textures.

[Evaluating the strength of those summoned to the historical void...]

[Assigning a scenario with the corresponding difficulty...]

[The scenario chosen by the historical void, after evaluating the strength of the summoned, is the "Labyrinth of Crete."]

[Complete the "Labyrinth of Crete" and reach the chamber where the final monster, "Asterion." is located and defeat it to clear this scenario].

...

After the message windows disappeared, Kane watched as people began to form small groups, apparently with those who were players. After glancing around, he turned and walked down the long hallway that led to the maze.

"Hey, you! What's your name?" Kane suddenly heard a female voice. He turned his head toward the source of the sound and met the gaze of a woman.

She was beautiful. Her dark hair, slightly disheveled, fell casually over her shoulders, framing a face of delicate features and a serenity that contrasted with the intensity of her eyes, two sapphires shining under the shadow of her tresses. Her crimson lips were curved in an enigmatic expression, while her pale skin highlighted the floral tattoos adorning her right arm.

She wore a plain white coat contrasted with black vinyl pants, making for a sleek and modern combination that did not go unnoticed.

Kane barely glanced at her momentarily before averting his gaze and continuing walking.

The woman grabbed him by the shirt, forcing him to stop.

"Can you tell me your name?" she insisted.

Kane gave her a peculiar look, and replied indifferently.

"My name is Merlin Hermes. And yours?"

"Merlin Hermes..." she whispered as if trying to burn the name into her memory. Then she added, "I am Rachel."

"A pleasure, Rachel."

Kane sketched a fake smile and continued down the dimly lit hallway with Rachel close on his heels. He had no intention of teaming up with anyone, at least for the moment, but he wasn't about to tell her to stop following him.

As they moved forward, distant whispers floated through the air, filling the hallway with eerie echoes of worried voices.

"Did you see what happened earlier? It was terrifying!" someone muttered, his voice cracking with fear.

Another, more somber, added, "I've never witnessed anything like that. I can't get it out of my mind."

Kane and Rachel continued walking without interfering in the conversations, listening to the murmurs that revealed the collective fears.

People seemed to struggle to digest the horror they had faced in the previous room.

"We must stick together," said a trembling voice from the front. "If we do that, we can face whatever challenges come."

"I agree," another voice replied, this time with renewed determination.

As they moved deeper into the shadowy corridor, the tension in the air became palpable—every step they took echoed in the darkness as their hearts pounded in their chests.