Bubuum. Bubuum.


    Everyone''s heart drummed loudly, watching the scene in slow motion. Their lungs were trembling like a goblet, resonating to the tappings of a spoon.


    No! Not on his watch!


    Snake nted his feet firmly and stretched his hand forth.


    Damn.


    Everyone held their breaths as the duo held one another, one person''s eyshes inches away from a horizontal beam.


    So close!!!


    Phew~


    After steadying themselves, the man continued without Snake''s help.


    .


    Arrived!


    The gang finally made it to the other side, feeling lucky they hadn''t alerted anyone yet... But what they didn''t know was that they were now the focus of many smiling in the dark.


    It took all of Ghu Sota''s will not tough loudly at the group ofedians dodging the fakesersid out for them.


    Would you believe it if they said the Grandmaster was doing it all with a single flick of his wrist?


    He was sure that even if they identally touched the beams, nothing would happen.


    His face shot out from the walls, staring at the group who had just made a left turn.


    It was like watching a spy movie unfold before his very eyes, only, the high-tech security system they thought they were bypassing was all fake.


    Pah!


    Ghu Sota flinched.


    What was that for?


    Old madam Ghu had smacked the back of his head for no reason before disappearing into the walls.


    (°_°)


    ... Could this old woman be addicted to beating him up?


    Augh~


    Sota could already see his bleak future having her as a mentor.


    He was a direct disciple epted by his grandmother. And when he meets the right requirements, his status will be upgraded to core disclose level. But as if now, he was still an outer sect disciple who hadn''t even stepped into the inner academy grounds yet.


    "Be silent, or else... Heh..." Old madam Ghu warned, sending chills down Sota''s spine.


    s...


    It seems he has to get used to it because if they''re going to be together for hundreds and thousands of years, doesn''t this mean he will also receive many beatings?


    The group of elders and a few students all had different thoughts, seeing the group of intruders make their way toward the path they thought was correct.


    Everything before them was an illusion.


    Believe it or not, they walked on the same overly long hallway, going back and forth.


    The illusion was so real that they felt they had passed over 4 hallways by now. And every time, a new ''security measure'' would appear, reassuring them this was indeed a new ce.


    Night Whisperer was taken aback, seeing how crazy the interior was.


    .


    F***!


    Night Whisperer couldn''t help inwardly cursing.


    When he heard about the maze, he felt it absurd. But now, walking through the identical walls that sometimes became narrower or wondered the further they advanced, he waspletely blown away by its wonders.


    Jump! Crawl! Dodge!


    The gang identally tripped over a thin thread, releasing a strange gas they felt should be sleeping gas.


    A thin but sturdier wall suddenly shut out from the corner walls, blocking the path behind and in front of them.


    And now, they were trapped.


    Oh, no!


    Run!!!


    They plunged forward as fast as they could, now listening to those across theputers telling them there should be a door around here.


    Sure enough, someone found the opening.


    "It''s over there! The door... It''s there!"


    It was disguised to look identical to the walls. And only when one stands very close by would they be able to find its doorknob.


    But there was a problem. It was locked.


    Everyone felt their chest tighten.<novelnext></novelnext>


    Dammit!


    Tick-tock. Tick-Tock!


    The walls behind and at the front were closing in on them, slowly but surely. The strange gas was flooding in, their eyes were getting woozy, their bodies weakened, and their brains struggling to think fast.


    The pressure was on but they were prepared to lose just yet.


    Quick! Thievery 101: How To Pick A Lock!


    Any killer squad that doesn''t have people specializing in such skills should just quit.


    .


    "Mira! You''re up!"


    Hurry! They don''t have much time!


    Right.


    The girl was supported to the front of the door, no one wanting her to exhaust her energy.


    She took off 2 tiny pins she stuck to her clothes, sticking them both into the keyhole.


    Because she was feeling woozy, her speed was slower than usual. But luckily, she nailed it, opening the door before it was toote.


    1, 2, 3....


    ~Click.


    No one said a thing as they rushed through the open door, many diving without dy.


    The walls had already been squeezing them up. And barely milliseconds before thest person passed through, the walls sealed.


    If they were still there, they might get ttened like Pancakes.


    Phew~


    The gang released a collective sigh, their backs already covered in sweat.


    Where are they?


    The group quickly took to their feet, pointing their weapons in all directions, looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar room.


    This... This... This...


    "Everyone, remain vignt!"


    This was the same massive kitchen they fought the robots in.


    This ce wasn''t an illusion, but the 2nd kitchen space within the building. It was hardly used to do any cooking.


    In such a massive mansion, with over 50 rooms/spaces per floor, it''s only wise there should be 2 kitchens.


    Snake narrowed his eyes dangerously, reaching for this shock device. A vicious going shing through.


    This time, he was ready to fry that bastard robot to scraps.


    Bam!!


    The heavy door behind them mmed shut.


    Bru-Bru~


    Someone shook the doorknob slightly, trying to open it but couldn''t.


    Trapped.


    Their only way was to keep advancing. But they had never passed this kitchen space before.


    However, they were sure after tonight, they should be able to go as far as reaching Dorian''s room.


    Yes!


    That is the power of their research!


    (*□^□)


    .


    Just when everyone was busy inspecting the room for hidden enemies, one of the double-sided doors ahead finally opened.


    And now, they came face to face with their worst nightmares. Only... The so-called robots seemed different than before.


    Their outer shells were made of wooden puppets, and their eyes glowed blue.


    Snake''s face turned distorted.


    Without its shell being metal, shocking and frying his opponent''s circuits will be a lot harder.


    The giant wooden puppets smiled strangely, walking closer to the bunch.


    Dammit!


    Everyone took battle stance. And now, their only hope was that these puppets were weaker than thest time.


    But how could their wishese true so fast?