Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

”The Hall of Power,” an Underground Maze themed around Strength.

Yet, judging by the set-up of the last floor, this place wasn’t merely about a direct comparison of strength.

—The pursuit of power must be gradual; trying to become powerful in one go will only bring about suffering.

Perhaps that’s what Hero Lox was trying to express.

Does such a design imply that the Maze Guardian once lost its way on the path of seeking power?

Or is it that the very builder of this maze, Hero Lox, had also once been lost on the journey to power...

Although Yang Yu generally knew about Lox’s life, the actual intentions of this Ancient Brave Warrior and the true purpose behind the creation of these Underground Mazes were still elusive.

Certain valuable information isn’t written down in books.

Having finally met someone who seemed to be privy to significant insider knowledge, unfortunately, he chose to remain silent about Lox’s affairs, intent only on continuing his duty as a guardian of the maze.

Flipping through the pane, no new tasks popped up on the task panel, nor could he exploit the System for shortcuts.

Taking a deep breath, Yang Yu looked into Clochi’s eyes and stood up,

”Just from the beginning, you’ve been emphasizing that to gain strength, one must do certain things.

But was this maze really built for those whose hearts yearn for power?

Anyone who knows the strategy for the Ninth Floor and has enough time can easily pass it, adventurer or not.

If not the first or second time, then the third or fourth attempt will somewhat reveal the true strategy, right?”

If it wasn’t for his encounter with Xin Mang and hearing about the task of the Wild Fighter, Yang Yu reckoned he might have fallen into the same trap and waited a month and a half.

Standing up from the ground, Clochi laughed and said, ”If we’re only talking about the Ninth Floor, that’s indeed the case.

But the previous eight floors have already weeded out the truly powerful individuals.

To pursue strength, you must have a certain amount of power yourself.

To chase the sun, you must first learn to run.”

”Your metaphor spares me quite some effort.

So let me ask, can those who have run through the first eight floors also complete the Ninth Floor?

A person who can only run fifty kilometers being told to run a hundred will likely collapse halfway.

Of course, I am curious about what rewards lie at the end, but I am more concerned about my own safety.

Tell me, am I being tricked into running a hundred kilometers?”

Yang Yu raised his hand, pointing toward the four statues not far ahead,

”To put it more bluntly.

Tell me, if I choose to pursue strength...

Is there a way to ensure my and my companions’ safety, to defeat those four statues?”

”You really can ask such questions without hesitation.”

Clochi burst out laughing,

”It’s been a long time since I’ve come across someone as straightforward as you.

I feel that after my initial pressing approach, most would have started making choices right away.

In my lifetime, when faced with choices, many felt they only had those options...

It brings back some nostalgia... and also some unpleasant memories.”

”What unpleasant memories?”

”Ah, it’s nothing.

I was just reflecting on life, where occasionally you are forced to make decisions...

Aren’t you afraid I won’t answer your question and simply tell you to choose now?”

”If I have to choose, then I choose.

You are the guardian of this maze, embodying the maze itself.

Even if I choose one, and you ask me to face another, I have no say.

Whether or not you plan to answer my question, I need to ask candidly to find out.

Without asking, how would I know your thoughts?”

In a game, having additional dialogues with an important NPC before a stage can often reveal essential information.

Clochi’s mood wasn’t foul.

Yang Yu thought a try wouldn’t hurt, so he asked.

Unexpectedly, not only did Clochi not show any signs of annoyance, but he also laughed heartily.

”Hahaha, indeed.

Whether or not I’ll answer your question, you’ll only know after you’ve asked me.

As the guardian of the maze, I do have certain privileges.

But, if possible, I’d still like to follow the rules set by Lox.

Hmm.

His rules don’t explicitly state that I can’t divulge information.

Since you’ve told me so much, and I can’t provide the answers to the few questions you really want to know, I’ll give you a bit of information.

Indeed, those four statues contain some mysterious power; if you can overcome them, you can indeed obtain a portion of this maze’s power.

This is no maliciously designed Underground Maze. Effort will yield reward.

Now, to address your recent doubt...

...as long as one can overcome the Eighth Floor’s Maze Guardian, the Ninth Floor shouldn’t be too difficult to handle.”

Clochi didn’t conceal anything; in this world, the difficulty of each level in a typical underground maze generally increased linearly.

There were indeed mazes where the earlier levels were simple, and the difficulty suddenly spiked later on, but such places were more accurately traps designed to lure and kill, rather than actual mazes.

Such mazes were extremely dangerous, and if discovered, would become the target of adventurers’ wrath.

Even giant dragons would take notice, with instructions perhaps being issued to deal with those mazes by utterly uprooting them.

Sadly, once such mazes were exposed, they would attract more adventurers with substantial strength, tempted by the challenge.

Their reasons were simple: the rumor that such mazes might yield incredibly precious treasures.

But in reality, chances were high that nothing would be dropped after defeating the monsters within, sometimes even resulting in letters that mocked the adventurers’ efforts.

”The Hall of Power” adhered to the fundamental laws of constructing Underground Mazes and was free from the concerns Yang Yu harbored.

At least at the time of its completion, Clochi had conscientiously verified this.

”Then, I’ll trust you this once.

Now that I know what I wanted, it’s time to make my own choice.”

Extending both his left and right hands, Yang Yu pointed with his left hand at the four God Demon statues, and with his right hand at Clochi,

”Both of you are my opponents. I seek strength and aim to clear this Underground Maze.”

Clochi responded with a resigned smile,

”You truly are a greedy one.

But I’m not surprised that you would make such a choice.

Since you’ve made your decision, let’s start the battle immediately.”

Ripping off his necklace, Clochi tossed the key to Yang Yu:

”Keep this key for now.

Anyway, if you don’t find a way to defeat me, there’s no escaping this floor.

If you all fail, I’ll take it back.

I won’t be holding back.”