300 Chameleon's Maze - 9 - No More Pain For This Villain.

Walking through the underground maze in darkness, I made sure not to step on anything that triggers traps for obvious reasons.

Others did the same. I haven't said a word since I came down here because of what I said earlier. If they want to follow, they can, or do whatever they want, just not interfere or blame me.

It's been an hour or so, deflecting traps and illusions, and it's about time I see the exit somewhere here.

"Ugh," Erik grunted. I turned around to see him fall on his face straight like a log.

"What happened?" Aron raised his voice a bit.

I pushed mana into my eyes and focused on the floor. There was a thin greenish vine coming out of the cobblestone, near Erik's foot.

I stepped back and came near him, a small ember sent on the vine as I saw it wriggle and squirm in pain. It's a sleeping vine—a basic trap.

"Haa, he's asleep for good," I tossed Erik to the side, revealing his foaming mouth and turned-up eyeballs. Dude legit looked like he was dead for a good minute if not for his calm breathing.

Sleeping vines are—well, more like Venus flytraps, plants that feed on meat. Anyways, this one here had a small needle that can pierce through a tough sheet of mithril easily, so Erik's boots were no better.

"Carry him," I got up and went ahead.

"Hey! Why don't you help at least!?" Aron yelled.

"Hmm? Help? Why?" I asked.

"What do you mean why? Isn't he your friend as well!? Help him," he argued. A friend of mine...

"You see that slate there," I pointed at the raised slate of stone, making something similar to a bench, "I'll put him on there and leave. I ain't carrying him around on my shoulder."

I made it clear, because once we are out, I am not going to be able to focus on anything.

"What do you mean? You're going to leave him here?" He put in. Why's he so concerned though... and in hindsight, Erik won't die, as I think no one is coming to this side now.

"Haa, keep yapping," I just left. I don't know why, but my head feels a bit tighter.

I continued leading the way through the dark, twisting passages of the underground maze, my senses remaining sharp, alert for any signs of danger. The air was thick with tension, each step echoing off the stone walls as we pressed forward.

Suddenly, I sensed a shift in the atmosphere, a subtle change that set my nerves on edge. Instinctively, I halted, motioning for the others to stop as well. There was something... off.

Aron and Vexa exchanged wary glances, while Erik remained unconscious, being carried by Aron, oblivious to the danger lurking around us. I scanned our surroundings, searching for any clues to what might be amiss.

Then, I spotted it—a faint shimmer in the air, almost imperceptible. It was a trap, one designed to ensnare the unwary and drag them into the depths of the maze.

Without hesitation, I sprang into action, my mind racing as I sought a way to disarm the trap. I could sense the magic woven into its fabric, a complex network of spells designed to entrap and immobilize.

With a flick of my wrist, I unleashed a burst of mana, disrupting the delicate balance of the trap's enchantments. There was a moment of tense silence, and then...

CRACK!

The trap sprung, but instead of ensnaring us, it shattered into a thousand pieces, the remnants fading into nothingness. I allowed myself a small smirk of satisfaction as I turned to the others... immediately letting it go. It doesn't suit me.

"Let's keep moving," I said, my voice low but firm. "We're not out of here yet."

With renewed annoyance, I pressed on, navigating the labyrinthine passages with caution and precision. Each twist and turn brought us closer to our goal, but the maze seemed determined to thwart our progress at every turn.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we reached the end of the passage. Before us stood a massive door, towering high above us, its surface adorned with intricate carvings and symbols.

This was it—the exit we had been searching for. But as I approached, I realized that this was no ordinary door. There were no handles or knobs, no obvious mechanism for opening it.

I stepped forward, placing my hand against the smooth surface of the door. Closing my eyes, I focused my mind, reaching out with my senses in search of the door's hidden mechanism.

And then, I found it—a faint hum of energy, barely perceptible beneath the surface. With a surge of determination, I channeled my mana into the door, sending a surge of power coursing through its ancient frame.

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the door began to shift, its massive bulk groaning as it swung open on silent hinges. A rush of cool air swept through the passage, carrying with it the scent of freedom and open space.

I opened my eyes, a sense of triumph flooding through me as I stepped through the doorway, the others following close behind. We emerged into a vast chamber, the walls stretching out before us in all directions.

... it was where the Shadow Hound was—Nari somehow made it here faster than anyone and didn't expect the Shadow Hound. It chased them away, leaving the spot it was supposed to protect open.

And there, at the far end of the chamber, stood the object of our quest—a gigantic door set into the stretched-out wall, its surface etched with symbols of power and ancient magic.

Without hesitation, I strode forward, my heart pounding with anticipation as I reached out to touch the door. And as my fingers made contact with its smooth surface, I felt a surge of energy course through me, filling me with a sense of purpose and determination.

This was the moment we had been waiting for—the moment when all our trials and tribulations would finally be rewarded. With a steady hand and a resolute heart, I pushed open the door, stepping out into the known... only to close it immediately.

"Put Erik down before going; we'll get him back later," I said.

"Nah, it's not your place to tell me what I can—" Aron argued.

"He'd die if you get him past this door and yourself too, so choose wisely."

"Die?" Vexa spoke for the first time in a while.

"Yep," I responded.

"Really?" She questioned again.

"Yeah," I repeated.

She robotically turned to Aron, "Put him down."

"You don't get to tell me that—he'd die here, and we are going to lose points," Aron argued.

Vexa looked around, stepped aside, and waved her hand—water appeared, took shape, and froze, creating a very coffin-like structure.

"Put him here; he'll be fine."

I ignored them and took a deep breath before opening the door.