Tower of Paradise

At the end of the alley was a corpse still bleeding, the man's body was without both arms and missing a leg. The blood was splattered across the marble walls, forming macabre patterns that spoke of a violent and desperate death.

It seemed that the man had chosen the wrong path while being pursued by the monster. His face frozen in an expression of absolute terror reminded me of what awaited us if we made a single mistake.

— It's a dead end. —I said, trying to maintain my composure in the face of the grotesque scene.

— Ah, I'm sorry. My mind can't process all the information it receives very well.

KathyIn apologized regretfully. It was normal for her to make mistakes; after all, it was an ability she still wasn't accustomed to using. The pressure and fear probably didn't help her concentration either.

Without realizing it, I was very nervous because of all these variables. I had to calm down; I shouldn't let myself be influenced by fear. Panic would only lead us to make fatal mistakes.

— Let's go back to the other path from earlier.

— Alright.

I firmly grabbed KathyIn's hand, and we retraced our steps. The corridor was so calm that it made me feel uneasy. Only the sound of our footsteps echoed throughout the place.

KathyIn tried to avoid the long path, but the design of the labyrinth itself seemed to be made so that we would necessarily pass through here: the longest path. As if it wanted us to encounter the mutant here... The idea that this labyrinth was an elaborate trap chilled my blood.

If we encountered the mutant, we would have no choice but to run. That thing might not even feel pain. Whatever we did, the mutant would pursue us and devour us without mercy.

— Which way? —I asked, stopping at a cross-shaped intersection that offered four completely different directions.

— Let's go to the right this time. —KathyIn decided after a moment of hesitation.

I nodded, trusting in her vision through the ice bird. We had barely taken a few steps when her scream paralyzed me.

— Arceus! The mutant is coming!

In the distance, at the end of the hallway, the mutant walked in a straight line through the fork I could see. I could only see the head, which was stained with fresh blood that still dripped onto the marble floor.

Damn it!

I moved quickly, put KathyIn on my shoulder, and retreated at full speed, returning to the cross-shaped paths.

The monster turned its head and seemed to sense something; it was a bit puzzled. Its multiple eyes scanned the area, searching for the origin of the sound or smell it had caught.

A hallway and a wall separated us from the mutant.

Please... Don't come here. Please, don't come.

I pleaded silently, my heart pounding against my chest so hard that I feared it might hear it.

But the monster's footsteps sounded increasingly close. I cursed my luck. We were too far away to retreat. Inevitably our footsteps would betray us.

What should I do?

I thought desperately.

Think, think, think. Don't stop thinking.

Maybe... Even if the chance of success was small, I had to try. A plan began to form in my mind, a risky plan but one that could give us a chance.

— I don't have time to explain it to you, so trust me and use your ice ability to freeze this hallway. —My voice was urgent, like a breath trapped between necessity and action—. At my signal, you will fire your most destructive ability in that direction.

I pointed in the direction with KathyIn's own arm so she would better recognize where to attack.

This plan was based on KathyIn's abilities. I regretted not having offensive skills at the moment, but I would have to compensate with strategy.

— Alright.

In an instant, KathyIn crouched down and her hands touched the ground. The temperature dropped rapidly, forming a small layer of ice that spread across the hallway. As the ice formed, it began to penetrate the ground, creating a deeper and more resistant layer.

Then, we positioned ourselves back to back, with KathyIn facing the direction where she had to shoot.

— Ready?

— Yes.

KathyIn drew her sword and pointed it in the direction I had indicated. The temperature noticeably decreased and, in a blink, ten icicles shot out like bullets, leaving bright trails in the air.

— We'll jump at the same time as the icicle explosion. Hold on tight. —I instructed, placing my hand on her waist and pulling her toward me firmly.

— Y-Yes. —KathyIn's voice sounded nervous, but I ignored it and pulled out my spear, preparing to execute my plan.

Now!

[Private attribute activated: The man who overcame adversity.]

Time seemed to slow down before my eyes due to the increase in power as I flexed my legs forcefully. Just as the icicles were about to crash against the wall of the hallway in the distance, I climbed the enormous side wall, destroying the marble under my feet. With one hand on KathyIn's waist and the other holding my spear, at the exact moment I reached the top of the wall, I drove my spear forcefully so it would serve as support.

It was at that same instant when the mutant came running with its six legs. I observed it from atop the wall where I was hanging from my spear, while KathyIn tightly embraced my neck with both arms, her agitated breathing in my ear.

To keep the mutant's gaze on the ground, I had KathyIn freeze it so the monster would hesitate to cross the ice. I knew the mutant hated ice. It could find its prey, but would stop following them if it found no signs of them. It was in these moments when my ability, Eyes of the Successor, shone brightest. Although it hadn't served me much in the previous floors, this time the information was truly useful.

The mutant looked repeatedly from left to right along the inverted T-shaped path; it seemed quite lost. Its claws scratched the ground impatiently, and from time to time it sniffed the air as if trying to catch our scent.

But... Would it work? Would it leave without finding us?

Please, go away. Please...

I pleaded again in my heart. My eyes moved to the monster's face seeking any indication of its intentions.

Wait a moment...

My eyes widened when I realized something crucial, something that sent a chill down my spine. The mutant didn't have the scar on one of its eyes. It didn't have the wound made by the spear of that dead man we had seen die in the control room.

My face was horrified as I understood the terrible truth.

Damn it!

Was there more than one?!