Chapter 167 - 166. Inside the Labyrinth
Tyler stood inside the labyrinth, the towering walls surrounding him like a massive sand castle, though they were anything but fragile. He pressed his hand against the sandy surface, then punched it with all his strength. To his surprise, not even a speck of dust fell. It was solid, an unnatural structure, despite its delicate appearance.
Taking a deep breath, he recalled the chaotic moments before the labyrinth had surfaced. The tremors had started without warning, shaking the very foundations of the castle and the surrounding island. The ground had split open, and massive stone walls erupted from beneath the earth, forming an enormous maze that engulfed the entire capital, trapping everyone within. Tyler had barely had time to react.
He recalled the instruction he gave to Mana.
As the tremors grew worse, Tyler had shouted to Mana, "Mana, I think the Labyrinth is going to surface. You take care of Silvia. I’ll be back." His voice had been urgent, full of concern.
Mana nodded as she disappeared.
Tyler looked around and murmuring under his breath, "Hope she didn’t get trapped in this"
He scanned his surroundings, observing the labyrinth’s eerie stillness. It felt like a desert—hot, silent, and stretching endlessly in all directions. Far ahead, he could see figures moving, though it was hard to tell if they were real or just mirages created by the heat. "Are those citizens of Rosefall?" he wondered aloud, watching the distant shapes stumble through the sand. They looked lost, disoriented.
He knew immediately what had happened: the labyrinth hadn’t just trapped him and the pirates. It had pulled in everyone from the capital—innocent civilians who had no idea how dangerous this place was.
He started walking, his boots sinking slightly into the soft sand as he navigated the narrow passageways. The maze was designed to confuse, to disorient, but Tyler’s mind remained sharp.
Even though Tyler’s boots sank into the soft sand, it wasn’t deep enough to hinder him completely. He could still feel solid ground beneath his feet, but the constant resistance made it difficult to walk at his usual speed. Every step felt like a struggle against the shifting terrain.
Suddenly, he saw the sand nearby begin to rise and shift, swirling into a massive form. A sand monster began to take shape, towering and menacing. Thankfully, it wasn’t near him—yet.