A World in Ruin

Chapter 6 [Treasure Hunt]

The hallway was dark but still visible. The people around me seems confused and started to gather around. They form three groups just like before and started discussing about the floor.

"I thought it was a treasure hunt"

"There is only one path"

"It's so dark"

And so on.

I didn't pay much attention to them and walked on my own. The others noticed me walking alone and called out to me.

"Hey you! Where are you going?"

I didn't look back at them. Instead, i just stopped and answered.

"To the treasure of course. You should start walking to if i were you. "

"hah, who are you to tell me what to do? "

"I'm just saying that it'll be better to move now. If you have ears and understood words then get off of the ground and start walking. "

Ending our conversation, i continued to walk and ignored them. They sound furious and started rambling even more. They don't know anything about this place and the dangers waiting here.

This floor activates illusions just as i explained previously. As you walk further through the hallway, you'll feel heavier and heavier. The reason why i didn't look back is because of the illusions that the hall created.

The trial here is to endure and ignore everything behind you and safely reach the end. Noises, monsters, people that are heard behind you will get closer and closer. Some might even creep into the corner of your eyes.

The noises behind me were bear able and easy to ignore for now. I heard a few screams and thuds. Maybe those people behind me had given up or just started to realize what's going on.

A few started running forward in attempt to get away from the illusions an ran passed me. Some stopped and started to tear their skins, some bang their head and blood was spilled everywhere. It was a disgusting sight.

As each people die one by one, someone whispered behind me.

"Ho... Shi.. " a familiar voice was heard behind me. A woman's voice that rests in my memories.

"Darling... It's me... " i started trembling.

"Do you... Not want to face me.. ? "

'...'

It's so close that it gave me goosebumps. The sound of my mother that perished along with my father in an earthquake ringed in my ear. I started to forgot about the illusions and slowly.. Turn my head.

-Slap-

I slapped myself.

'Tch, get yourself together'

I walk even faster trying to ignore the voice. Convincing myself that she is gone and she is not here, i walk further and calmed myself down. I was still trembling and scared.

Seriously, no wonder Hajime suffered because of this place.

____

"Ryuu, looks like we made it"

"Mhm"

Looking around we found ourselves surrounded by many people along with a purple brick wall. There are three paths in front of us just like what Hoshiki discribed it be.

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"The first floor is a maze full of traps. It's best for us to not get in big groups and just go by ourselves."

Hoshiki explained.