Fenix gnced at the towering hedges around them, then back at Maya. "You know," he began, adjusting his grip on the staff, "sticking together might not be the best idea. This isn’t a team event."

  Maya raised an eyebrow, considering his point before shrugging. “True, but we can stay together for a while. We’ll split up ter, once we’ve scoped things out.”

  “Good idea," Fenix grinned, a teasing edge to his voice. "I wouldn’t want to take all the treasure before you even get a chance.”

  "As if," Maya replied, rolling her eyes, a smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth.

  Before either of them could say more, Jin-Sook’s voice echoed through the maze, smooth and commanding. “Alright, everyone should now be at the start of the maze. You will have 45 minutes to gather as much treasure as you can and make it to the center. Remember, only those who reach the middle keep their loot. Let the games begin!”

  High above them, the sky shimmered as giant glowing numbers appeared, casting a faint, eerie light over the byrinth. The countdown began: 45 minutes.

  “Let’s go!” Maya yelled, excitement lighting up her voice as she bolted forward, sprinting into the maze.

  “Maya, wait—!” Fenix called after her, already rushing to catch up. He groaned under his breath, his legs pumping as he raced down the narrow, twisting paths she had dashed through.

  After several turns, he finally grabbed her arm, pulling her to a stop. “Maya,” he panted, “we shouldn’t be running around like this.”

  She blinked, her eyebrows raised. “Why not? We’re on a time limit!” Her voice held a mix of confusion and impatience.

  “Yeah, but..., Fenix began, gncing warily at the maze around them. "There could be traps in here.”

  “Traps?” Maya’s eyes widened, curiosity edging into her tone. “You really think so?”

  He hesitated, trying not to give too much away. He knew exactly what y ahead from the event’s details in his past life. “Well... the cat dy did say there’d be things to scare us. I don’t think she was just talking about monsters.”

  Maya’s grin faded, her eyes narrowing slightly as she considered his words. “You might have a point. Alright, no more sprinting. We’ll... speed walk instead.”

  Fenix chuckled, nodding. “That works.”

  As they ventured deeper into the maze, Fenix kept his gaze sharp, scanning the ground and walls for any signs of traps. Beside him, Maya’s head swiveled, eyes darting to every shadow and sound, ready for anything that might jump out at them.

  Rounding a corner, they were met with an unexpected sight—a forest, dense with towering trees and underbrush. The maze’s hedges gave way to thick foliage, sunlight filtering through the canopy above. The air even smelled different, fresher, like they had stepped into another world.

  Fenix blinked, gncing back at the hedge wall they’d just passed through, then forward again.

  “Are we... still in the maze?” Maya asked, her voice echoing his own confusion.

  He shrugged, still staring in awe at the change in scenery. “We didn’t get any disqualification notice, so yeah... we must be.” Whoever designed this maze had definitely earned his respect.

  Maya’s gaze swept over the area, her mind already turning. “Do you think there are other pces like this?”

  “There must be,” Fenix said, nodding thoughtfully.

  “If that’s true, then these areas have to be special,” Maya continued, her voice gaining excitement. “Meaning a treasure chest should be hidden nearby.”

  He couldn’t disagree. Even without his prior knowledge of the event, the thought made sense. “Yeah, I’d bet on that.”

  “Then let’s find it,” Maya said, determination fshing in her eyes as she led the way into the forest.

  They moved cautiously, the quiet rustle of leaves underfoot the only sound. Both of them were alert—if there was a treasure chest here, there would definitely be a monster nearby guarding it.

  After a few minutes of walking, they spotted it. A chest gleamed under a patch of sunlight at the base of a massive oak tree. Its ornate, silver-pted exterior sparkled with intricate carvings, and delicate patterns running along its edges, promising something valuable inside.

  Maya scanned the area, her bow raised. “No monsters... yet. Let’s grab it before whatever’s guarding it shows up.”

  Fenix hesitated, his grip tightening on his staff. Something didn’t feel right. His eyes locked on the chest, studying its stillness. “Maya, wait—”

  Before she could reach it, the chest shook violently. A sharp, metallic screech cut through the air as the chest contorted, its lid snapping open to reveal rows of jagged, yellowed teeth. A grotesque, slimy tongue slithered out, dripping with saliva.

  Maya jumped back, her eyes wide. “What the heck is that?!”

  Fenix’s expression darkened. “It’s a Replyca. They mimic objects to lure in pyers.”

  “That’s cheating,” Maya muttered, stepping back to his side, her bow still at the ready.

  Before Fenix could reply, the Replyca lunged, its maw stretching impossibly wide as it surged toward them. Instinct kicked in, and he raised his staff, a surge of icy energy crackling at its tip.

  “Freezing Wind!” he shouted, thrusting the staff forward.

  A bst of cold air erupted from the staff, hitting the Replyca dead on. The creature let out an ear-piercing screech as frost coated its slimy form, its movements slowing until it was completely encased in ice.

  “That won’t st long,” Fenix warned, his eyes narrowing on the frozen Replyca. “We’ve got to finish it off before it thaws.” Though he could easily take it down himself, he stepped aside, wanting her to get some practice on it.

  Maya strode forward, a confident smirk on her face as her bow began to glow with fiery energy. “Don’t worry. I got this.” She drew an arrow, the tip crackling with heat. “Bzing Bomb!”

  She released the arrow, a fiery red streak that shot straight into the Replyca’s chest. Upon impact, the arrow exploded in a burst of fme, shattering the icy shell and blowing the creature into frozen shards that scattered across the ground.

  Maya shook her head with a grin, lowering her bow. “Guess finding treasure isn’t gonna be easy.”

  “Nope, not at all,” Fenix chuckled.

  After scouring the forest for what felt like ages, they finally stumbled upon a chest wedged beneath a pile of rocks. It was easy to miss—the dull gray metal blended seamlessly with the surrounding stones. They’d passed the spot multiple times without even noticing.

  Maya squinted at it, then gave Fenix a pyful nudge. “You can have this one. After all, if it weren’t for you, I’d have been eaten by that Replyca.”

  Fenix chuckled, not even attempting to argue. “You certainly would’ve.” He knelt down and pced his hand on the chest. The moment he did, it shimmered, dissolving into sparkling particles before vanishing entirely.

  [System: You have gained a Common treasure chest! It has been sent to your inventory!]

  Maya blinked, gncing around. “Wait… where did it go?”

  “Into my inventory,” Fenix said with a grin, flexing his fingers as if showing off.

  "Cool."

  ~

  They continued on, weaving through the dense forest until the trees suddenly faded, melting back into the familiar towering hedges of the maze. As they kept walking they noticed the path ahead split into two, each route twisting away out of sight.

  Maya paused, her eyes darting between the two paths. “I think we should split up here. I think I got a handle on this game now.”

  “Alright," Fenix nodded, though a slight smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Just be safe, okay? I’ll see you at the center.”

  “Only if you don’t see me there first,” Maya shot back, already walking down the left path with a confident wave.

  With a chuckle, Fenix turned and headed down the opposite path, the maze's walls looming high on either side.