Regressionists inevitably lie often.
And the method to make those lies persuasive is simple.
“This passage… doesn’t it seem suspicious?"
Simply spouting something that sounds plausible.
And at the same time, imbuing it with sincere emotion. I believe my acting skills have improved leaps and bounds from repeating the tutorial.
“All the passages we’ve seen so far had torches. They were bright and visible. But this place… is oddly dark.”
I already know the outcome.
If we keep walking down this dark passage, we’ll come across a stone door, and behind it, a mirror maze.
“I think this is a clue suggesting a ‘visual’ trial. It's hinting not to trust what we see.”
In essence, I just need to match the process to the outcome. Making up a plausible story isn’t difficult.
“So, if this passage has an end… what if we all wear blindfolds and proceed? I think there's a high possibility of a 'visual' gimmick, and covering our eyes might be the solution.”
Of course, on the surface, it seems plausible, but the basis is incredibly weak. It's just like saying, 'There are no torches from here, shall we wear blindfolds?'
“... I’m not convinced.”
Of course, it’s not convincing. It’s utter nonsense.
It’s not possible to rely on the 'awe' attribute like in the tutorial. From my experience, the stronger they are, the less likely attributes affect them. For instance, Choi Ji-won has never been affected by the 'awe' attribute.
So, I need to convince them of something that, from a logical standpoint, is impossible.
But the method to make nonsense persuasive is simple.
Crack.
If the nonsense is consistently correct.
[You have taken damage.]
[You will return to the moment you first entered the 3-5th floor.]
“... Hmm. I think there'll be weapons up ahead. Judging from this pattern...”
“Around this point, goblins should jump out. The cave structure looks artificial.”
“Judging by the shape of the cave, I think there’s a monster. Maybe… a wolf? Wolves have symbolic significance in primitive civilizations.”
Three times.
I spouted nonsense three times, and all of it turned out to be correct.
"Wow..."
"Amazing..."
As a result, my baseless claims gained authority, solely because they were correct multiple times.
“So, if this passage has an end… what if we all wear blindfolds and proceed? I think there's a high possibility of a 'visual' gimmick, and covering our eyes might be the solution.”
As a result, my 'visual trial theory' also became persuasive.
“... But, won’t it be dangerous to wear blindfolds?”
“We all have senses, right? If anything, we can just take them off. Let me tear up my leather armor to make blindfolds.”
Incredibly, Dok Su-hee, who seemed unconvinced, wore a blindfold, seemingly thinking, "It’s been right so far, so I might as well trust it one more time."
“Ah, Kangchan? Can you focus your aura on Kyung-jun? Just in case of an emergency. You know what I mean?”
After completing Angyeong-jun's empowerment and everyone's blindfold preparation.
“Now, place your palms up! Don’t remove your blindfolds until I say so!”
Krrr.
Everyone placed their palms on the stone door, opening the closed entrance.
I was confident that all the necessary preparations were complete.
Swiftly,
I discreetly removed my blindfold.
I had intentionally tied my eye-covering leather loosely. While I did say we shouldn't look ahead, who knows what might happen if I really didn't.
“... I heard something.”
However, the native spirit possessing Angyeong-jun seemed to hear even that leather sound, and began to listen attentively. Such an animal-like fellow.
“... Let’s go in. You must grip my shoulder tightly.”
We, like students playing a train game, held each other's shoulders and slowly headed into the mirror maze.
“... It’s smooth and cold. Just like the mirrors that disturb a warrior’s soul…”
Angyeong-jun, instead of holding my shoulder as I suggested, touched the mirror next to him with one hand.
“No, no, why would there be a mirror in an underground cave? It’s probably obsidian or something.”
“It's strange...” I tried to explain myself, but he kept doubting and continuously stroked the mirror.
Seeing that Angyeong-jun was fine after touching the mirror, it seemed that it wasn’t a trap that activates upon contact.
“Whew…”
At least I prevented Angyeong-jun from having a fit. For now, there's no obstacle to clear the maze.
Now, I need to consider two major factors.
First, the inherent gimmick of the mirror maze.
And second… Angyeong-jun himself.
But the latter can be dealt with later. First, we should clear the maze.
"Let's go."
With that, our group, with leather strips covering our eyes, delved into the mirror maze.
How long had we been walking in the mirror maze?
Whoosh.
A sinister wind blows.
I walked the maze diligently, using the left-hand rule.
Walking through a mirror maze, where my reflection appears constantly, is no ordinary task. It's hard to distinguish what's a path and what's a wall, and seeing one’s movement repeated dozens of times feels like it jumbles the brain.
"... Gulp."
Was it due to brain fatigue?
Just now... it seemed like my reflection in the mirror moved.
It appeared to smile eerily.
But logically, a mirror wouldn't move.
Was it just my imagination?
From many horror movies, I've learned that if I dismiss it as 'just my imagination,' I'd probably die.
Besides, this maze is part of the tower. Anything could happen here. It's better to be alert than to be off guard.
While keeping my senses sharp,
"Junho."
“Why are you speaking, Su-hee? Didn't I emphasize not to talk inside the maze?”
Dok Su-hee suddenly spoke. It seemed urgent.
“Yes? Me?”
But Dok Su-hee tilted her head as if she hadn't said anything.
“... Didn’t you just call my name?”
“No? Was it me?”
Right, this is how it starts.
Let's see how long they maintain this eerie atmosphere. I'm prepared.
At that moment when I gritted my teeth and stared intently.
I locked eyes with my reflection in the mirror.
The reflection stared blankly back at me and then,
Squeeeek.
Laughed eerily, chillingly.
As its smile grew wider, almost reaching its ears,
"Ha ha ha ha ha!!!"
It lunged at me!
“I expected as much.”
But I was ready. The possible gimmicks for a mirror maze are limited.
Typically, when one touches a mirror, they are pulled into a mirrored world where monsters pretend to be them.
This was the same. The moment my reflection and I locked eyes, I had anticipated its attack.
“Hmph!”
Swish!
I narrowly dodged the monster's sharp claws and slashed at its throat.
“That was easy.”
Such a feeble attempt at horror can't shake a seasoned regressionist like me. If the Archangel wanted to fluster me, he should've prepared a more threatening trap.
As I confidently wiped the blood off my sword,
"…?"
I glimpsed something in the mirror next to me that I shouldn’t have.
"… Mirror."
It was the eyes of Angyeong-jun.
"The mirrors, there are so many..."
Angyeong-jun stood there, blood dripping from his forehead, his face contorted grotesquely.
It seemed the blindfold was cut by the monster's swipe.
I should've blocked it. That was a mistake.
"Damn it..."
I took a deep breath and gently closed my eyes.
"...Are you trying to bewitch me again, without getting tired!!!"
Clang!
[You have taken damage.]
[You will return to the moment you first entered the 3-5th floor.]
Ching!
"Argh!"
This time, after brilliantly deflecting the monster's claws, I slashed its throat.
I typically avoid blocking attacks due to the counter-reaction, but in situations like this, I should consciously block attacks as well. "What, what are you talking about?"
"I smell blood..."
"It's nothing. Let's keep going."
"I stepped on something squishy..."
After stepping over the corpse of the mirror monster and wandering for about 30 more minutes,
"Should we take off our blindfolds now?"
Finally, the end of the mirror maze was in sight.
Ignoring the significant look Angyeong-jun was giving me, and the confused looks from Gang-chan and Dok Su-hee,
Objectively, the difficulty of the mirror maze was quite easy.
There was a monster lurking, but it wasn't that powerful...
Excluding the fact that Angyeong-jun had a fit, it was incomparably easier than the monster wolf.
Yes, excluding the fact that Angyeong-jun had a fit.
I had a growing suspicion in my mind.
Could Angyeong-jun's fit be included in the difficulty level?
If so... Each room might be custom-designed. I had a bad feeling about this.
"Hey, I see something!"
My unease peaked when we reached the next room.
A long corridor stretched out in front of us.
The visibility was good because of the densely packed torches, but the emptiness bothered me.
Is another monster going to jump out? No, it's too narrow for a monster.
Considering the straight corridor...
"… Should we step back?"
After making the others move back, I cautiously took a step.
Clank.
Simultaneously with the sound of metal engaging,
Whoosh!
Exactly five arrows were shot at me!
"Damn it!"
I had somewhat expected it and managed to dodge the volley of arrows by jumping back.
My bad feeling turned into reality, and I involuntarily broke into a cold sweat.
This room is undoubtedly a trap. From the 'clank' sound earlier to the arrows raining down.
In fiction, protagonists usually endure a barrage of attacks, avoiding vital areas, and then barely survive, often recovering with potions...
But for me, getting grazed even once means I'll regress.
Since entering the 3rd floor, this has been the worst counter I've faced.
"... Heh."
I couldn't help but laugh.
It's true that it's the worst counter. I know that under normal circumstances, it would take hundreds, if not thousands, of attempts to get through here.
But it's okay.
"... Chan-hyung."
"Why?"
"Can you break what's ahead?"
Now, I have a cheat key too.