Scott found himself in a dimly lit space, surrounded by towering walls that seemed to reach into the heavens. Icy winds roared around him, devoid of any discernible taste or scent, while distant waterdrops echoed off the concrete.

Welcome to Thisos’ Labyrinth! The Lesser god of Doom, Thisos, bids you memorable stay! You’re being watched by over 1000 sanctuaries! Main Quest has been updated! Main Quest: Make it to the end of the Labyrinth!

Scott glanced briefly at the notifications before turning his attention to a group of four unfamiliar faces. All were women, and of different races. Two of them sported massive fluffy white wings sprouting from their backs, feathers adorning their forearms and ankles. Their armor left little to the imagination, focusing mainly on covering their privates.

Avoiding the Avians' gaze, Scott focused on the human member of the group, a petite woman with striking dark hair. She wore loose-fitting clothes and clutched what appeared to be an artist’s brush, her eyes flicking back and forth between the notifications.

The final member of the party was a pale-skinned beauty who seemed as though she had been sculpted by the gods themselves. Her rich amber hair contrasted with her gray, insidious eyes. Adorned with a sleeveless, enchanted upper garment that revealed a multitude of crucifixes tattooed on her lower arm, she completed her outfit with black, tight-fitting pants and matching boots.

The vampire in the group spared only a cursory glance at the notifications, her attention drawn instead to the unfamiliar faces. A somewhat sadistic smile played on her lips, revealing her protruding canines.

By majority rule, The Hound Extermination Crew will now be known as the official party name!

Scott disregarded the system notification, his frown deepening as his gaze fixated on the illusionary, purple skulls that had suddenly materialized after the last system message. Though he couldn’t see above his head, everyone in the expanded group bore the same eerie symbol.

Zara cleared her throat, her attention drawn to the unfamiliar faces among them. “You must be members of Claw,” she began, her tone friendly yet cautious. “I'm Zara, the leader of this party. Let's work together to survive whatever challenges lie ahead.”

The ladies, unlike the vampire, wore apprehensive expressions as they assessed their temporary companions. It was evident from their faces that they harbored hesitation and regret. Of the six-member party, only Orion appeared somewhat ordinary, though an inexplicable primal fear seemed to emanate from him.

“I'm Lysa,” the vampire announced with a regal smile, proceeding to introduce her companions. “These harpies are Uvoinne and Uvophine, and the artist is Daphine. We're eager to collaborate with you,” she added, her eyes darting between Scott, Slim, and Fi-Fi, who had transformed into a miniature gelatinous form.

Zara nodded in acknowledgment, redirecting her focus to the towering walls surrounding them. The space between each wall was vast enough for over a dozen people to walk side by side, and their height prevented anyone from feeling claustrophobic. Zara couldn't help but wonder about the enigmatic place they had been transported to.

“Pardon me for asking,” Lysa interjected, approaching with measured steps. “I hate to admit it, but I'm clueless about the nature of this trial. Have any of you figured it out?”

Lysa halted in front of Zara, her towering presence contrasting with the feline's stature. She exuded an air of both authority and benevolence as she reached for Zara's blond hair, her other hand gently resting on the feline's chin.

“Your eyes are truly beautiful,” Lysa remarked, her fingers gently sifting through Zara's hair. “And you have an enchanting scent. Please forgive my candor, but it's quite captivating,” she complimented.

Zara, momentarily speechless, managed only a timid, “Thank you.”

But Lysa silenced her with a finger pressed gently against her lips, its cool touch oddly comforting. “No, the honor is mine. I'm grateful for this encounter,” she insisted.

A faint blush tinged Zara's cheeks as she averted her gaze from the vampire's intense stare. She turned towards Scott and Slim, her thoughts reaching out to them telepathically. “Um, help? I'm not sure what's happening right now,” she pleaded.

Slim chuckled softly, amused by the brawler's embarrassment. He approached with measured steps, a charming smile gracing his lips. “Unfortunately, we're just as uncertain about this trial. Caution is advisable. None of us would want to face unforeseen consequences, especially after coming this far,” he advised, stopping a respectful distance from the vampire.

Lysa regarded the necromancer with a smile, releasing her hold on Zara's features. “You're absolutely right. We must proceed carefully,” she agreed. Pausing for a moment, she peered at Slim, trying to recall where she'd seen him before. A second passed, and her eyes lit up with delight. “You're Slim the Grimm, aren't you? The lead singer of Bone Squad?” she exclaimed, retrieving a poster of Slim and his band from her inventory. “Can I have your autograph? I'm a huge fan,” she gushed, unable to contain her excitement.

A wave of pleasure washed over Slim as he eagerly produced a pen. “I'm thrilled to meet a fan. Of course, I'd be happy to,” he replied with a smile. Naturally, the necromancer shot a gloating smile toward Zara, but the feline simply rolled her eyes.

As Slim engaged with the vampire, Scott quietly approached Orion, the champions standing side by side.

“So, have you figured out anything about this place?” Scott inquired wordlessly.

Stolen story; please report.

Orion adjusted his glasses before lifting his head. “Above us, there's a chaotic mix of energies swirling, seemingly waiting for a fool to present themselves as a sacrifice. There's a 99.9% chance most people would meet a brutal death if they dared to use the skies to exit the labyrinth.”

Scott followed suit, his gaze tracking a stream of divergent, somewhat colorful swirls in tandem with the icy winds. “What about underground?” the eldritch knight inquired.

“It's likely even worse,” Orion replied after a brief pause. “I need more time to analyze the data, but from what I've seen so far, anyone who attempts that route will probably be devoured by lava or banished to an unfathomable abyss. The energy readings down there are even more chaotic. It's fascinating,” the mage chuckled.

Though neither spoke aloud, it was evident to the trained eye that they were engaged in conversation.

“Do you see it, too?” Scott suddenly asked.

Orion pondered for a moment; lips twisted in thought as he observed his companions. “Barely. Its shape is still indiscernible, but it resembles some sort of skull.”

“You'd be a formidable adversary,” Scott commented, his voice devoid of emotion.

Orion chuckled softly, readjusting his glasses. “I've heard that before,” the mage teased. “Fortunately, we don't have to worry about being enemies, right?”

Scott glanced at him, meeting Orion's probing gaze with an unseen smile. Then he turned away. “I can tell this trial is going to be extremely difficult and unpredictable. If we survive, it's unlikely to be unscathed.”

“I agree,” Orion nodded, turning his attention to the all-female party. “If necessary, we have four willing sacrificial lambs at least, but who knows, fortune may favor us,” the mage said.

“Continue your research, and don't be careless,” Scott advised before departing.

Orion watched the eldritch knight make his way back to his previous position with a smile. At the same time, he noticed Llorva staring in his direction. He offered her an even more dazzling smile, but the elf simply averted her gaze.

Meanwhile, Lysa, Slim, and Zara had finished their pleasantries. The party leaders called their members together, preparing to brave the unknowns ahead.

“I know it will be difficult to trust each other in these treacherous games, but I hope we can at least work together to ensure our mutual survival,” Lysa said, adopting a serious demeanor.

“We share the sentiment,” Zara nodded. “We promise not to harm or betray you if you don't.”

“Our sentiments exactly,” Lysa agreed. “If there's nothing more to say, I believe we should prepare to depart.”

Zara exchanged a glance with her companions, receiving a subtle nod in return, before turning back to Lysa. “We're ready. Will you be performing the honors?”

The vampire bit her lower lip momentarily before nodding in agreement. Without a word, the champions from Claw took the lead, followed by Scott and his companions at a moderate pace.

The howling winds grew louder as they advanced, drowning out the sound of their boots against the concrete floor. Scott's vision flitted between the scratched-up walls and tiny cracks, but he found no trace of life in the area.

With only a narrow pathway ahead, the group proceeded cautiously. Three hours passed with no change in scenery or direction—no turns, no bends, nothing but the same monotonous path stretching before them.

“How much longer do we keep walking?” Daphine grumbled, wiping sweat from her forehead.

The group had experienced only one change during their trek: the alternating temperature within the labyrinth. Orion theorized that the temperature shifted every kilometer, though most of the champions had lost track.

“We should be grateful it's just that,” Slim remarked, loosening his necktie and stowing his blazers in his inventory. “Imagine having to fight or run in these conditions.”

“Yeah, it's going to be rough,” Daphine agreed, retrieving a water bottle from her inventory.

“Indeed,” Slim replied, but the conversation trailed off.

Despite some small talk between the groups, an air of guardedness lingered. They were strangers in an unknown and likely perilous location.

Another three hours passed, with occasional breaks. The temperature fluctuations grew more erratic, with hot and cold regions mere steps apart.

Exploring the monotonous terrain left the group mentally fatigued, but their determination remained steadfast. They knew one moment of carelessness could mean defeat in the merciless ranking games.

Six more hours passed, with no change in scenery or weather.

“Why would anyone create such a poorly designed maze?” Slim grumbled aloud. “Is this even a maze? We've been walking straight ahead for who knows how long.” He sighed, splashing clean water on his bones.

Maintaining absolute concentration for thirty minutes was difficult for most people, let alone for several hours. Many would easily become mentally fatigued and complacent, especially when anticipating potential threats and challenges.

The group continued to walk for another two hours, taking longer breaks in between, yet nothing had changed. However, the champions had stopped complaining about the lack of variation and had grown accustomed to the ever-changing conditions. Unlike before, members of the two groups frequently chatted with each other, with Scott and Fi-Fi being the quietest.

“Whoever designed this labyrinth seems intent on boring us to death,” Uvoinne remarked, leaning against Uvophine. The harpy sighed softly before nibbling on an oddly shaped, succulent fruit.

“At least it's better than running for our lives or fighting some crazed lunatic,” Zara muttered before swallowing a recovery pill.

“To be honest, I hated it at the beginning, but I think I'm getting used to this place,” Slim chimed in. “Remember my tailor buddy I mentioned earlier?”

“Yeah, what about him?” Zara replied, not paying much attention to the necromancer.

Slim leaned in closer. “You're not going to believe this, but according to him, there are floors in the ranking games that encompass massive battlegrounds where champions simply engage in a free-for-all.”

Zara frowned, turning toward the skeleton. “How can you be sure he wasn't exaggerating?”

Slim shrugged, shaking his head. “I have no idea, honestly. But he doesn't seem like the type to. I'm just saying things could be far worse than they are,” the necromancer explained.

“Your tailor isn't wrong. Such a place does exist,” Orion commented with a chuckle.

Instantly, all heads, apart from Scott's, turned in his direction, their curious eyes silently demanding answers. The loquacious mage didn't hesitate, pointing toward Scott as he continued, “It's called the theatre, and Scott and I, as well as our departed friend, all experienced it. I've never had so much fun in one place. Trust me, it's an experience to die for,” the mage giggled as he readjusted his glasses.

Zara and Slim immediately turned their attention toward Scott, preparing to speak. However, a system notification suddenly appeared in front of the group.

You have failed to cross the first layer at the appointed time!

The expressions of the champions changed, unable to believe what they were reading. Another notification appeared before anyone could speak.

You will be returned to the starting point!

The illusionary skulls hovering above their heads materialized briefly, expelling a swirling purple miasma that engulfed the champions in an instant before they vanished. Moments later, the group reappeared, exactly as forewarned, confronted by towering walls that signaled the beginning of the labyrinth.

You will be able to challenge the first layer in thirty minutes. Please prepare accordingly!