Befriending The Most Powerful Person

《116》

Upon waking, Shao Ci found himself not in the familiar manor but within a perplexing maze. The surroundings undeniably resembled a challenging level, illuminated by a distant oil lamp, with nothing but an empty aisle.

Contemplating his situation, Shao Ci wondered, "Have I entered the treacherous realm directly controlled by the demonic boss within the villain's narrative?" Reflecting on the fate of the first villain, the Duke of Stuart, who was burned to death, he speculated, "It seems I've traversed that path a while ago..."

Guided by his knowledge of ominous scenarios, Shao Ci navigated the maze by walking along the wall. Time was not his concern; rather, he worried about the potential emergence of monsters.

As he turned a corner, Shao Ci faced a sudden obstacle - a portrait hanging on the wall. Though previously dismissed as mere decoration, the Duke of Stuart's portrait now cast doubt on Shao Ci's sanity.

Hesitating to pass the painting, Shao Ci glanced back, startled as the delicate blond boy in the portrait smiled at him. Quickly moving away, he felt relief when the painting was out of sight.

Yet, the absence of the painting revealed dark monsters in the maze, reminiscent of Xavier's game monsters. Unfazed, Shao Ci confronted them, dispatching them with a holy water-blessed knife. To his surprise, these monsters didn't perish but transformed into dark mist, reforming once more.

"This is troublesome," Shao Ci grimaced. Killing them proved futile, making a swift exit imperative. The usual strategy wouldn't suffice, prompting Shao Ci to retrace his steps.

As if triggered, monsters emerged, chasing Shao Ci through the maze. Fending them off, he felt a sudden cold touch on his neck. Turning around, a painting revealed a vivid young blonde hand extending towards him.

Startled, Shao Ci stepped back, wary of being pulled into the painting. The restored portrait displayed the handsome young man above, gazing at him with gloomy eyes. Alarmed, Shao Ci focused on avoiding similar encounters in the maze.

Amidst the chaos, Shao Ci spotted a door ahead. Rushing towards it, the game system announced, "[You need to answer the puzzle to open the door.]"

Confused, he encountered a translucent screen displaying various topics, including future knowledge. The system explained that the maze's monsters would grow stronger over time, and this was the only exit.

Facing an unexpected challenge, Shao Ci sought the system's help. However, it could only provide textbooks. With determination, he said, "Pass me this information." Despite trembling hands, he delved into the knowledge, relying on faint memories to navigate the unconventional puzzle.

Struggling through the test papers, Shao Ci dedicated himself to painful studying, unsure of the time it took to complete them. His robust mental force made learning and understanding more manageable; otherwise, Shao Ci might have lingered in this place indefinitely.

Upon finally unlocking the exit, Shao Ci felt a sense of accomplishment mingled with exhaustion. "Is enduring such torture worth it?" he thought. Perhaps the villain boss truly was a demon.

Beyond the door awaited a spacious area, and at its center stood a young man. With a beautifully gorgeous face, black hair akin to crow feathers, golden eyes, and black wings, he smiled at Shao Ci, remarking softly, "We meet again, as expected."

Undoubtedly, this was the devil.

While the face seemed vaguely familiar to Shao Ci, he couldn't recall where he had seen it. The devil, looking at Shao Ci wearily, maliciously commented, "I thought you'd be slower... Did you experience the feeling of despair?"