Day was slowly breaking over Okutama's rugged landscape, painting the sky a bleak gray hue that reflected the survivors' heavy mood. The first light of morning crept through the dark clouds, dimly illuminating the desolate scene before them. The trees stood silent, their bare branches seeming to twist in a ghostly dance in the icy morning breeze. The mountains loomed on the horizon, their dark silhouettes standing out against the pale, monotonous sky.
Yet, despite the quiet beauty of the dawn, an atmosphere of tension hung in the air. The psychological after-effects of the enigma that had befallen them were palpable, each feeling the crushing weight of uncertainty that hung over them. Miura, once confident and determined, now showed a face marked by panic, his features drawn by stress and anxiety. His eyes, once sparkling with assurance, now betrayed a glimmer of doubt and fear.
Ishikawa, noticing Miura's unease, tried to reassure him with words of comfort.
"I know the situation is critical, but remain confident. Don't forget that our psychological state can also take a point off our HP bar."
He reminded her of the words he had spoken to her the day before, trying to rekindle even a spark of hope in his new companion's heart. But despite his efforts, the shadow of uncertainty persisted, enveloping Miura in a vice of despair.
"Nothing's lost yet! Let's try to find a monster to kill before the explosions start."
In a last burst of hope before the bombs went off, Ishikawa and Miura set off into the forest in their area in search of a monster to kill. Their footsteps echoed in the oppressive silence of the forest, their hearts beating with the frantic rhythm of urgency. They knew that time was running out, that every moment brought them a little closer to the inevitable. But despite everything, they persisted, their determination burning brighter than ever in the looming shadow of impending doom.
As Ishikawa and Miura embarked on their desperate search for a monster, an unexpected event disrupted their carefully laid plans. Suddenly, without warning, their surroundings changed radically, transforming themselves into a complex and bewildering labyrinth. Trees metamorphosed into impenetrable walls of greenery, familiar paths became lost in an endless maze, and the horizon itself seemed to warp in an unreal distortion.
"Why is the ground shaking, what's going on?"
Lost in this strange, oppressive universe, Ishikawa and Miura were caught off guard, their confusion growing with each passing moment. The air seemed charged with electricity, the atmosphere vibrating with a mysterious, unknown energy. Then an announcement rang out, revealing the terrifying nature of their situation.
[A special event NFT card has been used!
Name: The Minotaur's Labyrinth
Rarity: Rare
Power: Creates a deadly labyrinth in which the victim must defeat a Minotaur to escape].
Their terrain, along with all the others, had been transformed into a deadly labyrinth, a fearsome challenge launched by a powerful unknown map that held them captive. And to escape this infernal maze and avoid the imminent explosions, they would have to face the Minotaur, a legendary creature renowned for its power and ferocity. If by some miracle they managed to defeat him, he would show them the way to freedom, offering them a chance of survival in this hostile, merciless world.
Ishikawa, overwhelmed by incomprehension and perplexity, found himself unable to fully grasp the significance of this new ordeal. Too many questions swirled in his mind, too many uncertainties hovered over their uncertain destiny. But despite it all, a glimmer of determination still burned in his heart, fueling his courage and resolve in the face of adversity.
In a tense discussion between Ishikawa and Miura, the brutal reality of their situation hit them hard.
Ishikawa, with a determined look in his eyes, addressed Miura in a voice imbued with urgency. "We've got to find a way to defeat this Minotaur. It's our only chance to get out of here before the explosions."
Miura, his face marked by anxiety, nodded with a grave expression. "I know, but how are we going to do that? We don't even know what this Minotaur looks like or how to fight it."
Ishikawa took a deep breath, his mind working at full speed. "We need to come up with a plan. Let's focus on our strengths and use them to the best of our ability. Together, we can do it."
The resounding words of the announcement still echoed in their minds, repeating over and over again the formidable challenge that lay before them. In this dangerous and unpredictable labyrinth, the Minotaur represented both their final obstacle and their only hope of salvation.
As time inexorably ticked away, Ishikawa and Miura faced up to the ruthless reality of their destiny, realizing that they had to unite and find the courage to face this ordeal. Every moment was precious, every decision crucial. In this fight for survival, their determination and resilience would be their only allies.
In the dark depths of the labyrinth, Ishikawa and Miura faced a formidable adversary. He had just found the Minotaur, imposing and ferocious. The creature's roars echoed through the narrow corridors, filling the air with palpable tension.
Ishikawa, knowing they must defeat the Minotaur to escape, prepares for battle.
"The only way out is to face him. But without weapons..."
"Sir, are you all right?" asked Miura's gentle voice.
"Stay well back. I've got no choice... I'll have to face him barehanded."
The Minotaur charged, its horns gleaming in the darkness, its powerful muscles ready to crush everything in their path. Ishikawa throws himself aside just in time to avoid the devastating attack, feeling the creature's hot breath on his skin.
"Maestria, combat mastery!"
He retaliates with agility, dodging horn blows and launching precise counter-attacks. But every time he strikes, he realizes that his blows barely seem to scratch the Minotaur's thick skin.
The creature is fast, powerful and determined, and Ishikawa soon finds himself cornered. He must not only protect Miura, but also find a way to defeat this colossal monster.
Despite his desperate efforts, Ishikawa feels his strength gradually diminishing. The Minotaur is a formidable opponent, and every blow he receives reminds him of the gravity of their situation.
As he fights relentlessly, Ishikawa feels his muscles trembling with fatigue, his lungs burning with effort. But he refuses to give up. He's fighting for Miura, for their survival, for their freedom.
But as the fight reaches its climax, Ishikawa makes a fatal mistake. The Minotaur manages to throw him off balance with a powerful blow, hurling him violently against a stone wall. He felt the searing pain explode throughout his body as he lost consciousness, the blackness of unconsciousness gradually engulfing him.
As Ishikawa lay on the ground, his mind wandered into the maze of the past, where memories mingled with reality. A poignant scene emerged from the darkness of his memory, revealing a critical moment from his tumultuous past in the Japanese army.
In this vision of the past, Ishikawa found himself in a desperate situation, hunted by the enemy in hostile terrain. His tactical skills and composure were put to the test as he tried to find a way out of this deadly impasse. In an act of bravery and determination, he devised a daring strategy to save one of his comrades, putting his own life at risk to ensure their survival.
"Please help me!"
As the memory unfolded in Ishikawa's tormented mind, he felt anew the thrilling urgency of that moment, the unbearable pressure on his shoulders. Every detail of that traumatic experience was etched in his memory, revealing the true nature of his character and his resilience in the face of adversity.
Then, in a burst of consciousness, Ishikawa was brought abruptly back to the present by the heart-rending cries of Miura, his current companion in distress. Miura's voice echoed in his mind, awakening a deep-seated protective instinct. In that fleeting moment of clarity, Ishikawa realized that it was his duty to come to Miura's aid, as he had done for his comrade in the past.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Ishikawa reared back with renewed determination, his eyes fixed fiercely on the Minotaur before him. An unexpected surge of courage swept through his being, propelling him into the face of danger with newfound assurance.
"You!" he cried, pointing an accusing finger at the towering creature. "Why don't you take on opponents your own size?"
His voice, imbued with a newfound authority, echoed through the electricity-charged air, challenging the Minotaur with unsuspected audacity. Around him, a brown aura emerged, enveloping him in a protective halo, like an invisible shield forged by his steely determination.
Ishikawa was ready to face the Minotaur once again, his muscles braced, his mind sharp as a blade. He would not shrink from this challenge, determined to protect Miura and find a path to victory, whatever the cost.
[You have just triggered the Highlights 'Guardian Angel'!
New special skills are about to be offered].
[New special skills:
- Reflection of Fury +
- Perception of the Bull +
-Shield of Athena + ]