Whoosh—

The sound of the wind today is the same as usual, yet also distinct, as it whips past their ears.

In this very moment.

Ronald and Nicole are "falling" upwards through the air.

Both are the type to embrace adventurous and novel ideas, so when Ronald suggested jumping up, they quickly agreed without much debate and took swift action.

They chose the right spot.

Aiming for the one correct path in the maze suspended in the air, they courageously jumped 'down'.

That's how the rules of the "Maze Picture Book" work.

They tried hard to control their direction, falling towards the correct path.

During this unique descent, Nicole clung tightly to Ronald's left arm, excitedly asking:

"Ronald, your method really works!"

"I just thought it could be worth a try..."

Bang bang—

Unfortunately, the length of this journey wasn't enough.

It didn't allow them to finish their conversation.

Just as Ronald said half his sentence, their bodies hit the aurora corridor's road heavily.

On any other day.

It'd be hard to imagine people landing hard on something like an aurora.

But in the cartoon world woven by "Maze Picture Book," it indeed happens, and Ronald and Nicole just accomplished such a rare feat.

"Ugh..."

After recovering from the dizziness caused by the impact, they got up.

Ronald turned to look at Nicole beside him. Her eyes had turned into spiral swirls, like mosquito coils, and stars and little birds circled around her head.

This fall was no light hit, Nicole was a bit dizzy from the impact.

And Ronald himself pretty much looked the same.

Despite feeling pain and dizziness, both were in good spirits.

Because the path they bravely chose was the right one!

After taking such a heavy fall, they now stood on the only correct road leading to the opposite side.

Under Ronald and Nicole's feet, a pale green aurora corridor stretched all the way to the ground on the other side. At this moment, there was no interference, as long as they kept running forward, they could naturally reach the opposite shore of the sea.

"Phew—"

"Let's go!"

Ronald exhaled deeply, shaking his head to clear his mind again.

Once again holding Nicole's hand, they continued running, sprinting away towards leaving the sky behind.

It was at this time.

The girl, still a bit groggy from the fall, started to respond and continued her thoughts from the air:

"Ronald, your idea really worked!"

While still running, Ronald replied to Nicole:

"Thinking about it, many rules in the 'Maze Picture Book' are related to cracking labyrinths, if there was nothing to be cracked here, then why create an inverted setting?"

"I see!"

Nicole nodded, accepting this explanation.

But looking at the close ground ahead, new questions quickly sprang from the investigator girl's mind:

"But Ronald, we're running upside down in the sky right now!"

"If we keep going this way, can the two of us really return to the normal head-up, feet-down state?"

"I think... whoa!"

As Ronald was about to say something.

The words at the tip of his tongue turned into a rare curse.

Because as they ran towards the shore, they finally moved beyond the sea's coverage area under them as they ran on this aurora corridor, arriving above land.

In that instant.

The force that had hung them upside down suddenly vanished.

Just like when they first courageously leaped towards the sky, Ronald and Nicole lost balance again and fell towards the ground.

Bang bang—

After two solid thuds.

Ronald and Nicole landed on the ice cap of the Arctic continent.

Fortunately, this fall wasn't as dramatic as before; although they fell, they weren't injured, only their clothes got a bit disheveled while rolling.

"That was so sudden..."

Climbing back to his feet once more, Ronald immediately turned his head to the investigator girl beside him:

"Nicole, now do you know how we managed to land?"

Nicole nodded with a look of grievance:

"I get it now, but I hope we can try a different method next time."

"Falling like this all the time sure is thrilling, but it's not fun at all!"

[Brave adventurers!]

[They used their wisdom and courage to pass through the dangerous air corridor!]

[At this moment, they are only a short distance away from escaping this dreadful place.]

[Can they overcome the final obstacle and escape the pursuit of these terrifying creatures as they did before?]

Ronald and Nicole stood up again, straightening out.

At this moment, the voiceover from the void appeared once more around them.

Indeed, things were exactly as the voiceover said.

Looking further south, extending from where they stood, a straight white snow line extended into the ocean far ahead.

Ronald recognized this location.

This is the only path from the land to reach the Arctic mountain path.

As long as they cross this last stretch of distance, the two can reach Entrod and finally escape the confines of the Arctic continent.

The end of the game is near!

Ronald felt a little emotional, and Nicole also joined in slightly reflecting beside him:

"Turns out we were pretty close. It's only been a little over a day, and we're about to leave the Arctic?"

Ronald shook his head, denying Nicole's thought:

"The 'Maze Picture Book' probably altered the scale of the world."

"Considering how fast we left before, even counting the distance ridden on the ice world skateboard, it wouldn't be enough to reach the edge of the Arctic continent."

[Children!]

[Those wicked villains are about to flee from this land!]

[Protect your mother! Capture these two vile beings and tear them to pieces on the spot!]

Suddenly, the voiceover from the void emerged again.

This time, the voice took the stand of the pursuers, bringing with it a rare, stark killing intent.

No words needed.

This maze chase game has reached its final phase.

And the most dangerous time.

If Ronald and Nicole successfully pass through the mountain peak path in time, the sealing of the Dust Behemoth will be successful.

On the contrary, if caught by the predators chasing them.

They will not only suffer the binding result of a failed spell but may also face the dire consequence of being torn to pieces.

This moment, Ronald's tone took on a serious depth:

"Nicole, this should be our final journey."

Nicole, on the other hand, confidently responded:

"Even if they have four legs, I'm not afraid!"

"Let me tell you, Ronald! During my time as an investigator at Burenwidge, no criminal has ever outrun me!"

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