Rephya recalled that day.

That day, the roars of demons outside the town were deafening.

A group of demons, origins unknown, breached the town militia's defenses in a very short time.

Amidst panic and great sacrifice, these demons were finally driven off.

At that time, her father, a member of the militia, returned home covered in wounds.

Her mother shed tearful eyes while applying medicine to him.

Her father silently ruffled her hair, saying:

"Rephya, see these scars? They are a warrior's medals."

However, that night, her father became fierce and cold, even biting her mother.

In her last memory, Rephya only saw her father, momentarily lucid, grab the axe at home, shouting:

"Adelle, Rephya, go quickly, leave the town."

Without a word, her mother held her bleeding hand, picked her up, and fled in panic.

As they ran out the door, she couldn't resist looking back at her father.

Her father pointed the axe blade at himself.

"Don't look, Rephya."

Her mother covered her eyes with her hand.

She ran with her for a long, long time.

From night to day.

Rephya didn't know how her mother had so much stamina.

It wasn't until they saw another town that her mother set her down and said:

"Rephya, the road ahead, you must walk it alone."

She placed the dagger she took when they left into her hand.

Her face gradually turned purple-black, and with a tearful voice, she said:

"Rephya, help me."

But at that time, she ran away.

...

Sometimes she wondered if her mother would hate her for that.

She only learned later what had happened.

It was a group of demons infected by the plague of the dead that attacked the town.

Those bitten by them also became the next carriers of the plague.

That's why her father realized this and told her mother to flee the town with her.

Her father was always the bravest person.

When the town faced demons, he was always the one charging to the front.

He always proudly said that it was this courage that allowed him to meet her mother.

Because her mother was one of those desperately rescued by her father during a demon attack.

But her mother wasn't.

Her mother was always gentle, afraid of pain, and liked to cry.

She certainly didn't have the courage to raise a knife to herself.

So perhaps, back then, giving her mother a quick end might have been the best repayment.

That way, her mother wouldn't leave the world worried about harming her daughter.

So, this time, her sword would not cease.

"I'm sorry, mother."

Holding her mother who lay in her arms, she sobbed uncontrollably.

But that phantom gently caressed her cheek, saying:

"As long as you live, it's enough."

Rephya held the lifeless body, silent for a long time.

So, as long as she was alive, it was enough?

At the next moment, however, she felt a chill down her spine.

A powerful threat was rapidly approaching her.

It was an illusory shadow.

Also known as... the Labyrinth's Lone King.

She remembered the words she overheard while wandering in the city from the merchants:

"The Golden Maze only has two challenges. The first is to face your weakness. Those who overcome that will meet the Labyrinth's Lone King.

It is said that it is a Heroic Illusion left by the first generation of the Heroic Squad, which automatically adjusts its power level according to the challenger's current strength."

And the upper limit of this adjustment level, to this day, remains unknown.

Among the strongest who have come here, there was even a Sequence Two Angel.

In other words.

This is a maze exceeding S-level classification.

Yet she... after taking action, she had already given up the thought of fighting again.

Was she going to be defeated?

That might be good; just withdraw like this.

As the Heroic Illusion raised the Battle Halberd in its hand, a smile appeared on her face, like a blooming snow lotus.

At this moment, even the Heroic Illusion hesitated for an instant.

Then, a hoarse male voice came from behind her:

"Stand back; let me take over the battlefield."

"Senior..."

Rephya, who had closed her eyes waiting for death, opened them.

"Chloe..."

Rephya spoke slowly, as if wanting a response from the person behind her.

Tears streaked down Rephya's face.

At this moment, Chloe finally arrived at the battlefield.

The roaring Thunderbolt shattered the Heroic Illusion that sought her out.

The man who always helped her secure victory in times of danger had come to her side.

"The way the Phantom Ghost harms is by using exceptional Phantom Magic to manifest the most cherished or deceased person in others' hearts.

Even those who came to challenge the Golden Maze bring teammates just so their phantom can be dealt with by a companion."

Chloe's long boots kicked up some dust as he stepped on the ground.

He looked calmly at the Treasure Elf flying in front of him.

"Xiaoke, welcome home."

"Nini, you won't be mad at me, right?"

Chloe raised the Thunderous Battle Halberd.

However, the Treasure Elf cheerfully extended her hands, saying:

"After hurting me, give me a kiss, and I'll forgive you."

"Okay."

The Battle Halberd pierced through the Treasure Elf's body.

Chloe held the lifeless fairy and gently kissed her forehead:

"Goodnight, Nini."

Rephya stared blankly at the scene before her.

For some reason, a thought suddenly occurred to her.

No matter if Senior becomes the Demon King or not, he has the heart of a strong person.

Chloe turned to look at Rephya, saying:

"Are you still sad?"

Rephya wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and said:

"This maze is too cruel."

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