"Welcome, challenger of the sect."
Maxwell looked around, only to find himself in a place he had never seen before. Everywhere he looked, purple roses stretched endlessly, extending as far as the eye could see.
"Who are you?"
"What is this place?"
"Why did you bring me here?"
Maxwell's voice trembled. Who wouldn't be scared? One moment, he had been talking with Catherine—then, in the next, he found himself here.
Even so, Maxwell was definitely not going to let the mysterious voice know of his fear, for it will be akin to giving a knife to the enemy in his book.
"You'd better return me before—"
Before he could finish, the voice interrupted him.
"Soooo... many questions.But as much as I would love to ignore them all, I'll still answer two of them. Choose wisely," the voice said with an exasperated sigh.
"Alright, if that's the case wh—" Maxwell began to speak, but just like that last he was interrupted by the voice again.
His teeth clenched.
Curse you, you stupid voice. I doom you and your entire lineage for a thousand years!
"Listen, kid, don't—"
The voice suddenly stopped, as if examining him.
"What's with that face? Wait… don't tell me…" it muttered thoughtfully.
"Got it." the voice said sharply
Maxwell was certain that if the voice had hands, it would have clapped them together.
"You were so angry with me that you cursed me in your thoughts, didn't you?"
Maxwell froze.
How does it know?! Even though he knows, As long as I don't admit it, it's just speculation on his end!!.
"As if I'd waste energy cursing you," Maxwell replied flatly.
"Don't play dumb with me," the voice said with amusement. "I've dealt with your kind countless times. In any case, think carefully before using those two questions."
With that, the voice fell silent.
"Two questions aren't nearly enough," Maxwell muttered, "but I'll have to make do."
"First—what does 'challenger of the sect' mean?"
"Good," the voice said, sounding pleased. "You're smarter than most. Still, you asked the wrong question."
"What do you mean?" Maxwell asked, confused.
"Compared to the last guy who asked me for money-making tips—or the girl who wanted advice on confessing to her crush—you're leagues above them.
Even though They didn't leave here alive, but they gave me a good laugh."
"As a reward, I'll grant you one extra question."
"Thanks…?" Maxwell replied, speechless.
Who asks dating advice in a place like this?!
"Enough staring into space," the voice snapped. "Continue."
"When you said I asked the wrong question—what did you mean?" Maxwell asked after regaining his composure.
"Simple. Whether you asked it or not, I would have explained it anyway. You wasted that question."
"So the extra question you gave me just replaced the one I lost," Maxwell muttered.
"What was that?" the voice asked.
"Nothing," Maxwell replied quickly. "I was just admiring how wise and benevolent you are."
"Good. You do have decent character," the voice praised.
"Wait… something's not right."
A chill crept down Maxwell's spine.
"You said earlier that a guy and a girl asked useless questions and died. And you also said you would explain what the challenger of the sect is."
"So if you were going to explain it anyway—how did they die?"
"Oh, that's simple," the voice replied. "They died because their abilities weren't sufficient enough to leave this place alive."
After a pause, it added, "Don't misunderstand. They weren't weak. In fact, you're probably the weakest person to ever come here—in the millions of years I've overseen this place."
"So whether you survive or not is entirely up to you. Though realistically speaking…"
"I doubt you will."
"You have the lowest chance I've ever seen."
"So—any more questions?"
Sweat poured down Maxwell's face, soaking his clothes.
"Shit…" he whispered.
"I'm in trouble."