Chapter 1624: A Complex Theft (7)
When Ace saw the abrupt changes in the labyrinth-like terrain, his pupils contracted slightly.
"Moira, what happened? Was the initial route incorrect?" Ace still seeks Moira’s confirmation, as he thought Moira was probably realtering the route in real time as he moved forward to optimize a short, safe path.
"No, sir, I didn’t do anything and marked the path correctly that led directly to the Transcendent Void Obsidian." Moira’s reply was unexpected, "What actually happened is the paths suddenly changed, and that’s why a new route appeared!"
Ace grimaced slightly because this thought also crossed his mind, but the reason he didn’t take it seriously was that he didn’t feel any tremors, spatial fluctuation, or distortion...nothing at all, and yet, the structure of the labyrinth had changed without any detectable sign.
’So, this place wasn’t left unguarded for no reason...’ Ace stood still for a moment, his thoughts racing.
However, despite this obstruction, he still thinks he could overcome it and moved again following the newly indicated path.
But not long after, it happened again...the path shifted, and another route lit up!
Ace stopped once more, his expression turning grim as he thought, ’...Again? What is triggering this sudden change? Could it be that this labyrinth changes on its own after a certain time, randomly? It’s as if this labyrinth is alive or at the very least actively changing, and what made it worse and most dangerous of all is I can’t feel it at all...’
Ace’s mind tightened as no matter how subtle a spatial shift was, there should have been something or any trace like a ripple, distortion, or delay, but here nothing, as if the change had always been there, and reality itself had been rewritten seamlessly.
’Just what kind of place is this...?’
A trace of wariness surfaced in his eyes, but still, he didn’t retreat; instead, a thought formed.
’There has to be a pattern or timing. If the labyrinth shifted at intervals, then all I need to do is move faster than the shift and cross as much distance as possible before it changes again.
’I can’t use Lawless Darkness to overcome it since there isn’t a formation, but the paths are moving, and if I try to overpower these paths, I’ll be noticed!’
The next moment, Ace’s figure blurred, and dark Tempest activated once more as he surged forward at high speed, following the current path with precision.
One turn, two turns...five turns...his speed continued to increase, becoming faster, sharper, and more direct.
But just when Ace thought he had grasped the way to pass this strange labyrinth, the moment he crossed several junctions, the map changed again with the path shifted...and again a new route appeared.
However, this time, Ace didn’t stop; he didn’t let his speed deter him; instead, he instantly adjusted to the new path and twisted his body towards the next path as he continued forward.
But then, it happened again, and then again. It was like the land could feel Ace’s speed and was reacting to him, making the shifts come faster and more frequent, restricting him while guiding him away, or even worse, preventing him from reaching a specific destination.
After almost exhausting half of his recovered Primordial Spirit Qi, Ace’s speed slowed and then stopped completely. This time, his expression turned slightly pale.
’...So that’s how it is.’
His gaze lingered on the ever-changing map as a new, eerie realization dawned on him. This labyrinth wasn’t just shifting randomly, but it was responding, and the more he tried to push forward, the faster it changed. As if it didn’t want him to reach the end.
As this assumption became a reality, a deep unease settled in his heart. This place, which had seemed unguarded and empty, was anything but.
’No guards...’ Ace thought as his eyes darkened, ’...because it doesn’t need any for this entire labyrinth...is the guard!’
Ace didn’t move for a long time and simply stood there in silence, his gaze fixed on the ever-shifting Live Fate Map as countless possibilities flashed through his mind.
’Forcing through it is not an option, and waiting for a pattern to appear seemed too slow and uncertain. As for breaking it, I can’t, if I don’t know what I’m breaking...’
He thought gloomily as every option led to risk, and in this place, risk meant exposure.
"...Tch." A faint click of his tongue echoed softly in the empty corridor.
Ace’s eyes dimmed slightly as he replayed everything from the beginning. The absence of guards, the unnatural silence, and the undetectable shifts. The labyrinth reacts to his speed, his movement, and most likely his presence.
But the moment he thought about that last thought, it made his pupils contract. Ace’s mind suddenly sharpened as a possibility surfaced, something he had been using from the very beginning, yet hadn’t fully relied on here.
’The Lawless Darkness!’ His expression turned thoughtful, ’If this labyrinth truly reacted to my presence, then what exactly is it detecting? Movement? Qi? Intent? Or simply existence?’
Ace’s eyes flickered as he again thought about the Lawless Darkness that didn’t just conceal him, but properly erased him completely without any presence or trace. Even laws can’t perceive him.
’If that’s the case...’ A dangerous thought formed, ’Then to this labyrinth... I might not even exist.’
Up until now, he had relied on standard stealth to conserve his Qi and mental strength, only preparing the Lawless Darkness as a last resort, but now, that restraint might have been the mistake.
’My stealth... wasn’t enough. It could still sense me, and that’s why it kept shifting at a crucial point...’
Ace exhaled slowly, and he knew even if this theory was wrong, he had to try because every other option was worse.
The next moment, his eyes turned cold, and without hesitation, he activated it. The Lawless Darkness surged outward, silently enveloping him like an abyss swallowing light itself.
In an instant, Ace vanished fundamentally as if he had been removed from existence itself.
Even the surrounding space no longer acknowledged him, and Lawless Darkness seemed to be even more powerful than before, as if reacting to Ace’s understanding.
Ace didn’t waste time and stepped forward and followed the newly marked path.
One turn, two turns...five turns...ten turns...Ace moved steadily, not rushing this time, maintaining perfect control over his speed while monitoring the Live Fate Map closely.
Seconds passed, and then two minutes, his eyes narrowed slightly as he thought with a hint of excitement, ’...It hasn’t shifted.’
Another minute passed, and still nothing changed as the path remained stable, unmoving, and unaffected.
At that moment, a faint light returned to Ace’s previously gloomy eyes.
’...So that’s it?’ Ace thought, almost amused.
The labyrinth really could no longer detect him, which meant it could no longer respond; a quiet realization settled in his mind.
He clicked his tongue softly as a rare trace of self-reflection surfaced in his expression, ’Thinking inside the box, I restricted myself.’
For a moment, Pixy’s earlier words echoed faintly in his mind.
’Caution... or cowardice?’ Ace’s lips curled slightly, ’...Looks like she wasn’t entirely wrong."
He had been too focused on minimizing risk and conserving resources, and in doing so had overlooked the most direct solution, his own ability and greatest advantage.
Ace’s gaze sharpened again, but this time there was a hint of clarity behind it. Without further hesitation, he increased his speed.
Now that the path no longer reacted, there was no need to hold back. His figure became a silent blur as he advanced deeper into the labyrinth, each step precise, each movement controlled.
The twisting paths no longer felt oppressive, and the shifting threat was gone. For the first time since entering this place, Ace felt a clear direction!
