Vol 2 Chapter 196: Breaking the Ice
As the examination progressed, by the ti the maze challenge had been ongoing for half a day, most examinees had encountered at least one puzzle.
Of course, judging by the distribution density of these puzzles, it was inevitable that not every team would have the opportunity to claim one exclusively. Many teams encountered other groups upon discovering puzzles.
While a handful of reckless individuals might choose to fight for possession, the vast majority of teams would weigh the pros and cons of conflict and opt to respect the first-co-first-served rule after careful consideration.
So more unconventional teams even chose to rge.
Admittedly, according to the rules, puzzle rewards could only be awarded to one team. Even if two teams collaborated to solve the sa puzzle, only one side could receive the reward. In other words, when two teams rged, the newly ford six-mber team would only receive half the original reward per puzzle solved.
However, with this cooperative foundation, a six-person team would gain combat advantages surpassing ordinary three-mber teams. Subsequently, this rged team could directly challenge other three-mber teams for their puzzles. After seizing puzzles, they could redistribute the rewards among themselves. This "plundering" approach proved far more efficient than laboriously searching for undiscovered puzzles. Thus, even with halved rewards, the strategy remained worthwhile.
Moreover, as more teams solved at least one puzzle, they began discovering that these puzzles offered more than just points.
In fact, the puzzles scattered throughout the maze varied in difficulty. While simpler puzzles only awarded points, solving more challenging ones would unlock new passages for examinees.
These passages often allowed rapid traversal between distant areas, bypassing lengthy detours. However, only those present during the puzzle's solving could access them using their number tags. In other words, these weren't ordinary paths but veritable "secret passages."
While point rewards couldn't be shared, secret passages could be used collectively by all participants. This incentivized more teams to rge, as everyone understood - once the exit's general direction was determined, speed beca crucial for better rankings.
Amidst these undercurrents, Team 277 with Veronica continued operating independently.
Despite being alone, thanks to Valerian's exceptional abilities and Dogtail Grass's competent analytical support, the trio had solved three puzzles within half a day.
Their first solved maze puzzle also contained a secret passage reward. Behind the luminous wall displaying the map lay the passage's entrance. After solving the puzzle, the chanism within the wall activated, revealing the hidden path. This secret passage not only allowed Team 277 to bypass nurous winding routes, enabling more efficient exploration, but also helped them avoid other teams, eliminating unnecessary standoffs and allowing focused pathfinding.
When locating their second puzzle, they finally encountered another team. Veronica, who had been treated as a mascot until now, thought her mont had finally arrived. However, Valerian's reputation preceded her - few dared confront her directly. Thus, they secured the reward without expending any magical energy.
Team 277 progressed with remarkable smoothness. Despite Veronica's inactivity, the team encountered no obstacles. Only after solving their third puzzle did circumstances finally shift slightly.
This puzzle also contained a secret passage reward. As the luminous barrier dissipated, revealing the passage entrance, all three mbers simultaneously noticed - the scenery beyond had changed.
Having traversed the maze extensively, they'd grown accustod to its uniform appearance - leafy green shrubbery corridors with virtually indistinguishable scenery everywhere.
Yet the passage behind this puzzle differed entirely - dark earthen walls with scarcely any greenery, only so withered branches protruding from the soil.
Though no signage existed, all three sensed an unmistakable "authorized personnel only" aura emanating from this entrance.
Nonetheless, none showed hesitation. Valerian entered without changing expression, while Dogtail Grass rely swallowed hard before proceeding. They knew potential dangers lurked within, but this also suggested the passage likely concealed greater secrets.
Advancing cautiously while scanning their surroundings for hidden threats, they ford a protective formation - Valerian leading, Dogtail Grass guarding the rear, with Veronica sandwiched between them like a protected VIP.
Veronica naturally couldn't complain about this protective arrangent, though she felt sowhat embarrassed by the treatnt.
Moreover, despite their smooth progress and decent coordination, Team 277 remained eerily silent even after solving three puzzles. Unless encountering problems, neither Valerian nor Dogtail Grass initiated conversation, focusing solely on exploration. An outside observer might mistakenly assu internal conflict plagued the team.
The thought "I should contribute sohow" grew increasingly insistent in Veronica's mind.
Since exploration presented few challenges, her earlier idea about improving team dynamics and lightening the atmosphere seed worth attempting.
Thus, when the trio reached another turn and Valerian instinctively shielded Veronica while feeling the wall ahead, Veronica spoke up with mixed sincerity and calculation:
"Your younger sister must be very fortunate."
"Hmm?" Valerian turned back slightly surprised. "Are you talking to ?"
"Yes. Was that too abrupt?" Veronica nodded.
"A little, but not unpleasant." Valerian shook her head before asking curiously, "But why ntion my sister suddenly?"
"Just a passing thought."
Veronica maintained moderate warmth, rely seeding conversation: "Though we've only tead briefly, I've noticed your protective instincts during our journey. Thank you - you're remarkably caring."
"Ah." Valerian belatedly gasped, covering her mouth. "Apologies, I've unconsciously placed you in that child's position again..."
"I'm not sarcastically criticizing you," Veronica stated plainly. "I just found it unexpected."
"Unexpected?"
"Given your fa and strength, your consistently calm deanor initially made you seem sowhat aloof and unapproachable."
Veronica lowered her head slightly as if genuinely apologizing: "So when you patted my head earlier, I reacted poorly. My apologies."
"Ah."
Valerian blinked, flattered. "No need to apologize. If anything, my behavior was presumptuous first. I'd worried you might dislike for it."
"Not at all. You're an excellent teammate."
Having said this, Veronica turned to Dogtail Grass: "Sa goes for you - thank you."
"It's nothing really. As we agreed when teaming up, this repays your earlier guidance, Gentian."
Receiving such formal gratitude flustered Dogtail Grass: "Also, similar to her, I have a younger brother at ho, so I've sowhat developed elder sister habits..."
"Brother?" This clearly piqued Valerian's interest.
"Ah, um..."
Dogtail Grass still struggled conversing with Valerian, imdiately tongue-tied. Yet ignoring the question seed equally rude. After freezing montarily, she strained to voice:
"Yes."
"How lovely. I've always wanted a brother too."
Valerian nodded gently. "Unfortunately, my parents divorced shortly after my sister's birth, so that never happened."
"Ah, sorry for bringing up painful mories..." Dogtail Grass mumbled awkwardly.
"I ntioned it first. As long as you don't find such talk depressing."
Valerian showed no intention to dwell: "Returning to earlier - what's having a brother like?"
"Well...that is..."
Though stamring, Dogtail Grass answered honestly: "He often snatches my things, which can be annoying. But mostly he's adorable and plays with frequently, so it's quite nice..."
She haltingly shared anecdotes about her brother, gradually growing more fluent as she acclimated.
Valerian clearly overlooked her disjointed delivery, genuinely interested in the topic as she periodically responded with her perspectives.
Veronica skillfully interjected whenever conversation lulled, maintaining lively atmosphere.
This should count as successfully breaking the ice...right?
She pondered internally.
Honestly, she hadn't expected such smooth progress. Had they not effortlessly found common ground, she'd planned further conversational avenues. Still, this developnt was favorable - sparing her from prolonged childish affectations she couldn't confidently maintain.
At least one objective was achieved.
Thus the trio conversed with their respective thoughts, though surface atmosphere had undoubtedly ward compared to earlier. But as they delved deeper into the maze and topics gradually andered, an anomalous magical resonance suddenly made Veronica narrow her eyes.
Nor was she alone - noticing Veronica's reaction, Valerian and Dogtail Grass likewise ceased talking, scanning their surroundings alertly:
—Sothing seed to be nearby.
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