The hour struck 7:54 AM.
Inside a silent classroom lit by the faint glow of an artificial sun, Lumiel sat near the door, watching over an unconscious Skye.
> "Has it already been a full night…? Since that demon sent us into this labyrinth?"
He leaned against the wall, weary yet restless. Curiosity gnawed at him—where exactly were they?
He stood and peeked through a crack in the floor. There was no ground. Just a bottomless, black void.
> "Where even are we?"
A soft chime echoed in the air.
> [System Notice: Labyrinth Appraising…]
> "The system can appraise the whole labyrinth?"
A shimmer of green flickered beside him. Kurt appeared, arms crossed as always.
"Your synchronization rate has improved. That's why it can handle a feat like this," he explained.
Lumiel turned toward him, hopeful. "What's my current rate?"
"Currently at 19%—especially after reappraising Skye earlier," Kurt said. Then his voice lowered, curious. "But once this labyrinth is fully appraised, you may reach 20%. That unlocks… a new part of the system."
Lumiel's eyes lit up. "That's great—"
Another chime rang out.
> [System Notice: Labyrinth Appraised]
Name: The Demon's Playground
Type: Illusion-based labyrinth
Creator: Demon Jestervyne
Structure: 5 Floors
Note: Escaping is nearly impossible. The deeper the floor, the stronger the monsters—some rivaling or surpassing demons in power.
Lumiel's brows furrowed.
> "Wait… Five floors? But the demon said there were fifty."
Before he could ask more, another notification appeared.
---
> [System Notice: Synchronization Milestone Achieved]
Soul Synchronization Rate: 20%
Status: Stable
Emotional Resonance: Aligned
Soul Fragment: Kurt [Lv. 98 Adventurer]
---
> Unlocked Features:
▶ Party / Allies — Access Granted
→ Lumiel can now create a party of people he invites
→ Party members can access Lumiel's Inventory
→ Party members can be tracked on the Map (Locked)
→ Max Members: 5
---
Lumiel's eyes widened.
> "So I can form a party now... and even track them later?"
Just as he scrolled through the new options, Skye stirred beside him.
"Urgh… my head… and body... What happened...?"
Skye rubbed his eyes, groaning—then looked over at Lumiel, who was seemingly talking to thin air.
"I should definitely try this with Skye," Lumiel muttered.
"L-Lumiel…?" Skye said weakly. "Are you really Lumiel… or some kind of god?"
Lumiel turned around and smiled. "Still me. But I need you to try something."
Skye blinked. "O-Okay?"
"So... how do I make a party?" Lumiel whispered to himself.
> [System Notice: Request for Party Creation… Y/N?]
Lumiel tapped the invisible button.
> [Party Created]
Invite members by directly asking. They must accept.
He turned back with a more serious tone. "Skye."
Skye gulped. "Y-Yes?"
"Wanna join my party?"
"Party…? Like a game?"
"Exactly."
"Uh… sure?"
> [System Notice: New Member has joined your Party]
> Current Members:
• Skye (The Mimic)
• Empty
• Empty
• Empty
Lumiel's eyes glimmered.
> "That actually worked…"
Skye tilted his head. "What worked?"
"Say… Inventory open."
"Okay…? Inventory open?"
A glowing box shimmered into view near Skye.
"Woah… what is this?"
"Try putting something in it," Lumiel said.
Skye grabbed a nearby broom and shoved it into the inventory box. It vanished into light.
"It absorbed it!"
"I haven't stored much yet, but we can start using this for supplies," Lumiel said calmly.
After resting for ten minutes, the two prepared to move.
"Hold on," Lumiel said, raising a hand. "Nature's Calling."
From his shadow, flickering shapes emerged—birds, foxes, wolves. Animals born of mana and memory.
Skye flinched. "Monsters?!"
"No… they're scouts. They'll help us navigate."
Lumiel sat cross-legged, hands together, and closed his eyes. His vision split—spreading into the many creatures he summoned.
Moments passed. Then he saw her.
A woman. Wandering.
> "Wait… someone… but… she's not wearing our uniform?"
He focused one of the scouts toward her. The woman turned.
And Lumiel's breath caught in his throat.
"W-Wait… Mother?"
Skye blinked. "Mother? What do you mean?"
Lumiel didn't respond. His body trembled.
There she was. Lylia.
The first to ever treat him like family.
His non-biological mother… the one who once gave him warmth when the world cast him out.
"W-Why… are you here…? Where have you been…?"
Tears spilled down his cheeks.
And for the first time since entering this nightmare…
Lumiel let himself hope.