In a dark place deep within the labyrinth — Floor Fifty.
"Ryo! Come over here!" Yui called out, a hint of excitement in her voice.
Ryo moved quietly, making his way toward her.
"Alright… I'm coming."
But just before he could take another step, he froze in place.
"Ryo?" Yui's voice shifted to concern. "What's wrong? Hurry up and come here!"
Ryo didn't respond. Something was wrong.
Yui frowned, then turned to Zalarosa.
"...Zalarosa? Who's that boy? And why was I calling him?"
Zalarosa stared at her in disbelief.
"What are you talking about?! That's Ryo… the boy you brought with us!"
As for Ryo, he stood there—vacant. His body was present, but his soul seemed lost.
"Who am I? Where… am I?" he muttered softly. No name. No past. Nothing. As if his memory had been stolen.
A sharp voice echoed inside him—
System Notification: "Warning! The user has forgotten themselves! Immediate evacuation from this floor is required before the condition worsens!"
Ryo slowly raised his gaze toward the emptiness above, eyes wide with confusion.
"Who are you? What floor are you talking about? What's going on?!"
His anxiety started rising. His breath quickened.
"Remember who you are!!" the system shouted again.
Zalarosa rushed toward him.
"Ryo! It's me, Zalarosa! Yui suddenly forgot who you were—what's going on?!"
But Ryo took a step back, his eyes scanning her face for any sign of recognition.
"Ryo...? Is that supposed to be me? Are you talking about me?"
Zalarosa blinked, stunned.
"Wait a second—what are you talking about?! Are you and Yui both messing with me?! What is going on?!"
Ryo dropped to the ground, placing his hand on his head like someone desperately trying to catch fading thoughts.
"Yui... Yui... No, I don't know who that is... And I don't know you either!"
Zalarosa clenched her fist, her mind racing with unease.
"Something's wrong... Ryo and Yui have both forgotten each other. But I still remember them… It must be him. He's playing with us again. This is his twisted game."
She looked up toward the ceiling, anger simmering in her chest.
Meanwhile, Yui was lost in her own thoughts.
"Hmm? That boy? And that girl… Zalarosa, was it? I don't know either of them. None of them feel familiar. But... the name Zalarosa... it does sound faintly familiar?"
Zalarosa broke the silence with a serious voice:
"Yui! Ryo! Come here, now!"
The two approached her.
Yui asked coolly, "What is it?"
Zalarosa responded firmly:
"Cut it out with the jokes!"
Ryo looked at her, irritated.
"What joke? Who even are you for me to joke with? I don't even know you."
A new notification appeared in Ryo's mind, more urgent than before:
"Emergency Warning! User must leave this floor immediately!!!"
Ryo clutched his head, trying to block out the shouting voice inside.
"Just… shut up already!"
Zalarosa looked at him with growing concern.
"Ryo, what's wrong? What's happening to you?"
He breathed heavily.
"Nothing… just… a voice in my head screaming at me to leave this floor… like it's trying to force me out!"
Yui stepped back, thinking.
"Seriously… I just want to leave this place. Why am I stuck with a crazy kid… and some girl I don't even know?"
Zalarosa snapped,
"Enough! We're leaving! Now, both of you—follow me!"
She pulled Ryo and Yui toward the hole that led to the next floor. But suddenly… the hole slammed shut.
Zalarosa yelled,
"You've got to be kidding me! It was open this whole time—now it closes?! That damn bastard… I swear, I'll shred you into a million pieces! Just wait for me!"
She bolted toward the staircase leading downward, but the door there was closing too.
"Come on! Come on! Please—don't shut now!"
She ran with everything she had, dragging Yui and Ryo with her, panic in her chest like fire.
They were close—so close to the stairs. Just a few more steps.
"There's still a chance! We can make it—!"
But...
Their hope was crushed.
The final monster of the floor appeared—towering, massive, roaring loud enough to shake the walls. Its giant sword raised, blocking the path.
Zalarosa screamed, her eyes burning with fury:
"Damn you… Get out of my way!!!"
She dashed forward at full speed, unsheathing her sword, leaping into the air, and cried out:
"A thousand years of blood!!! Taste death, you bastard—AND MOVE!!!"
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To be continued...