Where did those cat demons encountered earlier on the road come from?

After opening the door before them, this question seemed to have found its answer.

This also confirmed one of Lin Mo's speculations—the magical creatures in this maze weren't confined to their designated areas; they could leave their chambers to hunt for food in nearby or even more distant locations.

Then another question arose...

If the bluish-gray doors represented bronze-level chambers, then within this bronze-level chamber before them was one Rune-Scarred Cat Demon plus over a dozen... counting those eliminated earlier on the road, nearly twenty ordinary cat demons total.

Yet the chamber they just fought through contained only one minotaur—clearly an imbalance.

If the bluish-gray doors represented bronze-level chambers, then within this bronze-level chamber before them was one Rune-Scarred Cat Demon plus over a dozen... counting those eliminated earlier on the road, nearly twenty ordinary cat demons total.

Was the difficulty set this way, with varying strength levels among chambers of the same rank, or was it...

The intense, rapidly erupting battle earlier prevented Lin Mo from continuing this line of thought, but now, sounds from behind confirmed his worst fear with factual evidence.

The answer was that the previous chamber didn't contain just one minotaur—but two!

One had simply been out at the time, which explained why the treasure chest didn't unlock after they defeated the minotaur in the chamber.

Now, whether pursuing them after discovering its companion's brutal death or simply by coincidence, the other minotaur had appeared behind them...

Bern didn't have time for such extensive consideration, but he recognized the drum-like heavy footsteps behind them. His extensive experience allowed him to make an accurate judgment instantly.

"Run!"

Without any hesitation, he shouted, putting all his strength into a "Shield Bash" that knocked back several cat demons in front of them, clearing a path.

Cody reacted first, immediately abandoning his struggle with the two cat demons and leading the charge toward the chamber ahead—more precisely, toward the fissure at the chamber's far end.

Evan and Miriam came to their senses and hurriedly retreated.

A single minotaur or one Rune-Scarred Cat Demon plus those ordinary cat demons—they could potentially defeat either. But both groups combined? Even with Lin Mo present, they stood absolutely no chance of victory.

If they hadn't coincidentally found the secret realm's exit, this would have been a certain death situation.

But even with an escape route, would their retreat proceed smoothly?

Behind them, thundering footsteps rapidly approached as the massive figure pursued them with its giant axe.

Before them and to both sides, the cat demons just knocked back by Bern launched another assault.

"Damn it..."

Cody, who had retreated first, quickly found his path blocked by cat demons. Gritting his teeth and gripping his dagger tightly, he charged forward recklessly but ultimately found breaking through the blockade far from easy.

Evan and Miriam also became entangled. Because they focused solely on retreat rather than fighting, their situation became even more perilous than before.

A single minotaur or one Rune-Scarred Cat Demon plus those ordinary cat demons—they could potentially defeat either. But both groups combined? Even with Lin Mo present, they stood absolutely no chance of victory.

Miriam couldn't calmly draw her bowstring to shoot either, as nearby cat demons continuously harassed her, leaving deep, bone-visible wounds across her body.

Bern remained at the rear of the party, similarly struggling to cope with several cat demons' coordinated attacks.

If this continued, they'd face complete annihilation before even reaching the secret realm's exit!

Lin Mo understood the critical situation and wanted to disengage from the Rune-Scarred Cat Demon before him, but leaving this creature unchecked would only get his teammates killed faster.

Thus he could only contain it while seeking opportunities.

The minotaur from behind had already caught up, its massive iron axe descending toward Bern with terrifying oppressive force.

"BOOM—!"

This time, without Lin Mo intervening to block, the giant axe struck Bern's shield directly. Overwhelming force hit him, giving him no chance to resist as he was sent flying, vomiting a great mouthful of blood mid-air with a "wah—!"

Simultaneously, several cat demons chased toward his landing point.

Lin Mo finally seized an opportunity. When the Rune-Scarred Cat Demon attacked again, instead of using a skill to repel it as before, he slightly turned aside, avoiding vital areas.

The Rune-Scarred Cat Demon realized something was wrong but couldn't withdraw its strike in time. Sharp claws tore through Lin Mo's leather armor, sinking into flesh.

"Cross Slash!"

The next moment, a cold voice sounded beside them as sword light flashed, sending an arm flying into the air.

"Tch."

Lin Mo clicked his tongue. The Rune-Scarred Cat Demon's speed remained too formidable—in that instant, it had forcibly adjusted its angle to also avoid vital points.

Lin Mo understood the critical situation and wanted to disengage from the Rune-Scarred Cat Demon before him, but leaving this creature unchecked would only get his teammates killed faster.

He looked behind them, and his pupils abruptly constricted.

"ROAR—!"

A furious roar reached their ears. After severely injuring Bern with one strike, the minotaur raised its black iron axe again, swinging toward Evan.

At this distance, it was already too late...

Lin Mo gritted his teeth, not pausing as he rushed toward Bern—now closest to him, lying on the ground with almost no strength left to resist.

----------

"Huff— Huff—"

Lin Mo finally seized an opportunity. When the Rune-Scarred Cat Demon attacked again, instead of using a skill to repel it as before, he slightly turned aside, avoiding vital areas.

The Rune-Scarred Cat Demon realized something was wrong but couldn't withdraw its strike in time. Sharp claws tore through Lin Mo's leather armor, sinking into flesh.

Miriam stood behind Evan, having just fired an arrow that pierced a cat demon's skull.

She saw everything happening clearly—saw the minotaur taking heavy steps, swinging its giant axe toward Evan.

In that moment, the world before her seemed to freeze.

Her body moved before her mind could process. Muscle fibers in her calves tore instantly as she pushed herself to her lifelong fastest speed, her figure becoming like a blur as she threw herself toward the youth before her—

Lin Mo clicked his tongue. The Rune-Scarred Cat Demon's speed remained too formidable—in that instant, it had forcibly adjusted its angle to also avoid vital points.

But regardless, this exchange of injuries for results succeeded. As the Rune-Scarred Cat Demon hastily retreated, Lin Mo finally freed himself.

"Where did this stray dog come from meddling? Get him!"

She looked up and saw that youth, as thin and small as herself, being beaten until blood streamed down his face.

"..."

"Black bread—I bought it with money I earned myself. Here, I'll share half with you..."

"Why don't you like talking... What's your name?"

"Your uncle is terrible! My uncle is great—the money I used for black bread came from working for him..."

The girl stubbornly pressed her lips together, but tears still traced down her cheeks. For the first time, she spoke, interrupting the chattering youth: "Miriam... My name is Miriam!"

...

"I borrowed some money from Uncle Bern. He said he's an adventurer, so he earns lots of money... I'll become an adventurer too someday, earn lots and lots of money, never worry about hunger again."

"Miriam, I finally became an adventurer! Don't worry, I'll earn money soon!"

"I rented a room for you, so you'll have a home from now on..."

...

"Miriam, we'll definitely become adventurers famous throughout Roland Town... no, throughout all of Lania City!"

So noisy...

The wind roared in her ears as Miriam felt herself flying, her body becoming light and weightless.

She met Evan's gaze, saw the shock and grief on his face, and a faint smile quietly bloomed at the corner of her lips.

Goodbye, my... beloved.