Bewildered, Finn watches the locator’s needles in his palm. He walks toward Inky, then past it—the needle continues pointing forward.

  Finn sighs. “I thought it was leading me to Inky,” he chuckles, relief washing over him.

  It’s not pointing downward—Risa is right ahead!

  Without hesitation, Finn takes off in the direction the locator indicates. Inky and Plushie follow obediently.

  He twists left and right according to the needles’ guidance, and after ten minutes, he stops in front of a door.

  Taking a deep breath, he gathers himself, then knocks.

  Rustling sounds come from within.

  “I know someone’s inside,” Finn calls out. “I mean no harm—I’m in a bit of a bind. Could you open the door?”

  A faint, youthful voice hesitates from the other side. “W-wait… Who are you? Why should I trust you?”

  Finn knows no one in their right mind would open a door to a stranger in this maze. Rather than waste time persuading her, he acts.

  Extending his power, he commands the twigs beyond the door to grow, forcing it open.

  The girl inside doesn’t sit idle—she retaliates instantly. A powerful gust of wind blasts toward Finn the moment the door swings wide.

  Finn flinches but is prepared. He rolls to the side as Inky steps in, its smoky form absorbing the wind as effortlessly as it devoured the Manticore’s meat.

  “Take this!” The short-haired girl conjures concentrated wind pools, launching them at Inky.

  One after another, the attacks are swallowed whole by the creature’s dark mass.

  Realising she’s outmatched, the girl makes a split-second decision. She casts a flash spell, aiming to blind her intruders. Then, she bolts for the only exit—right past Plushie.

  Finn curses as light flares in his vision. Karma really is a bitch.

  Still, his instincts kick in. Despite his temporary blindness, he senses her slipping past Inky. Acting fast, he summons a spread of twigs, covering a large area. The moment he locates her, the branches converge, ensnaring her legs.

  The girl stumbles and crashes to the floor. Inky lunges, ready to attack.

  “No, stop!” Finn shouts.

  Blinking rapidly, he fights to clear his vision. He worries Inky won’t understand, so he dashes forward—only to trip over the fallen girl and faceplant onto the ground.

  “Ouch…” Finn groans.

  “Let me go!” the girl yells, struggling against the twigs wrapping her legs.

  Blood drips from Finn’s nose as he winces. The girl keeps shaking her legs, but the bindings hold firm.

  Meanwhile, Inky floats uncertainly, seemingly unsure of its next move.

  —

  Now, all four of them sit inside the dimly lit room, staring at one another in silence.

  Finn, holding a cloth to his nose, coughs, breaking the awkwardness. “Look, I mean no harm. I’m Finn. And you are?”

  The girl sits with a quiet defiance that belies her slight frame. Fair-skinned—almost porcelain in certain lights—she carries an air of steel beneath the softness. Her pale green eyes are sharp as glass when she’s angry. Dressed in simple hunter’s attire, she grips her bag tightly, her wariness plain to see. It’s only natural—after all, they did force their way in.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  Before answering, she scowls. “First, explain why you barged in here! You even used brute force!”

  Finn sighs, raising his hands in surrender. “Fine, fine. I’m sorry about what happened. But I really was in a pinch, and I did ask nicely first.”

  He gestures toward his companions. “Me, the black shadow over there, Inky and its floating plushie just wanted a place to shelter for the night.”

  He looks her in the eyes, his expression innocent.

  The girl still holds doubt, but given they had a chance to hurt her and didn’t, she softens a little. “I’m Risa.”

  Finn’s eyes gleam. “Hello there, Risa! Just wondering… what are you doing alone in the Labyrinth of the Unknown?”

  Risa’s expression shifts. “My team was chased by a group of predators. I got separated and hid in this room for days…” Her voice wavers as the memory surfaces.

  “My canned food is running low, my water’s almost gone… I thought I was done for…”

  Finn feels a pang of sympathy.

  “Then I hear someone trying to force their way in!” She glares at Finn. “Anyone sane wouldn’t open the door in a maze like this!”

  “And you!” She whirls toward Inky. “What even are you?! How did you absorb all my wind attacks?! I thought I was doomed!”

  Her finger shifts to Plushie. “And why is there a floating doll?! I thought I was hallucinating from hunger!”

  “You—you three bullied one girl! You have no shame! Waaaahhh!” Risa wails, the past few days of loneliness, fear, hunger and stress erupting in a flood of tears.

  Finn panics. “I—I’m really sorry! I never meant to hurt you!”

  His words do nothing to console her.

  Thinking fast, he blurts, “You said you’re hungry, right? I still have some meat and water! I’ll cook the meat now!”

  Risa’s wails halt abruptly. “R-really? I’m starving!”

  Under her intense gaze, Finn has to deliver!

  “Yes! I’ll prepare the fire and seasonings right away!”

  He pulls out cooking tools from his storage stone, along with his last portion of fresh meat. He hands Risa a new water-filled container before getting to work.

  Finn casts a masking spell to conceal the scent from predators outside.

  Two pairs of eyes—Risa and Plushie—plus Inky watch him eagerly, none daring to interrupt. The clattering of the pan mixes with Risa’s rumbling stomach. The rich scent of seasoned meat fills the room.

  Before long, the food is ready.

  “Here, eat slowly—it’s still hot.” Finn hands Risa a plate.

  “Inky, you can have this.” Finn hands a small portion to Inky, who swallows it in one gulp, and pleads for more by 'staring'. But Finn pretends not to notice.

  This is the last of his fresh meat. As much as he wants to feed them all, Risa’s starvation takes priority.

  Finn takes only a small bite himself and lets Risa have the rest.

  Having gone with just enough food for days, Risa devours the meal greedily, barely pausing for breath. It’s been too long since she’s had a proper, warm meal.

  She savours the last bite, licking up every last drop of sauce, unwilling to waste a single shred of meat.

  With her hunger and thirst finally sated, it’s time to discuss what comes next.

  “Did you like it?” Finn asks with a smile.

  “Yes! It’s the best meat I’ve ever tasted!” Risa exclaims.

  Finn grins. “That might be because you were starving. But I’m glad you liked it.”

  He leans forward. “So, what’s your plan now?”

  “Our leader told us to regroup at the nearest village if we ever got separated in the labyrinth.”

  “The nearest one would be Mistwood. How do you plan on getting there alone? Predators are lurking in every corner of this maze—not to mention the dangers on the surface.”

  Risa hesitates. “I don’t know… I was thinking I could conserve my magic vault, use only masking spells, and… try to scavenge for food and water on the way.”

  Finn folds his arms. “Right. And if you’re lucky enough to avoid predators and actually find enough food and water, do you even know the way to Mistwood?”

  Silence. Risa’s expression darkens as reality sets in.

  Finn doesn’t relent. “You don’t have a map or a transportation stone, do you?”

  Risa fidgets with the strap of her bag. “I lost my map. Our stipend was tight, so we saved the money for healing stones and magic vaults.” Her voice falters, frustration creeping in.

  Now Finn understands her situation.

  “I see.” He pauses, then offers, “It just so happens I’m from Mistwood, and I’m heading back there now.”

  Risa’s head snaps up. “Really? Can I come with you?” Her eyes are gleaming with hope.

  Finn scratches his chin, deep in thought. “There’s no way she’ll make it on her own, plus I have to stick with her. But what about Inky and Plushie?”

  Inky had tried to attack Risa earlier. Sure, it was reacting on instinct, and she had struck first… but what if he hadn’t been able to stop Inky in time?

  Could they afford to stay here longer? Could he trust Inky not to lash out again?

  Finn exhales slowly, his mind made up.

  “It’s too much trouble to linger. Let’s shake them off and get back to town with Risa.”