The dimly lit chamber was eerily silent except for the sound of goblins growling, their weapons nging on ground as they advanced toward me.


    Ten pairs of red eyes locked on me with not so good intent. My hand tightened around the rusted sword, the rough handle digging into my palm.


    "Alright, no aura," I muttered under my breath, trying to steady myself. "Just good old-fashioned fighting. Piece of cake."


    Behind me, Neb leaned casually against the wall, her arms crossed and a smirk ying on her lips. "You''ve got this, my prince!" she cheered, her tone dripping with amusement.


    "Stop calling me that. Will you?" I snapped, sparing her a quick re.


    "But you''re so heroic," she teased, sping her hands.


    "Sure, I''m a hero fighting goblins without powers while someone stands there doing nothing!"


    Sheughed lightly, ignoring my frustration. "Consider it your chance to impress me."


    I sighed and turned back to the goblins, who didn''t seem interested in giving me time to strategize. One of them snarled, rushing forward with a jagged axe.


    The axe came down in an arc, but I sidestepped at thest second, shing my sword in exchange. The de connected with its weapon, sparks flying as the sh reverberated through the air.


    Another goblin lunged at me from the side. I ducked, spinning around to sh at its exposed back. My movements were sturdy—without aura, I couldn''t rely on my usual precision and speed. Still, muscle memory from countless battles kicked in, and I managed to kill off the next two Goblins.


    "Keep going, Zero! You''re doing great!" Neb''s voice rang out.


    "Could you, I don''t know, help?!" I shouted as I exchange another blow.


    The goblins seemed endless, each one more vicious than thest. I swung my sword in a wide arc, forcing three of them to step back. One of them darted forward again, its ws aiming for my chest. I twisted away, bringing the de down, cutting its arm.


    A particrlyrge goblin growled and charged at me, swinging a hammer with enough force to shatter stone. I barely managed to leap out of the way, rolling to my feet and shing at its legs. It stumbled, and I took the opportunity to drive the sword, around its neck, chopping it off.


    Neb pped her hands. "So graceful! So strong! Truly my prince!" Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire


    "Can you save thementary forter?!" I grunted, shing at another goblin.


    One by one, they fell, but not without leaving me breathless. My muscles ached, and sweat dripped down my face. Finally, as thest goblin crumpled to the ground, I stood in the center of the carnage, panting heavily.


    "Phew…" I wiped my forehead, lowering the sword.


    Neb was beside me in an instant, her face alight with admiration. "My prince saved me!" she eximed, throwing her arms around my neck.


    "Oi, don''t—"


    Before I could stop her, she kissed my cheek, holding me close. Her lips lingered just long enough to make me feel awkward.


    "Alright, that''s enough," I said, prying her off gently.


    She pouted. "So cold. You could at least say thank you for the support."


    "Support?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow.


    "Cheering you on is emotional support!"


    "Yeah, sure. Let''s just move on," I muttered, walking ahead.


    We continued down the corridor, the sword still in my hand. Neb, of course, was relentless in her teasing.


    "You know," she began, her tone yful, "you''re even more handsome when you''re fighting."@@novelbin@@


    I sighed. "And you''re even more annoying when you''re not."


    Sheughed, unfazed. "Oh, don''t be like that. You''re enjoying this, aren''t you?"


    "Enjoying what? The life-threatening danger or the continuous flirting?"


    "Both, obviously," she said, her grin widening.


    I shook my head, too tired to argue.


    "Great. Now I''m a walking romance novel character," I said dryly.


    Eventually, we reached another door. This one wasrger, its surface covered in strange carvings. I pushed it open cautiously, only to freeze at the sight inside.


    Hundreds of goblins filled the room, their eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. They snarled in unison, weapons nging as they moved toward us.


    "Nope," I said immediately, mming the door shut. "Wrong door. Bye."


    Neb burst intoughter, doubling over as tears streamed down her face.


    "Why are youughing?!" I demanded, backing away from the door as the goblins began pounding on it.


    "That was priceless!" she gasped, clutching her sides. "You looked so serious for a second!"


    "Yeah, well, those things are about to break through," I pointed out.


    *THUD*


    The door burst open, and the goblins stormed out, their guttural screams echoing through the corridor.


    "Run!" I shouted, grabbing Neb''s wrist and taking off.


    "You know, this is kind of fun," she said, keeping pace with ease.


    "Fun?!" I shot her an incredulous look. "We''re running for our lives!"


    "It''s like an adventure! Don''t you feel alive?"


    "No, I feel like I''m going to die," I retorted, dodging a trap that sprung from the floor.


    Thebyrinth was a nightmare, every turn presenting new dangers. Spiked walls closed in, arrows shot out of hidden crevices, and pits opened beneath our feet. I was constantly on edge, pushing myself to the limit to avoid certain death.


    Neb, on the other hand, seemed to be having the time of her life.


    "My Dad has gotten so creative," she said, hopping over a swinging de. "It used to be little different and boring earlier."


    "Creative?! He needs to chill down." I panted, barely managing to avoid a copsing floor tile.


    She nced at me, her smile mischievous. "You''re out of breath already, my prince?"


    "What do you expect?!" I snapped, gasping for air.


    "Don''t worry, my love," she said, her tone mockingly sweet. "I''m here for you."


    "Yeah, and that''s why you haven''t done a single thing to help!"


    She pouted dramatically. "Oh, Zero. Asking your bride to fight for you is so rude."


    "Bride....?" I nearly stumbled, catching myself just in time. "You''re insane..more like truly witch.."


    "ttery will get you everywhere," she teased.


    "Talking is pointless," I muttered, focusing on navigating the maze.


    ---


    Eventually, we reached a ck door, its surface smooth and unmarked. An ominous energy emanated from it, sending a chill down my spine.


    "This feels… different," I said, my hand hovering over the handle.


    Neb tilted her head, smiling. "Ready for whatever''s inside?"


    "Not really," I admitted, pushing the door open.


    The room beyond was fully white, the air thick with an oppressive aura. Two figures stood in the center, their silhouettes sharp and menacing.


    These weren''t goblins. Their presence radiated malice, a suffocating evil that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.


    "Yo," I said casually, stepping forward. "Nice to meet you."


    The figures didn''t respond, their glowing eyes fixed on me.