Chapter 227: Breaking the Illusion!
"**Dark Eye—Illusion!**"
No one had anticipated the sheer potency of Leo's **Dark Eye** illusion. Even Hobbes and the other seventh-level spellcasters found themselves momentarily ensnared, their bodies trembling violently as their expressions twisted into grimaces. However, waves of intense mental energy began to emanate from their forms.
"Just an illusion? You think that can confuse me?"
Hobbes's voice rang out, accompanied by a surge of wild mental energy that burst forth, shattering the crimson glow of Leo's **Dark Eye**. The faint crimson threads dissipated rapidly, and Hobbes, along with the other spellcasters, regained clarity.
As spellcasters of the **Abyssal Fortress**, they were deeply experienced in dark magic and illusions. Their familiarity with such techniques made their resistance far stronger than most. Even Leo's **Dark Eye** illusion could not hold them for long.
Despite this, the brief exchange left Hobbes and his peers with a sense of unease. Though they had broken free, they realized they were at a disadvantage. The **Dark Eye's** true strength lay not in its illusions but in its destructive capabilities. They were unsure if they could withstand its full force.
Hobbes hesitated to act rashly. Instead, he shouted, "Leo! If you take another step forward, neither you nor Merlin will leave the **Abyssal Fortress** alive!"
This wasn't an idle threat. Though the fortress's founder, Damanis the Archmage, had long vanished, a **ninth-level spellcaster** still resided within its walls. These ninth-level spellcasters were the ultimate strength of organizations like the **Dark Domain** and the **Abyssal Fortress**, and they had not been mobilized even during the alliance against Osam.
However, if Leo attempted to breach the rules of the fortress by entering the **Dark Maze**, the ninth-level spellcaster would have every justification to intervene. Hobbes's warning carried the weight of this deterrent.
For the first time, Leo hesitated. His vacant eyes stared into the pitch-black entrance of the **Dark Maze** before his expression hardened once more.
"Merlin cannot die. If saving him means paying a price, I'll pay it," Leo said calmly. With that, he continued toward the **Dark Maze**.
Hobbes and the others exchanged wary glances before Hobbes roared, "Leo, if you insist on forcing your way in, you'll have to get through us first!"
The three spellcasters unleashed surges of elemental energy, their spells ready to be cast.
"**Dark Eye—Destruction!**"
Before Hobbes could act, the **Dark Eye** on Leo's forehead flickered and unleashed a dense beam of crimson light. Silent yet overwhelming, the light carried an unmistakable aura of destruction that filled Hobbes and the others with dread.
"Not good! It's the **Dark Eye's** destructive attack! Even a seventh-level spell can't block this. Retreat!"
The three spellcasters scrambled to evade, their movements frantic and ungraceful. Watching Leo continue toward the **Dark Maze**, they exchanged looks of frustration.
"He's insane. We'll have to summon Blackerman," Hobbes muttered.
The others nodded. Blackerman, the **ninth-level spellcaster** of the **Abyssal Fortress**, was their only hope of stopping Leo. While they might not fear him in a direct confrontation, they were unwilling to risk severe injuries against such a formidable opponent.
---
Inside the **Dark Maze**, Merlin had lost count of how many illusions he had experienced. Each illusion drew on his deepest desires, and as he indulged in them, his strength grew alongside his ambition.
The illusions allowed Merlin to live countless lives—experiencing far more than he had in both his current and previous lifetimes combined. In one illusion, he achieved his goal of becoming the most powerful spellcaster. In another, he ruled as a supreme king.
Such illusions were designed to entrap their targets. Yet Merlin's unwavering clarity and rationality repeatedly saved him. In the most dangerous moments, when he was on the verge of losing himself, **Matrix** intervened, reminding him of the reality beyond the illusion.
Unlike the **Awakening Stone**, Matrix provided precise, consistent guidance. Its ability to track his time in the maze and notify him of anomalies kept Merlin grounded. Each time he was about to succumb, Matrix's reminders jolted him awake, allowing him to refine his belief.
Over time, Merlin's **belief**—the strength of his inner resolve—grew exponentially. Though his magical power remained unchanged, his mental fortitude reached new heights.
---
In one illusion, Merlin found himself transformed into an ancient deity, wielding unimaginable power. At first, the experience was intoxicating, but a sudden alert from **Matrix** snapped him back to reality.
"Time's up. Return immediately."
The word **return** echoed in Merlin's mind, momentarily confusing him. He was a god in this illusion, unchallenged and uninterested in mortal affairs. Yet as Matrix displayed records of his time in the maze, memories of entering the **Dark Maze** and consciously choosing to confront illusions flooded back.
"So… this is just another illusion," Merlin murmured with a wry smile. The illusion shattered, and he found himself once more in a cold, dry cave.
Even now, Merlin suspected he was still within another layer of illusion. The **seventh day illusion** was notorious for being nearly impossible to break, even for those aware they were ensnared.
"**Matrix**, how much time has passed since I entered the **Dark Maze**?"
"You have been in the maze for nearly seven days. Two hours remain."
Merlin frowned. He had spent countless cycles within illusions, yet only seven days had passed. However, the time remaining made one thing clear: he was nearing the illusion's climax.
"It's time to end this," Merlin muttered. The unyielding belief he had honed through endless illusions surged within him. Even if he lost everything—Matrix, his spells, and his power—his conviction would sustain him. This inner strength was his greatest triumph.
Closing his eyes, Merlin revisited every illusion he had experienced. One by one, the vivid images played out in his mind, testing his resolve.
"Nothing can deceive me," Merlin declared, his voice low but firm. As he opened his eyes, they gleamed with a depth as vast and unfathomable as the night sky.
---
Outside the **Dark Maze**, Leo continued toward the entrance. Hobbes and his companions, their expressions dark, began carving intricate runes into the air. These were summoning runes, designed to call upon Blackerman, the fortress's ninth-level spellcaster.
"**Master Leo!**"
A sudden voice broke the tense silence. Hobbes froze mid-gesture, his eyes darting toward the **Dark Maze** entrance. Emerging from the darkness was a figure—a silhouette growing clearer with each step.
It was Merlin.
Hobbes's hand hesitated, and the unfinished rune flickered out. His face betrayed a mix of astonishment and disbelief.