Chapter 12

Miguel stepped through the threshold leading deeper into the underground labyrinth, his newly acquired Abyssal Gauntlets adding a reassuring weight to his stance. The stone passage narrowed before opening into a vast chamber, dimly lit by ethereal blue torches lining the walls. Unlike the first floor, which was built like a battlefield, this place felt more like an ancient sanctuary—ominous, yet oddly still.

A system notification flickered before him:

[Second Trial Activated: The Watcher's Puzzle]

[Objective: Solve the puzzle and reveal the path forward. Failure will result in permanent entrapment.]

Miguel frowned. "No pressure, huh?"

He took a cautious step forward, eyes scanning the massive stone tablets that stood in a semi-circle in the center of the room. At the heart of the chamber sat an obsidian pedestal, atop which rested a glowing sphere, pulsing faintly with golden light. The ceiling was covered in intricate carvings, depicting celestial bodies in various alignments.

As he approached, the sphere flickered, and a deep, hollow voice resonated throughout the chamber:

"One who seeks the truth must align the heavens."

Miguel's eyes narrowed. A puzzle, just as the notification had warned. He studied the carvings overhead, noting that they showed different phases of celestial motion. Then, glancing at the stone tablets, he saw that each bore a different symbol—stars, moons, and a singular burning sun.

He reached for one of the tablets and felt a surge of resistance. A system prompt appeared:

[Hint: The alignment must match the true order of celestial motion. You may attempt only three solutions.]

Miguel exhaled. "Alright. No room for mistakes."

He turned back to the ceiling, analyzing the celestial configurations. He had no experience with astronomy, but he knew how to recognize patterns. The carvings showed cycles—waxing, waning, full alignment—each subtly indicating a sequence.

Miguel placed the sun tablet in the center, aligning the moons and stars on either side. As soon as he stepped back, the chamber rumbled, and a grinding noise echoed through the air.

[Incorrect Alignment. Two Attempts Remaining.]

Miguel's pulse quickened. "Okay… think this through."

He took a step back, reassessing the pattern. The sun was likely important, but maybe it wasn't the center. He rearranged the tablets, this time placing the stars at the center, with the sun positioned last in the sequence. Another rumble followed.

[Incorrect Alignment. One Attempt Remaining.]

Miguel clenched his jaw. "Damn it. I need to slow down."

He studied the celestial carvings once more, noting that the cycle always ended in darkness before beginning anew. The answer clicked in his mind. He repositioned the moon as the central piece, aligning the stars and sun accordingly.

A deep hum filled the chamber. The sphere atop the pedestal flared with radiant light before settling into a steady glow.

[Correct Alignment. Path Unlocked.]

A portion of the chamber wall slid open, revealing a passage leading further down. Miguel exhaled, relieved.

[Reward Unlocked: Eclipse Mantle – Second Piece of the Legacy Set.]

A new pedestal rose beside the first, holding a flowing, dark cloak embroidered with silver constellations. As he draped it over his shoulders, a system notification appeared:

[Equipment Effect: Eclipse Mantle – Enhances Stealth and reduces visibility in dimly lit environments. Unlocks Passive Skill: Shadow Veil.]

Miguel smirked. "Not bad."

As he stepped toward the newly revealed passage, he mentally prepared himself. The second floor had tested his mind; the next one would likely test his strength once more.

With a final glance at the now-silent chamber, Miguel descended, ready for whatever awaited him next.

Outside the game, the observation room hummed with quiet activity. Several programmers sat at their stations, watching data scroll across multiple monitors. At the center of the room, Lead Researcher Dr. Halloway leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin thoughtfully as he reviewed Miguel's progress.

"He's the first tester to trigger a hidden chain quest," one of the analysts noted, adjusting his glasses. "We assumed these would remain undiscovered for at least another month."

Halloway nodded. "He's methodical—he doesn't just rush through content like the others. That's why he found it. But the question is, how much deeper will this quest take him? And what else will it unlock?"

A junior technician hesitated before speaking. "Sir, about the environmental conditions… the electrical activity around the facility has been increasing steadily. There's a strong storm front moving in, and it's growing more erratic by the hour."

Halloway's fingers tapped against the desk. "We knew there would be instability, but if it escalates further…" He exhaled. "Keep monitoring. If it gets worse, we may need to force an emergency logout for all testers."

The room fell silent as the monitors continued to display Miguel's steady descent into the unknown depths of the Tower of Infinitium.