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Chapter 32: Echoes in the Mirror Garden

  [Start of Audio and Visual Recording]

  The exit has vanished.

  Spatial scan confirms the wall behind us is completely solid. The central hall has reconfigured itself. There is now only a single, direct corridor.

  The organic unit "Hong Min" emitted a series of disjointed screams, an indicator of extreme frustration. Then he fell silent and looked at the only remaining path.

  "There's no other choice," he said. "Let's continue."

  A new objective has been identified.

  We proceeded down the corridor. Topographical data remained constant for a long distance. No doors. No turns. Just polished black stone. A duration of 24 hours and 17 minutes of near-continuous movement has been recorded, interspersed with three short rest periods. "Hong Min's" fatigue indicators are increasing.

  Suddenly, the data changed.

  [Location Update: Severe energy fluctuation. Temporary loss of spatial data. Recalibrating.]

  Current location: A completely sealed room. Dimensions: 20 meters by 20 meters. The walls, ceiling, and floor are composed of an unknown material with 100% reflectivity. We are in a hall of mirrors.

  "What is this hell?!" "Hong Min" yelled, his gaze darting between his infinite reflections. After a moment of panic, he calmed down.

  "404, break it."

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

  I received the order. Activating direct force protocol.

  Attempting to breach the reflective surface using a punch with 40 tons of force... Failure. No impact registered.

  Attempting to use the "Ash Blade"... Failure. The blade slid off without leaving a scratch.

  Mission Report: The material is indestructible by available means.

  We remained detained at the location for 2 hours and 23 minutes.

  [Location Update: Severe energy fluctuation...]

  Current location: An organic garden. Initial analysis: Fertile environment, high humidity, dense vegetation. It resembles the dead garden outside the palace, but this one is alive. The flowers glow with a faint white light.

  [Entity Analysis]: 74 organic entities have been detected lying on the grass. Status: Lifeless. Their bipedal physical structure is highly similar to that of "Hong Min," but their dimensions are 10-15% smaller. They are wearing torn clothing.

  [Environmental Analysis]: Attempting to analyze the area's energy... Failure. Data is distorted by an intense and unclassified "energy echo." This variable is unquantifiable.

  Suddenly, the entities moved.

  [Alert: Unexpected mass reanimation.]

  All 74 corpses stood up at the same moment. There was no life in their empty eyes. They opened their mouths, and a single voice emanated from them, a chorus of overlapping, sorrowful voices repeating the same words:

  "We are sorry... sorry... We will have our revenge... We swear on our names... We will have our revenge... O King!"

  Then, just as they had stood, they all fell back onto the grass, becoming lifeless corpses once more.

  [Severe energy fluctuation...]

  Current location: Throne room. The lighting is dim, coming from crystals in the high ceiling.

  In the center of the room, on a raised platform, is a massive stone throne. And on the throne, a man is sitting.

  He is dead.

  Dozens of swords of different designs pierce his body from every angle, pinning him to the throne as if he were a bloody offering.

  I took a step forward and began my analysis.

  [Central Target Analysis]:

  Entity: Male, estimated to be in his fifth decade of life. Cause of death: Massive physical trauma resulting from multiple penetrations.

  Face recognized. 99.7% match with the image of the "Happy King" in data file "Arda-04".

  Beside the throne, on the marble floor, rests a simple metal halo. A crown. It is a 100% match with the crown in the image file.

  We have found the king.

  [End of Recording]

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