MMORPG: I was BUGGED-Chapter 229: Frozen Paths

In an act of selflessness, Yuzuro made a split-second decision. Without a second thought, she leaped between the ice-cold blast of the Snowworm and Xin, fully aware of the risk to her own life.

But just as she did, an unexpected twist of fate occurred.

Out of nowhere, a Basic Golem, summoned by Xin for defense, materialized with surprising speed.

Yuzuro collided with the massive creature, her body tossed to the side like a ragdoll.

"AaAaaGgh!" She was propelled directly toward the gaping maw of the Giant Snowworm. Her scream was drowned out by the snap of the Snowworm’s jaw.

[Your companion, Hikari, has DIED!]

Xin and Midnight Duchess stood frozen. Disbelief etched across their faces at the abrupt turn of events. They surely didn’t expect that last part.

"That fool," Midnight Duchess murmured under her breath. "She really died . . . and in the most foolish way."

Xin could only let out a heavy sigh. "Yuzu . . ."

She should never have taken such a risk, Xin thought, considering he had his Golems to protect him.

Her responsibility was to stay in the back, ensuring she maintained her position and watched over her allies.

Xin let out a heavy sigh. "Why did she have to go ahead and kill herself?"

Midnight Duchess and the Elemental Golems were quick to reduce the Snowworm’s HP when it shifted its focus on Yuzuro in its mouth.

The worm, sensing its imminent defeat, resorted to its final gambit –– the Death Burst.

As it took its last breath, the Snowworm exploded in a burst of sticky snow. The frigid explosion sent a shockwave rippling through the chamber, catching Xin and Midnight Duchess off guard.

Those within 10 feet of the creature were ensnared by the sticky snow, which quickly hardened, restraining them for a minute.

Despite the chaos, Midnight Duchess managed to evade the burst by a hair’s breadth, but Xin and some of his Golems were not as fortunate. They found themselves encased in the snow, their movements restricted as the icy tendrils wrapped around them.

"Lord Schrodinger!"

With one final, powerful strike, Midnight Duchess emptied her MP and landed the decisive blow, piercing the Snowworm’s heart.

The creature let out a haunting cry as its life force faded away, and it crumbled into a lifeless mound of snow, its False Appearance now revealing its true nature –– a pile of crumpled ice.

The room was filled with a tense silence as Midnight Duchess caught her breath.

Xin and his Golems were still partially restrained by the snow and began to free themselves.

"Are you alright?" Midnight Duchess swiftly sliced through the ice, liberating Xin and his Golems.

Xin nodded, his concern shifting to her. "And what about you? Your MP is nearly depleted. Do you still have enough potions?"

Midnight Duchess shook her head. "I don’t have enough to replenish it fully."

Xin handed her his remaining MP potions. "Take these. Use them."

Midnight Duchess hesitated, eyeing him seriously. "Are you certain? What about your own reserves?"

"I don’t need much MP at the moment. My Golems are still active, and with just the two of us, your damage output is crucial. We need you at your best," Xin said firmly.

A faint smile played on Midnight Duchess’s lips. "Alright . . . Thank you."

Xin surveyed their surroundings, his expression tense. "If we continue like this, I fear we might only last through one or two more rooms before we’re overwhelmed."

Midnight Duchess downed the potion, meeting Lord Schrodinger’s gaze. "What’s your plan then? Are you considering giving up?"

Xin shook his head resolutely. "I can’t help but think it would be a waste to quit now, after all that we have been through. We must press on."

A small smile tugged at Midnight Duchess’s lips from beneath her cloak. "Agreed."

Moving forward, they found themselves in the fifth room, an environment fraught with peril and uncertainty.

The atmosphere in this room was palpably creepy, adding to the tension that already gripped them. Here, the danger came not from a physical enemy but from a complex puzzle.

The room was designed with an intricate, unseen tile pattern on its surface. These tiles constantly shifted and changed every 60 seconds, challenging the adventurers’ mental agility and quick thinking.

Figuring out the ever-changing pattern was essential to progress.

Yet, there was a glimmer of hope amid the uncertainty. A thin, invisible road, meticulously crafted by dwarven hands, still existed within the room.

This road offered a safer route through the treacherous puzzle, providing the adventurers with a chance to outsmart the challenge and continue their descent into the dungeon’s depths.

At least, that was what Victor said to them before.

"There doesn’t seem to be a boss or monster here. That should give us a moment to catch our breath," Midnight Duchess observed.

Xin examined the intricate tiles and patterns on the floor. Deciphering the pattern in the vast expanse of the area proved challenging within the last sixty seconds.

Turning to Pudding, Xin inquired, "Can you pinpoint the invisible route?"

Pudding shook its head, then its nose pointed towards the Elemental Golems.

At first, Xin was puzzled, but then realization dawned on him. "There’s something different about this room . . . there’s no ice."

"Now that you mention it . . ." Midnight Duchess looked around. "It’s cold, but unlike the previous rooms, there isn’t as much ice and snow here."

Xin immediately directed his Elemental Golems to unleash their [Icy Breath] ability, realizing that the lack of ice might be the key to navigating this room safely.

With a swift command from Xin, the Elemental Golems released their [Icy Breath]. A chilling gust swept through the room, instantly freezing the moisture in the air.

The icy breath transformed into a dense fog, spreading across the floor like a ghostly veil.

As the fog enveloped the area, a subtle transformation occurred. The hidden path on the floor, invisible until then, began to emerge.

The icy fog clung to the edges of the path, outlining it in a faint, shimmering glow. The once-invisible route became clear, revealed by the Elemental Golems’ freezing breath, guiding Midnight Duchess and Xin safely through the last and final room of the third level of the Bizarre Tower.