Eiden understood perfectly the seriousness of his situation.[I can't fight that thing... His whole body is poison and disease. If it's my turn, I'm finished. Without almond water, without real weapons, I have no chance.]
All he could do was run, and that was what he had been doing for what seemed like two whole days: running, dodging, hiding among the endless yellow, buzzing hallways of Level 0. Exhaustion weighed on his muscles, his stomach growled, and he had barely survived thanks to a few nutritional bars that, fortunately, had been stored in his pockets when the system took his backpack.
During that time, the notifications in his mind had not stopped.
[Player Sanjay Kumar is dead.]
[The player Antonio Bianchi has lost his sanity.]
Eiden read them silently, while reality stabbed him like a cold dagger.
[One after another, they fall... some die, others simply lose their minds. This is not a fantasy game, it is a slaughterhouse disguised as hope.]
In the system chats, both in Blue Star and Backrooms, the collective murmur became increasingly disturbing: —Is there really a way out of Level 1? —some asked desperately. —This has no end... there is no way out, it's hell! —others shouted. —Wait, stay calm, follow the clues... there has to be a way. —the most optimistic tried to reassure.
Eiden stayed out of it. He didn't have time for those debates. His whole focus was on survival.
That's when the grotesque sound echoed behind him again: that metallic screech mixed with a viscous bubbling. He turned his head and saw it.
The entity. The same humanoid creature, thin as rusty iron bars, covered in that black tar-like substance, adorned with cables hanging like veins, crowned with a camera head that focused on it as if it were recording.
Eiden clicked his tongue in annoyance.—You don't get tired, do you? —he murmured through clenched teeth.
Things moved forward with slow but constant steps, as if he knew that sooner or later he would catch his prey.
Eiden started running again. His heart beat against his chest like a war drum, the endless corridors seemed to mock him. But then, in the midst of his desperation, he noticed something different.
At the other end, one wall seemed brighter, more yellowish than the rest. A different tone, barely perceptible, but enough to ignite a spark in his memory.
[Manila's room! That's it, it has to be! It's one of the few safe zones on this damn level.]
He accelerated, feeling his lungs burn. The monster behind him didn't stop, but Eiden wasn't going to allow it. —I won't die here!— he shouted and threw himself against the wall.
Instead of crashing, it went through it like smoke.
Relief hit him immediately. He was inside. The space was different: walls the color of manila paper, the same for the floor, thick, silent. The place was practically empty, except for a wooden table and chairs in the center.
Eiden barely had time to breathe when a notification echoed in his mind— and not just his.
[Worldwide announcement: Player EIDEN KUROZAWA was the first to find the Manila Room, a safe area within the Backrooms. You will receive a special reward.]
The system's voice was neutral, but the weight of its words shook both those inside and those watching from Blue Star.
In Blue Star, the talk exploded:
—Who is this Eiden?!—
—Amazing, found a safe area!—
— That's just luck, nothing more. The people of my country will soon get over it.—
—No, no, we must recognize the merit of those who deserve it, being first is a great achievement—
—. Maybe he is our hope...—
Meanwhile, Eiden ignored the discussions entirely. His gaze was fixed on the personal notification that appeared immediately afterwards.
[You have received the first reward granted by the system. For being a pioneer, you are granted an SSS rank special ability: [Maze Mastery: Level 1].]
His eyes widened. —SSS range...?— he whispered, incredulous.
He carefully read the description: "Control the nearby environment of the rear rooms, creating walls, barriers and traps"
Eiden smiled slowly, astonished.[This is... like being a master of the elements. I can shape walls, manipulate hallways, alter the environment to my advantage. Would it even be possible to affect water, fire... maybe even wind on other levels?]
His heart was pounding, but this time with excitement.[This changes everything. I no longer just run prey... now I can turn this maze into my weapon.]
He closed his eyes, leaning on one of the chairs in the Manila Room. The silence of the place finally gave him a moment of respite.
—Yes... now I really have a way—he murmured to himself.
He decided to rest a little. Before going to sleep, he opened the Backrooms chat. Messages flew everywhere:
—Who is Eiden Kurozawa?—
— What won? What did the system give you?—
—Can you help us?—
—Eiden, answer!—
Eiden watched them calmly, almost amused.[I don't need your approval or your questions. What I have is mine and they can take care of themselves.]
He closed the talk and, for the first time since his arrival, allowed himself to relax his muscles and rest for a moment, with a satisfied smile painted on his face.
The Manila Hall had saved him... and with his new ability, he was no longer just a survivor. He was a pioneer.