Newbie's Quest: Awaiting Challenge
Chapter 34: A Rich Aroma of Art

"Egad! I'm flabbergasted!"

"What in the world is this?!"

"Is this even a way to solve puzzles? What kind of puzzle-solving is this?!"

"Hahaha, I anticipated this, but Ethan really went through with it!"

"Is this puzzle-solving or demolition?"

"Do I hear something?"

"Whoa, could it be a monster appearing?"

As feared, a raspy roar echoed from the dark corridor, accompanied by the sound of something crawling swiftly.

"Indeed!"

"Good heavens, that creature is unspeakably hideous!"

"Ethan, run for your life!"

Ethan Walker, no longer strolling leisurely like before, snatched the key and, hoisting his hammer, sprinted with long strides. If not for his timely retreat, the painting corpse's teeth would have torn flesh from his shins! Players who violently break boxes trigger monsters in the instance, and the painting corpses in this Alice-themed instance are unbeatable foes.

Ethan, aware of this, smashed and ran, leaving a blur in his wake.

There was a red door ahead, perfectly matching the red key in his hand.

Ethan unlocked and kicked open the door in one fluid motion, then used his body to barricade it, locking the monster outside.

Once the iron door was unlocked with the correct key, it automatically sealed upon closing, preventing the monster's entry.

The viewers let out a collective sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness, I thought Ethan was a goner."

"I said it! Playing like that was bound to backfire! Luckily he's fast on his feet!"

"Maybe he'll actually solve puzzles this time..."

"Does he look like someone who learns from his mistakes? Holy smokes, he's lifting his hammer again!"

Indeed, Ethan hadn't learned his lesson. Upon replaceing the second puzzle box, he dealt it a hefty blow with his hammer, revealing a blue key.

The monster, locked outside, resumed its howling, and the door's lock disengaged, allowing it to barge in.

Ethan glanced at it and bolted.

"Here we go again!"

"My nerves are shot!"

"Let's hope the next door is blue."

"What? A fork in the road?!"

At the T-junction, Ethan didn't hesitate and turned right.

The painting corpse, hot on his heels, failed to brake in time at the junction, crashing into the wall and dislodging two paintings, before scuttling down the right path.

The first-person perspective was shaky, heightening the tension and sense of urgency. The viewers, now watching from Ethan's perspective, were on the edge of their seats until a door appeared. "Why a white door, blast it!"

"What now, what now? Ethan has a blue key!"

"This is it, he's done for."

"The blue door was on the other path! He chose wrongly!"

"Ethan is in a tight spot now..."

Ethan appeared unfazed, his rapid movement only betrayed by his hurried breathing.

He stopped in front of the white door and discarded the blue key.

Then he struck the door with his hammer!

"Can this work?"

"Well, he got through."

"Grass, what's the point! The door's open, but he let the monster in too!"

The viewers were right. Forcibly breaking the door meant it couldn't hold back the monster anymore.

Ethan, clutching his hammer, continued his desperate run.

This puzzle game had turned into a full-blown escape for survival, with the hearts of all viewers hanging in suspense.

The General Coordination had already issued a warning in the live stream, advising viewers with heart conditions to watch with caution.

In the first fifteen minutes, Ethan cycled through breaking boxes, grabbing keys, encountering doors that couldn't be opened with them, and being chased by monsters.

Each time he acquired a key, the viewers wished the next door would match its color.

Eventually, nobody paid attention to the puzzles anymore; they were all watching to see when Ethan would be caught.

The forum's polling post remained at the top of the homepage.

Yet, within the instance, Ethan seemed to manage effortlessly, even having the energy to check his watch and time his progress.

When he checked his watch, the viewers remembered the fifteen-minute mark.

"That's right! The fifteen minutes!"

"Wasn't it said that after fifteen minutes, two subordinates would start?"

"I really don't get Ethan, why doesn't he keep one to protect himself?"

"Yeah, yeah, or else why would he be in such a sorry state."

"Speaking of which, this maze has three paths, but is there a correct one?"

"Wait a bit, when Red Sister and Little Flower enter, we'll know."

"So, what's Ethan going to do now? The monster's still after him!"

Ethan had become quite adept at breaking boxes. He spotted a puzzle box in a corner and hurled his hammer at it.

The

box opened, revealing a green key.

"I don't even dare wish the next door is green."

"It doesn't matter, since he's been smashing through doors regardless if they're right or wrong."

"I'm so done."

Contrary to the viewers' expectations, the door was indeed green.

Everything was within Ethan's calculations, matching the route he had simulated to the letter.

Surprisingly, he stowed his inflatable hammer and used the key to open the door. His actions were swift and efficient, and despite the prolonged running, he didn't seem to lose much stamina. The door shut firmly, keeping the monster at bay, leaving it to howl helplessly outside.

Ethan glanced at his wristband, noting the time.

Fifteen minutes had just passed.

He breathed a sigh of relief, pulled a whistle from his collar, and placed it in his mouth.

The whistle's loud and prolonged sound echoed throughout the maze, sparking a discussion in the chat.

"What's up with that whistle? A secret weapon?"

"I don't know, I've never seen Ethan get it as a reward in any instance."

"Probably just an ordinary whistle."

"Then what's the use? I think Ethan should stop messing around."

"Red Sister and Little Flower won't miss that, right? If they do, it's all over!"

After blowing the whistle for ten seconds, Ethan let it fall back to his neck.

He didn't move immediately but closed his eyes and pricked up his ears, as if listening for something.

"What's Ethan doing?"

"Just standing there, waiting for what?"

"I think I hear something."

"It's getting closer, is it the monster?"

"Sounds like something collapsing, not like what a monster could cause."

"Holy cow! Quick, switch to the other corridors!"

The camera switched to the other corridors, which could hardly be called corridors anymore.

Little Red Riding Hood's hood had fallen onto her back due to her rapid movement. The basket in her hand, once a mere accessory adding a touch of charm to a little girl, was now a lethal weapon. She didn't even glance at the puzzle boxes, opting instead for a violent spree of door-breaking.

True to her reputation as a former 35 instance high-risk NPC, the monsters couldn't keep up with her pace!

As for Little Flower, there was even less to say. This subordinate, recently acquired by Ethan, was a formidable weapon in itself. Like a torpedo, she smashed through doors and walls, taking the shortest route to her master!

Upon hearing the commotion they caused, Ethan smiled contentedly and continued his rhythm of smashing doors.

The next fifteen minutes were a nightmare for the viewers, the monsters, and the Alice-themed instance.

In the final minute, Ethan and his two subordinates successfully regrouped.

Before them stood the final door to clear the level.

The chat exploded with a flurry of question marks and expletives, while Ethan, hand on the doorknob, smiled.

"Little Red, play 'Für Elise' to celebrate."

Little Red Riding Hood pulled out an old radio from her miraculous basket, turned it on, and the melodious piano notes filled the air.

The beautiful piano music, juxtaposed with the bombarded corridor and shattered picture frames, created an intensely fragmented artistic atmosphere.