Icebreaker

As the assessment progressed, after half a day of the maze project, most of the candidates had encountered at least one puzzle.

Of course, judging from the density of these puzzles, not every team will have the opportunity to solve them all; many teams will encounter other teams while discovering puzzles.

While a very small number of hotheads might choose to seize the goods and resolve the issue by force, the vast majority of teams, after weighing the pros and cons of fighting each other, will choose to abide by the rule of first come, first served.

Of course, there are also teams that take a more unconventional approach and choose to merge.

Admittedly, according to the Rule, the reward for each puzzle can only be awarded to one team. Even if two teams cooperate to solve the same puzzle, only one team can receive the reward. In other words, when two teams merge, the newly formed 6-person team will only receive half the reward for solving the puzzle.

However, with a foundation of cooperation, the team of six will gain a significant advantage over a typical three-person team. This merged team can then directly steal puzzles from other three-person teams. After acquiring the puzzles, they can distribute them among themselves. Obtaining puzzles directly through "stealing" is clearly more efficient than painstakingly searching for undiscovered puzzles, making it worthwhile even if the rewards are halved.

Moreover, as more and more teams solved at least one puzzle, they began to discover that the rewards for solving these puzzles were not limited to just points.

In fact, these puzzles scattered throughout the maze also vary in difficulty. The simpler puzzles only offer points as a reward, but if a slightly more difficult puzzle is solved, it will open up new passages for the test takers.

These passages often involve numerous detours, allowing test-takers to quickly traverse between two areas, but entry is only permitted by the number plate of the person who solves the puzzle; those not present during the puzzle's resolution cannot use them. In other words, these are not even ordinary passages; they are worthy of being called "secret passages."

While the points rewards cannot be shared, the secret passages can be used by all participants. This has led more teams to merge, since everyone knows that once the general direction of the exit is locked, being one step ahead means a better ranking.

Amidst the undercurrents, Team 277, led by Larkspur, continues to fight alone.

Of course, although he was fighting alone, thanks to Tudingui's exceptional personal abilities and Foxtail Grass's excellent analytical assistance, the three of them still managed to solve the three puzzles within half a day.

The first maze puzzle they solved also had a secret passage as a reward. The entrance to the secret passage was behind the light wall with the map drawn on it. After solving the puzzle, the mechanism in the light wall was activated, and the secret behind it was revealed to them. It was thanks to the secret passage that Team 277 was able to easily bypass many detours and explore the surroundings more efficiently. It also allowed them to avoid many other squads, saving them from unnecessary stalemates and allowing them to focus on exploring the path.

While searching for the second puzzle, they eventually encountered other teams. Larkspur, who had been treated as a mascot and left aside, thought it was finally her turn to work. However, Tudingui's face was so famous that few people were willing to confront her directly. So, they ultimately won the reward without using any magic.

Team 277 proceeded smoothly all the way, without encountering any difficulties even though Larkspur did nothing. It wasn't until they solved the third puzzle that the situation finally began to change.

This was still a puzzle with a secret passage as a reward. After it was solved, the light screen in front of the three disappeared, revealing the entrance to the secret passage behind them. Then, the three of them noticed at the same time that the scenery beyond the secret passage had changed.

The team had become accustomed to the scenery of this maze as they walked along. No matter where they went, there were only bushes covered with green leaves and flowers, and the scenery was so indistinguishable that they could hardly recognize anything.

However, the passage behind this puzzle is no longer a corridor made of shrubs, but a dark-colored mud wall with almost no greenery, only some dry branches sticking out of the soil.

Even though there were no signs around, all three of them could feel an aura of "no unauthorized personnel allowed" emanating from the entrance of the passage.

However, no one showed any sign of backing down. Not only did Tudingui walk in without changing her expression, but Foxtail Grass also swallowed hard and continued forward. They both knew that there might be unknown risks going in, but that also meant that there was likely some bigger secret hidden behind the secret passage.

They advanced cautiously, searching their surroundings for anything to hide. Tudingui led the way, Foxtail Grass brought up the rear, while Larkspur was sandwiched between two people who acted as her guards.

Given this "protective" behavior, the Larkspur naturally couldn't voice any complaints, but while feeling helpless inside, she also felt somewhat embarrassed on the surface.

Furthermore, although the exploration process of Team 277 went smoothly and their coordination was not a major problem, even after solving three puzzles, the three members of the team remained silent. Unless they encountered a problem, neither Tudingui nor Foxtail Grass spoke at all, focusing solely on exploration. If someone unaware of the situation saw this, they might think that the team was fighting amongst themselves.

The thought that "I should do something" grew stronger in Larkspur's mind.

Since the team hasn't encountered many difficulties in exploration, it seems like it's time to try the methods she had previously considered: improving team relationships and creating a more lively atmosphere.

So, when the three of them passed another bend in the road, Tudingui naturally placed one hand in front of Larkspur and the other hand against the wall to feel his way. Larkspur then spoke, half-heartedly and half-intentionally:

"Your sister will be a very happy child."

"Oh?" This question made Tudingui was standing in front of me, turn around with a slight surprise. "Are you talking to me?"

"Hmm, isn't this too sudden?" Larkspur nodded.

"A little bit, but not unpleasant." Tudingui shook his head, then asked with some confusion, "So, about my sister and all that... why are you bringing this up?"

"I just suddenly felt a bit sentimental."

Larkspur didn't try to be too enthusiastic, as she simply intended to start a conversation. "Although we've only been a team for a short time, I've already felt your protection of me on the way here. Thank you, you're really good at taking care of people."

"Ah," Tudingui exclaimed belatedly, then covered his mouth with his hand, "I'm sorry, I subconsciously put you in that child's position again..."

I'm not being sarcastic or critical of you.

Larkspur spoke frankly, "I'm just a little surprised."

"Accident?"

"Because you are very famous, and I know you are very capable, so when I first saw you, you always seemed so ordinary, so I thought you were a bit arrogant and unapproachable."

The Larkspur lowered her head slightly, as if she were genuinely apologizing, and said, "So, when you touched my head earlier, my attitude was a little off. I'm sorry."

"Ah."

Tudingui blinked, somewhat flattered, "There's no need to apologize. Rather, it was my behavior that was offensive first. I was worried that you might find me annoying because of this."

"No, I think you're a great teammate."

After saying this, the Larkspur turned back to the Foxtail Grass and said, "And the same goes for you. Thank you."

"It's nothing. After all, we agreed on this when we teamed up. I'm just repaying Gentian- senpai for your guidance."

Being thanked so earnestly, Foxtail Grass also seemed embarrassed. "And, somewhat similar to her, I actually have a younger brother, so at home I sometimes act a bit like an older sister..."

"Younger brother?" This topic clearly piqued Tudingui's interest.

"Ah, uh..."

Clearly, Foxtail Grass was still unaccustomed to being spoken to by Tudingui, and was momentarily speechless. However, she also felt that not responding would be impolite. So, after a moment of awkward silence, she still managed to squeeze out words:

"Yes."

"That's great, I've always wanted a younger brother."

Tudingui nodded gently. "Unfortunately, my parents divorced shortly after my sister was born, so I couldn't have her."

"Ah, sorry to remind you of that..." Foxtail Grass said dryly.

"I brought it up myself, so I'm just glad you don't find it discouraging."

Tudingui, however, seemed to have no intention of digressing from this topic. "Let's go back to what we were talking about earlier, what's it like to have a younger brother?"

"Um, well... that..."

Although the Foxtail Grass stammered, it still answered honestly, "Because he always takes my things, he can be a little annoying sometimes. But most of the time he's very cute and often plays with me, so it's actually quite fun..."

She shared some things about herself and her brother in this halting manner, and gradually, perhaps as she got used to it, her speech became much more fluent.

Tudingui clearly didn't mind her confused and disjointed expression. Perhaps because she was genuinely interested in the topic, she kept responding to Foxtail Grass and occasionally offering her own opinions.

Larkspur, on the other hand, would seize any opportunity to add a few words when there was a potential lull in the conversation, ensuring the atmosphere remained lively.

That should count as helping them get started... right?

She pondered this in her heart.

To be honest, she hadn't expected the process to go so smoothly. If the two hadn't found common ground so easily, she would have planned to expand on the topic further. But it was a good thing that things developed this way; at least it saved her, an adult, from having to pretend to talk. She wasn't confident she could act cute like a real child.

In any case, she has achieved one of her goals.

The three chatted amongst themselves, each lost in their own thoughts, but the atmosphere was at least much more lively than when they arrived. It wasn't until they had been deep in the maze for a long time and the conversation began to drift apart that a strange magical fluctuation appeared, causing Larkspur to suddenly narrow her eyes.

It wasn't just her; after the Larkspur's expression changed, Tudingui and Foxtail Grass also seemed to sense something, suddenly stopping their conversation and searching their surroundings.

There seems to be something around here.