Gentian, the Emotional Guide

In the final stage of the assessment, everyone held their breath, focusing on obtaining the final reward points. Even though most people didn't know where the final node was or what stage their current progress was, it didn't stop them from preparing for "it will be over soon."

The Larkspur also didn't know the location of the last node.

Admittedly, if she were to use her Flower Rank perception and magical power, she could probably uncover all the secrets of this labyrinth in an instant, but she couldn't do that. So at this moment, even she didn't know when this assessment would end.

Team 277 already had a lot of reward points. After leaving the third node, they even solved a puzzle along the way. At this point, their points were so high that they didn't need to work any further. Like top students who finished their exams long before they were over and even had time to check and refine their work after the exam was graded, they were probably one of the most relaxed teams in the entire maze.

However, Larkspur also knew that there were still many candidates who were under pressure.

After all, even now, several small teams are hovering behind them, maintaining a subtle distance, but still quite noticeable.

"Are we being watched?"

Noticing this, Foxtail Grass asked curiously, "Why? Is it because our team has a higher score... or is there some other reason?"

"They probably thought we might be able to find an exit."

Larkspur casually guessed, "After all, we were quite efficient at finding puzzles and nodes, so we figured they might as well follow us. They might be able to get a better ranking for leaving the exit... Although I don't know how they found out our team's identity and location, the possibility is quite high."

"I think so too," Tudingui agreed. "At this stage, there shouldn't be any teams that are always looking to fight others. Since they're following us, they're probably hoping to get some benefits."

"Huh? But why? We don't actually know where the exit is, do we?"

Foxtail Grass still couldn't understand. "Then isn't it a waste of their time following us?"

"They did it because they believed we would find out, regardless of the facts."

Larkspur shook her head. "Or perhaps they might be spies sent out by those 'large groups,' after all, I can't think of any other examinee who could pinpoint our location and identity during the exam."

Undoubtedly, for most candidates in this assessment, simply ensuring they don't get lost and solving a few puzzles is already quite an achievement. The idea of simultaneously taking the exam and keeping track of the progress and movements of other candidates in the maze is practically a pipe dream for a team of only three.

The candidates following Team 277 must have known about their Team 277's progress, as well as their identities and locations, to be able to keep up. This level of intelligence gathering ability is certainly not something that ordinary candidates possess.

Although the examiners would occasionally report on the achievements of some leading teams, they would never reveal information about the members of these teams. It was impossible for any candidate to glean information about other teams from these snippets of information. Those who could do this were either teams with members possessing relevant professional skills, or large, temporarily allied teams that could leverage their numbers and internal communication methods to obtain more information.

But now, the origins of these "followers" are not really important to Team 277. Since they don't seem to have any obvious hostility, they can just let them follow.

"But if things continue like this, and we don't find an exit soon, won't they also waste their time?"

Foxtail Grass looked nervous. "If they take a roundabout route with us, won't they talk badly about our team after we get out, saying things like 'they're nothing special'?"

"The probability is low," Larkspur answered frankly.

"Hmm... that's possible." Tudingui nodded.

Clearly, while both of them felt that the idea of Foxtail Grass was rather negative, it wasn't entirely unfounded.

"Then, what should we do?"

Now Foxtail Grass panicked even more. "Should I go and tell them the truth, that we actually haven't found the way either?"

"... Do you think they'll believe that?"

Larkspur looked at her with drooping eyelids. "No matter what we say to them, it's useless. Admitting to 'finding the exit' is like admitting it; denying it is like trying to hide something. They're all following us, how could they possibly believe what we say?"

"Well..."

The Foxtail Grass pondered for a moment, then realized the Larkspur was right, and couldn't help but feel disappointed. "What should we do then?"

"Let them come along, we haven't done anything wrong anyway."

Larkspur turned his head and continued forward, "It's normal to want to do better when others are paying attention to you, but just do your best. You can turn pressure into motivation, but don't let your motivation become pressure."

"Ha..."

Foxtail Grass looked slightly taken aback, and followed behind Larkspur, stammering, "Gentian, sometimes you really do say things that sound like an adult."

"I guess I'm just this kind of person who likes to overthink and spout grand theories."

Larkspur gave a casual, noncommittal answer, not intending to explain further. After all, the three of them had been together for almost a day, and this wasn't the first time she had said something like "not like a child." Trying to cover it up again would only make things worse.

This conversation was supposed to be just a brief interlude, Larkspur didn't care about the small group following behind her. But after taking a few steps forward, she noticed that Tudingui, who had been walking non-stop, had suddenly slowed down.

"What's wrong?"

Noticing the thoughtful look on the other person's face, Larkspur asked a question instinctively.

She has begun to adapt to her role as an emotional guide in the team. Since there's not much work to do, helping her two teammates adjust their mindset so as not to affect their performance is a small favor.

"... No, it's nothing, I just thought of something."

Tudingui shook his head, hesitating to speak, "By the way, I think what you just said makes a lot of sense."

Which one?

"Motivation and pressure."

Tudingui regained his calm demeanor. "Since the other teams are so confident that we can find the exit, perhaps it wouldn't hurt to try even harder."

She placed her palms back on the wall, closed her eyes, but this time, unlike before, she wasn't acting casually. She was clearly using more of her strength to sense the surrounding path...

--[Notification, Notification].

However, the sudden announcement interrupted Tudingui's actions.

[Due to unforeseen circumstances, the assessment process has been altered. Although some Maze Node remain uncompleted, the maze exits will open in 60 seconds. Please take note.]

[To reiterate, due to unforeseen circumstances...]

It wasn't just Tudingui; at this moment, everyone in the maze was diverting some of their attention to the content of this voice.

[By the way, although it was quite sudden, the first team to leave the maze in this assessment has been determined. Let's congratulate Team 582 for winning first place, and...]

The tone of the announcement suddenly became somewhat meaningful.

[... Miss Little Brocade, who made outstanding contributions to the team, is truly remarkable.]