Maya didn't care about how the participants were assessing the difficulty of the test she had given them. She took a brief pause before speaking further.
"Do whatever you want to get your hands on the array key. I won't stop you.
But make sure that you don't step outside the city. Otherwise, your claim for Sage Legacy will automatically be forfeited. You will no longer be able to enter the city and search for the array key if that happens.
Additionally, you can always use stepping outside the city's boundaries as your exit strategy. You can use that exit strategy in case you are surrounded by a horde of city residents or think that the array traps are getting too difficult for you to continue.
Various spatial channels and non-offensive array traps are available within the city that allows you to get outside the city borders. Use them in a pinch and save your life. Don't expect me to intervene and do that for you."
All participants were relieved by this news. They wanted to give it their all in claiming Sansara Sage's Legacy. But they didn't want to die in the process. Some of them had decided that they would memorize such exit points for themselves in case things get too difficult for them to continue.
They had all come to realize that their mana senses were going to be compromised when they were made to explore the city. So remembering the city's streets and landmarks were going to play a crucial role in their exploration and survival.
However, it seemed that Maya was not done explaining the test completely. She continued in a clear and emotionless voice after taking a brief pause.
"Also, note that I will only accept the array key from you at the 23rd hour. If you find the key within the first 22 hours, you will need to protect it until I accept it from you.
There are various spectral screens available at various points inside the city. These spectral screens would allow you to see the location of the participant if and when they find the array key.
Meaning everyone would know about the key's possession when one finds it. That's why I said you need to defend the key when you find it.
To prevent idle behavior, the array key's location will change a few minutes after its discovery. This teleported key will appear at a random location anywhere inside the city and remain undetected for a while before it can be found again.
So I advise you to get your hands on the array key as soon as you find it. You can't go looking for the key at the last minute to avoid trouble heading your way. That's because the key might not be where you found it.
I will wait for you here in this city square. You will need to hand me the array key personally if and when you find it.
I will declare you as the winner if you satisfy all the conditions I have mentioned."
Another metaphorical explosion was detonated inside the participants' minds.
The male participants felt as though their gonads were shrinking in their sacks. The female members also felt as if their private parts were drying up.
'Why don't you kill us all quickly and be done with the whole test? It would be easier for both sides that way.'
Eren couldn't help cursing the test's setup as he understood the last condition of the test. He looked at the other participants to see their ashen faces, indicating that they had understood what was going to happen even if someone found the array key.
Being lucky during the test seemed like a crime. The participants, who managed to find the key, will find themselves in a thicker pickle than before.
And leaving the key where they found it was not an option. They had to get their hands on the key to not let their efforts go to waste.
Maya knew what the participants were thinking about. Her black eyes turned a shade darker and her face had a tinge of excitement as she spoke.
"As I said, Sansara Sage is not like his three colleagues.
My father served as their leader in the land of Anfang for a reason. So I advise you to not treat his Legacy as being on the same level as the rest of the Sage Legacies you have come to know about."
As Maya lifted the staff, she spoke. It was clear that she was proud of her father and everything he had accomplished. She moved the staff gracefully around her before speaking further.
"Your Sansara interface will keep you updated with the time limit. What's more? You won't be able to use the mapping feature as well.
I think I have explained enough. You can figure out the rest of the stuff yourself as you explore this test site.
It's about time we started the test. Your time starts…. Now!"
Maya said and created a magnificent city fountain with a wave of her staff behind her. She sat elegantly on the circular ledge and looked at all the participants one last time before closing her eyes. The staff in her hand disappeared and she assumed a meditative state as if trying to practice an art that was unique to her.
Maya's subtle gaze made it clear to the participants that she didn't want to be bothered by them anymore unless they had found the array key. The participants didn't have time to ask her anyway because they could see an update on their Sansara interface.
There was a 24-hour timer introduced in the interface, and it was updated every second, highlighting the urgency of the issue. The participants looked at each other before heading in separate directions.
The city square they were in was supposedly in the heart of the city. And it was connected to various big and small streets. These paths allowed the participants to pursue their own guesswork.
After all, they all wanted to avoid each other as much as they could before any of them got their hands on the array key. Mayhem was going to ensue inside the ghost city shortly. And fuel will be added to the fire when the array key is found.
