Now, Nova began to worry about forming a team with Watson's Family cousins. Viewing people's lives simply as numbers concerned Nova a lot, since he didn't see any remorse or sadness in Eric's face.
'Are they really trying to kill the King? And also, why are they in such a hurry?'
Gradually doubts began to appear in Nova's mind. The more he learns about the situation, the more his doubt intensifies.
Unable to find any answer, Nova stopped thinking about everything.
'I'll just escape if any danger arises.'
As they were walking towards Winterland, the temperature around them began to drop gradually. Seeing the change, Eric turned around and asked, "Nova, did you bring your jacket?"
Nova nodded and patted his backpack.
"Let's wear them right now. We almost reached the Winterland region, and the climate there isn't what you could endure right now."
Although Nova doubted Eric's statement, he wore his jacket over his leather armor like an overcoat.
While walking, Nova gradually began to notice the changes in the environment.
The grassy greenland was now covered with due and snow here and there. The familiar blue sky was covered with clouds and even the sun was shrouded in it.
As Nova was wondering about the changes, his foot suddenly slipped and he fell down facing the ground.
The usually familiar smell of dirt didn't enter his nose, instead he felt something cold all over his body.
'What the hell?!'
Nova's eyes widened in disbelief because the entire Garden of Spring disappeared from his sight.
As far as he could see, everything was covered in snow, and even the blue sky was replaced with a dark blue with a hue of purple.
Only after the snow brushed against his face, Nova woke up from his astonishment and rubbed both his hands for warmth.
The snow squall in the Winterland region had even created a small Blizzard, lowering the temperature more than what would have been normal.
Just then, Eric appeared behind him, "Magical, right!" He said, taking a closer look at his surroundings with a small smile on his face and continued, "This is how the difference in region works on the first floor."
"There is no clear boundary between the regions and even seeing the other region is impossible."
"No one knows the reason and how they works, but if you walk in a certain direction long enough, you'll reach the next region—like how we travelled from Garden of Spring to Winterlands."
Nova's eyes lit up after hearing Eric's explanation. To experience the feeling, he stepped back again to verify.
When Nova jumped back, he came to Graden of Spring. He's back to where he was a few seconds ago.
'This is simply awesome. I really cannot see the Winterlands even though it is right in front of me'
"So that's why it is called Labyrinth of Wonders!" Nova murmured in amazement.
Eric who magically materialised in front of him said, "Yes it is, but you've only seen the tip of the iceberg. There are far more mysterious wonders just on the first floor."
"There are only less than a thousand people who reached the ninth floor successfully, but even they didn't dare to claim that they knew everything about the labyrinth."
Hearing Eric, Nova nodded in affirmation. He didn't think a single person was capable enough to discover the mysteries of the labyrinth.
Although Nova learned a lot about the first floor before coming inside from his grandmother, he continuously encountered things that he didn't learn from her.
"We are just five minutes away from the meeting place, they have a campfire, come on hurry up," Eric said and led the way.
"Good thing, I don't like the weather here."
Feeling the cold, Nova hurriedly followed behind him. Generally, he did not like the winter season much, and Winterland made it worse.
Nova smiled when he finally saw the camp with a bonfire near it. A man who was sitting near the fire also raised his hands and walked towards them.
"Eric, you are finally back and who is behind you?"
The robust man called Eric from afar, showing his well-defined physique. Even in the cold climate, he didn't wear anything to cover his upper body, appearing half naked with a smile. His carefree and cheerful smile also shows that he's unbothered by the weather.
Eric also smiled helplessly when he saw his teammate's attire, but still introduced Nova, "Ray, this is our new teammate, Nova."
"And Nova, this is Ray Renold. A member of Watson Aristocracy and my friend."
Nova's eyes lit up hearing Eric, 'Watson Aristocracy? What is that and why don't you explain it fully?'
While Nova was wondering about the new term, Ray came near him and patted his shoulder. "Nova, welcome to our team. Nice to meet you."
"Thank you, sir, and nice to meet you too."
Although Nova felt awkward talking to him, he greeted Ray in the same way. He also didn't know whether Ray was from a Noble family or not, so for safety, he addressed him politely.
"No need to use formal words, just call me Ray like Eric does." Ray grinned while explaining.
'Like hell, I would do that.'
Although Ray acted open and friendly, Nova didn't think it was real. He heard a lot about the evilness and atrocities of noble houses from others in the orphanage to believe in them.
Also Nova can confirm Ray wasn't genuinely happy to see him, he could tell that it was all an act.
'Probably the first time he talked like this. But why is he acting in front of me?'
'Did he want something from me? Or is everything just my imagination?'
"No sir, I'm comfortable with addressing you respectfully."
Nova forced himself to reply while smiling bitterly in his heart.
Ray, who looked like a giant gorilla upon closer inspection, squeezed and shaked his hands exactly like a gorilla.
'Take your hands away, you damn monkey!'