[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-adventures-of-hulim":3,"chapter-the-adventures-of-hulim-the-adventures-of-hulim-chapter-480":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Adventures of Hulim",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1882231,2498,"Chapter 480 The Suspicious Directions","the-adventures-of-hulim-chapter-480",480,"\u003Cp>Not long after,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the very same cyclops monstrosity from before appeared before the group at a corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miko, Prarlulu, step back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buzz, buzz……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crimson light flickered faintly around Hulim Heyerar once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right, got it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two immediately moved away from Hulim with Hena in tow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom——!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimson light beam blasted forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roar!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the moment the beam was about to strike, the monster leaped upward with all its strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet its legs were still grazed by the light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster’s body then began to disintegrate from the lower half upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a short while,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it vanished from the spot just as it had before……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim lowered her right hand slowly, but a faint sense of unease welled up within her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its movement speed has increased?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was far from a good sign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miko, Prarlulu, we need to pick up the pace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group set off again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before they had gone far,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud——!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The familiar tremor returned once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group halted and looked toward the source of the vibration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim’s gaze gradually turned grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The time between its appearances has shortened too……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After two encounters, Hulim had already realized the truth: this creature was little more than a projection of one of Hena’s fears. Even if destroyed, it would reappear endlessly—so long as the root cause remained unaddressed, these projections would spawn infinitely, impossible to wipe out completely!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no use fighting it. Keep moving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim abandoned further combat with the monster and began running through the labyrinth with Miko and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud! Thud! Thud……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavy footsteps of the monster pursued closely behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s coming…… it’s going to catch up! Aaaaaah——” Hena reacted violently to the monster chasing them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She clamped her hands over her ears, her eyes filled with terror, her body trembling uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Scary, scary, scary……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She repeated the word over and over in a mechanical tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t be afraid! We’ll protect you!” Miko shouted loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was of little use—Hena only continued to repeat the same phrase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roar——!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The terrifying roar sounded from very close behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hena’s expression twisted with even greater fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim glanced back over her shoulder,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and a flicker of confusion crossed her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this monster’s speed…… actually this slow?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was wrong……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since they had stopped fighting and chosen to flee, the creature had been unable to catch up. It had not even reappeared around any labyrinth corners; they had only heard its roars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Hulim pondered this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? What’s this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miko suddenly let out a sound of surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim lifted her head and followed her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What she saw made her pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A large arrow had appeared on the labyrinth wall, pointing to the right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This…… must be a direction marker, right?” Prarlulu said hesitantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It looks like it, but……” Miko trailed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s far too suspicious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, that’s exactly what I was thinking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roar——!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the group stood frozen, the monster behind them suddenly accelerated, closing the distance in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems this is no time to stop and think. For now, let’s run in the opposite direction.” Hulim said at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, the group immediately fled in the direction opposite the arrow……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several minutes later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the group fell silent once more as they stared at the dead end before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should we have followed the directions after all……?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It certainly seems that way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud——!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy footsteps sounded from behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They turned around,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and the hideous form of the cyclops monstrosity appeared before their eyes once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom——!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, the crimson beam shot forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster attempted to repeat its earlier dodge, but to no avail—its massive size left it with only upward as an escape route.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Hulim deliberately adjusted her attack angle much higher, and the leaping monster was struck head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few seconds……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster vanished before their eyes yet again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hulim, what do we do now?” Miko asked, uncertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……” Hulim thought for a moment, then looked at the nearby wall. “Let me try another approach first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buzz, buzz!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of red light slammed into the labyrinth wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wall, which should have been indestructible, was blown open in an instant—but the sight beyond left the group speechless……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was nothing but empty, pitch-black darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was abundantly clear:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>this was no ordinary physical labyrinth. Forcing a way through by destroying walls was utterly futile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……It seems we have no choice but to turn back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud——!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tremor rumbled from far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s coming again. Hurry—let’s get back to that intersection before it does.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three began to run at full speed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but the monster’s speed seemed to have increased even further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim estimated that the creature would almost certainly reach the intersection before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would she have to destroy it one more time……?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she thought this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>something suddenly appeared ahead, causing her steps to halt abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miko and Prarlulu stopped almost simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Th-this…… was this here before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miko asked doubtfully as she stared at the familiar arrow on the wall, and a new fork in the path where there had been none before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m certain it was not here earlier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim replied with certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then this……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miko did not finish speaking, but a flicker of unease crossed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was deeply wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three realized it intuitively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These directions were almost certainly not benign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The overly convenient changes practically screamed “I am a trap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have no other choice. We must follow the directions and see where they lead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?! Isn’t that dangerous?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if we keep going the opposite way, we’ll only end up in another dead end. We’ll make no progress that way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Um, you’re right……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, the three chose to follow the path indicated by the arrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roar!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster’s roars drew closer and closer from behind,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>yet just as before, it never quite caught up to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hulim, there’s another direction ahead!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miko called out in warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking up, the familiar directional arrow indeed appeared on the wall once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This must be the twentieth time or so……” Prarlulu said anxiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Twenty-four times. I don’t know what lies ahead, but we have no choice but to face it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim chose to continue following the directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had expected another marker to appear shortly after this one,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but instead, they entered an extremely narrow, straight corridor with no forks at all. The end of the path was shrouded in darkness, its contents hidden from view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no doubt about it:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>whatever awaited them was at the end of this passage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Keep moving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Hulim ran toward the end of the corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy footsteps sounded from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster, which had never caught up to them before, finally revealed its form here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roar——!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It let out a roar and charged at incredible speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The straight corridor gave it a perfect advantage for running,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and the distance between the two sides closed visibly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, the end of the passage remained out of sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the monster was about to catch up,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a bright light suddenly shone from ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim and the others felt their feet give way, and they tumbled out of the passage without warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They fell downward, landing softly on a patch of grass……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This place……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim surveyed her surroundings warily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The area was warm and bright, lined with lush green trees, filled with the songs of birds and the scent of flowers—an idyllic, peaceful scene on the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a place like this, the more normal everything appeared, the more unnatural it truly was.\u003C\u002Fp>",1294,"2026-06-10T06:36:37.918Z",1,"novelbin.me","29ce0684b263e458e187a49664da0f69d9a717a5045a802439138bf904988f29","the-adventures-of-hulim-chapter-481","the-adventures-of-hulim-chapter-479",528,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-adventures-of-hulim-cover.jpg"]