Layla's hand twitched as she tried to reach her magic again, but something blocked her access.

She could make an educated guess as to why this was all happening - it had something to do with her magic core.

It had cracked a little bit, and the pain had made Layla pass out.

'My mind must have made all this up to protect and distract me from the pain of a broken core. However, I feel I should not indulge in this place for long. I need to claw my way back.'

Layla had heard Mary's voice in the last moments when she lost consciousness. She knew that she had been rescued (if not killed) in her last moments.

The only way to know what happened would be to wake up and ask what happened.

"C-Cannot wake up!"

"We need to protect the boss!"

"It is dangerous out there."

The secretary was the first to behave abnormally, followed by the others.

Layla was in a dream she had conjured up, but she was not the one in control of this place. As they made her back up, she could tell that all these creatures had a mind of their own.

One of them lunged at her faster than humanly possible (without magic), and he knocked the gun away from Layla before she could say a thing.

No one attacked her, but they did not let Layla breathe in peace either. She felt trapped from all sides, with nowhere to head toward.

'What should I do now? There was never an article about what to do when this happened.'

It was obvious why this was not a common topic of discussion.

As important as knowing what to do when their core got damaged, it was also a forbidden topic that people tried not to bring up in public. Even academic research did not cover it since not many people survived or wanted to record their happenings.

"Boss! Just relax and stay here with us. It will be worth your while! We promise."

The man who grabbed Layla's hand assured her as he dragged her down with her. Layla's feet began to sink into the ground, and she panicked.

Her extreme emotions connected her with her core, and she felt the energy pulsing at her fingertips.

'This is it! I cannot wait anymore-!'

Layla reached out and grabbed that core. Her fingers closed around that core before she tried to absorb the energy.

It was much more difficult for her to control the broken orb. The shining ball did not want to listen to Layla, but she refused to give up.

"Boss! Don't do that! The orb will crack even more if you force it like that. Just stay still and let us take care of you-!"

The secretary's mirage asked Layla, but she had had enough of it by now.

"Fuck you and everyone else here. I do not have time to waste on you fools when there are a hundred more things I could be doing now. So, get out of the way before I get angrier than I already am at you."

Layla threatened as she gripped her core tight.

She did not know what her core looked like, and at this point, she felt too afraid to look at it. Her hand hid the glow as Layla continued looking at the creatures before her.

"W-We get it! Please calm down, Boss! We won't survive if you decide to end yourself as well."

Someone yelled, and Layla took a deep breath before replying calmly, 'Good!'

Once things settled down, Layla asked the second most important question she wanted answered.

"So, how do I get out of here? I assume that there must be a way out from here. I need you to tell me about it."

Layla asked, and everyone in front of her looked at each other before the secretary decided to answer it.

"I won't recommend it, but the only way out of here safety is for you to crush your core and become an ordinary human. Your core is damaged, so it keeps you here to ensure you won't endanger it more.

The only way to break this spell would be for you to break the core and become a normal human."

The secretary did not look at Layla when she said these words. But the way her eyes diverted toward the side likely meant that she was telling the truth.

Layla did not show much emotion, but her heart skipped a beat after hearing those words.

"I see! So, you all are useless. I should not ask you questions if this is how you will be."

Layla sighed before turning her back to these people and walking away. The secretary tried to call out to her, but the place began to shake just as Layla was called out to.

"Boss, get out of the way-"

The secretary warned, but it was too late. A hand grabbed Layla and started pulling her. She tried to struggle, but Mary's familiar voice stopped her.

"Young Miss, please stop struggling! I am trying to drag your consciousness out, which can only work once. Please, cooperate with us here."

Mary warned Layla as she continued to drag her out.

"Boss, don't listen to her! That voice is trying to trick you! There is no way out of here if you do not break the core. So, be careful-"

The secretary's voice was too faint to hear now, and Layla was almost dragged out.

"Just a little more, young miss! We asked the temple for help with you and your core. You do not have to worry about a thing."

Mary assured, and Layla felt half frustrated and grateful.

She had no idea why Mary had decided to help her, but she would not look the gifted horse in the mouth.

The core in her hand melted away into her skin, and Layla could no longer feel it. She felt numb, and her access to her power had been cut off.

"3…2…1…. she's about to wake up. Give her some space."

Layla opened her eyes and woke up.