I’m a Max-Level Taoist Master, and You’re Throwing Me Into a Rules-Based Horror Game?! - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: The Hidden Item and the Dangerous Room!

The wax museum’s Room 3-7 exuded an eerie, unsettling atmosphere.

At first glance, the wax figures inside appeared haphazardly placed, scattered across the corners in disarray. Yet, they gave off the unnerving impression that they could move at any moment. The longer one looked, the more unsettling they became—because these were no ordinary wax figures. They seemed… enhanced.

Some had four arms, each muscular and powerful. Others bore three faces on a single head, each twisted in expressions of arrogance, rage, and greed. The craftsmanship was so lifelike that they hardly seemed like wax at all—more like real human faces, frozen in torment.

Lee Jung-pil, South Korea’s chosen contestant, hesitated at the doorway.

But Lee was no ordinary man. A professional sprinter at just twenty-two years old, he was in his prime—his physical prowess far surpassed that of an average person. Earlier, in the exhibit hall, he had even narrowly dodged an attack from one of the monstrous wax figures.

Back in South Korea, viewers flooded the livestream with supportive messages:

• “Oppa, fighting! We believe in you! Saranghaeyo!”
• “South Korea is the strongest nation on Earth!”
• “Once the other countries fall, our nation will rule the planet!”
• “You’ve got this, Oppa! Complete the hidden mission—maybe we’ll all get a buff!”
• “Jung-pil Oppa, charge ahead! We won last time—we can afford to lose now!”

Lee had performed exceptionally well in this wax museum challenge.

Surviving meant rewards. But uncovering hidden clues and achieving higher completion rates meant even greater benefits—national buffs. When the American “Muscle Doctor” had perfectly exploited the rules, his success had granted all U.S. citizens a 10% increase in lifespan.

Who wouldn’t be tempted by that?

If Lee could secure buffs like speed or strength, future contestants would have an easier time. No wonder his support ratings consistently ranked in the top five.

But right now, Lee wasn’t hesitating out of fear—he was analyzing.

As a sprinter, his explosive speed surpassed even some of the stronger supernatural entities. His plan was simple: dash in, grab the red dagger, and escape before the wax figures could react.

Only the foolish rushed in blindly. Those who lacked judgment had already died.

Now, the real question was: Should he trust the female ghost’s words, or not?

Either way, Lee believed the red dagger was key. If it could kill the Frostborn Wax Figure, it could likely handle the others. It had to be a hidden item.

Of course, this was just a theory.

Back in training, his coach had set up obstacle courses to hone his agility. Now, Lee treated this wax workshop the same way—mapping out the optimal path, a backup route, and predicting how the wax figures might attack.

Only after running multiple mental simulations did he finalize his strategy.

Time was running out. It was now or never.

Taking a deep breath, Lee steadied himself.

The nation cheered.

Then—he moved.

The moment he crossed the threshold, the wax figures came alive.

The DANGER sign hadn’t been a joke.

Lee was a blur. Some of the wax figures almost grazed his clothes, but he adjusted his stride with inhuman precision. A single misstep would mean death—no one could survive being surrounded by these enhanced monstrosities.

Five seconds.

That was all it took.

In under five seconds, Lee had entered, seized the dagger, and escaped—slamming the door shut just as twisted faces pressed against the gap.

Only his speed had made this possible. Anyone else would have died.

South Korea erupted in celebration. Viewers danced, sang, and toasted Lee’s name. In what should have been a hopeless situation, their contestant had triumphed. Many even called for a grand victory banquet to welcome him home.

Lee’s support rating skyrocketed from fifth place to second—now firmly in the “guaranteed clearance” tier.

(Why not first? Because first place was held by someone so absurdly skilled that no one doubted he’d clear the challenge. Third place went to Egypt’s Rahman, who had also secured a powerful item.)

Inside the museum, Lee basked in the adrenaline of survival.

How many others could have pulled this off? he wondered. Maybe none. Not even the American Muscle Doctor—he only played by the rules. I went beyond them.

But then—

THUD. THUD. THUD.

Heavy footsteps echoed through the hall.

Lee’s blood ran cold.

While he’d been recovering, time had slipped away. It was now 5:29 PM—the Frostborn Wax Figure’s scheduled return for “recharging.”

Panic surged, but Lee forced himself to think. He ducked behind a pile of debris, heart pounding.

The Frostborn Wax Figure lumbered onto the third floor.

It was just as towering and terrifying as before—but its aura of cold had weakened. Earlier, its mere presence had chilled contestants to the bone. Now, even without a wall separating them, Lee only felt a mild chill.

The figure turned left without hesitation, heading straight for the freezing chamber—as if following a set path, just as some had theorized.

It didn’t even glance in Lee’s direction.

Clutching the red dagger, Lee’s grip tightened. Veins bulged along his arm as a dangerous thought crossed his mind:

Should I strike now?