### 26

You exasperate yourself attempting to pick this lock by the use of your Grand Mastery of Nexus alone (lose 1 ENDURANCE point), and after thirty minutes of futile effort, reluctantly you concede defeat. The mechanism is formidable: you may have to resort to force to get it to open.

If you possess Kai-alchemy and wish to use it, turn to 65.

If you possess Magi-magic and wish to use it, turn to 263.

If you possess neither of these skills, or if you choose not to use them, turn to 324.