The battle ended before it had even truly begun.
…Or at least, that was what I would have said, if I weren't so utterly stunned. I had even laid out a deck of playing cards, prepared to pass the time with a few games, but it remained untouched. There simply wasn't the opportunity.
Adalmann had crushed the intruders in a display of raw power that left no room for hesitation. The victory was flawless, resplendent, and terrifying. The challengers were not weak—they were motivated, healthy, and seemingly at the peak of their physical condition. Yet every ounce of their strength was eclipsed by Adalmann and his companions.
These challengers had been impressive. A careful analysis of their Unique Skills by Solarys, Sovereign of Wisdom, confirmed it. They were all above rank A.
Shinjee, the young man in the lab coat, possessed the Unique Skill Healer, capable of manipulating viruses at will. Against living creatures, he could destroy them from the inside. He could disperse viral agents through the air itself—microscopic, invisible, and lethally effective. In theory, he could have been invincible against ordinary beings. A precision skill that doubled as healing—superior to any medical nanomachine.
Mark, the brown-haired warrior, wielded the Unique Skill Thrower. Anything he could lift, he could throw with deadly precision—even monsters. If augmented with gravity manipulation magic, he could easily devastate entire formations, rendering armies helpless.
Xin, cloaked in black, possessed Observer, a compendium of tactical abilities: Instinctual Avoidance, Danger Detection, Trap Detection, Monster Detection, and Presence Detection. He could even sense Shinjee's viral poison. Coupled with his agility and intuition, he was the perfect predator for traps and hazards alike—a nightmare for any labyrinth.
Together, they were a nearly perfect team, capable of overwhelming even the strongest guardian. On paper, they should have had a chance against Adalmann.
Yet…
Adalmann had grown far beyond what anyone expected. In just a few months, he had evolved from a wight to a wight king, a level of power rivaling that of an archdemon. His skeletal figure, regal armor, and unshakable composure masked the magnitude of his magical might.
Albert, his centuries-long companion, had skipped the typical evolutionary stages of a death knight and ascended straight to death paladin, a being of incredible strength, speed, and mastery.
"And… what is that dragon?" I muttered, almost in disbelief.
There it was—a massive, ten-meter-long death dragon, emanating a suffocating, noxious miasma. Its presence alone seemed to warp the air in the throne room.
"Hehehe," Ramiris chirped proudly, as if bragging about the secret she had discovered. "You must be surprised! I kept it hidden, but Atem-sama provided them with the tools they needed. Training with your equipment, absorbing the high-density magicules of the labyrinth, Adalmann and Albert regained their true strength!"
She was not exaggerating. The duo had tapped into their fullest potential. Adalmann now wielded power that dwarfed anything they had before, while Albert had surpassed even that, capable of devastating speed and unparalleled technique.
"Wight kings and death paladins… their magicules rival those of archdemons…" Ramiris added, as if narrating her own awe.
I could only nod. Even for beings of such immense power, it was remarkable how efficiently they had evolved.
"And the dragon?" I asked again, observing the creature's controlled menace.
"That's Adalmann's pet," she replied with pride.
A death dragon. The apex of undead monstrosities. Its loyalty and ferocity reflected its master's command. I realized, yet again, the importance of ReCoCo—Report, Communicate, and Consult. Even small oversights could have led to surprises like this.
The battle itself required little commentary.
Adalmann remained seated upon his throne, the death dragon coiled calmly beside him. Albert moved forward, an unstoppable force. Mark never even got the chance to utilize the full potential of Minos's Bardiche; Albert intercepted him with a unique-grade Cursed Sword, cleaving through every attempt with flawless precision.
Xin, witnessing the overwhelming power, faltered for even a split second. Albert seized the opportunity, striking with lightning speed and cutting him down as easily as he had Mark.
Shinjee, in desperation, attempted a holy assault with his Holy Cannon. His spell struck Albert directly, but there was no hesitation in the paladin. Why would there be? He did not need to dodge.
The instant his blade met Shinjee, the attack was nullified. The Unique Skill Extra Skill: Holy-Demonic Reversal, Adalmann's personal creation, had swapped the attributes of his allies. Albert's element shifted from demonic to holy, rendering him impervious to what should have been a fatal attack. His undead nature remained, but the holy element now flowed through him without hindrance.
No ordinary challenger could have overcome this. Physical attacks were nearly useless. Attribute weaknesses had been neutralized.
And so, without using a single one of the strategies I had shared, without needing my intervention, Adalmann and his team annihilated Shinjee and his companions. They dissolved into particles of light, the battlefield cleared in moments.
"My God, did you witness this? We offer our victory to thee!!" Adalmann's voice thundered through the command hall, reverberating like a true fanatic.
Even for someone as strong as Atem, I had to pause. Weren't Adalmann and his cohort far too formidable for the 60th floor? I had instructed him to face challengers of equal numbers, and he had done so… but the overwhelming power on display made it clear he had been holding back very little.
And yes, I knew why it felt like cheating. Three Special A—Calamity-class beings operating together could level a small country in an instant. If all this had unfolded under my observation, there had to be more surprises hidden beneath the surface. Ramiris would need a thorough interrogation later, but for now, it was time to reward loyalty and accomplishment.
"You have done exceptionally well, Adalmann. Come to the command room," I commanded, my tone carrying the weight of authority that demanded respect.
"Oh, oooh! Your words bring boundless joy! I shall come at once!" His usual exaggerated formality was on full display. Typical Adalmann.
"And Albert? Has he regained his voice? Bring him as well."
"Understood. And… my death dragon?"
"I'm afraid it must remain here."
"Yes sir!" The massive death dragon lowered its head slightly, clearly disappointed. Ten meters long, it would have overwhelmed the command room. Even the private hall of Veldora on the 100th floor wouldn't suffice. I regretted the necessity, but space dictated my decision.
Shion had already been instructed to prepare black tea for Adalmann and Albert. Her brow furrowed as she spun to face me. "Can skeletons drink?"
"…Right." A valid point. Albert now possessed a temporary incarnation resembling his human form, but Adalmann remained fully skeletal. Perhaps they could enjoy the aroma at least.
"It is more about setting the mood," I replied calmly.
"Oh! Understood."
As we conversed, I awaited the arrival of Adalmann and Albert. When they finally entered, both kneeled respectfully before me.
"I sincerely apologize for keeping you waiting, Atem-sama."
"I am honored to witness your presence firsthand."
Seeing them in person, rather than on a magical projection, made it almost hard to recognize them. Their power radiated even in stillness.
"Adalmann, your performance as guardian was impressive. Albert, your swordsmanship was impeccable. Excellent work."
"Mm-hmm! We are always ready to serve!" Both spoke with uncontainable enthusiasm.
Veldora and Ramiris chimed in with encouragement before I could, knowing full well that first words carried authority in such meetings.
"It has been some time since I last observed you. Your growth… evolution, rather, is remarkable."
"Yes sir!!" Both Adalmann and Albert were visibly moved. I gestured for them to take a seat.
"This aroma… if anyone else had served this tea, I might have taken offense. But at your invitation, Atem-sama, it brings peace to my mind and body."
"Delicious. Truly, a nectar-like aroma. I, Albert, am grateful for this blessing."
Their overreactions were almost comical—but fitting. Albert's body was a temporary construct of magicules, only possible within the labyrinth.
"Adalmann, why not incarnate like Albert?" I inquired.
"…Eh?"
"It would allow you to enjoy the tea fully."
"While true, I place greater emphasis on atmosphere. One must savor the experience… even if skeletal."
I understood. There was no reason to force the matter.
"Very well," I said, redirecting the discussion. "By the way, your Extra Skill, Holy-Demonic Reversal, is impressive. Developing such a technique reflects your dedication."
"Thank you, Atem-sama! Beretta-dono's assistance was invaluable. And…" Adalmann began a tangent, which I subtly steered toward the key point.
He recounted how Luminas had provided an "apology" in the form of a secret technique, Reversal of Day and Night, which Beretta had refined with his Double-Crosser Unique Skill. The result was the mastery of Adalmann's extraordinary power.
I considered the politics surrounding the Seven Luminaries. Granbell had attempted to remove Adalmann as a threat, but the man's resilience had turned the tables. His draw against the zombie dragon hinted that only he could serve as a true guardian—an outcome that likely frustrated Granbell to no end.
For now, it was tactless to voice my theories. Instead, I focused on the present.
"That's remarkable. I shall convey my regards to Luminas later. But first, Adalmann—"
"Sir!"
"As of today, can you handle the guardian of the 70th floor?"
"What do you mean?" Adalmann looked puzzled.
I explained. Floors 61 through 70 were the Golem Zone, filled with tireless mechanical soldiers, some with prototype firearms. Traps and land mines littered the terrain, and the boss was a remodeled Elemental Colossus, miniaturized and reinforced with magisteel, designed to be piloted or controlled remotely. Its laminar armor and
magic interference rendered it nearly invincible.
Shinjee's team would never have succeeded here.
Yet after observing Adalmann's team… I had no doubts.
"Veldora, who is stronger: Adalmann or the Demon Colossus?"
"Hm… Adalmann, without question."
"Exactly. Adalmann, effective immediately, you are promoted to guardian of the 70th floor."
Their declarations of loyalty were immediate.
"Oh, oooh!! I shall dedicate myself fully to meet your expectations, Atem-sama!"
"I, Albert, humbly pledge myself to my lord, Adalmann."
Even the Demon Colossus, formidable as it was, could not compare to their strength and synergy. With proper souls, it might function differently, but for now, promotion was unquestioned.
"Excellent. Swap Floors 51 through 60 with Floors 61 through 70."
"Understood! Consider it done!"
With that, the labyrinth itself shifted seamlessly, marking the rise of Adalmann as the new sentinel of the 70th floor.