Chapter 402 – Labyrinth (3)
Thanks to the milestone of obtaining a jeweled ring from the golden treasure chest, there was no longer any reason to wander aimlessly through the labyrinth in search of the dragon's remains.
Since the direction was not fixed and kept changing by the moment… it seemed the dragon's keel was held either by a monster with treasure or by one of the participants.
That said, there was no need to rush.
'Naturally, this ring won't be the only tracking device.'
If one carelessly snatched up the prize, they would become the target of many participants.
Not only would they risk encirclement, but they wouldn't even be able to sit properly, never knowing when or where they might be ambushed.
On top of that—
───In the labyrinth, I made sure to stock up on something called a spatial scroll. You can activate it once the labyrinth begins to collapse, but it makes quite a racket, so you'd best be cautious when using it.
Since Ignacia had specifically mentioned this, it was obvious that one could not simply leave the labyrinth right after using the escape scroll.
On the contrary, it would only reveal their location to an unspecified number of others.
'Considering the rules within the labyrinth, it's far wiser to intervene later.'
Rather than getting greedy or impatient, it was wiser to conserve stamina and magic power without sustaining major injuries.
There was plenty of food left from hunting the monsters in the labyrinth.
Pursuit and rest—
The four Mages focused on those two things as they continued their exploration in the labyrinth.
With a certain amount of equipment prepared, they could move more safely now, for the sake of what was to come.
Step, step.
Perhaps because of this strategic caution, the third day in the labyrinth passed relatively quietly.
Other than small skirmishes with wandering demi-humans in the passageways, they didn't encounter treasure-chest-shaped abnormal species or other monsters in disguise.
They didn't run into other people either… but instead, they saw plenty of traces those people had left behind.
The so-called eliminated participants.
Bodies stabbed or slashed with blades, burned or frozen by magic, heads pierced through with arrows or bolts they couldn't dodge—signs were everywhere.
The causes of death were diverse, but in most cases, it was clearly other participants who had killed them.
"There are corpses from other magic towers and powerful nations we saw at the grand square… mm, seems there are some from our side as well."
"Wishing them safety doesn't change anything."
Among the corpses they had come across, there were even Mages from the Bohemirn Magic Tower.
Three dead, at least confirmed by sight. There might have been others slain elsewhere.
Given the labyrinth's nature, there was no way of knowing who killed whom, so grudges naturally fizzled out, the same for every participant.
On the other hand, some hadn't been killed by participants at all.
"What's this…?"
Two crushed lumps of flesh, one with the floor, the other embedded into the wall.
There was no need for analysis.
Participants crushed flat by something massive and heavy.
Weapons shattered to dust along with their owners proved it.
Examining the scene, Verden furrowed his brow.
'From these traces alone, there's not much to be learned…'
Still, it was clear something far more dangerous than any monster they had encountered so far—or some trap—was lurking here.
Rovellin said.
"Whatever's roaming around, we're better off not meeting it. Let's slow down a little."
"Understood."
Their halted steps moved forward again.
With heightened caution came mounting fatigue, but that was a price they had to pay.
If they didn't want to meet a sudden death.
The portable mana-lamps taken from goblins and kobolds faintly lit the dark, instead of torches.
And so, the third day came to an end.
***
As before, they sought out a fissure in the labyrinth and erected a concealment magic circle, creating a temporary resting place.
'This will probably be the last time I can relieve fatigue through sleep.'
During this time, Verden returned to his real body.
Since the connection to his spirit form was maintained anyway, it didn't matter if he left it alone while resting.
If anything went wrong, he could respond immediately.
After a light stretch, he headed to another Society's hideout in Gargant.
"What about Isabella?"
"Her consciousness hasn't returned yet, but her recovery is going smoothly. However…"
Unia hesitated for a moment.
"After a few hours, even her torn-off left arm regenerated. That woman, is she even human? No matter how you look at it, her regeneration is absurd."
"There are special traits that are hard to interpret magically. It's not impossible."
"Well, that's true. You're impossible too, senior."
She gave a small laugh, shrugged her shoulders, and gestured deeper into the corridor.
A plain wooden door.
Turning the brass knob, he entered the room and saw the Melodist of Fortune lying on the bed.
'As Unia said, her life doesn't seem to be in danger.'
Of course, judging by appearances alone was premature.
Verden sat on a small, backless chair and grasped Isabella's wrist.
Insight based on sensation.
At once, the forced magic circle engraved inside her became clear.
A simple task.
There wasn't even a need for the word 'if'.
He had undone Adrian's mental domination, which had been far more difficult.
'If I minimize the pain, it'll take a bit of time, but success itself is guaranteed…'
While observing Isabella, Verden furrowed his brow.
"This is serious."
The magical part was solvable.
But something else was the problem.
***
For hours, he analyzed the 'foreign substance' dwelling inside Isabella's body—more precisely, its effects on her flesh.
He conjured multiple hypotheses.
He drew out several possible results in his mind, then sank into deep thought.
'There is a method…'
But he was reluctant to attempt it.
It was questionable whether such a thing could be called a solution.
Still, there was no better alternative.
At any rate, nothing could be done right away.
Whatever the case, he could only proceed once Isabella woke. For now, the priority was spending the last day in the labyrinth.
Awakening again as his spirit form, Alan, Verden rose.
He stretched casually and prepared alongside the others.
Rovellin said.
"There are less than twenty hours until the Scales of Ignacia ends. By the tower master's command, we must secure the dragon's keel, but remember—the most important thing is always your life. Dying here is nothing but a dog's death."
"Understood."
"Yes, Lady Rovellin."
Her words weren't meant only for her subordinates, Arril and Hezen.
"You too, Alan."
"I'll keep it in mind."
Verden bowed his head in reply.
Do your best, but don't overreach.
With that resolve, they all ensured they were in perfect condition.
Four Mages from the Bohemirn Magic Tower, current and former, set out on the fourth day.
Several hours passed, and nothing had changed yet. The flow was similar to the day before.
But everyone knew the present calm was no different from the stillness before a storm.
And finally—
'It's time.'
Rumble, rumble, rumble…!
The entire labyrinth shook.
The tremors weren't enough to topple their balance, but more than enough to jolt their senses awake.
They leaned against the wall, watching all directions.
Boom!
From the right-hand corridor of a crossroad, a distant crash thundered, like a collapsing building.
After several dozen seconds, the shaking gradually ceased, and silence settled as if nothing had happened.
"…That's it?"
Arril blinked at the underwhelming change.
Unfortunately, such optimistic guesses are usually wrong.
[Kirrrrk…]
A cry echoed from the right side.
As it drew closer, Rovellin fired a
In the passing light, a dozen goblins were revealed.
Not many in number.
But what mattered was their reaction.
If the labyrinth collapsed, participants died.
Then what of the monsters roaming inside?
If they were creatures created by Ignacia, how would they react?
'…They flee from the collapse point.'
That was the answer.
Which meant all the monsters were being driven deeper inside the labyrinth.
As instinct dictated.
[Grrrooooar.]
Beyond the goblins, other voices could be heard. More than one or two.
"Run."
At Rovellin's command, they fled in unison.
***
The collapse of the labyrinth would last a total of twelve hours, half a day.
It wasn't exactly leisurely, but… nor could it be called an immediate, life-threatening urgency.
The problem, however, was the aftermath of the change.
Loud footsteps echoed.
Shadows cast by the torches lining the corridor walls stretched, then vanished.
Crack!
Verden, who was taking point, swung his spear and dispatched two kobolds blocking the way in a single strike, then threw a glance to the side.
"Skeleton archers and Mages armed with weapons spotted from the east! At least twenty! Find cover! Get out of their range immediately!"
"They're coming from the south too! Multiple orcs, and ogres in the rear! Fall back, fall back!"
"Shit, what the hell is this all of a sudden…!"
Other participants hurriedly secured a retreat path and fled at once.
And it wasn't just them.
Through the complexly connected passages, large and small side corridors, multiple groups of participants could be seen fighting and shouting frantically.
A space drowned in countless noises.
Compared to before, the atmosphere within the labyrinth had been utterly reversed, as if the ants' nest had been overturned.
Taking advantage of that chaos, Verden, Rovellin, and the other two Mages moved swiftly, conserving their magic as much as possible.
Rovellin asked.
"Arril, the direction of the dragon's keel?"
"To the left! It's heading deeper into the labyrinth!"
The jewel on Arril's hand leaned sharply.
Right after the collapse began, the tracker's reaction had grown more sensitive, its speed faster.
The distance was close.
"...!"
In that instant, through a narrow alley just wide enough for one person, they locked eyes with another group.
Five in total.
Among them, the one who seemed to be a Mage was wearing a ring identical to Arril's.
Rivals.
Boom!
The wind spear launched by the opponent was blocked by Verden with a wall of earth.
After that brief exchange, both sides dashed forward at full strength, as if by prior agreement.
Moments later, beyond the thin wall to their left, multiple presences could also be felt.
'So they had the same idea.'
Those people too must have secured a tracking device early on, but slowed their pace to avoid becoming targets themselves, biding their time for the right chance to steal the keel.
Simultaneous clashes were inevitable.
The outcome would depend on how well-prepared each group had been during their exploration.
'So everything up to now was just a preparation phase.'
Which meant that only now had the true stage of Ignacia's Scales begun.
Tatatatatak!
They raced along the passages, a blend of straight lines and curves.
From the end of the corridor ahead, sounds of uproar echoed.
Not only that, but light was spilling out—bright light, unlike the dimness that had shrouded the labyrinth until now.
"Go in."
"Yes."
Verden, holding a shield they had picked up along the way, charged in first.
Rovellin followed close behind, calculating spells, while Arril and Hezen stayed at the entrance, ready for any number of variables.
But no attack came.
"..."
What Verden saw was a crowd of dozens.
Nearly forty fully armed participants, encircling just four others, locked in tense confrontation.
***
The circular chamber was connected by five different passages.
Including Verden's group, there were eight in total gathered here. All had followed the dragon's remains to this place.
All but one group, that is.
Swish, Arril extended her hand.
The light of the jewel ring pointed unmistakably at the freckled archer among the surrounded four.
No doubt the dragon's keel was sleeping within the space bag she carried.
"More and more are gathering. As you can see, the longer this drags on, the worse it will be for both you and us."
A man clad in heavy armor, wielding a bastard sword.
A participant from the Arnak Empire whom they had met before extended his hand, as if offering terms.
"So surrender it quietly, hand the bag to us. You may keep the other treasures you gained in the labyrinth. Would that not be the wiser choice?"
The man had built up a faction of about fifteen members since they last saw him.
So he had recruited.
And indeed, there was no rule forbidding participants from forming alliances in such a way.
"Tch…"
At his subtle threat, the archer under everyone's gaze darted her eyes about, gauging the situation. Her companions were the same.
Cold sweat rolled down, their nervousness plain to see.
A beastman spoke up.
"Hmph, smooth-talking bastards like him aren't to be trusted."
"What did you say?"
"Just toss it up without thinking. We'll decide who takes it. Allies or not, whoever grabs it first keeps it, right? And if anyone tries revenge outside the labyrinth, the Transcendent will punish them personally, so there's nothing to worry about."
The beastman was deliberately provoking chaos.
Because he knew that most here harbored the same ultimate intent.
Rather than charging head-on, better to gamble on avoiding stray swords and spells, for that offered higher odds of success.
At that moment, a Mage from the Larian Magic Tower interjected.
"Wait. Can we even be sure the dragon's remains are in that bag? Even with a tracker, none of us have seen the real thing."
"What? Are you doubting the Transcendent?"
"Ahem, not that… I just mean, let's be more certain. Don't you all agree? Hmm?"
Murmurs spread.
It wasn't without reason, and soon the participants nodded.
"Then it's settled. Take it out and show us. Better that than becoming a corpse riddled with arrows and spells, isn't it?"
The final warning.
"…What do we do?"
"We take it out."
"Shit, how did we end up being the first to get this…?"
The archer checked with her companions, then lowered the space bag.
Clack.
Sliding her hand inside, she slowly drew it upward, countless eyes fixed on her.
And then—
Click.
The sound of a crossbow's trigger being pulled brushed past their ears.
Participants nearby ducked and flung themselves aside, as a bolt sliced through the air toward the archer.
There was no scream.
The bolt flew just a bit high, grazing her hair.
But startled, she fell backward.
And with that, the dragon's rib, which had been halfway out of the bag, fell to the labyrinth floor.
A heavy thud.
At the appearance of the legendary material, silence descended in an instant.
Only Verden turned his gaze toward the direction the bolt had come from.
"..."
A short-haired woman came into view.
Her appearance held no oddities, but it was impossible not to recognize her.
That smile was far too familiar.
So this was where she had been.
'Ignacia.'
The Transcendent, disguised as a spirit form, had appeared.
Hiding the crossbow behind her back, Ignacia winked at Verden.
And at the same time, the fragile balance shattered.
"Seize it!!!"
"Take it!!"
"Secure it!!!"
Ants from different tunnels clashed over a single prize.
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