Chapter 54
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: 7th Floor - Lv. 46 Extraordinary Exile (3)
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In most cases, the weak can only target the strong's carelessness.
And that carelessness isn't always wrong.
They say even a lion uses its full power to catch a rabbit.
However, when facing an opponent who doesn't look difficult at all, pouring out everything is extremely inefficient.
Knowing when to hold back and when to go all out.
That's the condition for becoming a Labyrinth master.
The woman, flying over the glacier for the first time in her life as an angel, thought she was quite skilled.
She couldn't compare to the monsters over 70 years in, treated as veterans in the kingdom.
But 47 years into her Labyrinth life.
She figured she knew shit from miso.
She'd felt it fighting the Labyrinth's native NPC angels born as such, and witnessing exiled angels three times firsthand.
This Run had to be a freebie.
It just had to be.
Ever since learning about boss floor random cards from a guild senior, she'd lived praying.
When that prayer finally bore fruit, she and her party cheered together.
All over 10 years in, they'd built up some real experience.
One had lucked into knocking on the kingdom's door once, and two dreamed only of the kingdom.
They were cute followers, so she'd cared for them diligently, but now two were ejected to the next Run.
And she was dueling for her life against some girl.
A human, clearly, yet locked in aerial combat.
Where did it go wrong?
Why was the world so cruel to her?
Tears threatened from the injustice, but to survive, she had to win.
Not for revenge on her party— she'd grown fond but had no time for sentiment.
The Labyrinth teaches only harsh lessons.
She fought just to kill one of the opponent's party members.
To create an opening, bow her head, and slip in.
She'd realized it sensing a certain vibe from the man at the center of the wrongness.
That man was a kingdom veteran, over 70 years.
That eerie composure, mad strategies, unending baffling situations.
This unfamiliar yet familiar pressure was the terrifying experience only from the kingdom's high-rankers.
This had to be exploited.
But why no recruitment offer yet?
A heartless high-ranker would've already offed her useless party and extended a hand.
Ah, if only it weren't a strict 4-man limit instead of 5.
Tears welled even mid-battle.
Eh? Why's she crying?
I'd seen her party member die.
Maybe she really cherished her comrades?
The Girl thought that as she [Dashed]. Again, and again.
Her breath started to grow ragged.
After chugging potent doping potions, she'd thought she'd never tire, but matching flight with just [Dash] was hitting limits fast.
Still, she hid it best she could.
Her opponent must've realized how she was mimicking flight by now.
The Girl thrust her dagger with all her might.
The upside of this makeshift flight over proper flying was absurd turning angles.
An angle wings couldn't block.
Yet she parried with her forearm. Skin sliced, but bones held.
She'd learned forearms—the underside especially—were among the body's toughest parts.
An angel was just human-shaped with wings and halo, so similar.
Even so, tank that?
Magical flames flickered up but died instantly.
Cowardly. I want to be an angel too.
Thinking that, the Girl reached with her left hand and grabbed the wing lunging at her.
Caught before the swing fully started, she rode over it.
The angel flipped.
As if.
She swapped positions with makeshift flight and stabbed again.
This time, cooldown-reset [Heavy Strike].
[Trajectory Replay] boosted power? No, just double-hit effect—not ideal here.
Derivative skills share cooldowns.
Aimed for the wing, yet it glanced off.
No footing hurt power and mobility badly.
The Girl realized she couldn't hide her limits much longer.
Suddenly, her opponent started panting hard.
Only then did the angel realize how a human mimicked free flight.
Consecutive [Dash]es? Really human?
But knowing changed nothing—she had no reason to hold back.
She'd just failed to grasp the situation; now it was simple.
The angel grabbed the Girl trying to latch and flip while conserving stamina.
Possible because the opponent was plenty worn.
Then folded her wings.
Straight down, to the glacier's toughest spot.
Her most-used tactic since floor 7.
Angels were typically warrior-class exiles, far from tanks.
Berserkers wielding greatswords or axes.
Matching angelic style was no small feat.
Better than pointless imitation. If only she'd gotten proper weapons.
With this strength, a warhammer outright.
The Girl struggled. No chance. Physical stats near-equal, but human limits.
Potions didn't restore stamina.
Over.
She'd kill, then kowtow.
"H-H-Hey! What the hell's that bastard doing?!"
The Girl lasted shorter than expected. Major miscalculation.
Dizzying seeing her slammed with the angel, but no instant death.
Strength stats affected toughness too. This freak Girl's vitality and durability edged past human norms.
Slam fixed positions momentarily.
Somewhere, the Hunter's gun flashed.
Ranger parties unreliable, so he'd signaled to halt fire.
Even exposed, the angel tried attacking.
This... that bastard plans to kill her.
As I charged full-tilt, the angel hesitated.
Seeming unsure.
Why?
Conclusion hit without process.
Innumerable similar experiences supplied the answer instantly.
That angel had more experience than thought.
She'd sensed something. Why was victory so easy?
And who was at the center?
Smart one—good. Dumb brutes are worse.
I charged and kicked. She couldn't attack me, hesitated, grabbed instead.
Trying to pin, but 'Atlas's Blood'—giant blood—boosted strength more than dragon blood's total all-stats.
Denser too.
Mage had it, so melee contingency allocation.
As long as strength wasn't utterly crushed, I at least held.
Underestimate more.
I reversed her grabbing arm, went for armbar.
Trusted her experience to react.
Trust paid off.
Aimed for the moment nerves focused resisting. Leapt, grappled the wing.
What to call this? Wingbar?
Unlike grappling subs. Made to outright break.
Unless overwhelming strength gap...
Damn. Won't break?
Abandoned fast, grabbed arm instead.
Angel's wings too tough. Might snap a cherubim's.
For angels, arms weaker than wings.
But she resisted this time too.
After exchanges, I fully retreated.
Angel didn't attack.
Instead, bowed deeply—ice and eyes wobbling.
"Um, sir? Could you take me in?"
The Goddess groaned.
Dark magic affects mind. Best for instilling despair.
We'd probably won back then.
Even then, I was impressed.
Motions blindingly fast and violent, yet perfect full bow.
Even hands clasped ideally.
Where'd she learn?
Blonde Western-looking angel, yet hanbok vibes overlapped nostalgically.
Even I scoffed at my own sentimentality.
"Ha."
Bitter taste or not, escapism ends here. Humans stay human, no matter time.
No one's pure trash.
Exiles neither.
Dulled maybe, but rare without scrap of pity or conscience.
Most headache: situations blameless as this.
Who's the villain?
We'd guessed with Goddess it'd go thus, but opponent more desperate.
Exposing vulnerability in near-death spot.
Unnatural organs poorly controlled betray emotions.
Trembling wings—same that pulverized obstacles moments ago?
No future ties, but such eagerness hard to rebuff coldly.
Goddess whispered devilishly.
「Kill her now.」
'Goddess, you forgot: even like this, no sure way to take her.'
「Why kill the mage.」
'Safest on floor 6.'
I fiddled Akasha's Eye at waist, discreetly.
One use left, but not bad.
4-man limit by map presence. Abyss off-floors, no issue.
Show it, send to Abyss: no risky strat needed.
Angel proceeds safely to kingdom.
Likely before us.
Solo angel matches Blanche's combat power.
Unknown kingdom state, but pre-sent connected exile helps.
Logically, no reason fight her.
Her back, still bowed.
Ice cracked.
Spiderweb fissures everywhere from impact.
Some deep.
Force obvious.
Girl sprawled center, unconscious.
Lustrous bob, fluttering whimsically before, matted bloody.
Why so unpleasant?
Not Labyrinth thinking—I know best.
Gain? Cripple angel's momentum pre-kingdom.
Pointless; she's surrendered.
This game, Labyrinth: core RPG.
Kingdom veterans: rankers, high-rankers, revered.
Different info, levels, gear.
She's projecting that onto me.
Truly.
Inefficient.
Unnecessary risk.
Against my gamer philosophy.
Still, anger surged.
Youngest returned; traps set.
He approached, gave up assessing, did essentials.
Girl, soaked in Healing Spring, stirred raggedly.
Doping ended. Stamina drained.
Limp scan, realized defeat, face fell.
Now puppy? More bunny-like.
To patiently waiting angel, I said,
"Come at me. Win, maybe spot for you."
Need to hit something to cool off.
Prepped too.
Goddess: 「Dark attribute side effect?」
'Maybe. She's sure, me too.'
「Even demons dislike it.」
Angel lifted head.
Zealot resolve, stern face.
Regretted words? Then she said,
"Sir, those gun guys and mage aren't your party, right?"
Hm.
Me, sly.
Head nodded lightly.
Angel useful; those not.
Ranger leader realized massive screw-up.
Moment angel bowed.
Thoughts flashed.
4-man limit anyway.
Her party all dead.
Where attach now?
Side with angel, fill 4 for survival chance.
All thought same.
Open fire.
Angel blocked.
Bullets can't pierce wings.
"Should've fired earlier. Damn it!"
All subdued effortlessly.
Yes, subdued.
While baffled, tightly bound.
"Sorry, so I'll give useful lecture later."
Expected. Initial recruiter guy said apologetically.
No retort mind.
Slower to grasp loses.
That's Labyrinth.
Ranger leader sighed.
Why everyone avoids veterans.
Akasha's Eye: high utility.
She'd want it, just stab and send, but Hunter incredulous hearing she reignited fight.
"Why? Just send to Abyss, say it'll save her."
Youngest whispered prior events.
Girl brutally beaten, near-death.
Hunter pondered, shifted.
"Heh. Fair. Gotta get beat some."
"Agreed, bro."
Girl pretty loved.
Clueless till Youngest explained, now blinking wide.
"What? Why everyone like this. So embarrassed I wanna die."
"No. Just saved you."
"Make a rat hole..."
Anyway, Girl sidelined.
Weirdly down this floor, just watch bound friends safe.
Bound party: teach properly before send. Basic decency.
Angel glared Hunter, Youngest. Girl aside, targets them.
Youngest piously grabbed shield.
Hunter muttered 'Wasn't it... wrong choice?' Told him near-wipe earlier.
"Angel chickened first, no full bow otherwise totalled. Wings tougher than thought. Or me weaker?"
Wingbar failed. Lucky she submitted; disaster else.
'Atlas's Blood' doping lingers.
Prepped fully; end quick if start.
My go-signal: tense angel flew up.
Minus death risk, like sports day.
Long-thought: Labyrinth, game's no-true-death assurance most vicious.
Tests how much humanity breaks before gone. Horrific.
Angel went all-out.
Maximizing wings as sub-weapon.
Obviously: aloft, scattering feathers.
I activated Youngest's magic circle—his blood, Goddess-guided.
[Gravity]
Prepped, output leagues beyond 4F fairy mage's Night Crow.
Active in circle range.
Angel panicked.
All weights surged dozens-fold.
Flight destabilized, staggering sharply.
Physicals separate from lift. Unaccustomed flight struggles gravity-amped control.
Knew ahead, would've started thus. Info key.
Hunter targeted wings.
Angel looked tearful from afar.
Someone dies for me to live.
That face.
Angel landed.
Aimed suppress wizard me somehow.
Indulged.
Doped Strength for melee: Girl-match feel.
Her dawning 'something wrong' face Girl-like.
Motions simple despite speed. No ingrained tech like Girl. Not native class.
Hence crude style.
Emptiness crept. Girl-anger sparked, but just bullying weak.
Not arrogant fool; desperate survivor.
Raised hand, stopped.
"Enough. Pass."
Angel eyed Akasha's Eye, widened.
Battered body, face revived.
Hope rising.
Plan: grapple, 30m [Gravity] doomstone piledriver over Youngest's [Barrier].
Test angel durability more.
Wing-grab no-fly. Neck-snap non-lethal maybe.
Fresh destructive idea.
Save elsewhere.
Dropped magic.
Left sniffling seated angel, went grinning Girl.
Should've first.
"Body okay?"
"Yup. Mind fully recovered."
"Why grinning?"
"Goddess told. Uncle, your face during my blackout was epic."
Stern face demo. More to say?
Giggles leaked uncontrollably.
Smacked head.
"Ow! Why?!"
"Watch body."
"You nearly died on 2F!"
Sighed.
"Won't now."
"Uh, okay."
Girl averted eyes.
Sat silently beside.
Life often futile. Hate these hollow moments.
Need kingdom fast.