Chapter 97
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: 10th Floor - Lv. 335 Emperor's Guard (2)
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In games, there are situations you absolutely cannot clear.
The game system, while faithfully reflecting reality, has its limits. Getting cornered in a no-win scenario is not just common—it's overflowing within the system.
The Labyrinth, now turned real, shows flexibility in those areas.
The current 10th floor is something that would be impossible to clear in a game.
Many works of fiction depict ancient times as an era of romance where technology surpassed the modern age and mighty heroes were plentiful.
In the Labyrinth's continent, that's just plain fact.
During the height of the Fairy Empire, high-level beings swarmed everywhere.
Even the wild goblins wandering the streets were burlier and stronger.
Their gear was mostly enchanted with magic.
Fairies excelled in such arts, and back when they ruled as an empire, top-quality equipment flowed out in droves.
Dwarves crafted it in the southern jungles, and fairies inscribed the spells—even there, it rolled around freely.
In that environment, warriors grew tougher, rangers fiercer, and mages more capable.
Even roadside beasts were high-level enough to be rare sights today. It was only natural.
There were other reasons too.
A thousand years ago is remembered and spoken of as the Mythic Age.
Fairies are long-lived, but only about ten times that of humans.
In a world without advanced medicine, even their average lifespan is just over 500 years—and the longer you live, the higher the chance of accidental death.
Almost no residents alive today experienced that era.
They must have marveled at their ancestors' strength while puzzling over ancient magical tech.
There were many [Skills].
To Labyrinth residents, [Skills] are seen as mysterious innate abilities.
A bizarre, powerful force that suddenly manifests one day.
Something utterly alien to magic or swordsmanship.
Exiles can control them, but others just take what they're given.
Still, they tend to align somewhat with behavioral patterns.
A thousand years ago, the world was simply suffering from power creep far beyond today's medieval fantasy setup.
Hence, tons of high-level folks.
Hence, tons of Skills.
Even experience fighting with Skills was commonplace.
That's why old NPCs are so strong.
And this 10th floor? It was a brutal hotspot that decided the fate of Greenskins and Fairies.
Everyone frozen in time here is a [Hero Unit].
Witnesses to history—and shapers of it.
All over level 1,000.
Forced awakening without buffs weakens them, but probably still near 500.
In a game, no way you'd clear it.
No calling for backup, and damage wouldn't even stick.
But since it's reality, you can exploit the cracks.
Times like this, I'm truly grateful the Labyrinth became real.
If it kept game constraints... whew.
The God of Nature rarely uses divine speech, but after some prodding from the Goddess, He's pulling double duty as a radio.
He has countless followers elsewhere, yet He focuses on me.
This server's fate hangs in the balance nonstop, and there's personal interest too, no doubt.
Being watched by a god is never a bad thing, whatever the reason.
"The Girl's side is a bust."
Finding fairy rangers is crucial to the plan.
I woke one with a leaf-woven bow—traitor.
[The God of Nature feels disgust toward the betrayer.]
I get it. From a god's view, the Fairy War is just scripted history.
Not firsthand, so hard to grasp why fairies rebelled back then precisely.
Even knowing doesn't make it hit home.
A thousand years is too long.
Even for an exiled god.
But one thing's clear: best to kill them.
Taking back traitors once betrayed is laughable, and they're too strong to release into the current continent.
The Girl's doing fine, right?
The little mage might be riskier, but after time together, I worry for the Girl first.
Told her to ditch and run if stealth fails.
No choice. The little mage knows the risks too.
Worried, though.
Yeah, this feeling's a bit different now.
Before, it was more... clerical, I guess.
Okay, save that thought. What am I thinking about such a cute kid sister type?
[The God of Nature smiles warmly.]
[The God of Nature says He conveyed your current thoughts to the Goddess of Chaos.]
[The God of Nature relays that the Goddess of Chaos is frustrated She can't witness this moment Herself.]
Hey, don't read my mind.
Meanwhile, the little one succeeded.
Mana flows again. Faded magic circles regain power.
"Wanna try attribute conversion?"
The exhausted kid shakes her head. No physical fatigue, but mental drain has no easy fix.
Impressive, given her short training and this being live combat, not practice.
But no more for now.
I've had her practice practical spells too. She loves [Fireball]. That's why I'm raising her as a fire mage.
Let the kid rest and tweak the circle's attributes myself. No other elements around, so coloring it as I want is easier.
Flames roar through the circle, vivid.
"Gotta work more spots. Just rest now."
The kid nods sleepily. Not far, so I carry her.
Thumping wall-crashing sounds grow closer.
Boom. The wall bursts open.
The old man grumbles that his arms are sore—rare for him.
The Hunter figures it's warranted.
Mjolnir's a fine weapon, but smashing walls ain't easy.
Ruins walls are magically reinforced—troll-tough.
Not flagged as enemy, so no durability drain. Small comfort.
The youngest helps: old man axes weak spots, kid digs with pickaxe.
Sounds slow, but with orc-humanoid muscle mass, walls crumble fast.
Living excavator or what? Magic walls shredded at speed.
"Better to just fight."
"You said that could go wrong."
"Still, this is construction work."
He gripes, but seems to kinda enjoy it.
Cracks spiderwebbing excite him.
Greenskins wired for strife and smash, huh.
"Quit whining. These walls are insanely tough. Drilling with shamanism..."
Would've been rapt lecture from another shaman or mage. Hunter just sighs.
Boils down to how Mjolnir nullifies magic and pulverizes stone.
"Bro, time to blast."
Hunter draws flintlock. Explosive rounds—potent ones.
Jam into hole, fire.
Boom. Wall splits.
Old man swings big—collapse.
Opposite side: one fairy, ashen and colorless.
"Got a bow."
"Grove Fairy."
Grove Fairies wouldn't betray Nature's God or kin.
Wake worry-free: blinking, innocent ranger face.
Goddess vouches their allegiance.
"Thank you! Truly! Remembering us after a millennium. Praise the God!"
Grove Fairies are pure. Hunter loves it.
Fairy hugs even orc old man.
Old man takes it uncomfortably.
All here are legendary heroes.
If old man lived then, definitely foes.
And for her, orcs were enemies moments ago.
How so innocent?
"God says help you best we can. What can I do?"
"Hm, excavating."
But can a ranger help smash walls?
Fellow ranger Hunter eyes the path ahead worriedly.
Lightning war.
First words the Girl heard.
Not all [Hero Units] match saintess strength. But levels? Nearly tenfold difference.
Forced weakened unsealing: maybe five times.
Either way, no giving foes breathing room to assess.
Lucky it's a leaf-fairy ranger? Heard they're melee specialized over bows or magic.
No distance. Give shooting time, goes south fast.
Stick close, no gap.
Pursue, pursue.
Foe fast enough, but Girl faster.
Failed distancing: only snipes one or two arrows at brief chances.
Stings Girl's pride a bit.
Parries arrows point-blank with arrowhead, even snipes occasionally.
Exploit gap, slash—she dodges or deflects.
Deflects with arrowhead too.
Tried snapping shaft—slips power perfectly.
Recall Uncle's advice.
[Just body-slam stats. Skills or tricks won't beat Hero Units. You're near top-tier race by birth—crush with birthright stats.]
Got it.
Faster.
Faster still.
Faster.
Foe panics. No rear thought, pure speed.
Exiles fine with wounds—revive if not dead.
Recall lightning-roast: half-charred, unconscious.
Foe grimaces, attacks clinging Girl. Arrow-as-dagger limits hit.
Arrows lack durability, obviously.
Strike snapped gap.
Foe blocks with bow.
Bow halves, but saves lethal hit.
"Whoa, feisty miss? Still dazed here."
Hand to back. Dual-wielder—Girl realizes now. Never pure ranger.
Prevent draw.
While unarmed, end it.
Charge: kick to gut. Sword drawing.
Tank kick, bulldoze.
One sword out.
Little mage strikes.
Lightning.
Girl's tackle pins—no escape.
Thunder roars.
Lightning surges. No bolt—full [Lightning].
Hair singes; Girl stat-crush muscle spasms.
Priestess robe's magic resist helps.
Forced weak strike, but slaps weapon hand. Sword drops.
Fairy's wolf ears prick. Something triggers. Lightning fades auto.
Vision blurred, but rear head hard, forehead smash.
Next: [Bind] restraint.
Girl relaxes. Limbs shake.
Acrid smell.
Little mage tosses vial. Girl can't stand, but [Dash] shoves into path.
Body heals.
"Sis, you okay?"
"Yeah, tastes like char, but not bad. If she'd drawn duals from start, would've sucked."
"You were amazing. Wish I'd helped more."
Her sorry face swells pride.
I protect this kid. Little sis relies on me.
Hee hee hee.
Finish before bind wears.
Barrier pops—fails.
Careless. Use sooner if had it.
Normal attacks? Time sink. She'd resist bind quick.
One eye scorched, smoke wafting char—still deadly.
"I'll handle!"
Little mage dashes up, grenade in hand. 9th floor loot.
Girl skipped explosives for body-tackle plan.
Bound wolf-eared fairy glares bloody tear from one eye. Mouth twists grotesquely from spasms.
But millennium-old [Hero Unit] doesn't know human mage's orb toy.
Little mage max-mana reinforces bind.
Simple hand reach? No barrier trigger.
Shove pinless grenade into gaping mouth spasm.
Motion too minor for [Skill] threat.
Girl grabs little mage, rounds maze corner.
Boom!
"Check?"
Girl draws sword, wary.
Little mage peeks, scowls hard.
"Don't look, sis."
Girl avoids imagining.
Grabs little mage's hand, cheers victory cheer.
"We won! Hero Units? Pfft!"
"Bit forced, though."
"We strong anyway!"
Hunter's worry unfounded.
Grove Fairy ranger points path, grins innocently, nocks arrow.
"Maze wards weakened heaps. Millennium passed? Wild. Back up—dangerous."
Draws string. Mana-dull Hunter senses insanity incoming.
Mage old man pales green skin white, retreats.
Ranger releases.
Rapid fire, invisible speeds, repeats.
Quiver empties—ten arrows?
Surprisingly quiet.
Arrow paths: walls melt to dust.
Straight tunnel punched—nearly maze-piercing.
Wide for three abreast.
"Wards here prioritized durability over duration. Pre-millennium, wouldn't pierce. Er, thousand years back."
Beams back.
That an arrow?
"This enough? More help?"
Hunter thinks quit archery.
Americans suit guns.
Little one squints, palms ears. Futile, but cute.
Wall-smashing booms near.
"Bat form, cling ceiling. Risky? Fly escape that way."
She does. Clumsy fall—catch her.
Tiny bat flusters back up, embarrassed.
Elsewhere action afoot, but troll racket drowns it.
Stop method exists.
Mana-heavy mana detection cast.
Thick mana ripples concentric from fading ruins interior.
Martial passives limit range.
Long scout tough now.
But point-blank? Mages feel head-punched.
Very thick density.
Troll smashing stops soon.
Assessing situation.
Too bad. That's my target spot.
Trigger.
Circles activate en masse.
Imperial positions heat up.
Trolls pound again. No orders—just blind escape smashes.
Flesh-roast smell wafts.
"Tell all: shields up, huddle inside."
Nature's God does.
Pre-planned.
Confirm party sealed auras, overload circles.
Simultaneously: barrier wraps me and kid.
Tweaking circles ignited scattered fire elements.
Air temp spikes superheat instant.
Lasts under 0.1 sec. Like future kid's [Inferno]—heats air.
Heat alone? Overload epicenter aside, survivors aplenty.
But sealed indoor maze. No open ceiling like floor 1.
Instant air expansion = shockwave sweeping maze.
Survive via warrior [Hero Unit] tankiness or quick [Shield] block.
Else? All dead.
Magic gas bomb.
Stuff impossible in game days.