The Labyrinth of Endless Traps
Three days had passed. No attacks came. Construction of the fortress proceeded steadily. The most crucial aspect of building this labyrinth was ensuring physical defenses that lower-grade monsters couldn't easily breach, while securing sustained killing power to eliminate them continuously. As I'd explained to Hongryeong, this was the best defensive strategy for someone like me, lacking potent magical attack options.
I first surveyed the terrain with utmost caution. Mountains inherently contain the form of a maze, especially those steeped in dense mana. This one strongly embodied the qualities of a natural labyrinth. The natural grain running along its slopes seemed to form the foundation of a maze. Centering on those grains, I set the primary pathways of the labyrinth. Then I created multiple intersections linking them. Within those intersections, monsters would lose their way and be naturally funneled into traps.
This laid the rough foundation of the maze. Design took considerable time, but construction afterward progressed swiftly. I just had to scatter dolls everywhere. They moved like my own limbs, digging earth and stacking stones. The maze's key elements were traps that could instantly dispatch careless monsters. I installed various traps throughout. The core trap, above all, had to handle any horde that might swarm in.
I had the massive bulk to solve that: the Turtle. For three days, I steadily repaired it, modifying its interior to fit the trap perfectly. Sharp spines and gleaming blades covered its shell. Even if it simply crushed them under its immense weight, low-grade monsters would perish.
The most vital zone was the intersections. Designed as natural gathering points for monsters, they radiated outward around the colossal trap—the Turtle. Monsters would wander lost, piling up at the intersections until inevitably drawn to the Turtle. Reversing that flow would be exceedingly difficult. These numerous intersections would act like a filter, regulating the number reaching the Turtle.
Most importantly, the maze had to be endlessly maintainable. The biggest threat was monsters strong enough to demolish it. They needed natural filtering. So I created separate paths for them. Monsters with sufficient power could bypass the maze's flow entirely, ascending upward without facing the Turtle, by adjusting the grains accordingly. Thus, low-grade ones got trapped at intersections, while the strong roamed freely across zones and escaped easily. Those would head upward to Hongryeong.
I didn't build the maze to withstand two weeks rigidly. I lacked the resources, time, and strength. I didn't know how many would come or what kinds. In that uncertainty, my priority was how easily the maze could be maintained. It would shift instantly with circumstances, endlessly repaired even if damaged. To that end, I turned the entire maze into a gigantic doll. What I'd made was just the basic structure. I'd repeat maintenance for the next two weeks.
I prepared thoroughly against underground intruders too. Intersections linked deep via mana grains would drag them out. They'd be slaughtered in traps. Flying monsters were no concern. Aerial ones couldn't defy the mountain's mana pressure. Plus, Hongryeong's wind barrier stood. How could they overcome it?
It took exactly three days to complete the maze. Today was the fourth. Nothing more for me to do here. The dolls would handle everything. I turned my steps toward the summit.
I recalled what Hongryeong had called the "joint defense zone." At the peak stood an hourglass. About thirty percent of the sand had fallen. Quite a generous task, giving this much time for fort construction.
Unlike before, the hourglass was shrouded in a mighty wind veil. Clearly Hongryeong's handiwork—a spell far beyond my power to pierce. Surrounding it was a pool of blood. Eiley's magic. Their combined defenses emanated perilously intense mana, impossible to approach.
Nothing for me to do here. I smirked wryly. To at least show I'd come, I stationed a few dolls as guards. I tidied the area simply: hauled boulders to craft a table and chairs, refined by magic. I felled a few trees for a basic pavilion, placed the table and chairs inside. It looked proper enough—a mark of my visit.
I scanned around. Siger and Shaking Rope hadn't arrived yet. Wonder what they're up to. With that thought, I sent my mind to the dolls scattered across zones. I'd placed a few in spots around the mountain, even outside. The mountain sat amid endless forest stretching to the horizon.
In the east, Siger leveraged the rocky terrain, piling high walls. Layered in multiples, they deterred any monster from scaling casually. Inner walls grew thicker, taller. Anti-air magic riddled the ramparts for flying threats. At the center lay an open space where Siger stood. He'd sealed all paths with walls, funneling easy routes to draw monsters—then pulverize them with force. Immense confidence. Whether it held for two weeks, time would tell.
I shifted mind to another doll. Violet forest filled its view: Shaking Rope's western zone. Even dolls melted in that brew of poisons and curses—a cursed woodland. Proximity alone would kill monsters. Its toxicity even affected my maze nearby, costing extra effort to counter.
Last, the north. Instead of a doll, I moved my body. A wry smile. Unavoidable. When scattering dolls, those entering her domain lost contact. The final one signaled as she grabbed it, laughing: "Don't peek—come in person."
Who could flee such words? Heading north, a blood-red river came into view. Nearing it, the stench of gore filled the air. The former streambed was dyed crimson, encroaching surroundings. At the mountain's base, it pooled into a vast lake exuding murderous aura and mana. Chills ran down my spine. Among teammates' forts, this river's raw power was unmatched.
Eiley floated idly above the lake. As I approached, river water coiled around me instantly. Cold sweat beaded at the razor-sharp killing intent. Unnoticed, I'd been subdued. I raised hands in surrender.
Eiley drifted closer slowly. "Oh? What's up?"
"You asked me to visit, so with my fort done, I came. A gift."
A doll trailing me stepped forward. She examined it with mana, smiling satisfied. Extending a hand, blood surged from the river, forming a table. The doll advanced, offering a chair behind her. She sat laughing. The doll prepared tea.
"Mmm, I've wanted this." She savored the aroma. But not as expected. I'd analyzed her tastes fully. En route here, I'd varied flavors slightly. Over three days building, I'd pondered her ideal in spare moments. What she sipped was the culmination.
She took a sip. A flower from the tea bloomed inside, melting on her tongue. Her eyes widened round. Success. She sipped more, beaming.
"Oh, the taste changed."
"Yes, I pondered a flavor suiting you, Lady Eiley."
"Mmm, delicious. Delicious. This doll's for me, right?" Her eyes sparkled.
I nodded eagerly. Made for her, packed with features she'd love.
"Thanks. Guess I should reciprocate." She pondered. "Want to be my top contributor?"
"No, that's fine. I have no desire for top contributor."
I waved frantically. I'd given my token to another—what use that? Meaningless, just unwanted attention.
"Figured. Stuck to that young master, huh." She knew of my alliance with Hongryeong. Naturally. They'd watched the mountain each in their way, noting my link. I'd not interfered, letting them see.
"Yes. In exchange for cooperating with Mr. Hongryeong, I nominated him top contributor."
"Heh, if you'd come to me, I'd have helped free."
She smiled with eyes. Still hard to fathom. That's partly why I chose Hongryeong—her vibe felt off-putting.
"Had I claimed a zone near you, I'd have sought aid. But others took those first."
"Hmm, not on purpose?" Teasingly.
"Perish the thought."
I waved again. She knew I'd picked him over her—hence the barbed words. My doll was atonement.
"Fine, let that be it." She sipped anew. I sat opposite, surveying. Up close, the lake looked deep. Blood-tinted, problematically. Beneath, black shadows writhed. One neared surface: a colossal serpent, veins bulging grotesquely.
"Cute, right? Lived in this water; I tweaked it a bit."
"Yes, very cute. Ahaha." Sweat beaded. Immense mana emanated. No ordinary beast—but prior strength gone, filled with agony and madness. Its eyes: endless despair. Undying torment confirmed my choice of Hongryeong.
"Oh right, just for you." Eiley spoke suddenly, pointing forest-center, gauging distance. "About two hours left, maybe."
"What?"
She laughed. "Till the blood clots swarm."
"Blood clots... monsters?"
"Yeah. Heavy blood scent started three days ago, when we arrived. They'll hit soon."
I bolted up. If swarming since then, yes—imminent.
"Coming from all sides, so don't die. See you."
"Thank you. I'll hurry back and prepare."
She waved dismissively, laughing. I bowed hastily, rushing to my zone. Must go—fastest as possible.