Sweet Days as Labyrinth Keeper
I sent sweet honey flowing between my petals back into the labyrinth. Was I just that used to it now? I could control the flow freely.
'Bugs, assemble!'
The bugs were too far away; they didn't seem to catch the honey's scent. How far did they go...?
Then, a single Icy Fly fluttered over, wings sparkling. The red-eyed one that had been watching me! Heehee, you're gonna bring me some amazing news!
'I'm the labyrinth's manager now! The ruler—my owner—and I are, y'know, like that! That close!'
The butterfly's eyes went wide. Oh, wait—they're already round. No, its pupils dilated hugely.
I glanced at my owner. She seemed deep in thought, eyes closed in concentration.
Heehee! I can keep bragging to the butterfly!
'Whaddya think? Spill some love secrets?'
Nod nod nod! The butterfly's cheeks flushed bright red, its whole body trembling as it nodded furiously. Huh, what a cutie.
'First off...'
…While I was passing on my secrets to the butterfly, the bugs started gathering one by one.
'That's it for now... This is our little secret, got it?'
Nod nod! Perfect, it looked thrilled. This red-eyed butterfly dreaming of love... Time to call her Girl Butterfly from now on.
Anyway, the real message…
'Tell the bugs: I'm the labyrinth's manager now, and you're my loyal legion under me.'
My will spread to hundreds of bugs. They shook their antennae as if they'd been waiting, fully accepting it. Like they couldn't refuse after tasting my honey—no, like they had zero intention of refusing.
By then, my owner was watching us with a pleased smile.
But…
《Owner, is it okay for the manager to just hang out like this?》
"Huh? But you need sunlight for photosynthesis, right?"
《I lived fine without that stuff before…》
"Sure, but look how vibrant you got after I planted you up here."
'Huh?'
Curiosity bubbled up at her matter-of-fact tone.
《Shall we check it out again?》
My owner wrapped her silver fingertips gently around my stem. The moment she tried to pull—
'Eek! Nooo!'
My roots wriggled like living creatures, clutching the ground desperately. Just like a kid throwing a tantrum: 'No way! I don't wanna go!'
"Heehee… Still like this, huh."
A blue flash sparkled with her soft laugh. As expected, I couldn't resist her power. Thanks to getting stronger, it didn't hurt much this time.
But.
'Ughhh… This feels weird…'
Floating in the air like this! Especially my roots! Always buried in the soil, now exposed to the breeze—it felt like wandering around naked, a wave of embarrassment crashing over me. I never felt this when just the tips poked out!
The cold wind from the snowy mountains tickled between my roots.
'Ugh… This is straight-up humiliation play…'
I felt the bugs' shiny stares. Eek! Don't look at my roots!
Oblivious to my plight, my owner strode gracefully toward the labyrinth entrance.
As we neared, enduring the massive humiliation, the labyrinth's enormous maw welcomed us. The ceiling loomed far higher than I'd imagined, sharp ice crystals dangling like fangs. The corridor's width was several times what I'd pictured.
'So this is the real labyrinth…'
The upper layer was brighter and cozier than expected. Soft light filtered through the ceiling's ice formations, frost flowers blooming on the walls. The occasional monsters were weaklings around level 20.
'Hmm… Upper layer's like this, huh.'
The middle layer shifted the mood. Narrow passages twisted like a maze in dim light, sharp icicles jutting everywhere. Level 30-40 monsters lurked, but it was familiar scenery to me.
The lower layer plunged deeper. Passages widened, ceilings vanished into infinity. Ice walls bore artistic carvings, but up close, tormented faces hid within.
Monsters over level 80 ruled here.
'Arthur's party could handle it, but Brian's crew wouldn't last minutes.'
The deep layer was another world. Dark blue ice deepened like ocean trenches, faint azure glow barely pushing back the dark. Shadows rippled in illusions, level 130+ monsters gliding through. They vanished at my owner's presence.
"Been a fortnight, and monsters have multiplied."
'Huh? This is a lot…?'
I'd seen fewer than ten per layer? How empty was it before? Wait, did she hunt them all to feed me…?
'The boss's love for her secretary…!'
A fierce flame ignited in my chest!
And finally, the deepest layer—my owner's lair revealed itself.
'Whoa…'
The overwhelming sight made me forget the cold. The labyrinth was ice throughout, but this was different. Crystal pillars like transparent gems held up the sky; aurora-like ice crystals on the ceiling emitted soft glows. The floor gleamed like a mirror, walls etched with delicate patterns. In the corners, glowing gold and priceless artifacts piled endlessly.
This wasn't a mere cave—it was an ice dragon's palace.
'This is… Owner's home…'
Admiration faded as bone-chilling cold hit. Beautiful, yes—but freezing.
'Ughhh… So cold… Way too cold…'
A piercing chill froze my whole body. I hugged Cecilia tight in my petals, but no use. Even her pupa was shivering. Hot packs would freeze solid in this extreme cold!
My owner planted me in a deep-layer corner adorned with pretty ice decorations.
"This is where you stayed for three years."
《Ughhh… Too cold!》
I scratched trembling words with my roots.
'Wait… three years?'
Suddenly, it all clicked—like puzzle pieces falling into place. This extreme cold. The three years I couldn't wake. The monster blood she kept bringing.
'Ah… So that's it…!'
Frozen like a cryogenically preserved human—no, plant. Stuck in a freezer, iced solid. No matter the potent blood, this cold prevented proper life functions. That's why she moved me to sunlight, why I suddenly revived…
'Ugh… Sorry, past-life blueberry…'
《Can't do it… Really too cold…》
"I see…?"
She nodded, shifting to the deep layer's end—before the passage to the deepest.
"How about here?"
《Oh… This is fine!》
Chill lingered, but bearable—like mild AC. With body warmers, no issue.
The bugs soon followed, settling in.
"Now, about your manager duties…"
《Yes! I'll work hard as manager!》
I straightened my roots, pumped up. But… no tasks. Just guard the place and serve my owner.
'Total dream job! Just sweet romance ahead!'
…Three weeks passed like that.
Daily, my owner visited in her silver dress billowing, stroking my petals. She'd "taste the nectar" as an excuse to rub rub. The bugs tactfully cleared out. Girl Butterfly even seemed to wink: 'Have fun!'
Some days, she'd bring near-dead monsters. Bugs finished them for levels; I absorbed blood for EXP. High-level deep-layer blood synergized deliciously with Blood Heaven's Dew.
We're her minions, yet we just receive! Is this okay?! Overworked boss vs. spoiled employees…!
《Owner…! You're doing all the work!》
"It's for my Ricoris. What wouldn't I do?"
She smiled softly. Sob sob! I'm the luckiest!
《Still, I wanna help!》
"Heehee… You keep giving me this delicious nectar?"
Rub rub. 'Hnnng… Feels so gooood…'
So familiar now.
…But one day.
"Oh, right."
She said casually, "Gotta catch a polymorph-capable monster."
"Might learn the polymorph trick from them."
《Yes!!!》
Polymorph! Human form! No waiting a millennium!?
These days are bliss enough for eons, but still—I want it now!
'Heehee…!'
"You'll be fine alone? Even if deep-layer monsters swarm, they're no threat to you."
《Don't worry!》
Heart fluttering, I saw her off. This is my domain now. I'll manage perfectly till she returns!
Even if there's nothing to do!
After a month's trek over hellish Set Hanryeong, a small village at Sia Kalt's foothills appeared.
"Over there…"
Cloy's white ears twitched. "The vibe feels off."
"You sense it?"
Ronflow's voice was unusually grave. "In 200 years, I've never felt an atmosphere like this. Like a colossal shadow of terror…"
Under the peaceful village scenery, subtle tension hung. The smithy's hammer rang, but the smith moved cautiously; merchants perked ears, scanning surroundings.
"Fear in the villagers' eyes," Gain said. "But they can't flee."
Beatrice nodded. "Blocked by Set Hanryeong…"
Then a C-rank adventurer party on patrol spotted them. Marianne, leading, clutched her holy symbol at the saint.
"Is that… Saintess!?"
Brian and Kevin bowed deeply in shock. Nearby villagers paused, staring.
"And… the Silver Warrior too…"
Marianne's voice trembled. The street buzzed instantly.
"It's the saintess!"
"Silver Warrior's here!"
"We're saved!"
"Michael's grace…"
Hope bloomed on faces. A young mother with child teared up, clasping hands toward the saintess; elders murmured prayers shakily.
"We'll guide you to the guild."
Brian stepped forward, relief flooding his voice.
At the guild, Arthur startled at their sight. No usual dignity—just deep fatigue and tension.
"Saintess…"
He bowed. "To come to such a remote place."
"Have you been well, Arthur?"
Seraphina's voice was calm.
The guildmaster spotted them from the window, rushing downstairs. Worry etched his wrinkled face. He barked at staff:
"Hurry! Prep the best room! Call the head chef for a special feast!"
"No need, Guildmaster."
Seraphina said gently. "We're just…"
"Impossible!"
He insisted firmly. "Can't neglect such guests. Especially now…"
Shadow crossed his face, as if he knew everything.
"Come in."
He flung the door wide. "We have much to discuss…"
Seraphina's pink hair swayed in the chill breeze. She gazed at the distant mountains.
There, the flower from her dreams—the one she prayed to in Michael's name—awaited.
"Yes."
Seraphina nodded. "I've come to hear that story too."