Crossroads in the Labyrinth
"It's a fork in the road."
Maro stood at the junction with a cautious expression.
This was a meaningless fork. In the original story, each path had its own traps, but the passage of time had broken them all, so you could take any route comfortably. All paths converged later anyway.
In the original, Maro and Gong Wuseon split here.
The situation was different now. In the original, just Maro and Gong Wuseon arrived here, but now Maro's maid was with them.
"Two paths... Does the Zhang Bodao say anything about it?"
"The Zhang Bodao only shows the labyrinth's entrance. Everything beyond is uncharted territory."
"I see... We either split up or check them one by one."
"You look tense. Gotta take a shit or something?"
"We can't afford to waste time. Who knows when the Three Elders will catch up. Even if we erased our tracks perfectly, with his information network, he'll sniff us out eventually."
Facing the Three Elders right before snagging the opportunity right in front of him would be his worst nightmare. One slip, and he'd end up feeding the dog after all that work.
"Then let's split. I'll take left, you take right."
At my words, Maro looked up and addressed her maid.
"How many scrolls left?"
"Three in total."
"Good. Split up. You go with Wolbi."
So the maid's name was Wolbi. I learned a detail not even in the original.
Maro still doesn't fully trust me, huh.
She didn't assign her maid out of fondness. The maid was a watchdog. To make sure I didn't swipe the opportunity for myself.
I wasn't offended. Her caution was natural. Hell, I was grateful.
The chance came sooner than expected.
*-*-*
The dark, damp passage stretched on endlessly. The monotonous path dragged without change. Knowing there were no traps made it even more boring for me.
Wolbi and I walked in silence. Well, I tried talking, but she stayed mute.
"Wolbi, huh. Nice name."
"......"
"What's your hobby?"
"......"
"As the next cult leader's maid, you've gotta have some martial arts skills, right? What style do you practice?"
"......"
It felt like talking to a wall. She didn't even show irritation.
I couldn't imagine what face hid under that fox mask, what expression she wore. But I didn't give up.
No tree stands after ten strikes.
If it doesn't fall, I'd bring a chainsaw. That was my motto.
"What's your type? Like guys like Maro?"
"......You've been talking too much."
She finally spoke. A grave voice laced with cold frost.
Was it annoyance at my flirting, or just her natural tone? Didn't matter. The key was she'd opened her mouth. Irritation or whatever, getting started was what counted. Negative feelings could be flipped easily enough.
"It's boring as hell. Same damn path forever."
"You never know what traps lie ahead. Hard to believe a place hiding an opportunity has none."
"But no mechanism lasts centuries, no matter how well-made. Generally speaking. Haven't seen a single one on the way here."
"The overconfident always say the same in the martial world."
Once she started, the conversation flowed decently. She didn't seem fond of me, but this was progress.
"Door up ahead. Looks like this narrow hall's ending."
A massive iron door loomed before us. I had to infuse my body with internal energy to pry open the rusted hunk.
A hellish screech like wailing demons echoed heavily down the tight corridor. Beyond the door yawned a vast cavern. The claustrophobia of the passage vanished.
"Totally different."
Wolbi cautiously scanned around, head turning slowly for any traps. There were none.
"Another fork... And four paths this time."
Four paths branched straight ahead.
Like the last one, any path works.
Wolbi, unaware of the original story, hesitated. She couldn't split from me—her job was to watch me on Maro's orders.
But scouting four paths would waste time. As Maro said, the Three Elders would track us eventually. Time was short.
"Which way do you think is right?"
"Dunno. Farthest left? Right? No clue."
"Makes sense. No clues, so impossible to know. Hate relying on luck, but no choice. Let's scout right—"
She cut off. Someone's presence prickled.
They're here.
Definitely the Three Elders' minions. Faster than expected.
Might have a tracking artifact specialized for pursuit. Otherwise, this speed doesn't add up.
Assassins probably hit Maro's side too. He could handle it.
Wolbi instantly assumed combat stance. Not as intense as Maro's, but fierce demonic energy cloaked her. A chance to gauge her skills visually.
"Get ready. The crafty fox's hounds have caught our scent."
"What a pain. The man himself?"
"He's annoyingly cunning and cautious. Plus, he cherishes his body. No way he'd show up personally."
Wolbi's assessment was spot-on. The Three Elders only moved when seriously pissed.
And that's his mistake.
If that fat ass stirred, even I'd struggle.
A powerhouse who took a whole original chapter—facing him now was impossible. Best case, escape.
I drew the sword at my waist. Wolbi slipped daggers between her fingers, eyes on the enemy. Instinctively counted: ten assassins.
Advertising "assassin" head to toe in black garb, the ten charged us. Wolbi sighed at the sight.
"Brought the Shadow Pouches."
"Tough guys?"
"Bottom rung of the assassination unit, but being cult-affiliated guarantees skill. Lucky the only unit the Three Elders can move freely is the Shadow Pouches."
Even the Three Elders couldn't command all combat units. Unit leaders sometimes outranked elders.
Unlike righteous sects valuing hierarchy, demonic cults prioritized raw power—such things happened often.
"Leader. Left's the greenhorn's maid. Right's unknown."
"Someone not in intel. Plus that artifact-like mask hides identity completely."
"That artifact looks pricey. If I drop him, can I take it?"
"Of course! You haven't forgotten our rule!? Spoils from the beheaded are yours!"
They yapped freely. Eyeing my hidden mask. Pipe dream.
"Watch out. Shadow Pouch joint strikes aren't lightweight righteous rabble."
Wolbi openly dissed the righteous. Typical demonic cultist.
I wasn't mad. Wasn't righteous myself.
"That leader-looking guy or the scrubs. Which you want?"
"Asking me?"
"Anyone else here?"
"Cocky. Fine. I'll take the scrubs. Their joint strikes overwhelm the inexperienced."
"Sounds like you've got experience."
"Not my first dance with the Three Elders' dogs. Couldn't be here if I couldn't counter their joint strikes."
Her retort left me with the leader naturally.
No desire to play long with these black-clad fucks. Drew my sword and advanced. Brute rush. Gave him tons of openings on purpose.
"Fool! Think you can take us head-on just 'cause you swing a blade!?"
They formed orderly joint formation. But Wolbi wouldn't let that slide.
"Your opponent's me."
Her dagger flew at the vanguard. Internal energy-charged, it pierced his wrist at blinding speed.
"Kahat!"
"Careful! That bitch ain't normal! Shadow Pouch Squad 7 got wiped by her!"
"Fuck! The one who killed Chil-sam! Don't kill her! Let's taste the bitch who cut off Chil-sam's head!"
"Rape's better dead! Quit slacking!"
"Think we're all pervs like you? Tsk! Careful!"
Wolbi's daggers rained like lightning. Her form blurred simultaneously.
"Is there a better grave for assassins? Die lonely in pitch darkness."
She intoned coldly like the grim reaper. Fox mask hid her face, but her expression matched—ice-cold. Probably a smoking-hot glare.
"Kahaha! Stupid bitch! Charging solo into our Shadow Bliss Loss Formation!"
Wuuuung!
The formation activated. Heavy internal energy cycled orderly around the assassins. Wolbi targeted the vanguard.
"Shadow Bliss Loss Formation's core is the vanguard, not center or rear. Guess Squad 7 didn't study why they got massacred."
"Tch! Knows the formation's principle!? Doesn't change the outcome! Squad 7 was stragglers—we're Squad 3!"
The vanguard exploded internal energy, charging Wolbi. Black sword aura rippled menacingly on his blade.
"Where's your focus!?"
More spectating would've been nice, but the leader's sword grazed my side. Casually footworked back.
Strength, speed. I outclass him.
One exchange sized up his power.
"Heh heh! That fancy artifact's mine. Mask'll make hiding easier."
"Want it that bad?"
"Artifacts are pure profit. Assassins know best. Top ones bridge insane skill gaps. Darkness and artifacts make us strongest!"
"Losers crawling in dirt think like that."
"Yap away. You're dead here."
His form vanished instantly. No afterimage—melted into air.
Not just speed. No air disturbance.
Using an artifact.
Explained his artifact worship.
Hides presence. But probably just visual.
No way a weakling like him had more. If he did, it'd be stolen. Weak can't keep artifacts.
Focused senses. Trained martial artists see beyond eyes—sometimes more.
Wait, just use Darkness Radar.
Got too immersed trying "mind's eye." Activated Darkness Radar. As expected, he crept closer slowly.
"Die, you rat!!!"
Thrust into empty air. Right where he was.
Puk!
Sword pierced his heart. He was the careless one. Baseless confidence his invisibility was perfect shattered his guard.