Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Steal Strike
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Villainess.
Steal Strike
shows exactly what it can steal from an opponent.
And the more I wielded it, the more I realized it could be visualized as an image.
The dumbstruck look on Void Fist's face.
And Yeonhwa staring at me in astonishment.
I shook the dagger while gazing at Void Fist.
"How did you even take it?"
"I didn't see a thing."
"Getting caught would disqualify you as a thief."
As I spoke with a sly grin, Void Fist's eyes began to gleam.
"Just what principle makes it work? The distance between us was far too great to reach."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ No matter how I look at it, it's an absurd skill. Wait, no distance limit? No way... does 'steal' mean it can even pilfer space itself? Void Fist and the Holy Sword were muttering in serious tones.
I couldn't hear the Holy Sword's voice, of course.
But those two were eagerly analyzing my gift, Steal Strike.
"What kind of ridiculous skill is this? Our levels are nearly double, yet I didn't even notice."
His eyes burned with intensity.
Like he was dying to snatch me away right then and there.
But that hint of regret in his gaze soon faded.
"Hmm... still, I'll choose Yeonhwa."
Void Fist, sounding like a doting father.
Yeonhwa nodded at his words, a faint smile on her lips.
...Man, that's kinda enviable.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A place shrouded in darkness.
Or rather, an all-consuming abyss.
There, countless beings were arrayed in ranks.
Most resembled translucent blue souls.
Though each one looked different.
And at the very front of them all.
Tap. Tap.
Sat a being on a throne, lightly drumming its fingers on the armrest.
It exuded an overwhelming presence.
Influencing its surroundings, commanding authority even in this place called the abyss.
With every tap of its fingers.
Its countless subordinates below trembled in fear.
[Another one gone.]
Crush.
A crystal orb shattered.
Proof that someone linked to it by life had perished.
[Abira's dead, huh.]
It was happening more frequently lately.
The Eternal Soldiers it occasionally sent out were vanishing one by one.
Even the scouts dispatched to investigate the cause.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Eternal Soldiers.
Each one was a creation its 'master' had poured heart and soul into.
Mighty warriors born from their master's defeat at the hands of the outside world, all bent on vengeance.
...Do I really need to use my true body after all?
One trait of the Eternal Soldiers.
They seized others' bodies by manipulating souls.
That was why they dared claim the name 'eternal'.
But lately.
They were dying off one by one.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
So far, so good. The [Factory] producing Eternal Soldiers was intact. As long as it ran, they could be made endlessly.
But the more they dwindled.
The further they strayed from their master's grand design.
Time to move, perhaps.
If they were nearby, no issue.
If they came down to its 30th floor abode.
It could judge them personally.
But the Eternal Soldiers had traded infinite lifespans for fragility.
For a native dweller of the Labyrinth to ascend to higher floors.
Was a burdensome act, even for them.
Each floor up.
Sapped an enormous chunk of their power.
That was why Eternal Soldiers were special.
Using their souls.
They hijacked the bodies of monsters on those floors.
Thus, they gradually devoured sections of the Labyrinth. Thus, they claimed the greatest territory here.
Were they the strongest? Not quite.
But if their master one day devoured the surface.
And grew strong there, it wasn't impossible.
Yet that grand scheme was cracking from the start.
Eternal Soldiers vanishing one by one.
Now, noticeably so.
The numbers climbed: one, two, and still growing.
Already ten dead.
This wouldn't do.
A tiny hole now.
But once it burst, it'd spiral uncontrollably.
...Guess I have to go.
Eternal Soldiers.
They had ranks among them.
And the one claiming gatekeeper of the 30th floor.
Commander of a Thousand Eternal Soldiers: Thousand Commander.
There were fewer than five such beings.
[No choice, then.]
Letting out a small sigh.
It stirred its massive frame.
A dense soul-body overlooking hundreds of Eternal Soldiers with ease.
[I'll have to go myself.]
And it moved.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ We moved swiftly.
From the moment I stole Void Fist's dagger.
His trust in me was impressively solid.
"This way."
"Over here."
"Traps ahead—follow my footprints exactly."
And so we descended.
All the way to where Veronica and Clara had been before.
13th floor.
Feels off now that we're this deep.
-Right?
The Holy Sword chuckled.
A turbid mana seemed to clutch at my feet. My body felt heavier.
-Breathe steadily. Try the Hero's Breath.
Hero's Breath?
I started it, puzzled.
-Slowly, inhale and exhale.
As the Holy Sword instructed.
I breathed slowly, consciously performing the Hero's Breath.
Turbid mana entered my body.
A sinking sensation began. Then, the mana within me swelled.
[Stat: Magic Power has increased by 1.] At the same time.
Much easier to move now.
A subtle difference.
But I definitely felt it.
I looked ahead.
Void Fist swung his sword.
Blackness billowed from its tip like smoke.
Forming a cloud that shredded dozens of undead bodies.
An absurd display of power.
Watching it, I thought.
It's getting easier to read.
Feeling that, unease stirred too.
Too smooth so far.
Level 9's prowess was truly formidable.
We'd already taken down over ten Eternal Soldiers.
-Fifteen, to be exact.
The Holy Sword stated the count.
With Void Fist, we were mowing down soul soldiers effortlessly.
Inventory's half full already?
Our roles were simple.
Void Fist slashed them down.
I snagged their souls on the side.
Yielding massive experience gains.
After swinging for a while, Void Fist paused and peered below.
"......"
"Something wrong?"
"Feel anything off?"
"No."
No strange vibes yet.
"......Feeling uneasy?"
"Hmm... hard to say."
Void Fist frowned, staring down.
"At my level, senses sharpen naturally. Is it because we're nearing the Abyss King? No, shouldn't be that close yet."
He kept squinting downward.
His eyes wary, on guard for something.
Yeonhwa watched him quietly, then spoke.
"Will we lose?"
"We win."
Void Fist said softly.
Adding, however.
"But if we face something on my level... I can't guarantee I'd protect you all."
His sword was excellent for offense and defense alike.
Yet it leaned toward attack.
-He's right. A swordsman at that realm demands even sages' caution.
I frowned.
A being that could alarm a swordsman like Void Fist.
Lurking nearby?
Humanity's deepest recorded dive: 20th floor.
But now I knew.
All lies.
Glasses said it.
Eternal Soldiers stirred because adventurers neared the 25th.
Escalating things here.
Probably cleared the entire 25th long before.
The Cradle's peak was ages ago.
Now, with a soul-manipulating gift holder emerging at its height? No.
I figured he fled to the Labyrinth after defeat.
So, how many years had he endured?
Long in the Labyrinth.
Its darkness devours you, they say.
Cases abound.
But one who nearly toppled the Cradle alone at its zenith?
He'd endure somehow.
But how many years? How much power amassed?
-He won't be that strong.
The Holy Sword said.
-This place twists space-time. To persist, he found an untwisted pocket.
And added.
-No matter how mighty, inability to roam freely proves it. At best, three Heroes' strength.
Still sounds insurmountable.
-For now, yeah.
For now.
Future differs.
I'd guessed as much.
Not knowing my own growth potential.
As I chatted with the Holy Sword.
Yeonhwa and Void Fist stared at me.
"What?"
"What would you do?"
"......Retreat's ideal, but I prioritize safety..."
"Hmm......"
Void Fist pondered, then decided.
"We retreat. Your lives come first."
"Wise choice."
"Too happy about it?"
"Safety's my top priority."
"Heh......"
Void Fist chuckled dryly.
"Yeah, you're that kind of guy. Now I see why Volkan calls you odd."
"I'll take it as a compliment."
"Anyway... questions?"
"Questions?"
"Yeah, you've seen plenty coming here."
His swordsmanship.
His steps, his breath.
I'd memorized it all.
Curious bits, sure.
But one thing burned brighter.
"One."
"Oh? Shoot."
"Heard of House Montblanche in the Empire. About their second son..."
"......"
Void Fist eyed me like, What the hell is this guy?
"One companion's named Lucia. He's her fiancé, apparently."
"That matters?"
"She doesn't seem thrilled."
"Most ask about swordplay or whatever."
"......"
Truth was.
No need to ask.
-Pfft! Hahaha!
The Holy Sword burst into merry laughter.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ On the way home.
I eyed the soul from the soul soldier.
This materialized soul stone felt usable by me.
......
Wonder if I can implant it in others?
Lucia's fiancé crossed my mind.
A total waste of space.
Friends spoiled a bit; I learned some.
To Lucia, he's the world's biggest asshole.
So, severing that tie seems right.
-Probably possible.
Stick it in Lucia's fiancé, then.
-......You're a demon.
Thanks for the praise.