The Woman in Black Armor
The jungle air no longer felt foreign. The sticky humidity clinging to his skin. The sharp scent of grass pricking at his nose. At first, even breathing had been a struggle. But now, it was familiar.
A few days. In that time, Ian had adapted a little to the jungle.
Whoosh—he pushed aside the branches blocking his path. Shiro walked beside him, holding his hand. Her wounds had improved greatly. In fact, she seemed more stable than before.
"Ian...!"
Aimdel's voice came from ahead. She emerged from the underbrush, parting the foliage. Her breathing was a bit ragged, but her eyes were clear.
"Just a little further."
Ian's gaze shifted forward.
We've arrived.
The portal. Finally, the 4th floor.
Just as they were about to exit the jungle—the view suddenly opened up. The dense trees gave way, and the path ahead cleared in a flash.
A vast plain. An endless expanse of green grassland stretched before them as far as the eye could see. A breeze swept by. Unlike the jungle's muggy air, it was light and cool. His breath came easier.
And yet—it was just one step away.
"It's refreshing..."
Shiro murmured softly. The moment they stepped into the plain, the sweltering midsummer air softened like spring.
After savoring the wind for a moment, she quietly added, "...Every time we come here, it feels a bit magical."
She glanced at Ian.
"It's the same labyrinth... but it feels like a completely different place."
Ian turned back. The jungle they'd just left. The thickly packed forest and the open plain before them now. Same floor. Same space. Yet the air was utterly different.
Ian took a short breath.
"...Yeah, it's a labyrinth, alright."
He muttered lowly.
Then.
"Ian, over there... there's someone."
Shiro pointed into the distance.
"An adventurer?"
Ian followed her gaze. With the clear line of sight, he could see far, but at the edge of vision, he could barely make out a figure.
Someone was standing there.
"Probably because it's near the portal, right?"
Aimdel pulled a monocular from her pouch. Click—the short sound as she extended it and pressed it to her eye.
A moment later.
"...Huh?"
A tiny sound escaped her. Aimdel's pupils trembled faintly. Her grip tightened, knuckles whitening.
"...Wait a second."
Her voice sank low. A tone harder and more rigid than usual. Her face gradually stiffened as she held the monocular.
"...No way."
A small, trembling breath. The next instant—
"It's that bitch!"
Her voice tore out like a scream.
"What?"
Lidoem asked back, and Aimdel nearly shouted.
"That woman in black armor...! She's come up here!"
The air froze in an instant.
"Wait... let me see too!"
Ian reached out roughly, snatching the monocular almost like grabbing it midair. He had to confirm it.
...He'd definitely cut off her head.
Was it really that 'woman'?
Peering through the monocular, Ian's expression twisted subtly.
...No.
The hair color was different from the start. Unlike the black-haired woman, this one was brown. Not just the hair—height, build, everything was different.
...A different person.
That was his conclusion.
But strangely.
His eyes wouldn't pull away.
"...For now, let's head back into the jungle."
Ian said lowly. Even as he lowered the monocular, his gaze lingered.
Aimdel's reaction flashed through his mind.
...Not someone to face head-on.
"If we have to fight, we do it in the jungle."
He added shortly.
Ian turned. Toward the jungle that would provide cover.
"Yeah, I agree."
Aimdel nodded immediately.
"Me too... fighting in the jungle would be easier."
Shiro said softly.
Lidoem said nothing. Her jaw clenched tight, glaring in the direction of the woman.
A beat later, Lidoem stepped into the jungle as well.
"Aimdel, let's head toward another portal for now."
They had to advance to the 4th floor, even if it meant avoiding her.
"Yes. This way."
Aimdel took the lead.
"Shiro, guide us toward areas with no monsters as much as possible."
Among them, Shiro's detection ability was the best.
They needed to avoid combat as much as possible. If they ran into monsters while moving and got ambushed on top of that—
It would be the worst.
"Yes."
Shiro gripped Ian's hand tightly as she replied.
Ian glanced at Lidoem. She still wore an expression that mixed dissatisfaction and anxiety.
"Lidoem, heading to the 4th floor comes first right now."
With that, the group pushed back into the jungle.
How long had they traveled?
"Ian... someone's following us."
Shiro said, her ears twitching slightly.
Ian glanced back casually. But through the dense jungle, nothing was visible.
Still, it was definitely her. The woman in black armor.
They couldn't just keep running forever.
They'd have to face her eventually.
"Aimdel! Let's split into two groups."
They had to fight in this now-familiar jungle.
But they weren't prepared yet.
"Buy us some time!"
Aimdel met Ian's eyes, took a breath, and nodded heavily.
"Shiro, I'll go alone for a bit."
"...Yes."
Shiro replied, but she clutched Ian's collar anxiously. Her grip tightened.
...As if she didn't want to let go.
Ian looked down briefly. He let out a small breath.
"...I'll be back soon."
It wasn't full confidence—just something he felt he had to say.
Shiro's hand hesitated a moment longer, then slowly released.
"Aimdel, leave as many traces as possible while moving."
"Yes."
Aimdel nodded shortly.
"But circle around as much as you can to keep distance."
"...Understood."
"And if we get separated, meet at the 2nd floor portal."
"Yes."
Finishing the quick exchange, Ian met Shiro's eyes once more. A brief look.
Then he turned immediately. His steps quickened.
Without Shiro's boon. An unfamiliar sensation caught at his toes.
It was unsettling, but right now, this was the best option.
"...Have to do it now."
He muttered lowly.
Originally, he'd planned to do it in a safe place with Arcia.
But he needed to do it right now.
The circle... he had to make the Magic Circle.
Ian changed direction. Toward the cave he'd glimpsed before leaving the jungle.
*********************
Meanwhile, Aimdel's group hacked through trees and grass, pressing forward. Each swing of the blade snapped branches with sharp sounds.
Slash—thunk.
"Shiro, is she still following?"
Aimdel asked as she cleaved through the brush ahead.
"Yes... she's still coming."
Shiro's voice was lower than before.
Aimdel clenched her teeth.
She was deliberately leaving traces to draw the woman away from Ian. Broken branches, deep footprints. No attempt to hide them.
"How's the distance?"
Shiro caught her breath shortly.
"It's... closing little by little."
The woman's speed was faster.
At this rate, she'd catch up.
Aimdel gripped her weapon tighter. She pushed her speed higher.
A branch grazed her face. A stinging pain, but no time to care.
"...She's still getting closer."
Shiro said almost in a whisper. Her ears trembled faintly.
Her eyes fixed on the empty rear. But her feet didn't stop.
"We need to speed up more. Shiro, keep watching behind."
"Yes."
"Got it."
The three spoke less. Only their breaths grew rougher.
The jungle grew denser. Visibility narrowed. Forcing through ungroomed paths.
Feet snagged, speed faltered subtly. Each time, Shiro's shoulders flinched.
"...Still closing in."
Choppy words.
Aimdel didn't reply. She just moved faster.
****************************
Arriving at the cave, Ian first drew a mana gathering circle on the flat ground. What he lacked most right now was mana.
He could use daily life magic often, but even 1 Circle spells were hard beyond three times. More than that was impossible even once.
Without the wand's help, they wouldn't have made it this far.
Anew, gratitude for Arcia welled up.
"Hoo... I miss Arcia..."
After a moment lost in thought, Ian pulled a rune stone from his bag.
The mana circle and rune stone would supplement the mana shortfall for making the circle.
It was a cheat, but he wasn't in a position to be picky.
With preparations done, Ian sat and slowly gathered mana.
Thanks to the mana circle, plenty gathered around. But still not enough.
Ian waited for more to accumulate.
Whoosh—in. Whoosh—out.
His chest rose and fell rhythmically. With each breath, mana entered and left his body.
But he didn't hold it. Forcing it scattered.
Slowly. Very gradually, he drew it in.
Thump.
As focus deepened, his heartbeat grew clear.
Whoosh—out. Thump.
It slowed gradually.
And then—
Crunch!
The dagger plunged right beside his heart.
"Ngh—!"
His breath caught. Pain whited out his vision momentarily.
But he didn't stop. He forced the wound open wider with his right hand.
His fingertips trembled faintly.
...Now.
Teeth gritted, he shoved the rune stone in.
Squelch—the feel of flesh parting. Hot. No—burning pain.
His mind blurred instantly.
"Hup—!"
A stifled groan rose from deep in his throat. Vision shook. Finger sensation faded.
Yet he didn't stop. Deeper. Forcing, twisting it in.
Click.
The moment the rune stone caught inside.
Thud.
His heart pounded once, hard.
And then whooooosh—
Mana surged in like an explosion. Forcing into his body. Spreading along veins, scraping nerves.
"Ha...!"
His breath burst out. His whole body trembled faintly.
Mana overflowed. No, flooded.
Too much to handle.
...He couldn't control it.
"Urk."
A groan escaped Ian's lips. This was the limit. He couldn't take more.
He had to release the excess mana he couldn't control.
It felt a bit wasteful as it swept through his body—but greed would only harm him.
The circle was already complete. He felt the rune stone settled near his heart.
At the same time, a large band of mana orbiting his body.
Still just formless flow—but with more circles, it would compress into a mass with physical force.
Of course, that was premature now.
But he'd gained something. Over the large mana band, another thin one overlapped.
...The second circle.
Clearly asserting its presence.
Ian had skipped a step, reaching 2 Circle directly.
"It's done..."
But now wasn't the time for triumph. Leaving his gear in the cave, Ian rushed out.
Then clink—
A short, cold metallic sound, followed by...
"...Found you."
Someone's voice.
Ian's eyes narrowed.
Jet-black armor like midnight. An unfamiliar face, yet strangely familiar.
The woman who'd been pursuing their group.
The woman in black armor.