Eastern Labyrinth (4): Crimson Temple
BOOM─!
The explosion rocked the desert. As the smoke and sand cleared, there wasn't a trace of the monsters left.
Figures. No bodies, as expected.
The ground was littered only with pristine magic stones rolling around. I stared at them, lost in thought.
Crystals that functioned like portals, return stones. Landscapes that shifted in an instant with each layer transition. Monsters that charged without a hint of fear—as if terror had been excised—only to spit out loot and evaporate upon death. Even the hidden rooms and traps scattered throughout the layers.
"…Hmm."
It felt off. Terribly off. Like something crafted with clear intent by a designer. A bizarre system testing challengers' limits, rewarding them accordingly, and luring them ever deeper.
It was almost like…
A game.
Genres from my past life flashed through my mind: dungeons, tower climbs, gates. They branched into countless varieties, but boiled down to one essence.
Entertainment. A plaything where you watched characters endure trials and grow stronger.
Maybe this labyrinth was made for someone's amusement.
"Kal, how many layers does this place have?"
At my question, Kal lifted his head from where he'd been flattened against the ground, hands clamped over his ears in a corner.
"Y-yes? Did you call me, Mage?"
"You can uncover your ears now. It's over."
"Ah, roger!"
"So, how many layers?"
I prodded gently, and Kal snapped to attention.
"As far as I know, five layers!"
"Not many. Has anyone cleared it all?"
"Sure! Not often, but top explorers punch through to the end now and then."
Oh, so it wasn't some impossible hellscape. I listened intently to his tale.
"The rewards from there are insane. Beat the 5th layer boss, and a hidden treasure vault opens. High-purity magic stones and ancient artifacts worth a fortune."
Artifacts. My ears perked at the word.
"Know anything about artifacts?"
"Artifacts? Just magic tools crafted from magic stones or enchanted weapons. Big trading companies or auction houses sell 'em if you've got the coin."
"Not those. The ancient ones you just mentioned."
"Uh… no clue."
Kal scratched his head sheepishly. Fair enough—a mere mercenary wouldn't know. Guess I'd have to reach the end for info on ancient artifacts.
That was when it happened.
Rumble─.
The sand beneath our feet began to churn. Sunk pits across the dunes erupted in unison, dust billowing back up.
Thud, boom!
What burst forth were massive scorpions. They'd sensed my flame spear's blast and crawled up from below.
"S-Sand Scorpions!"
Kal yelped in panic. Their black shells gleamed under the sun. Venomous stingers arched menacingly overhead.
Four of them. They charged, claws clacking, like armored tanks bearing down.
Snap!
I flicked my fingers, sparking embers. I shaped a spinning spear of flame and hurled it at them.
BOOM─!
A heavier blast than against the wild dogs. The spear slammed into the lead scorpion's carapace.
Its dark shell glowed red-hot, melting.
-SKREEE!
A screech like nails on steel. Half-melted and impaled, it thrashed, scraping the sand in agony.
Tough bastard.
It took a whole spear just to melt and pierce the shell. Not even an instant kill—the dogs had turned to ash on impact. What durability.
"W-watch out!"
-SKRIT! SKREE!
The remaining three surged through the dust, claws snapping, stingers firing venom at me in unison.
"Dusty, chains."
Slither─.
At my command, the geometric tattoos on my left arm flowed down, melting into my shadow.
Whoosh─!
My shadow ballooned grotesquely, erupting dozens of black chains that lashed the air.
Clang!
The first chains swatted the incoming stingers mid-flight. Sparks flew on impact.
The chains twisted nimbly like living things, coiling around the scorpions' bodies.
SKRIIIII─!
The man-sized scorpions slammed into the sand, momentum shattered.
I eyed the writhing captives and ordered Dusty:
"Crush."
Crunch, snap!
The chains tightened. Cracks spiderwebbed across their dark shells.
-SKREEEEE!!
Horrid shrieks as shell shards flew. Crunch, split! Their bodies pulped.
And soon.
Poof─.
Like the dogs, the corpses turned to ash and scattered. Slightly larger magic stones dropped in their place.
"Whoa…"
"Insane…"
The mercenaries gawked from afar. Not spooked by Dusty—just pure awe.
Chains are fine, then.
The all-engulfing darkness or red eyes look too horror-movie for onlookers. But chains? Just weird black lines.
"What're you waiting for? Pick up the stones."
Kal snapped to at my casual nudge.
"R-right! Gotta grab 'em! On it!"
"Move it! The ladies are waiting!"
"Aye!"
Seconds ago face-down in sand, now they bounded out grinning, scooping stones.
They'd started calling me "sis" too. Mercs flipped honorifics like pancakes.
I smirked inwardly and stuck close to Evel, basking in her cool aura.
#
We crested another dune. Footprints stretched long, erased by wind in cycles.
Evel's chill helped, but endless sun beat it down. Movement bred sweat; burdened mercenaries' jaws glistened.
Yet smiles never faded from their sweat-slick faces.
"Lady Evel! Five mutts, right ahead!"
"Got it."
Crack!
Evel's ice shards pierced the dogs' bellies.
Splat─. Poof.
"We'll grab 'em!"
Out dashed the trio: Kal left, Olsen, Yan.
They moved like trained loot squads now, fear forgotten.
"Huff! Three more incoming!"
"Your turn, guys. We're getting tired."
"Huh!? Lady Iris, us?!"
I extended a hand instead of answering.
Humm─.
The barrier formula on my right hand. I stretched it thin, draping it like armor over them.
Then the life formula. Pale green mana seeped into their bodies from my fingertips.
Pop─!
"…Huh?"
Kal patted himself, eyes wide. Olsen and Yan flexed their hands, baffled.
"M-my back… it doesn't ache anymore from hauling gear?"
"Feels… invigorated!"
"Stones from dogs you kill this fight are all yours."
"Gasp!"
Kal's eyes lit up.
"Olsen! Yan! Shields up! We'll earn our keep, ladies!"
Money made mercenaries bold. Buffed and roaring, they charged the desert hounds.
I watched, murmuring a summary of my experiments. Dry lists bored me, so I spiced it up.
Including the layer 2 beasts, overall labyrinth run so far:
(Slightly Sigurd tone)
1. As expected from one eyed by the White Tower young! I, Iris Ertain, am talented and versatile! Firepower and utility unmatched.
Zepeto's four formulas. Flame was straightforward combat, but combining barrier and life like this? Efficient.
DPS and buffs—a perfect all-rounder mage. Especially Dusty's chains, supercharged by devouring estate vault stones. Power multiplied several times.
But not all upsides. (Slightly Cassandra and Heinrich tone)
2. *Whisper* 《The young lady isn't omnipotent—stay vigilant, especially fuel efficiency, they warn.》
Biggest issue: costs. Zepeto's formulas were potent and versatile, but mana-hungry. Same for Dusty. Its mileage sucked.
A little chain use, and it whined for food. Outside, wild eyes sufficed. Here? Corpses vanished.
No more eye candy for Dusty. Only drops: magic stones. But here's the rub.
Adventurers say labyrinth profits are 80%+ from stones. A mage burning them for power? Like bleeding cash.
Huge merit in Dusty's boosted strength from premium feed… but balancing the gap needs thought. Can't bankrupt the household feeding one kid.
Oh, and Dusty's eye attack? Useless here. Monsters charged mindlessly, fear immunity.
Blind rushes ignored darkness veils. Great for panicking humans, meh in labyrinths.
"Dusty, useless."
─Whine….
Dusty peeked a droopy eye through bandage gaps, dejected. I fed it stones one by one.
Grow big and strong, kiddo.
"We did it!"
"Kyaaao!"
Kal and Olsen roared victory over three dogs. Buffs left them unscathed, but their sacks bulged fuller.
"Good work. Yours as promised."
"Ooh…! Thanks! We'll never forget this!"
They scooped stones. We trekked dunes a while longer. Estimates in hand, time to head back?
"L-ladies! Look!"
Lead Kal pointed. I followed his finger—and gasped softly.
Beyond barren sands rose an alien sight.
"Ruins…?"
A massive stone structure amid the wastes. Half-buried pillars, a dark temple entrance looming boldly.
In this artificial labyrinth, such landmarks screamed one thing: event.
"Kal. That a hidden room like you mentioned?"
"Dunno… Never seen one so blatant. Trap feels more likely."
He rubbed his chin awkwardly.
"Hidden rooms or ruins are usually tucked slyly or need conditions. One screaming 'come in' is sus."
Made sense. Totally sus.
"Maybe looted already?"
"Highest odds, yeah. Rearrangement soon—no way we're first."
"Hmm…."
I stroked my cheek regretfully.
"Real or trap… if someone's been, probably empty."
"Rewards or traps, all gone."
Wasted effort likely. Shame. But turning back nagged.
"Still, we found it. Peek inside?"
First hidden spot—feels wrong to ignore. Why labyrinth if not for these?
Pure logic.
"H-huh!? Peek?!"
Kal gawked. His reactions were always over-the-top.
"Rearrangement soon, all looted, right? Dangers cleared too. Just a stroll to see inside."
Kal blinked dumbly.
"Er… makes sense…?"
"Scared? Wait outside. We'll look."
"N-no! Can't leave ladies in this desert! We'll vanguard!"
Hoping for scraps, true capitalist slaves. They strode ahead boldly.
Simple folk. I smirked inwardly, following to the dim temple mouth.
Step step.
Echoes low. Chilly. Past open doors, an eerie cold hit—unlike outside.
Vaster inside. Massive pillars in rows, ceiling lost in gloom.
"…Too dark to see."
Lead Kal groped cautiously.
Deeper in, something squelched underfoot.
Splash.
…Water?
No—too sticky. And a faint fishy reek.
Snap.
I sparked a flame. The orb floated, illuminating the dark.
Then light revealed—
"Th-this…!"
Kal gasped, staggering back.
The liquid's truth: floor drowned in dark red blood.
"………."
Monsters ash on death. No blood, no corpses.
So this….
Before thought finished.
Rumble─ BAM!
The temple doors slammed shut.