Giryu, the First Wing
Dealing with those three wasn't particularly difficult.
The two S-rank ones went down without issue, of course, and though the SA-rank gave me a bit of trouble, in the end, I carried out exactly what I'd declared.
Stripped of their wings and forced to crawl on the ground they so despised, they wailed for mercy.
There were no surprises.
I swallowed them all whole without a shred of emotion as they bowed their heads, admitting their wrongs.
Personally, I almost wished one of them had stuck to their guns till the bitter end.
Living out their days like that would have been far more agonizing than being neatly devoured.
In any case, the trio, who reeked so foully, had all ended up together in my belly.
Unlike their stench, they actually tasted pretty good.
The right one was especially savory and nutty after I'd focused on roasting it to a crisp.
A taste befitting nobility of the skies, perhaps?
Oddly addictive—I'll probably crave it again soon.
I could probably run into more like them if I wandered around a bit…
Maybe I should make a dedicated hunting trip?
'Well, this place is a total wreck now.'
I glanced around.
Thanks to the SA-rank's fierce resistance, the floating island was utterly devastated.
Nearly half-destroyed, it had lost all its former beauty.
The dense forests were reduced to a few scattered trees and ents, while the modestly sized mountain now had a gaping hole punched through its center.
The lake where monsters had gathered to drink was gone without a trace.
"Half-destroyed" didn't even cover it—total annihilation was more like it.
I felt a twinge of guilt toward the monsters who'd lived here; I'd done them dirty in more ways than one.
From what they'd said, they'd been getting pushed around here and there even before…
'No helping it. That's just the harsh reality of the labyrinth.'
If they had to blame someone, blame those three—not me.
Though, now that those three were cozied up in my stomach together, they couldn't complain anyway.
Truth be told, more of the destruction came from my own rampage than their resistance, but still.
Whatever the case, I hoped the locals toughed it out from here.
Monsters adapt quickly, after all—they'd probably thrive.
Or not. Whatever.
I was just about to leave the ruined floating island and search for the warp gate to the next floor when it happened.
As I pondered how to find the warp gate in this vast expanse, a storm rolled in from the darkening horizon beyond.
Fierce gales, pounding rain, crashing lightning.
It reminded me of a certain plains zone scene.
Of course.
The labyrinth's weather was never that forgiving.
In this unfamiliar place, I kept running into familiar woes from the upper zones.
The storm was upon me in no time. I moved to take cover.
Flying in this weather was out of the question.
Especially for a newbie like me.
Best to hunt for the warp gate after it passed.
* * *
I transformed into human form to dodge the onslaught, sheltering under one of the few remaining trees.
They couldn't fully block the gale, but with the surviving ents' help, I found a relatively comfortable spot.
No real conversation, but they gladly offered their bases when they noticed me watching.
They even leaned shoulder-to-shoulder, forming a wall against the wind, rain, and lightning.
More cozy than a decent cave—impressively so.
Maybe I should take a few home later?
They'd be useful in all sorts of ways…
Like I said before, monsters adapt fast. They'd probably do fine in the snow mountain zone.
I ignored the ents starting to tremble.
The storm showed no signs of letting up.
As if that initial sunny arrival had been a lie, it only intensified with time.
The winds were so brutal that even the ents clinging desperately to each other swayed wildly.
[Hey! Hey! The wind's crazy! Hold on tighter!]
Maybe because we'd been crammed in this not-so-spacious shelter for a while despite the comfort, the left head was extra snappy, yelling its head off.
The ents shuddered harder and pressed closer together at that.
It bordered on unreasonable bullying, but I had no intention of intervening.
No telling what else the touchy left head might snap if provoked.
Sorry, ents—just bear with it a bit longer.
I'll make it up to you later.
I'll take you somewhere peaceful where you can thrive.
It's a little cold, but otherwise perfect—you'll love it.
I quietly ignored the ents trembling again.
'When the hell is this storm gonna end?'
Considering all the storms I'd weathered before, it was about time.
'Once it's over, straight to finding that warp gate.'
My Sky Zone experience had given me a solid read on the vibe here.
'Probably crawling with more like those three.'
I'd avoid fights where possible, but those kinds? No mercy.
Not even worth talking to.
Wouldn't waste a single drop of mana on chit-chat.
'Kill every one I see.'
I silently resolved as much, waiting out the storm in quiet anticipation.
"Piiiii────"
As I idly counted the wood grains on an ent's trunk to pass the time, something else arrived before the storm cleared.
A faint cry echoing from afar.
And a massive presence closing in fast.
I shot to my feet.
[───! Get out of the way!]
I shoved through the ents and burst outside just as I shouted.
"Uwaa─!"
Leaving the ents scrambling to flee behind me, I stared into the storm-ravaged sky.
Something was approaching at high speed, beating enormous wings.
'I was gonna hunt them down myself…! Did it come to greet me?'
It looked like those three I'd taken out—same basic build.
Differences: six pairs of wings, and a body way bigger than the SA-rank one.
And that overwhelming aura.
Cleaving—no, commanding—the storm as it flew, this was unmistakably an SS-rank monster.
"Piiiii───"
The shrill cry rang out again.
It cut cleanly through the thunder.
And with it, the thing closed the distance rapidly.
Its body, which had seemed merely large moments ago, grew monstrously huge.
And then—
With powerful flaps, it was right in my face in a blink.
Up close, it was massive.
Not quite my size, but huge enough to make the word slip out instinctively.
A raptor bird—blue, phoenix-like—stared me down.
[So you're the intruder from below?]
The telepathic voice hit like a deep bass rumble in my mind.
[Intruder, huh? Do I need permission to set foot here?]
[…Looks like you are. Then you're the one who killed Sperado and his brood?]
[No memory of anyone by that name.]
It scowled at my casual head-shake.
[You'd best tell the truth…]
[Oh, right. I do remember devouring three arrogant chickens who didn't know their place. Called themselves noble sky folk or something? Pathetic.]
[…….]
Its yellow eyes fixed on me.
The winds whipped fiercer, mirroring its mood.
[So you killed Sperado and his kin.]
[I said I killed three cocky chickens… So why'd you come looking?]
[To punish the one who disrupted the order of these skies.]
I snorted at its flat glare.
[You one of those fancy sky nobles too? Mad a crawling worm dared touch your lordship?]
[…No.]
It frowned, denying it, then shook its head.
[Sperado and his lot were getting out of hand, but he's still one of the great Dragon King's vassals. His death demands recompense.]
I furrowed my brow at the murmured thought.
A familiar yet alien sense of déjà vu.
Just like my first lava zone visit…
Only difference: blue phoenix instead of red wyvern.
Lost in nostalgic tingles for a moment, it began powerful flaps.
Its aura swelled—no more talk.
I readied for battle.
This wasn't like those three.
Comparing it to them was an insult; it was leagues above.
Rank aside, I'd grounded those three early, stripping their mobility. This one was already airborne.
'I've got more anti-air options now than before, but flying foes are still a disadvantage.'
Ever since ancient times, birds were snakes' natural predators.
And this was the apex of them.
'This won't be easy.'
It'd be a tough fight, but excitement and anticipation bubbled up anyway.
My first real scrap since entering the Sky Zone.
How strong were the SS-ranks here, really?
I tamped down the rising thrill and dispelled Inhwa's Art.
"Shaa aa──!!!"
Its face stiffened at my sudden serpentine reveal.
[That's your true form?]
[Scared now?]
[…You've got a mouth as reckless as your looks.]
[Hmph! What's wrong with how we look?! Snow says we're cute!]
[Hun─gry─…]
[Aerial combat against a flyer. Odds of victory…]
[I hate fighting, but no choice! I'll do my best!]
One head starts yapping, and the others pile on like they'd been waiting.
The mental space turned into a marketplace racket.
It faltered mid-flap, shooting me a bewildered look.
I averted my eyes from its stunned gaze.
[…Come to think, I never asked your name.]
[Asking an intruder's name?]
[You deserve it.]
I nodded at the calm declaration.
[Nix.]
[I see, Nix. I am Giryu, the Dragon King's first wing.]
I nodded slowly to its low voice.
And with that, our words ended.
Lightning cracked—the battle began.