Chapter 414: Uphill Road (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 414: Uphill Road (1)
It was our sixty-second day in the labyrinth, and we were now in the Dragon Pit. There were only about thirty minutes left until we reached the portal connecting to the eighth floor.
[The ring has detected your destiny.]
The Traffic Light Ring lit up.
"Mister, i-it's red!"
So, only negative things lie ahead, huh? I thought there might be some green in the mix. Jeez, how draining.
"...What do we do? Shouldn't we change direction now?" Erwen muttered anxiously. Up to this point, whenever the red light came on or Sven Parav's Sixth Sense was triggered, we immediately changed direction to avoid whatever lay ahead.
"Erwen, changing our destination now won't make any difference."
"That's... true..."
The fact of the matter was that our surroundings were basically a minefield of red-hot flames. Even if we tried to flee elsewhere, the fire would slowly close in and suffocate us. There was only one way to escape it entirely: risk everything to cross through the flames before it was too late.
Just then, Goblin came up to me with an embarrassed look on his face.
"Parav, what is it?"
"Um... I feel a bit safer next to you..."
Only a bit? That kind of hurt my feelings, but I let it slide since he'd been the most helpful member of the unit so far. "So, how do you feel now?"
"Suffocated. L-Like I'm walking into a burning forest and can't breathe."
"Really? But you didn't say anything. You always suggest we run away whenever you feel like that."
"Well... it's true that I'm getting an ominous feeling, but I can't shake the thought that we're on the right path."
So we were. "We'll reach the portal soon. Everyone, speed up!" I kicked off the final sprint.
"The portal!"
A while later, a shimmering portal appeared in the distance, scattering multicolored light.
"...Enemies!"
I could see enemies in the light of the portal. A unit consisting of approximately forty people was also heading toward it with the intention of securing it.
"It's those royal bastards!"
"They really came this way!"
The moment we spotted the enemy, the enemy let out shouts that indicated they spotted us as well.
Man, how did they know about this place?
Just as I was asking myself this question, I saw a familiar face in the crowd.
"You...!" Regal Vagos, the Dragon Slayer. "Yes, I knew you would come this way!"
Yeah, I guess you know me a little, just like I know you. What an ill-fated—
"Your attempt to run away like a rat ends here!"
Says you—you guys just got here too. Anyone listening would think you've already completely blocked our path or something. Good thing we picked up the pace.
I patted myself on the back for the decision I made twenty minutes ago. If I had hesitated even a moment when the ring turned red, those guys would have already been positioned in front of us. It would have taken huge sacrifices for us to get through the portal.
"What are you hesitating for? Run!"
This wasn't just a final sprint—I pumped my legs with all my might. The structure of this encounter was simple. Our unit was heading east toward the portal. The Dragon Slayer and his friends (the Dragon Slayer Group, for short) were running north toward the portal.
"Ruuun!"
Whoever got there first would have a huge advantage. Perhaps they knew that too, because the Dragon Slayer Group ran toward it with desperation.
Okay, we're faster.
As of right now, we were closer to the portal.
"Damn it, what are you all doing?! Attack!"
In an attempt to trip us up, the Dragon Slayer Group started bombarding us with long-range artillery fire. That was something they could afford to do because they had numbers on their side. Leaving behind the long-rangers who needed to cast in place to keep us in check, the close-combat fighters who were adept in hand-to-hand combat tried to secure the portal.
Whiiish! Baaang! Du-du-du-du-du-du.
Man, it feels like we're on a real battlefield.
An untold number of arrows and special abilities poured down from the sky like rain.
"What are you guys doing?! Move faster! If you fall behind, it's all over!"
"M-My legs...!"
"Jeez, are you serious?! Damn it, get on!"
"But—"
"Hurry!"
I could push through ranged damage like this, but the same could not be said for every other member of our squadron.
Choke!
One of them was injured by a stray arrow.
"Hang in there! I'll treat you soon!" Another slung the injured person onto his back and kept running.
Damn it, at this rate, a lot of people are going to die here...
As my jaw was instinctively tightening at the thought, the shadow of a giant woman materialized above our sprinting group.
[Erwen Fornacci di Tersia has summoned Dicloe, the Elemental Ruler of Darkness.]
This was the powerful summon that had earned Erwen the nickname Blood Spirit: the Elemental Ruler of Darkness, Dicloe. She started firing huge balls of pure darkness at the enemy.
Boom, boom, boom!
It was the kind of overwhelming firepower that even an explosive fighter like Akurava couldn't replicate, but the amount of time it could be sustained was proportionately short. Erwen could only use it at full power for about five seconds. But five seconds was enough.
"Run!"
"We're fine on our end, go in first!"
The moment the Dragon Slayer Group stopped to block the counterattack, our group rushed into the portal, starting with those in the lead.
Kwaaang!
Dicloe finished throwing the last of her dark spheres, and Erwen stumbled as her summon dispelled. "Oh, Mister, you're here..."
"I wouldn't leave you behind."
"...That's right. Because that's the kind of person you are."
"Good work."
Aside from the two of us, the entire crew had already gone up to the eighth floor. I picked up Erwen, who was in a state of exhaustion, and hurried toward the portal.
"What are you hesitating for? Run!"
This wasn't just a final sprint—I pumped my legs with all my might. The structure of this encounter was simple. Our unit was heading east toward the portal. The Dragon Slayer and his friends (the Dragon Slayer Group, for short) were running north toward the portal.
"Ruuun!"
Whoever got there first would have a huge advantage. Perhaps they knew that too, because the Dragon Slayer Group ran toward it with desperation.
Okay, we're faster.
As of right now, we were closer to the portal.
"Damn it, what are you all doing?! Attack!"
In an attempt to trip us up, the Dragon Slayer Group started bombarding us with long-range artillery fire. That was something they could afford to do because they had numbers on their side. Leaving behind the long-rangers who needed to cast in place to keep us in check, the close-combat fighters who were adept in hand-to-hand combat tried to secure the portal.
Whiiish! Baaang! Du-du-du-du-du-du.
Man, it feels like we're on a real battlefield.
An untold number of arrows and special abilities poured down from the sky like rain.
"What are you guys doing?! Move faster! If you fall behind, it's all over!"
"M-My legs...!"
"Jeez, are you serious?! Damn it, get on!"
"But—"
"Hurry!"
I could push through ranged damage like this, but the same could not be said for every other member of our squadron.
Choke!
One of them was injured by a stray arrow.
"Hang in there! I'll treat you soon!" Another slung the injured person onto his back and kept running.
Damn it, at this rate, a lot of people are going to die here...
As my jaw was instinctively tightening at the thought, the shadow of a giant woman materialized above our sprinting group.
[Erwen Fornacci di Tersia has summoned Dicloe, the Elemental Ruler of Darkness.]
This was the powerful summon that had earned Erwen the nickname Blood Spirit: the Elemental Ruler of Darkness, Dicloe. She started firing huge balls of pure darkness at the enemy.
Boom, boom, boom!
It was the kind of overwhelming firepower that even an explosive fighter like Akurava couldn't replicate, but the amount of time it could be sustained was proportionately short. Erwen could only use it at full power for about five seconds. But five seconds was enough.
"Run!"
"We're fine on our end, go in first!"
The moment the Dragon Slayer Group stopped to block the counterattack, our group rushed into the portal, starting with those in the lead.
Kwaaang!
Dicloe finished throwing the last of her dark spheres, and Erwen stumbled as her summon dispelled. "Oh, Mister, you're here..."
"I wouldn't leave you behind."
"...That's right. Because that's the kind of person you are."
"Good work."
Aside from the two of us, the entire crew had already gone up to the eighth floor. I picked up Erwen, who was in a state of exhaustion, and hurried toward the portal.
A moment later, I heard a man's voice right behind me. "You think I'll let you go?"
He's definitely fast, probably because he's a high-agility character. When did he get here? Well, he's still way too late.
Dash.
I flung my body forward, and the light of the portal wrapped around me in a warm embrace.
[You have entered the Land of Dawn on the eighth floor.]
I hit the dirt and rolled, and when I opened my eyes, I saw the rest of the unit waiting for me in front of the portal.
"I-It's the captain." They lowered their weapons once they saw that it was me, but only for a moment.
"Th-the portal is glowing again!"
As soon as I stood up, the relieved members of our unit readjusted their grips on their weapons. That was because our entire squad had already entered. It was obvious who was coming through the portal now.
Huh, didn't think he'd actually follow us in here.
Was he fearless, or just nuts? Either way, we had nothing to worry about. After all, there was a reason we were so desperate to get here first.
"Prepare for battle!"
"Kill everyone who comes through!"
"Th-they're here."
"Let's kill them!"
Door camping made you invincible.
***
I was standing in front of the portal. No, to be more precise, I was standing guard in front of it with a hammer in one hand and a shield in the other. My squadron was ready to activate their skills and wield their weapons at any time.
"...It's too quiet. It's making me anxious," said Kaislan.
More than an hour had passed since we first occupied the portal's entrance. So far, the portal had only spat out enemies once: when the Dragon Slayer and his subordinates came through right after I got to the eighth floor.
I wish we managed to kill him then.
Although we killed eight of his team members, the Dragon Slayer unfortunately slipped through our fingers. After getting his ass kicked at the entrance, he ran right back to the seventh floor, abandoning his subordinates. Since then, we'd been in this stalemate. It was like the calm before the storm.
They'll probably try to storm the portal once they gather enough troops.
Once they did, we wouldn't be able to hold onto this place. But it wasn't like we were planning on blocking this entrance for the rest of our lives. What I was really after was time to regroup.
"Schuitz, the injured have all recovered."
"Food and supplies?"
"We've gathered everything we have and everything we need and loaded it on the sled."
Put simply, that meant we could enter Ice Rock right now if we wanted to, but I decided to push our luck a little more.
"We'll keep guarding this place. Everyone should take turns resting."
"...All right." Kaislan let the squad members who were in bad condition take a break first.
Akurava noticed this and approached me. "Shouldn't we get going? Staying here is too dangerous." Things had been peaceful thus far but Akurava didn't seem reassured. She kept glancing over her shoulder in a way that spoke to her nervousness, and it was obvious what she was worried about. "...Schuitz, I'm sure you're well aware of this already, but we don't know when they'll come back."
A moment later, I heard a man's voice right behind me. "You think I'll let you go?"
He's definitely fast, probably because he's a high-agility character. When did he get here? Well, he's still way too late.
Dash.
I flung my body forward, and the light of the portal wrapped around me in a warm embrace.
[You have entered the Land of Dawn on the eighth floor.]
I hit the dirt and rolled, and when I opened my eyes, I saw the rest of the unit waiting for me in front of the portal.
"I-It's the captain." They lowered their weapons once they saw that it was me, but only for a moment.
"Th-the portal is glowing again!"
As soon as I stood up, the relieved members of our unit readjusted their grips on their weapons. That was because our entire squad had already entered. It was obvious who was coming through the portal now.
Huh, didn't think he'd actually follow us in here.
Was he fearless, or just nuts? Either way, we had nothing to worry about. After all, there was a reason we were so desperate to get here first.
"Prepare for battle!"
"Kill everyone who comes through!"
"Th-they're here."
"Let's kill them!"
Door camping made you invincible.
***
I was standing in front of the portal. No, to be more precise, I was standing guard in front of it with a hammer in one hand and a shield in the other. My squadron was ready to activate their skills and wield their weapons at any time.
"...It's too quiet. It's making me anxious," said Kaislan.
More than an hour had passed since we first occupied the portal's entrance. So far, the portal had only spat out enemies once: when the Dragon Slayer and his subordinates came through right after I got to the eighth floor.
I wish we managed to kill him then.
Although we killed eight of his team members, the Dragon Slayer unfortunately slipped through our fingers. After getting his ass kicked at the entrance, he ran right back to the seventh floor, abandoning his subordinates. Since then, we'd been in this stalemate. It was like the calm before the storm.
They'll probably try to storm the portal once they gather enough troops.
Once they did, we wouldn't be able to hold onto this place. But it wasn't like we were planning on blocking this entrance for the rest of our lives. What I was really after was time to regroup.
"Schuitz, the injured have all recovered."
"Food and supplies?"
"We've gathered everything we have and everything we need and loaded it on the sled."
Put simply, that meant we could enter Ice Rock right now if we wanted to, but I decided to push our luck a little more.
"We'll keep guarding this place. Everyone should take turns resting."
"...All right." Kaislan let the squad members who were in bad condition take a break first.
Akurava noticed this and approached me. "Shouldn't we get going? Staying here is too dangerous." Things had been peaceful thus far but Akurava didn't seem reassured. She kept glancing over her shoulder in a way that spoke to her nervousness, and it was obvious what she was worried about. "...Schuitz, I'm sure you're well aware of this already, but we don't know when they'll come back."
Some of Noark's elites were currently in the rift on the eighth floor. If those guys cleared the rift and came out while we were here, we'd be surrounded on both sides.
Still, luck has been on our side so far.
The thing I had been most concerned about was the risk that said elites would already be out of the rift when we entered the eighth floor. Although it was about as likely as being struck by lightning, we couldn't rule out the possibility completely.
The problem is we have no way of knowing when they'll come back...
This was a lot like lying in a minefield. If we were unlucky, those guys could come out of the rift right now, and it'd be game over for us.
"We've been marching for days without sleep. If we go into Ice Rock like this, we'll be killed before we can even get all that far."
We had no other choice. Knowing this, Akurava accepted my decision as well and left.
Shaaaaaa!
About twelve hours later, the portal shimmered and spat out a single adventurer from Noark. The adventurer, who wasn't even properly equipped, was killed instantly by the troops we had guarding the entrance.
"Just one...?"
"...Was it a scout?"
It was a truly Noark-like way of gathering information. If the person they sent in as a sacrifice died, that meant we were still blocking the entrance. If not, they'd return alive and inform the rest of the troops that the coast was clear.
But even Noark won't keep sending scouts in indefinitely.
I deliberated for a moment before coming to a decision. If another scout came, it'd be at least an hour to three hours later. Besides, we'd gotten enough rest.
"Everyone, pack up your stuff and get dressed!" We had thirteen days until the labyrinth closed. "We're going to Ice Rock!"
It was time to head into the last chapter of this game.
***
The eighth floor's Land of Dawn was a peaceful place with green meadows and mountains, but the situation there was currently far from peaceful. This was because of the thick scent of blood coming off the adventurers filling the area.
"Say that one more time. Kayle Elbad Zenegger, what did you just say to me?"
"Give up. Vagos, we already lost them."
"What?!" The Dragon Slayer lunged forward to grab him by the collar, but the man refused to be cowed.
"Following them won't change anything. Going into Ice Rock without any preparation is suicide."
"What are you talking about?! We have several times more troops than them—are you saying we can't do what they did?"
"You're only saying that because you don't know what Ice Rock is like. More numbers will just slow us down in there. And in case you're about to ask if we can just take the elites, that would also be dangerous. The only reason they've been running so far was because they were surrounded on all sides by the enemy."
"If we follow them... we'll end up being defeated instead. Is that what you're trying to say?"
"Yes. They're... That leader in particular is a monster," the man answered firmly despite the Dragon Slayer's angry tone. He was immediately rewarded for his conviction with tight pressure around his windpipe.
Choke...!
"You piece of trash." The Dragon Slayer's eyes were filled with murderous intent.
But it seemed the man had never expected the Dragon Slayer to actually try to kill him, no matter how reckless he tended to be. "I-If the captain finds out about this—" the strangled man rasped.
Some of Noark's elites were currently in the rift on the eighth floor. If those guys cleared the rift and came out while we were here, we'd be surrounded on both sides.
Still, luck has been on our side so far.
The thing I had been most concerned about was the risk that said elites would already be out of the rift when we entered the eighth floor. Although it was about as likely as being struck by lightning, we couldn't rule out the possibility completely.
The problem is we have no way of knowing when they'll come back...
This was a lot like lying in a minefield. If we were unlucky, those guys could come out of the rift right now, and it'd be game over for us.
"We've been marching for days without sleep. If we go into Ice Rock like this, we'll be killed before we can even get all that far."
We had no other choice. Knowing this, Akurava accepted my decision as well and left.
Shaaaaaa!
About twelve hours later, the portal shimmered and spat out a single adventurer from Noark. The adventurer, who wasn't even properly equipped, was killed instantly by the troops we had guarding the entrance.
"Just one...?"
"...Was it a scout?"
It was a truly Noark-like way of gathering information. If the person they sent in as a sacrifice died, that meant we were still blocking the entrance. If not, they'd return alive and inform the rest of the troops that the coast was clear.
But even Noark won't keep sending scouts in indefinitely.
I deliberated for a moment before coming to a decision. If another scout came, it'd be at least an hour to three hours later. Besides, we'd gotten enough rest.
"Everyone, pack up your stuff and get dressed!" We had thirteen days until the labyrinth closed. "We're going to Ice Rock!"
It was time to head into the last chapter of this game.
***
The eighth floor's Land of Dawn was a peaceful place with green meadows and mountains, but the situation there was currently far from peaceful. This was because of the thick scent of blood coming off the adventurers filling the area.
"Say that one more time. Kayle Elbad Zenegger, what did you just say to me?"
"Give up. Vagos, we already lost them."
"What?!" The Dragon Slayer lunged forward to grab him by the collar, but the man refused to be cowed.
"Following them won't change anything. Going into Ice Rock without any preparation is suicide."
"What are you talking about?! We have several times more troops than them—are you saying we can't do what they did?"
"You're only saying that because you don't know what Ice Rock is like. More numbers will just slow us down in there. And in case you're about to ask if we can just take the elites, that would also be dangerous. The only reason they've been running so far was because they were surrounded on all sides by the enemy."
"If we follow them... we'll end up being defeated instead. Is that what you're trying to say?"
"Yes. They're... That leader in particular is a monster," the man answered firmly despite the Dragon Slayer's angry tone. He was immediately rewarded for his conviction with tight pressure around his windpipe.
Choke...!
"You piece of trash." The Dragon Slayer's eyes were filled with murderous intent.
But it seemed the man had never expected the Dragon Slayer to actually try to kill him, no matter how reckless he tended to be. "I-If the captain finds out about this—" the strangled man rasped.
"Captain, that damned captain."
Choke!
"Who do you think the captain will choose between the two of us, you or me? You think he'll kill me just because I killed you?"
"N-No..." Soon, the flow of blood to his head was cut off entirely, and the strangled man went limp. A few more seconds and he'd definitely be dead.
Spit.
Instead, the Dragon Slayer threw him on the floor and spat on him. It angered him that his advisor kept opposing him, but he couldn't kill him. Despite the fact that he talked too much, he was useful. That was why the captain held him in high esteem as well.
"Damn it."
The Dragon Slayer clenched his fists. No matter how much he vented it, his anger remained. The other subordinates all lowered their eyes to avoid his heated gaze, but his mind was cool.
...He's not wrong.
If they couldn't get through Ice Rock with numbers alone, it'd be too dangerous for them to go in like this. It wouldn't have been a problem if everyone on his team were on his level, but even the so-called 'elites' were still trash to him. The only decent one here was the guy who just passed out. If he overexerted himself and ended up having to use his Dragon Speech, his barely-recovered body would be forced to rest again for several months.
That captain will bitch about it too.
For many reasons, going in would undoubtedly be a loss.
So I have to let that blasted son of a bitch go like this?
He didn't like that option either. It wasn't simply because this was a personal matter—it was a feeling born of experience. Looking back, he had felt the same way in the Labyrinth of Larcaz.
"Want to know why you lose money every time? You only bet and raise as much as you need each round. Even during moments when you need a big win."
Vagos had made gradual sacrifices one by one to avoid losses, only to eventually end up in that position. His body had been destroyed. He even lost his memory and had to spend over a year living as a semi-invalid. Let the culprit behind it all go? The longer he spent going over it in his head, the more his heart leaned toward not letting that happen. This wasn't a simple matter of revenge anymore.
He's gotten this much stronger since last time.
What would he be like the next time they met? It was clear the palace would grant him a big reward once he got back from destroying the Eye of the Sky. If that man got even stronger, would he be able to beat him? Vagos made up his mind.
I have to do it now.
He could not waste any more time. Whatever losses he incurred, he had to end his ill-fated relationship with that man as soon as possible. That was the wisest decision.
Squeeze.
The moment he made up his mind, the heavens seemed to validate his conviction.
Shaaaaaa!
A strong, warm wind blew around them, and a halo of light materialized in the empty air. This could only mean one thing.
"The rift! The rift is opening!"
Noark's most elite unit was currently being trained in secret. Apparently, they didn't take any essences lower than rank-four. There was even a rumor going around in Noark that the power dynamics in Orcules would shift as well once they began operations.
Lucky bastards who happened to be born at the right time.
That was the Dragon Slayer's assessment of them. While others had to work their way up from the first floor through all that hardship, these guys received abundant support just because they had some potential and empty slots for essences.
Well, still, this works out in my favor.
Despite being butt-hurt, the Dragon Slayer walked forward with a smile. Before long, the portal opened and the raid team appeared. They looked worn out from an arduous battle.
"You're... Regal Vagos? What are you doing here?"
The Dragon Slayer smirked at the raid team's question. "The Eye of the Sky has been destroyed."
"...What? The Eye of the Sky?"
"And the people who destroyed it escaped to Ice Rock."
"But why...?"
"The captain has ordered me to lead you in hunting them down."
"Captain, that damned captain."
Choke!
"Who do you think the captain will choose between the two of us, you or me? You think he'll kill me just because I killed you?"
"N-No..." Soon, the flow of blood to his head was cut off entirely, and the strangled man went limp. A few more seconds and he'd definitely be dead.
Spit.
Instead, the Dragon Slayer threw him on the floor and spat on him. It angered him that his advisor kept opposing him, but he couldn't kill him. Despite the fact that he talked too much, he was useful. That was why the captain held him in high esteem as well.
"Damn it."
The Dragon Slayer clenched his fists. No matter how much he vented it, his anger remained. The other subordinates all lowered their eyes to avoid his heated gaze, but his mind was cool.
...He's not wrong.
If they couldn't get through Ice Rock with numbers alone, it'd be too dangerous for them to go in like this. It wouldn't have been a problem if everyone on his team were on his level, but even the so-called 'elites' were still trash to him. The only decent one here was the guy who just passed out. If he overexerted himself and ended up having to use his Dragon Speech, his barely-recovered body would be forced to rest again for several months.
That captain will bitch about it too.
For many reasons, going in would undoubtedly be a loss.
So I have to let that blasted son of a bitch go like this?
He didn't like that option either. It wasn't simply because this was a personal matter—it was a feeling born of experience. Looking back, he had felt the same way in the Labyrinth of Larcaz.
"Want to know why you lose money every time? You only bet and raise as much as you need each round. Even during moments when you need a big win."
Vagos had made gradual sacrifices one by one to avoid losses, only to eventually end up in that position. His body had been destroyed. He even lost his memory and had to spend over a year living as a semi-invalid. Let the culprit behind it all go? The longer he spent going over it in his head, the more his heart leaned toward not letting that happen. This wasn't a simple matter of revenge anymore.
He's gotten this much stronger since last time.
What would he be like the next time they met? It was clear the palace would grant him a big reward once he got back from destroying the Eye of the Sky. If that man got even stronger, would he be able to beat him? Vagos made up his mind.
I have to do it now.
He could not waste any more time. Whatever losses he incurred, he had to end his ill-fated relationship with that man as soon as possible. That was the wisest decision.
Squeeze.
The moment he made up his mind, the heavens seemed to validate his conviction.
Shaaaaaa!
A strong, warm wind blew around them, and a halo of light materialized in the empty air. This could only mean one thing.
"The rift! The rift is opening!"
Noark's most elite unit was currently being trained in secret. Apparently, they didn't take any essences lower than rank-four. There was even a rumor going around in Noark that the power dynamics in Orcules would shift as well once they began operations.
Lucky bastards who happened to be born at the right time.
That was the Dragon Slayer's assessment of them. While others had to work their way up from the first floor through all that hardship, these guys received abundant support just because they had some potential and empty slots for essences.
Well, still, this works out in my favor.
Despite being butt-hurt, the Dragon Slayer walked forward with a smile. Before long, the portal opened and the raid team appeared. They looked worn out from an arduous battle.
"You're... Regal Vagos? What are you doing here?"
The Dragon Slayer smirked at the raid team's question. "The Eye of the Sky has been destroyed."
"...What? The Eye of the Sky?"
"And the people who destroyed it escaped to Ice Rock."
"But why...?"
"The captain has ordered me to lead you in hunting them down."