Chapter 265: The Infinite Labyrinth, Anew (2)
Chapter 265: The Infinite Labyrinth, Anew (2)
The situation inside the game PAO and the way players actually play are two completely different things.
What I mean is, while the story and setting of the game are undeniably bleak, players often interpret them humorously rather than taking them seriously.
Take the 'Rampant' state of the labyrinth, for example.
The labyrinth going rampant means a massive influx of beasts pouring out, which naturally equates to a crisis where countless people could die.
People die, and amidst this mortal peril, the protagonist and his companions must find the core of the rampage to suppress it. There were times when this seemed like a threat to the Fermaton estate, and by extension, the world.
But for the players, it was different.
Rampant?
Isn't that just Fever Time?
You get more enemies for the same amount of stamina, better rewards, and even clear bonuses?
It’s pure profit!
Whenever the Infinite Labyrinth went rampant, everyone farmed like their lives depended on it.
Whether using auto-battle, manual macros, or any other means necessary, they gathered massive amounts of resources during every rampage.
Later on, there was a truly powerful beast that emerged from the labyrinth. As soon as players heard it dropped items that helped increase character stats, everyone swarmed it.
If PAO had been an online game instead of a mobile one, there would have been more players in the labyrinth than beasts.
That beast would have been trapped in an infinite loop of dying, respawning, and dying again at the hands of the adventurers pouncing on it the moment it appeared.
And so.
A Rampant Obelisk in the Infinite Labyrinth can be viewed in different ways depending on your perspective.
To some, it is a catastrophe signaling the extinction of humanity.
But to others, it is an opportunity to grow their assets.
I was going to turn this crisis into an opportunity.
[Everyone, hold your ground. Rampant or not, just stay in position for now.]
Standing at the front and gripping my crowbar, I waited for the Neptunian to begin Phase 1.
"Sir Pervert. Are you sure we should just wait? Are you... perhaps planning to let the rampage happen on purpose?"
[If no one dies, a rampage is just a chance to hunt enemies en masse.]
"I understand what you're saying, but..."
[It’s starting.]
Splash, splash!
The waves beneath the path surged, and Sea Elves began leaping out of the water.
They approached us with huffing breaths, tridents in hand, their intent to kill unmistakable.
[They’ve shown up right on cue for us to farm them.]
Labyrinth bosses appear in many forms, and the Neptunian’s Phase 1 involves summoning these minions.
[Laura. What did I tell you?]
"Kill the males, kidnap the females."
[And what do you see before you?]
"They're all males."
The Sea Elves appearing before us were all rugged, muscular men.
If they had been females, I would have naturally pulled out the Bitch Collars, but there was no need to show mercy to the males.
[Intercept them before they reach us. Rear guard, open fire.]
Fwoosh!
A ball of fire flew from behind me in a high arc.
The massive fireball streaked along the narrow path. The Sea Elves who had just leaped out of the water either scrambled forward or dove back into the sea to dodge the attack.
"Kieeeek!!"
However, as if anticipating their movements, the giant fireball split into smaller spheres, spreading across a wide radius.
"How was that?"
[Excellent.]
Zenith had incinerated several Sea Elves in an instant. That terrifying power and tactical sense belonged to the Zenith Fermaton I knew—the Flame Mage herself.
[Keep the pressure on. Any that try to dodge...]
"Kieeeek!"
A Sea Elf trying to dive back into the water had its heart pierced by a golden arrow and fell.
Before it could even steady itself, it plummeted into the depths, and red blood began to slowly seep into the blue waves.
"I'll take care of the interceptions."
[Good. Then, as for those getting close...]
"Die, humaaaan!"
[I'll handle them.]
Thud!
I thrust my foot out, kicking a Sea Elf charging at the front right in the solar plexus.
The Sea Elf couldn't keep up with my speed; its head snapped to the side as it went spinning back into the water.
Clang!
Immediately after, I swung my crowbar at the head of the next one rushing in.
A satisfyingly crisp sound rang out, and the one hit in the head collapsed sideways, eyes rolling back.
[How dare you.]
When the two fastest Sea Elves were neutralized in an instant, the ones following behind faltered and hesitated.
Thinking they might be scared, I considered charging forward, but instead, I took a step back.
[Attacks might come from underwater. Be ready.]
The moment I gave the order, the party huddled toward the center of the path.
And just as I expected, the underwater assault began.
Pshhhhhhh!
Powerful jets of water erupted from beneath the surface.
The water pressure was intense, like a riot control water cannon, but it didn't reach us.
[As expected of a Barbas.]
"It's Evelyn."
Thump, thump.
The moment Evelyn placed her staff on the ground, a thick wall of earth rose up. The water jets couldn't pierce through it.
"Should we just keep holding out like this? We're thinning them out for now, but..."
[They'll probably try to stay inside and keep spraying water. It'll turn into a battle of who runs out of mana first... but that's not what I want.]
In the game, enemies are programmed to come out automatically after a certain amount of time.
However, these ones seemed to have no intention of leaving the water, as if they were trying to drag this into a war of attrition.
[We'll force them out. We just need to make them desperate.]
I pointed toward the end of the path, where the Neptunian still sat upon her throne.
[Charlotte. Protect the others when I dash forward. Laura, provide cover fire.]
"Forward...? Wa-Wait?!"
I sprinted past the shield, toward the front.
The water jets began to track me. If I got hit, my body would likely be pierced and I'd be knocked off the path instantly.
But I just had to run faster than that.
Bang, bang!
Fireballs flew past me from behind, exploding as they collided with the water jets.
Every time an arrow of light was fired toward the source of the water, the jets subsided.
"Behind you!"
Occasionally, a Sea Elf would crawl up the path to aim for our rear, but the Vorpal Rabbit controlled by Charlotte would kick them away instantly, ensuring they didn't climb up again.
Nero held the front of the earth wall.
Charlotte and the Vorpal Rabbit held the rear.
With my allies protecting me and providing cover fire, I successfully closed the distance to the Neptunian, arriving right before her throne.
[If I do this...]
"Protect the Queen!!"
The Sea Elves hiding in the water leaped out all at once.
Screaming in panic, they scrambled onto the path and rushed toward me. I raised my hand high toward the rear and pointed to my wrist.
[Silver Bracelets for the females!!]
"Seriously, even now?!"
Understanding my intent with just those few words, Charlotte pulled a heap of silver bracelets—Bitch Collars—from her robe.
"Evelyn! Bind the females' feet!"
"And the males?"
"Blow them up!"
At Charlotte's words, Evelyn reached toward the ground. Mana flowed from her hands, racing in all directions like earthen snakes.
Grip.
"Kyaak?!"
"M-My feet?!"
Evelyn accurately bound the feet of the female Sea Elves, while Charlotte, escorted by the Vorpal Rabbit, went around snapping Bitch Collars onto them.
[Perfect.]
Nero escorted them while kicking the males off the path, and Laura and Zenith provided support fire to clear the way.
"Sir Pervert!"
[Don't come this way! Instead of coming here, gather as many female Sea Elves as you can over there!]
"I just finished making that armor! Are you trying to break it again already?!"
Evelyn shouted at me as if she were screaming.
"Do you have any idea how much resources and time went into making that?! I know you don't die, but there's a limit! Have some respect for your own body!!"
[.......]
I got scolded.
It seemed she was worried I was planning another strategy to wreck the Living Armor, especially since I'd moved before we could fully discuss the plan.
[It's fine. It's actually safer here. Because from now on... I plan to climb to the safest place of all.]
I gave everyone a thumbs-up and then stepped onto the Queen's foot.
Rumble.
Startled, the Queen looked down.
[Did you think I was going to attack your feet?]
The reason the Queen had stayed still even though I was so close wasn't because she didn't notice me, but because she was contemplating how to brush me off.
If there's a cockroach near your foot, even if you're wearing shoes, you'd hesitate for a second if those shoes were incredibly expensive.
And now, I was going to show this giant Wave Queen, who hadn't crushed me yet, what true disgust felt like.
Just how horrifying it is to feel a cockroach crawling over your body.
[I'm climbing the Queen! You guys finish off the Sea Elves in the meantime! And...]
Kill the males, and kidnap the females by putting Bitch Collars on them.
[I'm going to tear this Queen apart from the inside!]