Chapter 32
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Tower Genius Descends into the Labyrinth 32
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The first day in the labyrinth drew to a close.
There was no distinguishing day from night inside the labyrinth, but even so, there was a clear sign that night had fallen.
"...It's unbelievably dark."
"Light."
Even Cherentia, with her beastkin senses, couldn't pierce the gloom—the labyrinth was shrouded in pitch-black darkness.
All the lanterns within the labyrinth had vanished in an instant, snuffing out every source of light.
At that moment, I casually snapped my fingers.
"Light."
With the brief incantation, I formed a small orb of mana. It was more than enough to banish the surrounding darkness.
"Looks like we'll have to camp here tonight."
I glanced around and nodded.
There was a corner at a suitable distance, and the opposite side stretched into an endless passage.
It was a decent spot for keeping watch if anyone approached.
"I'll get things ready right away."
"Sure."
As Cherentia set down her pack and began preparing camp, I rubbed my eyes gently.
I'm definitely tired.
The fatigue I hadn't fully shaken off from the trip to Termina played a part, but running into Kysel had taken a huge toll.
After meeting that adventurer, I'd had no choice but to stay on high alert, constantly scanning our surroundings.
Even though nothing threatening had happened since then, I couldn't let my guard down.
"Sylbian, how do you want to handle the watch shifts?"
Cherentia asked casually once preparations were done, so I checked her preference first.
"Whatever works for you. I can take first shift or later—your call."
"Then I'll sleep first."
I nodded calmly at her bold request.
"Alright."
I gradually dimmed the Light spell's intensity and leaned slowly against the labyrinth wall.
This was just the beginning of a long haul.
Watch duty was never pleasant, no matter the circumstances, but it was essential if we wanted to descend the labyrinth.
"Are you really that worn out?"
Cherentia, slipping into her sleeping bag with just her head poking out, looked up at me.
"Not enough to worry about."
With her keen senses, she had already picked up on my condition.
So rather than deny it, I answered matter-of-factly.
"I see. If it gets too tough, just say the word. I think my stamina holds up better than yours."
Her blunt but warm words brought an involuntary smile to my face.
"I'm fine. Really not pushing myself."
"Alright then... got it."
With that, Cherentia closed her eyes as if drifting off to sleep.
I shifted my gaze from her, focusing my awareness on our surroundings.
Watch duty, huh...
Even my faint memories from my past life held no fondness for it.
That was probably why I had some tolerance for camping or standing watch—things other mages would despise.
"......"
Silence fell quickly.
In the deepening hush, I kept my eyes scanning to avoid slipping into deep thought.
In the labyrinth, a single moment of carelessness meant death.
That was especially true on the first floor, near the entrance.
The adventurers and mercenaries hanging around here are relatively low-level.
Which made it all the more dangerous.
The labyrinth's depths were a lawless zone, and every so often, you'd find people hunting other people.
They were called "hunters."
No approaching footsteps... no mana signatures either.
I stood guard with meticulous attention.
......
How many hours had passed?
Glancing at the blue sand timer I'd pulled from my pocket, it was nearly time to wake Cherentia.
Just a bit longer.
Then I could get some sweet sleep.
The moment I tucked the timer away again.
Thud...
A faint sound echoed.
But it was enough to snap me fully alert.
"Hesente."
I whispered the incantation.
Blue mana currents instantly sharpened my senses across my entire body.
Even the labyrinth's darkness began to faintly register in my vision.
"......"
I held my breath, scanning every direction.
My eyes alternated between the nearby corner and the long stretching passage, tension unyielding.
Still, nothing came into view.
Thud...
The sound came again, closer this time.
No need for deeper thought.
Something's there.
And it was heading straight for me.
It might have been drawn by the light from my spell.
I crouched silently and shook Cherentia's shoulder.
"Nngh..."
She stirred awake, and the instant our eyes met, she grasped the situation.
In that brief exchange of glances.
Cherentia immediately dropped into a combat stance.
Her waist lowered nearly to the ground, her legs coiling like springs ready to launch.
It was her signature posture for unleashing an assault.
Without shining Light on her, she would be invisible to whatever approached in the dark.
I don't know what's coming.
But its intentions were clearly hostile.
I readied myself fully, glancing at the black glove on my right hand.
Mana flowed especially smoothly through the index and thumb sections.
If push comes to shove, I'll have to use Word of Power.
Normally, it was taboo in the labyrinth—absolutely off-limits.
With my already limited mana, invoking it would drain me completely.
But this glove from the magic tool shop made some overexertion feasible.
Above all, anyone—or anything—that came in the labyrinth's night had to be killed without mercy.
"......"
"......"
As Cherentia and I held our breaths, waiting.
Thud...!
The sound finally rang out.
In that instant, I ramped up the Light's intensity, flooding the area with brilliance.
"Chiiik...!"
"Chreeeek!!"
The moment light filled the space, guttural roars assaulted my ears, sending chills down my spine.
The presence I'd sensed wasn't just one. And it wasn't a hunter.
Dark Worms!
The writhing worms slithering across the floor weren't large or particularly dangerous individually.
The problem was their overwhelming numbers.
"Sylbian!"
Even Cherentia in her combat stance hesitated for a split second, turning to me.
The horde of Dark Worms in view was legion-like.
She couldn't decide whether to protect me or exterminate the monsters.
"We need to break through first, Cherentia."
Calming my surprise, I made the call in one breath.
"Got it!"
Cherentia hurriedly packed her bag, while I cranked the Light to maximum, halting the surging worms.
No need to panic.
Dark Worms were extremely vulnerable to light above all else.
"Chirrk!"
"Chuuuuk...!"
Amid the horrifying noises, the worms tangled with each other, unable to close the distance.
They writhed in agony from the intense light alone.
"Take your time, Cherentia. Dark Worms are no real threat to us."
"Is that Light spell keeping them at bay right now?"
I nodded as she finished securing her pack.
"Exactly. They're monsters highly sensitive to light, which is why you rarely spot them outside total darkness."
The issue was there was nowhere to flee from them in the labyrinth.
And now we had to punch through the ones swarming every direction...
Slaughtering a near-army of them is impossible.
Even if feasible, the stamina and mana drain would be insane.
"I'll clear the path."
As Cherentia poised to charge straight through the front.
I grabbed her arm without thinking.
"No—a better idea just hit me."
"Better idea?"
I steadied my breathing, looking at her.
Gazing at my black glove, realization dawned.
I can max out efficiency and burn a bit more mana.
It would've been impossible before.
But with this magic tool equipped, it was doable now.
Far more efficient than either of us forcing a breakthrough.
"Instead of just breaking through, better to repel the Dark Worms entirely."
"Is that... even possible?"
I nodded at her dazed question.
"It is."
Even breaking through, they'd keep chasing.
Best to elevate the Light spell to a whole new level and make them retreat on their own.
"Just need a short time to prepare the spell. Can you buy me that? You'll have to guard me in the dark."
"I'm already used to the dark. Protecting you? No issue."
I nodded lightly at her firm assurance.
"I trust you, Cherentia."
"You should."
With her words, I snapped the gloved fingers.
Snap!
I canceled Light in one go, sharpening my focus.
Shiiiiek...!!
The instant light vanished, eerie noises erupted as the Dark Worms surged like a tidal wave.
Sensing their faint outlines, I closed my eyes completely.
From here on... it's all about concentration.
Cherentia could hold off a near-army of them and protect me.
I already believed that.
Krunch...! Boom! Thud!
Heavy impacts echoed relentlessly, pounding my eardrums.
Cherentia was blocking the Dark Worms in the darkness using pure instinct.
Amid the barrage of strikes, I crossed my palms, weaving mana countless times.
Through my focused mind, mana flows connected, building relentlessly.
Whoooosh...!!
One flow multiplied into dozens, dozens into hundreds.
A total convergence of mana via utter concentration.
That convergence pushed mana efficiency to the absolute limit.
"Helio Light."
⟨ Helio Light ⟩
I intoned the incantation calmly and snapped my eyes open.
In that instant, dozens of Dark Worms lunged toward me.
But an immense wave of light had already engulfed them all.
Whoooosh...!
"Chuuuuuk!"
"Chreeeek...!"
Screeches—not quite screams—filled the air as the legion of Dark Worms began rapidly vanishing.
I turned to my side.
There stood Cherentia, breathing heavily, her cheeks faintly flushed.
Her body was slick with Dark Worm ichor.
"Hoo...!"
But true to my faith in her, she hadn't suffered a single scratch.
That, more than anything, put my mind at ease.