Chapter 113
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: The Emperor's Challenge
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That's why I tried to stop them.
From experience, ignoring this nagging sense of déjà vu always leads to disaster.
Of course, without any evidence, it was just empty words on my part.
"Leon... the direction changed..."
But Luna grabbed my sleeve tightly and spoke up.
"Deeper inside..."
"Sigh. Let's go."
What could possibly go wrong?
"Let's head in. I'll follow your decision."
The mercenary captain nodded at my words.
"We're going in. Take down the boss quick, grab its corpse, and pull back. No slacking—retreat without hesitation if things look dicey."
"Yes, sir!"
"Got it!"
The mercenaries, fired up, strode toward the massive cave at the heart of the misty zone.
"This place's boss is a giant anaconda. No poison, but the raw power from its sheer bulk is something else. Those blade-like scales make great material for armor or weapons, and its fangs can be crafted into works of art."
Even on the way to face the boss, the chatty dwarf seemed utterly relaxed.
And so, everyone plunged into the cave.
"Our job here's simple. Sort through the packs for whatever's needed, and when someone calls for supplies or evacuation, have it ready to go."
With everyone in combat, no one's got time to rummage through bags.
That's why the porters stay back, organize gear, and prep backups on the spot.
It was riskier than just hauling luggage, but they often used the tactic of drawing the boss's attention away while the porters handled support.
"Whoa... that's one overwhelming size..."
No wonder most porters would freak out at something that big.
As we entered its lair, the serpent's massive body emerged from the darkness.
"It's still asleep, so we need a stealthy ambush—hit it hard right out the gate. Mages, get ready."
At his command, the lead mage directed the others to slowly and quietly prepare a joint spell.
The frontliners and archers, meanwhile, kept their nerves taut, ready to charge at any moment.
That's when it happened.
"No."
Luna's voice rang softly in everyone's ears.
"What do you mean?"
"That thing... it's already dead."
Her words made me narrow my eyes at the massive corpse. It hit me late, but...
This anaconda had died just moments ago.
Its soul had mostly fled, but faint remnants meant it hadn't been more than an hour.
No wonder the vibes felt off.
[Soul Eater individual confirmed.]
A massive rift-like barrier tore through the cave entrance behind us, sealing everyone inside the chamber.
"Wha—this is... a trap! Everyone, fall b..."
BOOM!!!
Something exploded from the darkness, smashing the mercenary captain's body and hurling him away in an instant.
The captain was Sword Master level.
For a merc leader, that was impressive—he'd apparently once commanded a top knight order.
"Gah... urk..."
Luna raised her hand the moment he got blasted.
But before her healing could take hold, a colossal something leaped from the shadows, swinging a massive blade at her.
"Tch."
I reflexively shoved her head down to dodge, but sadly, a rear-guard frontliner behind me got bisected at the waist and crumpled.
The magic had just been disrupted.
Like electronics fried by an EMP—the command spell's flow cut off in a flash.
I knew this situation all too well.
Hacking.
Never thought I'd run into someone trying to hack my magic here.
Even the cultists or a 7th-circle lich couldn't pull it off.
But this hack was different from mine—more primal.
"D-Damn it... Soul Eater!!"
Ah. That guy.
Librarian, you're a step late.
In Labyrinthos, I'd dubbed it the mage's natural predator.
The Spell Devourer, Soul Eater. Recalling the Hall of Spirits, it was a real pain there.
We'd seen them in Sword Hall and Fist Hall too, but they weren't much threat.
The one in the Hall of Spirits, though? Back then, when I was still green, it was a monster wall I couldn't climb.
To fight one as a mage, you need the perfect setup—otherwise, even archmages are toast.
It shouldn't exist in a mid-depth like this.
A beast that instinctively devours magic spells.
No wonder it's called the mage killer.
I scolded myself for nearly getting caught off-guard.
Soon, two glowing eyes flickered amid the thick purple mist filling the cave.
Not just the Soul Eater.
Everyone's gazes trembled as the massive figures revealed themselves.
Marga's stone plague? No, smaller. And far more were beast-like than humanoid.
They resembled balrogs in form, some even wielding huge stone swords.
But their auras? At least Sword Master tier.
And there were thirty of them.
Shock and urgency flashed across the mercenaries' faces in an instant.
The captain, bloodied from the initial hit, staggered up and bellowed.
"Don't panic!! Hold the rear and flanks—cluster up! Mages, hold your spells! If the Soul Eater eats it, the backlash will crush you!"
Spot on.
The terrified mercs rallied to us under the captain's quick call.
They formed a protective ring around us. The chatty dwarf snatched a spare axe from the supplies with shaking hands.
"Th-This is some rotten luck today..."
"D-Don't worry... I'll definitely save you..."
The dwarf looked every bit the warrior, but not all dwarves are fighters.
Rebecca, closest to the terrified dwarf, wiped cold sweat and spoke in a quivering voice.
"For mercenaries, contracts are sacred duty. I said I'd protect your lives, and I will."
Easy to say, but a young girl facing these behemoths couldn't help but be scared.
As the mist cleared, the enemies' numbers sharpened into focus.
About thirty grotesque stone statues. Roughly eight Soul Eaters.
One alone neutralizes five mages—one's overkill here. Our mages were effectively sealed.
And those statues guarding the Soul Eaters? No joke either.
Some radiated power way beyond the rest.
Left like this... the whole unit was doomed.
Then—
The statues suddenly parted, kneeling as if clearing a path.
And from there...
A tall figure stepped out with heavy footfalls.
Unlike the statues, it wasn't stone.
Jet-black armor.
Red-engraved runes. In its grip, a unmistakably metallic greatsword.
Hiss... whoosh...
Undead? No, alive.
But twisted in some awful way.
The anaconda's corpse was riddled with massive sword gashes. This was the culprit.
—Humans?
A bizarre voice emanated from its helm, startling everyone.
"M-M怪物 speaking?!"
"Never seen anything like this..."
The depths were full of weirdness, but a talking monster? First time, apparently.
Grind...
Two statue monsters dragged in a massive throne, placing it behind him. The giant knight lounged back casually, crossing his legs.
—Yes, humans. A rare sight. Venturing from beyond this dimension brings such novelties.
"Who... are you?"
The bleeding captain chugged a recovery potion and demanded in a tense voice.
His instincts screamed: no chance against this thing.
—Who I am...? I am myself. What more meaning do you need?
"What does that..."
—No matter. You've reached this far, so you're no weaklings. I am the emperor who treasures talent. Thus, I command you.
Its helm's eyes gleamed.
—Send forth a champion. Break my blade, and I'll grant you leave to live.
"What do you..."
—Forget escape. This place is sealed beyond your power.
Its words carried invisible force, crushing down. The unprepared collapsed, groaning.
With a gesture, one nearby statue rose slowly.
—My champion is this one. Who stands for you?
The beast's feral aura made its strength impossible to gauge.
"Captain, I'll go."
A young merc drew his sword—the elf who'd pushed hard to take the boss earlier.
"Repel."
"That thing... looks insanely dangerous. Damn it... We have no choice but to take his offer."
Young and hot-blooded, but the enemies' pressure crushed even that fire—cold and heavy.
Repel's body trembled with a mix of battle lust and fear.
"Plus, I pushed for this. It's on me."
The captain bowed his head briefly.
Then stood resolute.
"I'll ask one thing."
"Granted."
The hollow, eerie voice echoed again.
"If I win, you let us go?"
"Satisfy me, and you live. Your lives mean little to me."
At that, Captain Albion moved.
"Captain?!"
"I'll handle this. Protecting my men is my duty. And at your level, you won't last against it."
His face was grim, for all his words.
"I'll stand."
He stepped forward boldly, unsheathing his aura blade.
Of course, Mercenary Captain Albion bore responsibility for this mess.
The young hotshots had pushed, but he'd agreed—turning back now meant massive losses from the expedition prep.
They needed at least this boss to break even.