Night fell heavy over Inodum. My companions sold off their useless dungeon loot, gaining D coins. With the king's earlier stipend, they could afford something rare: a Realm Teleportation Stone—a one-time artifact that could shift them instantly between realms. They hid it away, whispering of its future use.
Morning came. I ventured into the Heartbreaking Forest, cutting down undead with Holy Slash. Light burned through their shadows. Yet I felt eyes upon me—someone followed, then fled. My companions, meanwhile, indulged in their routines, unconcerned.
Days blurred into weeks. Fifty days of relentless training. My sword swung like lightning, my footwork sharpened, my EXP climbed. I reached peak breakthrough level. My companions did nothing, yet they rose with me, carried by shared experience.
We set our sights on the Labyrinth, a place suited for breakthrough.
At its entrance, I saw a girl harassed by strangers.
"What has she done to you?" I demanded.
"She is my slave," the man sneered. "Cursed by death. Useless. Best treated as such."
Anger flared. "You bought her with D coins. I will buy her from you. Do not touch her again."
The man laughed. "Thank you, scapegoat. Keep your woman. But mate with her, and death will follow."
I turned to my companions. "I bought her with my own coins. Do not complain."
To the girl, I said gently, "Are you hurt? You can rely on me. Call me Hero. What is your name?"
She bowed. "Yevna Vexy. I will serve you. This labyrinth is full of undead. Your assassin friend is useless here."
I faced Bange. "You are not fit for this labyrinth. Wait for us."
He shrugged. "Then I will finish my own tasks."
Yevna joined our party. A cursed slave, yet perhaps a fighter.
The labyrinth's voice echoed:
"Twenty levels await. Nine combat floors, nine riddles. The nineteenth is the boss chamber. The twentieth, the treasure room. Good luck."
We descended.
- First floor: low undead laps, dog-like creatures. I cut them down. Sanot stored their drops.
- Second floor riddle: "What is the low undead lap's drop?"
Sanot answered, "Useless bone." The door opened.
- Third floor: middle undead laps. Slain.
- Fourth floor riddle: "What is the scent of middle undead lap?"
Sanot replied, "It smells like labyrinth."
- Fifth floor: high undead laps. I struck with Holy Slash.
- Sixth floor riddle: "What does lap mean here?"
I answered, "Dog." Sanot chuckled. "Hero, you've studied myth."
I shook my head. "It's just common sense."
- Seventh floor: low undead soldiers. I raised my voice, lured them close, and cut them all in one Holy Slash.
- Eighth floor riddle: awaited us…
The labyrinth deepens. Riddles twist, undead grow stronger, and betrayal lurks in the shadows. What awaits Dransart and Yevna in the next trial?