Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/822139844414118669/episodes/822139845338193731
At the bottom of the spiral staircase lay a vast hall.
The high ceiling and rows of pure white columns standing at regular intervals gave the space a solemn, temple-like atmosphere. Geometric patterns were carved into the floor, and in the center, a massive magic circle glowed faintly.
At the far end of the hall, numerous entrances—so massive they made one look up—were arranged in a fan-shaped pattern, though most were firmly sealed shut. Only about seven were open; the other stone doors fit together so tightly that there didn’t seem to be even the slightest gap.
“…Somehow, I feel like I can’t breathe.”
Liene murmured softly.
Indeed, the space, which should have been vast, felt strangely cramped. On top of that, there was an oppressive feeling as if she were constantly under someone’s gaze, making it extremely uncomfortable.
Elisia, walking beside her, slowly surveyed the surroundings.
“Records state that the Primordial Labyrinth differs in nature from other labyrinths. Apparently, there are multiple cores—when there should normally be only one—and each one sustains the labyrinth.”
Speaking in a matter-of-fact tone, she fixed her gaze on the only open door directly ahead.
Her gaze was sharp, as if she were about to shoot it down.
“What lies beyond that door is likely one of them. If we destroy it, the structure will reorganize, and the other sealed doors will open. …At least, that’s what the records said.”
“Then… if we could destroy them all…!”
“—Like the other labyrinths, this one would collapse too.”
Liene and Elisia’s voices echoed through the silent space.
Following them, I took a step forward and stepped into the central magic circle.
That was when it happened. The air grew heavy and oppressive, a suffocating pressure clinging to my skin. Next, a low, long, unpleasant rumbling sound—a “Voooon”—echoed throughout the hall. Just as the magic circle pulsed strongly and briefly, the faint light turned bright red.
“…I guess we’ve been detected after all.”
I muttered without thinking.
What came to mind was one of the game’s features: the “Alarm Level System.”
It’s a value that fluctuates based on actions and combat results within the dungeon. It rises rapidly if you wipe out monsters in a short time or demonstrate combat power beyond expectations. Once it exceeds a certain threshold, the dungeon judges the protagonist to be a “dangerous entity” and begins to bare its fangs openly.
It triggers the appearance of high-tier monsters that wouldn’t normally appear, changes to the floor layout, and overwhelming tactics that crush you with sheer numbers. The developers designed it to function as a kind of balance adjustment, preventing the dungeon from becoming too easy to clear by leveling up too much.
While this feature seems to have nothing but downsides, there are, of course, benefits to triggering the Alert Level System—
(Now is not the time to be thinking about that.)
The dissonance intensifies further, and the entire hall is bathed in the red glow of a magic circle.
The floor ripples, and just as multiple flames seem to burst up through the cobblestones, a fireball the size of a person forms. At the center of the flames, a light resembling a core glows eerily.
“A Flare Reys…!?”
Elicia’s eyes widened at the sudden appearance of the monster.
The “Flare Reys” that appeared was, quite literally, a ghost-type monster shrouded in flames. It had been sighted in highlands at night, around cemeteries, and in dungeons of medium size or larger. Its strength was somewhere in the lower-middle range.
It was a troublesome enemy with resistance to physical attacks.
“Lord Rai!”
Liene’s shriek-like cry rang out, and I looked in the direction she was pointing.
The wall warped, and crawling out from it were several lizardmen covered head to toe in golden scales. They held electrified spears, swords, shields, and hammers crackling with purple lightning, and were slowly advancing toward us while brandishing them as if to show off.
“Even Lizardmen…!?”
Liene’s scream echoed through the air.
Lizardmen. A staple monster in fantasy worlds, they look exactly like bipedal lizards. Wearing nothing but a grimy loincloth, they attack by slashing with their weapons and claws, or biting with their sharp fangs.
You can see them countless times in the game, but the weapons and shields they wield vary depending on the floor or area you enter, and the difficulty of defeating them also varies widely.
The strength of the ones that have just appeared before us is probably on par with a ‘Flare Reaper.’
“That’s quite a warm welcome.”
“It just goes to show how much they—no, how much they don’t appreciate our… or rather, your intrusion.”
I nodded at Elisia’s words.
Overwhelming magical power and combat prowess. There’s no reason for the labyrinth not to raise its “alert level.” As if to drive home the labyrinth’s determination to kill us here at all costs, the monsters keep appearing without end.
Before we knew it, we were surrounded by armies of “Flare Reys” and “Lizardmen.”
“…Looks like we have no choice but to retreat.”
“Yeah. —Though I doubt they’ll let us slip away that easily…”
Before Elisia could even finish speaking, a burst of flame erupted.
A fireball launched by a Flare Reys hurtled straight toward us. Instantly, I cast various “Ability Enhancement” spells on my body and deflected the approaching fireball with my fist. Though the fireball was hot and heavy, it was virtually powerless against my enhanced fist.
The fireball flew off in the opposite direction and struck the Lizardman walking nearby squarely in the face.
The sudden onslaught of heat caused him to writhe in agony, but eventually, he collapsed lifelessly onto the ground on his back. His face was scorched and charred in places—a truly repulsive sight. …Perhaps it seemed even more so precisely because the game didn’t include such graphic depictions.
“—Run!!”
Realizing there was no time to stand still, I cast the same “Ability Enhancement” spell on Elisia and Liene before dashing off. Without it, we stood no chance against those creatures.
“—Ha!!”
Liene manifested her prey and swept the enemies aside.
Her enhanced strength sent the advancing Lizardmen flying in a group, but it wasn’t enough to take their lives in a single blow like a ‘Gravehound’ would. They immediately regained their footing and began walking toward us again.
Perhaps sensing the lack of resistance, Liene’s expression darkens.
As if seizing that opening, the flames swell.
A fireball launched by ‘Flare Reys’ closes in on her. However, before it can strike, a blue shadow darts in front of her. With a slender blade she has materialized, she slices through the approaching fireball. The fireball is severed at its center, splitting in two and dissipating into mist.
“Lady Elisia!”
“Save your thanks for later! Right now, just focus on getting away!”
“Yes!”
Though we were exposed to the tightening encirclement, we began running toward the only escape route.
Letting the two of them go ahead, I spun around. I deflected a lizardman’s approaching spear with a kick, then struck him with a fist as he lost his balance. The punch, delivered with considerable force, tore a hole in his body, sending him flying and taking the other lizardmen behind him with him.
I dealt with the flames approaching from the side using the same method.
My hands were burned, and my shoes and pants were scorched, but I didn’t care.
(I have to buy time…! Time until the two of them reach the exit…!)
And so, we fought our retreat while I brought up the rear.
Liene cleared the path, and Elisia dealt with any stragglers. We kept running, and finally, the stone steps leading to the exit came into view.
“…Rai!”
“…Lord Rai!”
“Go on ahead!”
Responding to their voices—which sounded almost like screams—with a shout of my own, I stopped, gathered my magic, and stretched my palm straight toward the horde of monsters. The monsters paid no attention to the two running toward the exit and closed in on me instead.
The way the high-ranking monsters were slowly closing the distance was incredibly intense—unlike in a game—but it worked perfectly for me right now. I smirked and cast a wind spell.
The next moment, a deafening roar echoed through the great hall.
A whirlwind born in the center of the hall swelled in an instant, swirling and shaking the pillars, sweeping the Flare Ray’s fireball and the Lizardman’s massive body into the air. It was a massive tornado, engulfing, tearing apart, and smashing everything in its path.
The space, dyed red, is obliterated by the green-and-white tempest.
Both roars and screams vanish into the wind.
“—Alright.”
I turn on my heel and race up the stone steps the two had fled down ahead of me.
Leaving the raging wind behind me to hinder any pursuit, I follow the two of them and leave the scene.
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