Chapter 73 – The Spiral Labyrinth

Rea​d on Ka​tReadin​g​Caf​e​

As we neared the boss room, traces of other players became more frequent—abandoned campfires, discarded blankets, rusted swords, and broken staffs littered the path.

We descended deeper underground. Even when looking up, the depth was unfathomable.

Layer upon layer of forests stretched endlessly above us.

No moon. No stars.

Just complete darkness.

Squelch. Squelch.

The only sounds in the silent labyrinth were the footsteps of our party and Rain’s voice as she led the way.

“The boss is called Nightmare. Level 40“

“Not particularly tanky, but its attack power is high. It can hide in the shadows and occasionally casts a confusion debuff [Nightmare]“

“If it hits, you’ll fall asleep for 10 seconds and see horrible visions. Just watch out for that, and we’ll be fine”

Rain’s explanation painted a clear picture in my head.

A tall figure. Lanky limbs. Twin blades in hand. Hair like writhing shadows. Eyes that glowed crimson, freezing your blood.

And its mouth—stretched too wide, lined with jagged teeth meant to tear flesh.

“Guh…”

We reached the boss room without encountering any other players.

The entrance was an arched structure covered in runes, flanked by towering stone walls.

[Warning!]
[Do you wish to challenge Nightmare, the boss of the Spiral Labyrinth?]

We were ready.

I glanced at the girls—each nodded with determination.

The moment I pressed [Enter], light enveloped us, and the scenery changed.

“It’s… pitch black.”

True to its name, the boss room was swallowed by darkness. The faint glow of our lanterns was the only light.

We placed every lantern we had around the room, even staking torches into the ground. Slowly, the shadows receded—until we saw it.

[Level 40]
[Nightmare]

Lanky limbs. A curtain of tangled hair hiding its face. Twin curved blades in hand. A hunched back.

Exactly as I’d imagined.

Normally, dungeon bosses don’t attack first.

But the moment Rain stepped forward—

CLANG!

No warning. No wind-up.

Nightmare struck first.

“Wha—?!”

Rain barely blocked in time, sparks flying as steel met steel. She countered with her shield, but Nightmare leaped back, effortlessly avoiding the blow.

“Did… the boss just aggro first?!”

Isolin’s voice trembled.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Whoosh!

Before we could process it, Nightmare lunged—not at Rain, but at our lanterns.

Crash! Shatter!

One by one, the lights went out.

“Stop it!”

Rain charged, but Nightmare melted into the shadows before she could land a hit.

The room grew darker.

Then—laughter.

From everywhere. Nowhere.

Above. Below.

“Hihihihi…”

Rain swung her sword blindly. “H-how do we…? I have to protect everyone, but—!”

Her voice shook. Isolin and Gladie’s breathing grew ragged.

If players could sweat, my back would’ve been drenched.

Think.

How do we survive this?

Then—an answer.

[Sing.]

Sing? Now?

[Annihilation.]

[Deceit.]

The final piece clicked.

I pulled out the Statue of the Bird That Sings Annihilation and slammed it onto the ground.

Thud.

Next, the Choir’s Emblem—an item I’d gotten long ago.

A priest (me). An altar (the statue). A ritual (the song).

All I needed now was deceit.

I opened my mouth and sang.

“In the silence of dawn, the great bird spreads its wings—”

“S-Supreme?!”

“She’s singing…!”

“She must be under the nightmare debuff! Wake her up!”

But I wasn’t dreaming.

Half my HP and MP vanished instantly—the cost of [Deceit].

Whoosh!

Black wings burst from my back.

“With the first flap of its wings, flames rise—”

Fire erupted.

Roar!

My lips cracked. Blood filled my mouth.

“Ghk…!”

I couldn’t sing further. The borrowed divinity was already fading.

But it was enough.

The flames—meant to burn the world to ashes—lit up the entire boss room.

Nightmare, stripped of its shadows, stood exposed.

“Supreme! Snap out of it!”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

I pushed Isolin’s hand away.

No time.

[Gaze of the Void]

The world twisted. Colors bled away.

Now, I could see Nightmare’s eyes.

Our gazes met—

Crunch.

Nightmare collapsed.

Its face twisted in terror, confusion, rage.

A paralyzed boss is just a punching bag.

We didn’t hold back.

“GGRRAAAGH—!”

Vrslop_translator