episode_0106

I stared at the Black Nether Duke.

A being who could be called one of the Empire’s pillars—the Black Nether Duke.

With just a single sword, he had earned the title of Duke, standing shoulder to shoulder with Vulcan.

Who was the Black Nether Duke?

A figure shrouded in rumors.

But those rumors were truly terrifying.

Whispers spoke of him wiping out an army of ten thousand with a single slash.

Even now, the full extent of his power remained unmeasured.

‘Clearly, from what I saw, he’s weaker than So Yeon-hwa.’

But the difference in strength was stark.

There was no denying that the being before me now was a monster.

And such a being was entering the labyrinth with us?

—This is a good opportunity.

The Holy Sword spoke.

—You’re the kind of existence that can steal others’ experience just by ‘seeing.’ Use that power to copy his strength relentlessly.

Though the Holy Sword spoke calmly,

having spent enough time with it, I could sense something off.

A voice tinged with something like malice.

Saying it like that made it sound like I was doing something evil.

—Hah? Even if you’re my disciple, isn’t that too arrogant? How did you master the breathing technique all at once, even with my guidance?!

‘…….’

So that was the issue.

No, honestly, if he had taught me up to that point, wouldn’t it be weirder if I couldn’t do it?

The Holy Sword had been incredibly thorough in its teachings.

Unlike footwork and swordsmanship, which it explained verbally,

it directly guided my energy for the breathing technique, assisting me.

When I conveyed that thought, the Holy Sword let out a hollow laugh.

—The First Hero probably wasn’t as wicked as you.

‘Haven’t you always known way too much about the First Hero when you talk about him?’

—Hm? Of course. I was the First Hero’s divine sword, the very model for the Sacred Relics.

‘Divine sword?’

—Yes. I became a divine sword and roamed the battlefield with him. That’s why, unlike the other Sacred Relics, I possess orthodox techniques.

‘But is that all?’

—What do you mean, ‘is that all’?!

At my words, the Holy Sword began flaring up in agitation.

—You of all people should know the power of breathing, footwork, and swordsmanship!

‘But I want to feel more like a thief.’

The so-called First Hero didn’t strike me as someone who swept through everything like a swordsman.

If he had, why would the Sacred Relics have been divided into four?

Knight, Thief, Priest, Mage—

They were splendidly crafted according to their respective roles.

Had the First Hero truly conquered everything with just a single sword?

—Not quite. That being was also skilled in magic and could wield divine power. He was close to an all-master.

‘All-master?’

—Yes. But unlike you, he never learned the thief’s techniques. Even if you consider archers as thieves, long-range combat could be handled with magic.

‘So no one ever reached the end as a thief?’

—Correct. But you might just be the one to see the end of that path.

The Holy Sword muttered in an odd tone.

Though parts of its memories seemed sealed, it appeared to remember my innate skill.

I gave the Holy Sword a dubious look before turning my gaze back to the Black Nether Duke.

“How will the loot be divided if we team up?”

“You, our Yeon-hwa, and… we haven’t decided on the last member yet.”

Not a bad distribution.

With the Black Nether Duke, we wouldn’t lack combat power. That left other roles to fill.

‘I’ll handle all the scouting and such.’

What we lacked were a mage and a priest.

I already had candidates in mind for those.

“Good. At the very least, this kid won’t be dead weight. Take him without question.”

Vulcan clapped me on the back as he spoke.

I wouldn’t be dead weight, at least.

The Black Nether Duke was staring at me with a skeptical look.

“Is he truly that exceptional?”

“Yes. With him, you won’t have to worry about getting lost, at the very least.”

“It’s hard to believe someone could reach this level just by mastering a single sword.”

The Black Nether Duke eyed me with suspicion but soon relented, his gaze shifting to resignation.

“You don’t seem the type to spout nonsense, but it’s still hard to believe. Very well, I’ll trust you.”

With that, the Black Nether Duke turned away.

“Then let’s depart.”

“Just the three of us?”

“Yes. Having a mage or priest would be nice, but… those skilled enough to be of use to me tend to be… hesitant.”

The Black Nether Duke led the way, and we followed.

—

The damp interior of the cave.

A place thick with humidity and swirling dust.

Slowly, I opened my eyes there.

In the labyrinth, the first floor teleported you to a random location.

The party-binding magic ensured all members gathered in the same place.

Looking around, I saw the Black Nether Duke and So Yeon-hwa watching me calmly.

Their gazes were starkly different.

The Black Nether Duke’s eyes seemed to say, Show me what you’ve got.

So Yeon-hwa, on the other hand, looked at me with expectant eyes.

‘This location…’

We were quite a distance from the boss room.

After orienting myself, I led the party forward.

“You’re quick to find your bearings.”

“I’m somewhat used to it.”

“I heard you haven’t been here for more than a few months.”

“But isn’t this basic for professionals?”

There were those who specialized as guides—for them, this would be child’s play.

With that thought, I moved ahead.

The interior was surprisingly comfortable.

Only monsters registered on my senses.

No people.

‘It’s my first time entering the labyrinth with just one team, though.’

Strict control.

By deploying the Black Nether Duke, they aimed to identify the cause.

If the cause was deemed dangerous, they’d immediately mobilize their full force.

That force included Vulcan, the Guild Master,

and one other hidden presence within the guild.

We quickly reached the first-floor boss room.

With my speed-focused abilities, So Yeon-hwa’s solid stamina, and the Black Nether Duke—whose level far surpassed ours—

it would’ve been strange if we hadn’t been fast.

“We really made it here straight away?”

“Amazing.”

The skepticism in their eyes turned to certainty.

So Yeon-hwa stared at me with sparkling eyes.

‘…It’s just pathfinding.’

—That alone is a problem for many. That elf archer we hired before to descend to the 20th floor took nearly twice as long as you just to reach the first floor.

‘Was his combat ability exceptional?’

—No, he was outstanding in many areas.

‘…?’

I gave the Holy Sword a dubious look.

If he was outstanding in many areas, shouldn’t he have been quick to navigate?

Our party proceeded into the boss room.

“Since we arrived faster than expected, you two can take the lead.”

“What do you want to do?”

Were they deciding who would take down the boss?

I pondered briefly but shook my head.

‘Nothing worthwhile drops from the Goblin King anyway.’

So Yeon-hwa stepped forward.

After slaying the boss, we descended.

2nd Floor: Hobgoblin. 3rd Floor: Arachne. 4th Floor: Lizardman. 5th Floor: Soldier Ant.

6th Floor: Field.

From here onward, the monsters we’d encountered so far appeared in groups, along with a new foe—Imps.

7th Floor: Primal Beast—monstrous apes. 8th Floor: Flame Bear—bears that spewed fire from their mouths. 9th Floor: Trolls—regenerating unless beheaded. 10th Floor: Harpies—flying nuisances.

Swish.

With a single slash from the Black Nether Duke, the harpies in the sky fell dead.

‘What kind of swordsmanship is that?’

—Impressive. In terms of level, he’d rank mid-tier among 9th-level swordsmen.

The Holy Sword sounded admiring.

“No notable rewards.”

The Black Nether Duke spoke indifferently.

Boss monsters uniquely dropped skill books imbued with their traits, but none had appeared this time.

Nor had any of the signature weapons wielded by champion-tier bosses.

‘A complete bust?’

How could ten in a row yield nothing?

I glanced at So Yeon-hwa. Meeting my gaze, she tilted her head before smiling playfully.

‘I shouldn’t leave looting to her from now on.’

11th Floor: Field—Graveyard.

From here, the undead emerged. Banshees, zombies, dark knights—

all annoyances. Minotaurs and werewolves were said to appear here too.

‘Didn’t see them last time.’

Perhaps I’d get the chance now.

As we descended,

an eerie sensation crept over me.

The feeling of being watched.

—You sense that? Hm, I don’t feel anything.

When I mentioned it, the Holy Sword sounded puzzled.

—But your senses are awakening to the ‘soul’ as well. Trust them.

I drew a throwing dagger from my pocket.

‘Shadow Dance.’

The dance of shadows.

Flicker.

Darkness coiled around the dagger.

‘Pierce Enchantment.’

I chose piercing over explosion.

Stealth was key this time.

This was the Field—Graveyard.

A place drowned in darkness.

Here, Shadow Dance cloaked the dagger in shadows, erasing its presence.

‘So this is how ‘Stealth’ is applied.’

Marveling inwardly, I observed the dagger. Instinctively, I knew—

this could pierce through most defenses.

‘Then—

Time to test it.

I raised my arm and—

Flick.

The dagger shot forth like lightning.

Slicing through the darkness, it struck the unseen presence that had been watching us.

—Kieeeeeeeek!!!

A shriek echoed before abruptly cutting off.

The presence turned into something bluish before being absorbed into the labyrinth’s walls.

“……”

The Black Nether Duke’s face hardened as he witnessed the scene.

“What was that?”

“I felt eyes on us, so I attacked just in case…”

I hadn’t expected it to be real.

My senses had barely registered it, leaving me uncertain.

But the scream confirmed it—I’d hit my mark.

As I stood there, smugly admiring my handiwork—

“How did you do that?”

“……?”

“That thing just now—even I couldn’t properly detect it.”

“Is that a problem?”

“Yes.”

That was a serious issue.

If the Black Nether Duke, our strongest combatant, couldn’t sense that thing’s presence—

‘Then when those so-called Eternal Legion died…’

They had tried to escape with their souls.

I had stolen their souls using my innate skill.

……In other words, someone of the Black Nether Duke’s caliber couldn’t perceive their souls, let alone kill them.

‘…The title ‘Eternal’ wasn’t just for show.’

A truly terrifying force.

But in a way, I might be their natural predator.

“I knew you possessed a unique gift, but to have this kind of ability…”

“It’s a gift related to thieves.”

“Hm?”

The Black Nether Duke’s eyes widened at my response.

He hadn’t expected that answer.

“Didn’t Vulcan tell you?”

“He did ramble something about you being a sword master but also having the potential to become a thief.”

Nonsense.

The Black Nether Duke stroked his beard dismissively.

“No, it’s true. I have the qualifications to become the Thief Hero.”

“……What?”

“You’ve seen it yourself on the way here—my pathfinding.”

“Huh.”

“If you don’t believe me, I can demonstrate further.”

“Wait, you’re saying someone of your skill is a thief?”

His disbelief was understandable.

‘Thieves aren’t exactly trustworthy.’

Still, if I wanted to convince him, I’d need to show something more.

‘Hm?’

As I studied the Black Nether Duke’s dumbfounded expression,

I spotted a fleeting opening.

‘Innate Skill.’

With the sensation of my hand slipping into unseen space,

I pulled it back out and spoke.

“For example, stealing someone else’s belongings… like this.”

I waved the small dagger I’d just pilfered from him.

“…….”

The Black Nether Duke simply gaped,

staring at me with utter stupefaction.