Chapter 108 – Labyrinth

– “Can you stop yelling out that shitty skill name? If you’re going to shout it, at least give it a decent name.”

– “I get to name my own skill, so why the hell are you whining? And what’s so shitty about it? I think it sounds cool.”

– “If you think that name sounds cool, then your brain really is fried. No, yeah. You’re definitely insane. Ever since you rammed your head into Behemoth. That’s when you lost it.”

– “Luna, you’re wrong. Ronan has been the same since he was ten. So Ronan isn’t crazy. He’s just consistent. And Ronan, I think that part of you, your consistency, is admirable.”

– “What the hell are you talking about, moron?”

– “You’re the moron, Ronan. And you, again… you used that skill again.”

– “If I hadn’t, you all would be dead.”

– “You would’ve been the first to die. I told you not to charge in like a rabid dog. And even if that were the case! You bastard. Didn’t I, Arisa, Paulo, Kaloso, we all told you, you son of a bitch, not to use it?”

– “Are you running your mouth because I can’t move? What’s with all the nagging? And I only snapped my pinky today. I only released the [First Gate].”

– “And now you’re flat on your back from the backlash. Is that something to brag about? That’s it. I’m cutting this bastard’s finger off today. Paulo, lend me your sword. No, that one’s too long, give me the one stuck in your thigh.”

– “If I pull it out, it’ll hurt.”

– “I’ll stop the bleeding for you.”

– “Stopping the bleeding doesn’t mean there’s no pain. Besides, Luna, aren’t you focused on healing Ronan right now? I’ll pull it out once Ronan’s treatment is finished, at the very least.”

– “Pull it out now before I decide to chop your whole leg off. And once I’m done healing Ronan, I need to pass out for a bit too. I’ve wrung myself dry after three days and nights of nonstop healing. Honestly, if it weren’t for this bastard, it would’ve been a good idea. So pull it out now.”

– “Mm, sorry, but that’s not possible. I aligned the muscle with the blade still inside. If I pull it out now, I won’t be able to walk properly.”

– “You idiot. So what, you’re going to go the whole day with that thing stuck in you?”

– “I’ll yank it out later after I drink myself stupid. Then… it shouldn’t hurt.”

– “Is this lunatic for real? Fine, go sit over there next to Arisa. I’ll heal you later. Anyway, Ronan. Don’t ever, ever use that again. I don’t care if it’s the first, second, or whatever release. You will, without a doubt, unlock that fifth and final gate. I know you. You definitely will.”

– “I already unlocked it once. That’s why I’ve got less than ten years left to live.”

– “…Exactly. That’s why I’m saying, don’t unlock it. That stupid name of yours, that skill! If you use the [Fifth Gate] or whatever again… You, who already have an expiration date, will die right then and there. I’m sure of it.”

– “But if the Demon King shows up again like last time, I won’t hesitate to use it. That’s the only way… we, no, you all, can escape.”

– “You… you bastard! Just! When someone’s talking to you, at least pretend like you’re listening. Don’t use it. Don’t use it, don’t use it. How many times do I have to scream it before you’ll listen to me?”

– “Huh? Are you crying?”

– “Why would I cry, you dumb bastard? Shut up before I rip your damn mouth open.”

– “Not even my mom could break my stubbornness. So don’t try to understand me, just accept it. Just think, ‘This bastard’s just that kind of bastard.’”

– “You don’t have a mom.”

– “You son of a bitch.”

– “Haa… Fine. Since there’s no way you’ll listen no matter how many times I say it, let’s at least change the name.”

– “You’re suggesting a new name?”

– “No. Not a suggestion. It’s an order. Since you keep yelling the name every time you use it, from now on, shout the name I give you. Got it?”

– “Why should I?”

– “Because if you don’t, I won’t heal you no matter what part of your body ends up crippled.”

– “Let’s hear it then.”

– “[Purgatory].”

– “…What is that even? It’s not hell, not prison.”

– “Shut up and just… call it [Purgatory]. I’ll tell you what it means, and why, someday, far off in the future, right before an important battle.”

– “Hm… [Purgatory], huh… Hmm… I guess it’s good enough.”

* * *

I never got to hear the reason.

I died before I could hear it.

I never even looked up the meaning.

Just like Luna said, like she wanted.

I left it for later, for the fun of hearing it from her someday in the distant future.

[Purgatory].

The principle is simple. The fingers of the left hand. Into the pressure points there, I jam Mana, innate Qi, undigested potions and elixirs, and blood.

And when I need it, I pull it out and use it.

Of course, only the principle is simple.

Even just opening the first gate leaves a lifetime of horrific side effects, and maintaining it is hell in itself.

When I eat, when I go to the bathroom, when I fight, when I breathe, when I sleep, every second of every day, every moment split into fragments of a second, 

I have to keep my mind focused to stop it from leaking out of the finger’s pressure points.

And I have to keep stuffing it in.

Until not a single drop more can go in.

People used to ask me why I’d do something so stupid. They called me a moron, mocked me like I was some angsty teen.

But when I opened all five gates and bought time from the Demon King, they all said thank you. Then told me, no matter what, never use it again.

Of course, I didn’t listen.

Whenever I had to use it, I used it without hesitation.

Not that I always opened all five gates.

At most, four.

The fifth gate, the final gate, I vowed to open it only when I faced the Demon King.

Every time I opened the gate of [Purgatory], I, we, 

All survived. We killed the enemy, reclaimed strongholds,

Saved people, slew Legion Commanders.

I cut into the Demon King’s body. I drew his blood.

I proved he wasn’t immortal.

And I came back alive.

Yeah.

The moment I opened the gate of [Purgatory], at least while that flow was maintained, without exception, no matter what happened, 

I would not die.

As long as it wasn’t the Demon King, I would win.

Even now, it’s the same.

* * *

“…Huh?”

Samaela’s eyes narrowed.

A small girl stood before her.

A girl a full two heads shorter than the Eight-headed Serpent, shorter even than herself.

Eliaernes Eustetia. She cracked her fingers. Suddenly, without warning, she cracked her fingers.

And in that instant, cherry blossom-colored Mana flared up. And something… changed?

Nothing immediately visible.

Her total Mana remained the same. Her battered body, unchanged.

Only her gaze shifted. Bloodshot, sharp. A bit more… feral and vicious.

But she hadn’t lost her reason. Her cherry-colored eyes seemed clearer than ever.

Then, the quiet smoke rising from her body.

What was that? Smoke from her body?

Samaela didn’t fully understand what change had occurred in Eliaernes. But she didn’t bother to care.

Samaela was 8th Circle. A full eight circles, an Archmage and a Black Magician.

She wasn’t lacking in martial arts either. Her Magi hadn’t run dry, it was overflowing. The Eight-headed Serpent, her [Intent Projection], still radiated overwhelming presence.

So, she ignored the unexplainable unease.

“I gave you time to run, so why didn’t you?”

“Because I don’t need to.”

Still smirking, Eliaernes prompted Samaela to step forward.

“You think just because you’re a Eustetia, Shadowless will come help you?”

At that, Eliaernes faltered.

“Shadowless…? Who’s that?”

Even Samaela looked briefly taken aback.

“…The commander of the Nameless.”

“Oh, that person’s name is Shadowless?”

“An alias.”

“Ooh… It does sound cooler than ‘commander.’”

As if chatting over coffee on a terrace, Eliaernes nodded leisurely.

Samaela found the attitude infuriating.

Was she insane? Had she gone mad?

Was she trying to stall for time?

If so, it was actually the right decision.

If Shadowless arrived, Samaela would have no choice but to flee immediately.

That lunatic was unbeatable.

Their compatibility was poor from the start.

So, she would need to escape right away through the “back door,” taking Stella with her.

However, 

Shadowless would not arrive here.

At least, not for another 30 minutes.

The ritual would be complete before then.

Eliaernes would die.

“…Shadowless won’t be coming here.”

“For how long?”

“I don’t mind telling you… but is there a point in hearing it? No matter how long, your death is certain.”

“Oh, right. No point in hearing it.”

Kyarak.

Eliaernes giggled.

“Once you die, the Labyrinth disappears anyway.”

At that moment, Samaela stretched out her hand.

The Eight-headed Serpent roared. Eight heads. Eight jaws unleashed a roar that shook the ground. Then, each jaw fired a different venom.

[Suffocating Poison]. [Soul-Crushing Toxin]. [Bloodburn King Venom]. [Withered Leaf Needle Venom].

[Demonfire Venom]. [Heaven’s End Toxin]. [Sound-Sealing Fog]. [Eight Immortal Venom].

The blood she had coughed onto the floor turned into countless spears shooting toward the ceiling. The poison clouds guarding Samaela spewed [Oxidizing Venom], and the eight tails lashed out.

Stella could no longer even scream.

Eliaernes was going to die because of her. The friend who came to save her. The friend who promised to believe in her. That fact tightened around Stella’s throat.

At the center of it all stood Eliaernes.

She blinked and checked her body’s condition.

‘This much… Not even 30%. Barely 20%.’

Then, she stretched out a thin white leg and took a step.

With a sigh, she said,

“But it’s enough to kill this weakling.”

Samaela didn’t understand those words.

She didn’t even understand why she could hear the sound.

Before she could comprehend, 

CRAAASH, 

She was smashed into the wall.

“That spot must be comfortable, huh? You’ve been knocked there twice now.”