Elite Ninjas

Master began descending into the massive pit, folding Her wings as She plummeted.

At first, the cool breeze brushed against my face, but as we descended further, the air grew thick and heavy.

Judging by the speed at which the dark rocks around us passed by, it seemed we were descending quite rapidly, yet the bottom remained out of sight.

Whoa…

It really doesn’t end.

As we spiraled down the winding path, strange carvings on the walls began to come into view.

Skeletons and bones adorned the walls, and the occasional magic circles seemed to be related to death.

It was as if the labyrinth was intentionally showing off that it was the Labyrinth of Death, but it didn’t seem scary at all.

“Master, Nis! What happens if we defeat the ruler here?”

I suddenly became curious and asked.

If we go down and fight the ruler, does that mean they’ll definitely die?

Nis, looking elegant as ever, brushed Her hair and replied.

“A massive core of mana, the heart of the labyrinth, will appear. Whoever takes it becomes the new ruler.”

“The core?”

“It’s a jewel-like object where the labyrinth’s immense mana is condensed. By absorbing it, one gains not only tremendous power but also the ability to remodel the labyrinth itself.”

“Wow…”

“Why? Do you want to become the ruler?”

Master turned Her long neck and asked.

Her white eyes sparkled with a hint of curiosity.

“No!”

I shook my head vigorously.

“I don’t need to! I’ll stay with Master! Sia Kalt is the best!”

It was the truth.

Even if I became the ruler of this labyrinth, I wouldn’t want to be here without Master.

The loneliness of the three years I spent alone resurfaced, and I shivered.

Master smiled warmly.

Just seeing that smile made my heart feel warm.

“Huhu. But still, Rico, let’s defeat the ruler, and you can become the new one.”

“Huh?”

“We can leave the management to your insects. Just absorb the core and leave it be.”

“But what about my opinion? I’ll help, but…”

Nis also agreed, albeit with a pout.

Ugh…

Is this really happening…?

Am I already becoming the strongest in the world?

My head felt hot, and my heart raced.

Master is calling me while I’m close with Nis, a follower of Michel, and even connected to Bellona and Abraxas!

And now, I’m becoming the ruler of the labyrinth!

This is crazy…

Is it really this easy to have a flower-like difficulty?

“But Master, Nis, don’t you need the core’s mana? Such power could help Master…”

“Puhuhu.”

Nis burst into laughter and continued.

“Rico, you know, the Demon King who was said to have two cores of the labyrinth ended up exploding.”

…?

What did you just say?

So the Demon King died like that?

My mind raced.

Seraphina clearly said the first hero defeated the Demon King…

And in the game, the Demon King was alive and had two cores…

And isn’t this the second labyrinth?

“Nis, is this the labyrinth where the Demon King consumed the second core?”

“Oh my! How did you know?”

Nis looked surprised, Her eyes wide with wonder.

Huh…

So it’s true!

“Just… a feeling?”

I couldn’t tell Her it was from the game…

“A feeling…?”

Nis tilted Her head and continued.

“The Demon King… was a tragic figure consumed by greed. The explosion was so loud it echoed across the continent.”

“Huh…”

Since Nis was there, it must be true.

So the history Seraphina knows must be distorted?

“Did that really happen…?”

Master asked with interest.

“Well, Frostia was probably asleep. Otherwise, She wouldn’t have known the danger of having two cores.”

“Of course not.”

Ugh…

Master was willing to give up the cores for me without knowing the risks?

“Hoon… Zuin-nim…”

I knelt down, rubbing my cheeks against the floor.

I’ll become as strong as Master and protect Her!

As Master continued descending, the corpses of monsters and demons began to appear.

Shattered gargoyle statues, burnt cockatrices, frozen minotaurs…

The scattered bodies revealed the path the party had taken.

Cecilia’s flame traces, Glacia’s ice, Rote’s piercings, Levy’s arrows, Ryandel’s magic circles…

But something felt off.

Looking at the corpses, I felt a strange excitement, a thrill.

“Hm… Rico’s scent…”

Nis suddenly said.

“Huh…? Do I smell?”

I was startled and sniffed my sleeve.

It just smelled like flowers, a pleasant and sweet fragrance.

“It’s fine…”

“No, the scent of evil gods has grown stronger.”

Master also commented.

Her white eyes examined me carefully.

“Uh… Is it because of my skill?”

I quickly checked my status window.

『  ★    【Lycoris】    Dominant Thanatos Crown    LV384    6 years old    ♀

  【Attributes】

  HP : 4,284/4,284 + (1,300,274)

  MP : 4,032/4,184

  Attack Power : 4,284

  Magic Power : 4,184

  Defense : 4,184

  Magic Resistance : 4,184

  Agility : 444 (Polymorph)

  【Skills】

   「Domain Control LV7」  「Crimson Apocalypse」  「Frost Resistance」  「Photosynthesis LV8」  「Annihilation Toxin」  「Dark Root Dance」  「Pollen Bloom LV9」  「Pollen – Allure (True) LV7」  「Pain Resistance LV4」  「Unconscious Action LV8」 「Pollen – Paralysis (True) LV7」 「Pollen – Recovery (Extreme)」 「Pollen – Hemorrhage (True) LV4」 「Pollen – Corrosion LV6」 「Pollen – Decay (True) LV5」 「Elysian Essence Honey」 「Nectar – Will (True) LV4」 「Bloodline」 「Red Moon」 「Intimidation LV7」 「Radiance LV7」 「Poison Resistance LV7」 「Overwhelm LV3」 「Polymorph」 「Authority – Divine Radiance」 「Authority – Sanctus Judicium」 「Authority – Lux Purifico」 「Authority – Oculus Veritas」 「Authority – Hemomancy」 「Authority – Deathmark」 「Aesthetics of Murder」 「Pollen – Plantification LV3」

  【Traits】 

  [Inferno Stigma]  [Michel’s Encouragement]  [Demon Charm]  [Frostia’s Beloved Plant]  [Blood Delicacy] [Michel’s Flower] [Auto Outfit (Basic – Black Dress Set) – Polymorph]  

[Polymorph Effect – Black & Red Smoke]  [Perfect and Flawless]  [Noble Dignity]  [Noble Lady Etiquette]  [Guardian of Sia Kalt]  [Mana Collector]  [Michel’s Apostle] [Bellona’s Favorite Disciple] [Art of Death]  』

Wait!

When did my level go up so much?

Probably because of the experience from the demons Michel scattered!

That experience must have come to me!

But the important thing isn’t that.

『 [Art of Death]

  – Understand the beauty of death. Gains a certain amount of Demon God Power whenever death is detected nearby. 』 

Gains Demon God Power whenever death is detected nearby…

With all these corpses around, it makes sense!

Focusing, I could feel the power slowly accumulating.

It was the same sensation Bellona taught me about.

“But I can’t see how much Demon God Power or Holy Power I have…”

『   【Attributes】

  HP : 4,284/4,284 + (1,300,274)

  MP : 4,032/4,184

  Holy Power : 22,075 (Sealed)

  Demon God Power : 6,816

  Attack Power : 4,284

  Magic Power : 4,184

  Defense : 4,184

  Magic Resistance : 4,184

  Agility : 444 (Polymorph)  』

Status window! Why did you hide this from me until now!

“Uwaa!”

“What is it, Rico?”

Master asked, seemingly startled.

Ahh…

It’s embarrassing…

“I… I think it’s because of the abilities I gained in the Demon Realm…”

I said cautiously.

What if Master doesn’t like it?

Flap flap!

Miel flew over and started pulling my hair.

Ow!

Not again!

《Rico is getting weird again! ㅠㅠ》

Miel wrote in the air with a high-tier skill.

How does She know about the crying?

“I’m fine! I’m okay!”

I waved my hand at Miel, but She had already flown high.

“Well, you seem fine.”

Master’s calm voice soothed me.

“Anyway, Rico, once you become the ruler and stay here for about three thousand years, you’ll surpass even the evil gods.”

“Th… three thousand years?”

Three thousand years…

From the Gojoseon era to modern times…

Ugh…

My head spun.

“Hurry, Rico. Three thousand years will pass in the blink of an eye.”

“Yes. Time flows like that.”

Nis also agreed.

Meanwhile, the wide pit gradually narrowed.

The walls drew closer, and a faint light appeared from below.

Finally, the bottom came into view.

“Oh…”

The sheer number of corpses was staggering.

Even the remains of high-level monsters and S-Class demons were visible.

The ninja group won here…?

Without a scratch?

Did they become much stronger while I was away?

Unbelievable sight.

While examining the area, I noticed numerous small passages in the walls.

Each seemed to lead to endless depths, making the labyrinth resemble a giant anthill.

The maze-like structure was so complex that it was impossible to tell which path to take.

Master transformed into a being of silver light and returned to Her human form.

Her transformation was as beautiful as ever.

Checking the brooch, it still pointed downward, its glow slightly brighter.

“Which passage should we take…?”

There were too many to count, at least dozens.

“Let’s just break through the ground.”

Nis suggested nonchalantly.

“Huh?”

“A labyrinth is nothing special. Just force your way through.”

Then-

Grrrrr!

The ground trembled violently, like a massive earthquake.

The entire labyrinth shook as if something fundamental had shifted.

“Uwah!”

I lost balance and staggered, but Master quickly caught me.

“What’s happening…”

At the same time, a strange change in the air became noticeable.

It was growing… hotter.

Initially warm, it soon became unbearably hot, as if we were inside a giant furnace.

“Rico, step back…”

Just as Master said that-

The ground cracked, and a colossal pillar of flame erupted.

The towering inferno illuminated the entire space.

“Kyaah!”

I involuntarily screamed.

I hate fire!

Even without touching the flames, the mere sight made my body feel like it was burning.

A cold, soothing energy enveloped me.

“Ah…”

Master had instantly created a massive ice barrier.

The transparent ice wall encircled us, perfectly shielding us from the flames.

“Hoo… hoo…”

I caught my breath, leaning against the ice.

The cool texture calmed my racing heart.

“Are you okay, Rico?”

Master patted my back.

“What’s happening to the labyrinth…?”

Nis asked, observing the situation outside.

The flames still raged, and the labyrinth continued to tremble.

It felt as though something profound and massive was unfolding.