episode_0060

Labyrinth Reset is a phenomenon that occurs monthly in the Labyrinth.

In my life as an explorer so far, this has never failed to happen.

Naturally, it seemed there were similar events in the long history of the Labyrinth.

“It seems that the moment the polar night occurred, like Gerhardt’s painting, this place became a different space and popped out of the labyrinth.”

A mechanism similar to a hidden dungeon was activated.

This was the conclusion reached by the Blue Faction Leader.

Perhaps because of his authority and experience, or because such an event rarely happens.

Everyone had no choice but to believe his words.

Everyone sat blankly on the ramparts from the futile result, looking around.

Because we poured all our strength into sweeping away the Yetis, we had a moment of respite.

It seems the situation is not positive.

“Uh, I’m running out of mana now.”

“My arrows are starting to run low.”

It’s the result of pouring out all consumables and mana, thinking it was the final stand.

But since this battle wasn’t the end, the cost of the waste comes back heavily.

The atmosphere is gradually getting worse.

“Repeating only the worst choices from the beginning.”

“What if we had given up the safe zone from the start and deactivated the statues in the lakes scattered all around?”

“If only we had acted from the moment the 2nd Raid Leader first arrived!!”

“What’s the point of dwelling on what’s already passed!?”

Regretting the past.

Fighting amongst themselves and shifting blame.

But no matter how much they tried to avoid it, the conclusion was the same.

“In the end, we must go towards the lake in the north. All together.”

The Knight and the Blue Faction Leader said simultaneously.

No one objected to their opinion.

Because that was the only way.

“The Knights will take the front.”

“The Magic Tower will follow right behind. Because now we must only look forward.”

Frankly speaking, a procession led by two groups making up 80% of the total force moves forward.

The remaining explorers, including me, quietly follow behind them.

“Will we be okay?”

“…I don’t know.”

The situation is the worst.

Unlike yesterday when resources were relatively abundant, food is starting to run low as well.

“We have to finish it between today and tomorrow, at the latest.”

I threw a card and said, etching a magic circle onto my body.

I must stack them while I have the leisure now.

Because I just poured out most of them moments ago.

But despite my wish, because I kept using them little by little to stop the approaching monsters, the magic circles weren’t stacking up.

To be precise, high-cost attack magic circles weren’t stacking up.

Because I had to keep using them.

‘It won’t be easy.’

We slowly began walking towards death.

Although no one knows if we can return from there.

*

The path heading north.

Black Yetis still run towards us.

What has changed is that other monsters have started appearing among those Yetis.

Black Lizardmen.

They are in the same position as the birds that came from the south.

The probability that the boss-level monster of the northern lake is a lizard monster has increased.

Lizardmen serve as variables in the battlefield full of Yetis.

They are smaller than Yetis, but attack with faster and sharper claws.

Furthermore, concentration is starting to dwindle from the prolonged battle.

There are the Knights and the Magic Tower breaking through the front, but the remaining explorers behind them had to protect themselves.

“Thank you!!!”

An explorer expressing gratitude to me.

Frankly, it’s a lot for me to use power on each and every one of these explorers, but

I have no choice but to do it.

Because among these explorers now, I am the only one who can produce overwhelmingly powerful firepower.

Thanks to this, there is no chance for magic circles to stack up.

Only ambiguous-to-use 0-cost spells are hanging in bunches.

We advance for a long while.

Around the time when fatigue was starting to be felt under the eyes.

We were finally able to reach the place where we were originally.

The Safe Zone.

The fortress was completely destroyed, leaving only the ruins that indicated a fortress had once been here.

The Knights, who had been blankly looking around the place for a bit, soon resolved themselves and rejoined.

We cross the ice lake.

Now, all the fog that enveloped the safe zone has also disappeared.

“Is that guy not moving?”

The giant Dragon Leviathan visible from the safe zone still stares blankly at somewhere with lofty indifference.

The slowly illuminating dawn lights up the dragon’s scales, but the dragon paid no attention to us.

“Rather, it’s an opportunity. Defeating that guy will be impossible.”

“Let’s go quickly.”

The further north we go, only more gruesome sights begin to appear.

Explorers who had lost contact began to appear.

As corpses.

As befits a cold, severe frost zone, the bodies hadn’t decomposed.

Just as they looked when they died.

Explorers starting to be found with ice made of blood stuck to their surfaces.

“He wasn’t someone who should have died here….”

They say that around the 5th floor, you start seeing familiar faces often.

Although we haven’t been up here for long.

The proportion of people recognizing each other was higher than expected.

Among the countless corpses, I also found a face I was familiar with.

The party I first met after coming up to the 5th floor.

Those who were heading to the safe zone with us and met the Magic Tower.

Among them, I saw the face of the wizard, Kerik, who had talked with me.

He was buried in the snow, with both eyes wide open.

“……”

I wasn’t particularly sad.

Because I wasn’t originally someone with such rich emotions.

But even so, something unpleasant started to rise within me.

At least it’s enough emotion to seek revenge on the one who killed him.

I took the explorer’s tag around his neck and put it in my subspace bag.

“…It’s strange.”

Grace said, looking closely at the explorers’ corpses.

“It’s not a trace of being attacked by a Yeti.”

“Then they must have been attacked by a Lizardman. Or by that guy called the Prisoner.”

“Right?”

It’s something easy to think.

Since that guy called the Prisoner, whom the 2nd Raid Leader saw, attacked the Red Skull Clan, I naturally thought he would interfere with one of the lakes.

But I didn’t expect them to be defeated so easily.

“If I had known this would happen, instead of attacking simultaneously, we should have cleared the other 3 places and then gone north.”

“That’s something that’s already passed.”

Everyone had the same thought.

But if we could go back to that time, could we reach such a rational conclusion?

That’s something we don’t know.

“Here too!!!”

Most of the explorers who headed north were dead not too far from the safe zone.

As guides started finding them one by one.

Before long, all the countless corpses were accounted for.

No, just one person is missing.

“The 2nd Raid Leader is not found.”

One of the guides said.

That his corpse hadn’t been found.

What this means is that countless possibilities are open.

“Did the 2nd Raid Leader break through to the enemy lines alone?”

“If so, there’s no way the Lizardmen would still be there. He would have deactivated the statue long ago.”

“We might find his corpse on the way.”

The party was annihilated, but the 2nd Raid Leader survived, went alone to complete the mission, and died.

It’s a hopeful observation.

But there weren’t many here who believed such an ideal conclusion.

“Thinking about it, it was suspicious from the start. The Red Skull Clan was wiped out, but only the 2nd Raid Leader returned alive.”

“But when we treated him, he was normal, wasn’t he? If he were being controlled, something strange would have been visible.”

“Given his personality, when the party was annihilated, the possibility that he came to inform us as much as possible is high.”

Conspiracy theories are spreading gradually.

There are many flaws in their logic, but it makes some sense.

Of course, I don’t think so.

“What about the possibility that he was simply dragged away by that guy called the Prisoner? The possibility that the Prisoner is crazy and said something like, ‘Look at the other explorers who died because of you!’”

“Haven’t you watched too many plays?”

It was dismissed.

Considering all possibilities, we began moving forward with the possibility of him being a puppet or a traitor as the worst-case scenario.

We continue to advance, defeating Yetis and Lizardmen.

Casualties are piling up beyond what the priest can handle, and potions are starting to run out.

Fatalities are also starting to occur little by little.

But now there is no time to stop anymore.

Because the lake has started to come into view.

“It ends when we reach the lake up ahead!!!”

But as if to shatter even that small hope.

The Leviathan, which had been quiet until now, started moving the moment we stepped forward.

The only fortunate point is that this situation was anticipated beforehand?

“I ask of you.”

The Knights and the Magic Tower mages, who had been forcefully breaking through the front just moments ago, started running quickly towards the Leviathan, as if by promise.

It’s all planned action.

Because if the Leviathan starts acting, earning time is impossible for anyone other than them.

All that’s left is the few remaining explorers here.

50 people.

The number combining some of the explorers from the west and east with all the explorers from the south.

I am the one leading this group.

The Blue Faction Leader personally selected me.

“Let’s go, we can only get out if we win.”

Following me, all the explorers started following behind.

Originally, a mage taking the lead might not be a very good action.

But at least I am different.

“27 Lizardmen appearing in the front!”

“Yetis are appearing on both sides! It’s a trap!!!”

It doesn’t matter.

As if to reassure everyone, I lifted the terrain and shouted.

“Break through the front!!!”

I lift the terrain and throw all the Yetis on both sides outside.

At the same time, I see the Lizardmen running from the front.

They are not fools.

At least they know who the core is, so they throw spears at me.

Clang!!

Hans lightly blocks them.

Warriors advance, cutting across Hans.

I merely assist them as a mage.

I release the magic circles on my body.

[Body Reinforcement (0)]

[Body Reinforcement…]

[Body……]

The numerous [Body Reinforcement] spells being activated.

If I had my way, I would like to pour out high-cost attack magic.

But I can’t stack them, and I have to use them as soon as they are drawn, so I can’t help it.

But since 0-cost cards can be stacked every time the hand is cycled, I stored a lot in advance.

In other words, I have many 0-cost magic circles etched on my body right now.

To the extent that I can continuously use Body Reinforcement without interruption.

“My body is light!!!”

“To this extent…!!”

As Body Reinforcement, which can make a weak mage’s body equivalent to a mere warrior’s, is granted to a warrior, its effect explodes.

To the extent that Luca, who only has one arm, can swing a two-handed axe.

And with just that much help, breaking through is possible without any sacrifices.

“Let’s go!!!!”

Everyone shouts and runs.

Riding the momentum, we run without stopping.

Although we can’t break through the Yetis and Lizardmen blocking the front as cleanly as the Knights and the Magic Tower mages, these are all seasoned explorers.

A little slower, but we surely move forward.

I fill in the gaps.

[Ignite (0)]

Pop!!

A flame that blossomed in the air burns the black Lizardman’s eyes.

It’s not 100% accuracy, but even with this, the enemy’s stance collapses and the allies’ attacks go in smoothly.

Flinch!!

The sense that spread at that moment announced a crisis.

A Yeti from afar threw a huge rock.

The falling direction is towards the priest over there.

I immediately activate the magic circle.

[Blink (0)]

I instantly move and hug everyone around me, then activate the magic circle again.

[Blink (0)]

I move away from where the rock is with everyone.

The priest is startled as they see the rock falling onto the spot they were just in.

“Th- thank you!”

The explorers and the priest express their gratitude and run forward again.

Watching them, I stopped in my tracks.

If we only keep moving forward like this, we will be overwhelmed by the Yetis.

I’ll clear things up a bit here before we go.

This time, I use a card from my hand.

[Reversal (3)]

Instantly, the Yetis approaching from the left started floating upwards.

I didn’t bother them any further.

They would be in that state for a while anyway, and the Yetis’ speed is terribly slow.

A Yeti charging from the right.

After dodging the flying rock with Blink, I activate one of the few high-cost spells.

[Wave (4)] – Attacks by emitting a powerful wave.

Boom!!!

A strong shockwave, as if 20 heavy blows were combined, flies and attacks the Yetis.

Of course, unfortunately, the killing power is a bit lacking.

Just Yetis starting to fall over.

I covered the Yetis lying on the ground with a blanket of dirt.

Squirm?!!

As soon as I saw the bewildered Yetis flailing their arms, I used Blink to rejoin everyone.

We continue to advance.

The lake gets closer and closer, and the monsters attack us more fiercely.

But even so, they couldn’t stop us.

Fatalities are also occurring little by little, and injuries are piling up from unavoidable attacks.

Because if we can’t break through here now, it’s the end.

But there are still two beings blocking our way ahead.

One of them is revealing itself now.

Thump!!! Thump!!!

A giant lizard running, shaking the ground as if an earthquake were occurring.

That must be the original owner of the bones in the lake.

『Until next draw: 20… 19…』

Unfortunately, there is time until the next draw, and among the magic circles on my body, there isn’t anything to take care of that.

How can I manage that to deal with it?

While all sorts of simulations were running in my head, someone’s voice pierced my thoughts and entered.

“I will hold it!!!”

Hans charges forward.

A chain coming from his body lodged itself in the giant lizard’s glabella.

“Last time the giant bird was too fast to do anything, but this time is different!!”

Hans sent me a signal.

Hans pointing at the ground.

I roughly grasped what that signal meant.

I immediately lifted the terrain and buried Hans in the ground.

Hans, as he was being buried, gave a strong thumbs-up.

“Disperse!!!”

As soon as my command was given, all the explorers scattered around.

The lizard approaching with its mouth open to kill the scattering explorers.

But the lizard could not advance any further.

Because the chain connected to Hans held him.

“……?!!”

The panicked lizard moves wildly.

Hans was in danger of being pulled out of the ground, so I manipulated the terrain and buried him deeper in the ground.

It didn’t feel good, as if I was burying someone alive, but I continued to bury him nonetheless.

“Attack the guy from a distance!!! He won’t be able to approach!”

The struggling lizard could not escape from above Hans, who was buried in the ground.

The explorers who noticed that fact immediately used their cards and weapons and poured out attacks from a distance.

“This is all the explosive arrows I have!”

Kairk, who was next to me, used all the special arrows in his quiver.

Pop!! Pop!!! Crackling!!! Boom!!!

All sorts of attacks pour down on the struggling target.

As injuries piled up, the creature’s movements gradually stopped.

Thanks to this, I also gained some leeway.

Because I don’t have to move the terrain.

The single move to crush the creature.

I prepared that.

『It is your turn. You draw 5 cards.』

『White Repository – Preserve 1 card at the end of the turn.』

What I will keep is the most powerful card I possess, [Meteor (7)]

I had been holding it for no less than 4 turns.

It’s already been 5 minutes since Hans was buried, so I must finish quickly.

I checked the newly drawn cards.

[Mana Overload (0)] [Vortex (3)] [Charge (1)] [Force Field (2)] [Fusion (4)] + [Meteor (7)]

Finally, an energy card was drawn.

And even [Charge].

It’s the best hand.

I use it immediately.

[Mana Overload (0)] – Energy is doubled. Energy decreases by 1 next turn.

Ding!

『Current Status』

『Energy 10/4』

『Until next draw: 57』

『Applied Effects』

『Momentum – Energy increases by 1 every turn.』

『Terrain Manipulation – Manipulate terrain by consuming mana.』

『Ifrit – Summons a fire spirit.』

『Sorcerer King’s Grimoire – Allows you to draw magic circles.』

『Descent – Enters Descent state.』

Having confirmed that the energy has increased, I use the cards in succession.

[Charge (1)] – Enhances the next card used.

[Meteor (7)] – Drops a meteor from the sky.

As soon as the card disappeared into the air, I said quietly.

“…Move.”

Grace, who was throwing something, heard my voice and shouted.

“Everyone get clear!!!!!”

“Get clear!!!!”

When even Kairk, who heard Grace’s words, shouted, Erika and some warriors who were fighting in close proximity began to move away.

Everyone hides behind the terrain I created.

I pulled Hans deep into the ground.

A meteor falls from the sky.

That small meteor, having absorbed all the light of dawn, falls to take the lizard’s life.

Here, take this.

This is my best attack.

Bzzzt–

My ears went momentarily deaf from the incredibly huge sound.

“…We got it!!!”

Grace’s voice was heard first, followed by other sounds.

My eyes also returned to normal and showed me what I had done.

A giant crater that appeared in the snow-covered plain.

Nothing remained there.

“Hans?”

“He’s coming out now!!”

A hand coming out of the crater.

Hans crawls out from underground.

I ran over out of concern, but thankfully, it seemed he wasn’t badly injured.

Perhaps just a few broken bones?

“Is it all over? Then?”

“At least we got past one big one.”

Hans’s help was significant in being able to finish without greater damage than expected.

“Let’s hurry and go for now.”

I immediately gathered the explorers and headed towards the lake again.

Now, only Yetis were blocking the way ahead.

A situation with only Yetis and no Lizardmen.

Around the time we kept walking like that.

The guides, including Grace, smelled something.

“It’s the 2nd Raid Leader!!!”

We immediately found the Raid Leader.

Fortunately, he hadn’t betrayed us or anything like that.

He had merely been blocked by one man and died.

“Oh, you finally came. I was wondering if I’d have to bother going to find you myself.”

The Seven Prisoners.

[Uriel the Apostate] was sitting on the 2nd Raid Leader’s back.

And behind him, countless black Yetis were lined up.

Only by defeating that person can we survive and get out.

It’s despairing, but.

We have no choice but to do it.