episode_0087

Outskirts of District 11.

A place where all sorts of illegal activities used to happen openly.

Of course, after the exploitation of children was revealed, the Ariel Church used it as a pretext to build their church buildings there. Thanks to this, public security improved and the dark atmosphere brightened. There was even a peculiar phenomenon where housing prices went up.

The Blue Sun Clan building is also located here.

Although it’s a bit far from where the church buildings are concentrated.

A building located there.

It seemed the church’s priests and paladins had worked on it slightly; an ordinary building was neatly renovated to resemble a church building.

The atmosphere suggested people had left in a hurry, but just as a clean person’s departure leaves a tidy space, the building was clean.

Magicians who came to investigate all the buildings where the church had stayed, according to the Grand Magus’s command.

The return of the Grand Magus to the forefront after a long time meant the school heads’ tension was off the charts.

They follow the incomprehensible command, “Investigate all church buildings,” but annoyance is also present among the magicians.

“Do we really have to go this far?”

They grumble and complain as they investigate the church buildings today.

Of course, it’s not just magicians. How would these bookworms who can barely use a little magic move building materials? As I said again, Iban is one of the magicians with considerable physical strength.

Of course, climbing up and down the magic tower means their leg muscles are decent, but arm muscles are definitely a magician’s weakness.

It was said that one way to distinguish between magic tower magicians and wandering magicians in the labyrinth city was to look at their leg muscles.

Anyway, while conducting internal investigations together with low-level explorers, commissioned by the magic tower, which had nothing left but money.

“What is this?”

“What’s going on?”

Three first-floor explorers, who were hardly even worth calling explorers, discovered a small door hidden beneath a giant statue of the church.

It felt like something was being secretly hidden, the kind you’d sense even if you grabbed a young kid walking around the neighborhood and asked them. As soon as they opened the door, there was a ladder leading down.

The first-floor explorers climbed down the ladder, while the magicians descended slowly using levitation magic.

Swish.

An unfamiliar sensation was felt as soon as their feet touched the ground. Illuminating it slightly with a torch.

“Wh- what is this?!!”

The interior of the room was filled with grotesquely laughing dolls.

*

As usual, I go to work today to fulfill my role as the Grand Magus’s disciple.

That doesn’t mean I’m not active with the clan.

At this point, with nearly a month having passed since the labyrinth was occupied by black mages, each explorer was living with their own routine.

Even our clan, for instance, is just repeating training after finding a suitable training ground. Of course, it seems other explorers have similar thoughts, as the situation is so crowded it’s hard to find an empty training ground. Fortunately, we were able to find a suitable place, so we went out for training today as well.

And as everyone left, I watched them go and headed to the magic tower with Gamel.

However, there is one change in our clan.

It’s probably Kitrael.

As a priestess of the Ariel Church, she has no choice but to follow the church’s will.

She was called to the church after the conflict between the Saintess and the Grand Magus.

There has been no news yet, and Gamel as well as the clan members are feeling a bit uneasy.

Although there probably won’t be any problems.

“Which school are you heading to today?”

“I’m not sure.”

“They are currently having a pride battle over how many times you’ve visited each school.”

I had roughly heard about it.

The Grand Magus’s disciple, born after so long. Rumor has it that the school he frequently visits gets a boost in status.

Well, I just go where I feel like learning something, and there’s no particular reason to care.

I immediately parted ways with Gamel and headed up to the top.

Just because I’m the Grand Magus’s disciple, there’s no special treatment. Like any other magician climbing the magic tower. I climb endlessly towards the top.

But I’ve gotten quite used to this too. It’s not like it’s my first or second day walking around the labyrinth all day, and stopping by other schools in between climbs to look around was also a charm.

Naturally, the Grand Magus even encouraged me to visit all the schools for various experiences.

After visiting the White School, stopping by the Red School and pulling a prank on Haband once, as I was heading back towards the top floor.

A familiar face was visible.

The knight who guards the Prince was guarding the stairs leading to the top.

“Good afternoon.”

“Ah, Iban Arcana. They said you became the Grand Magus’s disciple this time, it was true.”

“Is His Highness the Prince inside?”

“Yes.”

“Then it’s probably best if I don’t go in.”

“That’s correct.”

The knight replied firmly.

I’ve met knights until now, but looking at his age, he’s almost at the level of a captain of the knights. As he’s protecting the Prince, they must have assigned a skilled person.

“……”

“……”

An awkward silence between them.

In times like this, it’s appropriate to use the secret art of the magic tower. The first form.

That is, to gaze upon the beautiful panoramic view of the labyrinth city from the top.

The sight of a medieval-style landscape spreading out, a view hard to see even from high observation decks in Korea, is truly beautiful.

As you look far into the distance, you can see the walls that divide the districts.

Normally they are not easily visible if the weather is not good,

But looking at the walls located almost on the horizon means you will have good luck that day.

As I stared intently to find the walls like that, before I knew it, the knight was also looking out the window beside me.

“It’s hard to see a view like this outside the magic tower.”

“That’s right. There’s no place higher than the magic tower except for the Imperial Capital.”

While gazing out the window for a long time like that.

Suddenly, something strange began to happen.

“What is that?”

As soon as the knight spoke, a black, ominous mana slowly began to rise from the district wall.

The blackness began to swallow District 11. I knew instantly what it was.

[Ah, why is there an evil god’s mana…?]

Noah’s voice, heard from within.

I immediately knew that this ominous and terrifying black mana was the work of the black mages.

“What in the world is happening?”

“First of all, that’s not important right now! We need to quickly get word…!”

The knight immediately ran to the Grand Magus’s room.

It’s a natural reaction. An emergency situation had occurred.

Opening the door and entering, I saw that the Grand Magus and the Prince had already grasped the situation.

“Spatial transfer is impossible…”

No matter how much the Grand Magus activated the magic circle and raised his mana, there was no reaction.

“The moment that black shield went up, our connection to the outside was already cut off. Just like in the labyrinth.”

“Explain in detail.”

“Your Highness. The only way to move between the inside and outside of the labyrinth is through portals. No spatial magic works. Now, District 11 has become a space similar to the labyrinth.”

“……Does that make sense? The labyrinth city becoming similar to the labyrinth.”

“First, we can’t know anything for sure. It’s important to know how the situation is unfolding.”

Just listening to the conversation, I could tell that something incredible had happened.

“……”

A moment of silence flowed, and as if determined, the Grand Magus took a book from deep within the bookshelf and opened it.

And immediately, a magic circle spread out from the Grand Magus’s feet. The Grand Magus immediately shouted.

[This is the Grand Magus.]

Thump, thump.

The Grand Magus’s voice was heard loudly.

It felt as if the conversation was being directly implanted in my head.

[Currently, District 11 has been labyrinth-ized by black mages. All citizens of District 11 are to gather around the magic tower. I repeat…]

Immediately, the Grand Magus’s voice spread far and wide through the magic circle.

Most people would probably hear it and gather around the magic tower.

“From now on, it’s a race against time. Your Highness the Prince, we request your cooperation as well.”

The Grand Magus floated out the door. I quickly followed behind him, and the Prince and his knight also followed.

It seems today is going to be a long day.

*

Chaos.

I am certain this one word can summarize the entire situation.

Monsters emerging, tearing through the paved roads of the city.

Explorers and soldiers fighting to stop them.

Citizens fleeing towards the magic tower.

Immediately after the situation occurred, I headed straight for the clan building.

Fortunately, the Grand Magus sent me quickly with spatial transfer, so I arrived in no time.

Kroooaar!!!

I was able to stop the monsters, which were emerging by breaking the solid stone floor, from trying to destroy the clan building.

“What in the world is this?”

Grace, who was playing cards with her comrades inside the clan building, questioned.

“They say the black mages did something.”

“Really? But why are monsters appearing? This isn’t even the labyrinth.”

“That’s what I’d like to know.”

According to the Grand Magus, it’s ‘the labyrinth-ization of District 11’. I think I roughly understand what that feels like.

“First, go to the training ground and bring all the kids back. You heard the Grand Magus, right?”

“Yes! He said everyone should gather around the magic tower!”

“Right.”

“I’ll be back!!”

As Grace left, the terrain next to me broke apart, and a giant worm-like creature popped out.

“Run away!!!”

Unfortunately, there were citizens nearby who were evacuating at that moment. I immediately ran towards them.

『You have encountered a monster! Draw 3 cards.』

『Joker Card – Draw 1 specified card additionally on the first turn.』

[Level Up(1)] [Shock(2)] [Water Jet(0)] + [Ifrit(4) – Power]

Joker Card.

This is a reward I got from the hidden dungeon on the second floor this time.

When I didn’t know the effect well, I thought it just let you swap one of the initial 3 drawn cards for a desired one. But it just felt like an additional card was added to the initial hand.

Therefore, the other 3 cards drawn before that are irrelevant.

Since one card is already confirmed by the Joker Card’s effect.

It’s even better if a useless card like Shield comes out.

The Joker Card I chose was Ifrit. There’s only one reason.

First, the effect of Cat’s Paw enhances the card used on the first turn, and it’s best to enhance a Power card that remains permanently during combat.

Among the Power cards I have, Ifrit is the most versatile card that can exert power the moment it’s used. That’s why I chose this card as the Joker.

A small flame spirit flickered around me, following me.

I immediately poured mana into it.

Immediately, Ifrit grew in size and spat flames, not one strong flame, but flames split into several streams, shooting down the monsters that were pouring out one by one.

Before studying at the magic tower, in the past, such precise use would have been difficult. But now it is possible. Thanks to that, I was able to definitely save the people.

“Hurry and evacuate towards the magic tower!!”

“Yes!!”

Watching the citizens leave, I shot fire towards the worm monster that was spitting monsters from its mouth.

Immediately watching the burning worm, I spread my senses in all directions.

Ding!

『Check card rewards.』

Since time was pressing, I quickly dismissed it without collecting the reward immediately and spread my senses to check if there were any monsters nearby.

A voice is heard. There’s a monster right next to me.

“We are ready!”

Liza and Lalanoa, who finished preparing for battle, came out.

I immediately took them both and ran to the location where the monster appeared.

And there, not only was there a monster, but also a black mage who seemed to be the culprit of this situation.

“Witch Slayer, Iban!!!”

Three black mages wearing black robes like other black mages. Fortunately, they didn’t seem strong.

『You have encountered black mages! Draw 3 cards.』

『Joker Card – Draw 1 specified card additionally on the first turn.』

[Crush(4)] [Shield(1)] [Force Field(2)] + [Ifrit(4) – Power]

Looking at the 4 cards drawn, I immediately threw Ifrit.

At the same time, the three black mages began combining monsters from the ground.

Skeletons.

I heard that the reason low-level black mages use monsters made of bones like skeletons is because they consume less mana.

As expected, black mages who only summon skeletons are no match for me.

Moreover… having now learned magic at the magic tower and occasionally learning how to handle divine power from Kitrael, I can properly educate those confident black mages.

“Kill all but the one in the center.”

“Yes!!!”

As Liza, a wandering magician, shot and unleashed mana, an explosion occurred.

“What is this?!!”

The black mages were flustered. The magic Liza uses is a unique magic passed down through her family, so it wouldn’t be easy to recognize.

In other words, it’s the best ability for a surprise attack in person-to-person combat.

Of course, the absolute damage isn’t outstanding, which is a pity against monsters.

Boom!!!

An explosion occurred, hitting the body of the black mage on the right.

Then the gaze that was fixed on me slowly drifted towards Liza.

And that creates an opening.

I poured mana into Ifrit and unleashed a wave of flame forward.

The wave of flame swallowed up all the approaching skeletons.

Immediately, cards began to be drawn one after another.

『[Butcher’s Gloves] are drinking blood.』

『Energy increases by 1, and draw 1 card.』

At the same time, Guide Lalanoa had somehow made a large turn and arrived behind one of the black mages.

And she quickly jabbed her dagger into his body. Before the black mage, who was trying to regain his senses, could react, she had already disappeared.

Even if our guides are a bit lacking in combat ability, we gathered the ones who are incredibly fast.

In the end, only one remained.

He immediately tried to sacrifice his body to summon a strong monster.

[Shock]

I had already drawn a card that is top-tier for personal suppression.

Crackling!!!

The black mage froze in place. The monster he summoned was swept away by Ifrit.

“I brought him!”

Lalanoa brought the black mage, who had half lost consciousness.

“Hehehe. You won’t find out anything from me!!!”

Immediately, a magic circle manifested on his body.

That magic black mages use to commit suicide when cornered.

It doesn’t work anymore.

Buzzing!!!

I lightly dispelled the magic circle.

It’s not a magic that can be easily dispelled in the first place.

Since it was created by the Ariel Church, I can dispel it easily.

“…Huh?”

Lalanoa struck the back of the flustered black mage’s head.

“I’ll take him.”

“Okay.”

I immediately took the black mage to the clan building.

Grace arrived back at just the right time.

“Everyone’s coming… But who is this?”

“A black mage.”

“What, I caught one on the way too, but they just killed themselves?”

“He won’t be able to do that.”

“Then you want me to extract information from him?”

“Exactly.”

As soon as I gave permission, Grace grinned.

Everyone left outside, leaving Grace alone.

“Wa- wait! Where are you going?!!”

“Okay, where should we start? First, the fingernails…”

“No, wait a minute!!”

It was the moment her underworld experience shone.