episode_0158

It’s a space with no torch and where not even sunlight enters, but as if light isn’t needed, everything around is clearly visible.

However, the black passageway that rapidly fades away starting from the surroundings becomes a deep darkness of unknown identity towards the end of the field of vision.

First

A strange space that becomes clearer depending on our location, as if the map of where we are going is loaded in a game.

Everyone seems to feel fear at the strangeness, their bodies stiffen, and they silently follow behind Noah without a single word.

Sssssss.

Kkyaaaaaaak!!!!!!

In this strange space, peculiar voices can be heard every time a step is taken.

Is it natural for a human body to flinch every time it hears this voice, which sounds like a monster roaring?

“Can Black Mages wander around on paths like this?”

“Well, you get used to it. At least your life isn’t in danger.”

“Does that mean there’s a problem if you’re not a Black Mage?”

“…You’ll know soon.”

Noah avoids giving a detailed answer.

For now, I just silently follow behind her.

As expected, before 3 minutes passed after that conversation ended.

Anomalies began to occur.

“Hey!! Where are you going?!”

“…Huh?”

Starting with people who were stopped while suddenly running outwards without realizing it.

“My… My stomach feels strange.”

People whose movements slowed down while saying their stomachs felt strange.

In addition to that, all sorts of negative effects continuously began to appear on everyone’s bodies.

The reason for this must be the space itself, without a doubt.

Everyone seemed to be demanding an explanation, but unfortunately, there was no room for that.

“…Gasp. Gasp.”

Noah was also doing something we couldn’t understand, as cold sweat was pouring down.

While everyone was doing their best in their respective positions.

Just as we were continuously moving forward through the dark space without any change.

Finally, the first change approaches us.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t a positive change.

Riiip-

The faint darkness in the distance tore open, and then intense light poured out.

Black Mages pouring out from within.

If Noah can open this passage, they can open it too.

Furthermore, the moment they enter, the negative effects start to worsen.

“Uwaaaaaaak!!!”

One explorer started having a seizure and tried to place the sword he was holding against his own neck.

Of course, another explorer next to him stopped him, but is it unavoidable that everyone’s condition is getting slightly more serious?

Moreover, Noah’s condition also continues to rapidly deteriorate.

As if she is bearing the entire burden that is being placed upon us.

Cough-

Instantly, a mouthful of blood gushed from Noah’s mouth.

While I was startled by something that rarely happened, one Black Mage who had entered smiled creepily and spoke.

“Don’t overexert yourself. You cannot possibly block the mana that this many Black Mages are emitting all by yourself, can you? Furthermore…”

Immediately, the Black Mages gestured with their hands, and the surrounding darkness began to change its appearance, soon transforming into the forms of monsters.

“Prepare for battle!!!”

As soon as they saw the monsters being born, everyone prepared for battle.

However, whether it was due to the accumulation of negative effects, or exposure to the influence of the dark mana.

There were too many explorers who couldn’t keep their wits about them.

“Run!!!!!”

Noah urgently shouted. Simultaneously, Noah’s Incarnation appeared and began to block the path.

If the Black Mages can use the dark mana here, conversely, Noah can use it as well.

Of course, while doing so, she also protects us, and because there are many Black Mages, she cannot control everything.

Still, as an Apostle, she controls everything skillfully enough that even ordinary Black Mages would find it difficult to deal with her.

The monsters summoned by the Black Mages also soon changed their attack direction to attack their enemies.

Seeing this, everyone just ran forward according to Noah’s command.

“…We’ll go with Noah.”

However, only our party remained and joined Noah who was running late.

The sound of Black Mages and monsters fighting could still be heard from behind, but as the distance grew somewhat, it began to rapidly fade, and quickly became muffled as if covered by a giant curtain.

“…It’s a dangerous space. If you don’t have resistance to the Evil God’s dark mana.”

“How much further do we have to go?”

“I don’t know. It’s a labyrinth that was isolated because a boss monster spawned, so it might take even longer than expected.”

As you know, when a Field Boss is summoned, all portals close and will never open until the Field Boss is defeated.

Furthermore, the portals for moving between floors above and below were also blocked, so I lightly thought it was just the portals closing. But has the space been separated?

“Those guys found us, so they’ll come looking for us faster. We have to keep moving forward. Can’t you keep using Blink like you did before?”

“…Yeah. Unfortunately.”

It’s not a situation where a battle can be maintained, but even if it were possible, I used a fair amount of mana to save the survivors earlier, so there’s not enough mana to move this many people.

“Monster!!!”

At that moment, the darkness in front changed its appearance, transforming into a giant Golem.

This time, since Noah’s position was behind, the explorers and the Knight Order dealt with it.

First, Karin slashed down the Golem in front with her sword wrapped in aura, and the remaining explorers capable of ranged attacks poured out attacks.

After that, the vanguards charged at the remaining Golems.

At that, the wave of Golems that had been gathering heavily slowly began to recede.

A group of monsters was eliminated.

To say “We defeated one like this!” everyone’s expressions were not good.

Some people were asking who was talking to them, as if hearing hallucinations.

Even people who were muttering to themselves.

‘Can’t something be done with Divine Power…?’

According to Noah, it’s because the Evil God’s mana is affecting everyone, so isn’t it standard to deal with it with Divine Power?

I want to switch to the Paladin deck, but.

『Time until next exchange available: 0:07:13』

There is too much time left until the deck can be exchanged.

Besides, I actually have to add 1 minute to this, so about 8 minutes are left.

That amount of time is enough for everything to be over.

Of course, besides me, there are people here who can use Divine Power.

Even small and medium-sized clans have explorers accompanied by priests.

However, their numbers were not that great, and their power alone was not enough to block it at all.

It seems like only a skilled Paladin or Priest would be able to handle this.

‘Should I have used the Saintess here?’

But if I had done that, there would have been many casualties before entering this place.

Therefore, I do not regret it.

Still, it’s clear that escaping is difficult with the current strength.

Numerous Black Mages chasing us. A distance too far to escape.

Unless there is a variable, the potential for total annihilation is slowly starting to appear.

“Robin!!!!” “No!!!”

At that moment, a monster’s attack landed properly just once, causing a large number of explorers on the right side to collapse.

Blood was splattered in the darkness, and several casualties could be seen even from a distance.

And several explorers who had fallen. Will we abandon them? Or will we take everyone?

Naturally, in a normal situation, like cold-hearted explorers, they would have all left except for their own party.

But now, there are few people left whose minds are sound enough to make rational judgments.

“Uwaaaaaaa!!!!”

Starting from an explorer who was shooting arrows wildly into the air, terrified.

“Why, why is this happening?!!”

Even explorers attacking allies.

Perhaps it was because they were walking on a tightrope and fell?

Confusion spreads, and as we advance, the explorers’ movements are hindered.

Immediately, the darkness that was surrounding everything changes form and transforms into monsters.

“Snap out of it!!!”

No matter how much I shouted, the confusion had already spread uncontrollably to everyone, making it faster to find someone who was sane.

Perhaps because our party had me and Noah, we were able to take a step back from the confusion, but.

“Ugh…”

Their condition was just as bad.

Grace seemed to be enduring somehow. Luca was grinding his teeth, and Kailek was clenching his teeth so tightly that his veins were clearly visible. Lastly, Jack was muttering and laughing, which felt unpleasant.

In this situation, the enemies’ attacks continue.

Monsters attacking from all directions.

We keep attacking to try and withstand the monsters, but the speed at which monsters are generated and rush towards us is faster than the speed at which they die.

Still, we were somehow holding on.

『Time until next exchange available: 0:02:52』

Now, with not much time left until I can change decks.

I thought, maybe we can hold on if only monsters keep swarming like this? Around that time.

A human voice was heard from far away.

“…Checkmate.”

An elderly voice.

Soon, one Black Mage with a thick beard appears from the darkness.

Seeing that face, Noah was startled and became extremely wary.

Who could it possibly be?

Just as that thought came to mind.

“1st Commander.”

“You still remember me, young lady.”

“……”

The old man called the 1st Commander then emitted dark mana in all directions.

At that power, the nearby explorers slowly. Began to fall powerlessly.

Just as all the explorers except me and Noah were unable to exert any strength against that overwhelming mana.

The status window, which detected killing intent, rapidly popped up.

『Killing intent detected. Draw 4 cards.』

『Energy 5/5』

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

[Drain (3)] [Body Enhancement (0)] [Strike (1)] [Fireball (1)] + [Rupture (4)]

Noah, who had been paying attention to the cards being drawn, immediately charged towards the 1st Commander.

She swung the giant scythe drawn from her Incarnation to attack, but the 1st Commander also tore space open similarly to Noah, pulling out a giant polearm and deflecting Noah’s scythe.

Then, the upper body of a terrifying monster burst out from within the torn space.

Before it could fully emerge, I judged that I had to finish it quickly and immediately threw a card.

[Rupture]

A deadly magic that tears and ruptures the inside of a human.

Immediately, my mana flew towards the 1st Commander’s body.

No matter how powerful the 1st Commander was, he didn’t seem to be able to deflect my magic. The mana easily entered his body and immediately stirred and tore his insides.

Cough-

Instantly, a mouthful of blood gushed from the 1st Commander’s mouth, and he staggered.

“As expected of the Apostle of the Main God…!! Approaching this closely must have been a bad idea.”

The 1st Commander retreated, clutching his heart. Noah rushed towards him and attacked, but the space around the 1st Commander had already opened countless times, and numerous monsters rushed out and began attacking.

“Get back!!!!”

At Noah’s voice, the movements of the emerging monsters faltered.

But that was it. They immediately continued their attack, and Noah was greatly thrown back.

“…But, that much doesn’t matter.”

Immediately, the 1st Commander reappeared from the darkness.

He had a potion in his mouth.

After instantly drinking a top-grade potion and recovering from his injuries, the 1st Commander, as if not wanting to repeat the same mistake, hid behind the monsters.

“Kill everyone except the young lady.”

As soon as the 1st Commander finished speaking, monsters that looked terrifying just by looking at them simultaneously moved their long bodies and approached us.

In response, I immediately used [Fireball]. But a small fireball like that couldn’t even penetrate the skin of a monster summoned by a high-ranking Black Mage.

“Uwaaaaaak!!!”

The sound of death was heard from all directions, and even Noah began to be pushed back, unable to respond to the enemy.

The monster summoned by the 1st Commander instantly subdued Noah. Now, it slowly began to approach me and my party.

The card inscribed in the Spirit of Memory has already been used.

There are no accumulated rewards either.

『Time until next draw: 22.』

With time still remaining until the next turn.

Everyone has collapsed, and there is no one left to protect me.

‘…Is this really the end?’

It cannot be.

It would be too regrettable to end it here.

I pulled a dagger from my pocket.

And grasping the staff given by the Crown Prince tightly in my other hand, I instead charged straight forward.

“What are you…?!!”

Ignoring the startled faces of Noah and the party members, I immediately ran towards the 1st Commander hiding behind the 3 monsters.

Immediately, one card.

[Body Enhancement]

Mana instantly strengthens the body.

Simultaneously, my body, which was running, charged even faster.

Because of that slight speed difference, the bipedal monster with a polearm that was momentarily at the very front missed its timing and attacked the floor for no reason.

Following behind were the remaining 2 monsters.

Only their upper bodies are out, but they give the strong feeling that one hit would instantly kill you.

First, the monster resembling a Death Knight swinging a greatsword.

Unfortunately, it’s not a weapon I can avoid.

I infuse mana into the staff given by the Crown Prince to create a shield.

Of course, it breaks easily, but a slight gap was created, and I charged into that gap.

Crunch-

But the 3rd monster’s giant hammer hit my side.

When on earth did this attack come in?

Unfortunately, I was hit before the effect of the robe given by my teacher returned. As a result, the shock traveled throughout my entire body, sending me flying sideways.

But even in that moment, I continued to aim for the 1st Commander.

My throwing skills aren’t that great. Still, I threw the dagger at the Commander with all my might.

“……?!!”

But my dagger, which I had barely thrown a few times, could not possibly reach the 1st Commander.

Rolling crash!!

When I regained consciousness, I was somehow alone in a place quite far away.

The monsters were still killing the explorers.

Noah was being subdued by the 1st Commander and dragged away.

The explorers and Karin who were still holding on to their sanity were trying their best to resist.

But now, it’s truly the limit.

“Farewell. Apostle of the Main God.”

The 1st Commander who had somehow approached me.

When he flicked his hand, the monster holding the hammer raised its hammer high.

Now, if he brings that down, it’s the end.

I slowly closed my eyes.

Thud-

A powerful impact sound.

But I soon felt something strange.

My body that should have been crushed.

But I didn’t feel that way.

What on earth is going on?

To find out, I opened my eyes and saw…

“Ahem, it’s been a while. 1st Commander.”

Someone who was talking very familiarly with the 1st Commander, who was human… no, someone slightly mixed with a monster.

I tried to recall that being, but I couldn’t.

“Kane. Why are you helping them?”

At that name that came from the 1st Commander’s mouth, I could open both my eyes.

The peculiar Black Mage who helped our party on the 6th floor. Kane was standing proudly before me.