episode_0173

CLXV.

“That can’t be! It’s not even one of the four great spirits! Lu, Luminare!”

“What about the spirit of light? Even though the spirit of light is a bit unusual, it’s still a spirit, right?”

“This stupid bitch! The spirit of light isn’t just a spirit! More importantly, they are! Ah, shit! What am I going to do? The spirit of light wasn’t even on the restricted list in the first place!”

“Daedalus. Calm down… … .”

“Shut up!”

Daedalus was like a madman.

No, he was already crazy before that, but it was a little different now.

Until a moment ago, it seemed as if he was deliberately acting crazy, as if he was trying to attract the attention of those around him.

But now Daedalus seemed truly mad. He was confused and completely blind at the same time, like a real madman.

“How can a human make a contract with a spirit of light that even a dragon can’t make a contract with!!”

Daedalus was truly perplexed. And the reason he was perplexed was because of the condition briefly mentioned earlier.

His labyrinth, the Labyrinth, has endless forks in the road and walls that actively move as if they have a life force, making it impossible to find your way.

And in it, you quickly consume stamina, your divine power regeneration is slow, you can’t sleep, and you have to be attacked.

Of course, it wasn’t like this from the beginning.

When I was at the lower level, all I could do was make them unable to find their way, make them go around the space repeatedly, and make them mentally and physically exhausted.

So, they mainly preyed on demons who could not use teleportation or magic from the demon world.

When it reached intermediate level, the labyrinth could change into a living thing, and one condition could be added. Of course, there was a price to pay.

He added the condition of restricting spatial movement within the labyrinth and paid the constraint that he could not enter the labyrinth.

After becoming an advanced player, I was able to absorb more than half of the power of the dead beings in the labyrinth, and added another condition.

This is a condition that prevents you from using even half of your original strength in the labyrinth.

In exchange, he had to place the heart in the labyrinth to make it the labyrinth’s core. However, with just one heart, he could not add all the races.

So, he was barely able to balance the conditions and payments by excluding the races that he had no chance of swallowing.

And of course, the spirits of light were the excluded race.

Would the Demon be mad enough to swallow the Spirit of Light?

No, aside from swallowing and spitting out, the spirit of light is something you rarely encounter in the first place. Unlike the four great spirits, the spirit of light doesn’t often come out of the spirit realm.

Also, they are a very proud species that does not make contracts with or encourage others.

It was so arrogant that it was openly said in the Demon Realm that only gods or seraphim, the guardians of gods, could handle the spirits of light.

So naturally, the spirit of light, Luminare, was not a management race in the Labyrinth.

Luminare, who has powers that are in opposition to those of the Demon Race, is exerting her full power in the labyrinth where Daedalus’ heart sleeps.

“What should I do?”

“What the hell is going on!”

Nitas also felt something unusual about Daedalus’s behavior, even biting his fingernails.

It seemed so serious that it reminded him of his past behavior, so he couldn’t just leave it alone like before.

But Daedalus, hearing Nitas’ voice, realized something different from what she had expected.

“You!”

“What, what is it!”

Nitas was more confused than afraid when Daedalus suddenly rushed at him, grabbed him by the collar, and lifted him up.

“That human bitch. What the!”

The screen Daedalus was pointing to showed the spirit of light still actively moving, even though it had collapsed on the floor as if it had fainted.

“What the… … Gosh!”

“This fucking fat lizard bitch! Who the hell are you trying to kill! Do you know what you’re doing? Huh?! Speak! You dare put a bitch who can summon a spirit of light into my stomach? And what? Capture her? Capture her? A bitch who can summon a spirit of light? Capture her!!”

“Oh, no! I didn’t know that either!”

“You useless piece of trash, you fat lizard bitch! You call that an excuse! Die! ”

However, Daedalus was not a demon who was good at close combat. Even if he was a high-level demon, if he could not lure the enemy into the labyrinth, he would have difficulty even with a mid-level demon because he had no sense in combat.

Especially since it’s a dragon.

Nitas, who had escaped Daedalus’ hand and retreated with magic, glared at him.

The reason Nitas treated Daedalus well was not because he was a high-level demon, but because he was the one who sent him.

Nitas had previously spoken rudely to Glacia Labolas, a top-tier demon. That was because her master, Leviathan, had sent him away as a ‘word’ to use when sending him away, even though he was a top-tier demon.

But even so, Nitas is not stupid enough to give up his life for no reason and in vain.

“What are you doing?”

“Do you even realize what you have done? This situation will be reported to Beelzebub, the glutton. Along with your mistake. Leviathan, whom you serve, will also know.”

“Ah, no, what is that!”

“You four years! In my body, in my heart! In the Labyrinth that even the higher-level demons fear! In this Labyrinth that should have been the demons’ strategic weapon and important in war! You planted a cancerous lump called the Spirit of Light!”

As if hearing Daedalus’ shout as a signal to start, Gray and his party began to move quickly on the screen playing on the wall.

And in response, Daedalus also began to quickly manipulate something while biting his lips.

So he didn’t see it.

I mean, Nitas quietly leaves the room.

◈ ◈ ◈

“Do you want to see a demon cub vomit? Or do you want to experience a demon’s body being ripped apart?”

“Both are good. But I want to see that demon kid get cancer and die more than that.”

“Yes?”

Hwang Yi is cute when he is flustered by the unexpected answer.

No, no.

This isn’t important right now.

“This is like a digestive organ? Connected to that guy?”

“Yes.”

“Then, anyway, this place is like the inside of the guy’s body, right? In order to digest and absorb power and energy, it has to be close to such a place. For example, the divine power core or the heart.”

“Yes.”

“We’re going out? Alright. Well, it’s just a labyrinth, so you can’t control time, right? That’s what the time god I met before said. Time is the realm of the gods.”

“That’s right.”

“Then instead of just running away, can’t we just kill this guy? Inside? Like a cancerous lump?”

Once again, a look of confusion appeared on Hwang Yi’s face and then disappeared. And it was cute.

“Huh? Are we running low on food or something?”

“Oh, no. There is enough food. In the subspace of the two-horned. You are great. My lord.”

“Huh?”

Hwang-yi looked up at me with her eyes shining brightly. Anyone who saw it would know that it was a look filled with both love and respect.

“Yeah, yeah.”

– I… … but.

At that time, there was a voice that saved me from that gaze of respect and love that was good but somehow awkward, embarrassed, and shameful.

– Can’t you all feel it?

“Huh? What?”

― The core of the labyrinth is desperately trying to distance itself from us.

“Huh? There’s a nuclear weapon too? Here?”

– Yes. But it’s a bit unusual. Just like the Holy Magic Lord said, this place could be part of the Demon Tribe. That feeling.

After saying that, Luminare opened her eyes, which were emitting light, with her eyes closed as if she was concentrating, frowning gently.

― I thought it was a mistake, but the feeling I get from this core isn’t like a mana stone. It’s more like a heart.

“Hoo~? Heart?”

I felt a deep interest in Luminare’s words, and I felt the cruelty hidden within me raise its head.

“Wait a minute. Can Luminare feel it now? In here?”

– yes.

A spirit of light nodding with a refreshing smile.

That smiling face and atmosphere were very similar to Catherine’s. When Catherine grows up and becomes a successful woman, I wonder if she will have that kind of atmosphere.

“I’m not underestimating the spirit of light, but… … .”

– It’s okay. Feel free to speak, Last Descendant of Walpurgis.

“Okay, then I’ll speak comfortably. I’ve seen the spirit of light before. Many times.”

– I guess so. Our clan often associates with Walpurgis among humans. At least for a time.

At Luminare’s words, not only Luminare’s but also the witch’s expression darkened for a moment before returning.

“Even then, the spirit of light’s aura wasn’t superior to ours.”

– Hmm. Is that so?

“Yes. I’m not trying to pick a fight. I’m just asking because a certain assumption came to mind. Luminare. How are you now? Do you feel any pressure or discomfort unlike usual?”

– No. I don’t feel that way.

“I see.”

The witch nodded and closed her eyes, seeming to do some calculations.

“May’s younger sister said she was fine too, right?”

“Yeah. Sister.”

“And Judas and Shadows lost almost half of their power?”

“Yes.”

“That’s right.”

“I’ve figured out a few conditions that make this labyrinth tick. First of all, as you all know, he has a pathological aversion to teleportation. ”

“Hmm.”

“And it seems that certain races have been penalized within this labyrinth.”

The witch points to the Jewish Pope and the shadow inspiration,

“Human.”

He said this and pointed to the two horns again,

“Dragon.”

He said.

“And maybe if the demons come in here, their power will be significantly limited. Those that they often fight or have a chance to meet.”

“May?”

“Our younger sister May is a member of the Water Tribe, and among them, a Fox Tribe. I heard that there are no Fox Tribes on this continent. That means they are a difficult race to meet.”

“Any more?”

“Yes. Perhaps the reason why the Arcanas, including me, have less restrictions than the Topp and other superhumans despite being human is because we are not a completely human race. We are using the form of our previous life, but we are Arcanas belonging to the card. It seems that the effect of reducing the penalty was created because of that difference.”

“Hmm.”

“Lastly, I just remembered what Luminare said, but the core that’s here, I think it’s probably the heart.”

“Huh? Your real heart? That thing that’s pounding inside your chest?”

“Yes. Because if a being that doesn’t meet the many conditions mentioned above wants to be restricted to a certain area, they have to pay a corresponding price. That’s probably the heart, so that heart.”

The witch looked in the direction Luminare was pointing,

“They are running away from us.”

He concluded in such a cold voice.

“I see? Tag is such a fun game.”

“Yes, Master.”

The bright smile of the witch was an eerie and murderous smile that fit the word ‘witch’ very well.

“I will break it down into micro units.”

“Oh, oh, oh. Okay.”

A micro is 1/6th of a unit. Isn’t that too small?

“Let’s go. Master.”

I couldn’t bring myself to ask. The witch walked ahead in a rare state of excitement. We had no choice but to follow her.

Luminare stayed by the witch’s side and relayed information about the situation within the labyrinth.

Can you tell where the light touches everything?

He explained the movement of monsters or demons that floated above his head and moved far away, over walls.

Oh, why don’t you find the way to Mironde?

Kwaaang―!

Because there was no need for that.

In fact, Mei and Kanviel said that they were approaching me this way. In a straight line towards the direction of the loud noise and the monster’s screams.

By breaking down the wall.

This must be a truly incredible paradigm shift.

When it comes to mazes, the general way of thinking and story is to find the way out.

It’s the same now.

Even if the strength is diminished, and even if the labyrinth is truly a masterpiece, there is no need for those gathered here to turn back because they couldn’t break a single wall.

BAM! KWAANG!

While we were advancing, taking turns destroying several walls, I picked up Catherine. Although she had improved in stamina, she had summoned Luminare and was still summoning it.

I was so tired that I could understand if he fainted again, so I carried him on my back.

Although not for the same reason, Auntie Papi and Uncle Joseph, who could not keep up with the group’s fast pace, were carried by Frey and Old Man Shadow, respectively.

Of course, there was the behavior of Mr. Joseph, who was upset that he couldn’t ride on the back of the Shadow Inspiration during the process.

“Stop talking and get on me right now. There’s no time.”

In response to the words of the shadowy old man who exuded the charm of a real man, Uncle Joseph had no choice but to carry his father-in-law on his back instead of carrying him on his back.

Increased movement speed.

Then the labyrinth’s reaction changed.

The pattern of initially trying to delay by building a wall has changed,

―Kraaaa!!

―Urayaaa!!

―Krakrakrakra!!

Monsters were popping out everywhere. If I had been alone like before, I might have been nervous, but

“Eat it all up!”

The clown shouted as he threw a pack of white cards into the air.

-Kik! Kikikik!

-Kikki kick!

-Kick! Kickkickkick

-Kikikikikiki!

And from a deck of hundreds of cards, small blood-red clowns jumped out, equal to the number of cards on the deck. Now, it was the familiar power of the clowns.

But that familiarity was entirely ours. The monsters that had been rushing in with curiosity ignored the little bloody clown falling from the sky, and they paid the price.

The price is a gruesome death with both blood and flesh sucked out.

also,

“Inferórum Janĭtor.”

It wasn’t just clowns here. The witch at the forefront quickly completed a spell as soon as the battle began.

And as the magic words were uttered, a large red door opened before her. A door made of burning crimson fire.

“Wipe it out.”

A being that takes orders from the witch, and is in front of the scarlet door thanks to the witch’s magic.

-Krrr!

-Woof, woof!

-Awww!

It had three heads,

Hwarururur!

Whoosh whoosh!

Hwarrr!

A demon dog that breathes hellfire.

“Cerberus.”

At the witch’s command, he raised his heavy body and ran wild in all directions, wiping out the monsters.

Furthermore, the monsters in this labyrinth were strangely strange. They weren’t undead, but they seemed to have undead-like characteristics.

To those guys, Cerberus, the gatekeeper guarding the entrance to hell, was like rat poison.

The early battles were dominated by clowns and witches.

The other Arcana and Superhumans were just leisurely waiting and walking.

I moved that fast, and when the monsters gathered to a certain extent, I dealt with them and moved on. I repeated this.

Of course, the people who went into battle changed every time, and thanks to that, we were able to make a stable and quick breakthrough.

– It’s close!

Even if it wasn’t Luminare’s words, everyone, including me, could feel it. Except for Uncle Joseph and Auntie Papi.

It’s a feeling of a sticky, dirty feeling, pulsating like a heart beating steadily.

And when we got to the room where there was a heart the size of a small child,

“Fucking human bastards.”

We were able to confirm the face of the demon who had committed this crime.