Volume 3 - CH 36

Chapter 36-Beyond the Black Wall and the Shadow Man

We entered the "Inverted Labyrinth Tenebrae" at the end of the first day.

We thought that our vision would lead us to the clear, dark world of Tenebrae, but to our surprise, we found a lush green landscape.

"......Well, how do you see it?"(Yuki)

I muttered to myself and observed the surroundings closely.

"The topography is similar to the 'valley of death' that was swallowed up. It's just..."(Silk)

I"t's too rich. Is it a view of the past? Or is it a view of the future? Or is it a view of what could have been?"(Rain)

People see everything the way they want to see it.

We know from firsthand experience that this is a prominent phenomenon in the labyrinthine dungeons formed by the "Invisible Darkness" and the "Colorless Darkness".

In other words, this view is most likely a labyrinth dungeon called by us, ......, or someone else's wish or desire.

"I'm going to let go of your hand. How do you want me to take the precautionary measures?"(Silk)

"First, let's use the telescope eye to check the surrounding area. Rain, Jamie, you're up."(Yuki

"Okay."(Jamie)

"Okay but—."(Rain)

Rain nodded and held out her hands, so I picked her up and carried her on my shoulders.

Jamie's mouth twitched a little when he saw that.

"Is it really okay to flirt in a disaster-level labyrinth dungeon?"(Jamie)

"Jamie, you don't  know but Rain and Yuki are always like that."(Marina)

"I'm not flirting with her! It's a matter of altitude!"(Yuki)

I answered in a somewhat slurred manner, and my companions burst out laughing.

The tension that had been building up in my body, a feeling of trepidation, eased a little and I felt the strength leave my stiffened body.

"No sign of the enemy."(Rain)

"I don't see them over here either."(Jamie)

"Yuki-san, I have bad news."(Nene)

Nene, who was alone on the cliff looking through the telescope, uttered a disturbing word.

"What is it, Nene?"(Yuki)

"The building that looks like the "Kings Mausoleum" is exposed, and there are a lot of shadowy shadow stalkers around it."(Nene)

After setting Rain down on the ground, I climbed up the cliff.

I received a [telescope] from Nene and looked in the direction indicated, and saw what Nene had reported.

Although I could only see it from the top of the cliff in the shadow of the valley, a huge trapezoidal structure with a unique atmosphere had appeared, and Shadow Stalkers, shadow people, were passing around it.

"It looks as if they are working on something."(Yuki)

"Yes, it does. Don't they seem to have different roles to play?"(Nene)

If you ask me.

There is not much we know about Shadow Stalker, the shadow man.

The adventurers' guild categorizes them as "high-ranking undead monsters found only in labyrinths," but the number of encounters is extremely small, so the characteristics, nature, and ecology are not known.

However, we do know that the thing is tough.

We, Clover and I, had a battle with it during our search for the Ione Ruins Labyrinth.

"Let's just get closer to it. If we assume that this space is the lower labyrinth Lesser Dungeon, then the main body of the dungeon is the "King's Temple. We need to enter the "Colorless Darkness" from there."(Yuki)

"I guess so. I'll continue to move to higher ground and scout."(Nene)

"Count me in."(Yuki)

Nene and I touch knuckles and I run down the cliff.

"How was it, Yuki-san?"(Silk)

"I'm confident this is the Valley of Death. There was a large structure at the spot where I had previously predicted the Temple of the King to be."(Yuki)

"What about Shadow Stalker, the Shadow Man?"(Rain)

"As Nene reported, there are quite a few. They seem to be moving in an organized manner. So let's get closer and see what's going on."(Yuki)

The others nodded.

Among them, Marina seemed to be acting a little strange.

"Marina, are you all right?"(Yuki)

Marina nodded and said, 

"Yeah, I think it's okay ....... Sorry for worrying you!"(Marina)

"If there's something wrong, just let me know, okay?"(Yuki)

Marina, who nods a little, is trembling a little.

This is unusual for Marina, who is always full of energy wherever she is.

"Hyaaaa"(Marina)

"What's wrong?"(Yuki)

After giving her a light hug, I pat her on the back and look her in the eye.

Silk often tells me that I tend to show it on my face, but in Marina's case, I could tell right away by her mood.

"I'm a little scared and uncomfortable. ......"(Marina)

"I know you're scared. I'm scared too.'(Yuki

"The shadow man  ...... what if it's someone we know, or what if we fail and the world dies? I'm too stupid to think about difficult things, but I can't help worrying about it."(Marina)

"I see. Marina is very kind."(Yuki

I lightly pat Marina's head as her eyes are downcast.

I think Marina was most at home in "La-Jo" among the "Clovers".

Vivacious, open, and as bright as the sun, fighting on the front lines with her sword of her own volition, she was probably the perfect image of the kind of woman that the residents of La-Jo, who dreamed of a new Salmutaria, were looking for.

Marina was also the one who gave the most training to the aspiring adventurers.

For this reason, Marina's feelings for the people of La Jo are deep.

She may have gotten used to slaying people. She may even be prepared to do so here.

However, she is also very conflicted when she thinks that this is the person she was smiling and talking to until a few days ago.

Undivided feelings call for a slowing of resolve and decisiveness, which is replaced by the fear of failure.

The stress that Marina must be under must not be half as great as it seems.

"Marina, How would you feel if you were the Shadow Stalker, indiscriminately attacking us?"(Yuki)

"I don't want to do that!　if that ever happens I want you all to send me back to the stream then."(Marina)

"Then, wouldn't everyone in 'La-Jo' want that, too?"(Yuki)

I know this is a deep ego induced questioning.

We no longer know if that is what they want.

But it should help to lighten Marina's conflict.

"Maybe it is as you say. ......! I'm sorry, Yuki. It's okay now."(Marina)

"I think you're right, Onii-san."(Nibelung)

Nibelung, who had remained silent for some time, muttered something thoughtful.

"The "golden" ring of the "Glad-Shii-Im" was probably prepared to prevent people without the "existence mark stigmata" from becoming shadow stalkers. But it didn't work after all. ......"

After thinking for a moment, Lun nodded.

Then she looked up and opened her mouth.

'Brother, isn't it ...... the Shadow Man, Shadow Stalker who makes up this world dungeon?"(Nibelung)

There was a somewhat convinced glint in her eyes.