Vol. 1 - Ch. 10 - Hope Amidst Despair

There was no time for Ash to feel disheartened.A blackened claw swung down from the Lord, which was furiously closing in on Ash.

Ash quickly backed away and successfully avoided it, but the sharp claw attacked him once more without a moment's pause.

Ash clicked his tongue and jumped back even further.

"If you're that hungry, feast on this!"

He threw the now broken and useless stiletto into the Lord's mouth.

As soon as the Lord closed its mouth, it stared at Ash, its red jade eyes gleaming suspiciously.

(Well then, how will he thank me I wonder?)

As Ash waited, half amused and half terrified, the Lord opened its large mouth once more, shooting out a fireball.

"You're quite generous, aren't you!"

Ash immediately threw himself to the side.

After rolling on the floor, he quickly stood up.

At the same time, the fireball slammed into the wall making an earth shaking sound. Fortunately, the walls seemed to be sturdy, and the hall did not collapse, but a large black scorched spot appeared on it.

Like the Direwolves he had previously encountered in the tower, Ash had expected the Lord to shoot fireballs.

However, he hadn't imagined that the magnitude and force would be at this level.

Cold sweat poured down his back.

Ash remained wary of the Lord and switched the swordbreaker he'd been holding in his left hand, to his right.

Although it was tougher than the stiletto, the swordbreaker merely served as a tool for disarming one's opponent.

Furthermore, its blade wasn't that sharp, and given that even the stiletto had been unable to penetrate the Lord's skin, it would be an impossible task for the swordbreaker.

In essence, Ash had only one option left.

Flee.

"Though I don't see a way out of this..."

Ash muttered, glancing around and surveying his surroundings.

As he did, he noticed something peculiar.

Geometric patterns were etched into the floor and walls.

The vaulted ceiling was notably different from what he remembered.

The disparity in brightness was significant enough to catch his eye.

And it wasn't as to where he could justify it to his eyes simply getting used to it.

(Just what is going on?) Ash wondered.

Meanwhile, he heard the Lord's heavy breathing approach him.

Evidently, it wasn't going to grant Ash the luxury to devise a plan.

Ash narrowly evaded the Lord's two consecutive claw attacks and once again turned to face it.

As he did, Ash noted that the cups on one of the walls had also lit up.

(That's not the one I first saw!)

Ash quickly checked the other cups and discovered that three out of the six were illuminated.

"When were they lit?! Or rather, why did they light up now of all times?"

While evading yet another attack from the Lord, Ash's attention shifted back to the spot where he had been summoned.

Three dots on the floor shone like they were forming a triangle, reminding him of the Lift Gate's magic circle.

(Six cups... A hexagram!)

It seemed too much of a coincidence for him to ignore.

(Maybe if all six cups light up a gate to the outside will open!)

He had no concrete proof, but it was certainly worth a try.

As for the timing of the lighting, Ash guessed it might be related to the passage of time. This annoyed him since it proved that his primary accomplishment on the tenth floor had been to run away and stall for time.

(Either way, if I run away I might just find a way to escape.)

Then, another fire lit up.

In his mind, Ash counted, "Okay, two more to go."

However, just as he was gaining momentum the Lord howled.

The sound echoed through the hall but gradually subsided.

Soon, the hall was filled with the noise of approaching footsteps.

Reinforcements were on their way, and Ash grew even more vigilant of his surroundings.

Direwolves began emerging one after another from several small window-like holes dug into the top part of the walls. They were of the usual kind Ash had seen up to the 9th floor, but there were 10 of them.

"I've totally become the prey, haven't I!"

The Lord's roar served as the signal for the Direwolves to launch a coordinated attack from all directions---front, back, left, right, and even from above.

Having dealt with Direwolves extensively before arriving at the 10th floor, Ash had a good understanding of their movements. Thanks to this, he managed to avoid any fatal injuries, but it didn't change the fact that he was outnumbered. His skin was slowly being torn alongside his clothes.

Observing the situation, the Lord, seemingly frustrated by his inability to finish Ash off immediately, joined in the attack. The Lord pushed the Direwolves aside and moved forward, crushing the floor beneath his feet.

Ash swiftly slid by the Lord's side and managed to get behind him. However, one of the Direwolves, anticipating his actions, pounced on him.

Ash pressed the comb side of his swordbreaker against the Direwolf's fangs but lost his balance and fell onto his back. He promptly kicked the enemy in the stomach, causing it to grunt and fall on its side. Ash then thrust his swordbreaker into the Direwolf, resulting in a dull sound.

"Since when did you get this tough!"

Ash muttered, his voice filled with a mix of exasperation and fatigue. With the previous Direwolves, the swordbreaker had been able to penetrate their skin, but it appeared that the Direwolves on the tenth floor were different.

During this quick exchange the other Direwolves managed to close in on Ash. Unable to evade in time, he attempted to fend them off with his swordbreaker, but he found himself in an unfavorable position, which led to him to lose his grip on the dagger.

The swordbreaker slid across the floor with such force that it unluckily came to a halt near the Lord, which proceeded to trample it into pieces with its giant foot. Ash couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation.

The Lord pounded the floor with its paw and let out another howl.

The ten Direwolves rushed to the Lord's side, forming a line beside him.

It was clear from its red eyes what it intended to do.

"Guess I won't be slipping through the side anymore."

Ash chuckled as he quickly turned around and sprinted as fast as he could.

His shadow was vividly reflected, and his surroundings were bathed in red light.

It was likely that the Direwolves had all simultaneously shot forth countless fireballs.

Even if he continued to flee, Ash was headed towards a wall.

However, as Ash looked upward, he noticed an alcove just where the cups were hung. With a powerful leap, he reached the edge of the alcove and, with a swift jerk of his body, climbed up.

Almost simultaneously, a tremendous vibration shook him.

It seemed like the fireballs had struck the wall.

Ash almost lost his grip on the alcove but managed to hold on by grabbing onto a cup.

As he caught his breath, the area turned a bit brighter once more.

The cup that was right next to the one he was holding had lit up.

(Five down. One to go!)

Ash peered out of the alcove to observe what was happening below.

The Lord and the Direwolves directed their attention upwards, releasing a thunderous roar.

For a moment, Ash entertained the idea that he might escape if he remained hidden, but he quickly discarded that naive thought.

All because he saw the Direwolves use the Lord as a springboard to leap toward him.

Ash grasped the top edge of the alcove with both hands and used it for support to push the Direwolves back with the soles of his feet. He didn't kick them strongly, as his opponents' bodies were considerably tough, and a poorly executed move could result in injury.

(Come on! When is the sixth one going to light up?!)

As Ash kicked down a fifth Direwolf his footing shook drastically.

Looking down, he saw the Lord slamming its body against the wall, repeating the action several times.

The cups began to shake wildly as well.

They looked like they could fall any moment.

"Damn it!"

With no plan B in mind, Ash jumped onto the Lord's back, gripping onto its thick bristle.

The Lord grew increasingly agitated, thrashing about violently.

Ash's head shook, and his consciousness began to wane as the situation escalated.

(Come on! Why is the sixth cup not lit y--)

Ash thought, struggling to maintain consciousness as his vision rapidly shifted.

Suddenly, light flooded the previously dark space. At last, the last cup had been lit.

Without wasting a moment, Ash looked towards the place he'd first arrived.

The three dots of light that had been there earlier had now become six, and lines of light connected them.

This pattern perfectly matched the magic circle of the Lift Gate he'd seen at the tower's entrance.

(I knew the cups were the key to getting out of here! Now all I need to do is get there!)

However, as Ash momentarily diverted his attention from the magic circle, he noticed the wall approaching rapidly.

It didn't take long for him to realize that the Lord intended to crush him by smashing itself into the wall.

"Hell!" Ash exclaimed.

He kicked the Lord's back as forcefully as he could and leaped off.

Right after, the Lord collided with the wall with such tremendous force that the hall resounded with a deafening sound.

Ash had initially considered staying on the Lord until he got closer to the magic circle, but given the situation, he had no choice but to make his way there on his own two feet. As soon as he landed, he swiftly regained his footing and hurried toward the magic circle at full speed.

(Something's off... Why aren't the Direwolves following me? I was sure they'd attack me the moment I landed...)

Although he was thankful for it, Ash couldn't help but feel it was strange.

Suddenly, the ambient light took on a reddish tint.

Ash realized the situation and without stopping, glanced back. As he did, he saw a terrifying sight.

The Lord and the Direwolves, lined up side by side, simultaneously let out a wave of fireballs.

A large fireball formed at the center, with smaller fireballs surrounding it like wings.

"Haha! They sure know when's the best time to strike!" Ash exclaimed.

He refocused on his destination---the magic circle---and pushed off the ground with such force that his ankles creaked.

He swung his arms vigorously, feeling as if his shoulders might dislocate. Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ NʘvᴇlFire.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

He couldn't remember the last time he had run full force, with his back turned towards monsters.

He was nearly at the magic circle, but the fireballs were closing in fast.

Ash could already feel the intense heat on his back. 

However, at that moment, Ash leaped headfirst into the magic circle without hesitation.

(Make it!)