Chapter 305 Multiple Perils

Chapter 305 Multiple Perils

"Viviana, what is this on you?"

Viviana's red pillar of light puzzled Banning, and she too wondered why Banning did not have one.

After communicating with each other, Viviana finally understood the situation.

She informed Banning about the origin of the red pillar of light, which was created by the labyrinth boss using an unknown magic or skill to mark all the surviving intruders in the labyrinth with real-time tracking.

Banning was not marked because he entered the labyrinth after this event occurred, thus narrowly escaping the ordeal.

"However, even though you don't have a red pillar of light now, if you continue to act with me, it will still expose our whereabouts to the monsters," Viviana felt she was holding Banning back, thinking that perhaps without her, Banning could escape the Aqua Nest more easily.

"Banning, why don't you go to the labyrinth exit by yourself? I'll try to lure the monsters in the opposite direction."

Without any hesitation, Viviana immediately proposed a new idea, which she believed was the right thing to do.

However, in Tyler's eyes, Viviana's sense of duty was a precious quality, one that was almost nonexistent among the nobles of this prison star world.

All along, Tyler had subconsciously equated the nobles of this world with the privileged and spoiled children of the Earth world. They were all selfish and treated ordinary people as lowly livestock.

But Viviana was different; even for someone like Tyler, who had no notable background, she would earnestly remember his kindness and seek to repay it.

So, how could Tyler possibly let such a pure and kind-hearted girl venture alone?

"Viviana, having this red pillar of light is actually a good thing."

Tyler pondered for a moment and then began his specialty of talking nonsense, trying to change Viviana's mind.

"Good thing...? How can this be a good thing?"

Seeing Viviana's bewildered reaction, Tyler was not surprised. Whether or not Viviana would believe his theory now depended on his ability to improvise on the spot and the effect of his "Deceiver" skill.

.

Tyler told Viviana that their actions were actually a combination of overt and covert tactics. They could fully utilize the fact that only one of them was marked to create an information gap, making strategies like "the hunter becomes the hunted" easy to implement.

"The hunter... become the hunted?"

Tyler unconsciously used the language of the other world to describe an Earth world proverb, leaving Viviana confused.

Seeing her adorable, puzzled expression, Tyler almost couldn't help but laugh.

However, time was of the essence, so Tyler quickly explained in a concise manner and then added another use for the red pillar of light: misleading the enemy by combining it with the terrain.

This idea came to him based on the situation in the ravine earlier. If Viviana were to hide in a cave, the vertically descending red pillar of light would only remain on the mountaintop, thus luring the enemy to the wrong location.

"In summary, as long as we use it properly, the red pillar of light can become our weapon. Am I right, Viviana?"

After a series of fabrications, Tyler handed the decision-making power to Viviana, which was also a communication technique.

Since Viviana held a higher status than Tyler, giving her the power to judge would make it easier for her to accept his ideas. This technique works well in communication with family elders, teachers, and even workplace leaders.

As Tyler expected, Viviana agreed with his ideas, and they naturally continued with their previous plan of action.

As for whether or not to use the strategies Tyler mentioned earlier, that was no longer important.

.

In the dense forest, Viviana rode her warhorse, with Banning following closely on foot.

Viviana was quite astonished by the quality of the black warhorse; despite walking on rugged mountain paths, she only felt a slight bumpiness. Moreover, the warhorse's constitution was exceptionally robust, easily breaking through shrubs and bushes that would be difficult for ordinary horses, as if its body were made of metal.

"Banning, where did you buy this warhorse?"

Viviana wanted to buy a similar breed of warhorse, preferably a white mare, so they could make a matching pair.

— (...But why would I want to match with Banning?)

"Uh, I don't know where it was bought, actually. The warhorse found me on its own..."

Banning replied with an awkward smile, then told Viviana the story of how he met the warhorse.

As they talked, the two emerged from the dense forest, and their view suddenly widened. Viviana could finally see the battle situation on the side of the Cardinal and Obsidian Elders.

On another mountainside about five or six hundred meters away, a three-story-tall labyrinth boss was holding a square shield and advancing with large strides. In its path was a giant two-headed python, nearly as large as the boss itself.

The python was covered in pitch-black metallic scales, seemingly impervious to blades and spears. One of its heads was spewing purple-black liquid, attempting to prevent the labyrinth boss from approaching.

With her extensive battlefield experience, Viviana quickly understood the situation: the Cardinal and Obsidian Elders and the mysterious old man were attacking each other, both hoping to draw the labyrinth boss's hatred onto the other party.

However, the labyrinth boss had its own ideas:

It wanted to eliminate both invading forces.

— (Cardinal Elder, Obsidian Elder, can you escape safely...?) nOVe-Lb-In

Viviana worried for the safety of her two teachers, but she couldn't help them. All she could do now was to leave the labyrinth as quickly as possible, so the Cardinal and Obsidian Elders could retreat without any concerns.

"Viviana, I'm afraid we need to prepare for battle."

At that moment, Banning's voice brought Viviana's attention back, and the warhorse she was riding had already stopped.

In the direction Banning pointed, shadows darted near the bushes, and if one listened carefully, the rustling of the cold and green leaves surrounded them.

Undoubtedly, the enemy had encircled them.