Chapter 66 - 66-Just a Laughable Lie (Part 1)

"Damn it, damn it! I'm hungry again..."

Lawrence leaned against the stone wall, his expression oscillating between maniacal laughter and pained sighs, as if two entirely different personalities were battling within his troubled mind.

One voice kept urging him to continue the killing spree, while the other repeatedly questioned why he was there.

The constant clash of these voices had driven Lawrence to madness.

"I shouldn't be here, I shouldn't be... here."

But no matter how hard he tried, Lawrence couldn't remember where he was supposed to go.

"No, John! I'm here to kill John. That's right! If I kill John, my headache will stop."

It was as if Lawrence had a moment of clarity, and the voices in his head finally aligned.

He had to kill John.

...

Meanwhile, on the sixth level of the labyrinth.

The torch in John's hand flickered in the wind, casting orange-yellow light that made his shadow dance on the ground.

"What a horrible smell... like rotting corpses. Ugh, it's unbearable!"

John covered his nose and mouth, glancing at Elowen, whose face had turned deathly pale. John sighed softly.

The scent of blood was the most repulsive smell to elves.

Elowen had endured the discomfort and stayed with John until now, despite the adverse conditions.

"If you can't handle it, it's alright to leave."

"I'm fine, Master John. I just need some time to adjust..."

"Don't push yourself. Since I brought you here, I'll make sure you get back safely. Otherwise, I won't be able to face your queen."

John extended the torch, trying to illuminate the path ahead as much as possible.

And then, he saw a horrifying scene.

Not far away, the ground was littered with gruesome remains, with signs of gnawing still visible on them.

The sight was so repulsive that Elowen immediately fell to his knees and started retching.

His physical discomfort couldn't be hidden with a simple "I'm fine."

Seeing Elowen in this state, John walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

After a moment's thought, he handed Elowen a gas mask he had made for use at the alchemy station.

"Put this on. It might make you feel better."

"Th-thank you..."

Elowen steadied himself, wiped the saliva from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, and struggled to stand up. He put on the gas mask, and the stench lessened significantly.

As John spoke, his hidden hand gripped the [Firewalker Dagger] tightly.

"Helena... who is that? No, it doesn't matter! You're John! I just need to kill you, and the damn voice will stop! Killing you is all I need!"

Lawrence's lips curled into a maniacal smile, his eyes wild with madness.

In the next instant, a giant sword appeared out of nowhere. Lawrence swung it, and the gust of wind from the swing sent chunks of flesh flying towards John!

The sudden turn of events didn't throw John off balance.

He calmly threw out the giant carnivorous plant seed while positioning his short sword in front of his chest to brace against the blow.

After all, Lawrence was a knight class with high stamina and attack stats, making it impossible for John to match him in a direct confrontation. But, as the woman had said, alchemy could bring about miracles!

Even if it meant stalling, John could outlast him!

In an instant, the giant carnivorous plant sprang up, piercing through the entire sixth level of the labyrinth.

Its massive trunk exuded a tremendous pressure, standing firmly between John and Lawrence!

This alchemical creation, capable of restraining and consuming behemoths, formed a barrier that seemed insurmountable for Lawrence.

To kill John, Lawrence would have to cross this chasm!

But Lawrence, who had rampaged through the labyrinth with impunity, wasn't about to be stopped by a mere plant.

"[Class Skill: Holy Light Cross Slash!]"

Lawrence shouted, his giant sword enveloped in blinding light. Each swing sent a radiant blade flying out, striking the giant carnivorous plant's trunk.

After three slashes, the plant's stem was teetering, its life force rapidly draining as sap gushed from the wounds.

"Thorn Cage!"

John, shocked by the sight, quickly responded. Modified seeds, enhanced through alchemy, burrowed into the ground, and countless vines shot up, forming a cage around Lawrence!

"[Class Skill: Unbreakable Barrier!]"

Boom!

With a thunderous crash, Lawrence drove his sword into the ground.

A barrier of holy light erupted in front of him, grinding against the thorn cage, producing a nerve-wracking screeching sound as the two forces clashed.

However.

The vines ultimately weren't as resilient as the shield of light. With a series of snapping sounds, the vines all broke!

"Now, what else do you have that can stop me, John?"

As Lawrence shouted menacingly, John couldn't help but laugh. His laughter was wild and unrestrained, causing John to double over.

Lawrence was taken aback, clearly not understanding what was happening.

"Shut up! What's so funny? John, you're on the brink of death!"

"On the brink of death? Hahaha! You really are foolish! Before seeing you, I didn't understand, but now, I think I get it. Why you're still alive, yet your name isn't on the Leaderboard. It's because this is nothing more than a ridiculous lie."