Chapter 168: A Dangerous Deal (4)

Chapter 168: A Dangerous Deal (4)

WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator/Editor: Ryuu

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INFINITE MAGE

“Ah...”

Hearing Shirone's words, Amy also realized the truth. How could she have missed it? Harvest was a magical creature that inherited all of Arcane's memories.

The Archmage Victor Arcane, who once ruled the world.

If anyone knew the hidden secrets of the Kergos Ruins, it might be him.

Shirone and Amy looked at Canis with newfound certainty in their eyes. But Canis remained noncommittal.

“Hmm, half of what you're thinking is correct and half is wrong.”

“Half and half? What do you mean?”

Canis hesitated. It wasn’t time to reveal everything. The secrets of the Kergos Ruins were much more serious than Shirone imagined.

Amy leaned in closer and said,

“Are you going to keep being vague? If you're going to tell us anyway, just do it now.”

“I don’t understand. Why should I? You’re not seriously going to argue over the cost of a meal, are you?”

“That’s part of it, but you’ll have to reveal more for another reason. You need us. If not, you wouldn’t bother negotiating.”Fôll0w current novÊls on n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(co/m)

Canis closed his mouth and took a deep breath. He had expected this outcome, but timing was crucial.

“Fine. To be honest, I need something from you as well. In that sense, we both have what the other needs.”

“What do you want from us? Are you talking about the pass?”

“That can be easily solved. With mental magic, we can just hand over a piece of paper. Arin's mental resonance ability can control the realm of language.”

“Oh, I see.”

Shirone understood why they could enter the altar without an interpreter.

“Even so, we didn’t choose that route because one person must pass the trial gate. But as you know, we failed, and that's why we need your help. In that sense, I want to negotiate.”

Amy analyzed Canis’s words. Then a random question struck her.

“By the way, what score did you get?”

Canis blinked at the unexpected question, then averted his gaze.

“I don’t want to say.”

“Oh, why not? How much did you get? Hm?”

“Why should I tell you? If you want to know so badly, you tell me first.”

“No, you first. Then I'll tell you.”

“I refuse. You go first.”

Shirone, frustrated, interjected to prevent a never-ending loop.

“Enough. Let's get back to the point.”

Both Amy and Canis promptly closed their mouths.

With the situation resolved, Canis, now more haggard, spoke again.

“Anyway, what I propose is this: if you pass the trial gate, the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice, then we can discuss further.”

Amy frowned.

“That’s a bit strange, isn't it?”

“What do you mean?”

“You failed the trial too. If Shirone passes, there’s no need to take you with us. You need to offer something to make the deal worth it.”

“That may be true for now, but trust me, this deal won’t harm you.”

“Then prove it. Even without revealing everything, you can show us. Otherwise, the deal is off. We can’t risk being used.”

Canis glanced at Arin, unable to decide alone.

After Arin gave her approval, he reluctantly spoke.

“Fine. Here’s the deal. You’re trying to enter the self-governing district to learn about the Labyrinth, right? Is it imperative for you to get there?”

“Yes. We want to understand the Labyrinth better.”

“Then... my information might save your lives.”

Shirone’s heart pounded. Save their lives? What was in the self-governing district to warrant such a statement?

“I’m telling you, without my information, approaching the Labyrinth of Time means you will almost certainly die, but if you team up with me, you might survive. Essentially, I’m trading your lives for this deal.”

“What...!”

Amy jumped to her feet, shouting.

“Do you think threats will work? This isn’t proof. It’s just fearmongering. The Freeman Organization frequented that place. No matter how dangerous, it’s not a matter of life and death.”

“I told you, the self-governing district itself isn’t dangerous. The problem is entering through the trial gate. And Shirone.”

Canis turned to Shirone.

“I know what you’re planning to do in the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice. You’re thinking of unlocking the Immortal Function in the Labyrinth of Time, right?”

The Labyrinth seemed to have a time limit on energy accumulation. After two cycles, the final maximum score was 6,822.

The Labyrinth emitted a red glow, signaling Shirone’s failure.

“Phew.”

Shirone exhaled dejectedly. The laser had an effect, but the Labyrinth anticipated energy accumulation and imposed restrictions.

The most frustrating part was that despite recording his highest score, he didn’t pass.

Shirone recalled Canis’s warning about potential death. What had the headmaster foreseen when permitting this exploration?

As he pondered, the tattooed man spoke sternly.

“Will you leave or stay? If you want to prove your skill, pass the Labyrinth of Time.”

Shirone shook his head to dispel his fear. He couldn’t give up now. His friends were already in the self-governing district.

“I’ll try once more.”

The man crossed his arms and waited. Assuming he had permission, Shirone positioned himself in the center of the altar.

Immortal Function.

If this didn’t work, it was over. He didn’t know what Canis knew, but he was ready to give up if this failed.

“Phew.”

Calming himself, Shirone entered his Spirit Zone. His defensive zone expanded, enveloping the Labyrinth of Time in eight directions.

After checking the boundaries of his Spirit Zone, Shirone opened the Immortal Function.

“Gasp!”

An incredible event occurred.

Uncontrollably, his mental power surged, pouring into the Labyrinth of Time.

‘Th-this...!’

The rate of absorption was astounding. Normally, his zone would have collapsed instantly. But as much power as was absorbed, equal force flowed from the infinite realm, barely maintaining balance.

Shirone feared losing control. It felt like his value was vanishing, turning him into a mere gate between two forces.

‘No! Stay focused!’

If this continued, his consciousness would disintegrate. There would be no luck of reconstruction by the Labyrinth this time.

“Ughhhh!”

Shirone maximized his defensive frame, pulling the zone taut. Despite the tension, the form remained due to the immense mental release.

Desperately, he entered the Indomitable Diamond state, clinging on.

He couldn’t think. He only prayed for it to end quickly, for him not to disintegrate.

At that moment, the eight orbs of the Labyrinth shone brilliantly. Eight beams of light converged on Shirone, forming a white sphere around him, engulfing the altar.

“Gasp!”

Shirone shuddered with intense deprivation. It felt like the first time he opened the Immortal Function.

“O-Ohhhh!”

The natives, seeing Shirone enveloped in light, shouted in amazement.

Shirone’s body floated to the ceiling.

It was as if a vision unfolded. His eyes were unblinking, pupils trembling with shock, seeing something unknown.

The Labyrinth of Time, absorbing near-infinite mental power, conveyed information back to Shirone.

It was undoubtedly something the orbs could only reveal after absorbing their maximum capacity.

The natives screamed at the top of their lungs.

“La! Anke! La!”

A blinding light filled the room, forcing the natives to turn away and shut their eyes.

When the light faded, Shirone stood on the altar, panting heavily.

“Gasp! Gasp!”

Shirone struggled to regain his senses. He couldn’t even tell where he was.

What had he seen? Was it real? Why had the Labyrinth created such a device and waited for an Unlocker?

‘Was it an illusion? Or real? I have no idea. What does this have to do with the Immortal Function?’

Breaking from his thoughts, Shirone looked around. Every native had knelt on one knee, heads bowed.

“W-Why are you doing this?”

Shirone asked in a bewildered voice. The natives remained silent, holding their submissive posture.

The tattooed man looked up at Shirone and spoke.

“Convey the will of Ra, messenger of the gods.”

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