Chapter 88

Chapter 88

-I’ve prepared the Labyrinth of Dreams and Illusions.

-Think of it as a sort of illusionary prison made of imps. If you’re strong enough, you won’t suffer too much.

-Either way, you’ll stall others from recovering from the trauma as quickly as possible. Your purpose is to stall as long as possible. Understood?

In the past, Marin had definitely said that while explaining the operation.

I had already assumed that this would happen to me. I thought maybe I could be trapped in the illusion.

I mean, I was prepared for it.

But... I don’t know.

The scene in front of me now. What the hell is this?

A beach, the sand glistening in the sunlight.

And there I am, sprawled out.

‘This is... my trauma?’

My brow creases.

My gaze drifts to the horizon at the edge of the ocean.

There is someone there. Someone who appears to be a woman, to be precise.

Of course, I don’t remember a woman like that.

It was strange.

It felt foreign, and every nerve in my body was on edge.

One.

I still couldn’t take my eyes off her. I can’t understand it, and that makes me even more mesmerized.

In that moment, I was sure.

It’s something I’ve lost.

A shard of a memory, shattered like glass.

Also, that I know her.

‘I have to go.’

I have to go to her.

‘I have to go.’

Only the same thought lingers in my mind. I couldn’t think straight.

My head felt like it was in a mess.

Shaaaaaah-.

I hear the sound of waves crashing into each other, creating a gentle ripple.

In a space filled with silence and nothingness.

I began to run relentlessly toward her.

I can’t move forward fast enough thanks to the sand that crunches underfoot. But that doesn’t stop me from running as fast as I can. I run to the limit.

I have to go.

I have to get to her.

She can give me back what I’ve lost.

I’m sure of it, but the distance between me and her doesn’t decrease.

She floats on the water, barefoot. She’s wearing an unusually white dress and a pair of white wings behind her back.

But why?

As I stare at her, I feel a pang in my chest. My breath caught in my throat, and I felt an unexplainable pain in my chest.

Thud.

(Tug.)

“Huh?”

Another tear rolls down my cheek, soaking the sand beneath my feet. When I looked up again, she was gone.

I repeat to myself.

I don’t know her.

But I don’t know if she doesn’t know me.

That made me cry even harder.

Because I had to face the vague fear that I would never see her again.

I was in love with her.

I might not know the shape of it, but I was sure of it.

If the emotion of love were tangible, it would be like this.

The waves are getting rougher and rougher.

I’m afraid I’ll be swept away, but I keep looking at one place like a ghost.

The place where she is gone.

I also see it again.

A woman I don’t recognize, but who is familiar.......

Pure white wings.

And.......

“...X!”

X?

That’s not .......

“...X! Wake up! Come on!”

Just a little bit,

Just a little more.......

“Nox!”

That was it. Someone had suddenly smacked me on the head, and a hot sensation rose from my forehead. I woke up with a headache and, to my surprise, found myself surrounded by Talia and Eleanor.

But there was something even stranger.

They were more surprised than I was.

* * *

“You mean I was dreaming?”

“Yes. That’s right. I knew what was going to happen to you and I really.......”

Talia was practically sobbing. She said I cried.

I knew that, actually. But I thought it was just a dream... Apparently not.

I was crying in real life, too.

But it didn’t make sense.

‘Why? What did I just see... that made me cry?’

My memory is fuzzy, so I’m not sure. I think she might have looked at me and said something. But I don’t really remember anything else.

In hindsight, what I saw must have been a piece of my past, which will probably help me reach the end of this story.

That much was clear.

I thought about it for a moment, but then shook my head to dismiss the thought.

I didn’t have time to think long and hard now anyway.

It was time to get back to the main story.

She’s not fazed. But neither is her enemy.

“You know, Luna, I really enjoy fighting strong enemies. Paimon was one of the strongest demons I’ve ever fought.”

“Is that why you’re letting him awaken, so you can fight him again and prove your superiority?”

“What will you do if I say yes, kid?”

“I’ll kill you.”

“You? Me? Ahhhh...! For what?”

“For my sake.”

The conversation continues, with neither party yielding an inch, and the overwhelming power that only the Absolute can create.

Magic binds them together, and they struggle to seize the initiative.

But the equilibrium of power is not easily broken.

It was a battle between absolutes.

At that moment, Duff was already on the move.

Taking advantage of Noah and Luna’s fight, he uses one fire spell after another to open the ice-sealed door. Little by little.

Little by little, it began to melt.

But none of the three knew it.

Something else was already inside the door, and they could already hear the crackling and cracking sounds coming from the spirit stone.

* * *

The second labyrinth in Zone 2 wasn’t too difficult.

It was actually quite fun.

I rejoined Leon, Penelope, and Echidna. Together, we played a game of defense against the incoming demons.

New friends and units, of course. Lana von Sader was also with us.

Timid as she was, she and I fought our way through the problem.

This was the essence of the defense game: a stronghold, and hunting down waves of enemies from it in four successive waves.

Normally, as a Knight class, I wouldn’t have enjoyed this at all, but this time was different. Hadn’t I properly mastered black magic using the tome I had obtained earlier?

Being able to use magic properly was a huge advantage, and I was able to enjoy hunting down demons.

Of course, I didn’t forget to stall for time.

Either by deliberately stepping on the echidna’s feet, or by using spells or techniques that have a large enough action to delay time somewhat.

I managed to stall the time in a variety of ways.

All in all, not a big deal.

Marin was following me, too, and no one noticed her movements. I was happy about that.

“Somehow you made it to the second one.”

Leon said, wiping away a rare sweat.

He had the hardest time in the defense game, though.

The ability to bring the dead back to life would be excellent in large-scale warfare. From that perspective, his ability was bound to help.

On the plus side, Iana was able to replenish Leon’s mana for black magic. It wasn’t a positive for me, as I needed to stall as long as possible, but oh well.

It’s very important for units to work together and build rapport like this, so I’ll take it.

Inner Lunatic is all about coordination, and if your units are in sync, there’s nothing better than that.

“Leon, you look a little tired.”

“Is that... ah... am I...... okay...? Is it because I’m inexperienced.......”

“No, Lana, I’m fine.”

Leon replied with difficulty to Penelope and Iana’s words.

Iana looked in my direction this time.

“Is he... Nox... nim? Is he okay......?”

“He’s fine. Don’t compare me to these wimps.”

“It’s been less than three hours since you showed tears, aren’t you acting too strong?”

Eleanor snapped as usual. But this time, for some reason, Penelope came to her defense.

“I don’t think you should talk to my potential groom like that.”

“Oh. My apologies, princess. I hope you’ll forgive my rudeness.”

“Under the circumstances. I forgive you.”

I was dumbfounded.

No, why are you using my tears to decide whether you forgive or not?

Furthermore.

“Nox, are you sure you’re okay...?”

Talia continues to worry about me with the same grim look from earlier.

I want her to stay like this, the last thing I want is for her to try to kill me. I don’t even want you to tell Rover.

I still want to live.

Echidna is darting around like a meerkat, keeping an eye on the situation.

When she’s satisfied they’re safe, she sighs.

“But what the hell is in store for us in the third labyrinth? I’m beginning to worry. If the second one was this hard.......”

“Well.”

I replied, knowing, but proudly not knowing.

Talia grabbed my arm, obviously uneasy. Penelope tilted her head as if to say she’d look the other way this time.

Hagiya, I dealt with variables whenever they came up. Talia won’t be used to being told I don’t know.

I’m sure the other units aren’t either.

‘Well, I actually know how to handle things this time, too. I’ve already told you that the magic won’t be released unless you clear the three labyrinth quests. ...Of course, I’m not going to tell you the strategy this time.’

Well, what can I say?

I have to live and let live.

The third labyrinth quest.

I thought to myself as I continued to descend into the building’s basement.

‘Next, it’s finally my turn to step up to the plate.

I thought to myself, glancing back at my companions.

I can feel a little sadism bubbling up in my gut at the sight of these strangers. Next time, I’m going to be their true education teacher and their leveling assistant.

What does that mean?

‘Labyrinth Flower. It means... I’m going to be their boss monster.’

I did.

I was going to be the boss monster that fights the group directly.

In a way, it seems like a good situation for a villain. With that thought, I smiled a little as I imagined their future.

Assholes.

You’ve been screwing with me all this time, haven’t you?

You’re about to get your comeuppance.

“......Nox? That’s kind of scary.......”

I didn’t listen to Talia at all.

Time to de-stress...!