𝐍𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫
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While I was making my triumphant return from the deepest part of the labyrinth after defeating the Sword Saint Skeleton, I sensed something odd in the upper levels where I had spent nearly 10 days coming back.
There was no sound.
When I first came here, the sounds of monsters and adventurers clashing filled the air. Now, all I could hear was a deafening silence.
Did everyone leave?
I’m not that naive.
Something happened.
Something that made both monsters and adventurers disappear.
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I instantly heightened my alertness to the max.
In that state, I cautiously proceeded toward the labyrinth’s exit, paying close attention to my surroundings.
If whatever caused this is over, good. But if it’s still ongoing, I’m likely to get caught up in it.
After all, I am an adventurer too.
If what happened to the missing ones has something to do with me, I could meet the same fate.
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As I stealthily moved forward, I eventually began to hear faint sounds.
Probably voices.
Too distant to understand the conversation.
I approached the source of the voices even more carefully and realized that there were two people talking: one with a raspy voice and the other speaking in broken phrases.
They were just around this corner.
I cautiously poked my head out to take a peek.
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“Auntie, this is the last one.”
“Hih hih hih. Thanks for your hard work, Franke. Let’s wrap this up and head to the town then.”
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What I saw was a bizarre scene.
A large man, his entire body covered in patches, was being laughed at by a really old woman who looked to be well past 100.
Clearly not human beings.
In other words, demons.
I’d heard they were seen near the town, but I didn’t expect them to be in this labyrinth.
But the real problem is that there have already been casualties caused by these demons.
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In front of the demonic duo. . . . . .was a mountain of countless dead bodies.
A pile made up of both monsters and adventurers.
Nearly everyone who had been in this upper level of the labyrinth had turned into part of that gruesome mountain of bodies.
The patchwork demon threw another adventurer’s corpse onto the pile.
Moreover, the Old Hag Demon pointed her ominous skeletal staff at the mountain of bodies and began chanting what appeared to be a spell.
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“Miasma of the Demon Realm, chaotic magic that spawns demons. Rise and gather, coil around. Turn these corpses into the undead. Create my minions. ━━ 『Birth of the Dead』!”
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It was obviously an advanced, malevolent spell.
Dozens of bodies subjected to it began to rise.
They weren’t revived.
Their eyes held no light, they uttered no words. Forced into animation, they became the same kind of monster zombies that I’ve seen plenty of in the deeper levels of the labyrinth.
I’d heard of this.
Stories about wizards within the demon ranks, known as 『Necromancers』, who profane the dead with the worst kind of magic.
Seeing it in person, it was truly a horrific sight.
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“Phew. It sure is tedious to create this many zombies. I wonder how many more times I have to cast this spell.
Really, when I was wandering the deeper levels, all I had to do was dominate and bind them. It was a feast.
Maybe I shouldn’t have thought about killing off everyone in the upper levels on a whim.”
“Auntie, keep it up.”
“I know. It would be a waste to stop now.”
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After hearing the current conversation and considering it alongside the magic I saw earlier, I realize, “Ah, so that’s what’s going on.”
The intentions of the demon that entered the labyrinth were unclear, but it seems they aimed to use the zombies inside the labyrinth as pawns.
Judging by their tone, not only can that Old Hag Demon create zombies, but she also seems capable of controlling wild zombies with her magic.
So, she plans to capture zombies within the labyrinth and use them to attack the town.
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The fact that we had no information probably means they haven’t attacked the upper levels until now.
Maybe they decided to attack and slaughter everyone now because they’ve gathered enough forces and no longer need to hide.
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To think such creatures existed. . . . . .I wonder if it was lucky or unlucky that I didn’t encounter them deep within the labyrinth.
Similarly, it might be fortunate or unfortunate that they didn’t run into the Sword Saint Skeleton.
If I think about the Sword Saint Skeleton falling into their hands, it seems unfortunate. On the other hand, if the Sword Saint Skeleton could have taken them down, it’s lucky.
Well, it’s too late to think about that now.
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So, what should I do now that I’ve stumbled upon this scene?
If I consider the town’s safety, the best course would be to bypass them, run to the town, and relay the information.
The question is whether I can shake off the demon with my speed.
I doubt I can outrun that seemingly combat-specialized patchwork demon, let alone the evidently weak Old Hag Demon.
Moreover, they’re occupying the only path that leads to the exit.
There’s no way to avoid them.
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In that case, the only option is to fight.
No need to be pessimistic.
It’s a rare and formidable opponent.
It would be a waste not to challenge them.
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Stealthily, I raise my sword, Kurotenmaru, the spoils of war from the Sword Saint Skeleton battle.
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“Fourth Slash—”
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Then, I unleash the fourth deadly sword skill that I learned over the ten days it took to return from the deepest part of the labyrinth to this upper layer.
This is my only proactive attack.
Without Kurotenmaru, my weak self couldn’t utilize it—it’s the only skill in the Seven Deadly Swords that completely relies on the weapon.
It’s a bit pathetic, but I don’t care.
Ordinary people use everything they can.
That’s why I take pride in this skill as one of my Seven Deadly Swords.
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“『Dark Moon』!”
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The flying dark slash, the same as what the Sword Saint Skeleton used, targets the Old Hag Demon by surprise.
I can’t launch slashes by myself, unlike those with divine protection.
Whether it’s physical or magical power, I completely lack the prerequisite abilities.
However, that’s not the case when using a magic sword like Kurotenmaru.
Of course, it’s a much weaker attack compared to what the Sword Saint Skeleton was capable of doing.
Unless aimed at vital spots from close range, it likely won’t be fatal.
Still, it serves as a legitimate attack against a formidable opponent.
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This is the Fourth Slash 『Dark Moon』.
It envelops in darkness, launches darkness, and shows the beauty of normal attacks making an impact.
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“Auntie!”
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In a split second, the patchwork demon extends its hand, catching the dark slash aimed at the Old Hag Demon with its palm.
A wound forms on the palm, and the demon’s unique blue blood spurts out.
Shallow, but it dealt some damage.
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“Who’s there?! . . . . . .A child?”
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The Old Hag Demon turns toward the direction of the incoming attack, spotting me.
For a moment, she looks dumbfounded, but in the next instant, her wrinkled face breaks into a creepy, unsettling grin.
That expression says it all.
It’s a mocking smile, as if she’s looking down on me.
Her face was already creepy and wrinkled, but this added smile makes it incredibly unsettling.
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“Hee hee hee. What’s the matter, boy? Did you get the urge to play hero after seeing us toy with the dead?
How adorable. I don’t sense any divine aura from you.
You’re just a normal child without any divine protection, aren’t you?
How cute, how cute. Makes me want to bully such an ignorant and foolish brat. . . . . .!”
“Auntie, that’s a bad habit.”
“Silence!”
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As I thought, this Old Hag Demon enjoys tormenting the weak.
It’s a common trait among demons.
She might be letting her guard down, but that’s fine with me.
It might be a drawback if I considered this as training, but above all, this is a serious life-or-death struggle.
I’m neither strong nor arrogant enough to remove my opponent’s complacency to give her an advantage.
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“I do have plans after this. . . . . .well, it doesn’t matter. For your bravery, I’ll play with you a little. Hee hee hee!”
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And so, the two demons get into their battle stance, and I also ready my Kurotenmaru.
To think that right after battling with the Sword Saint, the protector of humanity, even if she was a corpse, I now have to fight against humanity’s enemies, the demons.
I don’t know what fate has in store, but this is also a trial.
If that’s the case, I have no choice but to overcome it with all my might.
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