Chapter 68: The Master of the Labyrinth
Russia, Altai Region – Barnaul ――
The Barnaul dungeon appeared right in the middle of town, making it a site of countless casualties on "Day of the Curse." When I stepped inside, the difference from previous dungeons was obvious right away.
The monsters weren’t goblins or orcs—no, they were gremlins and grendels.
Each one was fairly high-level, but I pressed forward using the phoenix and the magic sword’s slash. The adamantite greatsword was awkward in tight cave spaces, so I’m using the mithril sword now.
This dungeon seems to go all the way down to level 20, but the deeper I went, the stronger the "mana" concentration felt. And with it, the enemies grew tougher!
Level 16 ――
I’ve been gathering items as I advanced, but after defeating so many foes, my second magic warrior’s skill level maxed out. My class skill reached “B,” so I pulled out the third magic warrior board from the extradimensional space and touched it.
Magic swords are almost as useful as Qigong Martial Arts… better to max them out while I can.
Here’s what I’ve collected so far.
Wind Crystal U
Healing Crystal U ×2
Summoning Crystal U
Enhancement Crystal U
Beasthide C
Silence Seed U
Ancient Ring C
Potion C ×3
Hi-Potion U ×2
Elixir SR
Spiritual Elixir R
Earth Dragon Bone U
Bat Wing C ×2
Golden Needle U
Sunstone SR
Still… what the hell are these crystals for? They seem to hold mana, but I have no idea what they actually do…
I plunged deeper into the dungeon, finally reaching the lowest level.
Stepped out into an open space, and the air was thick—so thick I could barely breathe. The monster standing there had horns, and for a split second, I thought it was an ogre. But no… different…
I’ve met the Leader three times before. This feeling—exactly the same. The phoenix’s light revealed a body of monstrous strength, towering at nearly five meters tall… a terrifying, demonic beast.
鉴定——
Sprigan
Fairy species Lv3986
■ ■ ■
■ ■ ■
“Definitely the Leader!!”
I pulled my greatsword from the pocket dimension. The phoenix surged forward, accelerating straight at the enemy!
The Sprigan raised a massive weapon like a golden staff. Physical attacks wouldn’t work on the phoenix, I thought—then—
The staff struck, sending the phoenix flying backward. The flame vanished, dissipating like mist.
“Pushed the fire away?”
Closer look—the staff and body were wrapped in a faint, shimmering layer of energy. Some kind of qi-like force? No idea what else it can do. Better be careful here…
“Summon, come forth!! ——Chimera!!”
A silver lion erupted from the magic circle. It instantly understood its target. Vanished.
The Sprigan was instantly riddled with countless wounds. Couldn’t even keep up with the speed.
The difficulty of the Chinese and Russian Leaders was both “A.” I thought they were evenly matched—but is the Chimera superior?
But the Chimera’s attacks aren’t landing fatal blows. And the Sprigan’s wounds are healing fast. High-level self-repair skill?!
The Chimera lunged, biting deep into the Sprigan’s left arm. Teeth sank in hard—but couldn’t tear it apart.
The Spriggan dropped the iron mace and grabbed the Chimera. Slamming it into the ground, then pummeling it senseless from above!!
The earth裂s open, and the chimera dissolves into particles of light...
This "Leader" seems to have insane power and defense... Can't even scratch her with adamantite fangs and claws...?
From the last embers of flame, the phoenix rises once more! Ready to charge at the enemy again— but…
"Wait! I'll handle it!"
Channeling spirit into the great sword, I kick off the ground and leap high, swinging down with everything I’ve got!! The opponent meets me head-on with a metal staff!
Our weapons collide!! A deafening crash splits the ground, cracks spiderwebbing through the rocks around us. Holding up to my blow!? Is that iron rod made of adamantite too...?
Sprigan shoved me back with even more force! I was launched into the air and landed after a full spin.
"Still strong... damn it..."
I stopped time.
I walk toward the Sprigan. If I pierce its heart with this greatsword, it’ll die. I circle behind it and jam the greatsword into my back!
"What?! The blade... stopped...?"
About five centimeters in, but too hard—couldn’t pierce through. Swung the greatsword sideways, aiming to chop off the neck!! …… Still, the blade stopped mid-motion.
But it's severed. If I keep slashing it enough times, I could probably kill it while it's frozen in place.
But damn, I'm this strong now. This monster’s the perfect opponent to test just how far I’ve come, right? I suddenly feel like I wanna throw everything I’ve got—my “magic,” “Qigong Martial Arts,” even my “magic sword”—at it.
I twist time, facing off against the Sprigan. It blinks, surprised at the wounds it didn’t even notice, then glares at me instantly.
Channel qi into the greatsword. Hold it before me, charging it with magic.
“Composite Magic — Thunderflame!!”
The blade ignites in flame. “Thunder,” “flame,” “qi”—all blending together, blazing gold.
I leap high, raising the greatsword again, charging straight at the Sprigan!
Composite Magic Sword
“——Divine Bird Annihilation Inferno Slash (Levatein)——!!!”
It swings its golden club up to meet me—clashing hard!!
The greatsword erupts with a deafening crack, slicing the Sprigan’s golden club clean in two. Then it rips through the monster—and the damn jolly itself—right down the middle!!
Explosive flames erupt, burning everything around to ash! The shockwave is powerful enough to collapse every upper floor!
“TEIM——!!”
I shout, and the falling rocks and debris above get swallowed whole.