Chapter 129: The Unyielding Labyrinth
Stepping inside the cave, it was unexpectedly bright—rock walls and stone pillars made of something that looked like crystals.
I headed toward the entrance to check if I could leave freely.
"Can't get out, huh..."
It felt like an invisible wall blocked the way. I tried teleportation, raising my hand to open a pocket dimension.
"Still no good..."
Nothing changed in space. Is escape impossible?
I tossed a small stone on the ground and tried freezing time. The stone kept moving in a perfect arc, falling straight down without stopping.
Looks like "time-space manipulation" doesn't work here.
I’d already equipped my sword and gear just in case, so no real problem.
A few days before coming here—
◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇
"Teacher, this is from us."
Noah handed me a slightly larger box. Curious, I opened it—inside was a full set of armor.
"This is..."
"Teacher, you always fight in your everyday clothes, so I figured... if it helps even a little, that’s good."
Every piece was high quality, clearly top-tier.
"Didn’t take a lot of effort, did it?"
"Gabriel and Raphael, my twin brothers, did the crafting. I gathered the materials with help from everyone. It was tough, but I think we made the best we could."
Noah handed me the gear with confidence. Just the gesture warmed my heart—but when I checked the equipment, it turned out to be far beyond anything I’d imagined.
[Starsteel Breastplate] SSR
Physical Resistance (Increased)
Magical Resistance (Increased)
Self-Repair Function
• Rank upgrade depends on the user’s magic power.
[Heracles Gauntlets] SSR
Strength Boost (Increased)
Physical Resistance (Increased)
Self-Repair Function
• Rank upgrade depends on the user’s magic power.
【Wind God’s Leggings】 SR
Agility Boost (Increased - High)
Physical Resistance (Increased - Medium)
Magic Resistance (Increased - Medium)
【Sunlight Mantle】 SR
Physical Resistance (Increased - Medium)
Magic Resistance (Increased - Medium)
Heat-Cold Resistance (Increased - Medium)
Mental Resistance (Increased - Medium)
All of these are more than enough for actual combat. Especially the ones that boost defense based on magic power—perfect fit for my traits, huh?
"Uh, and this…?"
"What’s this?"
Noah handed me a pair of black leather gloves.
"It’s a magical artifact written on the final page of the Occult Library. We couldn’t complete it—materials were missing… If you ever find the ‘luminous stone’ needed to craft it, try using it."
"Ah, thanks. I’ll take it."
◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇
Right now, everything I’m wearing was given to me by the kids. And at my waist—Black Knight’s sword, Excalibur.
Even without “spatial-temporal manipulation,” I can still handle things.
I carefully move through the cave, testing out other abilities. Seems summoning magic’s out of the question too.
You can’t just summon monsters or their “magic cores” from another dimension… So that means abilities tied to “time” and “space” are off-limits?
I keep heading straight toward the back of the cave. After walking a long way, all I see are the cave’s crystals glowing in seven colors depending on the angle.
After a while, I spot a staircase leading downward, tucked deep in a corner.
"Down below… How deep is it, though?"
『You’re curious, aren’t you?』
I jump—someone’s standing behind me. Didn’t sense a thing.
The man wears white robes and glasses, both designs completely unfamiliar. Definitely not from around here.
I back off carefully, activating my鉴定.
Nothing shows up.
Can't鉴定 here? Or is it just that this guy's immune? I'm still reeling from his sudden appearance...
"You don't have to be so tense. I'm not your enemy."
He's got long white hair, but doesn't look old... Not like it's from aging. More like that's just his natural color.
He smiles, stepping closer.
Can't be sure if he's hostile. Can't afford to let my guard down. I activate my ability to stall him.
"Gravity Press!"
I apply tenfold gravity—just a light touch. Normal people wouldn't even move... But then—
He walks right through it like nothing happened. Not working!?
"Nice use of your ability. I'm really happy."
The voice hits my mind directly—telepathy. So he's an异能者 too.
"Stop!"
I draw my sword, trying to威压 him. If I use威压, an ordinary person should be gasping, maybe even pass out.
But he just grins. Doesn't even flinch.
"Who the hell are you!? What the hell are you doing here!?"
He speaks in a calm, gentle tone—like he's talking to an old friend.
"I've been waiting. For you."
"For me!?"
"That's right. I'm the one who brought you here."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"Took a long time... but I finally succeeded."
I don't get it. I must’ve looked confused...
‘Ah… yeah. I guess that was a confusing way to put it. Let me try again… how should I explain this to you most clearly…?’
The man taps his finger against his chin, pausing as if thinking.
‘The “Gacha” you pulled… was made by me. That should make sense now, right?’
‘What?!’
◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇
…far above the clouds, a massive black warship floats in the sky. Inside it, an elderly man in black robes kneels before a man sitting in the shadows.
‘Four of the “God Generals” have already entered the site ahead of schedule. Their mission should be completed soon—good news is expected to arrive shortly.’
‘…I heard Hybris was killed.’
‘Y-yes… it seems he was defeated by one of the gifted ones on Earth…’
‘He was one of my favorite dolls… but whatever. Where is that gifted one now?’
‘According to reports… he entered the “Dimensional Labyrinth.”’
‘The “Dimensional Labyrinth”?’
The man in the shadows quirks a faint smile, as if recalling something.
‘Ah… the place the alchemist who was with Hybris fled to.’
‘No one knows why—but once inside, no one ever comes out. So no need to worry about him.’
‘Huh. I actually wanted to meet that gifted one… don’t you think so, Oceanos?’
‘H-Hai… as you command.’
The elderly man rises and steps out of the room.
He taps a small staff-like object, and two knights gallop in.
‘By the “Wang’s” decree: head to the “Dimensional Labyrinth,” capture the Earth-born gifted one who killed Hybris. Bring him back alive—no matter the condition.’
The two knights removed their helmets and knelt before Okeanos. One was a tall, muscular man with golden hair.
One was a tall woman, her exquisite beauty peeking through strands of black hair.
Leave it to me, Ocaenos-sama.
God General Hyperion
Demon God Type Level 3776
“Dimensional Labyrinth”... sounds fun, huh?
Goddess of Justice, Themis
Demon God Species Level 4011