The Nightmare of the Labyrinth ①
Summoner's Perspective
Bad luck to be summoned at a time like this.
That was my immediate reaction when the mission was assigned.
Tame the mysterious monster appearing in the Elro Great Labyrinth.
If unable, eliminate it immediately.
This is the mission I have received.
The incident originated when a request for assistance arrived from the small nation of Outs, home to the entrance of the Elro Great Labyrinth.
The Elro Great Labyrinth is nearly the only means of travel between continents.
Exceptions exist—translocation arrays are present—but only high-ranking officials or extremely wealthy individuals may use them.
Ordinary citizens must hire a labyrinth guide, a professional navigator of the path, and traverse the Elro Great Labyrinth over several days.
Those who deliberately traverse the dangerous Elro Great Labyrinth are not ordinary citizens. They are merchants who conduct trade across the continent, adventurers with proven skill, or individuals with urgent necessity to cross the continent—rarely people who could be described as common.
Yet enough travelers use the labyrinth for the profession of labyrinth guide to exist.
An anomaly occurred within the Elro Great Labyrinth.
The number of monsters appearing increased beyond normal levels.
This was unwelcome news for all who passed through the labyrinth.
However, Outs is a small nation.
It possessed only enough military strength to defend its own borders and lacked the personnel to resolve the anomaly within the labyrinth.
Yet if left unattended, monsters could overflow from the labyrinth and ravage Outs’s territory.
Thus, Outs had no choice but to request military support from our empire.
The empire approved without hesitation.
Immediately dispatched the unit stationed near the border into Outs’s territory.
The unit sent had originally been formed from the younger sons of nobles, but their combat effectiveness matched that of other units.
It was expected they would locate the source of the anomaly and return.
Indeed, they did locate the source of the anomaly and returned.
Yet not in the manner anticipated.
They returned fleeing.
From a mysterious spider-like monster.
According to the report, the threat was so great that merely seeing it once necessitated acceptance of total annihilation.
They recommended immediate withdrawal and the formation of a special extermination unit.
At first, the report was dismissed with laughter: “What nonsense.”
But as detailed reports and testimonies from local guides accumulated, the danger posed by the creature became increasingly evident.
At minimum, a threat level A.
Could reach even the S-rank danger level.
If such a dangerous creature escaped the labyrinth, the resulting damage would be catastrophic.
Yet simultaneously, strange rumors began to circulate.
It is said that a spider-like creature within the Elro Great Labyrinth aids humans.
Local investigators immediately sought the origin of this rumor.
They discovered a pair of adventurers who, while being attacked by the dangerous Elro Baladrard monster in the upper levels of the great labyrinth, had not only defeated the monster but also revived a comrade who had been severely wounded and near death.
Nonsense.
That was my immediate reaction.
As a monster tamer, I consider myself more knowledgeable about monsters than most.
Monsters possess low intelligence, but are not entirely devoid of thought.
Yet, a monster acting with clear intent to help humans—such a thing is unheard of outside of legendary, high-tier beings.
If the tale is true, then the spider monster possesses considerable intelligence—classifiable as legendary.
Such a creature’s defeat is impossible.
Yet, having assisted humans, it might be a friendly entity toward humanity.
Perhaps, under favorable conditions, it could be tamed.
And so, the burden fell upon me.
Truly, my fortune is dire.
If the spider monster is indeed a legendary-class being as rumored, victory is unlikely.
Even if not, it is confirmed to be at minimum an A-rank monster.
Taming such a creature would be extremely difficult.
Contract formation through training skills requires either the monster’s voluntary submission or forced dominance through superior strength.
Voluntary subjugation is nearly impossible, thus a decisive blow must first be delivered to break its resistance.
Inflict damage upon an A-rank monster without killing it, reducing it to a state of complete immobility.
To subdue an opponent so formidable that victory alone is difficult—this is no small challenge.
Especially since the current target is at minimum A-rank.
Should the opponent exceed this threshold, victory itself may become unattainable.
A cautious approach is required.
Yet.
"Hmph. Really, forcing this old one to explore a labyrinth. Bad luck indeed."
Beside me stands Lonaunt, the Imperial Empire’s renowned high mage.
He is undeniably skilled in magic, but his temperament is flawed.
Unrestrained. Self-centered.
He disregards commands without hesitation, constantly disrupting those around him.
"Lonaunt-sama. In the event of an opponent ranked S or higher, your presence is essential. Please, endure."
"I know, I know. Whatever comes, I’ll be here—secure as a ship on a steady sea. Just wait and watch."
This individual is usually approachable and entertaining, but their demeanor remains unchanged even on the battlefield—this is what causes the difficulty.
Still, their strength is genuine.
They possess undeniable skill, worthy of the title "the greatest mage among humanity."
This time, the group consists of thirty imperial warriors, including myself and Lord Ronant, accompanied by four guides.
Ideally, I would have preferred to have the veteran guide from the previous mission lead the way, but they refused outright.
Said they would not go to a place as dangerous as that.
Regrettable, but unavoidable.
Instead, I will treat the information obtained as confirmation: even a guide of considerable ability, as observed at first glance, claims such a creature is beyond acceptable risk.
Not a pleasant revelation, but acceptable.
Regardless, the first step remains the same: locate the monster.