Chapter 45

The great labyrinth of Laisen is even more troublesome than imagined.

Firstly, magic cannot be used properly. A far more powerful [Decomposition Effect] is in effect here than in the valley bottom. This place is a significant burden for Yue, who specializes in magic. In short, advanced magic cannot be used at all, and the range of lower-level magic is extremely short; being able to cast a spell with a range of five meters is already quite fortunate. With great effort, by momentarily increasing his magic power, he managed to reach a level suitable for practical use, but he cannot cast any of the powerful spells he has been using until now.

This also has a significant impact on Aichi. All of his innate magic that forms or releases magic power outside his body, such as [Air Force] or [Wind Claw], are completely unusable. The output of his reliable [Thunder Wrap] has also drastically decreased. The power of Dona Shuraku has been reduced to less than half, and even Shura can only achieve the maximum power of Dona Shuraku under normal circumstances.

Therefore, in this great labyrinth, physical enhancement is more important than anything else. Among Aichi and his companions, this is Shia's domain, and this is where she can shine.

So, the rabbit-eared companion they trust is now saying...

"I will kill you... Absolutely, I will find your place and cause a ruckus and kill you."

Carrying a large hammer, Dorugen, with red eyes that search for prey, she looks around. Clearly, she is very, very angry, and even her tone of voice has become quite strange. The reason, considering Milly Laisen's malicious intent, is easy to imagine.

Aichi and Yue understand Shia's feelings, so they say nothing. There is a phenomenon where, if someone is overly excited, it can help one remain calm. Aichi and Yue are currently in such a state. Now, they continue to move forward steadily, but the reality so far has been encountering various traps and annoying inscriptions.

Finally, Aichi glances at Shia and lets out a strange laugh, "Kukuku," as he begins to recall the extremely malicious path they have taken so far.

～～～～～～～

After Shia destroyed the first annoying stone slab, Aichi and his companions proceeded down the corridor and arrived at a spacious area.

Here, there are stairs and corridors, and the connections between the entrances that appear in the depths are completely random, intertwined in a chaotic manner, like a place built with Lego blocks. The stairs that extend from the first floor are supposed to connect to the third floor, but upon ascending, they connect to a gentle slope leading from the third floor to the first floor. Or, the stairs extending from the second floor end at a dead wall, making it extremely chaotic.

"This is indeed a place that, in a certain sense, truly has the characteristics of a labyrinth."

"...Yeah, confusing."

"Hmph, no wonder, this is the labyrinth of a thoroughly rotten guy. This clearly expresses that guy's chaotic mind!"

Shia's anger has not subsided. Aichi looks at her with a mix of surprise and sympathy, while also considering, "So, how should we proceed?"

"...Aichi. There's no way to think about it."

"Hmm, yeah. We can only mark our path and draw a map as we go."

"Um..."

Aichi nods at Yue's response. Drawing a map is the most basic thing when exploring a labyrinth. However, how to accurately draw a map of such a complex three-dimensional labyrinth is a troublesome matter, causing Aichi to frown.

The "marks" Aichi refers to are actually his innate magic, [Tracking]. This innate magic can mark places he has touched with magic, and he can track these marks. If he marks a living being, he can see the being's movement. In this case, he marks the walls and other places he passes. The marks are visible, so Yue and Shia can see them. Since the magic is directly attached to objects, there is no need to worry about the [Decomposition Effect].

Aichi quickly marks the nearest right corridor from the entrance and proceeds.

The corridor is about two meters wide, constructed like a brick building, made of countless blocks. The walls emit a faint light, so visibility is not a problem. The light is a pale blue, different from the green light stones.

Aichi tried to use [Mineral Identification] on it, and the result was [Phosphorite]. It seems to have the property of emitting light when it comes into contact with air. The initial room may have been treated in some way, so it did not emit light at first. This place evokes the impression of the cave of flying stones in Laputa. (Note: Laputa is the Castle in the Sky; those who haven't seen this masterpiece should go and watch it immediately.) In that place, there was also an old man who could hear the voice of the stones. However, this phosphorite does not seem to stop emitting light after coming into contact with air.

Aichi, with the image of a famous Japanese animation in his mind, continues to move forward in the long corridor. Suddenly, as Aichi's foot steps on a floor tile,

Click

This sound echoes in the corridor. Aichi and his companions exclaim, "Huh?" and look down at their feet.

At this moment,

Shiaaaaaaaa!

Accompanied by the sound of metal grinding, large circular saw blades with sharp teeth emerge from the gaps between the bricks on the walls, spinning and vibrating at high speed. The blade from the right wall aims for the neck, and the one from the left wall aims for the waist, cutting horizontally from the front.

"Dodge!"

Aichi shouts this instantaneously, and like a certain protagonist in The Matrix, he leans back to avoid the two vicious spinning blades. Yue, being small, simply crouches to avoid them. Shia also manages to avoid them. From behind, a shaky voice, "Hawawa, hawawawa," can be heard. It is not a sound of pain, so Aichi assumes Shia is not injured. In fact, it was quite close; the tip of her rabbit ears was cut off... but it should be fine.

The two spinning blades, filled with malice and intent to kill, pass by Aichi and his companions and disappear back into the walls as if nothing happened. Aichi remains on guard for a second wave and carefully looks around. It seems the attack is over for now. Aichi lets out a sigh and turns to look back, but he feels a sudden chill.

His instincts tell him to run, and he quickly retrieves Yue and Shia, then leaps forward with great momentum. Immediately, from where they were just standing, countless guillotine-like blades shoot down from the ceiling, slicing the floor like butter. Indeed, like the circular saws earlier, these are high-frequency vibrating blades.

Aichi looks at the high-frequency vibrating blade that landed a few centimeters from his feet, cold sweat pouring down his back. Yue and Shia are also stiff.

"...A completely physical trap. The magic eye couldn't detect it."

The reason Aichi easily fell into the trap is that he was focused on magical traps. Most of the traps they have encountered so far have been magical. For magical traps, Aichi's magic eye can see through them all. Therefore, he had the preconceived notion that if his magic eye didn't react, there was no problem. In short, he was overly confident in his own abilities.

"Hauu~, I almost died~. By the way, Mr. Aichi! You could have blocked that level of saw blade! What's the point of having a prosthetic arm if you can't do that!"

"Ah, don't you think it's quite sharp? Even if it doesn't cut, it would leave a gash. We can't use Adamantine right now."

"Gash... Which is more important, my equipment or me!"

"...Well, at least we're safe. That's good, right?"

"Wh-Why won't you answer directly! Are you lying? I'm more important, right? Hey?"

Aichi tries to brush it off, but Shia questions him with a persistent attitude. Yue verbally abuses her in response.

"...You leaky rabbit. You almost died because you're immature."

"Leaky... Take that back! Miss Yue! That's too disgraceful no matter how you look at it!"

Shia strongly protests against the new, disgraceful nickname added to her "rabbit" series. Since entering this great labyrinth, Shia has been in life-threatening situations twice in a short time, yet she remains surprisingly spirited. Indeed, her greatest strength is her indomitable spirit. Of course, she would never admit it.

As Shia says, Aichi, faced with a complete ambush, instinctively chose to dodge. If it were him, he could have stopped the saw blades with a gun or his prosthetic arm. His coat is made from the skin of a monster, providing immense defensive power, and under it, he has armor protecting vital areas, so death is impossible.

However, the trap's power, if intended to kill humans, is clearly excessive. Ordinary armor would be easily shredded even without the saw blades. If Aichi didn't have weapons and armor made from the minerals of Narak, his only option would have been to dodge.

"But if it's just that level, it should be fine... probably."

Aichi thinks to himself while glancing at Shia, who is arguing with Yue. No matter how powerful, a physical trap cannot kill Aichi. And Yue has [Auto Regeneration], so she won't die even if she falls into a trap. In that case... the only one in danger is Shia. Although she may not realize it, Shia's stress has already reached its limit.

"Eh...? Mr. Aichi, why are you looking at me with such a pitiful expression..."

"Stay strong, Shia..."

"Eh, eh? What's this sudden feeling? Why do I have a bad premonition..."

～～～～～～～

Aichi and his companions proceed deeper, being cautious of traps.

So far, no monsters have appeared. If this labyrinth is considered to have no monsters, it might be overly optimistic. It could be that this type of trap suddenly appears.

A space appears ahead in the corridor. This room has three paths leading deeper. They mark it and choose the leftmost staircase leading down.

"Uu, I have a bad feeling... Look, my rabbit ears are twitching..."

Halfway down the stairs, Shia suddenly says this. As she says, her rabbit ears stand up and move slowly from side to side.

"You, you're raising a strange flag. After saying something like that, it usually follows with 'click'... See!"

"It's not because I said it~!"

"!? ...Waaaaaah"

Aichi's words are cut off as the dreaded sound rings out. The stairs fold and disappear, turning into a steep slope. And the slope is thoughtfully equipped with countless small holes, from which a tar-like lubricant gushes out.

"Whoa! This is!"

After the stairs disappear, Aichi falls but immediately uses the alchemically enhanced rivets embedded in his boots to grip the floor. The tips of his prosthetic arm also extend rivets to grip the wall and prevent sliding. Yue, while sliding, flies towards Aichi. Aichi understands her intention and immediately stabilizes his feet. Truly, Aichi and Yue work in perfect harmony.

However, one person cannot achieve such coordination. It is, of course, Shia.

"UuQ~!?"

After the stairs disappear, Shia falls backward and lets out a cry, hitting her head on the ground. As she writhes in pain, she slides down, her body covered in the liquid. She slides towards Aichi with her legs spread in an M-shape.

"Whoa!?"

The impact causes the rivets on his prosthetic arm to break, and Aichi, holding Yue with his right hand, falls backward. The rivets on his feet also break, and he slides down the slope headfirst. Shia is on top of him, facing the opposite direction.

"You! Stupid rabbit! Get off!"

"Trying~ but my body won't move~"

The speed of their slide increases. Aichi tries to use the rivets on his boots or prosthetic arm to grip the protrusions on the ground, but the speed is too high, and the rivets cannot hold. Aichi then tries to alchemically modify the slope, but the labyrinth's strong decomposition effect prevents it.

While Aichi is struggling, Shia finally sits up, riding on Aichi's back.

"Hammer Dorugen's stake!"

Aichi gives Shia an instruction. Dorugen, the large hammer Shia carries, has several mechanisms, one of which is a stake that protrudes from the flat head. This is designed to increase penetration power and can be used to stop their slide by driving it into the ground.

"Yes, leave it to—! Mr. Aichi! The road!"

Shia pulls Dorugen from the hammer case on her back and spins it in her hand. Then, she sees something ahead that makes her voice anxious.

Aichi immediately understands. Sliding like this, they will definitely be thrown out somewhere.

"Damn! Yue!"

"Uh!"

Aichi immediately calls Yue's name. Just by doing so, Yue correctly reads Aichi's intention.

"Shia, hold on tight!"

"Yes, yes!"

Shia tightly hugs Aichi like riding a horse.

Finally, they reach the end of the slope and are thrown into the air. For a moment, they experience weightlessness, and Yue activates her magic during this gap.

"[Levitation]!"

A wind-based beginner magic. It creates a strong updraft to increase jumping power. Skilled users can even simulate flight. However, this place is a no-magic zone. Yue's magic only lasts a few seconds, allowing Aichi and his companions to float temporarily.

"Enough."

Aichi's praise rings out. Indeed, for Aichi, being able to briefly confirm their surroundings after being thrown out is sufficient. Yue beautifully responds to his expectations.

Aichi holds Yue with his right hand and Shia with his neck, then raises his prosthetic arm towards the ceiling. He channels magic...

Snap!

With this sound, a hook attached to a thin steel cable shoots out from the inner wrist of his prosthetic arm, piercing the ceiling wall and firmly anchoring itself.

Aichi and his companions are now hanging from the ceiling by a steel cable. Confirming that the anchor is secure, they all let out a sigh of relief.

Then, they all unconsciously look down and feel quite regretful.

Click, click, click, whirr, whirr, whirr, click, click, click

Numerous scorpions, each about ten centimeters long, make a noisy sound below. While not as terrifying as the Scorpion Monster they once faced, they are physiologically repulsive. If not for the anchor, they would have fallen into this sea of scorpions, causing goosebumps to rise all over their bodies.

"..."

The three remain silent. They avoid looking down and instead turn their gaze to the ceiling. There, they notice glowing words on the ceiling. They subconsciously read them.

[They do not have lethal venom]

[But they will paralyze you]

[These cute little ones will keep you company, so enjoy~ hahaha!!]

The phosphorite is intentionally concentrated, making the words stand out in