The walls glowed softly with an ethereal light, casting long shadows that danced with every step.
It was as if the very essence of the labyrinth was responding to our presence, guiding us forward with an unseen hand.
Claudia glanced at me, her eyes reflecting a mixture of anticipation and curiosity. "Do you think we're getting closer to the heart of this place?" she wondered aloud.
Kazuki nodded, his gaze fixed ahead. "I guess so as I can tell, the place changed from a dark and empty hall into a futuristic place. We're getting close, let's keep going further."
Claudia and I ventured further into the futuristic expanse of the 125th Floor until we finally reached our destination.
Before us lay an abandoned research facility concealed underground. The entrance to the birthplace and construction site of the ancient futuristic technology stood right in front of us.
I tightened my grip, readying myself for any potential threat that might confront us. However, as we stepped inside, an eerie silence enveloped the surroundings.
The quietness within the facility heightened my senses, every football echoing with a sense of anticipation.
I wandered around the facility, investigating the entire place. As I moved through a strange room, my gaze caught something that was glowing inside a container box.
It was concealed from the naked eye of a man, hidden away in a way that suggested its importance.
Intrigued, I approached the container, my step cautious. The glow emanating from within cast an ethereal light on the room's walls, creating an otherworldly ambiance.
As I got closer, I noticed intricate symbols etched onto the surface of the container, symbols that seemed to pulse with energy.
I let my curiosity get the best of me. Without hesitation , I opened the container box and took a good look at the mysterious relic left behind a centuries ago.
As I peered into the container a sense of wonder and intrigue washed over me. The relic within was unlike anything I had ever seen before.
It exudes an aura of ancient power, and the way it shimmered in the soft light made it seem almost alive.
It was a sword, but not just an ordinary sword forged with basic elements and materials. It turned out to be quite different from what I had expected.
The design of the sword was unmistakably that of a Japanese sword, with its own unique characteristics.
The length of the sword was approximately 65 to 70 inches long, or 165 cm to 178 cm long. The blade was curved and single-edged, adhering to the traditional design of a Japanese katana.
The sword itself possessed lightning-based physical techniques that synergized seamlessly with its wielder.
As the wielder progressed and advanced in their level of skill, the sword had a remarkable ability to adapt to the growing power of its wielder.
It was as if the sword possessed a consciousness of its own, an essence that allowed it to synchronise and harmonise its abilities with those of its wielder.
As I gazed at the sword, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. It wasn't just its physical attributes that intrigued me, but the energy it exuded.
The sword seemed to emit a faint aura, crackling with the energy of lightning.
It hovered slightly above its resting place as if it were eager to be wielded by someone who could harness its immense power.
"What a majestic sword," I exclaimed in awe.
Without hesitation, I extended my hand and carefully wrapped my fingers around the hilt of the sword.
As I did so, a sudden sharp sting coursed through my hand. Despite the unexpected sensation, I tightened my grip and pulled the sword away from the container.
However, the moment the sword left its resting place, an intense surge of electricity surged through my body.
The pain was excruciating, an agonising torment that seemed to stretch on for minutes. Yet, even in the midst of the searing pain, I gritted my teeth and endured, refusing to let go.
After enduring the excruciating pain for what felt like an eternity, the sword remained firmly attached to the palm of my hand.
With sheer determination, I raised the sword high above me, and in response, a massive surge of energy began emitting from the sword.
Lightning strikes danced and flickered around the scabbard, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle that illuminated the room with each electrifying burst.
My grip remained unyielding, and the connection between me and the sword felt stronger than ever as I harnessed its incredible power.
Claudia rushed into the room where I had entered, her eyes widening as she witnessed the emitted energy releasing from the sword.
She instinctively knew that something profound had taken place, a connection between me and the sword that defied explanation.
Her expression was a mix of concern and curiosity as she took in the electrifying display before her.
"Kazuki-kun? Are you alright?" Claudia's voice carried a note of worry.
"I'm okay," I reassured her, my voice tinged with awe. "It's just that the sword has become a vessel for me. It's attached to me and emitting such power that I cannot comprehend."
Claudia's gaze shifted between me and the sword, her concern deepening. She stepped closer, her presence a reassuring anchor amidst the swirling currents of energy.
"The sword seems to have chosen you," she mused, her eyes filled with a mix of fascination and understanding. "Its power resonates with you on a profound level."
I nodded, my focus still on the sword the incredible energy it radiated.
The connection I felt was unlike anything I had experienced before, a merging of forces that transcended the boundaries of the physical world.
A moment later, I took the sword from the experimental room inside the research facility, but the discovery wasn't complete yet.
We continued to search and investigate all the projects and prototypes works that had been invented centuries ago.
We combed through the dusty shelves and forgotten corners of the facility, unearthing forgotten blueprints and relics of a bygone era.
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as we pieced together remnants of the past, each discovery shedding light on the remarkable ingenuity that had once thrived within these walls.
As I witnessed an abandoned armoury, my eyes fell upon an unearthly weapon. I believed this, too, to be a creation of the Ko'olqurea project
It appeared that this place had served as an industrial ground for producing weapons like the one before me.
The weapon was a scythe, two of them chained with one after another. As I took a closer look at it, I saw it glowing with an immense light, the same light I had seen when engaging with Darniqtia.
Claudia and I witnessed the magnificent weapon together. Without hesitation, I told Claudia that she could acquire the weapon for herself, granting her the power it held.
Claudia's eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and contemplation.
She gazed at the scythe, the radiance of its energy reflecting in her eyes. "Are you sure, Kazuki? This weapon is none other than the ones we have on the surface."
I nodded, understanding the weight of her concern. "We'll give it a try, why don't we?"
Claudia's fingers gently brushed against the scythe's surface, and a spark of light danced between her touch and the weapon. "If I take this, I want to use it to protect, not to harm."
Having acquired the wondrous weapons forged by the advanced technology of the ancient Ko'olqurea project, Claudia and I embarked on our journey out of the Ravensfield Labyrinth.
It wasn't long before we stumbled upon a peculiar pod, its design resembling that of a teleporter. Fueled by curiosity, we approached the pod and waited in anticipation.
After a tense moment, the telporter's machine sprang to life, releasing a cascade of plasma particles.
We stood there for a few minutes, feeling the energy shift around us and before we knew it, we found ourselves back to the surface.
Empire of Heisen.
Metropolis Capital of Alteria.
As we materialised after the teleportation, the first realisation that dawned on us was that the location was far from the lively town of Ravensfield.
Without a doubt, we had found ourselves at the outskirts of the sprawling metropolis capital, Alteria.
***
Weeks had passed since our triumphant victory within the Ravensfield Labyrinth.
During this time, I had become the bearer of the Samurai sword, its strength mirroring my performance in battle.
This meant that as I improved my skills and honed my abilities, the sword too grew in power.
Claudia and I took the opportunity to explore the bustling metropolis of Alteria, settling into our new surroundings.
We were cautious, however, to keep our true strength hidden from the public eye.
The city's guardsmen had grown suspicious of us since our arrival, prompting us to adopt disguises.
Wearing concealing cloaks, Claudia and I worked to obscure both our appearances and intentions within the city.
"They're so many people here," Claudia remarked, her voice filled with a mix of awe and amazement.
I nodded in agreement, a slight smile on my lips. "Yes, because we are in a well-developed urban city.
Of course, there are so many people here. In fact, this is my first time visiting the city without the Emperor's men escorting us."