Chapter 41: The Third Layer of the Labyrinth
Entering the labyrinth, we headed towards the depths of the third layer, where we had squeezed out MP yesterday and prepared clay walls.
Using Laruk's "detection" and my "map" to the fullest, we were aware that there were no monsters along the way. So we proceeded quickly from the beginning, but it was still a journey of over 3 kilometers from the entrance of the labyrinth. There were some ups and downs, walking through the dark caves, and there were places where we had to descend with ropes, so it took about an hour and a half.
We took a short break along the way to have some provisions, but it took nearly three hours since we left the town. It becomes increasingly difficult as we descend to the lower layers.
Yesterday, before sealing the walls, I investigated and found that there were only two lateral caves that seemed to become nests for monsters ahead. And they should lead to the barrier of the labyrinth's master.
Beyond the walls, there are likely beings who have sensed our approach, and there is a presence wriggling around. However, in a sense, it is easier than being holed up in a lateral cave.
Reconfirming the strategy, today we will first create two large shields made of hardened ceramics.
They are just heavy enough for me and Greon to carry. Other members also have peepholes so they can shoot arrows.
Using this as a mobile fortification is the basic style for today.
"There are about 30 skeletons and 20 ghouls. There are still a few zombies, but there is no sign of an undead lord for now."
At first, it seemed like the undead on the third layer would never run out, but it seems that the remaining numbers have significantly decreased.
We nodded at each other in response to Laruk's report, and as a signal, we dispelled the clay walls.
At the same time, Beth unleashed a barrage of flame magic.
The skeletons gathered on the other side of the wall, and the ones in the front were bisected by the line of fire, while the ones in the back, saved by their companions, nocked arrows to shoot. However, since we decided when to dispel the clay walls, there was a delay of a few seconds.
By the time the skeletons' arrows reached us, Beth was already hiding behind my shield.
Then, Laruk, Kareena, Cecily, and Lina aimed their arrows through the peepholes of the shields, aiming for the ghouls following behind the skeletons.
The skeletons, either considering that the arrows were being blocked or wielding rusty swords and axes, started to advance.
From the peepholes, Ves chanted, "Paralyze!" and unleashed a newly learned spell. But...
"It doesn't work."
Apparently, this kind of magic has no effect on the undead. However, it seems that Beth used it partly as an experiment, so the result was within expectations.
Without wasting any time, she unleashed another barrage of flames.
Several approaching undead were mowed down.
Nevertheless, I have no fear of the undead. More than ten fast-paced skeletons are still chasing us, followed by hordes of ghouls and zombies.
The labyrinth corridors are so narrow that only two or three people can pass through when two large shields are placed side by side.
Greon and I approach the center, making sure there are no gaps.
As we draw closer, the skeletons are now too close for arrows, and Cecily, realizing this, emerges from behind the shield. She intercepts the enemies from a position that fills the small gap between the shield's side and the wall. On the opposite side, Lina wields her sword, while Karina and Laruk support Cecily and Lina respectively.
Meanwhile, Beth continues to fend off the front group through the peephole of the shield.
It resembles the image of machine gun fire from a bunker.
After the vanguard skeletons are wiped out and the number of ghouls is reduced to less than half, we start moving forward with our shields raised.
Though it slows us down, we can proceed safely and steadily, like a rugby scrum aiming for a try.
Our destination is the side tunnels.
After eliminating the ghouls and with the last two side tunnels in sight, Laruk investigates the presence inside.
"On the left, about twenty. On the right, around fifteen. No skeletons. There's an undead lord on the left!"
Thanks to Laruk's accurate perception of the monsters we fought yesterday, we are greatly relieved.
I seal off the left tunnel, which has a larger number of enemies, with a clay wall. Then I move to the tunnel on the right, which has fewer foes.
As usual, the side tunnels are dark, with walls that don't reflect light. We use flames as makeshift lighting. To conserve Beth's MP, Lina, who has switched to the mage mode, casts the illumination spell.
If Lina's MP is being supplied by me, it would only deplete on my end. However, for some reason, even when Lina uses magic, I don't feel an immediate impact.
Since there are only about a dozen ghouls without projectile attacks, we fight them using silver arrows and swords without relying on Beth's magic. With everyone's levels increasing and the narrow space of the side tunnels not giving a significant advantage to the enemy's numbers, we manage to exterminate them without much difficulty.
After catching our breath, we head towards the remaining left tunnel.
There seems to be an undead lord here. In other words, there is a possibility that we won't be able to use magic. However, Karina has reached a level where she can chant the same "Tranquility" spell through leveling up.
So, we have sufficient chances of winning. We confirm our planned arrangement and then dispel the clay seal.
At that moment, Beth's flames, which had completed their incantation, strike. Following that, Karina completes her "Tranquility" chant.
Was the undead lord about to chant "Tranquility" as well? Or was it attempting to use an even more dangerous spell? That remains unknown.
Before that, the flames had burned more than half of the monsters, and immediately after that, the fluctuation of magical power in this place was suppressed, rendering both sides unable to use magic.
Undead Lord, who was in the center of the monsters, felt a sense of agitation. Is it an exaggeration to say "anthropomorphized"?
I shoot silver arrows at the remaining ghouls. Five of them are left. I shoot again all at once. Three ghouls and the Undead Lord remain.
The Undead Lord, faster than the ghouls, charges with a spear. He's using a spear instead of a sword. I raise my large shield and stand in front of the other members.
His spear thrusts fiercely at my shield, and I am pushed back, losing my balance, but I somehow manage to deflect the spear with my shield.
He barely parries Greon's slash with his spear.
But then, Cecily and Lina attack from the left and right. They did it.
Miasma rises from the Undead Lord's body, and his tangible form disappears, leaving only his armor and helmet.
The remaining ghouls finally approach, but Larouk and Kalena stand in their way.
I release my shield and draw my sword.
The third-floor sweep, which faced the most monsters so far, has finally come to an end.
Before returning to the main passage of the labyrinth from the side tunnel, I decided to try using my newly acquired skill upgrade from "Clay Play" called "Pocketing" using my power of name-dropping once again.
According to Lina-sensei's knowledge, this skill allows you to keep clay works that have been carefully molded instead of absorbing and losing them.
In other words, for example, if you have processed the movable parts of Lina's ceramic armor, once you absorb it, it takes time to make it again, but you can take it out whenever you want.
Actually, the ceramic armor could be stored in the adventurer's skill item box, so that's how it was done, but the large shield was too big to fit in the item box.
So, I stored it using "Pocketing".
Of course, even if I say "storage," I don't know where it disappears to. It's a mystery that there seems to be a larger item box specifically for the clay skill.
Another benefit is that the MP consumption is ultimately reduced. The MP required to recover clay is about one-tenth of what was initially used, that's how it feels.
On the other hand, things stored with "Pocketing" or in the item box don't consume MP when used again.
In any case, this way we finally arrived at the front of the barrier of the master of the floor, the deepest part of the third floor.
This labyrinth was discovered three years ago.
In theory, if we're lucky, this should be the end point of the labyrinth.