"Ugh... Where am I?"
As I slowly opened my eyes, I found myself in an unfamiliar place.
It was dimly lit, allowing me to make out some details of my surroundings.
Turning my head, I squinted my eyes and reached out to touch the wall.
"...Rocks?"
The rough texture under my fingers gave me a hint of where I might be.
"Am I inside some sort of cave? How did I end up here...?" I gently massaged my temples as I tried to recall what had happened.
First, there was the date with Solis... I remember kissing her, and then she pushed me away. At that very moment, my chest had started glowing after she uttered the words, "just die"...
Could it be that she... killed me!!?
Slap-!
Slapping my cheeks gently to snap myself out of any lingering disorientation, I inhaled deeply, allowing the musty scent of the rocky surroundings to fill my senses. It was essential to maintain a sense of calm in this bewildering situation.
"Let's not panic," I murmured to myself, emphasizing the need for composure. As I collected my thoughts, I began to assess my surroundings more carefully, my eyes adjusting to the dim light.
The cave I found myself in appeared ancient, with jagged rocks protruding from the walls and a dampness that hung in the air. The ambient light was faint, seeping in from what seemed to be a small opening further ahead. I couldn't help but wonder how I had ended up here, my mind retracing the moments that led me to this mysterious place.
"There's a light?"
With cautious steps, I ventured deeper into the cave, guided by the faint light. My curiosity outweighed any fear I felt, pushing me to unravel the mystery of this place.
Upon reaching the source of the light, I find myself speechless from what I was seeing.
It was a panel.
"What is it doing here...?"
The panel was unlike anything I had ever seen before. It stood there, embedded into the rocky wall of the cave, shimmering with an otherworldly luminescence. Intricate patterns and symbols adorned its surface, some of which looked eerily similar to the engravings on the obsidian portal behind me.
My curiosity piqued, I extended a trembling hand toward the panel, my fingers brushing lightly against its cool, smooth surface. As I made contact, the symbols on the panel seemed to come alive, glowing with an ethereal light that pulsed in response to my touch.
=====
Welcome to the "Labyrinth of Calamity".
Within this labyrinth, each room presents a challenge that you, the user, must overcome. Your goal is to conquer the labyrinth, one room at a time, ultimately facing off against a formidable boss in each chamber.
Upon emerging victorious against these formidable foes, you will be rewarded with a choice—a choice that holds the power to alter your destiny. From the defeated bosses, you can select one unique ability that resonates with you, empowering you in new and exciting ways.
Every 5 levels of the labyrinth, a great boon awaits you. Choose one of the five bosses you've vanquished, and with your command, that boss shall make its appearance during the next "Wave of Calamity".
Thus, whenever the user want, you can LEAVE the labyrinth and come back anytime, unless you are within the Boss Monster's range.
You'll also be able to summon the Wave of Calamity at the cost of...
=====
As I stared at the panel in front of me, my expression froze.
"...Wait a god damn minute! What the heck!!? Does this system want me to destroy the world or something!?"
Just when I was about to complain to the system, a new notification appeared in front of me, floating in the air with an eerie, holographic glow. It seemed like the system had something to say in response to my outburst.
=====
The unique aspect of the "Labyrinth of Calamity" lies in the control it grants over one of the chosen boss you've defeated. Not only do you earn their unique abilities, but you also gain the power to command them at will. With a single command, you can unleash the destructive might of these bosses, directing them to wreak havoc on cities or aid you in your battles.
During each subsequent "Wave of Calamity," you can call upon these boss allies, providing you with a potent arsenal to face the challenges that arise. Your control over them allows you to strategically deploy them as needed—whether it's to target other bosses, assist in your battles, or simply cause chaos. The choice is yours, and your control over these bosses becomes a valuable resource in your arsenal.
Furthermore, as you progress deeper into the labyrinth, your collection of pet bosses grows. For every five rooms you conquer, a new pet boss joins your ranks, adding to your pool of allies. During the "Wave of Calamity," you can summon these pet bosses as well, stacking your forces for greater impact.
However, heed this crucial caveat: summoning your pet bosses outside the "Wave of Calamity" timeframe could result in their abilities being significantly weakened—a state known as a "nerfed status."
That's all.
User, please take care!
=====
The words on the notification sent a shiver down my spine. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on me.
I had entered a place of great significance, a place tied to the fate of the world itself.
"In a place that was never mentioned in the novel..."
I couldn't help but marvel at the extraordinary nature of my circumstances. I mean, I was venturing into uncharted territory, where the rules were uncertain and the dangers unknown.
"This is scary, but... At the same time."
Despite the fear that threatened to grip me, a spark of excitement ignited within. The prospect of newfound power, unexplored mysteries, and unforeseen challenges I'll take stirred something adventurous in my heart.
"Holy sh*t, I'm going to be overpowered!"
I couldn't contain my enthusiasm. The potential for growth and discovery in this uncharted realm filled me with a sense of determination and anticipation.
"...Hmm?"
I turned my attention back to the panel again and read a certain part.
"I see... So a month here is equivalent to a week outside, huh."
I've never been actually good with mathematical numbers, but I did score average.
"I should probably stay here for about four days... If I stayed more than that, I'm sure those four will start to get worried."
Now that I thought about it, I wonder how Solis has been doing...?
I hope she doesn't try anything stupid while I'm away.
Cracking my knuckles, I drew my sword from its scabbard and slashed it through the air.
"It's been a while since I've seen you..."
Staring at the blade, I ran my fingers across its surface and grinned.
"Let's head to training, shall we?"
•••••
ANNOUNCEMENT.
First of all, thank you guys for reading this far. This will be the last chapter of the first volume.
I've been experiencing the so-called "Writer's block" lately. Thankfully, I managed to complete this volume without having much problem on the way.
Because of the Writer's block, I decided to take a break on writing this novel.
Also, it would really help me a lot if you guys can give this novel a review if possible....
Secondly, to avoid any future misunderstanding like the current relationship between Saber and Seraphina, I'll refrain from answering some questions that'll spoil anything... Apologies, but I'm already tired of giving explanations.
Last, but not the least, I'll change the name of this novel after a couple of days.
It'll be later called as "I'll Be The Hero That I Want To Be".