As Grey descended, he kept his gaze fixed on the target area. He noticed how a considerable part of the labyrinth seemed to thin out, becoming a less dense strip filled with crimson coral.
At the center of that area stood a gigantic tower, easily reaching 150 meters in height. Around it stretched what appeared to be a ruined city, forgotten by time.
The structures, once likely buildings, were now in ruins. Their debris was intertwined with the crimson coral that subtly covered them, almost as if trying to conceal their existence.
Farther away, at the edges of the city, six other towers could be seen, all destroyed. Though they still rose above the city's remnants, their once-imposing heights had significantly diminished over time.
It was, to say the least, a peculiar area, and that was precisely why it was Grey's target. He needed new distractions, something different. Hunting awakened creatures wasn't bad to pass the time, but that was the problem—it was too methodical and required considerable effort.
Hunting demanded planning and a lot of patience. Studying the creatures' weaknesses took time, and developing a careful strategy to take them down without drawing too much attention required even more.
Two months ago, when he had started hunting, everything was simpler. His usual prey consisted of steel spiders, predictable and abundant creatures at the time.
However, in this northern region, the number of steel spiders had noticeably dwindled, replaced by far more varied monsters, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. This complicated things, forcing him to spend more time on tedious observations and strategies.
The monotony had begun to bore him.
That was why he had decided to explore the various ruins he encountered along his way. These, the ones he was heading towards now, weren't the first he had come across. Some time ago, when he was still traveling with Sara, he had found others.
"It's not the time to reminisce. I need to hurry," he murmured, shaking off nostalgic thoughts.
His feet struck the ground with force, though he managed to soften the impact enough not to make too much noise. Mud splattered his boots and stained the surroundings, but he paid it no mind.
The air carried the distinctive smell of salt from the sea, which permeated the entire labyrinth, mixed with the stench of corpses trapped in murderous webs. It was a repulsive odor he had learned to tolerate over time.
Unpleasant, yes, but humans were incredibly adaptable, and Grey was no exception. For him, that smell had ceased to be an issue long ago.
Odyssey appeared in his hand a moment later, and Grey began running along the winding paths between the crimson coral. His steps were precise and swift, each movement carefully executed to avoid producing sounds that might alert unwanted creatures.
Within his body, the refined energy of his Aspect filled him completely, though it circulated minimally and steadily, using only what was necessary to enhance his speed and perception. He had perfected this method over time, managing to save a significant portion of his reserves and extending the time he could keep his Aspect active without compromising his vital energy.
Thanks to this, he had significantly reduced the time needed to explore the labyrinth, even allowing himself to rest until noon before setting off.
Though the labyrinth's paths were still as confusing as ever, Grey had learned to orient himself fairly easily, using the sun's position in the sky as a guide. At least he was certain he wouldn't get lost and accidentally head east.
The journey was relatively straightforward. All he needed to do was move in a straight line and, if he encountered any nightmare creature he deemed an easy target, take it down quickly without causing a commotion. If not, he simply skirted around the area, ignoring the creature altogether.
After a couple of hours, Grey deactivated his Aspect and continued running with his Dreamer physique, allowing his energies to recover. Though exhausting, he could compensate by using his Aspect's second form.
The bestial physique granted by his violent energy greatly increased his endurance, allowing him to press on without needing to stop.
"If I could make both energies work together instead of rejecting each other, it'd be a blessing," he murmured as he decapitated a grotesque centipede-like beast in a single strike.
[You have slain an Awakened Beast: Thousand Legs.]
[Your souls grow stronger.]
'Still no memories.'
Grey felt a slight disappointment at not receiving new memories, but it wasn't something that concerned him too much. After all, he already had three Ascended memories, one Transcendent, and another Awakened.
'I've got pretty powerful memories... I guess that makes up for not getting new ones.'
Shaking his head to dismiss those thoughts, he slowed his pace and hid among the corals, observing the area ahead.
As he suspected, the labyrinth's material—similar in appearance to coral but entirely unrelated—seemed to thin out significantly within this area.
There were still some scattered outcroppings rising every few meters, covering the fallen structures and streets of the ruined city. However, their presence paled compared to the labyrinth's usual density.
Grey studied the area intently for a long while, analyzing potential hidden enemies, paths leading to his target, and the best strategy to advance.
After half an hour of observation, he finally decided to enter the city.
To his right, not far away, stood the first fallen tower, a structure that seemed to watch over the city like a silent guardian. To his left, another similar tower loomed in the distance, marking a clear boundary between the profane labyrinth and the city's ruins.
"Maybe they're runic devices designed to protect this fallen city... Or perhaps simple structures built to guard it. Strange things," he thought as he passed by the first tower, running his hand along its cracked and corroded surface, worn down by time and the harsh environment.
The tower's surface was rough, with small protrusions that scraped lightly. Though for Grey, protected by his Ascended armor, it was barely noticeable.
'Curious. It doesn't resemble any metal or construction material I've seen before. Nor anything I've read about in the library. Could it be a material unique to this place?'
Leaving the tower behind, Grey ventured deeper into the city, investigating his surroundings in greater detail. Some collapsed houses still retained their basic shapes, allowing him to appreciate their design and construction.
They were cylindrical structures made of something resembling stone or marble. Their interiors were surprisingly spacious, able to comfortably house two entire families.
The streets, paved with stone, were now broken by time, leaving rubble and scattered pieces throughout the area.
However, what caught his attention the most were the murals with writings and paintings he found in the city's center. They seemed to tell an interesting story.
"But there's no time for this. I'll check it out tomorrow," he murmured, realizing the sun was beginning to set and night would soon fall.
It was time to climb the still-standing tower and find shelter for the night.
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Note: I'll try to release chapters more frequently, but no promises.
Hey, I've got a question. What's this thing about putting a fic in the top with power stones? What's the ranking or top about?
I've noticed in other fanfics that many ask for power stones to get into a top or ranking, but honestly, I have no idea what that is. Is it important? Could someone explain it to me, please? 🥹