"Damn, I've got a long way to go... Haaah, well, guess I gotta grind it up just like the good ol' RPG days." Axel muttered, staring at his almost entirely single-digit stats displayed on the system interface. The reality of his current weakness weighed on him, and he could already imagine the grueling process it would take to grow stronger, even with the system's help.
Letting out a resigned sigh, he stretched his stiff limbs. "Hoooah... hey, system, give me an alert if something happens. I gotta doze off for a bit." The exhaustion that had built up during the trial finally caught up to him. While he wasn't physically injured, the mental toll of setting traps, fighting goblins and a troll, and adjusting to this strange new world had left him drained. Without another thought, he leaned against the chamber wall and closed his eyes, drifting off into a dreamless sleep.
---
After resting for what felt like hours, Axel woke up feeling slightly more refreshed. As he sat up, his eyes scanned the chamber again, noticing subtle changes he hadn't seen before. The once dull walls now glowed faintly with a reddish hue, intricate carvings and runes etched into their surfaces. The air itself felt charged, as if the labyrinth had come alive.
At the center of the chamber, a pedestal had risen from the floor, holding his labyrinth's core. The object pulsed softly with a steady rhythm, exuding a strange yet mesmerizing aura. Curious, Axel reached out and touched it, and a translucent map materialized before him. It displayed the labyrinth's layout—a simple design with five empty rooms connected in a straight line, all leading to the core chamber.
[As the core room of the labyrinth, you are able to see and modify the layout of the labyrinth. The core will also alert you of any intruders. Currently, the labyrinth has five empty rooms excluding the core chamber. The number of rooms will increase as the labyrinth levels up.]
"And how do I level it up?" Axel asked, his gaze fixed on the glowing map.
[The labyrinth can level up in two ways: feeding the core various resources or defeating invaders who enter the labyrinth.]
"Hmm, speaking of invaders," Axel said, frowning. "Can they enter my labyrinth now? I haven't set up any traps or defenses yet."
[Worry not, Master Axel. The labyrinth will not open itself to outsiders until you are ready. Instead of a permanent gate, there will be a teleportation device linked to a location outside the labyrinth. Invaders must activate this device to enter.]
"That's a relief... Wait, teleportation?" Axel raised an eyebrow. "What kind of labyrinth doesn't have a proper entrance?"
[Labyrinths in this world differ from traditional dungeons. Teleportation devices allow for greater control over entry points, ensuring no one stumbles in unintentionally. Additionally, the labyrinth operates in two modes: Pacifist and Bellicist.]
"Pacifist and Bellicist modes? What's the deal with that?" Axel asked, crossing his arms.
[Pacifist mode prevents invaders from dying within the labyrinth. If an invader is on the verge of death, they will be transported outside. However, to discourage exploitation, invaders who trigger this safeguard will be barred from re-entering the labyrinth for a set cooldown period.]
"And Bellicist mode?"
[In contrast, Bellicist mode is designed for lethal encounters. Invaders can die within the labyrinth, and traps and monsters will act with greater aggression and lethality.]
"Why the hell would I use Pacifist mode? Isn't the point to punish anyone who dares step into my labyrinth?" Axel asked, baffled.
[To understand, you must first learn about Aetherium's inhabitants, particularly the adventurers.]
The system continued its explanation:
[Adventurers make up the majority of Aetherium's population. Humans, elves, dwarves, fishmen—most of them choose this profession due to the abundant presence of Aether. The high concentration of Aether causes monsters and magical beasts to spawn and mutate, creating a constant need for adventurers to clear these threats. While many lose their lives in the process, others gain strength, wealth, and fame, inspiring countless others to follow in their footsteps.]
Axel nodded slowly, recalling stories from RPGs where adventurers ventured into dangerous territories for riches and glory. "So, adventurers are basically the lifeblood of this world, huh?"
[Correct. Over time, some adventurers successfully conquered labyrinths, claiming their cores and becoming labyrinth masters. These masters discovered the core's ability to generate resources, attracting more adventurers to invade in hopes of acquiring these treasures.]
The system paused before continuing.
[Labyrinth masters responded differently to this constant intrusion. Some chose to kill invaders, looting their corpses to increase their own resources. However, many masters recognized the value of cooperation. They set up trials within their labyrinths, offering rewards to invaders who proved themselves worthy. These trials not only provided a steady flow of resources but also earned respect and alliances with the adventurer community.]
"So, that's why there's a peace mode," Axel muttered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
[Indeed. Labyrinth masters who use Pacifist mode are often seen as respected figures, fostering cooperation with adventurers to combat the growing threat of monster swarms. In contrast, those who operate in Bellicist mode are viewed as selfish and infamous, prioritizing their own gains over the greater good.]
Axel leaned back against the wall, letting the information sink in. "So, I can either be the nice guy who hands out rewards or the greedy bastard who kills anyone dumb enough to invade."
[The choice is yours, Master Axel. Each path comes with its own risks and rewards. Choose wisely.]