Labyrinth Exploration: The Forbidden Abyss and Its Treasures
A Secretive Invitation
Li Ran and Darkmoon Dragon Princess had long established themselves in Alva City, earning a reputation far beyond that of ordinary adventurers. As S-rank adventurers, their skills and influence made them ideal candidates for high-stakes missions.
This time, they were approached by Regnas, the Guild Master of the Adventurers' Guild, with an offer they couldn't refuse—a top-secret exploration mission within one of the most heavily restricted dungeons in the land.
The labyrinth was known as The Forbidden Abyss, a mysterious ruin that housed treasure chests containing magic stones—precious resources sought after by entire nations. These stones held as much strategic importance as Mythril Steel, the rare metal mined in the royal capital, Carosso, or the FireStones harvested in the Yanling nation.
Due to their immense value, the Forbidden Abyss was under the joint jurisdiction of both the state and the Adventurers' Guild. Any exploration had to remain highly classified, and only the most trustworthy individuals were permitted entry.
But even reaching an agreement to explore the labyrinth was a bureaucratic nightmare. The kingdom's strict regulations, coupled with endless approvals and security measures, made the entire process unbearably slow.
To make this mission possible, Regnas had used every bit of his influence to persuade both Lord Casalain, the governor of Alva City, and Duke Kadar, the kingdom's finance minister.
Duke Kadar, a greedy noble obsessed with wealth, was particularly eager to capitalize on the magic stone deposits within the labyrinth, pushing hard for its development to maximize his own profits.
With the approval secured, the mission was officially set in motion.
A Meeting with the Guild Master
Li Ran and Darkmoon Dragon Princess found themselves once again summoned to the Adventurers' Guild office, where Regnas wasted no time in delivering yet another lengthy speech about the privileges of being an S-rank adventurer.
"As an S-rank adventurer, you're entitled to exclusive access to top-tier intelligence, high-ranking missions, and national-level assignments. This isn't something just anyone can—"
Darkmoon Dragon Princess, seated across from him, gave him a cold, sharp glance and interrupted,
"Get to the point."
Regnas cleared his throat awkwardly before finally getting to business.
"The Forbidden Abyss Exploration Mission. This is a rare opportunity."
He explained that this was one of the most significant breakthroughs in years, as this mission would not only expand the depths of the labyrinth but also provide the Guild with newfound resources and political influence.
Li Ran's eyes immediately lit up with excitement.
"A dungeon expedition? Count me in!"
His instant agreement left Regnas speechless for a moment. He let out a sigh and muttered,
"And here I was preparing to give a full speech to convince you… what a waste of effort."
With a resigned chuckle, Regnas unfurled a detailed map of the labyrinth, pointing to its current exploration progress.
"The Guild has only managed to map out the first three floors, but anything beyond that remains uncharted territory. Even within the first three levels, there are unsearched areas that remain unexplored."
"Additionally," Regnas continued, "you won't be going in alone. You'll be accompanied by a specialist—someone perfect for mapping and navigation."
At his words, a small-statured figure entered the room.
The Master Cartographer – A Halfling's Gift
"This is Neo, a halfling cartographer," Regnas introduced.
Neo was a short and agile man, wearing a pair of round glasses, giving him a sharp yet mischievous look. His small stature allowed him to slip into tight spaces, making him an ideal dungeon scout.
"Cartography is my specialty," Neo said, adjusting his glasses with a smug grin. "I'll be handling the mapping of the dungeon, and if we run into trouble, my first priority is survival. So, don't expect me to fight—I leave that to you two."
Li Ran raised an eyebrow. "That's… refreshingly honest."
Neo laughed. "When you spend your days crawling through ruins, you learn that staying alive is the first rule of success."
With their team now assembled, Li Ran and Darkmoon Dragon Princess spent the rest of the day preparing supplies for the expedition.
Their descent into the Forbidden Abyss was about to begin.
The First Floor – Slimes and Goblins
The next day, the trio gathered at the designated entrance, where they exchanged brief greetings before stepping into the dark, ancient labyrinth.
The first floor was relatively straightforward, occupied mainly by Slimes and Goblins. For ordinary adventurers, these creatures posed a significant challenge.
But for Li Ran and Darkmoon Dragon Princess, they were no more than pests.
As they advanced through the unmapped areas, they eventually stumbled upon a massive chamber, filled with adventurer corpses scattered across the ground.
At the center of it all was a monstrous entity—an enormous Slime, its gelatinous body pulsating with dark energy.
Darkmoon Dragon Princess narrowed her eyes.
"This isn't an ordinary Slime. It's far stronger than expected."
Without hesitation, battle erupted.
The Battle Against the Giant Slime: Shadows and Steel
The battlefield reeked of acid and raw magical energy. The Giant Slime loomed before them, its gelatinous form pulsing with malevolent energy, shifting erratically as it sensed the threat before it.
With a flick of her wrist, Darkmoon Dragon Princess invoked "Moonlight Barrier"—a shimmering veil of pale silver light descended upon the field. The arcane radiance blurred the Slime's senses, dampening its reaction time as if reality itself had grown sluggish.
The creature trembled, momentarily disoriented, but its primal survival instinct lashed out. A sickly green glow rippled through its form before it unleashed "Corrosive Ooze", spewing acidic sludge in all directions. The very ground beneath them hissed and melted, turning into a bubbling swamp of toxic destruction.
Striking the Core
Li Ran wasted no time. With a single step, he vanished into a spatial fold, reappearing directly above the Giant Slime.
With a calculated swing of his Severance Blade, he executed "Dimensional Rift Slash", a technique that cleaved through dimensions, bisecting the Slime's core in a single fluid motion. A fissure of void energy surged through the air, momentarily splitting the Slime into two grotesque halves.
For an instant, it seemed as if the battle was won.
But then, the Slime shuddered violently—its cleaved body rippled, convulsed, and mended itself in mere seconds, reforming as if time had reversed.
The Claws of Shadow and the Slime's Counterattack
Darkmoon Dragon Princess narrowed her crimson eyes.
If cutting its body apart wouldn't work, then she would target its core directly. Her fingertips darkened, elongated into razor-sharp talons of condensed void energy—"Moonshadow Claws".
With inhuman agility, she darted through the shadows, appearing beside the Slime's undulating form, and plunged her claws straight toward its magic core.
The Slime convulsed in response, reacting purely on instinct.
It launched itself into the air, its entire body expanding grotesquely before snapping downward like a fist of gelatinous doom.
This was "Elastic Crash", a technique meant to crush and engulf its prey in one swift motion.
Li Ran's instincts flared.
In a flash, he twisted his body, slipping just past the Slime's enormous mass, the shockwave from its impact sending debris flying in all directions. The ground beneath it caved in from the sheer force.
The Critical Blow: Severing Immortality
"This thing's regeneration is a nuisance," Li Ran muttered, narrowing his burning eyes.
Without hesitation, he activated "Spatial Fracture", his blade humming with reality-breaking energy.
The very fabric of space warped around the Slime, and with a downward arc of his sword, a rupture formed—cutting off its connection to its regenerative magic.
The effect was immediate.
The Slime's once-fluid form jerked unnaturally, faltering as the magic that once sustained its endless healing was completely severed.
Darkmoon Dragon Princess seized the moment.
With a single breath, she whispered:
"Shadow Devour."
The battlefield darkened as swirling black tendrils surged forward, encasing the Slime in an abyssal cocoon. The inky shadows sank into its form, suppressing its magic circuits, preventing it from calling upon any remaining power.
The Slime quivered, its once-unfathomable resilience failing for the first time.
Li Ran and Darkmoon Dragon Princess exchanged a glance.
It was time to end this.
Dark energy spiraled around her outstretched hands, while Li Ran's blade became wreathed in searing crimson flames.
Their energies intertwined, forming a singularity of destruction and oblivion.
Together, they unleashed "Endbringer's Strike"—a devastating fusion of shadow and severance.
The air shattered.
A blinding, burning arc of destruction ripped through the battlefield, piercing through the Slime's core with absolute finality.
For a moment, all was still.
Then—
The Slime's massive form collapsed inward, its magic unraveling.
With one final gurgling cry, it dissipated into nothingness, leaving behind only a flickering trail of dissolving magical residue.
Li Ran exhaled, flicking the remaining magical essence off his blade.
Darkmoon Dragon Princess let out a quiet smirk.
"A fitting end."
The battlefield, once filled with the sounds of combat, now stood eerily silent.
The hunt was over.
With the battle over, Neo swiftly completed the first floor's map, noting down every corridor, hidden passage, and potential hazards.
As the trio caught their breath, Li Ran looked toward the looming staircase leading deeper into the abyss.
"This is just the beginning…" Darkmoon Dragon Princess murmured, gazing into the depths of the dungeon.
Their exploration had only just begun, and the secrets of the Forbidden Abyss awaited.