Chapter 195-1
[Part 1/3]
The true stronghold of the Juuyaku family lay beneath the surface—a labyrinthine underground waterway shrouded in endless darkness.
Countless twisting paths sprawled not only forward and backward but also vertically, forming a three-dimensional maze. The waterways seemed to be stacked in layers, an underground network teeming with youkai and other strange aberrations. It was like an ecosystem—one born from twisted, unnatural origins.
Despite how chaotic and unrestrained the layout appeared, it was hard to believe it resulted from mere negligence. Knowing the Juuyaku family, I suspected it was deliberate.
Disposal of failed experiments and hazardous chemicals? Predictable. And it wouldn't be surprising if troublesome individuals were "discarded" here, never to resurface. Yet, beyond that, it felt like something more—a testing ground. Or perhaps... a mixing chamber.
My suspicion wasn't baseless. During my escape through this subterranean maze, I'd found undeniable signs of recent activity—footprints, scrape marks along the walls, remnants of weapons, and bones of defeated monsters. From old traces to fresh ones, it was clear that people regularly passed through. This wasn't just a dump.
What cemented my conclusion was the discovery of a safe zone—a hidden room tucked away in the maze's blind spot. It was protected by a rope imbued with youkai-sealing spells and reinforced with barrier magic. To humans, it would be nearly undetectable; a pure youkai, lacking intelligence, would instinctively avoid it. This space seemed designed for hybrids—half-human, half-youkai beings like me.
I wondered if those two... or their kind... had used this place too.
"Haa haa... There's gotta be an exit somewhere, right!?"