Chapter 131 : Chapter 131
Chapter 131 : To the Labyrinth (17)
Guardian of the Labyrinth.
It referred to a player chosen by the labyrinth, and once one became a Guardian of the Labyrinth, the player's phantom would remain in the labyrinth to welcome new visitors.
In Akiro's Labyrinth, the notorious man wearing a smiling mask was one of those Guardians of the Labyrinth and the moment one became a Guardian of the Labyrinth, whether they liked it or not, the player became a celebrity.
It meant becoming a so-called Named.
At first glance, it might seem like it would only buy grudges from players and bring nothing good, but there were separate merits to be gained as a Guardian of the Labyrinth.
A phenomenon occurring due to the distinct characteristics possessed by Akiro's Labyrinth.
Specifically, that the player acquires the experience points earned by the phantom active within the labyrinth.
From the player's perspective, it was essentially like having an avatar that performed automatic hunting for 24 hours a day.
That was why among the players of World of Justice Online, becoming a Guardian of the Labyrinth was often likened to winning a lottery.
It was a very good opportunity to secure fame and practical benefits in one go.
In fact, the man wearing a smiling mask was also a player of merely level 6 when he first became a Guardian, but thanks to the merits of being a Guardian, he subsequently grew at a tremendous speed and reached level 8 not long after.
Of course, for the explorers visiting the labyrinth, it would be the worst news since they would be looking at a phantom growing in real-time, but that was none of my business.
‘One thing I am concerned about is my identity being discovered due to the phantom but…… I probably don't need to worry about that.’
Actually, I had also taken off the mask of the man wearing a smiling mask a few times before, but every time, the inside of the mask was empty.
I didn't know if the labyrinth itself was trying to protect the Guardian's identity or if it simply couldn't read the information inside the mask when the phantom was created.
Anyway, at least if I became a Guardian while wearing a mask, there was no worry about my identity being exposed.
‘Added to that, the labyrinth breakthrough reward is also given additionally.’
As I recognized myself that I had become a Guardian of the Labyrinth, the exit of the labyrinth's 5th floor appeared before my eyes.
One of the benefits given as a Guardian.
Akiro's Labyrinth was no longer a target for conquest to me.
The fact that I had awakened as a Guardian myself meant the same as becoming one who protects this law.
“Uh, uh-uh? What? What's going on all of a sudden? Wait, isn't that the exit?”
“You can consider it a sort of privilege given to the Guardian of the Law.”
“Hmm? What's that Guardian of the Law thing about?”
“To put it simply, you can think of it as a player chosen as a phantom in the labyrinth. The man wearing a smiling mask is also one of the Guardians.”
“Ah, you mean a player-type NPC. I've heard of it. I heard that what he does is pure evil.”
“That's not wrong.”
I said.
“Let's get out now.”
“Is that really the exit? Is it just over if we leave like this?”
“Yes. If you leave, the 5th floor clear reward will be automatically provided.”
“Wow.”
Luna sighed deeply, perhaps only now realizing that it was finally over.
“Ugh, I'm going to take a bath as soon as I get out. The forest, the sandstorm, and whatever else, my body feels sticky to death.”
“Right, I agree.”
“You too, Cain? That's a bit unexpected.”
“……I am someone who has a bit of mysophobia.”
“Liar.”
Luna stuck her tongue out and laughed.
As I chatted with Luna about trivial things, the exit gradually drew closer.
My steps felt lighter at the thought that this tedious labyrinth would finally be over once we just walked out like this.
But why was it?
Even though I thought it was about time we arrived, for some reason, the exit that I felt we had almost reached did not get any closer.
‘……No. It is the exact same spot.’
For some reason, the more I moved my feet, rather than the exit getting closer, it felt like I was falling into a quagmire.
Luna also seemed to have noticed the abnormality and stopped walking.
“Cain, what is this? The exit isn't getting closer? Is it originally like this here?”
“No. Such a law does not exist on the 5th floor of Akiro's Labyrinth. It seems some kind of magic is at work.”
However, what kind of magic could it be that Luna, a spatial mage who had reached the realm of Demonic Spirit, could not properly grasp the abnormality occurring in space?
It was impossible.
‘Then is it magic that interferes with the senses themselves, not space? No…… if that were the case, the Postponer of Ruin would have blocked the mental interference.’
It was neither space nor mind.
And yet, an effect that made it seem like we were walking in the same place repeatedly…….
The conclusion drawn was simple.
‘It is not magic.’
No magic I knew of could work without Luna and me noticing at all.
Then there was only one possibility left.
‘This means that the laws within Akiro's Labyrinth themselves have partially changed.’
Then why did the laws of the labyrinth suddenly transform?
I could soon know the answer to that.
“……Wait, there is someone over there.”
Just how long had they been there?
Within the space rippling due to the labyrinth's laws, a silhouette was standing there all too naturally.
Because the surroundings were dyed in darkness, I couldn't see its appearance, but it didn't seem to be a demonic beast at least.
“Cain, stand back.”
Luna scattered fragments of space around her, fully on edge.
If an unidentified person suddenly revealed themselves, it was highly likely for an ill purpose.
I also faced it while being ready to summon my weapon at any moment.
Slide─
The shadow's gaze slowly turned this way.
Thud, thud…….
It crossed spacetime, which should have been twisted, all too easily.
As if it were the master of this law.
Only then could we see the appearance of the uninvited guest.
“What…… is that?”
Luna's face was dyed with shock.
It couldn't be helped.
Anyone would show the same reaction if they saw something that couldn't possibly be seen as human, with strange noise jamming all over its body.
“Don't come closer! If you come any closer than that, I will attack!”
Did Luna's warning work?
Or was it because of another reason?
The steps of the noise silhouette, which had been continuously approaching us, finally stopped.
The reason why neither Luna nor I could move recklessly even though such a dangerous-looking existence had approached this close was simple.
Because we felt it instinctively.
That if we attacked, we would die.
“Postponer of Ruin.”
Eventually, as a voice filled with noise flowed out, I knew that it had come to find me.
“Do you know me?”
“I do know, the one who postponed the scheduled ruin from a very long time ago.”
Luna blocked my front with a growling momentum.
“What? What are you talking about right now? If you don't get lost right now─”
“I will arrange a place for a moment.”
As the noise silhouette gestured slightly, the surrounding scenery changed completely.
A white room with nothing in it.
It was surprising that we moved like this with a single small gesture, but more than anything, there was no such space within the Akiro's Labyrinth that I knew.
“What happened to Luna?”
“She has just been moved elsewhere for a moment, so you do not need to worry.”
I didn't ask how such a thing was possible.
From the moment I saw that such a miracle was possible, I had vaguely sensed who the opponent was.
“Who are you?”
“One who postponed ruin, you already know the answer.”
I know the answer, huh…….
In Akiro's Labyrinth, the laws are absolute.
In the first place, because the laws existed as absolute laws, one could break through Akiro's Labyrinth by deciphering them.
Then what did it mean that the law itself had suddenly transformed?
‘If it is someone who can artificially twist the laws of Akiro's Labyrinth…….’
There was only one.
The one who created the law itself.
“Great Sage Akiro.”
“Just an old specter trapped in mere stubbornness.”
To think that Great Sage Akiro, whom I considered merely a figure of the past, would reveal himself before me right now…….
And knowing the fact that I am the Postponer of Ruin, at that.
“What is the reason you sought me out?”
“To warn that the ruin you postponed is approaching once again.”
The words Great Sage Akiro conveyed to me were shocking, and in a sense, they were words I already knew.
Postponer of Ruin.
To put this differently, it was the same as saying that the ruin had merely been postponed.
“Does that mean the Destruction Dragon is resurrecting?”
“That is not a problem I can answer. For the form of ruin can come as anything.”
The noise rippled.
“The path to The Great Heaven has opened. Although it is only a half-measure, it is a self-evident fact that it has opened.”
“What does that mean?”
“Those who wish to reach Ascension will wake from their long silence.”
I couldn't fully understand the meaning of what Akiro was saying, but I felt I understood at least what he was trying to convey.
Something is coming.
I don't know if it's because of the Twilight Troupe's conspiracy, the unusual atmosphere of the Eastern Union, or the turmoil caused by the players.
Anyway, one thing was certain: something unavoidable would soon come to this world.
“Let me ask one thing.”
That was why I needed to know even more.
What the path I am taking is.
“What is the Ascension Stone?”
“That is…….”
Akiro's noise twitched as if trying to say something, but no sound came out.
“……Is that so, is it that even this cannot escape the shackles of causality.”
A voice that seemed to laugh somewhat self-deprecatingly passed by, and Akiro spoke.
“Key. That is all I can say about the Ascension Stone right now.”
Key.
A clue that was both much and little.
Regrettably, there was no time to think more about it now.
Because from some moment, the structure of the white room we were in had begun to collapse.
“There isn't much time.”
The lips of the noise twitched.
“Postponer of Ruin, one who performed the great miracle of postponing the unstoppable ruin, you must face reality.”
The gaze rippling with noise went beyond the ceiling of the white room towards the space above.
“The sky is opening.”
“The sky…… is opening?”
“When that time comes, you too will have to face an unavoidable choice.”
Akiro added.
“What you can do in front of The Great Heaven.”
“What happens when the sky opens?”
“It is unknown. Because it is unknown, your choice is all the more important.”
“Are you saying I can choose?”
“Because you have the qualification, one who postponed ruin.”
I don't know what qualification or what I can choose.
However, Akiro was saying so.
“Keep in mind.”
Eventually, through the completely collapsing white room, Akiro's final voice was heard.
“That a key can open a door but…… conversely, it can also lock it.”
With those words as the last, the white room completely collapsed and brilliant light poured down.