Chapter 364: End of the Labyrinth (3)

“If necessary, I can even join hands with Pandemonium, but that one seems to have a lot going on in his mind, even among them.”

Lennok chuckled, looking down at the sight.

“You can’t associate with a guy like that for long.”

“Evan, what do you mean?”

Evelyn asked with a look of shock.

“This furball and Maiya are part of Pandemonium?”

“Yes. I don’t know the reason, but the Machine City’s top enforcer has reached out to the worst criminal organization. Things are getting quite interesting.”

[How did you know?]

The doctor asked.

It was a confident assertion, almost a certainty. The doctor knew it was pointless to even deny it.

[Maiya is a professional. In her speech, attire, actions, and mana, she showed no trace of her past.]

“Why should I tell you that?”

[……]

For the first time, the furball fell silent.

Lennok looked down at it and struggled to stand up.

His lowered gaze was directed precisely at the white fur that made up the furball.

Turan, the White Lion, whom he had faced at Blaiver Tower.

Lennok had long since perceived, through his transcendent mana sensitivity, that some of the man-eating lion’s pure white mane had been mixed into the furball.

Since Agneta, the spider who claimed to be Pandemonium’s messenger, had personally taken Turan’s corpse, only another member of Pandemonium would be able to reuse that fur and mane.

Through that trivial clue, as soon as Lennok realized the furball possessed its own intellect, he understood that Maiya had joined Pandemonium.

‘He still doesn’t know.’

The furball seemed quite cunning, but it had no idea how Lennok had deduced its identity.

This was proof that the information from when Agneta recovered Turan’s body had not been properly conveyed to this man, who was presumed to have obtained the White Lion’s corpse.

It seemed clear that, apart from Pandemonium’s full-scale activation, information exchange among its members was not very close.

Lennok hadn’t expected to learn about Pandemonium’s internal affairs in such a way, but he didn’t try to dig deeper here.

If someone of Maiya’s caliber would keep that consciousness by her side for advice, it must be an entity of considerable intellect.

It was better to stop the conversation at this point, where one-sided information acquisition had been established.

One wrong move, and there was a high possibility that his own information would be leaked while trying to pry into Pandemonium’s affairs.

Instead, he had to focus on the situation unfolding before his eyes.

Two incredibly powerful monsters were clashing at the center of the bridge, starting to push everything nearby back.

Gravity currents, twisting and turning in purple hues, freely inverted attraction and repulsion, swirling in all directions.

Through them, Maiya’s pale flashes, wielded like blades, cut through the waves of the gravity field.

Kugugugugu!!

Naturally, all eyes were drawn to that ominous mana and momentum.

Even those bleeding and fighting desperately from all sides naturally distanced themselves from the center of the clash.

Kiiik!!

Maiya, who had slid back and rubbed her neck, spoke.

“Two others besides you. No, is it three? I know several Level 8s have entered this labyrinth.”

“You’re quick-witted.”

“I thought you weren’t participating in the race for the Ascendant, but were only interested in claiming the spoils after it was over…”

Maiya’s mouth twisted as she muttered in a cold voice.

“Stepping forward at this point means you’re quite confident.”

“…”

Balak heard her words but made no reply.

He merely smiled subtly and layered the purple undulation in his hand.

Kugugugugugugu!!!

A massive scale of gravity manipulation, almost unbelievable to be actualized by human mental power as an engine.

The purple undulations not only pressed down on everything around them but also began to turn the faces of Balak’s allies behind him pale.

Amidst the crushing pressure that felt like it would turn his entire body into minced meat, Maiya, who had calmly readjusted her stance, spoke.

“Get out of the way. For old times’ sake, I’ll spare your life.”

“Your sisterly concern brings tears to my eyes.”

Balak grinned.

“I refuse.”

There was no answer.

Maiya stomped her foot twice, then transformed into a streak of light and instantly struck Balak.

Kaaang!!

Acceleration that surpassed sound. Just by rolling and rotating her limbs, shockwaves erupted, constantly vibrating the surrounding air.

Balak, who had parried Maiya’s initial attack, responded by slamming the purple undulations in his hand onto the ground.

Drddrdrk!!

The undulation slammed into the ground, distorting into a ring that spread out for tens of meters, then surged back up.

Immediately after, the gravity in the area twisted like an hourglass, causing everyone standing on two feet to lose balance and fall.

Whoooong!!

“……!!”

They somehow managed to hold their bruised bodies with shields and magical protection amidst the bursting pressure.

Nevertheless, their entire bodies stretched as if they would tear, pulling and stretching the bodies of mana users around them like taffy.

Jijijijik…!!

“Kaaaargh!!”

“Ah, it hurts… Aaaargh!!”

“My body…!!”

The moment they were directly exposed to the purple undulations, accompanied by the illusion of their bodies being crumpled through space, the limbs of superhumans were crushed, and blood fountains erupted from various places.

Pububububuck!!

Dozens died from the mere aftermath of Balak drawing power to block Maiya’s initial attack and counter-attack.

Gravity manipulation so immensely powerful it was unbelievable that it could be actualized by one person’s mental power.

Was this the power of an extreme ability user, who had reached the pinnacle of Self-transformation with their inherent ability, called the most primordial innate power?

“With this much power, Balak himself wouldn’t be free from its influence…!”

Lennok painstakingly gathered his mana to endure, raising his gaze to somehow watch the battlefield.

Magic, spell formulas, or superhuman abilities are not convenient powers that can actualize real physical force while excluding oneself.

Just as a swordsman can be cut and wounded by the weapon they wield if they cannot perfectly control their own strength, it is no different for spellcasters.

How was Balak himself enduring within the sphere of gravity manipulation that indiscriminately crushed and distorted the entire area?

The answer came not from Balak himself, but from the limp corpses hanging behind him.

As if unable to withstand the strengthening gravity field’s aftermath, one of the corpses floating to Balak’s far right was torn to shreds, instantly becoming a gruesome sight.

An unnatural, brutal killing, as if it had absorbed the brunt of the power that Balak himself should have received.

Maiya also seemed to have realized what Balak was doing by witnessing this.

“You’re going to use all those corpses, and then it’s your turn? Looks like you joined The Vanguard and just picked up some strange abilities.”

“It’s shameful, but I’m still clumsy at controlling my abilities.”

Balak replied with a bitter smile, panting.

“Unlike spell formulas with established systems and order, superhuman abilities are innate powers that rely purely on one’s mind… They are as powerful as they are precarious. A knife that might stab me at any moment.”

Maiya’s gaze deepened at Balak’s reply.

“So you gave up on your research in the Machine City and decided to join The Vanguard?”

“The Vanguard gave me the means to effectively control both power and mind simultaneously. They taught me to abandon useless compunctions and focus on efficiency. And that, at times, a strangely powerful sense of depravity can act as an exceptionally potent form of control.”

Balak slowly caught his breath and scoffed.

“Unlike the enforcers of the Machine City.”

Kwaaaang!!

Maiya closed the distance as if leaping through the air, striking a blade towards Balak’s head.

The mere impact crushed two warriors who were fleeing nearby, turning them into a puddle of blood.

Woojik!!

Maiya calmly intoned, disregarding the blood spattering everywhere.

“If you’re so confident, bring out your Domain. Are you just going to endure like this and die?”

She scoffed at Balak, who was focused on blocking the relentless pale flashes, unable to even answer.

“You can’t, can you? If the labyrinth were to collapse entirely, you’d become a public enemy right here and now, regardless of finding the artifact or not.”

“…”

Lennok, hearing that conversation right beside him, finally realized why the other powerful individuals had waited silently until this moment.

If Jindun was truly dead, and this labyrinth was maintained only by his residual thoughts, could the labyrinth withstand their power?

If Jindun were alive and supporting this labyrinth, it would be another matter, but the possibility of the labyrinth collapsing under the clash of high-level superhumans could not be ignored.

On the bridge leading to the third gate. If the labyrinth began to collapse from here, finding the legacy would be difficult, let alone guaranteeing their survival.

In a situation where superhumans of this scale had gathered, it was impossible for even an extreme ability user not to consider their interests.

Unless they became a Transcendent, qualified to challenge Ascension by leaving everything behind.

Lennok’s eyes, raised, shone calmly.

Yes. After all, he couldn’t move forward without directly meeting and confirming everything.

He had no intention of giving up after coming this far, just because of an obstacle like this.

“Evelyn.”

“Hm?”

“Prepare the bow.”

“…What are you going to do?”

“To escape the gravity field covering this entire area, it won’t be possible by normal means.”

Lennok said that and turned his gaze.

The sight of superhumans struggling desperately to escape the gravity field covering almost a third of this enormous bridge.

Mediocre power users, unable to withstand the power struggle of the monsters, had their bodies explode, spraying bodily fluids everywhere in a truly gruesome sight.

He had to move first before he, too, became like them in the midst of this desperate struggle.

“I have a way.”

[You said Evan, right? You’re a far more unusual person than I thought.]

Gravity fields twisting and bending everywhere, and the aftermath of shockwaves.

In the midst of life and death, where existence was easily overturned like paper, Lennok moved, ignoring the others.

As Evelyn quickly assisted him, the furball, rolling around on the floor, spoke again.

[Instead of siding with one of them at this point, you’re only thinking about escaping the gravity field… Are you not interested in wealth at all?]

“…”

Lennok completely ignored the remark, but the doctor continued to blurt out what he felt, regardless.

[I find people like you very interesting. People with different interests than most usually have their own reasons for it.]

“Evan.”

Evelyn asked, with a slight hint of annoyance.

“That thing’s noisy, should I just kill it?”

“You know you shouldn’t do that.”

Lennok said, silently helping Evelyn concentrate on the work.

“If someone like Maiya cares about its safety, there must be a good reason. It’s highly likely that a troublesome situation will arise the moment we kill it.”

[85 points. I like your level of thinking.]

The furball rolled around and answered nonchalantly.

[There’s a big difference between dying by oneself and being killed by someone else. At least, that’s how it is with the operating principles of restrictions and geas. It seems you somewhat understand that fact. That’s an answer only someone who has deeply dealt with geas can give.]

“…”

Rather, he had only learned it from the treasure hunter who tried to face Lennok by borrowing the mental image of a voodoo priest, but he didn’t bother to say so.

The doctor, perhaps even more pleased with Lennok’s reaction, began to speak to him continuously.

[How did you kill Dominic Cabaro? The alchemy of the Old World that he acquired had a completely different structure from existing spell systems. Did you encounter that system beforehand, or did you understand the concept of other worlds at that point?]

“You know I killed the drug lord, yet you’re so unreserved. Did you know it wasn’t the Magic Tower’s doing?”

[Why should I answer that?]

“…”

Was he getting back the words Lennok had used to scoff at the doctor earlier?

He pretended not to care, but he must have held onto it. It seemed quite a shock to be exposed as a member of Pandemonium, even if he didn’t show it.

A low voice flowed from within the furball as it observed Lennok’s chuckle.

[As you know, we are not an organization bound by strong camaraderie or ties. We are merely an interest group that generally agrees on what needs to be done.]

“Collecting artifacts and knowledge from the Old World, you mean?”

[Well, that’s not wrong, but… what’s more important is talent. To be precise, unusual people like you.]

Roll, roll.

The furball rolled to Lennok’s feet and spoke.

[It’s a bit awkward to say this to a Watcher, but have you considered joining Pandemonium?]

“…”

[In my eyes, you seem far more interesting than Maiya or Divine Bow.]

“Hmph…”

Lennok couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh at what the furball was saying.

He hadn’t thought he’d be scouted again, let alone already entangled with Pandemonium under the identity of Evan Vylun.

Click!!

Evelyn, adjusting her grip on the arrow shaft, spoke with a deadpan expression.

“I’ll just kill it. Is that okay?”

[Oh dear, I still have work to do. Can’t you spare me?]

“Leave it. We’re almost ready.”

Lennok said that, finished his work, and immediately stood up.

Kwooong!!

A massive greatbow, slightly taller than both of them. A ballista-like arrow artillery, large enough to be called one without exaggeration, stood before them.

Lennok had attached fragments of his carapace to Evelyn’s longbow and disassembled his bike to use its parts to build the ballista.

Using the designs for various weapons that Davi’s network had pre-downloaded, Lennok had created the most efficient weapon on the spot.

Clack!!

Lennok placed a long, split carapace fragment onto the ballista instead of an arrow, then nodded with satisfaction.

“It’s complete.”

[…It’s one thing to be crafting such an item amidst this chaos, but I didn’t expect Divine Bow to follow without a word.]

That was true.

Two people were fighting fiercely, occupying the center of the bridge and expanding a gravity field.

Kwaaaagagaga!!!

The clash of monsters occupying this area caused disasters to erupt throughout the bridge, shifting the tide of battle.

People were being flung upwards and falling back down, turning into mangled flesh, and being sliced by Maiya’s slashes as she weaved through.

In the midst of this, it was natural that Lennok, who was building such an object instead of siding with anyone, didn’t seem sane.

And Evelyn’s reaction, following Lennok’s suggestion without any question.

“It’s incredibly heavy for an arrow, but this alone won’t be enough to pierce the gravity field.”

Evelyn said, drawing back and securing the ballista’s string.

“We need to target the exact moment Maiya and Balak clash with full power. If we aim precisely for a shock strong enough to greatly disturb the gravity field, or when Balak’s agitation grows, it might not be difficult…”

“I didn’t go through all this trouble just to pierce the gravity field.”

“…?”

[…?]

As Evelyn and the doctor raised question marks in turn, Lennok replied with a smile.

“If it was just about piercing the gravity field, there would be no need for this. We could just aim for the moment Balak’s attention is on Maiya.”

“Then why…?”

“Look closely at Balak’s attitude.”

Lennok said, pointing from a distance at the two monsters still fiercely battling.

Kugugugu!!!

Dozens of gravity waves, layered and bursting forth in an instant. Through them, pale flashes flickered hundreds of times, and purple undulations heaved, striking back.

Everywhere was already drenched in corpses and bloodstains, a battlefield of death that allowed no close approach.

But in the center of that fierce battle, it was clear who held more initiative.

“He started the fight, yet he’s clearly at a disadvantage. He forced the fight, even provoking, knowing that his superhuman ability’s compatibility was unfavorable against Maiya.”

“So Balak has something planned, you mean.”

Evelyn, immediately understanding what Lennok was saying, nodded.

An extreme-level gravity-based superhuman ability.

It was an incredibly powerful force, capable of twisting space to block paths, but its essence was undeniably specialized in dominating wide areas.

Hadn’t Lennok himself used gravity-based spell formulas expecting something other than firepower or lethality?

Although the exact extent of Maiya’s power was unknown, she was undoubtedly a killer accustomed to this kind of one-on-one duel.

It was natural that Balak, who appeared to have no talent for solo combat, seemed to have little chance of victory against Maiya.

“Exactly. If he’s making a sudden move at this point, right before the final gate, there must be a reason. It’s likely he’s teamed up with someone to tie down their competitors.”

“If a Level 8 monster teamed up, enduring such a cost, then wait. That means…”

“It could only be that guy who knows facts about the labyrinth we don’t.”

The moment Lennok said that and raised his head, a colossal shadow began to fall over the bridge.

Everyone looked up at the anomalous darkening of their surroundings, and as if on cue, their mouths fell open.

Whioooo!!!

A group of ten-meter-tall Evil God Statues, which had been dormant beneath the bridge, silently.

One of them opened its eyes wide, rose, and leaped directly onto the bridge, falling downwards.

Lennok watched the sight and concluded his words.

“He seems to have been working his own angle quite diligently. I can’t believe he managed to entice a Level 8 superhuman and strike a deal in the midst of all this.”

A ten-meter-tall Evil God Statue landed on the bridge.

The impact of the hundreds of tons heavy giant’s leap created shockwaves that rotated in concentric circles, knocking dozens of powerless superhumans directly off the bridge.

Kwoooooong!!!

“Hahahaha!!”

Yet, on the still-standing bridge. A joyous, mad laugh echoed from the Evil God Statue’s left hand.

A young man with a snake-like impression, clad in a robe.

Jawoon Audis was laughing, looking down at everyone present.

Hanging by one arm between the Evil God Statue’s thick fingers, he surveyed his surroundings, quickly found Balak, and pointed a finger upwards.

“I’ve successfully obtained control of the Evil God Statue, that’s enough!!”

“Goddammit, you little shit…!”

Balak, who had been focusing on enduring Maiya’s offensive, panted and cursed.

“I thought I was gonna die waiting, you pathetic worm!!”

Woowoong!!

At those words, the enormous gravity field pressing down on the area began to dissipate.

The pressure on his shoulders weakened, and the gravitational pull that trapped and drew opponents into the field weakened at that moment.

Kugugugu!!

The Evil God Statue leaned its waist diagonally and began to deeply twist one of its shoulders.

A peculiar twist reminiscent of a baseball pitching motion.

Others didn’t recognize the movement, but Lennok precisely understood Jawoon’s intention.

Kadududuk…!!

As power gathered throughout the Evil God Statue’s body, it twisted its waist and shoulder with full force, then snapped its wrist.

Jawoon’s body, which had been waiting on its palm, shot out at the speed of light as the gravity field weakened.