Labyrinth

Verdant Plains.

This area is full of tall rolling hills, with flat grassy plains between them. The rivers are wide, and slow-moving and create a beautiful view from the hills. The scenery is peaceful and perfect for a relaxing afternoon out in the country. The scenery is also very fertile with rich soil and plenty of plants to enjoy. The rivers provide water for the land, and the plains provide plenty of space for farming and other activities. Overall, the scenery is very relaxing and inviting.

At the south is a large area filled with dense trees, bushes and undergrowth. It is a very quiet place, perfect for anyone to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The forest is also very beautiful with lots of wildlife. It is a great place to go on nature walks or hikes, or just to enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings. Overall, the forest is a very peaceful and serene place, which can be a great respite from the everyday stress of life.

But beyond the other is where hostile monsters lurk no human beings can wander beyond the forest unarmed. Hostile creatures are always nearby.

Goblins are small, mischievous creatures that live in the deepest parts of the forest. They are very good at hiding and are great at luring unwary adventurers to their deaths.

Imps are tiny demon-like creatures that love to torment anyone they see. They have sharp claws and teeth and can use magic to attack their foes.

Slimes are slimy-slow moving creatures that can dissolve anything they come in contact with. They are great for stealth attacks, as they can sneak up on their targets without being noticed

Giant spiders are huge, eight-legged creatures with poisonous bites. They are usually found on the edges of the forest, in areas with high vegetation.

Cerberus This is a three-headed dog with blazing red eyes and sharp claws. It is incredibly fast and strong, and can easily kill an adventurer in a single strike.

Kazuki arrived at the main entrance of the forest alone as he is eager to raise his stats in fighting monsters that are lurking beyond the forest.

“Okay! It’s time for me to level up and get stronger.”

I prepared my sword and equipment together with my armour. I took my leave and started venturing into the forest.

The Verdant Plains are densely populated by monsters, but there is a noticeable lack of humans and other living things. There are no villages or towns that could be seen, instead only the occasional farmhouse. Adventurers try to avoid the forest, as it is extremely dangerous.

“I guess I won’t find any adventurers around here… this place seems safer than expected.”

Kazuki followed the path through the forest until he reached a riverbank. Ahead of him were two goblins, seemingly enjoying a picnic while playing music together. They were singing an old song that reminded Kazuki of his home, and as he got closer they looked up at him curiously.

“Hey, what are you doing here? Do you want to play with us?”

“Ahh, how unfortunate. We’re just having fun today.”

Both of the goblins looked pretty bored so Kazuki decided to cheer them up.

“Oh yeah, I have something to show you!”

Kazuki took out his sword and cut the goblin into halves.

The goblin screamed in agony as blood spurted everywhere, making the other goblins look even more curious.

“What’s happening?”

“Who are you? You killed our friends!”

The goblins quickly surrounded him and attacked. Kazuki immediately responded to their aggression by slicing them both apart with his sword.

“What? What the hell are these guys!? Are they some kind of mini-goblins!?”

“All right since that’s settled let me take a look at my stats.”

Name: Fujioka Kazuki

Age: 17 years old

Level: 3

Class: Mercenary

Power: 30

Resistance: 13

Recovery: 15

Dexterity: 19

“Hey I levelled up, this is great. I have to go to the Palace where we are about to be sent off to the Labyrinth.”

Kazuki quickly ran to the Palace to get ready for the sortie but before he went to the throne room, Akari suddenly stopped him.

“Kazuki-kun I know you want to do this but let me tell you something.”

“The dungeon is the most dangerous place, I don’t think you can survive.

“But Akari… I’ll be fine, don't worry I’ll take good care of myself when we go to the Labyrinth.”

“I know you are strong but please… listen I will do anything to protect you from now on I will be your guard. I swore I will protect you.”

"Th… Thank you Akari-san."

"Let's head back to the group."

"Okay."

"Alrighty then, Let's go."

Kazuki and Akari walked together to the throne room assembling the party to begin their first mission.

"Hear ye! Heroes of our world, are you ready for your first mission?"

"Yes, your Majesty!"

All together they respond in unison.

"If then, I will assign Bartolomeo as your instructor during your mission."

"Heroes! Henceforth!"

"Roger that!"

We took our leave got our stuff and as we mounted the carriage. Kazuki took his time thinking if he could survive or try to stay alive, but this won't stop him just because he is weak doesn't mean he's useless he'll show his classmates what he's capable of.

***

Ravensfield.

70 Km from Heisen.

Ravensfield is a small town that's located in the middle of a desert. The town consists of small to big houses, a public market in the middle of the town and at the side is the Adventurer's Guild. And at the north is the great Ravensfield Labyrinth.

The Labyrinth is a complex and winding network of pathways, twisting and turning in every direction. The walls are tall and imposing, built of ancient stone blocks, and the pathways are adorned with mysterious symbols and carvings. In the centre of the labyrinth lies a great chamber, its entrance guarded by two immense statues. Within the chamber lies great secrets and treasures that can only be found by those brave enough to navigate the labyrinth’s treacherous pathways.

The Ravensfield Labyrinth is a dangerous place, and many adventurers have lost their lives within its walls. But for those who are brave enough to venture inside, the rewards can be great. Kazuki and his classmates have come to Ravensfield to challenge the Ravensfield Labyrinth. They hope to find great treasures and secrets within its walls.

“Before we go inside let me get a quick briefing, there are 125 floors inside this Labyrinth which is the most difficult labyrinth in this country. Even our finest unit can’t survive under those floors, but we do navigate the first and middle levels of these floors but not beyond the 40th floor.”

“Stick together, we'll all gonna make it out.”

“Is everyone understood?”

“Yes, Sir!”

“Alright then, Let’s go!”

We dashed our way inside the Labyrinth.

***

Ravensfield Labyrinth.

1st Floor.

The path ahead was narrow, the walls on either side were closed and the ceiling low. There were no torches or lanterns here, just the faint light coming from the crystal lamps. We had to proceed slowly as we made our way through this floor.

"What kind of traps are down here?"

"If I remember right, floor 1-10 has traps like spikes, acid and flame. After 10, the traps are more normal."

"So after 10, we should be safe to proceed normally."

I said to my group members.

After a while, the wall in front of us opened up into a large room. It looked like an open space but there were pillars surrounding it. At the back of this room was a set of stairs leading upwards. The ground around us was covered in a thin layer of dust. It felt like we'd been walking through this room for some time already.

"Looks like we've reached the first level of the labyrinth."

“Yeah, right you are.”

I carefully looked around inside the Labyrinth observing its cramped spaces and hallways. After I entered this place my first impression was dire, it's like we're facing our deaths any minute now.

We entered the first floor of the labyrinth, The knight instructor cautiously led the way. But before they dig deeper he made a speech before engaging.

"Before we go further down to this hell-giving abyss you must train yourselves here and increase your stats. Once everybody has reached level 20 we can now go beyond floor 30."

"While that being said, let's start moving."

"Understood!"

As we walked further through a pitch-black path.

I slowly lowered my guard as my classmates casually talked with themselves. I spent my time talking with Akari for the entire journey.

Suddenly, an army of Dread Skeletons appears in front of us. Without realising Daichi suddenly charges ahead along with the other four students. As Daichi dashed towards a group of skeletons, He then drew his sword to fight them. He fought the skeletons with ease as he thought they were weak as a twig. Not realising they were surrounded by a sworn of monsters surrounding them cutting their way out.

“Ahh damn! We are surrounded.”

“Quick form a tight formation on me!”

“Form Phalanx!”

“We’re all gonna die.”

“Relax, Kenji if you don’t want to die hurry and make us an escape route move”

They formed up a tightly closed formation while being surrounded by an army of dread skeletons, as they were overwhelmed by the numbers of hostiles and their mana depleted they decided to take refuge at the lower part of the Labyrinth.

Kazuki found a way to evade sudden death. As he ran through it and managed to seek refuge from the onslaught, Daichi’s party followed suit fighting their way through.

“ *panting* Is… is everyone okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Yes”

“All good, just a scratch but I can still fight.”

Everyone checked themselves for wounds but thankfully no one was hit except one.

“Oh no, you got a wound don’t worry I can take care of it.”

Akari checked the wound and began chanting spells.

“By earth, sky, and energy of light, heal this body with all my might. Arcane Resurgence!

“I’m healed.”

“Thank you, Akari-chan”

“No problem.”

They sigh in relief, as my party took their time to rest I decided to scout my surroundings.

“Hey, chief, what floor are we on?”

“I suppose the 2nd floor.”

I sat down before we continued moving. I looked up at my status.

My party’s current morale has been lowered since the ambush on the first floor of this labyrinth, but I’m sure they’ll cheer up. I think it is their first time.

“Now you know why we need to gain experience for us to protect ourselves.

“Yes, I understand.”

“Look alive. Here’s the plan before we go deep down to the 2nd floor. We are going to counterattack those skeletons and I want all of you to work together.”

“Follow my orders and you’ll be okay.”

We came back to the first floor prepared, we slowly approached, and again the same situation they were in before a group of dread skeletons showed up. But this time they know what to do.

“Fighter classes fend them off, Mages in the backline to act as support, Healers on standby aid your comrades.”

“Yes, chief.”

A Swarm of skeletons are coming at me, I shifted my focus on the incoming skeletons and drew my sword. I parried every attack and defeated them one by one.

“Daichi, Look out!”

“Huh?”

Daichi almost got caught up.

“Daichi-san keep your head on the game.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.”

“Flames of fury, answer my call, bring destruction swift and tall. Burn my enemies, scorch and sear, with this fire attack, I show no fear! Inferno Blaze!”

A devastating barrage of fire rains from Above giving havoc to the dread skeletons and eliminating all of them.

“We killed them, we finally killed them.”

“And look, we gained experience, take a look at your status.”

Name: Suzuki Shizuku

Age: 16 years old

Level: 29

Class: Mage

Power: 56

Resistance: 20

Recovery: 19

Dexterity: 21

“Wow you’re right, I also gained experience.”

After they eliminate the rest of the Dread skeletons Kazuki and his classmates gained experience and raised their levels. Kazuki gained lots of experience and has reached level 28 the same as his party members.

Kazuki has unlocked some skills for his class, as everyone said a Rogue-type class is useless in combat, especially in the Labyrinth where monsters are twice as strong compared to the ones from the surface. But as for Kazuki, the Mercenary class has some potential.

“Has everyone checked their levels?”

“Yes, chief.”

“Alright, good in every level you reach from 10 to 50, you gain a perk to enhance your statuses such as Defense, Resistance, Agility, and Strength. But depending on what class you’ve picked there are different possibilities. Other classes can receive different skills, and some of the rare classes can reverse engineer their status.”

Kazuki listens carefully to what the Head Knight is talking, as he knows the information he started strategizing his class on strengthening but before he does anything he thinks carefully to see what are the consequences when imitating different classes under one perk.

Perks are class-gained traits that can be unlocked when you reach level 20. There are many perks for every class, for example, the Guardian class have Damage enhancing perks, Defense build-up perks, and Magic resistant perks. For Kazuki, he is a Mercenary a class that is a dark class under the Rogue path

These perks only be available if the wielder changes their mood in their personality. Kazuki must dig deeper to find it out.

“Let’s move onto the next floor.”

***

We continued clearing the other floors and defeated every single floor guardian. We gain enough experience to reach level 50 all of the party members have stronger status and unique perks. But as we arrived at Floor level 62 the monsters got more powerful.

Ravensfield Labyrinth.

62nd Floor.

The entrance was more like a cave with sparkling crystals along with it. My party arrived at the 62nd Floor, knowing the situation they cast a teleportation spell back to the surface if we encounter danger.

“So this is it huh the 62nd Floor.”

“A floor that is unexplorable by adventurers.”

“We will be the first to conquer it.”

As we walked towards the centre. I saw an odd structure that looked like a monument. A mysterious monument that made us curious.

“Hey guys I think there’s something written here but I don’t know what it means”

“Hmm, something is glowing underneath.”

“I’ll go check it out.”

“Hey, what do you think you’re doing!?”

“HEY DON’T TOUCH THAT!”

*Everyone exclaims.*

“Arghhh!!!”

And just that My party teleported into an unknown specific place. I opened my eyes and I found that we were teleported to a coliseum.

In front of us, a wave of Golems, Minotaurs, and Undead entities was coming right for us.

Because of my classmate’s stupidity, we are facing our deaths with no escape out of here.

I was shocked with fear and desperation trying to find a way out but all we had to do was fight for our survival. Here trapped in an unknown palace surrounded by Monsters ready to feast on our bodies.

My Journey as A high school student in another world. Begins here.