Labyrinth Expedition #5

In the middle of a green field spanning miles in every direction, one could only wonder how such a monument of a labyrinth could house such a space. Magic would be the most logical of answers, but as otherworldly beings not entirely accustomed to magic, it is only normal for them to strive for logical answers instead of dismissive ones.

"We've been running for over an hour," Ayama stated plainly, his plate metal armor clanking against one another for the past hour. beside him was Akiro steadying his pace so as not to easily outrun the tank.

"That's true, " Akiro concurred, "I'm starting to doubt our security, let's stop here."

"Agreed."

The two boys stopped to a screeching halt, their boots digging into the dry dirt and prairie grass the height of their shins. Akiro closed his eyes and gathered magic for a new active skill, a skill that evolved from his passive [ Radar ].

"[ Wide-Area Perception ]!" he said, his eyes going blank, his consciousness gathered in his mind. His perception of his surroundings changed, viewing a vast surrounding area around his person with his mind instead of his eyes. His senses were heightened to the utmost limit, the color being a foreign concept and only shapes lined reality in a grid-like format.

"I can see…so far!" Akiro gasped, marveling at his new skill, only to be horrified thereafter.

Red dots started to appear all around the two boys, with the majority behind them. Slowly the red dots became lines, then shapes, then monsters.

Akiro gasped, his perception changing back to normal. Without missing a beat, Akiro reached into his ring, the [ Dimensional Storage Ring ].

"Ayama! We're going to be surrounded!" he yelled his scythe over his head and in a fighting stance.

"What!?" the blonde boy gasped, "I didn't feel their presence at all!!" he said, equally surprised.

"Then there are no normal goblins! Don't let your guard down!"

"I think it's too late for that."

Sensing the panic in their targets, the goblins rose from their prone positions, revealing themselves to be twice as tall as the grass. Their skin was a deep color green, the same as the grass; their clothing was made of green materials helpful in camouflage, hinting at their high intelligence; and their numbers were nothing to scoff at. Armed with hatchets and clubs made of wood, bone, or stone, they drooled for fresh meat.

Akiro and Ayama's backs were shared, their weapons facing the enemy that surrounded them from all sides.

"Can you use an appraisal? I want to know what we're dealing with!"

"[ Appraisal ]!" Akiro chanted, earning him an answer. "[Cannibalistic Prairie Goblins]."

Ayama gripped his longsword harder after learning about their names. "An evolved, named species? Never seen that before," he said, trying to lightheartedly joke.

Akiro scoffed, finding his joke somewhat comforting "According to appraisal, they've overhunted the other fauna on the floor and their incredible birth rate and the name suggest that these guys resorted to eating their own."

"Nasty shits. they may be low-level, but their intelligence worries me."

"They're gathering as we speak, we need to find a way out of their encirclement."

Almost as if they could understand the language of the two boys, the goblins started to reinforce the weaker sides of the encirclement, now they were truly trapped.

"Well there's that," Ayama sighed, "We'll have to fight our way out,"

"Or maybe we don't," Akiro says, thinking up a solution. "I'll use my clones as distractions, you can hide in my shadow, and we can outrun the horde or we can fight them on our own terms."

Ayama looked at the shadow formed by Akiro's physique, "Is that safe?"

Akiro tilted his head, unsure of how to answer, "Only one way to find out."

"This is a bad idea," Ayama grumbled, "Alright, I don't have any other ideas, so we'll go with your plan– but if I get lost in perpetual darkness, I'll kill myself and haunt you as a ghost."

Akiro scoffed, shaking his head, "Deal. [ Shadow Movement ]."

The shadow extended, allowing Ayama to slowly fall inside like he was on quicksand, "It feels weird, just so you know." he said.

"It was like that for me too, the first time."

Akiro waited until Ayama was fully submerged in his shadow before he cast another skill. "[ Shadow clones ]"

The goblins were perplexed, hinted by the weird glances they gave each other, making grunts and gravelly noises. Akiro multiplied into five, scattering in four directions with two headed north, away from their destination.

"In theory, they would go after the easier targets, and leave the harder targets alone— hence their gang mentality. With Ayama in my shadow, I can create as much distance between us and the horde in case they're smarter than I gave them credit for." Akiro thought, inputting as much strength into each of his strides.

The goblins scamper after the other three, with only a small, elite few chasing after the two– proving and somewhat disproving Akiro's theory. He looked at the small goblins chasing after him, getting smaller and smaller in the distance.

"It's working!" he thought happily, "I need to reduce my scent and footprint as much as possible." Akiro looked at his emotionless clone and motioned for him to run west, to which he complied wordlessly.

looking forward, Akiro ran even faster, his legs already feeling the fatigue he had ignored. "Sprint! – ggah!" he yelped, falling face-first into the soft prairie grass. "He huffed, both annoyed at his fall and confused at his skill not activating. "I guess I should let Ayama out now."

Ayama slowly rose from the ground, from the base of Akiro's shadow with his arms crossed and a surprised look. "Before I make fun of you for tripping, your shadow can easily fit about three of me– heck, you might be able to store things in there."

"That's good to hear, considering I'm currently weaker than I usually am." Akiro huffed, gasping for air as he as trying to massage his cramping legs. "I said that but I've been weakened severely– before receiving that title, I could run without breaking a sweat… the penalty is harsher than I originally thought."

"Take your time, I know cramps hurt." The blonde boy sighed, patting his shoulder, "Do you want me to help you get there? We're burning daylight– er– Labyrinth-light?" Ayama said, confused and curious as to what was correct. "How does this place have daylight anyway?"

"Honestly, I don't want to know– for all we know, each floor could be a mini-terrarium. Magic is hard to understand."

"Fair enough."

Ayama had looped Akiro's arm over his neck and assisted him in walking, his legs still recovering and weak from the cramps. They slowly make their way through the open field, with Akiro using [ Wide-Area Perception ] to slowly map their way. Being weakened and proceeding at a turtle's pace was not a comfortable place they liked.

Akiro snapped from his trance, his comfortability with the skill and proficiency with it increasing exponentially, with a smile on his face. "We made it to the cove!"

"Uhm…" Ayama hummed, "Are you sure? or do you need a rest, we've been walking for a long time without breaks– you might be tired."

Akiro shook his head, pointing forward. "Just a little bit more, then you'll understand what I mean."

"if you say so," Ayama said, doubting, only for them to be cleared.

Just a few steps forward are enough to make Ayama eat his words, for the plains abruptly ended in front of them, revealing a sharp cliff drop to a shallow lake below.

"Let's go around it, through there." Akiro pointed to their right, where the hill slowly descended to a passageway leading to the cove and to the rest of the plains in the distance.

Ayama marveled at the sight, the large cove was clear, and the water was almost like the translucence of light blue diamonds with a small waterfall protruding from the side of the cliff. Underneath the cliff were darker waters, perhaps hinting at a section hidden underwater.

In the middle of the paradise-like formation was an island large enough for a small and spacious campsite. Large salmon-like fish swam from the darker parts, their color vibrant and their size astronomical compared to earth salmon.

"Let's set up camp here, we have food and fresh water," Akiro said, removing his hand from Ayama's assistance.

"Do you think the goblins will attack us down here? it's not exactly an ideal defensive position." Ayama asked, looking up above them, imagining enemies throwing their attacks. "it's a terrible spot in all honesty."

"Perhaps," Akiro agreed, "But goblins hate the dark and prefer to gather in groups. As long as we snuff out our lamps or fires, they won't be an issue."

Ayama nodded, "That's reassuring, but please put traps and signal bells just in case. An extra measure won't hurt, now would it?"

"Yeah, I'll do that– heck, I'll add a net too just in case."

"Even better. I'll pitch our tents."

"And I'll set up the security measures."

Akiro huffed, thankful, the sun had begun to set and his strength began to return, chasing away his fatigue. It washed away the fatigue that had built up in his legs, back and arms; unfortunately only after the work of setting up security had ended.

"Whoa!" Akiro gaped his heightened sense of smell returning, being graced by the smell of freshly fried fish. The assassin dropped from the tall height, receiving no damage upon landing on the sandy soil below. "That smells really good."

"I know, right?" Ayama concurred, turning the cooking fish fillet skewer. "Because of the fish's size, I only needed to catch one for both of us. It's huge." he chuckled.

"That's true. We should eat quickly, I am famished." Akiro said, impatiently drooling.

"Sure, sure," Ayama chuckled, passing him one skewer, "Careful it's still hot."

Akiro received the skewer with grace, blowing on it before taking a bite. The crust was salty, but the flesh underneath was soft, supple, and tasty.

"Labyrinth fish is something else," Akiro mumbled with a full mouth, savoring the texture and taste.

"Pwuahaha– That's so true!" Ayama laughed, taking a bite out of his skewer, "We should keep some in your Inventory for later consumption."

"Good idea."

Akiro and Ayama settled in their camping bags, courtesy of the merchant from earlier, and they gazed into the artificial night sky of the labyrinth, falling asleep eventually.

Swish! Shink!

Blood splattered as their weapons easily sliced through the goblins, Akiro and Ayama huffed to catch their breath. It was a new day, and they had to move on, unfortunately running into a goblin horde tribe.

"There's no end to these things!" Ayama hollered, his greatsword making short work of a cluster of goblins.

"They're weak but incredibly annoying!" Akiro yelled back, his scythe sliced more, but despite the incredible number of losses, the goblins still pushed through.

"We were careful this time and were prepared in case they attacked— but there's still way too many!" Akiro grumbled, "we don't even level up from killing small fires— this is just a waste of time and stamina!"

"We need to end this quickly!"

"Agreed!" Ayama replied, using the broad side of his sword to punt as it lost its edge. "They're suicidal! We can't win through normal methods! They're wearing us down on purpose! Kill the chief!"

Akiro and Ayama fixed their attention in the distance, where the goblin chief was, at the rear of his forces. The goblin chief was big, fat, and lazily sitting on a throne surrounded by five hobgoblins, elite warriors armed with clubs of solid stone.

"Use your [ Gunman ] Class! I'll buy you time!" Ayama yelled, throwing away the useless sword, and switching to a longsword.

After throwing the scythe on the dirt, impeding it deeply, he held out his palm— channeling magic. "[ Gunman's Manual ]!"

His curse not only weakened him, but everything else was affected as well– his clones got weaker, his casting speed got slower, and his dark-type magic is almost un under the sun— so an extra variable of danger was added to their hunting routine. The booklet materialized incredibly slower than it used to, slowly forming from one corner to the other.

"Damn it, finally!!" Akiro growled, finally opening the successfully opened book and taking out the silver desert eagle from within.

Bang!

The shot rang out, and a blue stream of mana followed the trail of a bullet, eventually reaching the head of the king, and demolishing it entirely.

"Hieek!?"

"Kieek!"

The goblin forces began to panic, their movements suddenly becoming shaky at the sight of their dead kin littered about and even the Hobgoblins dispersed to the four winds.

Ayama fell on his knees, exhausted from everything he had to do, while Akiro shakily fell on the grass, his head hurting. "Even the mana used to fire are increased— damn this curse!"

"I think… the goblin king was using some sort… of skill to control…" Ayama huffed, "the goblins… because they usually aren't like that."

Akiro slowly got up, using the scythe as his support. "I'm not sure, but maybe– it's a possibility. We should go collect the drops and move on before the sun sets again."
An angry, frustrated, inhuman goan escaped Ayama, but he still got up from the ground. "They better have a spare sword because mine broke thanks to these bastards."

"I'll treat you to another one when we can, but for now, make do."

"I know, I know."

Akiro and Ayama slowly proceeded to the king's remains, only to be disappointed by the lackluster items with potential monetary value. At least there was a sword like Ayama's greatsword that he could use.

"This…is not bad," Ayama hummed, swinging it a few times.

Akiro sighed, looking at the few things in his hands. "A little gold in a worn-out pouch, no potions— this is abysmal compared to the effort we put in."

"The goblins must've fled with the treasures in their hands." Ayama groaned, frustratedly ruffling his hair. "Smart little shits."

"Not everything goes one's way, that's life– but still, we wasted potions."

"Don't remind me."

"With these gold coins, we break even." Akiro sighed, tossing into his inventory. "Should we just go? To the end, I mean."

"..."

Akiro watched Ayama storm in the direction of the exit, with anger in his steps. He certainly did not like to waste his time.

"I'll take that as a yes." Akiro sighed, jogging to catch up to Ayama.

The journey to the exit of the first floor was a silent one, with Ayama burning steam with each step and Akiro trying not to laugh out loud and fuel his rage.

"Tch," Masashi grumbled, clicking his tongue, "They're really taking their time." His arms were crossed as he leaned on a pillar ruin.

"Now, now–" Haruto tried to calm him down, his impatience infecting his other classmates. "They must've been lost or something, we're not in a rush to get to the second floor."

Masashi frowned at the class president. "Bullshit, those fuckers never get lost!"

"Is he really that upset about his loss?" Haruto sighed, "Yes but–"

Kaiser clapped, ending the loud conversation, "Please be patient and lenient on them, Akiro is… recovering from the assassin's attack."

"S-See!" Haruto said, pointing over to Kaiser, "They're never tardy without proper reason!"

Masashi however felt offended at this reasoning, his nails digging into his arms. "Are you telling me— that fucker was injured?! And he still beat me!?"

Olivia peeked down at the ruins of the tiered-pyramid temple, gazing at the small ruins of an ancient city. goblins were swarming the base of the temple and the ruins of the city, snarling at the heroes above, unable to even step foot onto the structure themselves.

"Interesting, an entirely different species of goblins, all made from the unique environment of the labyrinth– does this mean that unique environmental conditions make monsters evolve into different variants? What an interesting species." She thought, rubbing her chin, remembering the hassle of fighting their way through the city. "I hope the two boys will be okay."

Just as Oliva turned away from the bottom, a loud shriek permeated the small settlement. "I didn't have to worry, not at all."

"These things are loud!" Ayama hollered, using his bare fist to smash through the hordes.

"I would imagine–" Akrio swirled his scythe, cutting a handful with each swing as they advanced. " –being crushed with sheer force would be painful."

"What choice do I have!?"

"Using a sword!? or magic?"

Akiro jumped over a boulder, handspring-ing off the surface and onto a small house roof. "Do it!" he said, hiding behind walls of rock.

Ayama nodded, looking at the gathering wave of cannibalistic goblins, all lining up in symmetrical rows. He channeled magic into his palms, facing them toward them.

"[ Ray of Light! ]"

The magic swirled into balls of light, emitting powerful rays of concentrated magical power in the form of pillars of brilliant light.

Whiisssssh!

Not even the screams could be heard, the goblins were purified, any trace of them dissipating into ash.

"Is it over?" Akiro asked, warily peeking through a crack. the street directly facing the temple had been cleared, not even the bones of the monsters left behind. "Mental note: never piss off a light user."

Akiro tosses a small bottle to Ayama. "Good job now drinks up," he said, their feet touching the first step of the pyramid.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it."