Chapter 227: Arifureta (7)
Chapter 227: Arifureta (7)
~Mash B. POV~
[Tortus, Sea of Trees, Great Haltina Labyrinth]
*Shiii*
Next on our conqueror list was the Haltina Labyrinth located near the Reisen Gorge, deep within the heart of the Sea of Trees. The Sea of Trees is located on the far east of Tortus' northern continent.
It's a large forest that is surrounded by an impenetrable fog barrier that only beastmen can properly navigate around. As a result, the Sea of Trees has been nicknamed 'The Forest of the Forgotten.'
Inside the Sea of Trees is beastman nation of Verbergen. In addition, it also houses may smaller beastman settlements. Although the Sea of Trees' fog protects beastmen from being attacked by other races, it is home to a multitude of dangerous monsters.
Although beastmen are the only ones capable of properly navigating through the forest's fog, the Sea of Trees also houses a special mineral called Verdren Crystals that are capable of warding off nearby fog by emitting a faint blue light and can also ward off weak Monsters through that same method. These crystals are used by Verbergen as a means of creating a safe path for beastmen to enter and leave.
In the center of the Sea of Trees is the "Grand Tree Uralt" that acts as a branch for the World Tree of True World Astral, as well as containing the Labyrinth of Lyutillis Haltina. Its girth is at least 50 meters in diameter, while also reaching up to a height of one kilometer.
But using my Authorities it wasn't much of an issue. What was the Haltina Labyrinth itself being an issue?
The Great Haltina Labyrinth is in the Grand Tree "Uralt" which was at the center of the Sea of Trees. It was initially believed by most people that the entire forest itself was the Labyrinth.
It can only be accessed after a challenger has already conquered four other Labyrinths including the Sunken Ruins of Melusine and has established a good relation with the beastmen. The Labyrinth looks like a large forest and each level is filled with many monsters that are insects and trees.
Once challengers enter the Labyrinth, their minds, memories, and feelings are first read and analyzed by the Labyrinth during teleportation into the Labyrinth. The challengers will then be separated from each other upon entering and some will have their bodies changed into monsters depending on their relationship to each other, the unchanged challengers would thus then be set upon by hordes of monsters where they will then run into their transformed companions and may end up killing them by mistake.
Furthermore, those who were transformed will be tempted to remain in the Labyrinth as a monster by presenting them with their ideal life through the use of other monsters.
However, if their comrades can identify them and manage to reunite, they will then later be sent to a room that will trap and encase them in amber-like pods and force them to experience their deepest desires.
If they managed to successfully break the illusion, they would then be forced to overcome their strongest sexual desires after being exposed to a substance that would greatly increase their lust, leading the challengers to slowly give into their carnal desires and instincts towards each other.
The final test would be to face a cockroach monster that would simulate the powers of Ehit's Apostles, while also having their emotions reversed so that it would cause them to be antagonistic towards their comrades under normal circumstances.
If anyone who has successfully cleared the Labyrinth returns once more, while also having been the one(s) that killed Ehit, a secret passage would open for them in the room with the amber pods.
They would also be approached by the swarm of cockroaches, who will collectively guide the challenger(s) to the throne room of the Haltina Republic that existed during the age of the Liberators.
Once they enter, a recorded message would activate and offer the challenger(s) the choice to either keep the Labyrinths as they are or destroy them forever using a special artifact that the cockroaches would guide them to if so told while keeping the Grand Tree itself intact. They will also be gifted a special simulation pod to them as a reward for having completed the Liberators' mission of freeing the world from Ehit's rule.
The Labyrinth was created by Lyutillis Haltina and gives the knowledge of [Evolution Magic] to those who have overcome its trial. The concept of this Labyrinth is to 'Test the challengers' bonds that have been forged.'
This was the main reason why I didn't let Ryuko or Satsuki come to this place in the first place. Satsuki I could get if troubled but Ryuko… yeah, she still recovering after the trauma that her mother put her through.
However, I already collected all the necessary criteria needed for this to work I'm gonna take a shortcut. Rewriting the enchantment on the entrance skipping the authentication process and opening a portal to the labyrinth.
*Shiii*
I looked at Yue with a concerned expression as I spoke in a cautious tone, "Last chance to butt out Yue."
But she remained determined holding my hand and gazing up at my eyes in a determined tone, "No. I'm still tagging along."
Sigh… I did warn her. So don't blame me for what happens next. We soon stepped through the portal beginning the last labyrinth.
/////
[Tortus, Great Haltina Labyrinth]
Upon stepping through the portal, my mind was immediately assaulted by magic as the Labyrinth attempted to read my thoughts, memories, and feelings to assess my affiliation and personality. Yet…
[Ding!]
[The Gamer Ring has eliminated foreign entities entering the host's mental psyche!]
[Notice of spatial disturbance within the area. Not recommend teleporting within this space.]
Ahh… the good old Gamer Ring coming in clutch. But seeing this though confirmed what I thought about this place. Space behaved oddly and despite my mastery of space-time and traveling, I couldn't teleport us directly to the final room because, as if it simply didn't exist, I couldn't locate it.
I figured that much using [TOOS]. The reason why it simply existed and didn't exist attempting to get away from me much to my annoyance manipulating information. So, the old-fashioned way of conquering the dungeon is with this one. Tch.
*Shiii*
After a flash of light, I found myself separated from Yue and teleported into a random room, where waves upon waves of monsters attempted to assault me. I say attempted because of the moment they appeared but using activating my [Witch Scent] releasing an awful stench they immediately backed off.
They're brainless monsters but they know when to stir clear of fucking danger. I immediately apologized to Koketsu for the smell in a sheepish tone, "Sorry for the smell Koketsu."
She rolled her eyes seemingly adapted to the changes in a nonchalant tone surprising me with her mental resilience, "Meh. It's not that bad considering I'm adapting to you drinking your delicious blood. That and this stupid dungeon trying to read me. Please this ain't nothing."
I'll take her word for it. Using my Authority of Wrath, [Soulwashing] immediately found Yue went as I began to change to get this over with quickly in an annoyed tone, "Sigh… let's get this over with pronto. [Life Fiber Command: Kamui Shinra-Koketsu]."
*Shiiii*
*Vooooo*
Immediately transforming and forming jet thrusters we immediately made a mad rush to where Yue was located. It didn't take us very long to return to her who had been temporarily transformed into a monster, we were then teleported into another room and encased in amber-like pods.
[Ding!]
[The Gamer Ring has eliminated foreign entities entering the host's mental psyche!]
Smirking at this once again, the Labyrinth attempted to manipulate us mentally by showing us illusions of our deepest desires. But it had no way to pierce me through the Gamer Ring defenses so I simply shattered the amber surrounding both of us.
*CRACK*
Cracking through the amber freeing Yue of her torment. But it didn't last long as the next challenge came in the form of airborne aphrodisiac filling the room, requiring us to overcome our strongest sexual desires and resist giving in to our carnal instincts towards each other.
Ha! Jokes on you dungeon I'm not a loli fucker!
[Ding!]
[The Gamer Ring has blocked horny entering the host's mental psyche!]
Great way to name it Gamer Ability. With my Gamer Ring, the horny is not effective in the slightest… Yue on the other hand… moaned getting my attention, "Ah~ Bastion-sama fuck me~"
Turning my head to her it proved difficult to her. She had practically thrown herself at me dropping her skirt and presenting herself with glistening wet womanhood on full display as she sultry said, "Mash… I can't take it anymore. Please take me. I'm your property my savior… do anything you like to me. Fulfill your dark fantasies and rape me~"
*Thud*
She fell on all fours stripping naked grinding her loli ass on my body as she continued grinding her ass on my dick in a sultry tone, "Do it Master… make me your bitch. Plow my holes to your heart's content. Raid my dungeons like the bitch that I am~"
Okay, that's a danger alert if I ever saw and felt one. Taking care of that issue right the fuck now!
The last thing I need is the multiversal league of Loli police hounding my ass. And yes, they exist and I don't want to be on their watchlist or their hit-list.
Begone horny!!! Bonkai!!
Using Authority of Lust, [Faker] I changed the airborne into normal air again. And one quick swift of using Authority of Wrath, [Restoration] quickly got her mind out of the gutter as she paused looking at herself.
Gazing at her as she changed, she felt embarrassed by her actions, her cheeks burning with shame, as she secretly gave me calculating glances. Her emotions and mind were all over the place.
Her mind was all over the place as I felt her emotions of relief, I didn't take advantage of her yet also disappointed grumbling I hadn't fucked her yet. That's some serious case of White Knight Syndrome if I ever saw one. Jesus Christ…
I almost forgot that while her personality is loving and loyal to Hajime in either series… she's also a fucking pervert too. I don't know if having a perverted girlfriend that has infinite stamina being undead is a good thing or an incredibly bad thing…
But after dressing up she quickly apologized her face red out of embarrassment repeatedly in an embarrassed tone, "Bastion-sama I'm so sorry I showed that side of myself! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry…"
*Shiiii*
/////
[Tortus, Great Haltina Labyrinth, Final Floor]
*Shiii*
Apologizing repeatedly I didn't care much since I knew what was gonna happen after this and so did the Labyrinth. It ignored our discomfort and swiftly teleported us to the final test room… oh.
*RMBL*
*RMBL*
Oh god, why? Soon from the floors and cracks of the room, multiple cockroaches began to merge to form the final boss monster cockroach taking shape into a giant monster straight out of Terraformars in sheer disgust. Just why did the creator do this?
But fortunately for me, I have the next best thing to deal with it. A very PISSED off Loli Vampire Girl that has 6 of the Ancient Magic under her grasp glaring murderously at the monster in a disgusted tone, "YOU!!! Because of you, I've shown Bastion-sama my shameful side! Perish! [Disintegration]!"
*BOOOM*
Hmm… just like Ryuko getting pissed off to bloody hell. I think they'll get along seeing Yue vented some of her pent-up frustration on it, bombarding it with magic even after it was dead, while the Labyrinth attempted and failed to manipulate her mind to turn her against me.
That's about the one thing the Labyrinth can't do to her. She literally can't betray me because I'm her savior always showing her loyalty and love and always prioritizing my safety or happiness above her own....
In layman's terms, ahem! Basically, can't control a yandere to sum it all up.
*Shiii*
After disposing of the monster we were teleported to the rewards room, and as with all previous Labyrinths it contained a magic circle which after my swift altercation, skipped the discussion with a Liberator and granted us what was unimaginatively called [Evolution Magic].
[Ding!]
[You have gained the knowledge of the Ancient Magic Skill [Evolution Magic]!]
[Ding!]
[Due to obtaining the following skills of Ancient Magic [Creation Magic], [Gravity Magic], [Spatial Magic], [Restoration Magic], [Spirit Magic], [Evolution Magic], and [Metamorphosis Magic] you have unlocked the skill [Concept Magic]!]
Skill List.
----
<Evolution Magic> (Active) Lv.-
MP Cost: Varies
Description: One of the ancient magics originating from the "Age of Gods," which allows the user to enhance or evolve all other forms of power, be it strong or weak. It can work on even other ancient magics as well, boosting their power and scope. The true power of this magic is the ability to manipulate information.
When it was used to strengthen someone's stats or skills, it effectively overwrote the "information" of their abilities with something of a higher tier. Evolution magic could also be used to view the information of any person or object, as well as interfere with their total mana capacity.
<Concept Magic> (Active) Lv.-
MP Cost: Varies
Description: It is a form of ancient magic that is a combination of many other ancient magics. The main ability of concept magic is that allows one to interfere with the laws of the world and impress concepts upon it. By raising a powerful wish or desire with spirit magic and evolution magic, it can be raised to a level of a concept before being forcefully materialized with magical power.
However, since the user's desire at the time of use, is used as the base of the magic, to raise and create the concept, the spell may not remain stable in subsequent uses, thus a single spell can only be used once under most circumstances.
However, if the desire is still needed, it can be used more than once. It should be noted however that concept magic requires the user to concentrate on raising their wish to materialize the concept, as such it wouldn't be useful in a battle where the user is under attack. Also, some concepts aren't possible to materialize by the user on their own.
----
Smirking at the new skills I immediately understood why I couldn't simply locate this place it was surrounded by runs that both erased its existence from the world and allowed it to exit and not exist simultaneously. This paradox made creating a shortcut to it impossible.
The runes, spells, and magical matrices uploaded to our minds allowed us to interfere with the information of existing things. In essence, it was a combination of [Reality Manipulation], [Existence Manipulation], and [Existent Information Manipulation]. Damn, this power is scary.
I turned toward Yue smiling at the new skills she got as she asked me in a curious tone, "So how does it feel to have all the 7 Ancient Magic Yue? Pretty cool right?"
She bobbed her head up and down holding my hand agreeing with my words as she spoke in a kind tone, "Yeah. It's cool learning these 7 Ancient Magic. But I suppose that means this adventure is over, right?"
I nodded my head opening a portal using my Gamer Ring in a calm tone needing one to do one last thing, "Yeah. But there's just one last thing I need to do before leaving this world for good. But for that I kind of need you to leave so that Ehit won't possess your body."
She only blinked as she spoke in a confused tone, "Huh?"
Welp time to take care of that God and his forces. It's about to get fun.