[101] The Woman Encased in Crystal

After the grueling battle with the Manatite Hydra, Billy and Levi sat slumped against the cold walls of the massive chamber on the seventh floor of the Teleport Labyrinth. The air was still warm from the flames they'd used to incinerate the Hydra's body, the acrid smell of charred flesh mingling with the metallic tang of monster blood.

Billy collapsed onto the floor, panting heavily. His hat rolled off, landing beside him. "Phew… that was insane! For a moment there, I thought one of us wasn't gonna make it."

Levi, though composed as always, leaned back in a similar fashion, wiping sweat from his forehead. "That fight took everything we had."

Billy chuckled breathlessly, despite his exhaustion. "I've got to say, I thought that Hydra was gonna be immune to everything. Those mana-infused scales looked like walking armor. But hey, good thing neither of us is a magician."

Levi inspected his blade, Leviathana, its faint glow dimming as the fight ended. "This sword performed better than I expected. I coated it with Qi to cut through those scales. Otherwise, it wouldn't have worked."

Billy glanced at him, smirking. "Of course. You and your fancy martial techniques. While you're busy patting yourself on the back, I'm gonna loot the rest of this Hydra for all it's worth. A beast this big is a treasure trove of materials!"

He sprang to his feet, pulling out his sub-space ring and efficiently storing the Hydra's remains. Emerald scales, massive fangs, and thick bones—all vanished into his magical inventory. But as he approached the enormous crystal at the back of the chamber, he froze.

"Hey, Levi," Billy called, his tone suddenly serious.

Levi, still examining his sword, quickly stood and walked over. "What is it?"

Billy pointed at the crystal, his eyes narrowing. "Look inside. Is that… a person?"

The two of them stepped closer, peering intently into the massive mana crystal. Suspended within was a human woman, her figure illuminated by the crystal's faint blue glow. Her golden hair shimmered in the refracted light, and her closed eyes gave her an almost peaceful appearance.

Levi scrutinized the scene carefully. "She's human. And alive, by the looks of it, though she's trapped inside."

Billy tilted his head, examining the crystal with fascination. "She's… beautiful. And she's naked."

Levi sighed, smacking Billy lightly on the shoulder. "Focus, Billy. Do you think she's one of the teleportation victims?"

Billy nodded slowly, his brow furrowing. "Probably. But why is she here? And why is she trapped like this? We don't have time to puzzle it out. Let's get her out of there."

Working together, Billy and Levi used Leviathana and Billy's tools to chip away at the crystal. With each strike, the crystal let out a sharp cracking sound, filling the chamber with an echo.

CRAACK!

Finally, the crystal shattered, and the woman's body fell gently into Levi's arms.

Billy pulled out a cloak from his sub-space ring, quickly draping it over her. "Is she alive?"

Levi checked her pulse at her wrist. "Yes, but she's weak. We need to get her out of here."

Billy glanced at the glowing teleportation circle in the room. "Let's use that. After all this, it has to be the way out."

They emerged from the labyrinth into the open desert, the sunlight striking their faces for the first time in days. After a long and tiring journey to the nearest town, they rented rooms at a small inn. The woman, still unconscious, rested in a private room while Levi ensured she was stable.

That evening, Billy and Levi sat at a corner table in the inn's tavern, a modest meal laid out before them.

Billy tore into a piece of bread, speaking with his mouth half-full. "So, what do you think about the lady upstairs? Definitely a teleportation victim. But who is she, really?"

Levi stirred his bowl of soup, his expression pensive. "If she's a victim, how did she end up on the final floor? It doesn't make sense for someone to be thrown that deep into the labyrinth and encased in a mana crystal."

Billy set down his bread, his usual humor replaced by curiosity. "You think she's… more than just a victim? Maybe she's not just some random person."

Levi nodded slightly, his eyes distant. "It's possible. That crystal didn't just trap her—it preserved her. There's something larger at play here."

Billy leaned back in his chair, gazing toward the inn's kitchen. "Well, I guess we'll have to wait and see. But I've gotta say, Levi, our lives just keep getting more complicated."

Levi allowed himself a faint smile. "That's what makes them interesting, isn't it?"

Billy chuckled, raising his cup. "To adventures that never end!"

Levi raised his own glass, his expression steady. "To the answers we're seeking."

Late that night, Billy and Levi discussed their mission over a simple dinner. The warm bread and bland soup were a stark contrast to the chaos they'd just survived, but Billy ate heartily, spreading a dollop of local peanut butter on his bread to improve the flavor.

Billy leaned forward, placing a list of names on the table. "So, nine people rescued so far. Not quite double digits, but I'd call this mission a success. Wouldn't you?"

Levi, ever the quiet one, gave a small nod as he sipped his soup. "We did what we could. Not much more anyone could ask for in a place like this."

Billy downed a gulp of cold orange juice, sighing in relief. "Ah, now this is a drink. You've got to try this, Levi. Cold juice in the middle of a desert is like finding an oasis."

Levi raised an eyebrow at Billy's glass. "I'll stick to water."

Billy shrugged, setting his drink down. "Anyway, about the lady upstairs… When do you think she'll wake up?"

Levi glanced toward the stairs. "No idea. I'm no healer, but I've been channeling some of my Qi into her daily to keep her energy stable. That's why I've been eating double."

Billy squinted at him suspiciously. "Hmm… Going the extra mile, huh? Got something you're not telling me?"

Levi sighed, closing his eyes. "Don't start, Billy. I'm just doing what needs to be done."

Billy laughed, pushing back his chair. "Alright, alright. I'll go check on her. I've got a little gadget that might help monitor her vitals."

Humming a tune, Billy made his way upstairs, a small, modern-looking stethoscope in hand. As he opened the door to the woman's room, he froze in his tracks.

She was awake.

Sitting upright in bed, her blue eyes slowly blinked open, though they seemed clouded with confusion.

Billy's jaw dropped, and he fumbled with the stethoscope, letting it clatter to the floor. "Whoa! You're awake! That's fast!"

The woman turned her gaze to him, her expression blank but not lifeless. Her lips moved, but only a faint rasp escaped.

Billy quickly approached, his tone soft and encouraging. "Hey, do you remember who you are?"

The woman tried to speak again but shook her head weakly.

Billy turned on his heel, bolting back down the stairs and calling out loudly. "Levi! Get up here! She's awake!"

Levi immediately rose, leaving his meal behind as he followed Billy to the room.

Inside, the woman looked frail but unharmed. Her bright blue eyes flicked between the two men, as if trying to gauge her surroundings.

"What's your name?" Levi asked gently.

The woman shook her head again, lowering her gaze.

Billy scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Amnesia, huh? Makes sense. Being stuck in a mana crystal for who-knows-how-long isn't exactly a small experience. Her body's healing, but her mind's clearly still catching up."

Levi nodded, his expression unreadable. "Let's give her some space to recover. We'll figure this out later."

The two exited the room, returning to their spot in the tavern below.

Billy swirled his glass of juice, deep in thought. "So, you really think she's a teleportation victim?"

Levi's brow furrowed. "It's likely. But there's something off about her. Not all victims end up in a mana crystal like that. Why is she different?"

Billy bit his lip, mulling over the question.