Mushoku Tensei: Reincarnated as a Beast Race Chapter 359 - The Labyrinth Hunt

The world's most ancient Labyrinth, the Dragon God’s Hole, presented a unique challenge on Floor 1544. This area was characterized by an ecosystem that had been in a repeating cycle since Floor 1201. Prior to this, from Floor 601 to 1200, the Labyrinth had been entirely submerged, a maritime domain. This new section, however, consisted of immense, floating islands suspended in an endless azure sky. Wispy white clouds were scattered sparsely, sometimes aligning with the islands, creating an ethereal and remarkably beautiful panorama.

The islands themselves varied, but on this particular floor, they were densely forested with trees bearing resplendent red leaves. Despite the lush appearance, the terrain was treacherous, with rivers of golden sand flowing across the landscape and even through the air, defying conventional laws of physics. A profound sense of serenity pervaded the atmosphere; the islands seemed to exude a feeling of completeness and tranquility. Red leaves drifted perpetually, as if the entire realm existed in a self-contained, isolated harmony.

Unfortunately, a significant portion of this breathtaking scenery was overrun by formidable, monstrous creatures. These beings bore a resemblance to harpies but were colossal, towering about ten meters high and covered in a mosaic of green and red scales. Each creature was a formidable predator, its scales impervious to ordinary strikes, making fatal wounds impossible even for a high-level warrior. Despite this, several of these harpy-like monstrosities were currently streaking through the trees at incredible speeds, their grotesque screeches echoing as they tore through the environment in pursuit of their quarry.

"GRUAAAAAHCK!"

"HHHHHAAAAACHUAK!"

An unyielding bloodlust fueled their relentless chase.

Meanwhile, Eris was outmaneuvering the monstrous pursuers. Her speed distorted the surrounding terrain, much like the harpies'. She navigated the forest with deft agility, weaving, leaping, and propelling herself between the trees with sheer velocity, her ponytail streaming behind her. For a fleeting moment, her Foresight Eye flared. A smile touched Eris's lips.

In the subsequent instant, she abruptly turned, skidding across the ground and gouging two deep furrows as she adopted the draw stance of the Sword God Style. Her cape and hair billowed wildly from the built-up momentum. The instant she halted her sprint, the Harpy Beasts shrieked ferociously and lunged at her in a savage, bloodthirsty rush.

Eris inhaled deeply. Her flight had not been born of fear.

She had been running to achieve the optimal angle. Her intent was to annihilate every single harpy with a single, decisive blow. Thus, she remained stationary as over twenty Harpy monsters converged on her from all directions, each vying to be the first to tear her asunder.

Twenty meters.

Ten meters.

Five meters.

Concurrently, a subtle crimson luminescence emanated from the sheathed blade of the Sword God. The surrounding air vibrated with the accumulating mana.

Then, opening her eyes, she unleashed her strike. It was a blow that, were Gall Farion to witness it, would strike him as uncannily similar to his own. Yet, simultaneously, it was profoundly distinct.

"Crimson Heavenly Rupture!"

Her blade moved in the blink of an eye. For a brief second, all sound ceased to exist. Then, a colossal crescent swept through the space before the Red Lioness, obliterating everything in its path, leaving no possibility for evasion. The forest was cleaved horizontally; its upper half was violently expelled, as if ripped from the earth by a tempest. Naturally, the approximately twenty Harpy Beasts were severed perfectly in half with consummate skill. Their formidable scales offered no defense against Eris's power. Strange organs, flesh, and bone were all bisected in a single, fluid motion, as fragments of the creatures' bodies impacted the devastated landscape, scattering the aftermath of the devastating attack.

All perished simultaneously, as expected. Eris had precisely calculated the opportune moment for all of them to fall victim to a single strike, employing her Foresight Demon Eye.

A moment later, Eris took another deep breath. Utterly disregarding the extensive destruction she had wrought, she sheathed her blade and swiftly returned to Rygar's side. This swift execution had transpired in under three minutes.

Even with her hair pulled back, Eris still marveled at the immense archipelago of floating islands stretching out before her. After enduring countless floors, such a spectacle continued to captivate her attention. Soon enough, however, she located Rygar. He was standing before a colossal mural, engrossed in deciphering the riddle of that particular floor. But as Eris approached, she was surprised to find that the pathway to the subsequent floor was already discernible. Despite this, Rygar appeared preoccupied, his gaze fixed upon the Magic Word he held in his hand.

"Did something unfurl out there?"

she inquired, a flicker of uncertainty coloring her tone.

Rygar appeared preoccupied, yet he still responded, his brow creased.

"Something did occur... we must accelerate our pace even further."

"Ah? Was it truly that grave?"

Eris’s face immediately showed concern. Her most profound apprehension in accompanying Rygar into the labyrinth was the potential neglect of her family's safety.

Though she didn’t overtly display it, her family held a significant place in her heart.

Rygar offered her reassurance.

"For the time being, nothing external. However, we might encounter internal difficulties."

He directed his gaze upward.

They had consistently descended through the levels, but each one remained distinct. The formidable spatial barriers impeded Rygar's ability to utilize his extraordinary senses to gauge the labyrinth's complete scope.

Nevertheless, an unsettling premonition lingered.

Before Eris could probe further, Rygar summarized the situation:

"To put it plainly, Hitogami is orchestrating a major scheme in Begaritt, and Nina was unwittingly manipulated by Vita as a spy... I would prefer to dismiss it, but I sense our location may have already been compromised."

Eris’s eyes widened in shock.

"What?! Hold on, Nina? How could this happen?! Does this imply..."

Rygar interrupted her.

Taking Eris by the chin, he gently squeezed her cheeks with one hand, eliciting an immediate blush from her and an annoyed glare.

He then spoke with composure, a smile gracing his lips:

"Worry not... Eris.

His smile broadened slightly as he set aside the communication device.

"There is both good and bad news. Apparently, the apostles are not targeting the Kingdom of Gaia, despite their awareness of our absence. The unfortunate news... is that they are likely pursuing us instead. We will soon have company."

Even after Rygar released her cheeks, Eris maintained a look of disquiet.

"Is that truly acceptable...?"

Rygar settled himself on a rock and responded with unvarnished honesty:

"Certainly not. I possess confidence in my ability to vanquish each of Hitogami’s apostles individually, but the aftermath of a confrontation under unfavorable circumstances remains unpredictable, even with Skollvindr and Doomsday."

He gestured towards the passage leading to the subsequent level.

"However, we still hold the advantage of time. Provided we can conquer this Labyrinth before they apprehend us, victory is ours. Should they intercept us first... then I shall devise a solution... it will somehow resolve itself, I am certain of it!"

Eris became silent upon hearing his words.

Rygar’s explanation was rendered unnecessary. She comprehended perfectly well that if Hitogami’s apostles were navigating this labyrinth, their progress would likely surpass that of the pair for two primary reasons.

The first, and most crucial, was Hitogami's capacity to simply divulge all the solutions and enigmas of each floor to them.

The second reason was the delayed respawn rate of the monsters inhabiting each level.

Certain of the more formidable beasts that Rygar and Eris had contended with would no longer pose an obstacle to their pursuers, as they were already deceased.

Yet, Rygar's expression shifted into a smile.

"Even so, Hitogami is committing vast resources. His willingness to venture this far signifies a considerable gamble on his part. This, too, is a positive indicator. It suggests this is his final significant maneuver. He has been pushed to the absolute edge. For him, it is now a matter of success or annihilation... Come, Eris. Let us conquer this Labyrinth. From this point forward, the journey promises considerable turbulence."

Rygar rose to his feet.

Without a moment's hesitation, Eris followed him towards the ensuing level.

----

A few days prior to these unfolding events, at the threshold of the colossal Dragon God’s Hole Labyrinth, a Six-Armed Immortal Demon and a white-haired man adorned with draconic wings stood observing the expansive, dark chasm before them.

Arrayed behind the duo lay the lifeless forms of hundreds of Red Dragons.

The overwhelming majority had succumbed to a solitary, fatal strike, a lethal stab or slash. The devastation scattered across the battlefield served as unequivocal testament to the attacker’s formidable martial prowess.

Badigadi surveyed the crater and erupted into boisterous laughter.

"Bwahahaha! What a preposterous display of recklessness! They actually plunged into that abyss?! That's rather unnerving!"

His companion, the Technique God Laplace, maintained an air of somber seriousness, his expression unchanged.

The irises, typically golden, now held a subtle darkness as he responded without altering his demeanor:

"I cannot dispute that assessment. I have previously ventured to the depths of the Inferno Labyrinth, but standing before this place, I feel as though I am stepping willingly into the maw of a ferocious beast. It defies logical reasoning."

It was, in reality, Vita assuming the guise.

The original Laplace possessed a far more vibrant and inquisitive disposition than this current iteration.

Badigadi’s demeanor momentarily turned serious as he contemplated Vita’s words.

Precisely as Aisha and Rygar had presaged, their intended course of action had already been divulged to Hitogami.

Upon this discovery, Hitogami was presented with a dichotomy of choices.

The first option entailed an invasion to severely weaken the Kingdom of Gaia, potentially leading to its utter destruction.

The second option involved exploiting the opportune moment while Rygar was isolated and vulnerable... and eliminating him permanently.

A conventional exit from that Labyrinth simply did not exist. Not even teleportation could breach its confines. The sole path forward was conquest.

This presented a singular chance, one unencountered for the past five years. It was an opportunity to vanquish the most persistent obstacle in the Man-God’s path.

Naturally, this development clashed directly with their schemes in Begaritt.

Consumed by fury at yet another thwarted plan, Hitogami unleashed curses upon Rygar’s formidable destiny and instincts. However, guided by Geese’s counsel, Hitogami finally reached a resolute conclusion.

If Rygar Adoldia were to perish, a substantial portion of Hitogami’s troubles would evaporate.

Indeed, it was conceivable that as much as sixty or seventy percent of his problems would be resolved.

Hitogami’s fervent wish to see the Apocalypse Beast’s head displayed atop a spike eclipsed all other considerations. Following such a victory, other challenges would undoubtedly remain, but the primary source of instability would be eliminated.

Consequently, despite the potential vulnerability it created for his position in Begaritt, he unhesitatingly dispatched his two most formidable combatants to ensure Rygar’s permanent demise.

Badigadi’s voice boomed once more, his uproarious laughter returning with unrestrained vigor:

"BWAHAHAHA! Then let us depart! Rygar might, just might, manage to fell me this time! It has been an age since I last reveled in such exhilarating combat! Let us proceed!"

In that very instant, Badigadi wasted no further time.

He approached the Golden Armor that lay nearby.

The moment his fingers brushed against it, the armor seamlessly molded itself to his form, as if crafted specifically for him.

The Fighter God once again graced the mortal plane.

A mystical golden radiance perpetually radiated from his being, enveloping his entire silhouette.

Vita, now inhabiting Laplace’s form, adopted an even more solemn demeanor, grasping a lengthy silver spear in his right hand.

Uttering no further words, he launched himself toward the crater, his expression unchanging.

Badigadi, his hearty laughter still echoing, soared high into the air immediately after him.

Thus, two more exceptionally powerful warriors voluntarily surrendered themselves to the immense entity that had persisted for millennia.

As he descended, Vita revisited the intelligence Hitogami had provided regarding the Labyrinth.

Upon entry, they would immediately encounter the First World, known as the Beast World.

From the initial floor up to the six hundredth, untamed wilderness would dominate the landscape.

Following that, further stages would unfold.

The Sea World, featuring aquatic terrains.

The Celestial World, characterized by aerial environments.

The Demon World, with its decaying and putrid landscapes.

And finally...

The Dragon World.

Home to a truly unique and unparalleled ecosystem.

Each of these realms encompassed 600 floors, accumulating to a total of 3000. At the culmination of each distinct "world," a final boss, representing that world's Fallen God, would await.

The initial three worlds were anticipated to be relatively straightforward.

However, commencing from the fourth world—the Demon World—the challenges would escalate to a lethality even for Laplace’s robust physique.

And the Dragon World...

A shiver coursed through Vita merely contemplating the precise descriptions of the Final Boss within the Dragon God’s challenging domain.

Even as a Slime, incapable of fully grasping the human emotions driving such a decision, he held a profound admiration for Rygar Adoldia’s sheer audacity in electing to confront such a colossal threat alone.

He was either a madman.

Or possessed an unparalleled degree of boldness.

Setting aside these musings, the pair finally disappeared into the encroaching darkness.

Badigadi’s resonant laughter gradually diminished, its echoes receding deeper and deeper until they were utterly consumed by the heart of the world.

----

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