Rebirth Online World

Locating Tyxx wasn’t hard, after all he’s a big creature, similar to a bull.

Icicle: Here you are Tyxx, we need to talk.

Tyxx: Master? Weren’t you supposed to leave for the academy? What’s keeping you here?

Icicle: Mm, I decided to bring some issues to a close. To that point. [Forsaken Labyrinth], do you know what’s beneath the first floor?

Tyxx: T-That’s…

I saw the minotaur struggling.
Tyxx was even trembling for a moment.
What the hell could be hidden underneath the first floor?

Icicle: I wouldn’t press for it, but it’s important, Tyxx. Whatever is there, down below, I need to take over. Otherwise all of the workshops I plan to set up on the first floor won’t ever be safe.

Tyxx: There are several floors, Master. I’m not sure what’s inside them except for traps. Many mechanisms are set to prevent invaders from going down below. Except for that, as you can expect, there are guardians. No idea who they are either. Then, on the last, the fifth floor, there’s a [Minotaur Settlement]. You can call it a village composed of my race…

Icicle: You’re not telling me something, are you?

Tyxx: W-Well… I don’t know if I should…

Icicle: Would you like to find out?

Even I was surprised by the sinister tone of my voice.

Tyxx: That’s… It’s not that I’m trying to be disrespectful, Master… Fine, I’m stuck in this difficult position because of my shortcomings. Remember when I told you that female minotaurs are stronger than the males?

Hmm… indeed, Tyxx did say something like that a while back.
I tried to console him and use the females as a reason to make him work hard.

Icicle: Yes, I do remember. Please continue.

Tyxx: If I compared [Minotaur Settlement] to the [Zaryoux Temple] its overall power is weaker, but… The female minotaur that rules over the area is something else. Even though she can call be weaker in terms of level and statistics compared to Zexna, there’s no way she would lose to him. That minotauress is simply too ferocious and wild. All of her attacks are erratic and vicious. Wherever she passes only rubble is left behind.

Icicle: That sounds like one hell of a female. So, who is it?

Tyxx was scratching his head with his left arm.
Then with a somewhat embarrassed tone continued.

Tyxx: I-It’s my mother…

Comrade in misery!
I’m not alone!

Tyxx: Why are you smiling, Master?

Icicle: Heh, it’s nothing. Let’s say I realize your pain. What else do I need to know?

Tyxx: Mm, about that… I can’t tell you much more. Over hundred years ago I was banished to guard the first floor as its guardian. Minotaur Warden they called it. If I wasn’t a weakling it never would have happened…

A weakling, huh?
I guess this little venture will be quite exciting then.

Icicle: Alright then, you can tell me about the rest on the road.

Instructing Zetra to fly over to Saress’s castle in case I was late, Tyxx and I unworriedly hurried towards the [Forsaken Labyrinth].

I could get there faster without the pressure coming off from Nyu, but being considerate I matched up with my minotaur’s movement speed.
Less than half an hour later we’ve arrive at the entrance.

Middle of the night, full moon shined and covered the area with its milky light.
In front of the blue swirling portal, there was no one.
No guards, no adventurers.
Whole area was desolate, rubble littered the surrounding lush grasses.
It seemed as if a whole Labyrinth behind the portal collapsed and turned into a ruin.

Such scenery didn’t arouse any desire for adventure.
Heh, unless you knew what’s inside.

Entering the [Forsaken Labyrinth], it was the same as always.
Spacious halls filled with nothing but silence that had a maze in front of it.
Grey walls of the maze obscured vision and blocked certain paths, trying to make one lost in its entirety.

I was never good in topography nor in finding the right direction, so I brought Tyxx with me as a guide.
That was one of the reasons. The other were the traps he could disassemble.
Moving along with the Minotaur Warden, as he was called back in the day, I smoothly traversed through the labyrinth.

Small torches were illuminating the area here and there, making it seem like the stone is not completely lifeless.
Everything was fine until the moment Tyxx had forgotten about one of the traps up ahead.

With  a screech the walls at both sides trembled, then circular saw blades emerged with a buzzing sound.
It was not much of a problem for me to dodge them relying on my movement speed.
Several of the saw blades emerged from beneath and above me, hitting directly against my [Frost barrier].

I lost at least five thousand of my mana during the whole process.
Looking back at Tyxx, I saw an unprecedented scene.

That goddamn bull was flexing his muscles and slowly walking through the sawblades.
Not a hint of blood on his brown skin.
How hard is your body you monster?!
Nonetheless, I tried sounding calm.

Icicle: Is that the power of your [Hardened skin]?

Tyxx: Heheh, yeah. Things like this cannot really hurt me. All they do is make the area they hit itch a little.

Icicle: You’re so overpowered…

Tyxx: Why thank you master.

No wonder this piece of shit was able to take my hits during our brawl back then.
With so much damage reduction, who the hell wouldn’t be up for a fist fight?

Pouting a little I gestured for Tyxx to continue guiding me.
After all, I had no idea where I was after five minutes of walking, and now that we had been going for an hour I had no hope. Even if I had any inkling of where I was before, it was long gone.

During the rest of our little trip, we’ve encountered several other dangers.
Pitfalls filled with sharp metal spikes that were covered with vicious poison.
I wondered how the hell could the poison last for so long, but that’s when I saw the snakes coiling around the spikes.
Apparently, it was their nest.

For some reason the further we went, the less traps we’ve encountered.
I was anxious. Tyxx remembered most of them, that’s true, but now it was gradually lessening.
It wasn’t a good sign.

As if to answer my anxiety, walls of the whole maze shifted, blocking our exit.
With no time to spare, someone has decided to play this prank on me.
I was furious!
Saress is going to be nagging at me again for being late, then I’ll have to listen to her grumbling for hours…
Just let me sleep properly for once, bastards!

Talking it out with Tyxx, I learned that there’s a huge stone boulder trap that chases people around.
Listening to Tyxx’s explanations, I thought of a way to activate it safely.

This game is trying to fuck with me, so I no longer played fair.
Jumping over a few walls, I threw a pebble that laid nearby.
It landed on the tile that supposedly activated the boulder.
According to Tyxx, the whole mechanism was activated when something or someone stepped on it.
I figured why not throw a pebble and have some advantage?

*rumbleeeeeeeee*

To my surprise it worked.
One of the grey walls shifted, then a huge boulder propelled by a spring started rolling.
The entire floor started rumbling, then sloped a little, increasing the boulder’s velocity even further.
Goddamn inventors, has science gone too far?!

Running from this demolishing death machine like my life depended on it, it crashed several walls.
For some reason it knew where I was, even if I cheated my way and jumped over the walls.
I began to question myself.
Can an inanimate part of nature be sentient?!

Soon, the thought was disregarded.
Running through the maze like a madman, I finally began to lose it.

*boom* *boom*

Several walls crumbled to pieces and with that this ball of death had found me again.
This time I stopped running.
I was already at my destination, so with intent of letting it break through the walls behind me, I acted as a bullfighter.
Stone boulder followed me nonetheless, no taunts were needed, but it seemed fun.

Steadying my ragged breathing I felt determination.
It was a crucial moment.
If it failed I would have to play unfair again, where’s the fun in cheating my way through the whole thing?
Repaying the kindness of the inventor, sure, but ruining my entertainment? Hell no!

*rumble*

Grey walls around me were somewhat narrower than the rest of the maze, so the boulder had to force its way through, losing some of its original top speed.
Jumping over it, it continued due to the sloped surface.

*booooooooooooooooooooooooooom*

Several booms echoed out, signaling the path was clear and good to go.
After that Tyxx who was watching the whole thing while sitting on one of the walls jumped down and walked straight ahead.
Following him we made our way to a closed off space.

The boulder had crashed into, and embedded itself, into the wall to my left.
The wall shuddered as the floor crumbled beneath it, sending the ball falling onto the ground once more.
What’s weird is that I’ve never heard a sound of it actually landing.
*sigh* This Labyrinth is hella strange.

Tyxx balled a fist and smashed against one of the walls.
There seemed to be a different colored tile.
It was a red brick that didn’t fit the whole grayish theme.

Tyxx pressed it and the floor rumbled.

*scrapeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee*

Following the sound few tiles moved and showed the stairs leading underground.
Looking over at Tyxx he seemed reluctant.
I patted him on the back as I walked past him, into the darkness.

…

Moving down the unlit stairs wasn’t difficult.
I was a little uneasy but it wasn’t enough to scare me.
Half way through I’ve seen ripples in the air.
Was it what Aspena saw around the coffins in [Zaryoux Temple]?
Interesting.

Luck my ass, if it wasn’t for Tyxx I would have never found this place.
Well, maybe not never, but only after I’d have turned it all into a nice flat area and then some…
I wouldn’t even have had a chance of finding such an entrance, one riddled with walls and traps everywhere without a map.

Second’s floor concept was similar to the first one’s.
Only the walls weren’t grey but more of a light orange color, turning into yellow under torches’ luminous light.
The maze itself seemed different, instead of only one way to enter, there were several entrances located on both sides.
Ceiling above us was high up and I couldn’t see or detect anything on it, so I calmed myself a little.
It would be bad if some mutated bats suddenly descended to attack us in the open, not to mention in the restricted space of the labyrinth’s walls.

Tyxx wasn’t sure what the exact way was after more than 100 years of wandering.
All he remembered was that it was the middle entrance.
It would be all fine and cool, but there were four entrances…
Which one is the middle then?
Should I just use uneven halves?
Riddles, riddles everywhere.

I had no idea what the hell was happening, so I chose the second entrance from the left.
Walking for a while down a winding path, there were no traps.

Fortunately, there were no monsters to ambush us either.
However, instead of feeling relieved it made me even more anxious.
If something goes too smoothly, you should expect a trap.
At least that’s what the experience in running an organization taught me.

Five more minutes of walking and nothing happened.
I was utterly confused.
This floor was hidden, sure, but why the hell are there no guardians?

It felt like I’ve crossed half of the maze.
Then something felt wrong.
I felt disturbed.
Eerie atmosphere filled the maze, making me shudder a little.

Not knowing what the hell was causing me to feel such unrest, I looked around somewhat panickedly.
What I saw was otherworldly.
Dark, intangible creatures made of… shadow!

Invisible forces seemed to attack me, every attack against my [Frost barrier] was repelled and they let out a miserable shriek, but Tyxx didn’t have that much luck.
If they’re intangible what the hell can I do?!

Eshel: *Heheh, to think you’d encounter one of these here. You’re truly lucky to discover them these early, kiddo.*

Icicle: *Why are you always so happy when I am in worst kinds of trouble?*

Eshel: *Look out there’s two more coming from the left.*

*whoosh*

Ducking immediately, I barely dodged two swipes of the randomly shaped creatures.
To be precise, they were shaped according to my own and Tyxx’s shadow.
Nearby torches gave them opportunity to quickly traverse through the area, making it impossible to attack back even if I knew how.

The worst part about this was that Tyxx’s [Hardened skin] worked only against physical attacks. His magic resistance was negligible.
Damn it!
Let’s try this, I won’t have a proper guide, but who cares.
Maybe Tyxx’s voice will be enough for me not to lose directions.

[Unsummon]!

Shit!

Eshel: *Why are you so frantic, kiddo? All you need to do against those guys is use some light energy.*

Icicle: *Use light energy my ass! All of my skills are blocked, I can’t even stir my mana!… Wait a second!*

Time around me slowed, everything seemed to move in slow motion.
That’s right, I can use [Frost barrier] to repel these creatures, but that won’t work for Tyxx.
What if I do that then?!

Casting [Three-staged shower] both my and Tyxx’s body was enveloped by golden luster.

*shrieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek*

The situation seemed to have turned, all the shadows turned back and only followed us secretly.
Their disgusted shrieks continued, as if I used the worst poison against them.
Bravo Likaan, even vile creatures like you hate you… no wonder you have no friends.

Tyxx: Thank you boss. Your spell seems to have worked magnificently. I would be in a hell of a lot of trouble if it didn’t.

Icicle: Something seems wrong. Why did they attack you?

Tyxx: I have no idea. Maybe it’s because I am no longer a Minotaur Warden but your familiar?

Icicle: Having such creatures as guardians, you minotaurs are really crafty…

Tyxx: …

Eshel: *Heheh, good job young one, I thought you were going to abandon your familiar. Who would have thought that you would actually use a mere shower filled with highest density holy water to counter these abominations’ advances! Hahaha, this is pure gold.*

Yeah, laugh at me, why don’t you…
Schadenfreude at its best.

*sigh* I probably would have made fun of Eshel if our situation were reversed, so I can’t really blame him.

Icicle: *Since you know so much about them, why don’t you share a little? I have a feeling they’re only measly minions. What if I meet their leader or even worse, their master?*

Eshel: *I do know a lot about these creatures, because few of the Ice Mages’ tombs are protected by them. Almost no one can defeat them, that’s why they’re so useful. As you can imagine, they’re really difficult to convince, not to mention taming them… Unless you have suicidal thoughts, don’t try that.*

Icicle: *What can they do? You said they’re protectors that means guardians, right? So there are treasures here?*

Eshel: *From what I can say, yes, there are. You should have a vague idea of what they can do. Every shadow is their home, higher leveled ones can use profound dark magic. Against someone like you who’s especially vulnerable against it, your mana pool would drain in seconds, then you’d die miserably. What’s your current mana at, 25000? That means you’ve spent 3/8 of your entire 40000 mana pool for fighting weaklings. Don’t even try to get these creatures’ treasures. If my estimations are accurate, you wouldn’t last 10 seconds against a middle ranked one.*

Icicle: *Yeah, yeah, they’re overpowered, I can see that. I’m also aware of my mana pool. You still didn’t tell me what do they protect though. Come on, stop being so enigmatic. You’re sufficiently arcane as it is.*

That goddamn geezer, share some things with me, dammit!
Don’t you dare be stingy!

Eshel: *Here I am, trying to dissuade you nicely, yet you’re such a stubborn idiot! All of you morons who can revive are fearless… These creatures can toy with you, torture you and even experiment on you for ages! Don’t blame me for the consequences!*

Icicle: *Come on, Eshel. I don’t have all day. What can I tell you? I am a gambler. People like me don’t fear the risk. It’s all about the end game, about the goal. If you can’t achieve something, feel like you’re the best, what’s the point of keeping low profile? Go big or go home!*

Eshel: *Whatever. Maybe I am just too old. Back in my younger days I was fearless, but with age you gain wisdom. It’s a thing the current you lacks. *sigh* Nothing I can do about it… Listen well. [Dark Trackers] are known for two things. Assassinations and guarding. Some guard treasures, other guard important people. These shadow-like creatures are prideful and never let outsiders join their ranks. You can say they live in families, clans or groups. Whatever you want to call them. The treasures they protect on their own are all of dark element! For people like you who are permanently associated with light element, they’re useless! That’s why I said you should let it go. The other reason is that they do more damage to you because of the curse! As you are now, you can’t fight back!*

Icicle: *I know all of that.*

Eshel: *Then why the hell are you trying to endanger yourself and your companion even further?!*

Icicle: *Have you been listening to my conversation with Tyxx back in [Zaryoux Temple]?*

Eshel: *I have, what of it?*

Icicle: *His mother is outrageously strong. I can use Nyuva to scare her, but will she ever truly fear me? What will make her sit inside her fifth floor and not pillage every treasure, every piece of equipment and every goddamn bar of gold that I will possess?! This location is important to me because it will be our workshop. Artisans who will work here will be our backbone, the ones who create equipment for the whole house, making it incomparably stronger than it could have ever been on its own! Do you realize what I’m saying now?! If I can’t defeat or at least steal the treasure of a mere shadow, how the hell am I supposed to earn Tyxx’s mother’s respect?!*

Eshel; *Pfffft! Buahahahahaha!*

Panting heavily after my glorious speech, I was confused.
Yes, it was happening in my mind, but I felt it with my whole body.
What the hell is Eshel laughing at?
This is serious business!

Icicle: *What’s so funny, hm?!*

Eshel: *Heheh, it’s nothing, I thought you’re stupid, but you’re actually an idiot! A prideful one at that! You’re not a hero, dumbass. Stop acting like you’re one. Your enemy holds the absolute advantage, yet you still want to invade into its territory?*

Icicle: *Hell yeah I do. I’m not treating this world like a game anymore, Eshel. There are many people who are stronger than me right now. If I don’t get significantly more powerful this number will only increase. Why would I care about consequences when I am already a weakling? There’s only a year left to find Acquare’s sister. With her legacy, I can become several times stronger than the legendary Ice Mages.*

Eshel: *Don’t bullshit me here, kiddo. You don’t give a shit about Ice Mages.*

Icicle: *It’s true, I don’t really care. But I’m still thankful for the class I’ve received, so I’ll definitely repay them in the future, one way or the other. Also, don’t underestimate me, Eshel. I may be a madman, but a crafty one. I’m not as powerless as I thought, at least not against those things.*

Eshel: *Oh really? Then show me what you’ve got, Icicle. If you manage to impress me, I’ll teach you something good~.*

Icicle: *It’s a deal. You had better remember those words.*

Eshel: *Hohoho, of course.*

…