IDBIRR (Boss Fight - Final Phase p.2) Chapter 20: She who represents Me, Farewell Lone Wolf, and to You who is Eons away.

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"Huh?" I suddenly woke up from a short slumber, yet it felt like an eternity.

Strange, this body doesn't need any sleep, yet why does it feel like this has already happened in the past before?

"Wait a minute..." Something didn't feel right. It didn't feel right at all, it feels like I forgot something important just now.

"Ah, right! What happened about the fight?!"

I was so sure I was about to win just now! Tood suddenly did this stange mojo thing, everything went dark, then I used the railgun skill, and then...

Hmm...If I think about it, I probably lost after that.

But how am I still alive though? Did he decide to spare my cheeks?!

*Crumble*

"Woah?!"

Small debris suddenly fell near me. When I looked over to where it fell, I was suddenly met with the view of the Labyrinth sliced open.

"What in the world..." I crawled over to look at the large crevice before me. I peeked down and saw that the Labyrinth was still floating high up in the sky, just above a plain field down below us.

I presume this would be Tood's doing. I can't possibly do some shit like this yet. But he definitely could, I won't doubt it, that guy's a nutjob.

Few bits of debris were falling down from the large crevice, as I whistled seeing the long drop, down.

"Yeesh. If I fell down here without a skill that let me phase through the ground or walls, or even a skill that let me create floating panels for stairs, I'd definitely die alright."

Looking around some more, I was curious about where the hell I am right now. I looked up and saw that it was still during the night. I guess not much time has passed since the battle ended. I wonder where has Tood ran off to?

Speaking of Tood...where is he??

"He doesn't seem to be around..."

"Hmm..."

"I wonder if he went back to his room?"

"Hmm...should I go look for him...?"

"Hrmm...."

"Hmhmm......"

"Yeppers, yep....."

"Hmmmmmmmm........."

"Hmm?"

"Hmm......??"

"Hm!"

"Hmmmm????"

"Hmmmmm!?"

*GASP* AM I SPEAKING RIGHT NOW?!

"How is this possible?!"

I don't have vocal cords on my throat, nor any other inside parts of the body! I'm literally just stone and three spherical orb thingies! Cores, I think they were called?

"Aww hell naw, I'm probably a ghost right now aren't I? I'm able to do stuff I wasn't capable of before!"

I'm right aren't I, Rosé?!

[[...]]

Hm? What's the matter? Why aren't you answering me?

Hellooo~ anybody home~?

[[...]]

What? Cat got your tongue?

Did we switch roles or something? Are you mute now?

[[...]]

Hmm...she's unusually quiet for some reason. Although I kinda feel like she's still with me, just that she's choosing not to answer my calls. I'll go ask her what's up, later, when she decides to talk to me again.

...

I kinda feel lonely...

It takes me back to when I was still a little ol' rock. Alone and had no one else beside me...

Oh. Now that I take a good look at this severed room, isn't this my room?

Looking around, I vividly still remember the room where I came from.

There's the ant hill, the weeds and other plants I watched grow, and the trees that had my company back then they were still little saplings.

And then there's the arrow covered in...

Covered in blood...

Huh...?

Why was the arrow covered in blood again...?

I...

I don't remember why...

Huh. That's definitely strange...why was there an arrow in this room in the first place....?

...

Oh well! Like they always say: if you don't remember, it probably wasn't important!

Now back to where we were-- should I start looking for Tood?

Although he did say this Labyrinth would go boom, soon...did that sly fox fool me!? I know he's a wolf, but he always acts like a fox when it comes to these things. That goofy oaf...now that I can talk for some reason, I'll give him quite a nagging that's for sure!

I probably should hurry though, who knows when this place will fall from the sky.

I stood up and jumped over the distance of the other side of the room that got severed.

"Hup!"

Now that I have a good look at my body, I'm back to my small and original form. Guess I turned back after I blacked out somehow.

I like this cute form anyways. I'll just turn back to my avatar form when I get to interact with humans.

I'm curious about the humans from the outside world. Since all my life, I was always stuck inside this birdcage.

But since everything seems to be over now, I could probably escape this dark and lonely place now.

I ran towards the door the led outside to the corridors of the Labyrinth and passed by the arrow.

I immediately stopped and looked back.

Although it was left lying on the floor with dried bloodstains covering its arrowhead, I had an impulse to grab it for no reason.

"Strange...I have no clue where this came from back then...but why does it feel like...like I should take it with me?"

It sure is off-putting to look at. At one end, it looks horrible and cruel, but on the other side of what I think-- It's like it's something...something dear to me.

I can't accurately put it into words, but that's just how it came across to me. So I put it inside my inventory as a keepsake or something.

"Now-- let's find Big Boss!"

I ran past the door and-

"Evenin' to ya."

Outside of it, just beside the door: Tood layed with his back on a wall, his lower half torn apart, one of his arms missing while the other was pinned with a sword beside him, and his chest riddled with blades.

"Ya sure didn't hold back with me did ya? Gg...Grahahaha!"

[[...]]

My mouth went agape as soon as I saw the state he was in, barely still alive.

"W-What happened to you?!"

I quickly went to his side and examined his condition more thouroughly. His guts were laying on the floor in front of him and his torn lower body was just a few feet across from us to the side, flopped on the corridor with blood splattered near it.

"Shit, shit, shit--!! D-Did I do this to you?!"

He continues to laugh. Not minding that he's literally on the verge of death. Which really ticks me off.

"Don't worry mate, this is just a mere flesh wound, is all it is! Grahahaha!" He laughs it off while blood drips out from his mouth.

"Jesus...you're really crazy you know that?"

"Hehe. I wouldn't make it this far if I weren't crazy, wouldn't I? Also, you also said that Jesus thing earlier, lad. What is a jesus?"

"Uhh...let's just say it's a form of expression. You say it when something surprising or something you can't normally express in words, happen...hmm...yea, let's just leave it as that."

"Hm? Whatever ya say I guess. Grahaha!"

Sigh. It still bothers me he ended up like this. I wonder what happened while I was knocked out??

"So it's a guy's voice this time eh..."

"Hm? What? Did you say something?"

"Nothing. Kekeke"

For now I should heal him. Since it looks like the fight's over, I guess it should be fine giving him some potions I've gathered from monster dwellings. I don't think...he'd attack me after recovering...right?

Well, there's no point in worrying about that now. Let's just give him some, then worry about what happens next, later.

I reached out to my inventory, looking for potions. But-

"Save em for later, lad. I won't...I won't be needing em."

He stopped me just as I was about to pull out some potions.

"Huh?? Why?? You're dying right now, I'll save you!"

He shakes his head, "No, ya don't need to. Just like I said earlier, this is only a mere flesh wound. Tis only but a scratch! believe me. It's nothing too serious.".

He's saying ridiculous things again.

He musters up some strength and frees his hand from being impaled to the wall, the blade still plunged to his palm. Then he points at the direction of his legs, sprawled on the floor.

"Can ya fetch me them legs? You see, sometimes I think I need stand up for myself whenever I'm feeling down."

".....???"

"Eh? Get it?" He winks and nudges at me, after telling me such a terrible dad joke in his condition. Should I just leave this man to die?

Seeing as he's actually just treating this situation so lightly, I guess it really is just a flesh wound for him.

"Sigh...okay, okay, wait a sec."

I raised the floor below his legs using [Stone Power] and let it come over here. I aligned it to his body right after and just left it there.

My face twists in disgust just by seeing his intestines scattered on the floor. I curiously poked some of it just to see more of it's icky response to my touch.

"Ew..."

"Hey, you're the one touching it on your own. Hands off if ya just get disgusted by it."

"W-Well...you know I'm a curious person. Of course I'd try to see how it looks like, up close.

"Ya sure are a weird fellow, alright."

"...Ngg, I can't help it, the monsters here immediately turn into those light particles whenever they die. I didn't have any chances to look."

"Ah. I almost forgot..." I was too distracted by his guts that I forgot to remove the blades from his body.

"You fine with me taking out the blades?" I point to his chest that's riddled with said blades, "You wouldn't bleed out to death from this right?" I ask again, just to make sure.

He shakes his head, "Nah, I'd regenerate." he says, with this annoyingly overconfident look on his face.

I almost forgot he has crazy regeneration, that's probably why he refused the potions.

I started taking out the blades by controlling them using [Stone Power], similar to a telekinesis pull.

"Ngg...well ain't that efficient." He groans and takes a breather, somehow.

Looking at these blades... they're my design. So the culprit was definitely me...but how..? I can't remember anything after I blacked out...

Unless...did she do this?

[[...]]

Hmm...I can't say for certain. She so elusive sometimes, but I guess she did save my ass earlier. I just don't know how she did it.

Oh boy will there be a lot of talking to once she speaks to me again. Hmph.

"Hey, can ya help me lay my back on the floor?"

Tood suddenly asks for my assistance.

"Let's have...one last chat, shall we?"

"...-"

"Okay."

I carefully laid his back on the cold, hard floor.

"Earlier...I was quite surprised you would still worry for someone, especially for someone like me."

"Huh? Are you nuts? Of course I-"

"Wasn't I supposed to be a hurdle you must overcome? An obstacle, right in the middle of your path."

"...!"

I...I did say that earlier. And now that obstacle isn't in my way anymore.

"You wound me, my friend."

"I..."

Seeing my reaction, he smiles and laughs softly.

"I told ya earlier...that from now on, to never regret the decisions you'll make in life. To live a life however ya want, no matter what happens right after ya chose that path. Or else, you'll live a life of regret. And I don't want ya to ever regret fighting me, that's why I didn't want to go easy on ya. Because life never goes easy on us."

I couldn't utter a single word to him. He's right. When I showed him pity earlier, it's just like I was spitting at his resolve and throw dirt at my own. I showed a glimpse of regret when I saw his state earlier; I sullied both of our determination to win and the respect he has given to me as an equal.

"But that just shows that you're human, that you're not completely monster, that you can be both at the same time. And there's nothing wrong with that. You reacted just like we would even if we were to switch places right now."

"..."

"Earlier, when I slew you-- I also...I also felt regret, the moment I saw the life in your eyes fade away..." His face frowned, trying to recall the scene from earlier. I could see his hand slightly trembling as he clenches it into a fist. The concern in his face was so genuine, that he could only look up to the ceiling to avert his gaze from everything while talking.

He did? He also...

"But I also felt relief when I saw you, still alive...when everything was done...I just...I don't even know what we were fighting about anymore." His eyes started to wander. Looking and admiring the quietness of the Labyrinth, he chuckles while I accompany him as we were probably the only ones left in this lonesome Labyrinth.

This...is probably the end for him.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

None of his body parts were growing back. His legs have not attached to his upper half, and his lost arm hasn't regrown yet. I could feel his discomfort just by looking at him, even though I can't feel anything. The holes in his chest has only ever made a pool of blood ever since earlier, and it kept growing.

Perhaps he...has given up on living.

"Remember this Angus, my friend...know that I have not regretted any of our exchange from beginning to end. My only regret was to no longer speak with you, one last time..."

"..."

"So don't go regretting gaining your freedom now, because you've already made it this far all on your own...so stand proud, Angus. You've become strong, stronger than I could have ever imagined."

I look at him as he said that...and he was smiling the same old goofy smile. I couldn't help but smile back, as I remember all the times we've spent together in this shitty place.

"You're...right. But it wasn't all just me,"

He looks at me with quite a curious look.

"I wouldn't have become strong if it weren't for you, forcing me to become strong."

He couldn't help but just stare at me, his face slightly surprised. He wasn't expecting a grateful reply coming from me.

"I see...perhaps I did. Hahaha..."

I pat his head with my small hand, this might be our last time together...I don't want to regret not making the most out of our remaining time together.

It looks like he doesn't mind the head pats too, in fact his face looks like it's beaming with joy. He never did refused any headpats from me, even before, now that I come to think of it. It's a cute side to him.

"Mate, will you take this?" He hands over the locket he kept hidden somewhere. The one where there was a photo of a family inside it.

"Huh? But why? Isn't this important to you?" I reluctantly hold it in my hand, inspecting the picture of a happy looking family inside of it.

Damn, why does he look so handsome in this photo. I kinda imagine myself being irritated with his smug face in it too.

"Handsome right?" He chuckles after noticing my intesive stares at the locket. This man really knows how to get on your nerves sometimes.

He sighs, "Yes, it is important to me. That's why I'm giving it to ya." He expresses while having this odd nonchalance to his voice.

He continues without waiting for a reply, "Do you remember the very first day we met?".

I nod. I just wanted to hear more from him, so I decided to keep quiet for now.

"Back then, when I first saw ya layin' on the ground. I thought to myself, 'how interesting' you might turn out to be."

"So I decided to keep you for myself, even if it was just for a while. It turns out I was right. You even lived way beyond what I was expectin' even."

"And it was only my karma that It had to end like this. All in all, I still don't regret that decision, even at this very moment. Because It led to us forming an unexpected bond."

He closes his eyes and called out to me with the softest voice he has ever talked to me before-

"Hey lad..."

He immediately caught my attention and I lay next to him.

"Hm? Yea?"

"When you get out of here...I want you to go on many adventures"

"..."

"When you reach any town, I want you to meet with many people of different race and culture."

"..."

"I want you to broaden your horizon, reach the high peaks of any mountain."

"..."

"I want you to---"

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Travel around the world.

"Hey look! Isn't that the famous painter?!"

"The what? Who?"

"You don't know?! He's the famous painter who traveled around the world, painting the most beautiful scenery and towns he had ever visited. It's even said that he even went to all the Demon Kings territories, even including the more hostile ones!"

"Whaaaat? You're exaggerating. A painter can't survive on his own on those lands, he'd die from the wild beasts lurking near those places before he could even take a step on it."

"W-What?! Why won't you believe me!?"

"Ugh, shut up just..."

"Hey there young'uns. Mind if I ask a question?" The old painter approaches the two gossipers.

"Huh? W-Woah." The one person who couldn't believe their friend's babble was surprised to suddenly see the man appear in front of them so suddenly. Making them flustered upon sudden eye contact.

"Y-YES! We wouldn't mind a question from you mister Aussern, sir!" The friend squeals in joy.

"My, my, then if you don't mind...can you please tell me where I can head to the Labyrinth of The Death Howl? I have heard of a wonderful lake with the most beautiful view you could ever see, just before you arrive at the Labyrinth's destination. I wish to go there for personal reasons."

The girl squeals in excitement, learning that he has another piece that she will be looking forward to.

"I-Its-!"

"You only need to take a carriage ride to reach that lake, mister. I recommend you take the ones that use a Choro mount, since they are fast and familiar with these lands."

The old man nods and hands each of both girls a single gold coin. He tips his hat before leaving, "Thank you girls, consider it as my sincere gratitude for hearing this old man." Then he walks away.

The one who was indifferent to the old painter clutched the gold coin in her chest, flustered after her encounter with him.

"Oh what's this~? Are you into old men~?"

"S-Shut up...also, earlier you said he was a painter right?"

"Hm? Yea? Why?"

"Are you sure he's not a grave keeper instead? I mean, he's carrying a coffin and a shovel on his back."

"Hm? Oh yea...I wondered what was that all about."

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Meet all different kinds of weird people.

"Hey boss, I don't understand it quite well."

A man with a green hood stood above a tree's large branch.

"What do you not understand, Billy?"

Billy hesitates to answer his boss. There were a group of men on standby, hiding their presence among the trees, some were below and some were hiding among the leaves in the branches.

"Well...we've been waiting here for hours now. You said we'll strike it rich if we wait here long enough, but what exactly are we even waiting for exactly?"

The boss was amused by his innocent question. Even the other men were starting to question why they were wasting their time in a dark and humid forest.

"Just wait, Billy. Haven't you heard before?With patience comes virtue."

"But-"

The boss shushes him to speak no further, Billy just stays quiet, shortly after.

Everyone besides the Boss was growing impatient, until-

"Hiyah! Faster!"

A fancy looking carriage with two horses pulling the carriage was in a rush to escape from a group of bandits, suddenly came hurtling towards their direction.

"B-Boss! Is that what you were talking about?!"

"Shut up, Billy. Prepare to move under my orders."

"Aye!"

"Run! Run! No matter where you go we'll just follow close to you bastards! Hahaha!" The one who was leading the groups of bandits in horses waved his sword around to agitate the ones riding the carriage.

"Will we be fine Adalet?" A girl with blonde hair in a pretty blue dress stays close to a woman wearing light silver armor.

"Yes, milady. I will protect you with all I have." Although quite uncertain of their survival, Adalet, the knight lady, made sure not to appear weak in front of the fragile lady in her arms.

'Shit, not only were the escort adventurers killed instantly from the ambush. The horse will grow tired at this rate if this keeps up...and then...no, I must find a solution out of this, even if it meant dying trying to protect the lady!', Adalet grew more and more anxious in her thoughts as the bandits grew closer to them, slowly decreasing the distance between them.

"Wha-...who-!?"

They suddenly heard the voice of the bandit leader get cut off all of a sudden, and the carriage comes to a full stop.

"W-What's going on?!" When Adalet came out to check what had happened, she came to see the group of bandits immediately apprehended by an unknown group.

"Madame Adalet!" The coach came down from the carriage and rushed to the knight lady.

"T-Those people suddenly came down from the trees and instantly knocked out all of the bandits!"

"Goodness..."

"What happened Adalet? Are the bandits gone??" The lady came out to peek at their current situation, seeing the bandits getting tied up by the unknown group.

"M-My Lady! You mustn't-"

"Are you the one who looks after this little Lady?" A man in green hood approaches them. His face is omitted by the existence of a mask covering its entire surface, making it harder to discern who the person was.

"And you are..." Adalet rests a hand on her sword's hilt, wary of this suspicious individual.

"I am the leader of this humble group, allow me to introduce myself..." The hooded man bows his head slightly.

Adalet has a bad feeling about the man who approached them. Although they had saved them, Adalet had an intuition that this man standing in front of them was dangerous.

'Where have I seen this man before...? I could've sworn I've seen him from somewhere before...from the last town we've visited.' Adalet thinks deeply, remembering every detail she could from this man and the last town they just recently left.

As if an idea has suddenly struck her, a vague image of a poster came to mind. It was when she had visited the guild to hire escorts.

"...! That green hood!" The memories came flooding back to her as she finally remembered where she had seen him before, "My Lady! Go back inside the carriage! Mister-" she turns to the coach in a hurry, but he was suddenly knocked out by Billy who had come from behind.

"A-Adalet...!"

Adalet makes a sharp turn to the hooded man and brings out her sword, only for it to get thrown off of her hands by a small bolt arrow.

Under the hooded man's cape, there was a mini crossbow attached to his hand.

"Tch, damn bandit!"

The hooded man smiles under his mask, "The name's Robin Hood, but you can just call me Robin. It's my pleasure to meet you my dear ladies, now hand over all of your valuables." He gestures for his men to apprehend them.

"Oh, also, leave the girls alone and don't kill them. Don't even think about laying your hands on em in a weird manner, I'll cut you down where you stand if you do. Just take their gold and we'll be handing over the bandits we caught at the last town. Tie these two girls up and leave the coach alone so they can still leave later."

"Aye!" Everyone followed his orders and continued to tie up the two women.

"A-Adalet!"

The hooded man flicks his finger and calls for Billy, "Billy! Hand me the thing." Billy nods and hands him a marker.

"W-What!?"

The man draws a mustache and a monocle on the knight lady's face. While he draws his signature on the young lady's face cheek.

"This better not be permanent marker you damn villain!" Adalet grits her teeth in frustration.

The hooded man slightly lifts his mask just to show a sinister smile underneath.

Adalet's eyes widen as she continues to curse at the masked man, "You damn Bandit! I swear I'll have my revenge! Curse you Robin Hood!" The anonymous group left them while carrying the bandits they had captured.

"Let's go home boys! Tonight, we feast!" Everyone cheered as they vanish in the dark of the forest.

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Have fun and get to know many people. I want you to laugh and cry, while being surrounded by many people you know.

"Hey, have you heard?"

"Heard what?"

"It looks like some kind of big monster appeared in front of our village."

"Eh? Is it dangerous? Is that why the hunters in our town and some adventurers are in a rush to the gates?"

A few hunters and adventurers ran past the the two people having a casual talk. The villagers seem to grow uneasy as you can see the panic in the eyes of the ones heading towards the village entrance.

"Y-Yes. They said it looks very dangerous and might be able to destroy this village entirely on its own."

"Eh?? Why isn't the village chief issuing an evacuation?"

"W-Well...they say the monster was very intelligent and demanded an audience with the village chief."

"What? Stop saying nonsensical things."

- Village Entrance -

The village chief approached the 23ft tall hunk of intricate looking armor. Behind its back were two large weapons that emitted a very ominous aura, a yumi bow and a katakama yari spear.

Every hunter and adventurer who have gathered in front of the gate were certain enough that this one giant of a living armor was enough to single-handedly annihilate this whole village with either of its possessed weapons, or even without it at all.

"T-The people have told me the you request my audience. C-Can I assume that you are not hostile with this village? Seeing that...you wish to speak with me." The village chief gulps, undetermined if they will be spared with mercy.

The large hunk of armor only looks down on him.

"A woman...who goes by the name of Astra Belmonte, I wish to see her. Please." The living armor ignores what the village chief said. And with a very deep, echoing, husky voice, spoke very sadly upon uttering the name of a woman. It quietly kneels down with one knee and lowers its head.

Everyone suddenly goes quiet as they see the tall figure in front of them, beg on its knee.

"Tell her, that I have come back home with the milk..."

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And then fall in love. Embrace them, cherish them, make sure they never fall out of love for you.

"We have arrived, ma'am. Are you sure it's alright if we take our leave and go back?"

A tall, mature woman steps out of the airship and firmly stood on the plain fields of a Labyrinth.

She wore a white t-shirt that said 'Calcium' on the chest area and some short jeans, while her left shoulder was guarded by a shoulder pad, and on her waist was a strapped ordinary long sword. For her footwear it was a pair of black knee high lace boots, and her hands were equipped with leather gloves of the same color.

"Don't worry about me. You can go now. This is just like taking an ordinary stroll for me."

Despite her plain appearance (her getup), she exuded quite a nonchalant atmosphere.

The airship pilot hesitates to leave, but could only sigh as there was no convincing the woman in any way.

"Please be careful, Lady Raid. We have received reports just a few minutes ago that this Labyrinth is currently undergoing a collapse as of this moment. We only wish for your safe return."

The captain bows his head as the airship prepares to leave. The woman only stares at him with a blank expression.

As soon as the ship leaves, the woman heads toward the direction of the camps.

Her flocks of dark purple hair sway among the wind, and with each step she took, the grass beneath her feet turn frozen with ice.

"It sure is cold, even today..."

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"Experience many things after getting out of here, my friend. You have earned your freedom; through hardships and perseverance, you have prevailed against me. I am your first trial, your beginning, and your cause. Keep moving forward. Never, starting now, regret how you choose to live your life--"

I stand before the Lone Wolf who I came to know and respect. It was certainly time for us to go our seperate ways.

"Because that's how we progress, that's how we continue to keep improving ourselves. We just keep progressing, to a grand new destination ahead of us." His eyes have grown weak after talking for quite a while, his breathing was starting to get shorter and shorter, and the bleeding had already stopped for quite a while now.

"Take that," he refers to the locket, "please take it far away from here." He doesn't even put in much effort to move his body anymore.

"Think of it...as me. Bring it to them, to the people who are inside of the picture you are holding."

Without facing my way, he struggles to speak out one more time, "It was fun, mate,...let us meet again... somewhere not here..." and then he went silent.

I took a single potion out of my inventory and placed it on his hand.

He looks at me with a confused look. Wondering what was running through my head, despite his insistent rejection from earlier.

"Hey, remember what you said earlier?"

"..."

"Weren't you looking for a little girl and her beautiful mother all this time? Why not go look for them some more, after this? Then let's meet again, on some random town, as long as it's somewhere not here."

"..."

"It's not fun if I'll be the one to do it. I wouldn't want to rob you of knowing about your past."

"..."

"Then we can tell stories of our adventures if we meet again, of our life, how we walked our own path after we got out of here...I don't want you to live through the last moments of your life with regret. That's what you said right? To live a life without the need to worry about the past, without regret...only one that keeps moving forward. So why should I be the one to carry this burden?"

"..."

"Even now, you're still being selfish. I still have my own path to take, you know? So why don't you promise me this?"

"..."

"Let's meet again someday, my friend."

I took the locket with me, holding it closely to my chest. He probably won't need it anymore after he survives, since he must've carved the image into his mind already. I have faith that we will meet again someday.

Once that day comes, I'll give the locket back to him.

In the end, I received no more reponses from him. I was only met with sheer silence and solitude, one that I was all too familiar with.

I started walking away after I gave him a hug since I was already close to him. Before I could leave, a voice called out to me where Tood laid across the floor.

"Golem, I want to ask you something." It was the demon on his shoulder, speaking to me. I was so startled that I unconsciously took a peek behind me, I thought that a miracle had suddenly occur.

Yet, I could only respond to his call with a straight face.

"Do you remember your first encounter with Tood?"

It was a bizarre and sudden thing to ask out of nowhere, coming from a demon. But I didn't see the problem in answering his question, so I answered.

"Of course I remember. It was just a month ag-"

"It has already been five years since you gained a body, that is to say, it has already been five years since you two have met."

Huh? Five years? What is he on about?

"What do youĶ̷̛̠̫̯͒̈́̈́̂̀Ḻ̵͚̜̫̌̉̀̂̚ļ̴̭̥͎͍̹͙̩͔̟̈̍͐͆͂̔̈@̴̛̛̗̌̏̍̀̿͘t̷͈̪͉̟͕̲̄̋̒̍͘͝p̸̢̣̣͈͍̠̠͍͙͌̉̈̅̄̉W̵͍̎͋̒͗̈̒͘͝$̴̡̰̳͛͗̄͐(̷͜͠ÿ̴̹͓̝̮̖͕͚́̍́̇͂͝Y̷̳͉͎͆ͅY̶̰̪͓̹̫̬̝̚+̸̨̨͕̳̭̙͇̈́͐͘m̷̛̜̼̭͇̩̳̖̭̎͐̾͋́̔̓̓͘/̶̝̹͈͙̱̮̦̥̕9̶̢̨̫̪͎̪̒̌̎̂͆͆͊2̴̟̙̗͍̙͚͐́̎̈͝$̶̣͎̗̱̰͉̱̎͑̾̿͗͋̎̅̾̕͜"

"I have accessed his memories, and by the looks of it--"

"--- Ω ---Of course I remember. It was just a month ago since we met. Why? Why do you ask?"

What a strange thing to ask. Why does it want to know when we met? Also, I think I just cut him off about something he was saying just now, my bad. (⁠｡⁠ŏ⁠﹏⁠ŏ⁠)

"I'm sorry. You were saying something just now when I answered your question, what was it again?" I apologized, yet still curious about what they were talking about before I interrupted them mid-speech.

They suddenly grew quiet all of a sudden. Perhaps a little too quiet. It was, how do I put it-- off-putting, the more it dragged out. It came to a point where I would alternate between choices of checking for another response or just ignore the sudden uncomfortable setting.

"Umm...hello? Are you still there? Did I...perhaps say something wrong just now?"

Did I offend it when I interrupted them mid-speech? Is that why it's ignoring me right now? I was starting to I think I should just leave and go outside, when it spoke again.

"No...you may leave now. I appreciate you answering the question, that is all. And yes, I guess you have just met a month ago."

They said. Although the way it said it, it sounded very disturbed, yet they made it look like they weren't. The sudden pause at the start of its statement made that impression for me.

Without exchanging any further words between us, I left as I had already intended to.

"You were right, Tood. That golem... something's wrong with it."

"..."

"It's like its mind is unstable. It keeps resetting to a certain point in time, making it forge--"

"..."

"Oh right, you're dead. Let's bring you back first. Totally forgot about it. The potion he lent you should speed up the progress."

"..."

"You were right, old pal. That golem has indeed piqued my interest. I await for the time when we meet again."

.

.

.

- Entrance to the Labyrinth -

Already fifteen minutes have passed since I left Tood's body on its own. Whether he chooses to live or not, I can only hope that we meet again sometime soon. I would even wait for another century or more, just to see him again.

Although I had the option to make him drink the potion on my own, I wish to respect his own choices no matter what. It's not like I was hesitating again, it's just that It naturally came to me that I should just put my trust on him with whichever outcome he chose to pick.

And if he chose the latter, then I may as well search for his past during my free time. I could always look for the things that could maybe trace back to his past and connections during my adventures on the outside.

Now that I am free and able to do as I wish. I can take my time to get used to and also appreciate this beautiful world.

There was no need to rush now, since I have something that I will never run out of-- Time.

IT'S TIME TO GET SOME BITCHES! HELL YEA!

FOR ALL THOSE YEARS GETTING LOCKED UP IN THIS HELLHOLE, FOR ALL THOSE YEARS OF STRUGGLING TO BE ALONE, I CAN FINALLY GO OUT TO FIND A MATURE OLDER WOMAN I CAN FLIRT WITH!

Viva la Mature Older Women!

[[...💢]]

Hm? What was that all of a sudden? It looked like I was about explode for no reason. Must be my imagination. Oh well.

Hm?

I looked at the outside world for what it was-- it truly is breathtaking. The Labyrinth was on top of a floating landmass, surrounded by grass. Large trees grew out of the Labyrinth itself; wyverns and other creatures like fairies or bird-like monsters inhibited them, and are now fleeing from the collapsing Labyrinth.

I saw this view earlier when we came outside, but I couldn't truly appreciate the outside that much because of our little dispute earlier.

"Haha-"

I skipped through the grass while spreading my hands beside me. Running through the field and looking high above the sky.

"Hahahaha!"

"Ooh-!"

I tripped, on a rock I didn't see. Yet I didn't feel anything as I fell and rolled on the ground. It was undeniable that I felt nothing, physically.

But what is this exhilaration? This...is this joy? How...? I don't even remember what joy felt like. But this...it feels so...so...good?

I-I...I don't care about thinking too much right now. I just want to immerse myself in this foreign thing that I am actually able to feel right now.

"W-What is this?! Haha--...hahahaha!"

I changed my body as I rolled on the grass, into my Avatar form. I played with the grass and dirt on the ground, like a child who was finally given permission to play outside.

Was it actually excitement? Or perhaps pleasure? I couldn't understand, I couldn't yet remember the feeling I am feeling right now.

The only thing I could process right now was to enjoy it while it lasted. I wasn't so sure if I would feel this ever again after this, so I wanted to make the most of it while I am currently indulging in it.

After playing and rolling on the ground for a while, I stood up and ran wherever my feet directed me. It was as if I was possessed by an energetic ghost, I'd jump for a few feet away every five steps of running that I took.

"Hahahahaha!"

It was fun running around without any worries. The storm had already passed and the moon shone beautifully tonight. The chaotic scene from earlier was now replaced with a mesmerizing night view and the crescent moon.

If someone would see me right now, I'm sure they'd think I had gone high with ecstasy, but that might not entirely be wrong seeing that I am acting so giddy tonight.

Since running earlier, I've kept on tripping and letting myself go along with my falls. I never tire from the repeated cycle as long as I was able to enjoy the moment.

I kept seeing new things I wasn't able to see before. I finally got to roam around as much as I wanted without too much obstruction from the tight corridors and rooms.

But now that I'm free...I'm able to see more of what this world has to offer now-- Of what I am able to grasp within these hands of mine.

I was so lost in my own world, that I didn't realize I had arrived at the edge of the landmass with a particularly wide wooden dock platform installed along with it.

"Woah."

Was this perhaps what the adventurers were talking about earlier?

There were no airships in sight whether I looked left or right, which meant that the adventurers had already evacuated elsewhere. Which is a bummer, since I wanted to interact with other humans.

The only humans I ever got to know were those three sisters from earlier. Yet they also left quickly after exploring the Labyrinth all by themselves.

"Huh? What's this? It looks like a..."

Isn't this a footprint? But it wasn't just any ordinary footprint, it was a footprint made out of thick ice. Although instead of melting on its own, it kept freezing the spot it was left in. And not only that, there were several of them that led towards a different direction from the Labyrinth entrance.

When I followed where the footprints led to with my sight, It headed towards a place with a few cabins and a bonfire. The place was not too far from the docks, which meant I could easily check and see whose icy footprints these were.

"Well, it wouldn't hurt to see who they are." I decided almost instantly.

I followed the frozen footprint, to my surprise, along the way there was a frozen pathway that kept spreading over the grass. Since it looked dangerous to touch the ice, I created a platform above it for me to step on.

"Wow, it just keeps spreading like wildfire...but it's freezing instead!"

How cold is this person to be able to cause something like this?!

S-Should I just leave this place? What if that person was really dangerous??

I already have history with encountering dangerous people, if it turns out that person or whatever is very hostile against monsters, I'm royally fucked for sure!

Hmm...

Welp, they did say curiosity killed the cat. But I'm still gonna see if I can talk to them. Mwehehehe!

As I was walking on top of the platform, I started to wonder what kind of person they might be.

I can only hope they are nice, worst case is it might be some kinda psycho who enjoy ourdoor walks on top of collapsing sky Labyrinths.

Please be a hot woman, Please be a hot woman, Please be a hot woman, Please be a hot woman...

Wait...but what if they are a crazy person??

It's....It's even better..!?

Death by Snu Snu, Death by Snu Snu, Death by Snu Snu, Death by Snu Snu, Death by Snu Snu...!

Preferably from the thighs if possible.

[[Earlier...]]

Hmm!?

Oh, it's you. You surprised me you know? What about earlier?

I didn't expect her to talk so suddenly, it caught me off guard. It was similar to someone suddenly whispering in your ear.

[[Earlier, you called me by a different name...Rosé, instead of administrator like you used to before. May I ask why and why you chose that name?]]

Oh, it was about that.

I could see why she would be curious about that. I didn't consult her first before I suddenly called her by a different name.

I should atleast answer her questions for now.

"You see, I don't really think administrator is a proper name for someone. Especially if they've been with you for quite a while now."

[[Is that so...]]

"Oh, no, that's not entirely all you see."

[[...?]]

"You see we...we've come really far from where we were at the start." I turned to the direction of the Labyrinth and pointed at it.

"You see that right? Isn't that amazing?" I chuckled, remembering the past since I was still a rock in a lonely little room.

[[Y-Yes...we have indeed come far from where we were.]]

We were nearing the campsite with only a few more walks left. So I decided to pause for a moment to talk with the administrator.

"Do you know what I'm thinking about right now?"

She grew silent. I know she could read what I'm thinking right now, but it wasn't enough for me to just relay my thoughts on her, I also wanted to express my feelings for her. To show how much I appreciate the one who was always by my side.

"I'm grateful, Rosé. I wouldn't have made it this far, without you."

[[...]]

"You've been with me from beginning to end, and I always relied on you without compromise. And yet you always offered me help, unconditionally."

To be honest with myself, she is too good for me. She doesn't even deserve to be with someone as selfish like me. I was just lucky enough to have her help me out.

"I sometimes even think... you're way too good for me. I haven't even done anything for you in return. I know you're something from my mind, but that's what I honestly think about."

[[But...you do not need to do anything for me, it's my obligation, I am only doing this so you can develop well as my master. I see no logic in wanting to repay a program that is naturally manifested to guide you.]]

"Even so, wouldn't you want to make the person you love happy?"

[[What do you...]]

I looked up towards the moon in the sky.

"You know, there are different forms of love. A love as a friend, love as a family, love towards life, a twisted kind of love, forbidden love, and even love as lovers."

I started to continue heading towards the camp-like site again. The wind flows in the air as the flying creatures flew past just high above us in the clouds.

"Today I'm feeling kind of romantic, would you like to see in my head what form of love I have in mind for you?"

[[...No...]]

"Hahaha! I knew you would say that, Rosé. That's why I didn't want to treat you as a simple program in my head--"

To me, she was far from being a simple program that helped me throughout my needs. She was more of a person that gave her support to me whenever she can. She was my one and only partner.

"I wanted to give a proper name to my partner. The one who brought me so far than I could ever imagine. My darling ray of hope, it's you, Rosé. I can't further express how much I am indebted to you. I wouldn't be here if not for you..."

She couldn't mutter a word after hearing that.

"As for why I chose the name Rosé...your voice..."

[[..?]]

"When I first heard it, it sounded really beautiful and delicately feminine, but you can also be quite sharp with your tongue sometimes." I would be lying if I said I wasn't entranced by her voice each time she spoke to me, it's like when a beautiful older lady suddenly whispers in the ear of a adolescent young boy who's going through puberty.

Simply put, it was alluring to hear her voice. As if a high-class brothel prostitute is servicing you with her angelic voice alone.

"Although you really did sounded robotic and lifeless back then: over time, you came to change so much not only with your way of speech, but also the development of your personality. I couldn't ignore how vastly you've grown as your own person. And since I was originally a human, I think I've grown attached to your presence; It led to me with giving you a name that suited quite well with your personality."

I created an intricate model of a rose made out of silver in my hand, "A Rose, it's lovely and elegant, but it can be prickly as they are quite delicate as well. Do you not agree?" I gave it a light smile before making it vanish into thin air.

[[... You're so cheesy...]]

Nng...I can't say you're wrong about that. Hahaha

[[But I see...]]

Hm?

[[Yes, I love it...Rosé, I shall take that name with pride. I am very pleased, thank you.]]

Ah...I'm glad you like it.

It has been quite a small journey already, ever since I was reincarnated as a rock.

I was idle for one hundred years in a room; the only thing I could appreciate were the ever passing stillness of life from other living organisms. It was beautiful, yet forlorn.

After waking up one day: I suddenly found myself in a body of a golem. The administrator...no, Rosé, informed that I had evolved as a golem. A really cute and tiny one at that.

When I gained a new body, I also met Tood in that same instance. I thought I was about to die back then, but it turned out he was just very awkward with making friends and his approach to it was very threatening too. In the end, we became friends, although the process was really complicated.

I met and got to help out three pretty sisters who were very strong. The youngest with the pink hair was a tomboyish kid, the middle sister was quite knowledgeable but still lacked experience, and the eldest...she's very strange and scary. But they were all nice girls who I came to get acquainted with.

And lastly, my battle with Tood. Although I didn't know what happened during the end of our fierce fight, It was still an unforgettable event that allowed me to accept who and what I am right now. And it was all because a big, clunky guy couldn't communicate very well.

It was a tough experience, one of which I will hardly forget.

To be honest, I always hated this place. All I could mostly remember from this place were unpleasant memories. I wanted to forget about this place as soon as I left. But I can never deny this as my origin, a place where I came from after coming to this world.

Every living organism that I came across inside this Labyrinth, good or bad, helped with establishing how I came to be as of now. It was the only merit I could respect for in this place.

After I travel around the world, I will surely return to this place. Even if it were a pile of rubble by that time. Even if I hated it.

.

.

.

Everything went well during these past few hours.

But of course, all good things never last forever.

- Adventurer camp, Labyrinth outpost -

After following the footprints that led to the camps, I encountered a woman who sat in front of a campfire.

She was sitting on a throne made out of ice, with her legs crossed as she blankly stared at the crackling fire.

She was a mature woman with a very voluptuously fit body, her skin was riddled with small to large scars, the only scars visible on her face was one from her cheek and a horizontal one on the bridge of her nose. She had sharp eyes and purple pupils which paired well with her long dark purple hair.

She reminded me of an eggplant, that was left to freeze inside a freezer for some reason.

"Woah..." I was speechless after seeing such a rare gorgeous woman right in front of me, even though her body was covered in scars, it was entirely a charm on its own that captivated me. Or maybe I just like women that looks like they could just choke me to death or outright just kill me on the spot.

I was so entranced by her unique beauty that I didn't notice I had already approached her.

"Hm?" She turned my way with a curious look on her face, but she didn't try to speak with me.

When I lowered my gaze to her chest, I read the word 'Calcium' imprinted on it.

Wow, her sense in clothing is umm...very tacky.

But gYAT- I mean, what I meant to say was that she has very nice assets under her very tacky wear.

I intensely observed her chest, trying to decipher the words, to try finding the meaning behind this great mystery. Should I perhaps ask her about it?

"So you're -" she finally says something after all the silence, but only for her voice to get immediately interrupted by mine.

"Are those 'G's?" I point at the inexplicable subject of my interests.

She paused for a second after pinpointing the direction I had pointed at. Her breasts.

"Ah. Yes, I think they are."

*Thud*

I fell to my knees all of a sudden, which caught her off guard. But she remained seated to her throne of ice.

Basking myself under the moonlight, I shed imaginary tears upon hearing a revelation.

Oh dear sweet mother of Christ, my prayers were heard.

[[...💢]]

Thank you lord for granting me an immediate audience with a hot mature older woman!

"Will you please marry me?" In the heat of the moment, I had proposed to her, even though we only just met and knew nothing about each other.

[[...💢💢💢]]

Ah shit, what the hell am I doing right now.

But to my surprise, she smirked.

"You amuse me, for a monster. Alright, I accept your proposal."

She stood up from her throne with a whopping height of 6'9 vs mine of 5'11 while in avatar form (Orig. just 1 foot). When I looked up at her, she looked down on me while still wearing the same smirk. Then she lifted my chin up and stole my lips(?).

"...!?" I was quite taken aback after she commited to such a bold move out of nowhere. Just like before when I suddenly felt an alienating feeling inside of me, I could feel her lips touch mine.

When she backs away after we locked lips, she sheds a tear and smiles.

"Your body...is just as cold as mine. Yet, I've never felt such warm passion before."

She lifts my arm and placed it on her cheek.

"I don't like being treated roughly, okay?"

"Uhh..."

"You didn't die from my touch. That's good. A frail man would just upset me, I'm glad you survived our first contact."

"Huh??"

"I only ask that you will be gentle with me... it's all I can...ask for..."

Ayo wtf is happening yo. Did I perhaps--

" 'Till death do us part', Is what they say right?" She tightens her grip on my hand, the coldness of her body temperature slowly creeping out and onto my arm.

Stepped on a landmine?!

Wait no, mama told me about women like her. I was hoping she was right!