Chapter 30: Into The Unknown (3)
"Master, should we really wait here for two hours?" Selek dubiously inquired
"We should. If we don't want to wander for days." I sat down watch what I just done
"Hahaha. Now I get what you're planning, as expected of Captain." Teo laughed like crazy, he become open after we left the 3rd floor
-*-
4th floor, 10 minutes earlier.
*dingg!*
*dingg!*
♤Notice!♤
You entered the 4th floor, Dearby's Maze.
Beware of the danger and escape this place.
4th Floor Reward :
[???]
Next Floor:
5th floor
♤Character Status♤
Name
Tania Roa Cavelier
Age
17
Gender
Female
Title
Job
Family
Cavelier Family
Status
Level
27
Next Lvl.
97.43%
⌸• Stats •⌸
Health
65/65
<+0>
Agility
53
<+0>
Stamina
157/157
<+7>
Intelligence
130
<+5>
Magic
-895
<+0>
Wisdom
65
<+3>
Power
64
<+0>
Luck
55
<+5>
Authority gauge
32%
<+3>
Fame Points
175
<+5>
Gem Points
57
<+5>
Money
9789 G : 9895 S : 1076 C
(Gold : Silver : Copper)
'Oh. Still 97.43% but my stats are for level 40s. We're almost there… After this, it's the 5th floor!'
As we entered the next floor. A maze sitting in a wide foggy field. There is a limited view above even though I was lifted by Efren, I can't see the paths. Every space was included for the maze, and they're more than ten starting entrances to enter the maze.
"There are definitely traps inside, and monsters laying in wait." I commented.
From the typical adventurer fairy tale novels I've read, those I pointed out are pretty common plots. I jumped down Efren's shoulder and tried to see every entrance. Of course, I didn't enter. I observed everything first from the outside, down to the soil, the maze's wall, and even the rules. Theo also did his own investigation while the knights were on standby to look out for monsters.
"I can't see the way from the top." I shook my head. I scratched my head and looked at my companions.
Drio was a bit sullen, while Efren looked troubled and Selek was wearing a sulky expression. I can't read their minds, but all three of them are like an open book. That's the expression of someone feeling like they're a burden.
They're not. It's just that the top floors are all tricky mind games, that's what I've observed through our journey. They are helpful enough so they don't need to feel useless. Anyway, let's cheer them up.
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"Anyone who can think of something will have a point. Earn ten points and I'll grant their request."
I already have a plan. Let's see if they can solve this. It's boring if I am always the one who keeps solving everything aside from Theo- he already helped us on both 1st and 2nd floors.
"Should we scatter and enter each door? We can meet up at the end if we defeat every monster and traps." Efren suggested. Just like a normal maze, he chose to obey the rules of the maze in this situation.
"How 'bout the others?" I asked.
"Let's go in two groups, two knights will protect the master who is the brain and one knight will protect Theo who is also the brain, with strength and brain everything can be solved." Drio suggested. Drio is cautious, not bad.
"Master, how about we scout it first, go back here and draw the path we took until we complete the illustration. We can easily track the correct path." Selek suggested. Like always, He is so active. Though it will take days after we finish illustrating the maze.
"Captain, applying the rule, if there's no way above and no way on the maze, then the only left is the ground. We should dig underground until we reach the door at the end of the maze." Theo said. Haa… That's usually that trick to solve mazes and is considered as clever. He used the rule as usual. But nah… I don't wanna get dirty.
I looked at the long maze. It's a pity for not playing it… I thought of something that will hurt the designer of the maze. As much as it hurts me, I need to do it.
"All of you had a wonderful suggestion. But… Do you want to stay here for another two or more days?" I asked, "The maze is long, scouting while illustrating each path will take us weeks including the time when fighting monsters. About going in with groups is the same even though brain and strength combined, who knows how many traps and monsters there are. It will only tire us out, same goes for Efren's suggestion. However, Theo's suggestion…" I stopped.
I noticed their faces in gloom… Theo's face is smirking, quite arrogant are we? He's expecting his suggestion to be accepted.
"Has the longest time duration compared to other's, digging through this long maze will not only take us two or three days even for all of us combined." I finished.
Theo's face was stunned, and the three knights also didn't expect me to turn down his suggestion.
"I appreciate the suggestions but none of them fit our criteria to finish a floor in a jiffy. But of course, quick while considering safety."
I stepped close to the maze's wall and touched it. I looked to the left to the right, the top to the ground. I stepped back 5 meters from the wall and took out something from my bag.
"Two hours." I looked at them and smirked.
"Two hours is enough and we can go at ease." I lift my left hand and chant the spell.
'Come forth the flame: Fire!'
When the fire flew out, I moved my hand towards the right, then moved it upward to downward. In a span of five seconds, I managed to form a cross sign. The fire easily engulfed the wall made of plants, then I took out another one and chanted.
'Come forth the blast: Wind!'
The fire spread further and the burning smell filled the area as much as the smoke. I went back to them. I really feel bad for the designer of this maze. Whoever you are, sorry for destroying your creation.
"Master, should we really wait here for two hours?" Selek dubiously inquired
"We should. If we don't want to wander for days." I sat down and watched what I just did.
"H-hahaha… Now I get what you're planning, as expected of Captain." Theo laughed like crazy, he became more open after we left the 3rd floor.
The smoke can suffocate us but we are in the safe zone, so nothing can harm us. The safe zone is, from my observation, a golden platform at the entrance of every floor. As long as I'm within it, anything from the floor won't hurt me, however, it has a time limit of 5 hours at most so we cannot stay here.
"Let's camp here for two hours."
-*-
After two hours of waiting, the maze completely fell to ash. Trap markings or seals are left, the burnt monster bodies are visible. Just like your typical maze.
"Now that I think about it, Captain, how did you know the walls can be burned?" Theo curiously asked. And I proudly smiled.
"The walls are made up of light materials- it may look sturdy but in truth, it is made of dry plants and dry leaves. I figured when I touched the soil, it's dry, no plants will live in that kind of soil." I stood up, "We better get moving, we stayed too long enough."
The knights lead the way avoiding the trap seals. We passed so easily, and I almost did the victory dance when unexpectedly, something happened…
"LOOK OUT!" I yelled but it's too late.
All three of them were caught up by a hideous giant carnivorous plant, with acidic liquid inside its wide mouth. I saw it when it opened its mouth, skulls were floating inside it. It has several long and narrow vines holding the three knights upside down. Above its head is…
*BRARGGGG!*
Theo and I are the only ones who haven't been caught. I drew my sword and he took out his bow and arrows.
"Master! Leave us!" Efren yelled. I felt annoyed, though I don't know if Theo and I can defeat this plant. I don't plan to run away and leave them here.
"Shut up Efren, what do you take me for? A coward?" I shouted in annoyance.
"But…" Efren muttered, unable to say it.
I noticed the vines was slowly moving Drio down to its mouth, next is Selek.
"Theo, shoot the vine holding Drio…" I ordered Theo, but he hesitated.
"If I shoot it, he'll fall straight to its mouth!" Theo pointed his bow to the vine but still not shooting
I look at the monster's head, it only has one eye over it. "It's fine, I got it." I assured him.
One of the techniques Commander Treso taught me was hook - it is how to save someone from the arms of the enemy. Though the situation isn't the same as right now, it still has the same intention- it is to save.
I positioned myself at its blindspot and prepared to jump. When Theo released the arrow, the vines were cut and I jumped as high as I could and hooked my arms on his waist, my other hand threw the sword inside its mouth. It hit the gums making it shrieked in pain.
I landed with Drio but I quickly stood back up to take his sword. The sword I trucked into its gum slowly rusted from the acid's touch, that's one strong acid, tch.
"Theo go for Selek!" I shout as he shoots his arrow at the vine holding Selek. Selek was trying to struggle on the vine, and when he fell down, I jumped and hooked him on the neck. I threw the sword, this time on the tongue as it wriggled in pain… It lash every one of its vines anywhere.
"You shouldn't have moved, sorry about that." I told Selek. I stood up and looked at Efren who's still hanging upside down.
Drio used his knife to block some vines, and Selek started to block it with his sword and shield. Next is Efren…
"Theo go!" I shouted as I readied to jump
When he shot, I jumped but one vine hit me on the leg making my trajectory lose its path. My face bumped on Efren's armor, instead of a hook, my hand grabbed Efren's jaw, where both of us were about to fall inside the wide mouth. Blood trickled from my nose and I was a bit dizzy from the impact.
"M-Master!" Efren utter but my hand is preventing him from speaking, I'm still holding on to his jaw.
When I adjusted from dizziness, I reached for Efren's pocket where his dagger was located. My hand touched the hairy surface of the vine holding Efren… I almost shriek. Thank god it wasn't slimey, it's just green, but still carries germs.
Using the dagger, I cut the vine around Efren and kicked his body out of the way. I felt sorry to him but I had no choice. When I was about to jump down, another vine wrapped around my ankle and this time I was the one hanging upside down, this bitch!
"Theo, shoot the vine, I'll do the same as the master did." Efren said and prepared to jump, but unfortunately one vine struck Theo's hand and the arrow got released, hitting the monster's eye. The monster strongly wriggled its vine like tentacles while I was held up like a paper doll.
"Whaaaa!" I yelled. It feels like I'm riding a broken upside down roller coaster that can't move forward.
"Please hold on!" Efren shouted, the others are busy blocking the wriggling vines with all their might.
"Heukk!" Drio got hit on the stomach and flew.
"Drio!" Theo called but another vine lashed and Theo got hit on his thighs and fell.
"…this mother fucker…*blerggh*" Due to dizziness, censored materials came out of my mouth. I could tell that there was a panel in front of me but I couldn't read any of it because of the situation.
Unexpectedly, my vomit fell down the monster's bleeding eye and mouth, fuck, I could imagine the disgusting thing from mouth passed to someone's mouth. The more I imagine, the more I vomit, I can't help it. Then moments later, the monster's rampage slowed down until it finally stopped on its own. The vine around my ankle was released and I fell on Efren's arms.
I think my nose is still bleeding, and my leg was grazed, nothing serious. Drio and Theo both drank some healing potion, and Efren poured the potion inside my mouth mercilessly before shaking my shoulder to wake me up.
"S…Stop shak…ing. I'm f…ine." I held my head and I could see the surroundings spinning in front of me.
After the dizziness subsided, I wiped my mouth and nose before I stood up. I don't know how this fucking monster died but I'm really thankful it died earlier or else… dirty or not, I could chop it to pieces.
"Thank you again, master." The knights bowed while Theo smiled.
We moved on to the next floor, the last floor. I'm excited and at the same time nervous, what was waiting for us on the next floor is the last one and I don't know if it will be as easy as on this floor.
*dingg!*
♤Notice!♤
You entered the 4th floor, Dearby's Maze.
Beware of the danger and escape this place.
[CLEARED]
4th Floor Reward :
Permanent increase of 'All stats' by 10, 20% Authority, 20 Gem Points, 50 Fame Points, 20x Highest Grade Healing Potion:Type SSS
Next Floor :
5th floor
"This is it." I confidently said.
But 10 minutes later…
"W-What? Dead end?"
Theo fell down on his knees, crying.