What a pixie from an isolated forest couldn’t possibly know was that most other creatures didn’t use magic like him. Humans, for example, implanted mana cores into their bodies which grew in power the more they fought. After a speedy visit to the city’s temple, Seth and Momo gained their own.

“Can I fly now?” asked Momo while checking out his stats screen. It was a numerical display of one’s power which all those with mana cores could access on a whim.

“Not yet,” answered Alastar. “You two are currently level 1.”

“What’s your level?” asked Seth.

“53,” said the mage while making a superman pose.

“So, you think you’re stronger than me?”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

“Won’t I get xp by punching you in the face?”

“N, no…” the mage stuttered. “The best way to grow your level is to fight monsters.”

“Hm, fine.” Once they reached the labyrinth, Seth established an action plan:

“Listen up, maggots! 20 tunnels and 60 levels are all that stand between us and those a-holes.”

“I thought we were fighting Yuki…”

“Shut it!” Seth summoned a wind whip and snapped it near Momo’s feet.

“We will not stop until the mission is complete.”

“What is our goal, Sir?” asked Alastar while taking on a military pose.

“Complete and utter annihilation,” their leader commanded. “Understood!?”

“”Yes, Sir!””

A storm entered the Great Labyrinth with more ferocity than ever. Every monster Seth killed made him stronger. His wind blades became sharper. His speed grew to the point where Momo was putting all his mana into his head just so he wouldn’t get dizzy.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

The trio reached the scorpicores’ layer and chopped them into pieces. They encountered humanoid spiders and destroyed them as well.

“Muahaha,” the pixie shouted. “First the blondie and then Yuki!”

“You know who I am?” one of the spiders they were fighting suddenly talked.

“Whoa, whoa, wait your turn,” Seth shook his head in annoyance. “As I was saying, first we fight the a-hole blonde guy, then you, and then the dragon. There’s an order to these things.”

“What … dragon?” several spiders asked in unison. More and more of them were swarming the corridor.

“A tactical retreat would be advised,” said Alastar.

“What dragon?” the spiders repeated.

“Bra…” Seth started talking before a fluffy tail sent him flying into the nearby wall. Although he hadn’t physically participated in his master’s fights, the squirrel’s level had been growing steadily just by being part of the group.

“Bra?” the spiders asked. “Bra… bra… Bratley!?”

Suddenly, the labyrinth shook and an angry screech pierced its interior.

“That lizard’s still alive!? I told him not to fight the hero, but nooo. I’m Bratley. I’m invincible. Check out my scales. Cocky prick!”

Hundreds of humanoid spiders swarmed the group from every direction. Innumerable fangs and pointy legs stopped just inches away from their bodies. Momo was about to faint while Alastar was pissing his robe.

“And, who might you be?” hissed one of the creatures. "Make one move and you're dead."

“We come in peace,” said Seth while making the Vulcan salute from Star Trek. The man had gone through plenty of game overs to know when one was staring him in the face.

“Really?” asked the spiders while spitting webs on his wings. “Do you have an invitation?”

“The squirrel ate it,” Seth shrugged.

“Bu, but, we mean you no harm,” added the mage.

“Of course you don’t.” More webs were spit especially towards Momo. “Then, I’m sure you don’t mind if I do this.”

The tunnel shook once more. A light enveloped Seth and his vassals before they were teleported outside. There, hundreds of adventurers started appearing as well. Suddenly, the entrance to the Great Labyrinth was covered by a door.

“Listen up, grease balls!” Yuki’s voice came from the other side. “Tell that bastard Bratley to take his tail and shove it up his ass! Until someone brings me the black dragon’s head, the labyrinth’s difficulty will be raised to Hard Mode.”

The new door opened revealing a scene straight out of a nightmare. 100 levels of long narrow tunnels were replaced by one giant room full of monsters.

It was similar to the Grand Hall in Guyfast, except this one was covered in cobwebs and more than 50 times larger. At the very end, on a white throne, a single teen girl with four eyes and a toothy grin was watching their every move.