(Author's rant: Hi all! Hope you're enjoying my first work! As I'm new, I apologize for any mistakes. This started out as a simple idea, but I couldn't help myself from making it into a full blown story.
When I started posting the story, I did not expect to see so many people viewing it already. It's made me so happy and I can't thank you enough!
I will continue posting the remaining 8 chapters I have on hand and am currently working on Chapter 16.
Please let me know what you think!
Now without further ado, Chapter 8!
Enjoy!)
"...Ahhh...what happened...?" (Kris)
When Kris regained consciousness, he was lying on his stomach. He felt a slight discomfort from his chest and abdomen.
Verifying his eyes were working, he assumed the absence of light crystals in the area caused everything to appear pitch black. Without them, in a place that does not see the light of day, of course there would only be darkness.
While checking his surroundings, Kris recalled all of the events that led him to his current situation.
That's right, I used my special attack to destroy the monsters that had surrounded me and Eliza-
Once his mind had cleared, Kris suddenly realized he had not been alone before falling.
That’s right! Eliza’s still up there!
Kris tried to get up, but he felt immense pain from his torso which forced him back down. He guessed 2 broken ribs were the cause. His mana had yet to replenish so his only alternative was to consume one of his last remaining health potions. Kris rolled over onto his back while taking out the small bottle.
Gulping the bitter liquid in one swig, Kris looked up. He could barely make out the hole that he created. It was too far to reach now. All he could do was pray for Eliza’s safety.
The attack Kris had unleashed was an original skill he had created during his 5 year tenure as an adventurer.
The idea came from the discovery that although he had a low mana capacity, Kris could control his small amount better than most mages, no doubt a trait inherited from his Drake father.
Using this knowledge, Kris began experimenting with flowing all of the mana in his body into a single spot before releasing it all in one attack. Even though a chant is required to activate a spell, Kris learned it was not necessary for his attack.
Since he had never been educated in the fundamentals of magic, Kris did not know how he was able to accomplish this feat.
Well, that attack does have the power to kill a wyvern in one punch. I should've held back, I guess.
Wyverns, also descendents of ancient dragons, are different from the Drake in that they do not posses the intelligence to interact with other races. Outright hostile towards anything considered an enemy, wyverns are extremely dangerous and very powerful.
Kris was forced to confront a wyvern during his adventurer days and killed it with the magic attack he had just used.
After a few more minutes of resting, Kris slowly got to his feet.
Doing a quick check over his body, Kris was astonished that he had not been severely wounded from the fall. Although he was glad to have survived with only slight injuries, Kris began to question the logic of his survival.
At this point, Kris realized the strangeness of his surroundings.
Instead of hard stone, the ground was very soft, almost like a pillow. Kris concluded this peculiar material must have cushioned his fall and prevented his death. Even his equipment had been spared.
Taking out a small torch from his pack, Kris ignited it so he could get a better view of his environment.
When he took a step forward, his foot made a slimy sound when it touched the ground. Kris lowered the torch to see what caused the sound, but he became even more confused.
The floor was coated with a strange substance that nearly caused Kris to slip and fall. When Kris looked at his chest, the liquid was stuck to his leather armor and he brushed off as much as could before giving up on the rest.
The ground itself was constructed of diamond-shaped tiles that glittered with green and yellow light.
While he admired the craftsmanship that had created this wonderful floor, Kris had the uneasy feeling this was not the first time he had seen this artwork.
I’m certain I saw this pattern in an old history book. If I remember correctly, these tiles bear a striking resemblance to-
His thoughts froze as Kris remembered why he was experiencing deja vu...
*****
During the Longest Night, the Abyss King unleashed a terrifying monster unto the world.
These beasts towered over the largest of walls. Its skin could shatter any weapon that opposed it. Its fangs could pierce the strongest armor and crush stone like bread.
Confident of their strength, the Abyss King dispatched these servants to annihilate a specific species of Demi-humans that could potentially cause problems for his conquest later on.
These Demi-humans were the pride of their race: the White Wolves.
It only took a dozen of these monsters to bring the entire White Wolf species to extinction.
Oddly enough, no Basilisk would be seen for almost 350 years, until an adventurer party happened to stumble across their entire nest.
Once they reported their discovery and pinpointed its location, the leaders of the five races joined forces once more.
Before another tragedy could occur, the allied races sent a large army to kill the creatures.
Despite suffering many losses, the whole nest was wiped out and it was believed every one of them had perished.
The survivors of that battle would tell stories of its ferociousness while trembling from the horrible memories that were brought to the surface…
*****
Their stories told of a giant snake adjourned with colorful scales.
A snake with green and yellow diamond-shaped scales and skin that oozed a slimy liquid that allowed it to slither across any terrain with ease.
Its body gave the illusion of softness when touched, but was in fact harder than steel.
Kris recalled the description of this legendary monster as his face began to pale.
There’s no doubt about it...this must be…
Before finishing his thoughts, Kris ran.
He didn’t care where he ran to. He just needed to get out of here.
Shit! Shit! Why!? Why here!? Why did it have to be here!?
There was no hope of him slaying this creature alone.
Kris saw an exit in front of him and started sprinting at full speed. He forgot the pain of his wounded ribs and the aching of his legs. His only focus was escaping this place at all costs.
Kris sprinted down a ramp that descended onto the usual stone floor. The exit was just a few meters away.
I can make it! I can make it! I can-
Kris heard a sound that nearly caused his heart to stop. Slowly turning around, Kris watched in horror as the ramp he just used had risen from the ground and began to shake.
Although it was still pitch black in the room, a pair of yellow eyes looked directly at Kris.
A loud hiss came from the creature’s mouth. A forked tongue could be seen flipping up and down before retreating back into its mouth.
With a low rustle, the beast extended its body until it was as tall as the highest tower of the Royal Castle of Valeria.
With the small light of the torch, Kris gazed at the monster with an expression of fear and despair. He couldn’t control his body as it slightly trembled. Kris was sure he was witnessing the creature that would take his life.
Believing he was staring death in the face, Kris turned his whole body to view the giant snake.
With a small voice, Kris called out the name of the giant snake looming before him.
“...Basilisk...” (Kris)
**
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
In the room where the pair of heroes had their dramatic battle, Eliza still kneeled helplessly in front of the large hole.
She was no longer sobbing, but she did not have the slightest urge to move from her spot.
After regaining her composure, Eliza began making observations on the current situation with a calm mind.
At first, she wanted to immediately jump in after Kris, but she knew he would be upset if she put herself in danger after such a reckless action.
However, her desire to follow her important friend was so strong, blood trickled from her clenched fists.
For the time being, she peered into the pit, watching intently for any signs that her friend had survived.
Being a survivor of the White Wolf species, Eliza's heightened senses gave her advanced sight that easily pierced through the darkness.
However, the chasm was deeper than she thought and she could not see the bottom.
Even stranger was the fact that her strong sense of smell was being blocked as well.
This isn't because of the labyrinth. Something must be down there with him.
Eliza concluded as such due to prior experience.
She had fought creatures who secrete a fluid that is meant to camouflage their presence. Anyone that is within their perimeter will also be affected.
Only a few monsters possess this skill, and none of them can be defeated by a single warrior.
Now that she had an idea of what could potentially be down there, Eliza finally stood up and started running to the exit.
Although she should find the rest of her companions, Eliza only wanted to find Kris at the moment.
Hold on Kris! I won't let you down!
Eliza remembered the conversation they had earlier.
He...is the only person to say something like that to me...He accepts me for who I am...
Eliza fought back the tears that started to form in her eyes.
He put his faith in me, so now I need to show him he was not wrong!
With her firm resolution empowering her will, Eliza increased her pace and continued down the passage.
This time, I will be the one to save Kris!
**
"...Basilisk..." (Kris)
The snake nodded its head slightly, as if to say, “That’s correct.”
Kris somehow managed to calm his heart which felt like it would leap out of his chest.
Well, I shouldn’t be surprised. What better defense is there for the Abyss King than his strongest servant?
Kris put his right hand on one of his swords, but he was hesitant to draw it out.
The Basilisk is not like any opponent I’ve ever fought. Careless actions will only lead to an instant death.
Based on these thoughts, Kris judged he should be cautious in order to not upset the terrifying monster in front of him.
He might arguably be the strongest swordsman in Valeria, but the giant snake in front of him cannot be beaten by swords alone.
Searching his brain for any information on the Basilisk, Kris began pondering all possible ways to escape.
Comparing this Basilisk with illustrations recorded in history books, Kris observed its size was significantly smaller, leading him to conclude this one was still in its youth.
However, Kris knew a Basilisk’s body was near impenetrable when struck with sharp objects. Even though it had a high tolerance to magic attacks as well, because Kris had a bad affinity for magic since birth, that option was out of the question.
My mana is still recovering so I can’t use “that” for awhile. However, I doubt it could even damage it.
Due to the complete release of all of his mana, it would not replenish for quite some time. Even so, Kris feared his attack would not cause significant damage to the snake, and including the heavy fatigue that comes after, he would become easy prey for the monster.
Dammit! Physical attacks won’t work and I don’t have the capacity for magic attacks. There’s nothing I can do!
While feeling the disparity of this situation, he had a sudden thought.
If a Basilisk, the most powerful creature the Abyss King ever created, has been living in this labyrinth for the past few hundred years, how is it that the first Five Saviors did not encounter this monster?
The first Five Saviors entered the labyrinth 200 years ago to stop the resurrection of the Abyss King. Two Saviors perished and the remaining three gave their report to the leaders of the alliance.
In their reports, there was no indication of even seeing a Basilisk, let alone fighting it.
{IT’S BECAUSE THEY WEREN’T WORTHY, HUMAN.} (-)
“Wha!?” (Kris)
Kris was startled by the sudden voice that came from nowhere. At first, Kris began searching for another enemy until realizing the owner of the voice was the giant snake in front of him.
“...You...can talk?” (Kris)
{OF COURSE.} (Basilisk)
Kris was dumbfounded by this unexpected development, but the Basilisk answered him as if it was obvious it could speak. Kris could not see any movement from its mouth, but since it was talking, he assumed there must be another explanation.
“Then...can you also read my mind?” (Kris)
Kris did not voice his previous question aloud, so he asked the snake to verify if it could use telepathy.
However, the snake answered back in an annoyed tone.
{DON’T BE RIDICULOUS. IT WAS WRITTEN ALL OVER YOUR FACE.} (Basilisk)
Before Kris could retort to that questionable statement, the Basilisk continued.
{TO BE HONEST, I WASN’T EXPECTING YOU TO MAKE IT THIS FAR, HUMAN. BY REACHING THIS DEEP INTO THE MASTER’S HOME, YOU HAVE SURPASSED MY EXPECTATIONS. AS A REWARD FOR THIS FEAT, YOU ARE THE FIRST HUMAN TO EARN MY RESPECT. YOU SHOULD BE GRATEFUL!} (Basilisk
Being praised by a giant snake...just what...is going on here?
Kris couldn’t stop from getting one shock after another. There was no way for him to comprehend what this situation had turned into.
While Kris felt like he was losing his sanity, the Basilisk was busy praising its mysterious master.
{THEN AGAIN, THIS ONLY PROVES MASTER’S SUPREME INTELLECT! I WAS AGAINST MASTER CHOOSING A HUMAN, BUT IT APPEARS THE MASTER’S INSIGHT WAS NOT WRONG. THE MASTER IS TRULY EXCELLENT!} (Basilisk)
At this point, Kris was at a loss for words on how to respond to the current situation he was in.
He was unsure of whether to escape while the Basilisk was distracted or-
...Wait. Did it just say “chosen”?
The Basilisk spoke as if its master, the Abyss King, had chosen a Human for something. Since Kris was the only Human among his current companions, there was no other person than him.
This caused an even greater sense of unease to surface within Kris’s heart. He was starting to lose his grasp on reality.
However, before Kris could even make a move, the Basilisk spoke in what could be called a joyful voice.
{AHHH, I’M SO HAPPY YOU CAME, HUMAN! I WAS WORRIED I WOULDN’T HAVE ANYONE TO PLAY WITH FOR ANOTHER HUNDRED YEARS!} (Basilisk)
The Basilisk’s words sent a chill down his spine. When he looked closer, its eyes were slightly narrowed and it appeared to him as if the snake’s mouth had curved upwards, like it was...smiling.
{MASTER GAVE ME ORDERS NOT TO HARM YOU, BUT I BELIEVE YOU MUST BE STRONG FOR A HUMAN IN ORDER TO HAVE SURVIVED THIS LONG. SO...PLEASE DO YOUR BEST TO STAY ALIVE UNTIL I’M SATISFIED!} (Basilisk)
By the time the Basilisk had finished speaking, Kris had already started sprinting to the exit.
He did not need to hear the whole speech for him to understand his life was at risk.
{I WON’T LET YOU ESCAPE, HUMAN! COME ON, LET’S HAVE SOME FUN!} (Basilisk)