Chapter 1349: Chapter 908: The Strange Labyrinth

For Duanmu Huai, the thing he was worst at was precisely this kind of underground labyrinth.

If it were above ground, whether flying or crashing through, at least there was a clear path. But underneath, it’s not the same. Although he could easily smash the walls, doing that might cause the whole place to collapse… It might even be better to dig out a path directly from the underground with his bare hands.

Obviously, Duanmu Huai would not do that.

Fortunately, the other adventure squad, despite their leader having a bit of a collection compulsion, was truly an experienced labyrinth explorer. Aside from the annoyance of having to collect everything on every level, finding the main passage was rather quick.

However…

“This is really strange, the maze doesn’t look that difficult, does it?”

Duanmu Huai walked at the front and spoke with doubt. Basically, there seemed to be few demon beasts in the labyrinth, and it was mostly filled with various traps. Duanmu Huai thought that even a regular adventure squad should be able to get through.

“We didn’t take a wrong turn, did we?”

“It’s definitely here, no mistake.”

Hearing Duanmu Huai’s question, the captain of the adventure squad, Hero, also wore a serious expression.

“We made inquiries before setting off and learned that many adventurers who entered never returned. Most who do come back only describe the traps as being exceedingly dangerous but… if it’s just traps, then they should be a piece of cake for most adventurers.”

“Plus, this is the Northern Land.”

The Dwarf Warriors beside them added a comment, his subtext quite clear — only exceptional adventurers who were one in a hundred could make it to this place, so there was no chance of making errors that only novices would make.

“So I think there is a problem.”

As Duanmu Huai spoke, he pointed toward the wall ahead–this was a path they hadn’t traversed, but there were scorch marks on it, meaning that some adventurers had reached this place before them and triggered a trap.

But…….

“The documents don’t explain the situation up to this point.”

The Hero took out the documents, looked them over again, and then watched the surroundings with vigilance.

“I always have a bad feeling, this labyrinth doesn’t seem as simple as we imagined.”

“By the way, we’ve been walking on a flat plane this whole time.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Duanmu Huai knocked on his helmet. Of course, it couldn’t be seen by the naked eye, but it was clearly shown by the level in the helmet that, superficially, every time they seemed to descend stairs and then reach the next level. So, to humans, it felt as though they were moving deeper and deeper downwards.

But in reality, according to the detection by the mechanical level, each floor’s ground was not flat but slightly sloped upward. Of course, if it were possible to see through it at a glance, maybe it would be discovered. The problem was when you get lost in this damn labyrinth, while also being wary of the traps around you, you wouldn’t notice the slight slant under your feet.

So although it seems like they were continuously descending, in fact, they were repeating a process of descending stairs, then going uphill, and then descending more stairs when they reach the top.

Why the dwarves constructed it like this? Only ghosts would know.

“Say, could this be that kind of trap?”

At that moment, the monk spoke up.

“On the surface, it makes the adventurers feel like it’s easy to navigate, so everyone doesn’t become too alert. By the time they realize things are bad, they are deep inside the labyrinth, and turning back they would face countless traps… and thus ultimately lose their lives?”

“The more experienced the adventurers, the more confident they are in their own abilities; there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Duanmu Huai hefted his War Hammer and continued forward with large strides.

“In any case, we’ll know what it’s really like when the time comes.”

“Maybe those adventurers who didn’t return thought the same.”

“That’s right.”

Just as the monk had suggested, perhaps those adventurers who came before them, because they were too relaxed, wanted to break through the labyrinth in one go, and as a result, encountered a formidable enemy in its deepest part. Since they had ventured too deep into the labyrinth at that point, escaping was impossible, and they tragically died inside.

Of course, for Duanmu Huai, this was nothing more than a story he’d heard.

But trouble was not absent.

“Well……. this could also be considered a characteristic of the labyrinth.”

Descending another staircase, this time what appeared before everyone was not the previously seen intricate network of paths, but only two roads.

Two paths?

“Which way do we go?”

Duanmu Huai looked to the Hero, who pondered for a moment.

“Splitting up and taking both paths might be faster.”

“That’s true.”

Duanmu Huai nodded in agreement.

“Then we’ll take the left path.”

“We’ll go to the right.”

The Hero nodded, making a hand gesture.

“Wishing you all the best.”

“Same to you, although I think the path you chose is probably the correct one, I still want to try my luck.”

Even though Duanmu Huai felt he always chose the wrong one, but… what if this time he was right?

Hope should still be held onto, right?

Soon, the two groups parted ways and advanced along different paths.

“These adventurers are quite interesting, big brother.”

Sitting on Duanmu Huai’s shoulder, Zhenjiling also spoke with emotion.

“Not bad.”

However, Duanmu Huai simply responded indifferently, seemingly not very enthusiastic, while at the same time, Ogis, lying on Duanmu Huai’s other shoulder, raised her head.

“Because that person is better-looking than the master.”

“……… Listen well, Ogis, don’t judge a book by its cover, you should understand that.”

“Yes, that’s why I know that master is a good person.”

“Correct, so you should also remember, those who look handsome aren’t necessarily good people.”

“Pfft……!”

Hearing Duanmu Huai’s serious advice to Ogis, Zhenjiling couldn’t help but chuckle, and at the sound of her laughter, Duanmu Huai turned his head.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing… So, big brother, you must really enjoy being with those adventurers in the city, right?”

“Yes, that is, after all, most adventurers do give off a sense of friendliness.”

How could they not give off a sense of friendliness?

Hearing Duanmu Huai’s answer, Zhenjiling remained expressionless on the surface, but inwardly she was rolling with laughter. Perhaps because most of the adventurers in this world battle the Demon Clan, many of them actually look quite fierce and intimidating, resembling thugs, gangsters, bandits, and the like. If it were anywhere else, Zhenjiling would definitely retreat at the sight of such people.

On the contrary, Duanmu Huai felt like a fish in water here, having an easy time of it — well, no wonder he didn’t take a liking to that Hero Squad Captain.

“Hmm?”

As the conversation continued, the group moved forward, but as they exited the passageway and entered a large hall, Duanmu Huai halted, looking up ahead.

In front of them, at the exit to another large door, stood four figures — it was none other than the Hero Squad they had separated from earlier.

Except… these four adventurers seemed a bit different from before; how should I put it, they looked like unpainted puppet models. Essentially, it was clear at a glance that they were not real people.

“Oh, I see, I pretty much guessed why those adventurers hadn’t returned.”

Looking at the adventurers blocking their path, Duanmu Huai gripped his War Hammer, while Ogis and Zhenjiling also seamlessly leaped off his shoulder, readying their attack stances.

“So, there was this trick up their sleeve.”

“Uh… then, doesn’t that mean it’s very dangerous over there?”

“Maybe, but let’s take care of our own situation first.”

Staring at the four adventurer doppelgangers in front of him, Duanmu Huai grinned, revealing a ferocious smile.

He’d been eager to smash that handsome face to a pulp, and unexpectedly, the enemy had come to him!

“Let’s go!”

As his words fell, the next moment Duanmu Huai lunged at the enemy in front of him.

“Swish———-!”

In response to Duanmu Huai’s attack, the other side also reacted quickly. The Hero flashed by, appearing directly in front of Duanmu Huai, swinging his Longsword down hard, aiming straight at Duanmu Huai’s chest. Yet, before the sword could even touch Duanmu Huai’s Armor, it was deflected by an expanding Shield, and at the same time, Duanmu Huai’s hammer came crashing down on the Hero’s head.

“Bang!”

At the same time, a Dwarf Warrior charged in, swinging his massive Battle Axe down at Duanmu Huai’s War Hammer, colliding with it. The immense Strength of the Dwarf Warrior caused Duanmu Huai’s War Hammer to veer off, barely missing the Hero and smashing into the ground.

But that wasn’t the end of it.

The Magic User raised her Magic Wand, aiming at Duanmu Huai, but as she was about to release her Magic, the Magic Wand in her hand suddenly turned, sending the howling Magic Beam off course. Simultaneously, Ogis clenched her fists, grasping at the invisible strings and pulling towards the Magic User.

The final Monk, holding the Sacred Book, appeared to be praying softly, as rays of golden light burst from him, flowing into the surroundings.

However, at that moment, gunshots suddenly rang out.

“Bang!!!”

The Monk’s body swayed, a hole manifesting in the center of his forehead. He then collapsed onto the ground and instantly vanished without a trace.

At the same time, Zhenjiling, holding a sniper rifle, flashed by and once again disappeared into thin air.

“Haah———-!”

Without the Monk’s support from behind, the Hero and the Dwarf Warrior alone couldn’t withstand Duanmu Huai’s Attack. With a roar, he surged forward, directly colliding with the Dwarf Warrior’s face, lifting his right foot and stomping down — though the Dwarf Warrior hastily raised his axe to block, the next moment he was still crushed under Duanmu Huai’s foot, turning into a mushy pulp before also fading away.

Then, the Hero flashed by, his Longsword unhesitatingly piercing towards Duanmu Huai’s throat, while Duanmu Huai didn’t care about the opponent’s deadly move, simply gripping his War Hammer tightly, raising it high, and then swinging it down forcefully as the Hero’s sword blade pierced him.

“Boom!”

The Thunder Warhammer thundered, severing the Hero in two, while at the same time, Ogis successfully sliced the last Magic User into pieces.

“I really didn’t expect there to be such members of the Demon Clan.”

Watching the adventurers’ bodies turn to black dust and vanish, Duanmu Huai also exclaimed — he had realized that these were not the actual people, but more like fake bodies condensed by Magic Power. As to how successful they were compared to the originals, Duanmu Huai did not know.

However……….

“Hmm… Let’s turn back.”

Duanmu Huai stroked his chin.

“I have a bad feeling about this…”