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Join the ServerPromen, in high spirits, set off on the path to hunt down his nemesis.
He felt the resentment of being trapped in the labyrinth for ten thousand years vanish completely.
With Theresia and her companions having cleared the way, Promen’s journey was remarkably smooth.
A few clueless monsters did appear, but they only caused him a trivial amount of trouble, which he dispatched with ease.
It wasn’t until Promen reached the 90th floor that he stepped on a magic trap. A crimson blaze engulfed his vicinity, thoroughly polishing him from head to toe.
As an old veteran who had studied the labyrinth’s tricks for millennia, he immediately recognized this was not a typical labyrinth trap. Could it be a residual trap set to deal with the monsters on this floor?
Yet, the monsters on this floor weren’t weak to fire.
Promen never imagined this trap was meant for him. After all, had it not been for Theodore’s Dragon God contract, he wouldn’t have even conceived of breaking free from the labyrinth’s shackles, much less charging after Theresia and her group.
Observing Theresia’s demeanor, he knew they would eventually return. He reasoned that preparing a super surprise gift package for these fellows on the 99th and 100th floors would be far more enjoyable than a thousand-mile pursuit.
However, after Promen continuously broke through several floors, enduring traps of ice, poison gas, floods, and even live burials—all strategically placed along Theresia’s path, perfectly intact, and even fortified against damage from other labyrinth monsters—
Promen finally realized.
‘This must be aimed at me!’
Otherwise, why would there be so many obstructive things on his retreat path? While he wasn’t sure why Theresia and her group knew he would pursue them,
But!
‘Too weak, too weak, far too weak!’
Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk.
Promen clicked his tongue in disdain. It seemed the outside world hadn’t come up with anything new over the years.
‘Why are they still using my old tricks?’
No, it wasn’t even as good as his old tricks; it didn’t even qualify to injure him.
As Promen lamented the lack of progress among later generations, he continued forward, soon spotting two brightly lit arrows at a fork in the road.
The left arrow read: “Beware of Mad Dogs, Do Not Enter.”
The right arrow read: “This is the Correct Path, Please Proceed.”
Promen: “……”
‘Only a fool would believe you!’
He decisively took the left path, and before long, he saw a colorful barrier blocking his way.
‘Hmph, as expected, this is the correct path. They think a trick to fool a three-hundred-year-old child can deceive an old veteran like me from ten millennia ago? Bah!’
Promen casually waved his hand, shattering the barrier. As it broke, a gentle breeze swept through, carrying an unpleasant odor.
He paid it no mind, swaggering in. However, he hadn’t taken two steps when—
From the darkness, countless crimson eyes simultaneously fixed upon him.
They belonged to a pack of eight-eyed wolves, their mouths grotesquely twisted like meat grinders, and their legs thick and winding like tree roots.
These were the Eight-Eyed Demonic Wolves, unique to the 90th floor. Their jaws could easily grind steel into dust.
‘Damn, there really are mad dogs!’
“You foolish creatures, retreat!”
Individually, these beasts weren’t particularly strong, but in a pack, they were terrifying. There was nothing their jaws couldn’t tear through.
Promen attempted his usual tactic: using a magic-infused roar to mentally intimidate the demonic beasts, instill fear, and force them to flee.
However…
The Eight-Eyed Demonic Wolves were indeed afraid, but only for a fleeting moment, before being engulfed by an even more fervent desire.
Promen sensed something was amiss. Even after being mentally intimidated, these Eight-Eyed Demonic Wolves were still staring intently at him.
Their gaze was incredibly strange, much like an old bachelor of several decades seeing an unclothed woman for the first time.
‘No, we’re not even the same species!’
He was a noble Darkfiend, and he walked on two legs…
‘Wait,’ Promen suddenly noticed a peculiar odor emanating from himself.
‘When? It was that breeze!’
However, before Promen could ponder the source of the strange smell,
The pack of wolves surged forward, pouncing on him.
****
As the howls of a hundred dogs gradually faded,
Promen, missing limbs and recovering, limped back to the crossroads.
Staring at the arrow that read “Beware of Mad Dogs,” his mouth twitched slightly.
“I’ll believe you for a moment.”
With that, he hobbled towards the right-hand path.
Then, familiar barks sounded once more.
“I believe you #￥%…”
Left for males, right for females. Promen clearly hadn’t considered that if the dungeon clearing team had exclusively placed the male wolves on the left, it implied the female wolves had also been sorted out.
‘Who would genuinely point an enemy towards the correct path?’
****
This was merely the beginning. Promen experienced humanity’s ‘development’ firsthand over the years.
There were no longer simple, straightforward attack and defense traps.
Instead, there were only psychological and mental assaults.
For instance, a large rock would be placed in a very obvious location on the path, explicitly telling him it was a trap.
Initially, Promen indeed avoided them, but every few steps, a message would appear, detailing how terrifying, astonishingly powerful, and exquisitely designed the previous trap was.
Although Promen wanted to ignore it, he couldn’t help but wonder, ‘How could it be that amazing?’
Filled with defiance and curiosity, Promen used an attack to detonate a trap he deemed to be in a very safe location.
Then… Promen encountered a horrific stench he had never experienced in his entire life.
Clearly, having a sense of smell for an alchemical creation wasn’t always a good thing.
****
Another example: Promen learned his lesson, no longer underestimating any trap. Instead, he defused them one by one, like a bomb disposal expert.
On the 80th floor, in just ten minutes, he dismantled hundreds of traps set by the expedition team.
Promen looked disdainfully at the 100th trap as he safely disarmed it, letting out a cold snort. “Hmph, we played these trap-laying techniques to death back in my day. Do they truly believe Lord Promen can’t handle it? I just wasn’t serious before.”
He scanned his surroundings; there were no more traps. Promen nodded with satisfaction, and then…
‘I was so focused on disarming traps, where have I ended up?’
However, Promen was familiar with the labyrinth’s mechanisms, so he could still sense the approximate location of each floor and wouldn’t get lost…
‘Hmm? Was it like this when I came here before?!’
Promen’s pupils dilated as he stared at the swamp blocking his inevitable path. He distinctly remembered it not being there before!
‘It definitely isn’t an enemy trap, because I dismantled all the traps!’
Then this was… Before Promen could react, the swamp abruptly shifted, swallowing him whole under his astonished gaze.
****
When Promen crushed the swamp monster’s core and crawled out of the mire, he had a swollen belly.
He had been force-fed so much that he couldn’t take another drop.
‘What has happened to the races these days?’
‘Have the fine traditions of ten thousand years ago been abandoned?!’
Promen howled to the sky, “Shameless! If you dare, come out and fight me head-on! I’ll take on all of you! Ugh~”
****
On the 60th floor.
Theresia and her companions were resting on this level.
“It seems he hasn’t pursued us,” Theresia said, chewing on her rations, her eyes warily fixed on Theodore, who sat opposite her.
To Theresia, greater safety often implied greater danger.
Previously, with the formidable external enemy Promen present, Theodore and she could unite. Now, with the external threat seemingly delayed, she felt deeply troubled.
‘Should I rally everyone, and while I have the numerical advantage, tie Theodore up?’
She always carried scrolls that induced amnesia. Perhaps she could seize this opportunity…
Meanwhile, Theodore’s internal scumbag dragon detection device suddenly blared an alarm. He abruptly looked at Theresia beside him, only to find the scumbag dragon guiltily averting her gaze, unwilling to meet his eyes.
Theresia feigned composure, stood up, and walked towards Lola. “I’ll go inspect the other side.”
Theodore immediately understood his current predicament.
‘Good, good, good. Truly you.’
Theodore sighed inwardly. While Theresia was a perfectly good comrade, as a romantic partner, she clearly needed some serious correction.
‘Surely, with his giant physique, he could infuse this black dragon until she turned into a white dragon.’
At that point, with her mind in disarray, she would surely repent and mend her ways.
However, before that, he had to consider how to reverse his current disadvantage.
This black dragon had undoubtedly conceived ill intentions. He was currently short-handed and trapped in enemy territory, desperately needing external help to escape.
But where would that external help come from…
Theresia, on her side, had already approached Lola. To avoid becoming a ‘cream puff dragon,’ she was preparing to implement her ‘burning bridges’ plan. She gripped Lola’s shoulders with both hands and whispered:
“Lola, listen to me. This is a critical moment for our survival, and I need your strong assistance!”
Lola, who was fiddling with a small gadget she had made, looked bewildered when her shoulders were held. “Where’s the crisis? Didn’t that Promen not come?”
Theresia’s eyes deepened. “The danger doesn’t come from an external enemy, but from within us!”
Lola’s pupils instantly contracted, and she shot a cold glare at Larkin, who was happily playing cards with nearby expedition team members.
“He really is a traitor! He’s planning to betray us again! I’ll go take his head—his skull for you, his belt for me!”
“That’s not fair, I want that too…” Theresia almost got entangled with Lola over the spoils, but she quickly reacted. “Wait, it’s not him!”
Lola felt a slight regret but then asked, utterly shocked, “There’s another traitor in our team besides him?!”
Theresia nodded solemnly. “Exactly! And that person is Theodore!”
“It’s him! How about we take his head right now?” Lola became even more excited.
Theresia: “…No, you’re very agitated today. You’re an elf, a pure-hearted elf, a noble and elegant elf princess. Don’t abandon your original persona!”
Lola nodded repeatedly. “Sorry, sorry, but Theresia, I’m telling you, you can’t be soft-hearted towards traitors. I know your relationship was very close before, but it doesn’t matter. I’m not familiar with him; I’ll go take him out!”
“You’ll most likely be taken out by him,” Theresia rolled her eyes at Lola. “It’s not that serious. Even if the deal is off, our friendship remains. Though he may be unjust, I cannot be disloyal. After all, there’s still…”
As she spoke, Theresia thought of those damned three days. Her face flushed with embarrassment, and her voice unconsciously softened. “Some feelings are still there. Although Theodore has gone astray, his crime isn’t punishable by death. We just need to erase his memories, give him a large sum of money, and let him live comfortably as a rich man in a quiet, unknown corner.”
Lola: “…Alright, when do we make our move? Now? My staff is already thirsting for action.”
“Now? Now might be a good time…” Theresia murmured. After all, Theodore was already suspicious of her; the longer they delayed, the more variables would arise.
Theresia sighed. “Ah, I understand.”
“Good! I’ll gather everyone right now and take his dog head!”
Lola immediately prepared to call her companions, but Theresia covered her mouth from behind, hugging her, nearly suffocating her.
“Don’t rush. We’ve been companions for so many years; let me try to persuade him one last time,” Theresia instructed. “When I smash my cup, you’ll lead everyone in a collective attack, making sure to subdue him immediately. Remember, do not harm his life.”
Lola clicked her tongue. “Mm-hmm, alright.”
Theresia reiterated solemnly, “Remember, you must not harm his life. This is the primary bottom line of the operation.”
Lola patted her flat chest. “Got it, got it! You can count on me!”
Theresia nodded and walked back towards Theodore.
Meanwhile, Lola quietly gathered a few people, relayed the instructions of the “Most Evil Dragon,” and then pointed at Larkin, who was still unaware and playing cards with several expedition team members.
“This man is two-faced and was brought in by Theodore. Although he appears harmless now, his intentions are sinister and must be guarded against. Quietly tie him up for me first.”
Soon, Larkin—who had been innocently playing cards—suddenly found himself surrounded by expedition team members. The companions who had been playing enthusiastically with him only moments ago also changed their expressions after a few whispered exchanges with the others.
Larkin chuckled awkwardly. “Haha, brothers, what’s wrong? Do you like playing cards too? Join us… Mph!”
Before he could finish, everyone tied him up thoroughly, leaving two strong men to guard him closely.
Larkin: “……”
Aesop and Alicia, having been on lookout in the distance to prevent Promen’s sudden arrival, escaped this fate.
****
Back with Theresia.
She slowly walked towards Theodore, and under his watchful eye, sat opposite him, looking directly at him. “It’s been many years, and you’ve truly changed remarkably, Theodore.”
“You haven’t changed at all, Theresia,” Theodore blinked, saying, “You’re just as beautiful in both your human and dragon forms.”
Theresia: “!!!”
“Ahaha, well, I am a dragon, haha. There really wouldn’t be much change in just a few years.”
Theodore smiled and mused, “Indeed, that’s true. I’m happy just thinking about how beautiful Theresia is.”
Theresia scratched her cheek with a finger, saying shyly, “If you could replace ‘beautiful’ with ‘handsome,’ I might be even happier.”
Theodore nodded, agreeing, “You certainly look very handsome in armor. Hmm~, speaking of which, Theresia, you’re always so valiant and dashing in your everyday life. It’s captivating to behold.”
‘This young man has good taste.’
Theresia looked at Theodore with tender eyes. This child had known how to speak well since childhood; choosing him back then was truly the right decision.
‘Wait, she wasn’t here to talk about this, was she?’
Theodore didn’t let Theresia ponder further. “I stayed in the Labyrinth City for a very short time, but in that brief period, I learned about the ‘Most Evil Dragon’ who is greatly admired and longed for by all adventurers in the Labyrinth City. Everyone says you’re terrifying, yet they all wish to become you.”
“Ahahaha, I’m not that amazing.”
If she were in her dragon form, Theresia would likely be wagging her tail right now.
Theodore continued to praise her. “No, no, it’s true. To almost break through the 100th floor in seven years—that’s unprecedented in the entire Labyrinth City. Should one say, ‘As expected of Theresia?’ The world’s only black dragon, with such power, is it astonishing, or is it simply to be expected?”
Theresia: (❁´◡`❁)*✲ﾟ*
“Ya hahaha, it’s alright, it’s alright, just average. It was merely a small test.”
Theodore exclaimed in surprise, “Such an achievement is just a ‘small test?’ Truly worthy of being the future Black Dragon King—no, the Old Patriarch even took you under his wing, so saying ‘future Dragon Clan Patriarch’ isn’t out of line. Just look at your leadership; to unite a scattered group, you’re truly the future helmsman of the Dragon Clan.”
Theresia: ‘Sounds good, I love to hear it, say more!’
****
Meanwhile, Lola, who was ambushing outside with fifty expedition team members, waiting only for Theresia to smash her cup as a signal: “……”
Expedition Team Member A: “They’re chatting happily. Should we still make our move?”
Lola: “Theresia said to smash a cup as a signal.”
Expedition Team Member B: “But she isn’t holding a cup.”
Lola: “She probably forgot, but she definitely has one in her spatial ring.”
Expedition Team Member C: “They’re chatting so happily, what if they start drinking and accidentally break a cup? Do we rush out or not?”
Lola’s forehead was lined with black as she looked at the speaker. “You truly are a talent! I don’t know!”
‘Theresia, what are you doing?!’
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