The sprawling walls of the Theocracy of Lumen loomed just ahead, their pale stones catching the fading light of afternoon. Alex's voice cut through the soft murmur of the city's outskirts.
"There it is. The Theocracy of Lumen lies just a ways beyond this point."
Aiko's eyes brightened as she took in the sight.
"I see it too. It's... massive."
They approached the grand entrance of the empire, where a vigilant guard stood, eyeing their approach with a practiced stare.
"Adventurer's card or one bronze coin to enter," the guard barked.
Alex reached inside his cloak and produced a small card embossed with the emblem of his guild.
"I'm no mere adventurer. I belong to the Shaded Path Guild. Here's my guild card."
The guard examined the card briefly before nodding. "Very well. You may enter."
"But what about my companion?" Alex asked, eyes flicking toward Aiko.
The guard's gaze shifted to her, and then he shrugged easily.
"Demi-humans aren't charged entry, and no card's needed."
Alex exhaled in relief and grinned. "Ah, that's good to know. Come on, Aiko — let's move."
Stepping over the threshold into the bustling city, the pair were immediately engulfed by the spectacle of the empire. Market stalls spilled their wares across broad cobblestone streets, and towering spires pierced the sky like gleaming arrows.
"It's enormous," Aiko said, practically breathless. "This city must be fifty times larger than my old village."
Alex nodded, his voice calm but impressed. "Yes. It's not just a city — it's the heart of a country."
They wandered until a small food stall caught their attention. Mouths watering, they approached.
"How much for a skewer, miss?" Alex asked.
The vendor smiled warmly. "Only ten bronze coins each."
Alex handed over forty bronze coins. "I'll take four then—two now, two for the road."
The vendor wrapped the skewers neatly and passed them over with practiced ease.
"Thank you," Alex said, savoring the first bite.
Meandering through the city, Alex soon spotted an inn — a quaint establishment with a shining sign that read, The Argent Claw Inn.
"I'll take two rooms, please," Alex said to the inn employee, whose tired eyes brightened with welcome.
"Rooms with meals?" she inquired.
"Exactly."
She handed over a pair of keys with a smile. "Here you are."
Alex gave one to Aiko.
"Thank you, Alex."
He handed her some coins. "Buy yourself some clothes and whatever else you might need."
With Aiko settled, Alex took advantage of the late afternoon's respite—the rain had stopped to reveal a clear sky—to head out toward the labyrinth for some monster hunting. But first, he sought information.
Approaching a broad-shouldered warrior standing guard along an artery of the city, Alex spoke.
"Excuse me, I'm a visitor here. I've heard there's a labyrinth nearby. Could you point me in the right direction?"
The warrior scratched the back of his head. "I'm mostly here on assignments, not a labyrinth veteran, but I've been there a handful of times. Take the Processional Way straight from here. At the end, you'll see the Arena of Ascension. Turn onto the Arena's street and keep going. Eventually, you'll find the Penitent's Gauntlet—the queue's often long, you can't miss it."
"Thank you, that helps a lot."
"No problem."
Following the warrior's directions, Alex reached the wide street leading to the Arena of Ascension. He turned down the path as described, and soon a long line came into view. The Penitent's Gauntlet was popular indeed.
This is gonna take a while, Alex thought, scanning the crowd. The labyrinth guards are Luminarch Wardens. It must hold some serious weight here.
Finally, it was his turn.
"Next."
Alex stepped forward and placed a handful of silver coins on the counter.
"Adventurer's card."
Alex presented his guild card once again.
"You may enter," the guard nodded. "Next!"
The heavy iron gates creaked open, revealing a cavernous expanse ahead—the Penitent's Gauntlet.
Alex stepped inside, the weight of shadows pressing close. The air was thick, whispers of danger lurking just out of sight.
Looks like a huge cave, Alex murmured. Adventurers warned me of traps. I'll need to stay sharp.
Treading carefully, Alex's eyes caught movement near a cluster of stalagmites. A massive black spider, its many eyes gleaming, lunged forward.
Sword drawn, Alex charged. The spider retaliated swiftly, shooting a web that wrapped tightly around him. Struggling for breath, Alex muttered the incantation of a fire enchantment, flames licking hungrily at the sticky strands. The web ignited, melting away the bonds.
"That was close. Almost dinner for that thing."
He eyed the spider warily, then flexed his grip on his sword.
It was time to trial the technique he'd acquired earlier. He inhaled deeply, steadied his stance, and pointed the blade at his foe. The spider snarled and rushed forward.
"Seismic Vacuum!" Alex shouted.
A roaring blast of wind surged from the sword's edge, cleaving the cavern floor and slicing the spider in two.
"It worked!" Alex breathed out, heart pounding. "So this skill—only gained from conscious beings—is legit."
He pocketed the glowing magic stone dropped by the beast, feeling a fresh surge of determination. My revenge won't wait much longer. The preparations must begin...
His steps echoed down a narrow corridor before a chamber opened up, where an imposing figure hovered—part man, part bird. Wings stretched wide, a sharp beaked visage framed by fierce eyes.
"Greetings, human. What is your name?" the creature's voice echoed, startling Alex.
A talking monster? Alex thought.
"My name's Alex," he answered cautiously. "And you?"
"I am Falco — the Great Yellow Wing. Prepare yourself to die by my hands!"
Falco conjured a magical bow in his grasp, firing a blazing yellow arrow. Alex dodged and leapt behind a pillar, thoughts racing.
Aerial combat? This complicates things. I'm better with sword and fire magic than long-range aerial fights.
"Maging fire shot!" Alex recited, unleashing a flame arrow of his own.
Falco's eyes flashed. "If those flames hit my wings, I'm done for."
He charged, dodging each fiery bolt with uncanny speed, then sent a barrage of thunder-imbued arrows. Alex dodged backward, but still took half the damage and hit the ground hard.
No giving up. Not now. The path ends only with my revenge.
Straining, Alex pushed himself upright as Falco nocked another arrow.
Jumps and fire shots flew as a deadly dance commenced—the clang of steel and crackle of magic filling the cavern.
Realizing the fight hung on a razor's edge, Alex summoned his remaining mana and launched four massive torrents of fire. Falco dodged, but in that moment, the fiery shots morphed into blazing swords, striking from behind and piercing his wings and flanks.
Falco crashed to the ground.
"You fought well. Without that trick... I'd be dead," Alex admitted, breathing heavily.
Blood choking the Great Yellow Wing, Falco hissed, "Humans... tsk."
Alex pressed his blade into Falco's chest, ending the battle.
A voice echoed softly in his mind:
Skill Acquired: Magic Manipulation.
Now you can forge weapons from mana without chants.
Skill Acquired: Black Thunder.
Manipulate thunder in addition to fire.
Alex marveled, feeling a sudden flood of knowledge—as though Falco's memories flowed into him, explaining every nuance.
This 'Survivor' ability is a ten out of ten, no doubt.
Pressing deeper into the labyrinth, a cold shiver ran down Alex's spine.
Something approaches...
He slipped behind a jagged wall and peered around the corner—an undead horde of twenty skeletons shuffled into view.
I'll answer force with fire.
Hands raised, Alex invoked the incantation—Giant Fireball!—and hurled it into the group, incinerating most. Only four remained, and Alex lunged forward, sword flashing as bones shattered.
Pressing onward, Alex paused at a sudden sense of eyes on him. He spun, but found nothing but shadows. Accelerating, he slipped into a nearby corridor and readied his blade, summoning electricity in his palm and enchanting his sword with swirling black thunder.
If someone's tailing me, they'll have to pass through here...
His breath caught. Unless...
"Fire Spiral!" Alex unleashed the spiraling flames toward the corridor's mouth.
As the smoldering firestorm faded, a figure emerged—a lich mage, levitating with a staff clasped tightly.
"Ahaha! Impressive. Few notice me even when I'm cloaked in shadow."
"I had a feeling someone was on my tail," Alex replied, wary but steady. "Glad it wasn't my imagination."
"Then let's begin!" the lich declared.
The cursed mage launched a volley of purple magical bolts. Alex's sword flashed, slicing through them as he charged fiercely.
The lich summoned three colossal skeletons. Alex's thunder-imbued blade flashed through them—bone and magic shattering with each strike.
These black thunders... They're incredible.
The lich sneered. "You've done well to overcome my summons."
"Stay calm," Alex said, gripping his sword. "Your end is near."
The lich slammed his staff into the stone floor, summoning a large glowing blue circle. From it, a monstrous black hand clawed skyward, aiming to ensnare Alex.
Alex leapt back, careful.
I need to land a direct hit, he thought. Any delay or lingering here means exhaustion—and death.
"Physical enhancement… speed… lightness… jump times ten."
"Now, old lich—here I come."
The battle unfolded in a blur. Magic circles materialized, black hands surged out, but Alex cut them down while closing the distance at lightning speed.
With a final, devastating strike, Alex's sword, alive with crackling black lightning, cleaved the lich in two.
Voices whispered in his mind:
Skill Acquired: Stealth.
You may now approach enemies undetected.
Element Acquired: Darkness.
You may now command black magic.
New ability: Cast magic without spoken enchantments.
Would you like to learn?
Without hesitation, Alex replied, "Yes."
Command accepted. You may now weave spells silently.
Magic without enchantments... no wonder the old mage never spoke during combat.
Exhaustion seeped into Alex's limbs. His mana reserves were nearly drained.
Time to return to the surface... for now.
With one last glance at the shadows ahead, Alex sheathed his sword, ready to face the challenges yet to come.