TIGDK
240. Aksaras Labyrinth [12]
“No, is there anyone here who doesn’t love you?”
At Eleanor’s words, I felt my head go blank for a moment.
No, even in a desperate situation, this was too much.
I never expected her to outright say Love like this.
Especially now, when we both knew this was a life-or-death moment. When we should be making the most rational choices, she said those words, and Zitri didn’t deny it either.
How am I supposed to take this?
Simple gratitude? Appreciation?
No, it’s different from that.
I had to draw a line—for my own survival, and for theirs.
And to do that, I told them. That someone who loves me must enter the labyrinth with me, and that this act would require risking their life.
That’s why it was even more confusing.
‘Am I really someone who deserves to be loved like this? Is Nox von Reinhaver truly such a person?’
I doubted.
At the same time, memories of my past in another world surfaced.
— A heart is like a sailboat tossed by turbulent waves.
A line from a poem I once read.
I couldn’t help but deeply relate.
Terminally-ill.
In a life that could end at any moment, I’ve constantly doubted myself.
Am I someone worthy of love?
The world looks so beautiful.
But I was just a colorless, insignificant being.
A deep gray that couldn’t emit any hue.
I longed for brilliance but never truly strived for it. Because I knew it would take immense effort to grasp.
And the time required for that felt meaningless and futile to me.
If only I had struggled to survive even a week, like a mayfly.
Would I be a better person now than in the past?
Then, in this situation where two people say they love me, could I remain calm and composed?
But now, such thoughts are pointless.
There’s no time to ponder why this is happening to me.
I have no family, no roots, not even a single memory left.
The driving force to build something new must come from life itself…
Yet, for dying me, forming bonds with others feels like a meaningless act.
And yet, in the end, I returned to this world in such a hopeless state.
Now is the time to choose.
“Zitri.”
I called her name softly. Zitri nodded as if ready.
“…Does it really have to be just one person? For entering the labyrinth.”
I answered Eleanor clearly.
“There’s something only you can do. You must evacuate the villagers. Even we don’t know the outcome of Ru and Gremory’s battle. Meet with Vice-Captain Del and help evacuate the people. Eleanor, you’re the only one who can do this.”
Something only you can do.
Even as I said it, I knew Eleanor wouldn’t accept it easily.
To the girl who just confessed her love, telling her this—if asked whether this was fair, I’d shake my head too. But in this situation, she is the right person for the task.
She was an investor from the beginning.
Someone who paid a fortune for hunting rights in this village. Almost everyone in the village knows her.
But Zitri is different.
She only recently reclaimed her true name, Rovelia.
And above all, she’s been with me the longest.
Rona, Zitri. But Rona isn’t here.
Zitri is the best choice.
It didn’t take long to decide.
“Sometimes, I hate how capable I am.”
Eleanor grumbled but quickly composed herself.
She then contacted Del through the communication crystal and took the lead in protecting the village.
Before leaving, she whispered to me softly.
“Nox. Nox….”
Kiing!
Ellie let out a cry as if anxious.
I calmly asked,
“What’s wrong?”
“Don’t die. Please.”
Her words sent a jolt through my heart.
A painful plea I’ve heard so many times. Don’t die.
But the truth is, I am dying.
It’s something I can’t talk about, something I have to endure alone. It stings a little.
But as in Chaders, as in the battle against the 72 demons, all I can do is respond. Repeating a promise I can’t keep.
“Don’t worry. I won’t die.”
“Hmph, then that’s good.”
Eleanor said that, then glanced at Zitri.
Then, with a sly smile, she approached me.
“Miss Zitri?”
“Yes?”
Zitri flinched when called, looking guilty.
From the moment Eleanor declared her love, Zitri must have been uneasy, since I chose to go to Aksaras with her instead of Eleanor. Given her gentle nature, she must have been deeply worried.
About my relationship with Eleanor de Rivalin.
She might have thought something unfavorable was at play.
But then, Eleanor’s next action froze Zitri’s expression. She poked my side, forcing me to look at her, and then…
“Mmph?”
She kissed me lightly. Our lips met, and Zitri’s face flushed before rapidly cooling.
“…What are you doing?”
I asked politely, but Eleanor just turned away indifferently.
“Who knows what you’ll do alone in the labyrinth? I’m marking you as mine in advance. You don’t like it?”
“No, that’s not the issue….”
“Then it’s fine.”
Eleanor smirked and touched her lips.
Then, stepping back, she added,
“Make sure you come back alive.”
“Ng? Aa….”
All I could do was nod blankly.
It was truly unfortunate.
**********
Until we reached the entrance of Aksaras labyrinth, neither of us spoke. Only Zitri and I were heading there, and most variables in the snowy fields had already been eliminated during the White Lizard hunt. Our focus was solely on arriving as quickly as possible.
Thanks to that, we soon reached the Aksaras labyrinth.
The Black Tower.
A place that is more fitting to call it a tower than a labyrinth.
Having seen it many times in the game, I knew exactly what would happen here.
‘The first layer is a mental attack. It stimulates your weakest trauma and shows you hell.’
In the original, you could overcome it with just a high Will stat, but now, I was a little worried.
Unlike before, where a Will stat of 11+ was enough, Ru had said that without the help of someone you truly love and rely on, this trial was impossible.
So, for the first layer, Zitri was essential.
But…
I don’t understand what this “love” is.
Does it mean romantic love between a man and a woman? Or does familial love or friendship also count?
That’s why Eleanor’s kiss left me disoriented. Wasn’t that an act of love—specifically, romantic love?
Though uneasy, I steadied myself.
Then, I spoke plainly to Zitri.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, young master.”
Her voice was slightly cold.
No—knowing her, it wasn’t coldness but tension in this situation causing this reaction.
Creak.
[You have arrived at the ‘Aksaras labyrinth’]
[Players must survive and reach the end of all 3 layers.]
The voice echoed as we stepped through the black tower’s entrance.
It was the first time the system’s voice sounded so eerie.
Nervously, we entered. Torches along the walls ignited, illuminating the interior. Carefully, we moved forward, recalling the next steps.
For example, the traps to avoid before the mental attack.
Clatter!
The moment I stepped on something, chains shot toward us. I deflected them and sighed.
Alone, I wouldn’t have been shaken, but with Zitri here, I had to be cautious.
From now on, I had to focus entirely.
“Stick close to me. This place is dangerous.”
“…Okay.”
Zitri spoke less. Attacks came from all directions.
Paralyzing spores from mushrooms, man-eating plants. Not easy foes, but I’d prepared for this. I was familiar with such situations.
‘Here, quickly eliminating enemies is key. The longer the fight, the more they spawn infinitely.’
Just before the mental attack, we faced magical beasts, trolls and kobolds.
Common early-game enemies in fantasy, not usually strong. But here, they were enhanced.
Stronger than White Lizards. Hundreds swarmed at once.
‘Using too much mana is risky, but with Erina’s potions, it’s best to finish this quickly.’
Decided, I channeled black mana into my darkened sword.
The darkness swallowed the surroundings, forming mirrors—black fragments.
They scattered, slicing through the charging enemies. Screams filled the air, but I only thought of what came next.
The illusion awaiting me in this real dungeon, Aksaras labyrinth.
Ru had given me one piece of advice.
— If you have doubts about your existence, you might find answers there.
— It’s not just a labyrinth that shows fragments of the past and drags you to hell. There, you might even find part of what you seek.
As I watched the monsters’ flesh torn apart around me, I wondered.
Maybe here, I’ll find the answers I want. Why was I given this duty? What is the system’s secret? Why must I face this near-fatal deadline? Everything might become clear. Maybe, really maybe.
That’s why I can’t retreat now.
I’ll do my best.
Protect Zitri, break through this labyrinth, and help Ru.
Protect Eleanor, the companion who trusted me. And the village.
Amidst these tangled thoughts, one thing stood out unexpectedly. That was Eleanor’s kiss.
Comments
Unexpectedly. Eleanor became the one who stole his first kiss. Thank you for your hard work!
The chapter is amazing! I can’t believe that Eleanor kissed Nox!
bro go o
That girl,gets on my nerves,I would like if she is eliminated by author RQ
I don’t like Eleanor,may author eliminate her lol,she has some personal issues,for now Thalia or Luna lol.
Thanks for the chapter
With many heroines, I personally pick Eleanor I kinda like her attitude and chemistry with Nox. Well it’s harem anyway just like author previous work so don’t worry