Serena and the Mysterious Labyrinth - Chapter 210

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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210. Premium Tiles

The Goblin Archer aimed at the Princess, holding not a crude bow but a properly made crossbow.

The bolt fired from the crossbow pierced through Serena’s right eye as she was casting magic from behind the front line.

“Aaaahhh!”

Serena woke up clutching her right eye.

The sensation of the bolt penetrating through her goggles and boring into her right eye was still vivid.

Serena breathed roughly while hugging her upper body. Even though it was now undone, her body trembled on its own.

The Princess spat out curses without caring whether gods existed or not, trying to suppress her fear and phantom pain.

“Damn it all to hell!”

How dare they land a headshot on the Princess’s head – they deserved to be burned alive.

Serena forgot her dignity, messing up her hair into a disheveled state while gnawing on her lips.

‘I lost again! Again!’

This was the fifth time Serena had died on the 9th Layer.

‘Aaaah! I could have cleared it this time!’

This time the feeling had been good.

Because Serena had actively intervened, the party’s stamina and mana distribution had been appropriate, and they had been able to save many of Count Randy’s attack potions in preparation for consecutive battles with the Labyrinth Rat Leader.

Taking Duri instead of Ralph had also been an excellent choice.

What was the point of getting excited with expectations that they could really conquer the 9th Layer this time?

‘Not a blind arrow but an arrow with eyes!’

Serena had died from the Goblin Archer’s headshot.

A great battle mage should always keep in mind ranged attacks targeting them.

Having missed that and died, she was filled with regret.

‘I’m an idiot! A fool!’

While Serena endlessly blamed herself, the time for private audience with the Minotaur God ended.

The Princess opened her right eye, which still complained of pain as if a bolt was lodged in it.

In the lobby, she could see people resting, chatting, or doing their assigned tasks.

Especially the Number Siblings, who had discovered the stairs leading down from the 3rd Layer, were laughing as if it were their birthday, excited by others’ praise.

This was despite being children who had never once celebrated a birthday in their lives.

It was peaceful. The complete opposite of the arena where Serena had been fighting desperately just moments before.

Serena gritted her teeth and clicked her tongue softly.

‘Another retry, huh. This is really getting tiresome.’

Why must the Princess challenge the arena?

It could be explained in one phrase: ‘Because it’s a labyrinth.’

If one were to explain it at length and in detail, it could be written like this.

The Minotaur God had granted the Guide’s wish.

The story begins right after the Princess conquered the 8th Layer, where the only thing worth salvaging was books.

***

The 1st Group conquest team that had conquered the 8th Layer and returned to the lobby shared conquest information with Grey.

“The blessing isn’t much. A few battles and it’ll be over. But since we’re marked by the spirit, we should be careful when going to the 8th Layer.”

“Then borrowing books is…”

“We’ll have to endure the disappointment.”

The Alchemist looked as forlorn as a raccoon whose cotton candy had been washed in water. Grey also seemed disappointed, clicking his tongue and bringing up information more important than spirit curses disguised as blessings by his standards.

“You can cast spells by writing? Not silent casting, but by writing?”

The Old Man’s eyes sparkled brighter than light orb magic.

“I want to see it! I want to see! I really really want to see it! Ah~ I want to see it! Princess, your mana and mental strength are fine, right?”

Grey must have really wanted to see it, as he put all his heart and soul into acting cute and charming.

Count Randy and Prince Willow squeezed their eyes shut and turned away from the Old Man with faces that had seen something unbearable.

Serena found the forced aegyo burdensome and passed the burden to someone else.

“I’m tired and want to rest now. Ask Countess Nex to show you. I learned from the Countess too.”

“The Countess?”

The Old Man’s target shifted from the Princess to the Countess.

“Lady Serena. To remember something I mentioned in passing during lessons and succeed with it in actual combat. You truly continued your magic training even after dismissing me. This Brownie Nex believed it! Lady Serena will surely surpass the Empire’s Grand Mage!”

Countess Nex, who had been moved to tears and wiping them with a handkerchief, was flustered when her name was called.

“A demonstration? Me?”

“Please show us!”

She was even more flustered seeing Grey approach her requesting a magic demonstration.

‘What’s with this guy?’

Countess Nex originally disliked socializing with people, and being a patient now, she hadn’t grasped all the people in the lobby.

‘Wasn’t he the Prince’s attendant? Why is he so bold?’

Some people occasionally like bold young people, but Countess Nex was not one of them.

“Writing to cast magic is the first time I’ve heard of it! Grandfather must have heard it for the first time too! I’m really really curious and want to know quickly! Please show me!”

“My mana is unstable right now…”

“Then theoretical explanation is fine too!”

Grey simply sat down in front of Countess Nex.

As if planning to practice too, he had even gotten Labyrinth Book paper from Count Randy.

Countess Nex missed the timing to refuse and explained the theory to Grey. Midway through it became a question-and-answer format, and the questioner was even Grey while the answerer was Countess Nex, but the Countess was too flustered to notice.

“Aha! Like this.”

When Countess Nex’s theory lesson(?) ended, Grey carefully wrote the light orb magic spell on the Labyrinth Book paper.

When he wrote the same sentence for the fifth time, a light orb appeared beside the Old Man.

Serena, who had been sitting in a chair drinking tea while watching the scene, clicked her tongue inwardly.

‘I succeeded after trying more than 10 times.’

There might be a difference in experience, but seeing him succeed on the spot made her secretly jealous.

‘No. I should compare comparable things. It’s the same as being jealous of the Empire’s Emperor for having lots of land.’

People aren’t everything they appear to be. Serena resolved not to forget the less-than-100-year-old cunning snake sitting inside the Old Man.

“Indeed. There’s also this method. Truly, there’s no end to learning. I should have looked around at old books while I was in Huji.”

Grey wore a satisfied smile across his face, then expressed regret about his past lazy self.

Regardless of age or achieved level, his attitude of always striving to learn was admirable.

“Cough cough. Wow.”

Neet, who had entered the path of magic, seemed to realize how amazing what Grey had done was, unable to take her eyes off Grey and the light orb.

Grey handed the Labyrinth Book paper and pen to Neet.

“Hmm. Would you like to try too? Perhaps this might suit your aptitude. Give it a try.”

“Cough, n-no! I can’t cough! do it like Grey oppa! Cough cough!”

“It’s just to know that such things exist, so don’t feel pressured.”

Neet still hadn’t mastered new magic.

Worried that pressure, impatience, anxiety, and restlessness might hinder magic acquisition, Grey didn’t get angry or scold her.

Even though the Old Man, whom his disciple and grandson unanimously acknowledged as stingy with praise, taught gently without pushing, progress was sluggish.

Grey, thinking this was perfect timing, sought Countess Nex’s opinion.

“This child has mana excess syndrome but succeeded in receiving the blessing of Great Wisdom. In one try.”

“Ooh.”

Countess Nex looked at Grey, who was suddenly bragging about his sick sibling(?), like he was an alien, but reacted favorably as the mana excess syndrome story seemed interesting.

“She succeeded in the ritual in one try, but new magic acquisition has been blocked since learning light orb magic. What’s the Countess’s view?”

“The magic she’s trying to learn… what is it?”

“Ignition. It’s basic.”

Countess Nex frowned as if her stomach hurt from talking to other people.

“Fire is intense, so people who don’t… match with it find it difficult, don’t they? For mana excess syndrome patients, it would be even harder, so shouldn’t she find… compatible attributes first?”

“Attributes, huh.”

As if displeased with considering attributes for mastering mere 1st Circle magic, Grey’s eyes turned coldly serious.

“Cough! I’ll try my best! I’ll work hard! Cough! I will!”

Neet glanced around nervously, then ran away as if unable to bear Grey’s cold stare.

Though she said that, she didn’t leave the lobby and just hid behind a tomb mound.

Watching the bandaged child hiding behind the tomb and meditating earnestly, the mana absorption floor she had seen in the shop window came to mind.

‘I’ve collected 20 shop coins.’

Serena steeled herself and asked about the effect of the mana absorption flooring.

“I read in a novel that among the labyrinth’s traps, there are also traps that absorb mana when stepped on or touched. Is that true?”

People answered immediately without suspecting the Princess’s somewhat random question.

“Yes, there are.”

“They’re absolutely the worst. You can’t distinguish them with the naked eye, and since they don’t bother non-mana users, guides often don’t warn about them or miss them. When you step on them, your mana gets sucked out, and it feels as disgusting as having your blood drained by a vampire monster.”

A detailed answer came from Grey, who was a mage, rather than from the labyrinth adventurers whose jobs were guide and archer.

Serena chuckled seeing Grey shudder with disgust.

“You talk as if you’ve stepped on one yourself.”

“Ah!”

Caught, Grey smiled brightly. It was a smile that clearly showed he was copying Ralph.

“I heard it from Grandfather! Hehe.”

Count Randy and Prince Willow turned their heads as if they had seen something they shouldn’t have seen again.

Grey, perhaps wanting to change the subject, rattled off trap countermeasures.

“If Your Highness encounters such a trap, it’s best to take a detour. If it’s a path you must pass through, you should jump to avoid stepping on it, and if it’s too far to jump, it’s also fine to ask someone strong to throw you. If that’s not possible either, stick to the wall and—”

“Do you think a mana absorption floor trap would help Neet?”

“Help Neet?”

Grey’s grey eyes showed interest before he stated with certainty.

“That would… definitely help. It would certainly be more helpful than just making orbs of light like now.”

It was the answer Serena had hoped for.

It would have been good to end it there.

The old man, perhaps because his days of death were closer than his days of life, added the reality as a footnote to the hopeful words.

“But because of the labyrinth’s mana density, it would still be more dangerous than outside the labyrinth. And mana absorption traps only appear after the 50th floor. We can’t bring the trap here, and since we’ve found the stairs to the 9th layer, finding cursed equipment should come first. Would you try to chew meat when you can’t even chew it?”

Don’t get your hopes up with information picked up from somewhere, but work haaaard! You young fool!

She could naturally imagine the old fox inside Grey scolding him.

Serena scolded back at the fox that hadn’t even lived 100 years yet.

‘Hey! Don’t you trust me yet!’

Who was Serena?

She was God’s apostle, beloved by the Labyrinth God and granted immortality in the labyrinth.

No long explanation was needed. Serena showed it through action.

Snap.

When the Princess snapped her fingers, part of the lobby floor darkened in color.

Since Serena had deliberately laid the flooring in an empty spot for everyone to see clearly, everyone in the lobby witnessed the change.

The Grand Princess who had been discussing traps suddenly snapped her fingers.

Grey, despite witnessing miracles several times, still seemed unable to believe it as he stared at Serena.

“Your Highness. Could it be?”

“Go check it.”

The old man hurried to the trap floor. The child carefully placed his foot on the mana absorption flooring, but as soon as his toes touched the floor, he jumped back.

“Did the Labyrinth God give this?”

“Yes. The Labyrinth God was pleased with Neet’s efforts and bestowed it.”

“Cough. Me. Cough. Really?”

At the words that a god had actually given a gift, Neet’s eyes behind the bandages widened.

Perhaps from shock, her coughing also intensified.

“Did the god only give a gift to that bandaged kid? Huh? Olive worked hard too, isn’t there a gift for me?”

Serena ignored the guide who was batting her eyelashes with both hands cupped under her chin, and personally led Neet to the trap floor.

“Is it fine to just stay on top like this?”

“Yes. That’s enough. Neet. You’ll feel a bit strange being on top of this, but you have to endure it. Got it?”

“Cough cough. Yes. Cough.”

‘Does it hurt?’

Serena belatedly remembered what Grey had found unpleasant.

She had focused only on mana absorption and hadn’t thought about what changes would occur to the body when mana was drained.

‘I just thought of it as a trap that steals MP. Does it affect the mind or body too?’

“Does it affect the body as well?”

“No. It just makes mana control a bit difficult, so it makes you feel bad…”

Grey, who had been looking Serena over, smiled brightly.

“Perfect! Your Highness should get on too. It’s good to experience it when it’s safe!”

As soon as the old man finished speaking, he pushed both Serena and Neet onto the trap.

As soon as Serena stepped on the trap, she jumped out and ran away just like Grey had done.

‘Ugh!’

Now she understood why Grey had grimaced so much.

The sensation of her body’s mana not following her control and scattering outside her body was disgustingly unpleasant.

It felt like her blood and mental strength were being drained together.

Unlike Serena who had turned serious and panicked, Neet stood quietly on the trap and endured it.

“You don’t have to force yourself to endure it.”

When Serena spoke worriedly, the mummy-like child shook her head vigorously.

“Cough. No! I feel good. It’s refreshing. It’s easier to breathe too.”

Indeed, Neet’s coughing had noticeably decreased.

‘Good effect.’

It was worth spending a whole 10 shop coins just for Neet.

Smiles appeared on everyone’s faces in the lobby. Even Olive, who had been sulking about not getting a gift from the god, smiled slightly.

“During the day, move around normally, and sleep on the trap at night.”

“I can stay here all the time. Cough.”

“No. You need to move around to build stamina and muscle too.”

Grey spoke firmly and clicked his tongue as if something displeased him.

“But the location…”

“I can change the location.”

“Then please move it to a corner! Never mind me, but it would be troublesome if our Highness steps on it!”

‘Ah, right. Prince Willow could use magic too.’

She had completely forgotten since she rarely saw him use magic.

Serena also didn’t want to suddenly feel disgusted while casually walking around the lobby, so she decided to change the trap’s location as Grey requested.

Since it was floor tiling, it could be installed under other decorative items.

‘Where would be good. Should I ask for Neet’s opinion?’

“Is there somewhere you’d prefer?”

Neet looked around the lobby and carefully pointed to the graveyard.

‘Why that place of all places.’

“It’s comfortable to lean against the tomb. Cough.”

If she said it was comfortable for her, what could be done? Serena installed the trap floor in a spot far from the Troupe Leader and Shullen’s tombs but close to Krom’s tomb.

“This would be perfect to lay down!”

Ralph smiled cheerfully as he laid the carpet mimic over the trap. The carpet was slightly larger than the trap area, making it perfect for small Neet to lie down on.

“Cough cough. That’s the Knight’s carpet! I’m fine! Cough cough!”

“It’s okay. I can just catch another one!”

“Cough. Catch one?”

There was no need to tell an 8-year-old child the truth that the carpet she would sleep on was a monster corpse.

With things seemingly resolved well, the Princess’s gaze naturally turned to the statue.

‘Not yet.’

The 2nd assault team hadn’t returned yet. Saving was forbidden until the 2nd team safely returned to the lobby.

Two days later. The 2nd Assault Team returned triumphantly with the welcome news that they had discovered the stairs.

The Princess touched the statue with relief.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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