Chapter 215

Time passed, and eventually, the members who would enter the labyrinth were all decided.

Sophia, who was already eager to grow even more, immediately accepted the proposal, and Shin Noeul also nodded at my earnest request.

That left the final spot.

And honestly, this part was the biggest dilemma for me.

‘Simply put, I would have liked to bring Cheong Soha or Haekaram…’

However, as individuals responsible for many things in their respective positions, it wouldn’t be good for them to be away for long.

Moreover, in my opinion, there was a more suitable candidate for this kind of task.

That person was Yeon Jaki, a former member of the Night School.

“What brings you here so suddenly after just a few days?”

“I have a matter I’d like to request your help with.”

I didn’t even have a means of contacting her, but using my knowledge from the original work, I was able to find her lingering around Yoo Haon.

“…You seem to know more about me than I expected.”

“Not necessarily.”

“So, what is this matter you’re so eager to request?”

After taking a brief deep breath, I presented my request to Yeon Jaki.

“I plan to soon conquer a labyrinth created by a Great Barrier. I’d like you to accompany and assist me then.”

“A labyrinth… Then, what benefit do I gain from it?”

That was indeed the key point of this negotiation.

To move someone of Yeon Jaki’s caliber, it was only natural to offer something of equivalent value. However, I had already given her the trump card of the ‘Suitable Vessel’s whereabouts.’

“Forgive my presumption, but it seems there’s nothing more I can gain from you?”

“……”

Her words weren’t exactly wrong.

But of course, I already had another plan in mind.

“It’s a bit awkward for me to say this myself, but I have a considerable friendship with Yoo Haon.”

“……”

“So, if you help me, I can in turn offer you appropriate assistance.”

For Yeon Jaki, Yoo Haon was an absolutely necessary existence, but from Yoo Haon’s perspective, Yeon Jaki was merely a mysterious outsider.

However, if I acted as a bridge between them, I could somewhat lower her wariness.

“…That’s not incorrect.”

Since such an opinion was indeed sound, Yeon Jaki nodded with an understanding attitude.

Then, she soon uttered words of agreement.

“Alright. I’ll accompany you. How long do you anticipate it will take?”

“I can’t give a definite answer, but I also don’t have much time to spare, so I plan to conquer the labyrinth as quickly as possible.”

“Then that’s fine.”

Of course, she was currently on guard and not revealing her true strength, but someone like her would surely be capable of facing the local masters of Blind Mountain who are over Level 70.

Furthermore, since I still have things I must receive, I naturally have to be concerned about my own safety.

For me, it was an offer with nothing to lose.

“Then, I’ll see you tomorrow at the location I mentioned.”

And so, I once again declared my intent to challenge the Eternal Labyrinth.

As I’ve said many times, I also don’t know much about Blind Mountain.

However, based on the information I received while part of the development team, I thought that with our current combat strength, we should be able to conquer it.

‘Whether it was the Black Forest or other labyrinths, clearing them was possible as long as you had enough force to defeat the so-called field boss.’

Of course, we would have to solve various problems along the way, but naturally, the clues for those would also be prepared within Blind Mountain.

With the insight I’ve gained from playing and creating the Exorcism Academy Series countless times, I’m sure I can find them.

For now, I had no choice but to believe that.

“Then, I’ll open it.”

At my words, the gathered people nodded.

Han Seoa and Shin Noeul, and Sophia and Yeon Jaki as well.

Soon, Sahwanje used an Art Formula to retrieve the labyrinth passage stored within the nest, and we headed there without hesitation.

Whoosh.

What unfolded before us were trees of bizarre shapes, as if drained of color.

“This is…”

“It seems we hit the jackpot.”

The moment I saw the surrounding scenery, I instinctively knew. This place was Blind Mountain.

Frankly, if we had gotten a different labyrinth, it would have taken considerable time to break through it first, so one could say heaven was on our side.

‘A good start.’

I subtly clenched my fist and quickly surveyed the surroundings.

Faded trees and grass, and a sky practically close to ashen gray.

These elements combined created a rather eerie atmosphere.

“In the Black Forest, there were settlements of stranded people. This place might be similar.”

There would surely be people unwillingly caught up in Blind Mountain as well. Whether they were still alive was unknown, but checking first couldn’t hurt.

“Then, may I ask you to do it?”

“Leave it to me.”

Whoosh.

Shin Noeul, who had quietly drawn up her Spiritual Power, slowly began constructing an Art Formula.

She intended to survey the surrounding terrain with her specialty, Detection Art.

However, soon her expression changed drastically, and she swept a sharp gaze around.

“What is this?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Can this really… be a place where people can live?”

Shin Noeul’s reaction was stark. Soon, Shin Noeul, who had been controlling the Art Formula, voiced her own conclusion.

“There’s nothing here. Even these trees and grass are far from being considered living creatures.”

She felt no life reactions whatsoever, and it was as if the surroundings were shrouded in fog, making even the terrain impossible to discern.

That was Shin Noeul’s answer.

‘It’s only natural. Normally, whether stones or trees, each would possess Natural Qi.’

And perceiving things through that is precisely Detection Art.

However, everything here was so close to nothingness that not even that minimal energy could be felt.

As expected, it seemed conquering Blind Mountain would be trickier than anticipated.

“Hmm. Perhaps it’s better to first decide on a direction and move.”

“Nothing will be solved by staying still.”

As Sophia and Yeon Jaki said, now was the time to move.

Since the accuracy of Detection Art was compromised, we decided to head to the highest point to survey the surroundings.

However, no matter how much we walked, nothing seemed to change.

“We’re clearly climbing the mountain…”

“It doesn’t seem to be progressing.”

That was certainly true.

We definitely weren’t circling the same spot.

But no matter how much we changed our location, we couldn’t find a vantage point to survey from, nor did we feel like the summit was getting closer.

‘Does it mean there’s simply no end?’

The surrounding terrain, as if each part was intentionally designed.

We couldn’t easily determine where on the mountain we were or how much we had moved.

It was a moment when I truly felt why this place was named Blind Mountain.

“Aren’t you all thinking too hard about this?”

As the situation persisted, Yeon Jaki casually raised her hand and drew up Spiritual Power.

Then, she completed an Advanced Attack Art Formula and swept it across the visible terrain.

Whoosh.

Kwaaaang—!

“If we just smash everything, something will probably show up.”

“…Wow.”

A bold action enough to draw an exclamation from Sophia.

However, it certainly wasn’t a wrong approach at this point.

‘I don’t have that much leeway either.’

Even now, outside, a crisis is approaching moment by moment. I must not forget that.

‘Anyway, all the calculations were finished before coming here.’

With this combat strength, it’s worth a try. That’s why I sought out the labyrinth.

Then, rather than cautiously observing the situation, it was right to act boldly.

“Alright. Let’s cooperate.”

“Eh, really?”

“Anyway, we need some kind of clue right now.”

Even as she said that, as if inwardly annoyed, Sophia immediately drew up vast Spiritual Power and began sweeping the surroundings alongside Yeon Jaki.

As the terrain blocking the surroundings disappeared, our field of view began to open up, and we gradually understood what path we had taken.

‘So it was structured like this.’

Now I knew for sure.

This mountain has no summit. You simply walk an endlessly continuing path.

The moment I recognized that, the first anomaly since arriving here occurred.

Ssshh.

Twitch.

‘What’s that?’

The edge of the shadow trembled finely, sending some kind of warning.

But no matter how much I focused my Spiritual Sense, I could hardly feel anything.

“Something’s strange. Deploy a Detection Art Formula immediately.”

“I’ll check.”

But again, Shin Noeul’s Detection found nothing.

Right then, something invisible surged up before my eyes and bit into my ankle area.

Crunch!

“Kgh!”

Since I hadn’t sensed its presence at all, my reaction was delayed.

And from there, a Curse instantly began climbing up my body.

‘Quite potent.’

From my perspective, it was a tolerable level, but for an Exorcist not highly resistant to Forbidden Arts, it could be instantly fatal.

I purified it with an Unbinding Art Formula and calmly observed the opponent’s form.

“A snake?”

Perhaps it had been hiding its body through some method, as after the initial attack, its form became visible enough to see with the eyes.

A bizarre appearance, its color drained like the surrounding grass and trees.

But its strength was by no means a level to be taken lightly.

【Formless Serpent】

▶Level 53

‘To encounter a Synthetic Beast of that Level in a place like this…’

I expected it from the Curse’s potency, but whatever it was, it was certainly high-level.

Furthermore, immediately after, the shadow, which had been quiet for a moment, began fiercely sending warnings.

It meant that one wasn’t the end.

“Everyone, be careful! There are invisible enemies.”

“Even if you say that, I can’t sense any presence at all…”

Shin Noeul swallowed nervously, and we gathered in a circle, forming a Battle Formation, and began guarding all directions.

“The moment they attack, their form becomes faintly visible. We have no choice but to seize that moment.”

“Okay. If we know their identity, it’s not difficult.”

Sophia waved her hand and spread Spiritual Power in all directions, and soon, sharply pointed Spiritual stakes densely filled the nearby area.

Then, she began intercepting the Formless Serpents that started revealing themselves, one after another.

Squelch!

Crunch!

Thud!*

“Is this how it is? Quite a fascinating creature.”

Seeing that spectacle, Yeon Jaki also skillfully dealt with the enemies, while Shin Noeul and Han Seoa hardened their defenses in preparation for any possible ambush.

When a few minutes had passed like that, only countless snake corpses remained by our side.

“Seems we’ve roughly cleared them out.”

“…Oppa, the bitten area?”

“I purified it immediately, so it’s fine.”

However, it’s a rather perplexing situation.

If Synthetic Beasts of this form are scattered everywhere, it means we must be on constant high alert, prepared for ambushes anytime, anywhere.

Just as I was about to sink into thought, with a rustling sound, the presence of someone else finally began to be felt.

Soon after, what revealed itself was a single person whose entire body was wrapped in various garments to remain unseen.