Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

"Ouch, damn it! It hurts so much...!? Damn it, I've had the worst luck ever...!"

Dix replaced his cane with the cursed red spear that he never had a chance to wield. Underneath his disguise robe and hooded coat were numerous lacerations and bruises, and he managed to stand up with great difficulty, his body covered in wounds.

"However, this is...!"

Just as Dix was about to curl his lips into a smile, he glanced at the metal block blocking his view...

There was a loud "boom".

A gap was created between the "door" and the stone floor.

"————"

Hissing sounds rose slowly from the "door".

Dix was stunned.

(Hey, you idiot, how heavy do you think that is?)

The other end of the "door" began to appear before him, and slowly he could see strong, resilient feet equipped with metal boots, and a swaying wolf tail. Incredibly, he lifted the "door" using only his right arm, which, along with its silver gauntlets, had been crushed into a pulp.

Finally, the "door" was raised to chest height... Dix's eyes met those of bloodshot amber eyes.

「!?」

Terrified, Dix could only flee.

He suddenly turned his back to the enemy and forced his battered body to run forward.

"That bastard Baka, joking like that...! I'd rather die than face that monster again!"

The man in goggles fled into the depths of the maze.

"Tsk! He got away..."

Seeing the man disappear without a trace, Bert's expression twisted with hatred.

He pushed the hardest metal "door" all the way up in one go and looked back.

"Hey, this way! Bring all those guys over here, quick!"

"That's asking too much of anyone!?"

Following the instructions given by Bert, who was supporting the "door," the unfortunate one (Lakta) dragged her unconscious companion's body and couldn't help but let out a wail.

★

The sound of a strong wind bursting open rang out.

The torn air currents wailed as fragments scattered through the air, and long, blood-stained golden hair leaped up.

The swordsman's slender body flew out.

"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!?"

Ais rolled to the ground with astonishing force, crashing into several pipes scattered across the floor before finally coming to a stop.

Ais plunged her sword into the floor, stood up shakily, but her knees were about to give way.

Some of the protective gear has been removed, rendering it ineffective.

The combat suit was torn, revealing the tender, injured skin underneath.

The blood dripping from his head blinded one of his beautiful golden eyes, and his eyelids were tightly closed.

Ais was covered in wounds.

"Wow, they can really hold up..."

Rives walked up to Ais.

She was also injured, just like Ais, with parts of her combat suit torn and holes opened, and some of the wounds from the wind sword were extremely deep.

But all of these were healed sequentially from the less severe injuries by the steam emanating from her entire body—"magic" particles.

Ais's eyes twisted in disbelief at the strange man's absurd healing ability, "self-regeneration."

Given her physical abilities, just how many "magic stones" did she greedily devour?

"You were slashed once, yet you can still fight to this extent. You are indeed very strong."

As if describing the intensity of the battle, even the large room was damaged.

Countless pipes were torn up and dug open, spewing out the viscous liquid remaining inside. The large flasks along the wall were shattered and scattered, their original shapes lost.

Ais's shoulders heaved as she tried to raise her sword to fight, but Revis gave her no chance and rushed forward. She grabbed Ais's face with her left hand and slammed her against the wall.

"Huh!?"

Countless cracks were etched into the stone slab, and a large flask emitted a sharp sound, scattering fragments everywhere.

The air in Ais's lungs was forcibly ripped out, and her limbs spasmed as if she were being electrocuted.

Rives then roughly swung her left arm horizontally, easily throwing Aiss to the floor.

"Ugh, uh...!?"

"But aren't you tired of this chase game?"

Ais lay on the ground groaning, hearing the cold, indifferent voice of Rives.

It's true that you chase me and I run.

The first time was in the inn town, the second time was in the granary, and the third time was in this man-made maze.

One moment they suffer defeat, the next they rise to the top; they are defeated and then get back up again... Ais and Revis are constantly engaged in a fierce battle.

Today, Ais is once again cornered.

"I'll end all of this."

The footsteps announcing destruction slowly approached.

Ais desperately tried to maintain her consciousness, which was on the verge of being severed.

(...I have to stand up...I have to stand up, otherwise...I'll pick up the sword...)

Her thoughts were a jumbled mess; the blood loss and excruciating pain made her body feel like it was on fire. In her hazy consciousness, Ais raised her eyebrows, only constantly urging herself to muster her fighting spirit.

She looked away from the image of her younger self (Ais) crying and clutching her chest, and reached for a sword stuck in the ground in the darkness—herself as the [Sword Princess] (Ais).

Ais shouted loudly, her hands and feet almost giving up struggling, as she groped for the indestructible sword (the sword of despair) that had fallen to the side and pulled it to her side.

"...That's enough, Arya, there's no point in struggling anymore."

At this moment, Ruiwei's voice, completely unmoved, rang out again.

"You can't beat me now, and don't expect anyone to come to your rescue. This absurd and ridiculous maze is a monster that devours you, and your companions are probably all dead by now."

Upon hearing what the woman said, Ais scratched the floor with her fingers, making a "crack" sound.

"No one can save you."

--I know.

Ais already knew about this.

No one will come to save me, no one will lend a helping hand, no one will come to rescue me.

The "hero" will not appear.

Just like the father who protected her mother, the hero that Ais longed for never appeared by her side.

He never wanted to save Ais.

Ais had long since given up hope and kept crying out, until her tears had dried up.

My heart has frozen so much that I can no longer think of smiling.

So Ais picked up the sword.

She stopped waiting for rescue and started walking forward on her own, heading towards the only remaining path.

Ais constantly craves immense power, and she continues to pursue it relentlessly.

In order to realize my wishes, satisfy my desires, and fulfill my long-cherished wish.

The empty Ais is left with only her long-cherished wish.

Ais will not be saved, and the hero will not appear.

but--

"--Now……"

With trembling arms, she peeled the blood-soaked body off the floor.

Scattered with drops of red blood, the slender legs slowly rose to their feet.

Ais pried open the eye that had been blinded by blood.

"I have...everyone is here."

She has cherished friends, adorable younger relatives, and reliable comrades. A group of adults protect her like a mother.

She has a happy, joyful, and warm family (family), which reminds her of smiles.

That was an irreplaceable bond, a home I never wanted to lose again.

So... I won't give up.

Before the wide-eyed Revis, Ais, carrying her sword, stood up completely.

With her golden eyes, which concealed their brilliance, she fixed her gaze on the revenger, who had returned in force.

(I've lost to you again.... It doesn't matter...)

Although I'm very unwilling, it doesn't matter.

I swear to this sword that I will pursue greater power.

(But... I won't let you take them away from me.)

Ais will never back down on this point.

The Sword Maiden, who has always only known how to pursue power, may admit defeat, but Ais will never allow anyone to take the life of her comrade.

She raised her sword like a knight and closed her eyes.

Having fully utilized her "Enhanced Species" abilities, Revis has now gained power surpassing LV·7. Even with strong winds surrounding her, Ais is no match for her now. Finding a way to defeat her is extremely difficult.

His injuries were severe, and his body could no longer withstand the intense fighting.

However, his mental energy was not yet exhausted.

"—I'm going to go."

Burn your life!

Ignite the remaining flame of life within the body.

The enemy is Rives.

No, that's not right, Ais has already lost to her.

Ais's current enemy is this entire labyrinth.

"【Awaken! (Tempest)】!"

As Ais opened her eyelids, she summoned a strong wind.

"【Awaken! (Tempest)!!"

Ignoring her overused body, she once again unleashed the roaring air currents that had once been defeated.

"【Tempest!】!!"

Then she yelled three times.

It was as if the dormant power within him was awakened, giving birth to the great "wind".

"What!"

The incredible gale force, which has never been seen before in the [Wind Spirit Swiftness], has been unleashed.

A sudden gust of strong wind blew beyond the area enchanted by the magic, forcing Revis to shield her face with her arms.

The strong winds didn't stop at the entire room; they blew away pipes that were on the verge of breaking, and the winds flowed into several passageways. The storm, so large it could be described as an explosive blast wave, was relentless, as if the girl herself had transformed into a raging mountain of wind.