Manuke FPS - Chapter 233

“Guh, that was so loud…”

The sound insulation function automatically reduced the volume of the explosive sound captured by the sound collection sensor. But even so, the sound was so loud that I felt a ringing in my ears and a strong sense of pressure in my brain.From the muffled surrounding sounds, Reiner’s groaning could be heard.

The huge explosion that occurred immediately after the Demon Steel Soldier was killed was powerful enough to collapse the ground floor of Flyhigh, the venue for the banquet. I noticed the sign of self destruction, grabbed Vee, and immediately went to exit the venue. But despite hiding behind the other Demon Steel Soldiers, the explosion still harmed Reiner.

It appears that Reiner himself didn’t know that the Demon Steel Soldier has that kind of function. Could it be that the person who entrusted the soldiers didn’t inform him? Or were they so sure that there’s no way somebody could kill any of the soldiers?

Vee, who escaped along with me, still buried her face in my chest, continued to mutter maidenly remarks while flustered I couldn’t see her expression since her face was hidden by eye mask and veil――

――don’t tell me that this pervert of a woman wears masks because she couldn’t handle looking directly at Duke Barga?

While ignoring Vee’s nonsensical remarks, I checked the map floating in my field of vision――the four dots around Reiner; these were the Demon Steel Soldiers. There were also other dots moving under the rubble.

Judging from their position, they should be the black-clad men that Vee was holding back. It would be nice if the explosion didn’t affect Sir Crude and the others heading for the underground passage. But I couldn’t see the map of the different floors, and I couldn’t even hear the sound of those who were going underground from here.

However, thanks to the rubble, I can keep the Demon Steel Soldiers here.

The four Demonic Steel Soldiers stood up while flicking away the rubble, but no major damage was seen. However, I was able to calculate the amount of damage required to destroy them by killing one.

I picked up the Ballistic Shield that was lying nearby and stuck it in the front yard to hide myself.

Then with my thoughts, I activated TSS, accessing the shop menu. I purchased the weapons and equipment I would need to deal with the four Demon Steel Soldiers and Reiner, quickly moving them to my inventory.

My CP balance is pretty low now…

Before I participated in tonight’s dinner party, I spent a large amount of CP in order to conquer the Mine labyrinth. I was thinking of replenishing my CP after returning to the Royal Capital, but the non-attribute magic stones that were the basis for that were purchased in large quantities by someone other than me, and they were disappearing from the market.

I think I understand why now. If the Demon Steel Soldier is a product of the same game system as my firearms, then there should be a corresponding price for its production.

Just like how VMB uses CP, some kind of points system is also applied there.

And in order to replenish it, you need non-attribute magic stones like me――Considering the organizational strength of “Rafflesia” and “Cactus”, it must be a large trading company under its umbrella that was hoarding them――Yamigasa company? Come to think of it, Yamigasa Company was desperate to obtain the Great Magic Stone Dungeon Core. Could it be possible to convert a large magic stone into CP by dropping it on the TSS window monitor?

It may not be worth trying now. However, considering the amount of CP that can be converted from a single non-attribute magic stone, the conversion amount of a large magic stone that is the size of a rugby ball should not be limited to this battle. There should be plenty left for future activities.

The moment I thought so, I found a large magic stone emitting a richly colored light in my right hand.

“Really, a man like you should emulate Frank-sama’s gentlemanly behavior. From the moment you wake up in the morning until you go to bed with Emerada-sama at night—no, even after that, you will serve by your side as an escort, every move you make. A gentleman that could sweep anyone off their feet, a magic nobleman who guides the peopleーーhmm? Is that a labyrinth core?”

While I hesitated for a moment, Vee joined me crouching down behind the ballistic shield. She was still spouting girly nonsense that she’s been doing since she woke up in my embrace. But, she quickly noticed the gleam from the large magic stone that appeared in my hand.

Reiner also immediately noticed the overflowing brightness and its true nature.

“That light…. Labyrinth core! What are you trying to do with that, Shaft!!”

While Reiner was tending to his wounds, he was clearly wary of something. I don’t know what it is, but he might know something about how to use the Great Magic Stone. Which means, if I want to toss it into TSS, it’s best to do it quickly.

“What are you going to do with it? Don’t tell me you’re going to offer it and beg for your life?”

Vee, who was getting closer to me, spoke with a voice containing a slight amount of murderous intent.

“Calm down, Vee. I just want to―”

As the assimilation with the VMB game system progressed, only I could see TSS’s window monitor――it was floating in my field of vision. I dragged the screen to the left in the minimum range and inserted the large magic stone in my right hand.

“――do this”

“…..it’s gone. “Illusionist Shaft”, what does that have to do with our current situation? Shaft? Hey, what’s wrong?”

The large magic stone sunk into the TSS window monitor on the left side. I was able to absorb large magic stones just like non-attribute magic stones after all. And then, the next thing that appeared in my field of vision was the familiar CP conversion system message――or at least it was supposed to be.

However, I’ve never seen this message floating in my field of vision while playing a game in VMB. No, this phrase had nothing to do with VMB, and even nothing to do with the previous world.

[ Skill unlock 〈Labyrinth Creation〉is now available]

Before thinking about the meaning of that message, the information about the skill I unlocked just now welled up in my brain. What I felt when that enormous amount of information was forcibly injected into my brain was akin to the shock of being hit on the head with a blunt instrument. Not just the effects and usage of <Labyrinth Creation>. Even the reason why the acquisition condition was to absorb a large magic stone ran through my mind as if I was forced to read the flavor text.

And then I found out――even though I was released from the wedge by the Creator God, I was still a Labyrinth Master. <Labyrinth Creation> is a skill that allows the master of the labyrinth to create a labyrinth. However, the acquisition condition is to absorb the large magic stone into the body. The mad Goddess who is the mother of the labyrinth master――why did the Evil God set such a condition?

A chain of despair.

Neverending nightmare.

Desire for further madness.

The Labyrinth Master and the labyrinth will not die until they are defeated. However, there are two methods of subjugation. One is the death of the master of the labyrinth, and the other is the seizure or destruction of the great magic stone. Just like me, the newly born master of the labyrinth, who was dropped from another world, despaired by the little bit of self that remained, and our heart eventually fell into madness――Yes, just like the werewolf subjugated in the wolf labyrinth.

However, there is a way to escape from there before it falls. That is to destroy the great magic stone that should be protected with your own hands.

However, the Evil God won’t allow that.

Even if you destroy the large magic stone and kill the labyrinth with your own hands, you will absorb the large magic stone and be forced to create a new labyrinth. Suicide is not permitted by the master of the labyrinth. And the master of the labyrinth who has fallen into madness spreads evil and gains strength. Day in and day out fighting all life that lives in the natural world――sometimes succeeding, sometimes perishing in the process.

But, what will the Labyrinth Master do after the natural world around the dungeon has been completely destroyed? Naturally, they left their nest to aim for the next land――that’s why they have <Labyrinth Creation>.

Until the time when this world is covered with despair and the Evil Gods are released from the interstitial world, they will go mad, kill, destroy, and continue to fight.

Until the day they were subjugated――that is the duty of a Labyrinth Master.