Chapter 72: Invasion and Erosion (1)

Chapter 72: Invasion and Erosion (1)

"But Reina! Its too late!

"I will listen to the story a bit more. Is it reasonable not to investigate at all?!

Late into the night, a voice echoed throughout the city.

The city of Rihelm, located on the outskirts of the continent, was a sizable city established by many who had gathered to explore the ancient labyrinth. Although the city had lost its former glory and became a quiet border town due to the shift of continental power to the central region and the subsequent decline in interest in labyrinth exploration.

"You-re already on the Vice President-s radar. What will you do if you get expelled for drawing attention to yourself here?!

"I dont care. Ill hear the full story before the Vice President leaves.

She clenched her teeth. As a magician in this world, it was natural to aspire to join the central magic society, the current powerhouse. However, sometimes, there were things deemed more important.

"Pm sorry, Deputy Director. For now...

"Big, big trouble!

Before she could even exit the office, a desperate face appeared on the humming communication orb on the Deputy Director's desk. Confronted with one problem after another, the Deputy Director frantically scratched his already thinning hair.

"Alright, what is it this time, Bob? If youre making a fuss over trivial matters like wage arrears for the laborers, I wont let it slide.

"Magicians working in the labyrinth surveillance team under the management office have lost contact on a large scale!

"...What?

The news this time was far from light. The Deputy Director, whose eyes widened in surprise, met Reinas gaze.

"Hes probably at his mansion with the Director right now. Theyre leaving early tomorrow.

"I will go and listen to the story. Deputy Director, please contact the Mayor and send an investigation team as soon as possible.

"Alright.

The Deputy Director, realizing the seriousness of the situation, changed his stance. She found out where the Vice President was and quickly grabbed her coat to leave the office.

fIt was not a trivial matter...nove(l)bi(n.)com

As she navigated the nighttime streets, she bit her lip, her anxiety mounting. The Moonlight Elves, who had been quietly regaining their strength in the labyrinth, had sent even a child with an urgent plea for help.

Therefore, the Vice Presidents calm response was nonsensical. Of course, this was a thought that Reina could have because she didnt know that the Vice Presidents mind was preoccupied with something she couldnt even imagine.

"Wait! This is the residence of Orne, the Director of the Blackl Research Institute...

"I am Reina, a research magician of the Institute! Let me see the Director, no, the Vice President!

She ran breathlessly and shouted at the guard who blocked her. The guard, startled by her momentum, quickly stepped aside. She stormed into the mansion. There was no need to hesitate since the situation had already exploded.

"What is the meaning of this?!

So, when the flustered Director appeared and scolded her, she stared back at him with wide eyes.

"Did you not receive the communication orb? Theres a situation.

"A situation?

The Directors eyebrows twitched as he faced off with her in the hallway. Almost simultaneously, a servant rushed in with something in his hand, stopped at the unusual atmosphere, and looked around. In his hand was a communication orb with someone shouting.

"So, Deputy Director, whats the situation?

The Director, mopping his cold sweat, took the communication orb and received a report from the Deputy Director on the screen. Reina listened in silence, noting the Directors hardening expression.

Ignoring the stunned director, he slid the gun he was holding back into his coat. He had been careful. This gun was something he had acquired from his temporary allies. It was a

tool to target any unit or players in this world that might pose a threat to his life.

fNo matter how much those idiotic mages attack, Ill be fine with my magic and these weapons. The only remaining issue is the assassination right, huh?

With a cunning smile, he sent the director off to deal with the problem that had erupted outside.

[Dont let your guard down. This is a fundamental warning, Rozes. Never, ever let your guard down.]

"I know! Thats why Im being super careful! No examiner or mage will be able to touch me!

Left alone, he muttered to the whispering voice in his head. *

"Search quickly!

"What about the search magic?!

"Were almost ready!

As dawn broke, a considerable number of people had left the city and ventured into the forest. This forest, untouched for farming purposes, was not an ideal terrain for a large group to traverse due to the labyrinths presence.

"Vice President, did we bring too many people...?

"I had no choice. It was the directors order.

The vice president gave a wry smile in response to the citys defense captains question. The director, who had shown little reaction during the report, had suddenly called and urged him to expedite the situation.

'Did Reina stir up trouble again? Should I have waited?

With a troubled mind, he glanced around. The dark and desolate forest would have felt eerie if not for the nearly hundred people accompanying him. It seemed like an excessive number, but in this area where stability had been achieved, it was hard to believe that a group of independent mages, no matter how unrecognized, would face personal safety issues.

"Search magic!

"Were ready now!

"Good. Everyone stop! Cease all movement!

He ordered all personnel to halt for the search magic to be cast. A few mages formed a triangle in the center, unfurling a paper with a complex magic circle drawn on it.

"Oh, thats...

"Its a magic spell proudly developed by the Eucalyptus Society, specializing in magic circles. It can detect anything moving above a certain size.

He explained the magic to the awestruck defense captain, puffing up his chest unnecessarily. Soon, the magic was completed. A faint magical wind, guided by the mages intentions, spread in all directions.

"Now, anything that gets caught will appear on the magic circle, so overlay it with the map quickly. The scale is the same as the map.

As he instructed, a prepared map was placed over the magic circle. Sure enough, responses began to pour in rapidly.

"Oh! Are these shining dots...this...

The defense captain, half excited, pointed to a spot where shining dots were emerging. However, his excitement quickly faded.

"What...what is this...

The vice president, speechless, also turned pale as he saw the result. A ripple of unease spread among those who had confirmed the results. The dots appearing on the map increased one by one, then by tens, then by hundreds, and began to rise incessantly. The dots gathered, as if they were about to form a surface.

"...Damn.

Only then did the vice president, who had taken his eyes off the magic circle, notice something. The dark forest, and within its shadows, the black waves that had been lurking.