Chapter 114:
We kindly ask for your understanding regarding the inconsistency of character pronouns, particularly for the Entities (ex. The Greedy Predator). In Korean, pronouns are rarely used, making it challenging to ascertain a character's gender or identity until later narratives unfold. Given this is a guest-funded site, the time to backtrack is better used to keep other works' going. On a more important note, refrain from sharing this work on social media to ensure our survivability. Thank you for your cooperation!
“The snake population doesn’t appear to be decreasing. It would be terrible if they were to spread beyond this area,” Ali exclaimed, clicking her tongue in annoyance. She swiftly retrieved her spear and shield, causing the writhing snakes to freeze in place. It was common knowledge that snakes held no favor for Athena. “Let’s start by reducing their numbers. Whether or not we can ultimately defeat the Dragon of Revelation remains uncertain.”
With her helmet securely fastened, Ali hurled her spear into the sky. A moment later, a massive spear descended from the dark heavens, illuminating the surroundings with a dazzling flash. This awe-inspiring sight, reminiscent of the wrath of a deity, never failed to captivate observers, regardless of how many times they witnessed it.
There was a well-known saying that advised one to flee whenever Athena raised her spear. And it wasn’t without good reason.
“Liza-ssi, do you think the dragon will appear?” Seora, wielding a whip transformed from the Crimson Mace, casually inquired as she dealt with the snakes deftly.
【Administrator: o(oꆤ︵ꆤo)o】
Should I conserve my strength? Seora briefly hesitated, but she swiftly reached a decision. Since she happened to have insurance coverage from the United States, she chose to continue attacking without considering the circumstances. If many snakes remained when the dragon emerged, it would pose a major obstacle.
【Activating skill “Spatial Domination”!】
【A field has been generated in the designated area.】
【Current Domination Power: 100%】
A cube materialized, exerting control over space and ensnaring thousands of snakes.
Amidst the commotion, Seora could faintly hear Kang Sejun’s voice, advising her not to exhaust her strength too quickly. However, she disregarded his warning and unleashed a barrage of gunfire. In an instant, the hundreds of bullets dispersed, eliminating all the snakes trapped within the cube.
Amidst the ongoing battle, everyone couldn’t help but be amazed by the overwhelming spectacle.
“It seems like the youngest one is the most ruthless! Hey, kid! Does your brother know about this?”
“What? Who’s her brother?”
“If you’re curious, find out for yourself!”
“Since you know about it, why can’t you tell me!?”
Even in such a dire situation, Ali and Monique chatted happily, seemingly getting along well.
Bang! Suddenly, blue lightning cascaded from the dark clouds blanketing the crimson sky. With a crackling sound, the snakes were reduced to ashes in an instant.
“Argh! Are you planning to turn me into ashes too!?” Garcia exclaimed, frustration etched on his face. Kang Sejun, who had summoned the lightning, briefly glanced at him before activating his magic once again. “I can control the range of my attacks just fine. Don’t think I’m the same as you.”
“You arrogant bastard. They say Koreans show respect to their seniors, but it seems like that’s all a lie, huh?” Garcia retorted.
‘If we’re going to argue about that, you should be the one showing respect.’
Seora silently thought to herself amidst Garcia’s loud voice. While not as old as Seong Jarim, Kang Sejun was likely around fifty.
‘Wow, when Seong Jarim said she’s over a hundred years old, it didn’t really sink in. But it feels strange to think of Kang Sejun as a senior.’
So if Seong Jarim was an elder, did that make Kang Sejun a middle-aged person? In that case, should she refer to him as an oldie?
“Enough with the chit-chat! Focus on the fight! Do you think we have the luxury to be so relaxed right now? Learn from Miss Seong Jarim!” Oliver yelled, his voice ignored.
Seong Jarim silently continued to fight off the relentless monsters that closed in. Oliver watched her with pride in his eyes, but Seora knew the truth.
‘She’s lost her sanity.’
Seong Jarim’s eyes lacked focus, as if incapable of processing any coherent thought. To her, this was nothing more than a merciless slaughter. However, if Oliver were to discover this, it would deeply sadden him. So Seora silently activated the cube once again, killing all the snakes trapped within its confines.
***
How long had they been battling? Despite easily passing two hours, the dragon’s tail was nowhere to be seen.
The administrator wouldn’t have deceived Seora, and it was highly unlikely that such an enormous creature could hide anywhere undetected.
What on earth was this lizard up to?
“Oh, my. What a surprise.”
As a black snake slithered toward her feet, Seora forcefully kicked it away. The number of snakes still remained significant. She contemplated employing the cube once more but decided to endure for the time being. She had insurance, but it wasn’t the right moment to utilize it…
But hold on.
Why was this snake wearing a crown on its head?
“Huh?”
The black snake had the same appearance as the others, except for one detail—it sported a crown. And not just any crown, but a dark emerald green one. It certainly stood out.
Without hesitation, Seora aimed her gun and fired directly at it. To her surprise, the snake deflected the bullet with its tail and swiftly bit her leg. Seora’s usually tough and resilient body, which showed no signs of vulnerability, was easily pierced, and blood began to flow profusely.
“Elizabeth!”
A massive white fox materialized out of thin air and swiftly snatched the snake coiling around Seora’s leg, hurling it into the air. The fox immediately ensnared it within the cube and Seora took a shot, only grazing the creature slightly before it vanished among the other snakes.
It had missed!
“Yun Seora? What is this!?”
Everyone’s attention shifted to the sudden appearance of the fox. Seora shouted urgently, “There’s a snake wearing a crown! It’s no ordinary snake. My gun had little effect, and it pierced through my skin. Be careful!”
“A snake with a crown? What kind of snake wears a crown…”
“Everyone, gather here!”
【Awakened ‘Oliver Ross’ declares sanctuary. Activating skill ‘Absolute Space’!】
Oliver unleashed his skill.
Absolute Space. As the fortress that repelled the corrupted beings was established, the snakes hissed and began to retreat. Seven individuals quickly gathered around Oliver.
“Why did you use Absolute Space? It consumes a lot of mana.”
“Miss Yun Seora, did you mention a crown?”
“Yes. It looked like an ordinary snake, but it had a green crown on its head. As you can see, it left wounds on my skin.” Seora rolled up her pants, revealing the distinct bite marks. Oliver’s expression hardened.
“According to the Revelation, the red dragon has seven heads, each wearing a crown.”
No way. The realization quickly dawned on everyone as they looked at Seora’s injured leg. If that were true, it would explain the wounds she sustained.
“Could that small snake really be the dragon?”
“If it’s just a green crown, there’s a high chance it’s one of its heads.”
“No wonder it didn’t die! What do we do? We missed it!”
“First, let’s tend to the wounds. If there’s any venom, it could pose a serious problem.”
Monique stepped forward, known for her ability to reattach severed heads. She lightly touched Seora’s wound with her fingers, which miraculously healed instantly.
“It’s alright. There’s no venom. I’m sure of it.”
A collective sigh of relief echoed through the group. However, as Seong Jarim raised her hand, the atmosphere froze once again.
“Um, I also saw a snake wearing a crown.”
“What… did you say?”
“It wasn’t green, it had an orange crown. And it bit me.”
Seong Jarim extended her arm, revealing a wound. Initially, everyone assumed the blood staining her body belonged to the snake, but now they realized that her blood might have mixed in as well.
“Did you kill the snake?”
“No. Just as I was about to crush it, other creatures swarmed in.”
“When did you get bitten!?”
“Um, about 30 minutes ago…”
As soon as those words left her mouth, Seong Jarim’s body suddenly swayed heavily. Her eyes lost focus, and she collapsed. Seora swiftly caught her falling form.
“Seong Jarim!”
“It’s not poison.” Monique’s expression hardened as she examined the wound. Her gaze shifted beyond the Absolute Space towards the wriggling snakes. “…Her mind is being corrupted.”
Seong Jarim had no mental barriers, so if what was corrupting her mind was not just an ordinary monster, but the Labyrinth’s dragon…
“If we don’t find and kill it immediately, she will lose her sanity.”
At that moment, thousands of writhing snakes, attempting to break through the Absolute Space, raised their heads. As if communicating with each other, the creatures squirming in various directions suddenly started converging in one place. Everyone stood in stunned silence, captivated by the incredibly eerie sight unfolding before their eyes.
The snakes fused together, forming legs, bodies, and long tails. Gradually, they took shape, revealing a crimson face. The once black bodies transformed into a vivid red hue. The colossal figure towered above them, requiring everyone to tilt their heads back to look up. Its wings seemed to swallow the sky, and its ten horns shimmered with a rainbow of colors.
【The owner of the 8th Floor of the Labyrinth, ‘World of Crumbled Revelation’, ‘The Red Dragon of Revelation’, has appeared!】
Once a being that traversed both earth and sky, the embodiment of desires now revealed its true form. Seven mouths, stained red, let out thunderous roars toward the heavens. The immense pressure weighed down on everyone, and they couldn’t conceal their unease.
This wasn’t the first time the dragon had made its presence known. They had been battling against the dragon since its initial appearance.
Seora glanced back at Kang Sejun. She hadn’t been aware that the snakes they had been fighting were actually dragon avatars.
‘But why is he surprised too?’
It wasn’t an act. Kang Sejun also stared wide-eyed in astonishment. While they were prepared for the appearance of the Dragon of Revelation, its abilities had evidently changed.
Once again, something unprecedented unfolded before them.
Why? How? The Labyrinth had nothing to do with her survival. Why was this happening again?
“I had no idea the snakes we were killing were part of its own body.”
Ali’s words brought Seora back to reality. It wasn’t the time to entertain other thoughts.
“We’ve slain so many of them. Why is it still unharmed? Shouldn’t it be missing at least one limb to be considered normal?”
Monique tirelessly attempted to rouse Seong Jarim from her unconscious state, all while expressing her frustration. Yet, despite her efforts, Seong Jarim remained unresponsive. If they didn’t defeat the dragon soon, Seong Jarim’s consciousness would be submerged in darkness forever.
<Even if you hadn’t come, I would have gladly gone out to greet you. Why have you come here to hasten your own demise, you vermins?>
A voice, reminiscent of flickering flames, resonated through the air. Beyond the Absolute Space, the dragon, with its crimson eyes, looked down upon the humans with disdain.
<Ah, it’s been a while since I’ve had visitors. I’ve been famished for far too long. Eight lives won’t satisfy me. I can’t wait to kill all of you and quench my thirst for blood outside.>
“You greedy little lizard. Even after tasting one of us, you still seem unsatisfied!” Garcia spat out a curse, and the dragon chuckled. Its crimson eyes fixated on Seong Jarim, nestled in Seora’s arms.
<I may not know what kind of human she is, but she’s quite delectable. The sins of wrath are heavy enough to forget my thirst momentarily. But that’s only one. I yearn to consume all of you.>
With its mouth agape, the dragon unleashed a second roar. The deafening shockwave felt as if it could shatter eardrums.
【The owner of the 8th Floor of the Labyrinth ‘The Red Dragon of Revelation’ activates ‘Path of Sin’!】
【The Red Dragon judges the accumulated sins of ‘Path of Sin.’ Mental barriers cannot block this skill.】
One alarming message followed another, appearing before the wide-eyed Hunters. Couldn’t be blocked by mental barriers? What on earth…!?
However, their thoughts abruptly ended. Starting with Garcia, one by one, like severed puppets, Ali, Julian, Kang Sejun—who possessed the strongest mental barrier—and Monique, all collapsed to the ground.