A violet pair of pretty orbs, glowing as bright as the sun and as beautiful as amethyst, shifted left and right in the sery of green. There was only silen the air, only the simple rustling of the leaves and crag of the brao be heard.

  There were grazing animals, there were bugs and little critters, some birds and some dragonflies. It was a lively and verdant forest, buzzing with life but no people to be seenー or at least, it should have been the usual case.

  However, today was far from the usual. There was but one lone figure standing in the lush and viridest wilderness, standing still as he focused his mind, eyes reag out kilometers away. It didn't take long before he firmed no one else resent.

  Yuna, have everyone prepared. ［Grey］

  Un! Got it! ［Yuna］

  Peaing all over the pce, Grey soon reached out his hand and a gateー no, correー several gates opened up oer another, numbering han a hundred, each spanning over 5 meters in radius.

  ing out of those gates were valiant knights, some having swords on their waists, some having spears on their backs, some wielding shields, some a pair of daggers, and some a handy bow in tow, numbering over 500 men and women.

  Soon, a pair of familiar figures came out. One was a young dy with fluttering silver hair and pointy ears, and the other was a dy with fierce red hair like that of burning fmes. Both were beautiful and geous like the flowers around them.

  "So this is the rumored 'Gate', huh... I see now..." ［thia］

  "Hahaha. I hope it lives up to the rumors." ［Grey］

  "It certainly does... I ow see why the knights have been looking up to you... And... It seems like we're already near Veltofar, are we not?" ［thia］

  "That's correct. About 6 kilometers away, to be exact." ［Grey］

  Expined Grey and the General nodded in silence. Along with the knight, she also looked around the surroundings and quenched her curiosity. They doly know where they are, but they know for a fact that they're far away from the Royal Capital.

  The days have passed, and after waiting a whole lot of time, it was finally time for the Labyrinth of Thuo open. That also means that adventurers and merts from all over the kingdom and even from fn tries have gathered near Veltofar.

  Of course, as usual, knights would also be involved in the questー or at least, they were opposed to. But after the ret chaos and purification of the Kingdom, things had go of hand and the Kingdom didn't have time to send the knights.

  Thankfully, Grey and Yuo the rescue. With a quick use of gates, they were able to quickly transport the whole quest team in but a jiffy, everyone equipped with the best gear, cloaks ing around them for safety and covert reasons.

  "Amazing... Are we really in the Mardfoll Forest?"

  "This looks unfamiliar, but this fauna, there's no doubt about it."

  "So this is the ability of His Highness... What a superb ability..."

  It wasn't just superb, it was totally broken. So much so, that if Grey were to use it for evil purposes, no one in the world would be able to stop him. Just his bat power was already high enough, and now, su ability... It was too broken.

  Hearing rumors from the knights and soldiers, the General had expected a lrey's ability, thinking that the young man could use it to ect two distant pces simultaneously, and making ued infiltration much easier.

  She was correct, but at the same time, not. She even though they'll be taking several stops before arriving near Veltofar, however, don't eveion a few, they only took orip, the knights p out in a couple dozen gates in just mere moments,

  Fet about their power. If he wills it, Grey could send aire battle-ready army into the battlefield in just a couple of moments. He could easily wage war with any try and quer nds as if it was nobodies' business, in just a matter of minutes.

  If Grey were amongst the ranks of the enemies during the Civil War, even if it was his only ability, they would have surely lost. Just thinking about the hellish nightmare they would have fought was enough to give the General a run for her money.

  "Lrey, by any ce... You aren't pnning on quering any Kingdoms or tries sooner or ter, are you?" ［thia］

  "No, I'm not, and don't worry, I won't use it for something unreasonable. I just want to live a peaceful life with Yuna. Plus, doing that is too bothersome." ［Grey］

  "I see... That's a great relief then..." ［thia］

  "Hey, I just heard my name. Did anyone call me?" ［Yuna］

  Thankfully, it seems like thia won't have a ce to fight Grey anytime soon. Not that she wants to anyway. She could now sweep away the useless thoughts and just focus on what matters mht now. The Labyrinth of Thunder.

  Without wasting any more time, Grey and Yuna thehe General and the Knights towards the location of the Labyrinth, a suspiound soon appearing over the distance, screaming the name of "Adventure" just by looking at it.

  Of course, around the Labyrinth were ructures which weren't there just a few weeks ago. There were temporary stalls, a couple walls, some tents and camps, and a handful of carriages parked around as people poured in time and time again.

  After all, it isn't the Adventurers only who would earn a lot from the pce. There were also merts who'll be dealing with all sorts of stuff, waiting by the entrao snag themselves some deals and earn a profit by taking advantage of the opportunity.

  "The Labyrinth of Thunder... It's been quite some time." ［thia］

  "Right... The General did participate in Dungeon Dives before." ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. It's beewo decades since I st did and I was still a B-ranker by then. Though, mind you, Yhness, I'm sure I still got it within me." ［thia］

  "Fufufu! I believe in you, General!" ［Yuna］

  Much like them, it was also an opportunity for the Kingdom to earn a rge sum for the repairs and the rehabilitation of the people. It was also the reason why they sent so many Knights, and even the General to go fill up the funds.

  They tio tread the grassy pins, and soon enough, the Labyrinth was less than a couple hundred kilometers away. The entrance doesn't look much different than before, but it will surely ge a lot ohe Labyrinth starts to wake.

  However, rather than a bright and wonderful se, what weled everyone was a loud and boisterous otiowroups of people were having a spat with one aheir voices ringing all throughout the pce,

  "Like I said, we should be the ones who get to ehe Labyrinth first! Don't you know that Lord Shuren already promised us?!" ［???］

  "That's absurd! I have never heard of anything like this! We shall proceed with the regur instrus! There's o ge the rules!" ［???］

  "What do you mean?! The word of the Lord is the Law! Are you really trying to drive us ht now?! Us, the Burlow Mert Group?!" ［???］

  "Whatever the case may be, the ma of the Labyrinth falls uhe direct jurisdi of the Adventurers' Guild! That's how it has always been!" ［???］

  And as it seems, iwo groups involved, one was the Burlow Mert Group, and the other was the Adventurers' Guild Guildmaster. It wasn't an especially big group, however, it is a growing mert group, influeng the neighb towns.

  Of course, just because they have a little bit of influe doesn't mean that they could just fil it around a whatever they want. It is all because of the bastard Vist's fault for accepting rge sums of money and obvious bribes.

  The Adventurer's' Guild Guidlmaster tried to do everything she could to make them uand, however, it was futile. They her want to listen to her nor ply with her terms. They were another bunch of trash to be ed up.

  "Guildmaster Harriette, why don't you give up on this matter now? I, Burlow, promise to allow you to ehe Labyrinth after a few days." ［Burlow］

  "Are you insane?! Do you uand what you just said?!" ［Harriette］

  "Of course, I do. Was I perhaps too generous with my offer? If so, theー" ［Burlow］

  "Hey, what's happening around here?" ［thia］

  It ainful to watd even more so to listen. After hearing both sides bbber for a few moments, the General had decided to step up and intervene iters the two forces were arguing about and fix the issue before anything else.

  The very moment the Guildmaster saw the General, her expression immediately turned pale, and so did some of the adventurers whnized her. However, in light of the argument, she asked them silently to keep quiet with a subtle smile,

  As for the leader of the Mert Group, he was awfully unaware who she was. He may be a bit iial in these parts, but he has epped foot in the Royal Capital, and so, he didn't realize who it was standing before him.

  "Umm... Boss, I think we should let this matter go. That'sー Ugh!"

  "Stop spouting bullshit!" ［Burlow］

  Someone whhe General tried to warn him, however, before he could even finish his words, he was halted with a hard hit to the head by the angry Burlow. He tried to whisper, but his words rang out loud and clear.

  Grey didn't eveo use his eyes. Just seeing what's currently happening, and the versation from before was enough for them to know who the bad guy was. It also weighed on the fact that the merts were also dealing with the te Vist.

  "Hah? And who are you?" ［Burlow］

  "I'm a knight from the Royal Capital, here to participate in the Labyrinth quest. Is there anything else you want to say?" ［thia］

  "I see... I apologize for my rudeness, Dame." ［Burlow］

  He was arrogant at first, however, as soon as he realized the General was from the Royal Capital, he immediately ged attitudes and became a lot more respectful. Still, he wasn't one who'll simply give up because of some knight.

  It wasn't the first time the General dealt with such bastards, and so, she deliberately hid her identity so that she could fully hear what really was happening without anyone bending the story to their favor. It erfect especially for merts like Burlow.

  The General couldn't do anything about the Guildmaster, but it was enough for her. She has visited Veltofar before, and already met her as well. She is the daughter of the previous Guildmaster who also happens to be an acquaintance.

  " you expin what's happening here?" ［thia］

  "Of course, Dame. You see...." ［Burlow］

  Oer another, Burlow and the Guildmaster started their stories and expio the General what exactly was happening. It started rough at first, however, they soon got to the main point, their stories surprisingly matg one another.

  It was just as they overheard. The Guildmaster was simply leading the Adventurers and Merts towards the Labyrinth of Thunder, when all of a sudden, they were greeted by the Burlow Mert Group who already took up camp everywhere.

  The tter had cimed that they had paid the idiot Vist a hefty sum so that they could get ihe Labyrinth first. However, their real objective was the monopoly of the Labyrinth aing rid of all the petitors.

  In turn, it made the Merts and Adventurers who had been participating in the Labyrinth Dive quite upset. The fact that they were trying to monopolize the whole Labyrinth for themselves is against tradition and the w as well.

  "Grey... I want to dive already... 't we just beat them up?" ［Yuna］

  "Yuna, why have you been so temperamental as of te?" ［Grey］

  "Nothing, really... Just look at his face. It's screaming for a beating," ［Yuna］

  Said Yuna, looking quite upset, as she gred at Burlow. The Labyrinth was already close to opening, and normally, it would have been time to prepare already. Yet here they are, still quelling an argument. Who wouldn't be upset?

  To resolve the topic, the Guildmaster had suggested to just battle it up, and decide with which side was stronger. However, seeing as the Guild has High-Rankers, Burlow quickly deed as it was too disadvantageous for him.

  He even offered the High-Rao go along with them, knowing that they'll be fighting in the lower floors anyway. There was o fight it out when he could just whip out the tract the Vist had written up for him.

  And it may be because ance, but to mock the Guildmaster, he also made an offer, saying that each of them will pieone from the enemy's team to act as their representative and have them battle it out for the rights over the Labyrinth.

  It was a clearly disadvantageous offer for the Guild as the enemy had all sorts of men hired to specifically dive in the Labyrinth, the weakest at least G-rank. Yet the Guild has rookie adventurers which are still at H-rank. Burlow could simply pick amongst the youngsters, and anything after that would be easy.

  "I see... In that case, why don't we go with Burlow's suggestion?" ［thia］

  "Oh, how wonderful!" ［Burlow］   "Eh?!" ［Harriette］

  However, it is also because of that arrogahat he'll meet his downfall. After all, there just so happens to be a young and delicate-looking young dy amongst the knights. All the General had to suggest was quite simple...

  "However, rather than the Guild, why don't you pick from the people behind me? You piyone you want." ［thia］

  "Anyone, huh... Are you sure you won't regret that? Remember that it's the Diving Rights of the Labyrinth we're talking about here. This is no game." ［Burlow］

  "Yes. You piyone you want. However, you 't ever ge your decision afterwards. Of course, the same also goes for me." ［thia］

  "Hmm... If that's the case, then.... I'll pick... Her!" ［Burlow］

  ... She simply o add fuel to the fire, and soon enough, Burlow made his pick. As one would expect, he skipped out on the bulky and powerful-looking knights, and headed straight to pig a frail-looking and delicate young dy... It was Yuna.

  It was ridiculous, the knights barely holding in their ughter as they heard Burlow's decision. They already expected the answer, but it was still pletely and utterly hirious. To think he would pick Yuna out of everyone... It was the peak of stupidity.

  "I see... You made an iing pick. Then in that case, I'll pick... You! The bald guy on the left! The oh bulging muscles!" ［thia］

  As for the General, she picked the stro-looking one, just relying on her senses. He was a ker and also Burlow's right hand man. pared to Yuna, his body was screaming with muscles, height t over the others.

  After all, if they want to show just how overwhelmingly powerful they are, they must pletely show the differeween them and their ehere was o go for small fries. Taking dowro was more than enough,

  "Hahaha. You won't regret choosing this, right, Dame?" ［Burlow］

  "Of course not. I swear it on my name as a knight." ［thia］

  The General had sworn oitle, and a devious smile had bloomed on Burlow's face. The tter didn't even think of the possibility of losing and simply celebrated on his own, salivating at the thought of victory and profits. He was really moronic.

  There was no time to waste. As soon as everything was decided, everyone made way for Yuna and the rge thug to have a battle. The first to knock out the other or throw them out of bound wins. Everything was also valid, be it wounds or injuries.

  "Then, without further ado... Start!" ［thia］

  The fight has started and cheers rang all over the pce. The side of the merts were smiling ever so happily, while the side of the Guild was nervous as be. Not a single one of them knew who exactly Yuna was. It was far too w.

  "Hehehe! Now, why don't we py around, little giー"

  However... Such worry was soon turo surprise after the very se. Before anyone could even notice, Yuna had suddenly vanished and soon reappeared before the man. She was far too fast, the General only catg a blur of her figure.

  "You talk too much." ［Yuna］

  Such was her only words, soon g her fist tightly and putting some power behind it. She has been looking forward to the Labyrinth, and now, some fools are b her. She was not happy in the slightest.

  BOOOOOOMMMMMM BOOM BOOM BOOM

  P all her rese into the punch, Yuna ected her fist to the enemy's sor plexus, soon bsting him away. He was bsted so fast, sonis echoed oer ahe huge man clearing away a line as he was shot away.

  The man couldn't even ge his expression as she received Yuna's punch, a, in just a single sed, he was already out of bounds, flung several hundred meters until his figure vanished into the horizon.

  Everyone was surprised at the results, uo believe what they just witnessed with their own two eyes. After all, who could have expected such a young and slim dy could send someone over 10 times her size flying. It was unbelievable.

  Soon after ung the huge man away, Yuna's eyes peered towards the enemies, specifically to Burlow. They were both cold and sharp, ready to cut the tter up in an instant. Just a single gre was enough to send shivers down his spine.

  "You have nothing more to say, right?" ［Yuna］

  "N-No! Not at all! You won fair and square!" ［Burlow］

  Or so he says, but deep down, he wao say something. However, Yuna's cold and murderous gre was certainly something else, enough to warrant both fear and intimidation to those which happeo catch her gnce.

  It was only then that the Guildmaster realized who Yuna was. She had been looking for the two S-rankers who had sighemselves up for the dive, but to no avail. She now knows full well why the General was so fident.

  "Then, that settles it. We'll be using the usual rules, and everyone will dive as per the rules. Anyone who breaks them will be punished accly." ［thia］

  WHOOOHOOOO OOOHHHHHH YEEEAAAAHHHHH

  A loud and lively cacophony of cheers and appuse rang throughout the viity as thia made her annou, the Adventurers and other Merts celebrating the fact that they ow set up camp and prepare for the dive.

  Of course, the General didn't just leave the matters be. It was still a fact that Burlow vioted the ws regarding Labyrinth diving and must be punished for it. Otherwise, more and more idiots will take after him. It would be too troublesome.

  "ht,.. And before I fet. The name is thia til Shaleburg. With my authority as the General, I am arresting you for the crimes of bribery, viotion of several ws in the Labyrinth code, and so on. Iー." ［thia］

  "ait! Dameー No, General! Yrace! This is a misuanding! Why don't we talk this over over a cup of tea?" ［Burlow］

  "... Double the charges of bribery and take him away," ［thia］

  "Wait! Wait! Yrace, you're making a mistake! This is..." ［Burlow］

  The mert tried to iate, but rather tha away with it, he only made his case even heavier. As soon as he was taken away, all the other affiliated mert groups quickly turned quiet and everyone didn't try tue any longer.

  Just like that, the preparations for the Labyrinth dive finished quietly smoothly. All the adventurers and merts set up camp and their stalls, everyone happy aed as be, looking forward to the activation of the Labyrinth.

  Meanwhile, Grey, Yuna, and the General were brought into a tent for a short briefing regarding the Labyrinth. As usual, High-Rankers will be going first to light the pce up, followed by the knights eliminating threats, and soon, the other adventurers.

  It rocess Grey and Yuna were all too familiar with, so it didn't take long before they headed back towards the Labyrirance, a dark and eerie cavering them casually. I was so much mana, it ractically paradies.

  KHIIIEEEKKKK GIEEEEEKKK URRUUUKKKKK

  And just in time, monsters have started spawning oer ahe torchstones have yet to be activated so they were spawning slowly, still, there were already more than a hundred of them that Grey had detected.

  There weren't just H-rank monsters, but G-rank monsters as well who beloo the Lightning-attribute. As the Guildmasger tinued his address to the partits, a whole lot more of them spored, their subtle cries resounding in the air.

  "Then, Without further ado...! Let the dive begin!" ［Harriette］

  BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM

  The Guildmaster yelled to the top of her lungs, and a series of booms followed after her. The High-Rankers have started bolting ihe Labyrinth, the torchstones lit up time and time again like a river of stars spanning as far as the eyes see.

  The High-Rankers were fast, and the General was even faster. However, even then, she couldn't pare to Grey and Yuna, the two leaving nothing but their powerful yet lib steps left behind. Breaking the sonic barrier was a simple task for them.

  However, just when they rushed forth a few kilometers already, the whole pce was void of any monsters and demonic beast, not a sirade of any eo be seen. sidering that it was the Labyrinth, it was far toe...

  "Hm? is the Labyrinth bro... ken...? Eh?" ［Yuna］

  WHOOOOONNNGGGGG CRACKLE CRACKLE BOOOMMM

  The young dy couldn't even finish her words, when suddenly, the ground started to glow as they passed, and soon enough, bolts of electricity ran rampant all throughout the pd explosions followed soon after.

  They were traps, and not just one, but several hundred ndmiype traps which were scattered all throughout the Labyrinth. They werely dangerous themselves, however, it was more than enough to paralyze the unlucky victims.

  Of course, such traps were of no effect to Grey and Yuna. Fet about getting hurt, the mines' explosions couldn't even catch up to them. They all exploded oer aurning the massive corridors into one riddled with explosions.

  "Hey, Yuna... You're setting them all off on purpose, aren't you?" ［Grey］

  "Teehee!" ［Yuna］

  "Don't 'teehee!' me... Haah... Really..." ［Grey］

  Rather, the young dy was having a lot of fun activating the traps and riddling the whole pce with explosions. It was as if she ying hopscotch, only that there was a followup explosion with each step she took.

  While it was good for the other adventurers' perspective that the traps have bee off, the way Yuna does it... Well, it was somehow off-putting. There was no one crazy enough in the world who'd do the same. It was amazing... One way or another...

  "Fufufu! e on, Grey. Join me!" ［Yuna］

  "Yuna..." ［Grey］

  CHAPTER 434 END