Chapter 50: Toward the Floor 11 Labyrinth! The Phantom Mage!
...
The news was a massive relief to the group.
If the Bosses disappeared from the gateways after Floor 20, it meant the mid-game would shift from a linear crawl to a wide-open exploration of a massive, tiered world.
Seito's mind was already racing with possibilities.
"So, how do we get to Floor 50 now?" Seito asked. They hadn't even cleared the Floor 11 Boss yet.
"No need to rush," Cang Feiyun said with a serene smile. "This quest has no time limit. You can wait until you've cleared the 20th Floor to begin your journey. For now, you must prove your strength."
"Prove our strength?" Seito raised an eyebrow. "You can see we're all Level 20 or higher. Isn't that enough?"
"Level is but a number," Cang Feiyun waved a hand dismissively. "The gap between individuals varies wildly. There are those at Level 20 who cannot best a child of Level 15, and there are those who can challenge beings far beyond their own station. I require your team to slay the Phantom Mage at the entrance of the Floor 11 Labyrinth."
[System: City Lord Cang Feiyun has issued a Quest!]
[Quest: Subjugate the Boss 'Phantom Mage']
[Description]: City Lord Cang Feiyun is restricted from entering the Labyrinth. He requests your party to eliminate the Floor 11 Labyrinth Boss!
[Objective]: Kill the Phantom Mage.
[Personnel]: 7 Players.
[Reward]: Unknown.
"Unknown reward?" Seito looked at the City Lord. He wasn't worried about the Boss, with his "Divine Power" replacing his mana pool, his skill spamming was essentially infinite.
He could likely solo the Mage if he pushed himself.
"We accept," Seito said.
"Then I wish you luck," Cang Feiyun replied with a slight bow.
Seito led the group out of the manor. Once they were back on the street, he shared a meaningful look with Sora and Shiro.
Without a word, they slipped into a quiet, secluded alleyway. The four girls followed, confused by the sudden change in atmosphere.
"What do you think?" Sora asked, his expression turning flat and analytical.
"The City Lord is hiding something," Seito answered. "He's a business partner, nothing more. He omitted his true purpose for wanting that map."
"I agree," Sora added. "He's using us as scouts for something far bigger than a simple exploration."
Shiro looked up at Seito, her voice soft.
"Does it have to do with... becoming a God?"
Seito nodded. It was highly likely. If a single sliver of divine aura could put Seito on the "Path to Godhood" and grant him real-world abilities, a literal graveyard of gods would be the ultimate prize.
However, Seito was puzzled. Divine artifacts weren't things ordinary humans could touch. His own progression was tied to a unique system. How did Cang Feiyun intend to harness that power?
"Eh?" Maple tilted her head. "I think you guys are overthinking it. Godhood or not, isn't playing the game just about having fun with friends?"
Maple was a true casual at heart. To her, the journey was the destination.
"It's different for us, Maple," Sora said seriously. "Whenever Shiro and I play a game, we aim for the summit. We don't settle for anything less than absolute victory."
Shiro nodded firmly. Seito had already started his ascension; the siblings felt a rare spark of competitive pressure to catch up.
Seito remained silent. He knew the weight of "Godhood" better than anyone—he had already brought the game's power into the physical world. He glanced at Kanade. She was the only one who had witnessed his supernatural strength in reality.
"Becoming a God is vital," Seito said, his tone carrying a double meaning. "I think Kanade understands why."
Kanade's stoic face didn't change, but her eyes softened. She remembered vividly how her failing heart had been miraculously healed by Seito's power. "Mm. Seito-kun is right."
Seeing the heavy atmosphere, Sally laughed and pulled Maple aside. "Don't worry about them, Maple. How can a 'Luck Goddess' like you understand the stress of being a try-hard pro?"
"Fair enough!" Maple cheered, moving on.
Seito picked up Shiro, cradling her in his arms as he took to the sky. "To the Labyrinth!"
Sora followed, using his own flight ability.
Then, to Sally's shock, Kanade unfolded her brilliant white wings and soared upward with effortless grace.
"I KNEW IT! They're all cheaters!" Sally cried out in envy, her voice dripping with salt.
"Don't worry," Maple smiled, comforting her. "We'll get our wings eventually."
Ten minutes later, as they neared the Labyrinth, Seito sent a notification to the guild.
[Sei: The 6th Seat of the Harbingers is 'Kanade'.]
The guild chat exploded.
[Player A: Another one?!]
[Player B: Her name is short like Sei and Blank... is she another legend?]
[Player C: Doesn't matter, to be a Harbinger you have to be a monster. Anyone seen the 3rd Seat?]
[Player D: Maple? I ran into her during the event. She's a sweet girl who will melt your face off with poison. Don't let the smile fool you!]
The legend of the Fatui was growing, and the Phantom Mage was about to find out exactly why.
.....
Thank you for reading.