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The undiscovered labyrinth was, in fact, located in the forest on the outskirts of the village.
This forest had long been known as a mysterious place, and for good reason—a barrier, created in the distant past, was cast over it.
It was a ‘people-repelling’ ward, designed to refuse entry to hunters and adventurers. For that reason, no one had ever suspected a labyrinth was hidden within the forest, and no exploration had ever been conducted.
Sieg used [Concealment] as he moved through the woods. The only creatures here were magical beasts, so he didn’t strictly need to use the Blessing, but he wanted to raise his proficiency even by a little. He passed the area where he usually gathered medicinal herbs and ventured deeper.
The trees in this forest didn’t grow very tall, so sunlight filtered through, keeping it relatively bright. This brightness, Sieg mused, was probably another reason the labyrinth had remained undiscovered for so long; everyone assumed the forest was for beginners.
He walked until evening, then found a place to sleep and deactivated [Concealment]. He had consumed a considerable amount of mana. Sieg drank one of his homemade mana potions and waited for the rest to recover naturally.
He hadn’t taught Thomas how to make these because mana potions were sold exclusively by the Mage’s Guild. If he disrupted their market, there was no telling what kind of retaliation they would face. These were mages, after all. Considering the safety of Thomas and the merchant company, he simply couldn’t teach them.
He swore it wasn’t because he wanted to monopolize the formula for himself.
Sieg sprinkled some beast-repellent powder in a circle around his campsite, quickly built a fire, and made a simple dinner. As the sun set, the darkness deepened, with the campfire as his only light source. Occasionally, he could see the glowing eyes of beasts in the dark, but they didn’t come closer. The powder, another of his own creations, seemed to be quite effective.
…Heh, I should have sold this too…
Sieg chuckled to himself as he drank his post-dinner herbal tea.
After a while, he looked down at the charm tied around his wrist and began to plan.
At this pace, I’ll reach the barrier in about three days. I’ve allotted one day to pass through it, but I won’t know for sure how it will go until I actually get there… Two or three days to enter the labyrinth and reach the deepest part…
I’ll awaken as the Hero in one week. I have to clear the labyrinth by that day.
Sieg recalled his awakening from the last time. It had happened while he was hunting in the forest. A pillar of light had suddenly descended, and an angelic being with wings had appeared. He vividly remembered a magical beast that had been attacking him being caught in the light and sliced in two.
That pillar of light probably serves to protect the one who is awakening.
As he reached that thought, drowsiness began to creep in. It was best to rest for the night. He skillfully climbed a tree, sat on a thick branch, tied himself to the trunk with a rope, and closed his eyes. When sleeping alone in the forest, this was the safest way.
After walking for another three days, he came to a place where tall trees suddenly grew in dense clusters.
Sieg swallowed hard. This was the beginning of the barrier.
As he approached, a wave of revulsion washed over him. He grimaced and clutched the charm in his hand.
A ‘people-repelling’ ward, just as its name suggested, was a barrier that instilled feelings of disgust, anxiety, and fear in those who approached, compelling them to turn back. Something feels wrong here… I really don’t want to go any further… It’s probably best not to proceed… It was a highly advanced and subtle barrier that prevented passage by manipulating these natural feelings. Most people wouldn’t even realize a barrier was there. It was an ancient magic technique.
Sieg took a deep breath, steeled himself, and stepped into the ward.
Instantly, an indescribable anxiety assaulted him. He didn’t know what he was anxious about, but a vague sense of dread exploded within him.
…Endure it… this feeling is an illusion…!
After just a few steps, the charm in his hand shattered with a soft pop.
Sieg gasped in horror.
W-What!? It broke this quickly!?
He immediately pulled another charm from his pocket, clutched it, and prayed. God of Light, Lugh, protect me and bring harmony and peace to my heart!
This charm was meant to protect the mind from attacks like mental and illusionary magic. Though it was a simple charm, Sieg had been praying to Lugh in preparation for this very moment. Its defensive power should have been considerable. And yet…
It breaks this easily!
Trembling, Sieg pushed forward, one step at a time. Cold sweat poured from his body, drenching his clothes. His skin grew cold, while his core began to burn with fever.
After a few more steps, he looked at the charm in his hand and his breath caught. It was rapidly losing its color. As it turned completely black, it crumbled to dust.
…This is bad… this is really bad!
He hadn’t underestimated the barrier. It was just far stronger than he had ever anticipated.
Sieg grabbed several more charms, one in each hand, and quickened his pace. A wave of nausea rose in his throat, and tears streamed from his eyes. His body shook uncontrollably. The scenery around him began to twist like a nightmare, and he squeezed his eyes shut.
I’m scared…!
As he started to veer off course, seeking escape, the feeling of terror lessened. He almost gave in to the temptation but forced himself to stop.
No! What am I doing!? Don’t take the easy way! That’s not the path!
The scary direction, the unpleasant path, the one that makes me sick—that’s the way I have to go! The labyrinth is in that direction! Don’t be fooled! Don’t let the fear swallow you!
He retched, trembled, and cried, fighting the terror that gripped his entire being as he forced himself forward, one step at a time. The charms shattered one after another, his supply dwindling at an alarming rate.
Scary… I feel sick… I want to throw up… I can’t take it anymore… I want to go back… I want to go home…
But—
I… I am the Hero! How can the Hero give in to this level of fear!?
Gritting his teeth, Sieg looked up. Through his tear-blurred vision, he saw a boundary where the tall trees abruptly ended.
That meant—
…There… that’s the end of the barrier!
Sieg grabbed all of his remaining charms, summoned every last bit of his strength, and broke into a run.
All of you! Take it all!
The charms exploded one by one, their fragments cutting his palms. Ignoring the pain, Sieg stumbled and ran. The moment his last charm disintegrated—
“UWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!”
—he dove headfirst between the trees and tumbled out onto the other side.
“Uggghh!”
He landed and rolled violently, crashing into a tree trunk before finally coming to a stop. His body screamed in pain as he pushed himself up. Only then did he realize the fear was gone. He blinked. Lifting his head, he saw the entrance to a structure made of black stone.
Sieg looked back at the barrier, then to the entrance before him. He let out a long, shuddering breath and collapsed to the ground, his face crumpling.
I did it… I finally did it! I passed through the barrier!
He sobbed for a while, then composed himself and stood up. He looked at the massive entrance before him and nodded once.
This was his final destination.
The still-undiscovered labyrinth known as the Labyrinth of Obsidian.
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