Isn’t the wannabe Villain too cute?

The Abyss.

A labyrinth named after the realm of darkness since it is the only labyrinth that still was not completely discovered yet or, to say, not even 10% was explored until now.

There was a reason why even such legendary warriors like Charles Sinten, Alex Nuèye, and also the great sage Merlin were available as a pioneer; the high echelon of Gram didn't allow them to venture the darkness.

There is strange energy inside the labyrinth that oppresses any kind of mana; even if the energy isn't released out, the peculiar sensation weakens anyone who carries magical energy inside them.

Naturally, no typical human could be pushed off the edge to let them inspect the Abyss and find what was inside. Not to talk about the first creature which Headmaster Merlin encountered made it clear how dangerous this darkness carried.

From that day onwards, the Labyrinth was ordered to be sealed away, and not only that. The Eden Academy's foundation was also built over it so the strongest mage of the continent could always watch over it.

In a way, it was putting the lives of students in danger, but if the creatures inside the Labyrinth really get out, then there was a high chance that everyone inside the territory of Gram might cease to exist, or maybe the whole plain?

No one knows the depth of the Abyss, but if the first floor carried such a terrifying being that could make Master Merlin's frightened to death, it was uncertain what catastrophe it stored in its deepest layer.

The seal which was applied over it was undoubtedly of the highest grade with seven Unique Grade and one Legendary Grade Artifact provided as the security lock over it.

Except for master Merlin, there would be very few mages in the whole world who could operate the seal without getting noticed.

But in front of Austin that near to impossible task has been accomplished.

Sicily was inside the Labyrinth, which means she defied the seals somehow and entered at a time when Merlin wasn't around.....

__..__

The topmost office of Eden's Academy was built in a way that its underneath would lead directly into the labyrinth.

Basic architecture skills.

After jumping inside the wormhole, Austin descended at a steady pace for more than ten seconds without any kind of intent or unnatural presence on the radar.

But after some blinks, he started feeling severely uncomfortable, like his insides were twisting and something was getting numb passing each second.

Despite his face covered in sweat, Austin didn't panic as he finally landed on the tough ground before taking out the little Lamp, which actually was an artifact from his inventory.

The small flame was enough to ignite a decent area around Austin as he commanded the system in a slightly hoarse tone.

"*Huff* Limit my *Hah* MP to 100".

The action was taken in a blink before the heavyweight over Austin got lifted like it never was there in the first place.

'So it really worked, huh... '

Austin gave himself time to settle down before he held the lamp high to his face level before walking forward.

The reason why after limiting his mana, Austin was able to breathe freely was simple.

This place was the nemesis of mana that Austin came to realize from the manga. The heavier amount of mana one carries, the greater this labyrinth would affect them.

In the story, Luna was more influenced than Kyouki since she has the most condensed form of mana running through her veins. As this also became a reason why Kyouki didn't dare to move forward since he didn't want to hurt Luna by any means.

'Somehow, I am feeling a little pissed now....'

Austin resorted to not remembering the manga anymore for 'various reasons.'

Fastening his pace, he saw less than thirty-five minutes were remaining now as he tried to widen his senses and observe the surrounding.

The red blimp, which was showing Sicily's location, has fixated on the place where Austin was. It didn't show a precise location, but it was fine since he already got the gist of where she could be.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly his ears perked with the slow sound of something sliding along the dusty ground. The sound was minimal, but he could discern that it was about ten meters away from him.

He halted his steps since he knew there wasn't any point in going anywhere to find the monster which was seen on the first floor as he sensed himself being surrounded slowly but surely.

He didn't dart away since he knew it would mean nothing until he doesn't utilize mana and levitate from his spot.

Using a simple command, Austin applied a single ounce of mana inside the lamp before the flame danced merrily as it left the steel cage and ascended in the sky for 50 meters before lightning up the vicinity like a mini-sun.

[KHEEEEEEK!!]

A pair of dull golden eyes, which had slit pupils positioned in its center, intently stared at Austin as the latter finally realized what he was facing.

On a rough scale, the creature was almost 9 meters in total length from its head to the end of its tail.

Black scales, which looked unscratchable with regular blades, spread all over its body, and a slick tongue whipped the air every now and then.

[Another mortal dared to step into my domain! Are you tired of living human?!]

Austin's ear lobes shined as the translating artifact activated instantly and helped him understand the monster's tongue.

"So you can talk, huh? Well, I'm not here to play. Return the girl, and I will go back silently."

Any being other than a human could only talk after reaching a particular stage of their life. Like the demons get their vocals when they arrive at least Terror Rank or higher.

But the problem was that the being in front wasn't a demon since no curse energy was involved. And a natural monster ascending to that level was seldom heard.

Suddenly the air surrounding the blond youth because heavier as he felt the chills that oozed with life-threatening danger, but when he had come this far...

[That Green Apple which I ate? That stubborn brat is still in the process of getting digested, so why not you help me push her inside and also get dissolved along with her?]

Austin felt like the monster was talking a lot, and he didn't have much time left, so he took the initiative to abandon the chattering.

The ground beneath Austin's feet crumbled slightly as he gathered strength in his feet before jumping at a furious speed toward the gigantic serpent.

[Huh?]

The creature could only sense something approaching at a furious pace before it ducked its head to avoid whatever it was.

**DHAKKK**

The wall just behind the place where the snake's head was a blink ago broke brutally before big chunks of rock started falling on its body.

With disbelief shrouding its reasoning, the reptile looked at the place and found the human was the source of such a destructive blow.

[Y-You.....how can someone...without mana....]

The monster fell into a stupor since the mana in the human was lower than the average, yet it had such colossal strength!

"Am I getting sloppy? Well, you aren't just any snake after all."

Hearing the boy's daring words, the serpent queen got enraged as she let go of all the hesitation before charging up her mouth with the attack she planned to direct next.

[Blame your luck, kid...]

**HISSSSSSS**

A purple smog erupted from the creature's tubular long one, meter fangs before covering the whole vicinity and entirely covering the illumination that the dancing amber was spreading.

'[Now what would you do, human? This smoke is nothing you can escape, even if you have that strength. Neither do you have the mana to get rid of it.]'

The creature moved silently along the ground with its senses wholly focused on the frail human standing in oblivion.

'[Now you are mine!] '

But before the queen could have lunged on her prey, a pecuilar whisper reached her senses and made her freeze in extreme dread.

[XXXX-XXXXXXX-XXX]

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A/N: - Drop a comment~