Chapter 2: Hero Ryuguin and the Sealed Labyrinth II
“The Sealed Labyrinth… you are a labyrinth that should not exist…”
A surge of anger—Hero Ryuguin, who possessed a gentle heart, quietly snapped. He utilized every ounce of his information network to gather intelligence aimed at annihilating the Sealed Labyrinth. As a seasoned hero, he understood the futility of rash actions and knew that charging into the labyrinth without proper preparation would be meaningless.
“Knowing your enemy and knowing yourself ensures victory in a hundred battles.”
The hero spoke. Indeed, the first step was to gather knowledge—information was essential. He was well aware of this. Truly, he was Ryuguin, the greatest and strongest hero of all time, embodying the virtues of heart, skill, body, wisdom, courage, benevolence, and righteousness.
After a while, thanks to his blood, sweat, and tears, it was revealed that by gathering three Dark Purification Jewels and using them at the deepest part of the Sealed Labyrinth, he could completely obliterate the labyrinth.
Despite exhausting both body and mind, the hero set out alone from the town to acquire the Dark Purification Jewels. He humbly asked his reliable companions to release the artifact that governed the seal of the Sealed Labyrinth, the Affirmative Sword.
To destroy the Sealed Labyrinth, it was necessary to break the seal once more. For a brief moment, this decision could put many at risk… it was a bitter choice for the kind-hearted hero.
However, conveying this understanding to everyone was incredibly difficult.
“Haha, it’s fine. If I’m the only one to take the blame, then so be it. If just that can save the lives of tens of thousands, it’s a small price to pay.”
Touched by his noble spirit, the three Saintesses shed tears. In that moment, the four of them resembled a single, sacred religious painting, radiating dignity.
After the release of the Affirmative Sword, the three Saintesses rushed into the Sealed Labyrinth, eager to alleviate humanity’s concerns as quickly as possible.
Sealed Labyrinth, Seventh Layer.
“It’s no use! Even if we cut it, it just reforms!”
Sword Saint Eris’s swift blade sliced through the Huge Slime, but its form immediately reconstituted.
“I’ll hold it off! In the meantime, Angelica, prepare your magic!”
A look of anguish crossed Sage Angelica’s face.
“Which spell can defeat the Huge Slime…?”
Eris was buying time with her body. There was no time to hesitate. Just then,
“Hey, sorry to keep you waiting. Ange, since the slime is liquid, we can just use fire magic to evaporate it. It’s a basic strategy.”
“Hero-sama!!”
“Hero-sama!!”
“Master!!”
The three cried out in joy at the arrival of their savior—Hero Ryuguin. Any anxiety that had lingered in his absence vanished. His arrival was a significant step toward humanity’s victory.
Sealed Labyrinth, Twenty-Fourth Layer.
Guided by Hero Ryuguin, the four steadily and surely advanced through the Sealed Labyrinth. They defeated the monsters that blocked their path with their unbreakable bond.
However, as expected from the Sealed Labyrinth, the journey was not without its challenges.
Blocking their way was a massive Dragon Newt.
“Ugh! This guy! Master! My blade can’t penetrate!”
“Eris, fall back! I’ll heal you! Hero-sama too!”
“Ugh! I’m fine! While I hold him off, please heal everyone first!”
“Super Flare!!—What?! Fire magic doesn’t work!!”
“Ange!! You’re too far forward!! It’s dangerous!!”
“Kyah!! Hero-sama!!”
“Haha, that was close…”
Saved and cradled in his arms, Angelica clung to the hero, overwhelmed with emotion.
“A crisis is an opportunity. There was a risk, but I’ve found its weakness.”
The hero’s words became a source of encouragement for the three heroic girls.
“As expected of Hero-sama.”
“Just don’t overdo it. If something happens to you, I…”
“Master!! To find its weakness in such a short time!!”
Ryuguin pointed his sword at the Dragon Newt.
“When Eris attacked, it seemed to protect its neck excessively. I can tell—it’s guarding its core. For just a moment, I saw its neck glow. If we destroy that, we can defeat it.”
Hero Ryuguin’s keen eyes sparkled with determination.
Final Layer of the Sealed Labyrinth.
“If we hold up the three Dark Purification Jewels here, we can erase the Sealed Labyrinth…”
As he spoke, a dragon’s roar echoed.
“Master! What is this?!”
“Hero-sama!! I’ll set up a barrier!!”
“I’ll prepare an attack spell—”
“Here it comes!!”
“Angyaaaaaaa!!”
Before them appeared a dragon so massive it filled their vision.
“This is the Venom Dragon.”
At the hero’s words, the three froze in fear.
“Everyone, it’s alright. If it’s the four of us, we can definitely defeat it!! Right, everyone?!”
“Yes!!”
In that moment, their hearts united as one. And thus, the fierce battle began.
It was a fierce struggle that truly warranted the term “life-or-death battle.”
Under Hero Ryuguin’s direction, the girls moved in and out, attacking the dragon, taking damage, healing, and returning to the fray, moving as if they were a single living entity, steadily cornering the dragon.
“One for all!! All for one!!”
Sensing a chance for victory, the hero raised his voice.
“One for all!! All for one!!”
The three Saintesses echoed his call.
Hero, Saintesses, Sage, Sword Saint. The four heroes placed their hands together.
“One for all!! All for one!!”
And this time, they shouted as one. From their joined hands, a radiant Bond Beam was unleashed. The Bond Beam collided with the breath attack from the dragon.
“Ugh!! Everyone!! This is where we hold our ground!!”
“Yes!!”
At that moment, the four of them became one in spirit.
“Haaaaaaah!!”
The four let out a powerful roar. The beam that collided began to push back the dragon’s breath, little by little, until finally,
“This is our bond’s power!!”
In response to the hero’s shout, the beam surged with maximum power. With a sound like “Kira Kira Bashuuuuuuun!!”, the beam unleashed by the four completely engulfed the dragon, obliterating it.
“We did it!! This is our victory!! Our victory for humanity!!”
The proud Hero Ryuguin declared that this victory was not just his own, but a triumph for all humanity. With the successful conquest of the Sealed Labyrinth, he would henceforth be known as the Hero of the Ages, celebrated by all the people.