Chapter 282 - Into The Labyrinth

# Dungeon Maker.

A villain boss who appears in the latter part of Phase 3, she possesses an extraordinary ability befitting a late-game antagonist.

To describe her power simply, she can trap opponents in a separate dimension using white bricks. In other words, she can create her own world. Just hearing about it makes your head spin.

...Well, actually, her ability was particularly bizarre even among the Phase 3 villains who all possessed mind-bending powers. The size of the space she could create was limited, so it wasn't completely overpowered, but still.

Anyway, Dungeon Maker created her own labyrinth in this separate dimension and called it a dungeon.

Her primary use of this ability was to exile random people to this dungeon. She was especially notorious for trapping heroes and tormenting them with devices she had installed inside. Later, she even collaborated with Scream Maker, who shared the "Maker" title, to make the labyrinth even more vicious.

The bottom line is that once you fall into this labyrinth, you can't escape until you figure out how to get out. It's especially dangerous if it's your first time in this trap.

That's why I, Egostic, immediately rushed over when I saw Stardust confronting Dungeon Maker.

'...But this woman shouldn't be causing terror yet according to the original timeline.'

What made her suddenly decide to launch an attack now? Is this a butterfly effect from me preventing the Moonlight Church disaster?

Anyway, she was one of the villains I had planned to definitely confront if she appeared, so I rushed here and shielded Stardust. For one reason only: to ensure Stardust's safe return from this place.

...As for people's reactions, well, I decided not to worry about it since it seems widely known that I, as a villain, have a fondness for my arch-enemy Stardust. This is why concept is important. Though it's not really a concept...

"Are you alright?"

As a result, I ended up falling into this labyrinth together with Stardust.

"Yeah..."

An indoor space somewhere, surrounded by bricks mixed with gray and white.

In this strange place, we opened our eyes.

This must be the labyrinth created by Dungeon Maker.

I moved slightly away from Stardust, who was still in my arms, and stood up.

And only then did Stardust get up with me.

"Haah... so, where are we?"

With a face that had returned to calmness, though her ears were still slightly red, she looked around and asked.

"Hmm, it seems we're in some space created by that woman's ability. From what I can see, she appears to be manipulating this place from the outside. I think the outside world will be safe as long as we're alive in here."

I explained while looking at the eerily dark white corridor stretching out before us.

For now, I was giving a detailed explanation as if making educated guesses.

I turned to look at Stardust standing next to me, and with a grin, I said:

"So, Stardust. Since we've both fallen into this unknown place... how about forming a temporary alliance just this once?"

I asked her a question that somehow felt familiar.

"Yeah... okay."

She answered me like that.

...With a slight smile.

What's this? Why is she smiling? Surely she's not thinking of backstabbing me and dragging me away? That would get us both killed. That can't happen.

"Well, shall we walk ahead then? Let's stay close since it looks dangerous."

"Sure."

And so, the hero and the villain began walking together down the narrow corridor of the labyrinth to stop an even greater villain.

...Somehow, she was walking so close to me that our fingers almost touched.

***

Stardust. Shin Ha-ru.

She liked Egostic.

...Humanly speaking. She liked him as a person. Not in any other way. Yeah.

Anyway, after seeing the possibility of a world without Egostic during the fight with the Moonlight Church leader, that feeling had grown stronger. It ultimately proved that everything Egostic had done so far was for everyone's benefit.

That's when she realized.

Egostic was indeed not a villain. All his actions had meaning.

...So, there was no need to hide her feelings anymore.

Her honest desire to get closer to Egostic, to learn more about him, to spend more time with him...

Knowing more about her assigned villain was also a hero's duty, right? Yeah.

Anyway, because of this.

She had no intention of missing this opportunity.

"Judging by how my teleportation doesn't work outside at all, this world seems to be a specially constructed space by the villain."

Walking through the strange white maze-like narrow corridors where Dungeon Maker had dropped them.

...And Stardust was focusing on something other than the fear of being trapped in a labyrinth by a villain.

For example, the fact that Egostic had once again come for her sake.

...And that after a very long time, an opportunity to be alone with Egostic had arisen.

When she had met Egostic in the Han Group's basement before. The situation was similar to that day, but she was thinking completely differently from when she had only been wary of him.

...And, for some reason.

"Hmm... what is this place for anyway?"

When she glanced up at Egostic's profile as he looked ahead with a quiet smile.

Thump. Thump.

Why was her heart pounding so much?

Even though he was clearly a villain, just walking beside him made her feel at ease. She wanted to be even closer to him.

"...Hey, Egostic."

And just as she had made up her mind and was about to speak to him.

"...! Be careful!"

Egostic, who was walking beside her, grabbed her arm and stopped her with those words.

And at that moment.

Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh

From the area in front of where she had been standing, something like a rain of arrows poured down.

...Actually, she had sensed that there was some kind of trap ahead due to her strange feeling, but she had been thinking of grabbing Egostic, not expecting to be grabbed herself.

Egostic's intuition was as good as hers.

"Tsk... there seem to be many traps here. Let's keep going."

"...Okay."

So she followed Egostic, who was moving forward with his cape fluttering, continuing deeper into the maze-like corridors.

Following behind him as he walked without hesitation through the place with many intersections like a real maze, telling her to trust him.

Of course, this labyrinth was not that easy.

Not only did it constantly change shape, but it was also full of all kinds of bizarre devices, such as giant spiders suddenly appearing or spikes suddenly protruding from the walls.

...So, this meant there was no opportunity to have any meaningful conversation with Egostic. He was also striding forward, looking only ahead.

"....."

And as time passed, her mood was sinking lower and lower.

It was an awkward situation to try to start a conversation when he, a villain, was concentrating on escaping this place quickly.

At this rate, they would eventually escape the labyrinth without having spoken much, and the day would end with him running away.

And more than that, what was troubling her heart was.

"Let's try turning this way this time."

...Egostic, who was speaking smoothly as if he wasn't conscious of her at all.

Well, that was natural, but... somehow it made her feel a bit off. Like she was the only one paying attention to him.

Because of this, Stardust unconsciously began to feel annoyed with Egostic. ...Would it hurt him to look her way a little?

While she was building up such impatient...? emotions, they eventually hit a dead end after walking diligently.

And at the end was a wooden door.

"Let's go in this way."

"Okay."

So they opened the door and went inside.

"Hmm..."

A pitch-black, dark space where they could barely see appeared before them.

A place full of strange metallic sounds and the sound of axes being swung.

"...This place seems more dangerous than before. Stay close to me just in case."

"Yeah..."

And before entering that dark corridor.

Stardust unconsciously had such a thought.

...Isn't this an opportunity?

Egostic wasn't paying any attention to her right now. If she approached him first at this opportunity, how would he react?

And so.

Already mentally unhinged after the continuous silent journey with Egostic.

She decided to take a bold action she wouldn't have taken in her right mind.

Slide.

"....Hm?"

Just before entering the dark corridor.

Stardust reached out and held Egostic's hand.

At that moment, she felt Egostic's slightly cold hand in hers.

While Egostic, whose hand had been grabbed, was stammering with reactions like "Uh..." as if he couldn't understand what was happening.

Stardust turned her head, avoiding his eyes, and unconsciously whispered in a small voice:

"...You said it was dangerous. You said we should walk close together. This is the most certain way."

"Uh..."

"...Is it not okay?"

"...What's not okay about it? Yeah, well. It's safe and good. Sure. Let's go like this."

After Egostic's answer came flying.

Soon, the two headed toward the dark corridor, holding hands tightly.

...And at that moment.

Stardust thought it was fortunate that this place was dark and noisy.

"...."

Because the darkness would hide her reddened face.

And.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

Because the loud noise would drown out the sound of her heart hammering.

***

*

[??????]

[Where did those two go?]

[Save Starmango!!!]

[I'm going crazy I'm going crazy I'm going crazy I'm going crazy I'm going crazy I'm going crazy]

[Emergency!!! Super emergency!!!!! A crazy woman killed Egostic and Stardust!!]

[You pure-hearted Mangostick, you should have brought a camera, damn it!]

*

And at that time.

Dungeon Maker, who was controlling the dungeon with her eyes closed while leaning her hand against the white block tower that had appeared where Egostic and Stardust had been, unconsciously muttered:

"Why are those two dating inside here?"

Of course, as she grumbled those words.

...Without realizing it, her lips were slightly turned upward.