A few days passed in quiet seclusion.
I had lost myself completely in the process of installing new equipment within the development chambers. After waiting so long to begin this project, I couldn't contain my focus. My hands moved with precision, guided by calculations and intuition refined by countless trials. I incorporated Solarys's feedback as the Sovereign of Wisdom replicated multiple constructs within my inner domain—each piece merging seamlessly into my design.
If I had intended for this technology to be passed down to others, I would've limited myself, documented, and simplified the process. But I had no such intentions. This knowledge was not meant for the masses. It existed solely for me. So I gave myself full permission—to build whatever I desired.
Then, a calm but piercing voice echoed within me.
«Report: You have been cut off from all external communication for several days. Potential external disturbance detected.»
Only then did I realize—Solarys was right. I hadn't eaten, spoken to anyone, or left the chamber in days. The absorption of my work had blurred all sense of time.
If nothing serious had happened, I was certain Shuna and Shion would still be worried. That alone was reason enough to step outside.
I took a breath, setting down my tools. The hum of the machinery faded as I deactivated the system. "Very well," I murmured, "it's time to return to the surface."
When I stepped out of the R&D facility, Shuna and Shion were already there, waiting—faces filled with a mix of concern and relief.
"Atem-sama, are you all right?" Shuna asked immediately, her voice trembling slightly.
"I was worried sick," Shion added, crossing her arms. "You haven't shown up for meals in days. You always look forward to them. We thought something had happened."
I paused, meeting their worried gazes. They truly cared. It was… grounding.
"Apologies," I said with a calm, deep tone. "I lost myself in my work."
"It's all right!" Shion quickly said, trying to cover her anxiety with a grin.
Shuna smiled gently. "Atem-sama, you work harder than anyone. Even if you acted more freely, no one would dare complain."
Seeing their smiles, the tension within me loosened. They deserved better than silence.
"I'll make it a habit to show up each day from now on," I said.
Shuna's eyes lit up. "That would make me very happy."
I nodded faintly. "Then it's settled."
Even someone like me could take comfort knowing others worried. The warmth of their concern cut through the quiet intensity of my solitude.
As I reflected, Shion suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right—Myourmiles has been looking for you since yesterday."
"…Has he now?"
"We tried to find you," Shuna added quickly. "But you weren't responding. Sorry—we should've been louder."
"It's fine," I replied evenly. "The fault lies with me. I was too deep in thought. I'll prepare a direct communication system for such cases—something more efficient than knocking."
Apparently, Myourmiles hadn't told them what the matter was, only that it involved the labyrinth. That alone piqued my curiosity. If he didn't want to speak to Shion about it, then it was likely not trivial.
Thinking about it, I couldn't help but smirk slightly. If Diablo were here, he wouldn't have waited—he would have stormed into the lab himself. Persistent to a fault, that one.
Still, I decided not to dwell on it. I would meet Myourmiles directly.
Shuna, ever considerate, handed me a small package. "Here, Atem-sama. Some sandwiches."
"And I brewed you tea," Shion added proudly, holding a steaming flask.
"Thank you," I said, taking both. Their gestures, though simple, carried sincerity.
While enjoying the food and the calm aroma of the tea, I waited.
Moments later, the door burst open.
"Atem-sama!" Myourmiles shouted as he rushed in, panic written across his face. "I've been looking everywhere for you! Something terrible has happened!"
I raised an eyebrow, unshaken. "Speak. What is it?"
"Others have passed through the Thirtieth Floor… after Masayuki's group."
"Impressive," I said evenly, sipping my tea. "Faster than I anticipated."
"Now is not the time for idle praise!" Myourmiles snapped. "They're moving at lightning speed and are already nearing the fortieth-floor boss chamber!"
That made me pause. I placed the cup down slowly. "Continue."
"Their methods…" he hesitated, "are questionable. They're exploiting loopholes in the labyrinth's rules. Not technically cheating, but close enough to feel wrong."
"Explain," I commanded.
He nodded quickly and began recounting the situation.
Apparently, these challengers were adept at using Ramiris's specialized items. Before confronting the guardian of Floor 20, they had used a Recording Crystal, which applied to an entire squad. Even if they were wiped out, they could respawn at the last registered save point. That was expected—within the rules.
But then they used a Return Whistle to retreat, disbanded the squad, and reorganized into new groups—each forming fresh ten-member parties.
I narrowed my eyes. "So they multiplied their numbers by resetting team designations."
"Exactly. It began as a few squads, but now it's a small army—ten full squads, nearly a hundred challengers in total. All ranked C-plus to B-plus at minimum."
He sighed heavily. "They even wear matching jackets, embroidered with some crest. They march through the labyrinth as if it's a military campaign."
I folded my arms, processing his words. "And they defeated the guardian of Floor 30?"
"Yes. It took them three squads, but they managed it."
I leaned back slightly. "Hmph. So, a display of arrogance under the guise of teamwork."
"Your Majesty is perceptive," Myourmiles said quickly. "They call themselves the Apostles of Verte. They operate under sponsorship from the Kingdom of Ingracia."
"Ingracia…" I murmured. "So the central kingdom of the Western Nations finally shows interest in Eterna's labyrinth."
"Indeed," Myourmiles continued. "Souka investigated. They're a renowned mercenary band, apparently hired by influential nobles."
"Of course they are," I said, my tone hardening.
"Only nobles would waste gold on Recording Crystals as if they were trinkets. To burn through one gold per use without hesitation—they must either be arrogant or desperate."
He nodded grimly. "They're not breaking any rules… but their attitude is unpleasant. They act as if money gives them the right to do whatever they please."
That explained Myourmiles's unease. We couldn't punish them—not yet.
I closed my eyes, my expression calm but unreadable. "Let them proceed."
"But, Atem-sama, they'll likely plow through the lower floors soon!"
"We are profiting from their attempts," I said. "And the labyrinth adapts. If they continue to rely on gold and arrogance, the labyrinth will teach them humility."
Myourmiles blinked. "Y-you mean…"
"The labyrinth reflects the will of its master," I said with quiet authority. "And Eterna bends to mine. If they wish to challenge my domain, then let them learn what true judgment feels like."
The room fell silent.
Even Myourmiles, trembling slightly, nodded in understanding. "As you wish, Atem-sama…"
I simply looked toward the distant walls, my voice low. "Those who play games with the laws of my realm… will soon learn that Eterna itself is no game."
In other words, during my time sealed within the depths of the R&D facility, Myourmiles had been searching for me because he feared that the challengers would conquer the labyrinth.
I turned toward him, his face pale, his voice trembling. "Take a look at yourself, Myourmiles. You're shaken to the bone," I said, my tone sharp yet calm. "It shouldn't be an issue. What lies beneath Floor 40 is where the true trial begins. The path down there is no easy one—and the Tempest Serpent will not fall so easily."
His shoulders eased slightly at my words, though his anxiety still lingered in his eyes.
The Green Rebellion squad—those mercenaries—had displayed impressive teamwork, far above what I had expected. Based on their coordination alone, they could be ranked around A–minus.
However, if their individual strength truly sat around B rank, then they would crumble before any large-scale area attack.
The Tempest Serpent was no ordinary monster; it was a beast infused with ancient magic, one of the stronger rank A–minus creatures born from the core of the labyrinth. To defeat it, more than ten B-plus adventurers would be needed—and even then, the odds would remain slim.
"However," Myourmiles continued, "according to Lady Ramiris and Lord Veldora, the captain of Green Rebellion may have concealed his true power. His reported abilities don't align with what they witnessed."
I narrowed my eyes. "Is that so…?"
It was a bold claim. From recorded footage alone, I couldn't precisely gauge a fighter's true power.
«Notice: Applying Analyze and Assess through visual data only provides partial estimations. Magicule content cannot be calculated without direct observation.»
That was Solarys—the Sovereign of Wisdom—her calm, radiant voice echoing in my mind. Her reasoning was flawless as always. She reminded me that even the most advanced analysis couldn't discern everything from sight alone.
"Understood," I replied inwardly.
Sometimes, the ranking registered by the Adventurer's Association meant nothing. My official rank had once been listed as B-plus, yet my true power was beyond comprehension to most beings in this world. The same could easily be true for this so-called captain of Green Rebellion.
Still, deception within my domain was intolerable. If they sought to exploit the labyrinth's structure—my structure—they would soon face the consequences.
"I want to hear directly from Veldora and the others," I said, rising from my chair. My aura subtly shifted, filling the room with a commanding weight that made Myourmiles instinctively lower his head.
"Leave it to me, Atem-sama," he said quickly. "I've already contacted them the moment you stepped outside. They're awaiting your word."
A faint smile touched my lips. As expected of Myourmiles—thorough, efficient, and ever perceptive.
"Very well," I said. "Let's not waste any more time. Lead the way."
"Yes, at once!"
I straightened my cloak and followed him out of the chamber. The air outside felt heavier, almost alive, as though the labyrinth itself was aware of the storm brewing within its depths.
I could already sense it—something hidden, something unnatural—lurking beyond the fortieth floor.
And I intended to uncover it.