"Tsk," Lenny kissed his teeth, "I would have died if I weren't deathless." He groaned, struggling to move his body.
He crawled, broken and bleeding- through the twisting corridor of the maze.
Stone scraped his palms, his knees, his face, he barely felt it, the pain lost in the red haze of his agony.
His breath came in ragged gasps, his lungs burning like bellows in a forge.
Blood slicked his skin, matted his bushy hair, and left a snail-trail of crimson on the stone behind him.
He chuckled softly, and deciding to rest a bit, he lay his back on the stone wall, breathing in deeply.
"Even if I can't die, it sure doesn't mean being numb to pain" He whispered with shaky breath.
"This shit hurts so badly," He could feel it.
His Fallen Rune: Rune of Revival was actively working, this was how he was able to muster the strength to escape.
At first, he pretended to be dead the moment that the Transformer plucked out his heart.
When they tossed him aside and mocked him, he saw the opportunity to escape, crawling out unnoticed.
Despite the blinding pain he felt.
He had to, staying there would expose the fact that he's an Unknown, a Fallen Regulator who couldn't be killed.
Right now, he could not use his mana since he needs a heart to support his mana core while it regenerates his mana essence.
His heart is currently being rebuilt by the Rune of Revival, making use of his Rune Class: Self-Regeneration.
He pulled out his dagger, which was left on his neck. He heaved in relief, "My shadow hasn't found anything yet." He sighed.
His shadow clone was more active than it had ever been; he was a few hundred meters away from the masked assassins.
Sometimes when he couldn't move, he would order his shadow clone to carry him.
Shadows weren't living creatures so they had no organs and could not bleed, so his clone wasn't able to mirror his dire injuries.
Making it the perfect companion.
He's currently observing his surroundings through the eyes of his shadow clone, and he is also excited.
The more he used his shadow clone, the faster he mastered it.
Opening a new slot to aid him.
[Rune Mastery: 90%]
Lenny's eyes gleamed, "So close" He grinned, suddenly his grin flattered "Something isn't right"
"I thought only the K&B party knew the existence of Ashura's Labyrinth?" He asked.
"How was I attacked by two assassins? Could it be that they followed us down here?"
"Is this the involvement of the Cults or the Great Houses? Is this Crystal's plots?" Lenny frowned.
He clenched his fists, "Just wait until I heal up completely. It doesn't matter who sent you; I'll kill all of you bastards." He bit his lips.
Suddenly, an uproar of laughter resounded across the corridor. Lenny slightly tilted his head.
He raised an eyebrow, "What are you doing here? Uncle Lex" Lenny asked.
Not hiding his shock, before him stood a figure, having short curly jet-black hair and dark cerulean eyes.
Putting on a plain black T-shirt and black pants as well, he rested his back on the stone wall, with his arms crossed.
The figure's lips curled into a dark grin, unlike the young boy whose facial features were those of a young teenager.
This mysterious figure had the face of a man who was in his late twenties. The figure chuckled softly, "Why do you think I'm here?" He asked.
Taking a step forward as he approached the battered Lenny, "I'm here to help you, of course." He smiled.
Lenny breathed in deeply, "Help me? First, it was Corinthian who kept blabbing about wanting to kill those party members, now you want to help me?" He chuckled.
"Aren't you guys dead and just mere hallucinations?" Lenny asked.
The figure shrugged, "Think whatever you want brat, there's no need to explain things to a dumb person"
"What I do know is you need to concentrate and grow stronger. You are our only hope," The figure said. Lenny scoffed, "Was it Corinthian that sent you?" He asked.
"As you can see….I lost connection with the brat" Lenny explained.
The figure sighed, "Well I came here because Corinthian seems to be busy, so focus on defeating the Level 7 Wanderer rank High Orc"
"I'll handle those assasins" The figure stated. But before Lenny could even retort, the figure was nowhere to be found.
The connection was also gone.
"What in the hell is going on?" Lenny whispered.
***
"We're getting closer." Benita's eyes gleamed with excitement while using Jay's holding hands tactics.
They found themselves together.
Unlike Lenny who hasn't encountered a single High Orc since his time in the Labyrinth.
The K&B party was busy taking out the High Orcs left and right; these monsters stood tall, having grey skin and black eyes.
They were the guards of the boss monster.
"Alabasta Nevox" Jay chanted, with a snap of his fingers. He cast a spell, creating a torrent of flames.
Benita was countering the brute strength of the High Orcs with her water defense while Fril was busy distorting their senses.
Both Fril and Kennedy were working hand in hand.
They were both Rank 1 Fallen Regulators of the peak stage, while Jay is a Rank 2 Fallen Regulator.
He could handle himself against most Common rank Apocalypse creatures.
Kennedy had to defend himself and also his lover, making things extremely excruciating for him.
But his strength and his Fallen Treasure came in handy.
Tearing down Level 7 and Level 8 Common rank High Orcs with his long spear.
While Jay incinerates them or fries them, they are getting closer to the chamber of the boss monster.
"Something's coming." Fril felt something strange; they sensed it as well. "Prepare yourself," Jay instructed.
"We're about to encounter a Level 1 Wanderer" Jay announced.
Level 1 Apocalypse creatures from the Common rank to the Evil Spirit rank were all unintelligent creatures.
Mainly relying on instincts and brute strength.
This Level 1 Wanderer rank High Orc stood at a tall, 6'7 with broad shoulders.
Having a firm long spike flickering behind him.
Its crimson hair disheveled, the High Orc growled out loud. Swinging down its club, the impact released shockwaves into the air.
"Televona Sikeno," Jay chanted, casting a spell mirroring the Rune of Revival. He healed his team.
Prompting them to regain their strength as they prepare to clash against a Level 1 Wanderer rank Apocalypse creature.
Meanwhile...
"Hehehehe" A soft chuckle echoed, but was unheard by the K&B party, even the Level 1 Wanderer rank Apocalypse creature.
Sitting atop the stone wall was the young boy. He crossed his legs; he had separated himself from Lenny the moment the K&B party ventured into the Labyrinth of Ashura.
His lips curled into a faint smile, "Not bad, this group seems promising tho…." He said.
"Too bad, they've been marked for death"