Helios Orb Chronicle – Chapter 551

Side: Lydia

We reached the 8th Level of the Krater Labyrinth in just under five hours after continuing our swift travel from the 4th Level.
Although the 4th Level, an oceanic floor, and the 7th Level, a floating island floor, took a considerable amount of time due to their vastness, comparable to the 2nd Level and beyond, being able to reach the 8th Level in a single day meant that material hunting in the Krater Labyrinth would become much easier, which was a welcome development for us.

On that 8th Level, before the sun set, we managed to hunt 26 Grand Silk Crawlers, our primary target, 12 Royal Crawlers, and 2 Imperial Crawlers. We also took down 3 Scissarhell Grizzlies, and one Catastrophe Species of Grizzly, the A-C Rank Monster Scissararhylops Phalanx.

The Scissararhylops Phalanx generates defensive membranes of light, ice, and water from the carapace on its shoulders, which sprout countless scythes. These defensive membranes are scythe-shaped and shatter in response to attacks, but new ones are constantly generated, making them incredibly difficult to breach, even for Ancient Class beings.
The scythes growing from its carapace can be thrown at opponents, and new ones immediately sprout, making it a troublesome foe.
Furthermore, since Grizzly-type monsters are inherently durable, the scythes thrown by the Catastrophe Species Scissararhylops Phalanx were exceptionally hard, so much so that even Yamato’s attacks couldn’t break them. They became breakable after the monster was defeated, but even then, they possessed a strength and hardness comparable to Divine Metal or Lapis Laz, suggesting they might be usable as sub-weapons if processed skillfully.

Afterward, we proceeded to a Safe Area containing the transfer array to the 9th Level and decided to make camp there.
There was no one else in the Safe Area. Few Hunters can reach this level, and most are acquaintances, so we saw no need to set up a night watch. It was also late, and in reality, no one came.

The following day, we hunted on the 8th Level during the morning, had lunch, and then moved on to the 9th Level.
The 9th Level is inhabited by the A-C Rank Monster Death Crimson, which emits a deadly poison even to Ancient Class beings, so we had to be more vigilant of our surroundings than ever before.
Although this floor is narrower than the 8th Level, we took over three hours to clear it. Naturally, we hunted several other monsters along the way, in addition to the Death Crimson.

As for the 10th Level, we had only explored a small portion of it before and returned, so we purchased a map from the Hunter’s Guild that had been compiled and provided by Lily Wish and Holy Grave.
Like the 1st Level, this is a snowy plains floor, but the environment of the 10th Level is harsher, featuring glaciers, snowy mountains, and large crevasses.
The monsters here are also split almost equally between A-Rank Monsters and M-Rank Monsters, making it appear to be more difficult than existing labyrinths, both environmentally and in terms of its inhabitants.
At times, blizzards would reduce visibility to zero, and if Eos, in her fully draconic form, hadn’t carried the Beast Carriage through the air, one of us might have gotten separated.
Given the strength of the monsters inhabiting this area, we remained vigilant in all directions while moving. However, the monsters are accustomed to blizzards, making attacks from within them quite troublesome.
Fortunately, Mako and Meena had erected a barrier around Eos and the Beast Carriage, and Yamato’s Sonar Wave, a reconnaissance-type Engraving Magic, could be used without issue even in the blizzard due to its water attribute, allowing us to avoid being completely caught off guard.
However, we were all on high alert, so after arriving at the Safe Area with the transfer array to the 11th Level, we decided to rest for the day after a brief hunting session in the surrounding area.

The next day, after breakfast, we proceeded to the 11th Level.
As we had heard, it was a castle floor modeled after White Demon Castle, but it seemed to be wider overall.
Normally, it would be too narrow and inconvenient for Hunters to fight, due to both the environment and the monsters, so this was likely the reason for the expansion.
The monsters inhabiting it were, as per prior intelligence, only Demi-humans, specifically An and Catastrophe Species. However, not all Demi-humans were present.
The Demi-humans present were Goblins, Kobolds, and Valkyries.
The highest rank was the M-C Rank Valkyrie Queen, but within the labyrinth, she held an A-C Rank. Conversely, Goblin Princes and Goblin Princesses, who were only S-I Rank, felt strangely out of place.
However, as was also indicated in the prior intelligence, being a White Demon Castle-themed floor, this level, despite its expanded size, was not as vast as outdoor floors.
The transfer array from the 10th Level was at the entrance of White Demon Castle, while the transfer array to the 12th Level was in the Audience Chamber, allowing us to clear it in just over an hour.

And now, the 12th Level, the one that Holy Grave and Lily Wish immediately chose to retreat from. It does indeed bear some resemblance to the volcanic waterfall of the 2nd Level.
However, everything except the corridors is sea, and the water’s transparency is low, making it difficult to predict when and where monsters might attack.
The corridors also appear to be quite complexly intertwined, so this might as well be called an underwater corridor. The fact that movement via Beast Carriage is possible is a small solace.

“I heard it would be troublesome, but this is truly bothersome.”
“Indeed. Given that it’s a series of corridors, the low water transparency is understandable. But that’s precisely what makes it so incredibly bothersome.”
“We don’t have a map from here on, so we’ll just have to proceed as best we can. Tonight, at worst, we might have to consider camping outside the Safe Area.”
“You’re right.”

Indeed.
However, engaging with this level, where O-Rank Monsters are potentially present, let alone A-Rank, camping outside the Safe Area is something to be avoided.
Therefore, while proceeding forward is essential, searching for the Safe Area takes higher priority.

“Let’s move forward regardless. While our ultimate goal this time is to conquer it, it’s also for the sake of investigation.”
“Right. I wonder what kind of monsters are here?”

As Meena and Athena said, we can’t afford to dither here forever.

“In that case, for this level, shall we proceed with the Beast Carriage?”
“Given how convoluted it seems, high-speed travel without a map could lead to someone getting separated.”

I agree, and no one else voiced an objection, so Yamato took out the Multi-functional Beast Carriage from his Inventory.
Normally, I would summon Jade as well, but given the location, we decided to have Flam’s familiar, Lidoseus Flow, pull it.

“It’s a lot to ask, but please, Flow.”

Flow nodded at Flam’s words and slowly began to pull the Beast Carriage.

“The passage is solid, and aside from the poor visibility, it’s the same as the volcanic waterfall.”
“I never imagined that the passage itself would be transparent.”
“Even on the volcanic waterfall floor, the passages were made of earth. But these underwater corridors feel like passages made of solidified water. Yet, it’s not frozen, so perhaps we should just consider them unique to the labyrinth.”

As Prim, Flam, and Mako are saying, the underwater corridors of the 12th Level are indeed unique. A corridor running through the sea is unprecedented enough, but the passage itself is transparent from below. If the water weren’t a darker color than the surrounding water, we might not even realize a passage existed. Of course, even then, we would know there was a corridor, so we would likely have been able to proceed without issue.

“Indeed. There are corridor floors in other labyrinths, but this one is extreme. Considering it’s the deep part of the Krater Labyrinth, one could argue it’s the most difficult.”
“There are similar corridors called Cave Corridors, but considering that the monsters inhabiting this place can move freely, I agree with Mana’s assessment. It’s truly bothersome.”
“Ah, so that’s how it is~. Oh, right. That means…”
“What do you mean…? Ah, I see. In a cave, monsters that live underground emerge, and the cave itself restricts the monsters’ movements, right?”

At Mana and Eos’s words, everyone except Athena frowned. Even Athena’s understanding lasted only a moment before she realized the difference from a Cave Corridor.

“Yes. Moreover, there are a certain number of monsters that burrow underground, but they are not of particularly high rank. Of course, there are high-ranking ones as well, but they are large, so they are easily spotted when they attack, and defeating them isn’t that difficult.”
“Cave Dragoons are a prime example of that, aren’t they?”

Indeed, Cave Dragoons are like that. Although combat occurs in the confined space of a cave, the troublesome aspects are limited to their breath attacks and tail sweeps, which leave no room to escape. While we can withstand them, the Beast Carriage is highly likely to be destroyed. However, if those attacks are blocked or prevented, the confined space itself hinders the Cave Dragoon’s movements. Even when trying to slam its claws down, its arms can’t be raised, or when it rears its head to bite with momentum, it can’t generate speed, putting it in a rather unfortunate situation. Of course, Cave Dragoons live underground, so perhaps these are not major issues for them, but for us, they are fatal weaknesses. There are other large subterranean species, but many share similar problems.

However, in this underwater corridor floor, the sea serves as the substitute for cave walls, which poses no obstacle to aquatic species. Not only can they attack from any direction, but they can also use their abilities to their full potential, so we can’t afford to let our guard down. The only salvation, if it can be called that, is that Yamato’s preferred reconnaissance-type water attribute Engraving Magic is easy to use, allowing for more precise enemy detection than on terrestrial floors.

“If there are Dragoons inhabiting this level, they would be aquatic variants, and their Monster Rank would also be higher.”
“In addition, the environment completely favors the Dragoons. Depending on their Monster Rank, we might even take damage.”
“Yes. Therefore, the top priority is to search for the Safe Area. Camping in this environment is simply out of the question.”
“I agree. Let’s consider spending the day investigating this level.”
“Understood.”

Yamato, Prim, and Mana reaffirmed the priority of searching for the Safe Area and decided to prioritize investigating this level for the day, and no one voiced any objections.
Of course, that’s only natural. The Safe Area is, as its name suggests, a zone of safety, and it is said that even O-Rank Monsters cannot enter. No O-Rank Monsters have been sighted in the labyrinth so far, but it has been confirmed that A-Rank Monsters cannot enter, and this applies equally to An and Catastrophe Species. Therefore, it is likely that not only O-Rank Monsters but even Demise Species cannot enter. Consequently, we can spend time there safely, and even if we find ourselves in a desperate situation, we can regroup and even utilize Escaping to withdraw safely. Therefore, for those who venture into the labyrinth, the existence of a Safe Area is extremely important.

“It depends on how large this level is… here they come!”
“What is that…? Questing. Prognathodon? An abnormal species of Mosasaurus!”
“Three of them? As expected of the Krater Labyrinth’s depths.”
“Indeed. However, let’s defeat them first!”
“Yes!”

The first monsters on the 12th Level are M-I Monsters Prognathodon, an abnormal species of Mosasaurus, and there are multiple of them. From the 8th Level onward, even An and Catastrophe Species have been seen in groups, so this level likely follows the same pattern.
Therefore, let us renew our resolve and proceed with conquering this level. First, we will focus on defeating the Prognathodon!