The riddle echoed through the chamber:
"How many bones in a low undead soldier?"
Sanot stepped forward confidently. "Two hundred sixteen."
But Yevna's voice cut through the silence. "Two hundred eighteen. Their swords are made of two bones."
The door opened. The Hero Party advanced to the ninth floor, where middle undead soldiers awaited. I fought until exhaustion, my Holy Slash cutting through their ranks. We paused, replenishing mana.
I offered food to Yevna. "Don't be afraid. Eat slowly. Food is necessary to grow stronger."
Her smile was radiant as she ate. For the first time, she looked less like a cursed slave, and more like a companion.
The tenth floor riddle came:
"If a mage uses holy water, how many liters are required?"
Sanot answered, "Twenty milliliters." The door opened.
The eleventh floor brought high undead soldiers. Sanot's elemental traps weakened them, and I finished them with Holy Slash.
The twelfth riddle:
"Do high undead soldiers have human souls?"
Sanot answered quickly, "No. They are souls of the labyrinth." The door opened.
The thirteenth floor welcomed low undead warriors, their aura thick with killer intent. I activated Holy Path, moving like wind, cutting them down.
The fourteenth riddle:
"What skill do low undead warriors use?"
Sanot replied, "Killer intent. Their lingering character." The door opened.
The fifteenth floor was filled with middle undead warriors. Sanot's traps and Alovent's enchantments supported me. I used Holy Path's holy effect to cut them all down.
The sixteenth riddle:
"How many middle-level adventurers are required to kill a middle undead warrior?"
Sanot answered, "Three or four." I was shocked—such strength required so many.
The seventeenth floor was filled with high undead warriors. I raised my Holy Shield, drawing them in, then struck with a devastating blow. My mana drained, and we rested before the final riddle.
The eighteenth riddle:
"Do high undead warriors have human souls?"
Sanot began, "No—" but Yevna interrupted. "Yes."
The door opened. Suspicion flickered in Sanot's eyes. How could she know this so easily?
The boss chamber awaited. The Undead Magewar rose, cloaked in darkness.
I raised my Holy Shield. Clever unleashed Bloody Berserk. Alovent used Mighty Body. Sanot healed. Yevna slowed the boss with her strange skill.
But the Magewar was relentless. My shield shattered. Death loomed.
Luck twisted fate. Last Minute Luck activated. My Holy Path surged with clones of matter, each striking with damage. I unleashed multiple catastrophic Holy Slashes. The Magewar fell.
We claimed the Malovent Bracelet, then entered the treasure room. Demon coins and equipment filled the chest. We rejoiced.
I turned to Yevna. "You fought bravely. Thank you."
She smiled faintly.
The next day, outside the labyrinth, I released her. "Live freely, Yevna."
Her voice whispered in my mind through telepathy. The Demon King… Hero, he is dangerous for you. Be cautious.
Later, Bange discovered a new task:
Yevna Vexy — Necromancer. Works for anyone. Not trustworthy.
The party's eyes darkened. Suspicion grew.
Dransart's innocence shines, but Yevna's curse and hidden identity cast shadows. His companions whisper betrayal, and the labyrinth's victory may only be the beginning of greater trials.