REMANTIA'S LABYRINTH, SIXTY-THIRD FLOOR
Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, Pinna, Salacia, Manas, and I explore the sixty-third floor with our new member, Lilith, who joins us for the first time.
The front remains the same as Manas and Yomogi walk side by side with Pinna's Observer Unit floating between them. Behind them, Chantal still walks in between the front and mid lines. However, there is a change in the middle line as Lilith joins Kimberly and Pinna, walking side by side with the latter's Crawler Unit slithering on the ground between them. And finally, there is me in the rear with Salacia as usual.
Again, before Lilith came in, we were still encountering old monsters from the labyrinth's "loop" mechanic. After the Fall Legumes on the fifty-sixth floor, the next monsters we defeated were Wallynuts with their rare walnut drops, Wet Sedges, Bitter Gliders, Moss Mounts, Weeny Rhinos, and Lethal Lotuses with their root drops. Those are monsters from floors 25-30, and they returned to floors 57-62.
And of course, everyone's wearing their usual outfits again. Yomogi with that loose bridal robe, Chantal in her barely-there bikini armor with a dagger on each hip, Kimberly with her halter dress, Pinna in that skintight bodysuit, Salacia with her seashell bikini, and Manas in her cheongsam-style dress as she holds that big ass pavise shield as usual. Finally, Lilith rounds up with wearing the same outfit as our faithful night in Qualtnok's brothel... a glossy, all-black ensemble of a strapless dress, long gloves, thigh-high stockings, and heels, and of course, her glasses are still on.
Then, Chantal suddenly stops in our tracks, and her ears twitch as Manas turns back to her.
"What dost thou detect, Chantal?"
"I hear quacking. Really noisy."
And I lean forward toward Pinna's back for confirmation.
"Jet Ducks?"
"Confirmed. Seven entities. Altitude: Low. Species: Jet Ducks."
"As I thought."
Yup, they've returned from the thirty-first floor, so I guess we should welcome them properly. And since their rare items are their meats that everyone likes, I also know what to do.
Without hesitation, I silently activate [Temporary Boost] and set all our stats to infinity. And just like that, seven Jet Ducks burst into view and immediately lunged toward us.
"Quack...!" "Quack...!" "Quack...!" "Quack...!"
Then, Manas's voice suddenly rings out.
"Stand thou behind me, all of thee."
We instinctively obey and form in line behind her. However, Lilith lifts a single hand, giggling softly.
"Fufufu~... I'll handle these, okay~?"
Surprisingly, she doesn't chant and just smiles toward the rushing ducks instead.
"Now, now… be good ducklings for me, won't you~?"
Before Manas's shield even meets an impact, the ducks shift midair. Their straight-line assault dissolves into circles, crashing turns. They flap erratically and quack louder at each other like it's a disoriented, feathery tornado.
"Quack...!" "Quack...!" "Quack...!" "Quack...!"
And I can only stare, as Yomogi, Chantal, and Kimberly are equally dumbfounded.
"Huh?"
"They're flying weird, like they're… confused?"
"Uh… Lilith, they ain't gonna attack now?"
"So this is... succubi's illusion..."
Pinna analyzes the situation as usual.
"The Jet Ducks' cognitive state has entered a disoriented feedback loop. Their mental awareness has been fractured. They currently identify each other as hostiles. Aggression redirected. Vulnerability: maximum."
Meanwhile, Salacia and Manas are impressed.
"That was incredible, Lilith~!"
"Such… is the wily art of the succubi. I am not… surprised."
Lilith chuckles, lowering her hand.
"Thank you~..."
Then, she asks something that pulls everyone back into motion.
"Now then... do we just sit back and enjoy the show, or would you like to finish them off?"
With that, we charge forward.
"Haaahh!"
"Quack...!"
Yomogi simply kicks one duck upwards, slamming it into the ceiling.
"Shut up already!"
"Quack...!"
Chantal draws both daggers, and with two quick flicks, two ducks lose their heads mid-air.
"Away with thee!"
"Quack...!"
Even Manas also joins as she swings her shield, sending the fourth duck into the wall.
"Take this! Now this! And this!"
Finally, I slash the last three with Yamitsuki, and all three drop in sequence. And just like that, we get their meat drops thanks to our infinite Luck and our new member, Lilith. As the girls gather the meat, I curiously ask Lilith.
"You didn't even chant. How was that possible?"
And she just giggles as she pushes her glasses up.
"Fufufu~... honey, does illusion have form to begin with?"
"Ah, yeah... you're right."
That makes sense.
Magic starts with choosing an element, then shaping it through imagination. Take Kimberly's Wind Boomerang, or Manas's Fire Stratos, or my Earth Bullet for example.
However, illusion is different. It doesn't exist in the way other Dark element spells do because it's a negative status. And because it's a mental disruption, the caster doesn't form a shape, but they implant an effect. Like Lilith did just now, planting the idea that each duck was the enemy because only illusionists like her know exactly what kind of disorder they're applying.
And I can't help but praise her for that.
"You were amazing, Lilith."
"Ohh~... such flattery already! I love it, honey~..."
"Hahaha…"
As we advance forward, more Jet Ducks ambush us, but the pattern becomes almost routine.
"Now now, handsome duckies… don't be hasty~..."
"Haaahh!"
"Let's go! Let's go!"
"Take this!"
"Wind… Blade…"
"Quack...!" "Quack...!" "Quack...!"
The ducks rush us in waves, and Lilith spirals them all into madness with her sweet nothings whispers. Yomogi, Chantal, and I finish them up as Kimberly also joins us with her Wind Blade spells. And of course, we don't forget to collect their meat.
Eventually, we reach the boss area, and I turn to the girls.
"Ready?"
"Yes!"
And with their unified voice, we step inside together.
REMANTIA'S LABYRINTH, SIXTY-THIRD FLOOR - BOSS AREA
Arriving inside, a familiar feminine figure is already waiting for us, although it's not the same one either because it isn't made out of granite but something like a darker stone.
So, I ask Kimberly for confirmation.
"Hey, Kimberly... is that a Dark Ushabti?"
But Kimberly shakes her head this time.
"No… Motegi-sama… that's called… an Ushabti Witch…"
Ushabti Witch?
"So it still nullifies magic?"
"Its ability… isn't just nullification…"
"What do you mean?"
"Whenever any attack… physical or magical… fails to damage… it… it will create… a shadow clone… of itself. The more... failed attempts… the more... copies it will... summon…"
"I see..."
Ushabti appeared as the boss in the fifteenth boss, to be exact. The drop item was granite, which I used to make the masonry goods in my store and for all my house's floors and tiles. And now, she's returned in this evolved form.
"What's the drop this time?"
"It drops... basalt, Motegi-sama..."
"Basalt?"
Okay, now my [Lapidary] skill will be thrilled. I'll be replacing every standard basalt paver in the masonry section with this one, absolutely.
Then, Lilith coos and steps lightly past me.
"Oh~ so that monster uses illusion too? How clever~…"
She lifts her gloved hand lazily, facing the Ushabti Witch directly.
"Well then, I won't lose to a rock like you~..."
But then, neither of them moves, like a frozen standoff. I notice a subtle crease between Lilith's brows before this thing happens...
CRACK!
A sharp fissure snakes down the monster's surface as Lilith lowers her hands and exhales slowly.
"Fufufu~... looks like it's working~..."
"What did you just do?"
"Well~... just playing a little mind game with it. It was a tough one, you know~? It resisted more than I expected. But I've got it trapped for now. The illusion won't hold long though, so we'll need to finish it fast, honey."
"Got it."
Without hesitation, I silently activate [Elemental Combo]. On my left hand, I merge Water and Wind elements, forming a ball of Ice element. On my right, Fire and Earth elements twist into a ball of Lava element. Then, I turn my back and playfully ask three girls who knows this trick.
"Yomogi. Chantal. Kimberly. Still remember how to quickly break a rock?"
"I remember, Motegi-chan!"
"Of course I do! Let's go, Motegi-kun!"
"Yes… I recall it well, Motegi-sama…"
Yeah, it's been a long time since I've used this skill. In fact, the last time was exactly during the first Ushabti battle. And now, here I am again, facing its Witch version.
Behind me, I catch Manas and Salacia's voices in breathless murmurs.
"Nay… 'tis beyond reason. How dost he merge elements and conjure something new…?"
"So this… this is Darling's power. It's more incredible than I ever imagined…"
After that, I throw the Ice ball first, freezing the Ushabti. Before it can react, I hurl the Lava ball, melting the fissures. And thanks to the damage Lilith's illusion already seeded, I don't even need to finish with Yamitsuki...
CRACK!!
Because the Ushabti Witch itself already explodes into black dust and drops a chunk of basalt in an instant.
Then, everyone approaches me.
"Motegi-chan, that was amazing!"
"I can't believe that same move still works! That's crazy, Motegi-kun!"
"As expected… of you, Motegi-sama…"
"Your method of elemental sequencing is extraordinary. A back-to-back freeze-heat disruption targeting molecular integrity is flawless. Master, your application of thermal stress is both elegant and efficient. My evaluation: genius."
"Thanks, everyone."
Then, I turn to Lilith and smile.
"It was all thanks to Lilith's illusion, honestly."
"Fufufu... you're welcome, honey..."
And then, we continue to move forward.
REMANTIA'S LABYRINTH, SIXTY-FOURTH FLOOR
As we step onto the sixty-fourth floor, I can't help but think again. With the Jet Ducks down and the Ushabti Witch defeated, that means we've officially cleared the seven-monster floors, which were from forty-eight to sixty-three. And starting from here, from the sixty-fourth floor onward, we'll face eight monsters per floor. If it follows the same rhythm, that will continue until we reach floor eighty.
And this is when things get interesting. Because Kimberly said the loop would happen twice, floors sixty-four to sixty-seven are the tail end of the first loop and will feature the last four monsters from floors thirty-two to thirty-five. After that, the second loop will begin from the sixty-eighth floor.
Then, just as I expected, the monsters on this floor are Mile Chamos, reappearing from the thirty-second floor, and there are eight of them this time. And since their rare items are dried flowers that everyone likes for tea, I also have set all our stats to infinity with [Temporary Boost].
Before the flowers puff their poisonous pollens, Lilith lifts her hand and coos sweetly for another illusion.
"Now, now… calm down, you sweet things. No need to get angry~."
Instantly, all eight Mile Chamos wilt. Their stalks wobble, petals drooping as if hypnotized. And Lilith glances back with a wink.
"Done. They're all yours now, everyone~..."
We all nod as Kimberly and I turn to each other knowingly, then we raise our hands together.
"Wind Cannon!"
"Wind… Cannon…"
Each one punches through two scarabs mid-flight, four total, sending cracked shells and shredded wings spiraling through the air.
"Rrrraaaahh!"
Yomogi charges in with a growl, slamming a brutal uppercut into the fifth flower and sending it against the ceiling.
"Thanks, Lilith!"
Chantal rushes past us, slicing two more with twin dagger arcs.
"Engage."
BOOM!
And Pinna's Crawler Unit fires an explosive marble that detonates the last flower.
Just like that, we collect the drops and continue forward, defeating more Mile Chamos and gathering more dried flowers until we descend to the sixty-fifth floor.
REMANTIA'S LABYRINTH, THIRTY-FIFTH FLOOR
Arriving here, more returning monsters appear, and they're Super Scarabs this time, which are from the thirty-third floor.
Before anyone reacts, Lilith steps back with a pleased hum and smile, exhaling long and lazily.
"Mmm~ I think I'll sit this one out. You all look like you've got it covered~..."
And in an instant, Manas laughs proudly and raises her hand.
"Mwahaha! At last! Mine actions have been few this day. Stand aside, I shall unleash my full ardor!"
And then...
"Fire Stratos!"
Pillars of flame burst upward in layered sheets, engulfing four flowers.
"Mine king! Kimberly! Let us smite the rest!"
"Got it."
"Understood…"
Kimberly and I lift our hands together.
"Wind Cyclone!"
"Wind… Cyclone…"
Twin vortexes twist through the scorched remains, each snaring two flowers. Their bodies tear apart inside the spiraling winds until nothing remains but drifting flecks.
Then, Pinna's Crawler Unit Two launches two glowing wires that lash forward and clamp onto the last four scarabs midair, dragging them straight into Yomogi and Chantal's kill zone.
"Yomogi, Chantal. Engage."
"Got it! Grrraahh!!"
Yomogi growls first as she slams her fists into two scarabs mid-drop, and both shoot up into the ceiling.
"Come, come, come... here you go!"
Chantal excitedly waits for the scarabs to reach her before slicing them cleanly apart.
After that, we reach forward to collect the drop items, grabbing their small, glimmering wings. But then, I see Salacia finally tending to someone's injuries for the first time this day, and it's Chantal this time, as she got a small cut near her wrist from the scarabs' sharp wings.
"Heal."
Salacia grabs Chantal's wrist with both hands and lifts her own hand closer to Chantal's wound, casting the Heal spell as she frowns with exaggerated worry.
"How did you get hurt like this, Chantal~?"
"Ahaha… sorry, maybe I got too excited."
In an instant, Chantal's wound is closed, and she flexes her fingers.
"Thanks, Salacia!"
"You're welcome, Chantal~..."
And just like that, we continue forward, defeating more Super Scarabs and gathering more wings until we descend to the sixty-sixth floor and teleport home from there.
MOTEGI'S HOUSE, REMANTIA
After we got back from the labyrinth, we all gathered around the table for dinner, and I made curry this time. But since I've already done the Indian version more than enough times, I went for the Japanese version this time. And instead of chicken, I used the Jet Duck meat we'd just collected earlier.
And yes, everyone likes it.
"Mmm... this one is delicious too, Motegi-chan!"
"It tastes different than the usual one... but still pretty good!"
"It's milder… and filled... with vegetables... than before…"
"Mmh~... it's sooo delicious, darling! I love this~!"
"Hmm… though I still doth prefer the spiced variant for its fiery bite… this gentle concoction is not without merit, mine king."
"Flavor profile: savory, mildly sweet. Spice intensity: low. Texture: softened tubers and moist Jet Duck protein. Nutritional value: balanced for post-exertion consumption. Overall assessment: satisfactory."
Even Lilith lets out a sultry hum as she curiously points at her plate through her bite.
"Honey, what's this soft, squishy cube~...?"
"That's called potatoes, and they're from the garden."
"They're sooo soft… I've never tasted anything like this before~!"
"Kyuu!"
Puck chirps delightfully from its little plate on the table, where I've served it bite-sized portions of potato, duck meat, and carrot, without curry sauce.
"You like it, Puck?"
"Kyuu!"
"Good to know that."
I finally take my own bite, savoring the warmth in my mouth as I chew. The Jet Duck blends surprisingly well with the mellow curry roux, and the vegetables melt just right.
"Yup, it really does taste like the curry back home..."
And just like that, all of us share another warm, cozy dinner together like we always do.