Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 173

Chapter 173: Monster Hunter!
Yellow Sand’s gaze flickered over Cyan River and Blue Mountain with an unspoken critique clear in her eyes, a silent rebuke of the melee fighters’ rough condition. Despite their evident frustration, the two warriors had no retort. Such was the life of those who fought at close quarters.

Once gathered, Cyan River broke the silence. “From my observations, we’re currently on the first level of the labyrinth. The one from the bone altar has likely descended deeper. We need to make haste to the ninth level’s entrance before he does.”

“The entrances to deeper levels are generally centered within each labyrinth floor. However, be warned, the area around these entrances is typically dominated by the most formidable monsters of each level, known as labyrinth’s masters.”

She continued, the hint of a plan in her voice, “Encountering a labyrinth master isn’t entirely negative. They will also pose a significant obstacle to the ‘Hanged Man’ from the bone altar.”

“Follow me,” Yellow Sand commanded, pulling out a weathered map. “This is an old map of the labyrinth, but I believe the layout should remain largely unchanged.”

Without another word, she led the way eastward, urgency in her steps.

Ryan exchanged quick glances with the others, a mutual acknowledgment of the stakes at hand, then hurriedly followed Yellow Sand, racing against time toward the enigmatic depths below.

Half an hour into their descent, Ryan and his companions reached a small lake. At its center, a whirlpool churned ominously, the likely passage to the next level of the maze.

“That should be our way down,” Yellow Sabd murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

The group paused under the expansive shade of a nearby tree, surveying the scene. Ryan’s gaze sharpened as he noticed dark streaks marring the lake’s surface, blood and flesh bobbing in the water.

“The Labyrinth master here has been slain. It seems the Hanged Man has already progressed to the second floor,” Ryan concluded, his voice carrying a mix of respect and urgency for their unseen adversary.

“Let’s not waste more time,” Yellow Sand responded, stepping forward decisively. She crafted a path of ice across the lake’s surface, a considerate gesture for the melee fighters among them, easing their passage over the unstable water.

…

Meanwhile, the first wave of pirates and adventurers had also plunged into the depths of the underground maze. Lured by legends of untold riches, their initial excitement turned sour as they quickly learned the harsh realities of this subterranean world.

Initially, the thrill of encountering rare monsters had them jubilant. Outside, in the vast ocean, monster encounters were rare and rarely yielded the valuable kind they now found in abundance here. Each monster slain meant potential riches, either from the valuable materials harvested or the wealth they could fetch on the market.

However, their laughter soon faded. The first level of the Labyrinth teemed with monsters, often banding together in groups of three or four, making them a formidable force. Most of the pirates and adventurers were only of the second tier of strength, and while a single monster of their level was manageable, groups were overwhelming.

Only a few among them, those of the third tier, found themselves capable of handling these challenges with ease. The rest faced grim prospects, and after many casualties, a pattern emerged: the strongest delved deeper seeking greater challenges and treasures, while the less capable formed teams, chipping away at the monsters slowly but steadily.

…

Back with Ryan and his group, led adeptly by Yellow Sand, they descended swiftly through the maze’s levels, covering more than an hour per level. The absence of maze masters, all presumably slain by the Hanged Man, greatly expedited their journey.

Curiously, no monsters dared to intercept them. Green Tide, Cyan River, Blue Mountain, and even Yellow Sand were baffled by their unchallenged passage.

Only Ryan held the answer. The lingering “hunter’s aura” within him, a residue of his numerous conquests, radiated a primal warning to all creatures of the deep. It was this aura that cleared their path, instilling fear and ensuring an undisturbed passage as they pursued the depths of the underground maze.

Though Ryan had intentionally subdued his presence before joining forces with Yellow Sand, the residual traces of his formidable “hunter’s aura” still emanated a chilling effect that terrified the local monsters. As they delved deeper into the Dungeon Labyrinth, where the creatures became increasingly formidable and perceptive, the effect of this aura became more pronounced. Since the aura specifically targeted monstrous natures, not humans, Yellow Sand and the others remained blissfully unaware of its influence.

After a grueling ten-hour trek, Ryan and his team reached the precipice of the eighth floor.

The seventh level of the maze unfolded like a vast red wasteland devoid of any vegetation. A landscape of bizarre red rocks jutted from the barren ground, stark against the dim light filtering through from above. At the center of this desolation lay a small basin, surrounded by a cluster of massive boulders, within which the master of the seventh-level maze, a behemoth resembling a stone lizard, lay in wait. Its body, covered in a magma-like liquid, radiated an ominous glow, and even in repose, it towered nearly four meters high.

Concealed behind a large rock, the group paused to strategize.

“There are no signs of a struggle here. It looks like the ‘Hanged Man’ hasn’t made it this far yet,” Yellow Sand observed, a note of relief coloring her voice.

As they had ventured deeper, it had become clear that the Hanged Man had been systematically eliminating the masters of each level, likely guided by a map similar to Yellow Sand’s. Yet, his absence here was unexpected but welcomed.

“The spiritual energy emanating from the seventh-level master suggests it’s at the peak of the third tier,” Yellow Sand continued, scanning the formidable creature. “Given its monstrous nature, it’s likely even more powerful than a typical creature of its class.”

She turned to the group, her tone firm. “We need to stay vigilant for the Hanged Man’s potential ambush. Purple Wind, I want you on watch to ensure we aren’t taken by surprise.”

“The rest of us will tackle the maze master. I’ll lead, with Green Tide, Cyan River, and Blue Mountain in support.”

Green Tide, Cyan River, and Blue Mountain nodded in agreement, their trust in Yellow Sand was evident. They had all seen Purple Wind”s prowess at the Underground Rift firsthand.

Especially Cyan River, who remained baffled by Purple Wind’s rapid growth in power. Just days ago, he had been unable to best Purple Wind, and now, his colleague’s strength seemed almost beyond comprehension.

Together, the group readied themselves for what was likely to be one of their toughest encounters yet, each aware of the stakes involved not just in the battle with the maze master, but also in the overarching game of cat and mouse with the elusive Hanged Man.

In the end, Green Tide could only surmise that Purple Wind had concealed his true capabilities during their previous encounters. The notion that Purple Wind could have enhanced his skills so dramatically in such a brief span without ascending in rank was unfathomable to him.

To Blue Mountain, Cyan River, and Green Tide, Purple Wind now appeared as a formidable force, seemingly on par with Yellow Sand herself. Yellow Sand’s strategic decisions further cemented this perception, implicitly acknowledging Ryan’s equal standing in terms of strength.

“As for the master of the seventh level, it seems to be a fire-based entity,” Yellow Sand began, eyeing the distant, magma-like creature. “My abilities are particularly effective against such types, so I’ll take—”

Before she could finish, Ryan cut in, “Allow me to take this one.”

Yellow Sand’s brow furrowed slightly in surprise as she turned to face him. Ryan continued, “My spiritual perception isn’t sharp enough to detect the Hanged Man if he approaches. You, however, have a keen sense for such threats. It makes more sense for me to engage the Labyrinth’s master while you keep watch.”

After a moment’s consideration, Yellow Sand gave a slight nod, then voiced her concern, “Are you certain?”

Ryan, already moving towards the giant lizard, threw a confident glance over his shoulder, “Absolutely. Just be ready to back me up.”

Yellow Sand’s paused, taken aback by his assertiveness. She had expected a more cautious approach, especially given the formidable nature of their opponent, a Labyrinth master was no ordinary third-tier monster.

Undeterred by the surprised looks from his team, Ryan gripped his greatsword and strode boldly towards the creature. His confidence was not born of recklessness but of a unique insight, Ryan knew this monster’s type well.

“Do you understand the value of a ‘Monster Hunter’?” Ryan mused, a wry smile playing on his lips. He had never before confronted such a colossal beast in its true form, yet he felt an uncanny calm. Perhaps it was the many encounters that his travelling clone had with even greater monsters that steadied his nerves now.

His deliberate steps did not go unnoticed. The labyrinth master stirred, lifting its massive head. Black smoke billowed from its nostrils as it unleashed a deafening roar that echoed through the cavern, sending a shockwave of wind and debris scattering across the basin.

Ryan, undaunted, faced the monster head-on. As the beast roared, Ryan thrust forward, his movements precise. A blood-red spear, summoned from his will, shot through the air, piercing the monster’s hide.

“Is a loud voice really all you’ve got?” Ryan taunted, his voice cutting through the monster’s growls, setting the stage for a battle of epic proportions.