บท 100: [100] The Nine-Headed Trial
The final chamber on the seventh floor of the Teleport Labyrinth was bathed in a dim blue light emanating from an enormous mana crystal that towered in the center of the room. The crystal's glow reflected off the emerald scales of a monstrous creature resting beneath it—a Manatite Hydra. With nine towering heads and a body twice the size of a standard Red Dragon, the creature exuded a menacing aura even in its slumber.
Billy and Levi crouched behind one of the massive stone pillars lining the chamber, their breaths shallow as they studied the beast.
"Damn," Levi muttered, his sharp eyes fixed on the slight movements of the Hydra's heads, which twitched as if alert even in sleep. "Is that the monster Master told us about? A nine-headed Hydra?"
Billy, squatting beside him, stared at the creature with a mix of awe and dread. "If this is a Hydra, it's the deluxe edition. Master told us about the one from Heracles' legend, but this thing… it's on another level. Look at those emerald scales—they're like living armor."
His gaze shifted to the colossal mana crystal at the room's center. "And I'd bet my last coin that crystal is the source of its regeneration. Think we can destroy it?"
Levi shook his head slightly, his eyes scanning the chamber. "That crystal might be the core of this entire labyrinth. If we destroy it, the whole place could collapse with us inside."
Billy sighed, recognizing the logic. "So, our only way out of here is taking that thing down."
Levi narrowed his eyes, observing the slow, rhythmic movement of the Hydra's heads. "It's intelligent. If we attack recklessly, we're dead."
Billy gave a small, wry smile, his attempt at lightening the mood belied by the tension in his voice. "The good news is, I've got weapons. The bad news? They're not enough to chop off nine heads and burn them all at once."
Levi shot him a sidelong glance, his expression steady. "For now, we retreat. We'll regroup on the sixth floor and come up with a plan. There's no point rushing in without a strategy."
Back on the sixth floor, the oppressive atmosphere of the seventh seemed to lift slightly. The red mana crystals that once felt ominous now seemed almost welcoming compared to the deadly trial that awaited them above.
Billy slumped against the wall, exhaling loudly. "Phew… that's definitely the labyrinth's boss. I thought we'd be dealing with some big monster, not a nine-headed fire-breathing lizard with regeneration."
Levi sat cross-legged on the floor, closing his eyes briefly to compose himself. "We need a strategy. That Hydra is far too powerful for a straightforward fight."
Billy began pulling items from his sub-space ring—magic grenades, mechanical traps, and a small vial of what appeared to be a volatile liquid. "This is everything I've got. These grenades can blow off a head, but only one per explosion. And this liquid? It's a special oil that makes fire burn hotter and longer. But… it's not enough."
Levi opened his eyes, inspecting the tools with a critical gaze. "We'll need to combine our resources. Your grenades to destroy the heads, the oil to ensure the wounds burn and stop regeneration. I'll focus on cutting down the remaining heads."
Billy scratched his chin thoughtfully. "The problem is the numbers. That thing's got nine heads, and we've only got two hands each. We need to make sure no head escapes our attack."
Levi's eyes sharpened as he considered their options. "We'll need a decoy. Something to draw its attention while we target the heads."
Billy's grin returned as an idea sparked in his mind. "A decoy, huh? I can build a mechanical lure—a small golem powered by a mana crystal. It'll look like prey and keep the Hydra distracted long enough for us to strike."
Levi allowed a faint smile. "Not a bad idea. Just make sure it's durable enough to hold all nine heads' attention."
Billy patted his chest confidently. "Leave it to me. Give me an hour, and I'll build the best decoy you've ever seen."
An hour later, Billy revealed his creation: a small, humanoid golem equipped with a crude set of armor and a mana crystal embedded in its chest, glowing brightly.
"What do you think?" Billy asked, grinning as he presented his work. "I call it 'Billy Bot.'"
Levi gave the golem a flat look. "Terrible name. But I'll take it if it works."
Billy chuckled, loading his magic grenades and fire oil into a pouch. "Alright, here's the plan. We'll place Billy Bot in the center of the chamber to draw the Hydra's attention. While it's focused on the decoy, you and I will attack the heads. You cut, I burn. If any heads escape, we'll improvise."
Levi nodded, standing and adjusting his sword. "We'll need to move fast. If its regeneration outpaces our attacks, we lose."
Billy spun his pistols with a flourish, grinning. "Fast and deadly. That's our motto, right?"
Levi sheathed his sword, his tone dry. "Our motto is staying alive."
Billy laughed as he led the way back to the seventh floor.
At the entrance to the massive chamber, Billy and Levi crouched once again, watching the Hydra as it slumbered under the faint glow of the mana crystal. Its nine heads twitched occasionally, a chilling reminder of its ever-present awareness.
Billy activated Billy Bot, the golem whirring to life with a faint mechanical hum. It walked into the room, its glowing mana crystal illuminating the way.
One by one, the Hydra's heads began to rise, each one locking onto the golem as a low, guttural growl filled the chamber.
"This is it," Billy whispered.
Levi unsheathed Leviathana, his sharp gaze fixed on the monster. "Let's finish this."
With that, they charged into the chamber, ready to face the deadliest foe of their lives and bring the labyrinth's trial to its end.
---
The battle in the massive seventh-floor chamber of the Teleport Labyrinth raged with unrelenting intensity. The Manatite Hydra, its nine heads snapping and lunging in all directions, moved with alarming agility despite its colossal size. Every jaw, lined with razor-sharp teeth, sought to crush anything within reach, forcing Billy and Levi into a perfectly coordinated dance of survival and attack.
Billy launched Billy Bot into the center of the room. The small golem emitted a brilliant light from the mana crystal embedded in its chest, immediately catching the attention of four of the Hydra's heads.
WHOOOSH!
Flames burst forth from one of the Hydra's mouths, engulfing the golem in a torrent of searing heat. Yet Billy Bot remained standing, designed to withstand extreme temperatures.
"Perfect!" Billy shouted, darting out from cover. He raised Pollux and Castor, firing enchanted rounds at one of the Hydra's distracted heads.
BANG! BANG!
The bullets struck the emerald scales, but instead of penetrating, they ricocheted harmlessly off the dense armor.
"Damn it! Those scales are too tough!" Billy yelled, frustration creeping into his voice.
Levi, positioned on the opposite side of the room, surged forward with Leviathana in hand. "Leave it to me!"
CLANG! SWOOSH!
The glowing blade slashed deep into another of the Hydra's necks, leaving a jagged wound. The beast roared in pain, the sound reverberating through the chamber and shaking the crystals embedded in the walls.
GRRAAAAHH!
The Hydra retaliated, its nine heads moving as one to trap Levi and Billy in a coordinated attack.
THUD! CRASH!
Jaws slammed into the stone floor, sending cracks spidering out in all directions. Billy narrowly avoided the strike with a nimble backflip, landing in a crouch.
"This is insane!" he shouted, swapping out his ammunition.
Levi sidestepped another fiery blast as the Hydra's breath scorched the walls, turning the once-blue light into a vivid orange glow. Using the distraction, Levi leaped forward, aiming for the base of one of its necks.
SWISH! SLASH!
With a precise strike, Levi severed one of the Hydra's heads. Blood sprayed across the floor as the head tumbled lifelessly to the ground.
But before he could celebrate, the Hydra's stump pulsed and writhed.
GLOOP! CRACK!
In mere seconds, a new head sprouted, larger and more menacing than before.
"That regeneration is ridiculous!" Levi growled.
From across the room, Billy tossed him a small vial filled with shimmering oil. "Burn it! Cut first, then burn the wound before it regenerates!"
Levi caught the vial midair, nodding. "Got it!"
The two adjusted their strategy. Each time Levi severed a head with Leviathana, Billy followed up with a magic grenade filled with the enchanted oil.
BOOM! WHOOSH!
The oil ignited on contact, the flames scorching the Hydra's flesh and sealing the wounds, preventing regeneration. The severed heads lay motionless on the ground, finally defeated.
However, the Hydra was quick to adapt. Three of its heads coordinated an attack on Levi, forcing him to backpedal. Billy dashed forward, firing enchanted rounds to divert their attention.
BANG! BANG! THUD!
One of the heads turned on Billy, its jaws snapping shut inches from his face.
"I need something bigger!" Billy shouted, narrowly dodging the attack.
Racing to the edge of the room, he accessed his sub-space ring and pulled out a massive anti-material rifle. The weapon, adorned with glowing runes along its barrel, hummed with latent magical energy.
Levi, locked in battle with the remaining heads, glanced at Billy in surprise. "What is that?"
Billy grinned as he loaded a single, oversized enchanted round into the chamber. "This? This is my ultimate weapon. Only one shot, so I can't afford to miss."
He knelt, bracing the rifle against his shoulder and stabilizing its weight.
"Levi! Buy me some time!" Billy called.
Levi nodded without hesitation, drawing the Hydra's attention. With precise movements, he severed another head while dodging and parrying the remaining three.
BANG! CLANG! WHOOSH!
Billy steadied his breathing, his sights locked on the two remaining heads. The glowing runes along the rifle's length flared brighter, charging the enchanted round with overwhelming energy.
"This is it," he whispered, finger tightening on the trigger.
BOOM!
The shot reverberated like thunder, sending a shockwave that rattled the entire chamber. The enchanted round tore through both of the Hydra's remaining heads with pinpoint accuracy, detonating in a burst of searing light and obliterating them into nothing but ash.
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