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A gigantic maze made of metal.

It was also the starting point of Neverland. A rippling gap in the space emerged as something revealed itself beyond the borders of the dungeon. It was a wolf draped in shadows. As the wolf entered, endless monsters glared at me with their bulging eyes.

‘Crap…’

Blue bones wielded swords and spears. This was indeed Area 1 of Neverland. I lunged beneath the shadows and took one down, slamming it to the ground, but the ruckus attracted even more attention.

[Steeleton]

[Height 1.81m] [Weight 199.7kg]

[Strength 324] [Agility 288] [Health 476]

I have no clue how much weight bones make up in a human body, but that is definitely abnormal. No, it’s not just a skeleton; it’s a Steelton.

‘High density metal.’

A monster crafted like an alloy. Especially impressive was its health of 476, showcasing an extraordinarily tough resilience.

‘The problem is.’

If there was just one, that’d be fine. It has high health and abnormal sturdiness, but as long as I have a way to take it down, it’s not impossible. But the real issue is their endless numbers.

‘Area 1: Death Fair.’

The original name for this section was Global Fair, but after it turned into a dungeon, the name of Area 1 became Fair Death.

‘Because.’

Of these endlessly swarming Steeltons. I bit into one of the flying swords with my transformation skill, but it didn’t catch fire that easily. I had no choice but to push them away and briefly concentrate.

‘…Nothing.’

Even after using detection, I didn’t sense any raid party nearby. It seems they’ve already broken through Area 1.

‘So at least to Area 2… Did Neverland open quicker than expected?’

Or maybe the raid party was just that strong. Seeing the Steeltons swarm towards me, Fairy activated her blink skill. The moment I slipped out of their encirclement, I created a foothold in mid-air.

I glanced back at the dungeon’s borders, but it looked like no hunters were in pursuit. I thought they might catch up.

‘Well, to be fair. Neverland isn’t that easy.’

This isn’t a dungeon you’d just waltz into. They don’t create large raid parties for nothing. Even an A-class hunter’s survival isn’t guaranteed. In fact, most likely not even in Area 1…

‘It’s obvious I’ll die here.’

Continuously hopping from one foothold to another, I pressed on.

‘No matter how much experience I gain, fighting them is just unfair.’

No, it’s madness. Not a single one of these monsters can be taken lightly, let alone engaging this many in battle. Plus, right now my top priority is to find the raid party. At that moment, the Steeltons bent their knees.

“…!”

They sprang up in unison. The maze was a hybrid dungeon with several meters high. Even with footholds, they weren’t that high. I kept hopping from foothold to foothold, dodging the leaping monsters. While avoiding arrows that came my way, I bit into one but didn’t break it.

‘Crap…’

The metals making up those creatures and arrows were of the same material. It was possible for me to devour them, though. Dozens of arrows flew toward me, colliding with the ceiling and falling down. The arrows fell right above the Steeltons’ heads—but since they were made of the same metal, they didn’t really inflict much damage.

My health included hardening, which represented my toughness and body’s resilience.

“…!”

—The Steeltons began to throw one another as if they were javelins, like they were bombs to each other, with strength over 300.

Even if they collided against the maze walls, they still extended their hands toward me. Even with my predictions, I couldn’t avoid the horrifying sight of arrows turning the entire maze into a blue hell.

If I didn’t move, I’d get caught. So, I jumped on top of them. I couldn’t avoid everything and, in the end, one of them grabbed my ankle. The Steelton’s hand squeezed my ankle with its mind-boggling strength of 324, like a press machine.

“…!”

Even though I triggered my transformation, the metal soldiers didn’t budge. Sure, I could melt them over time, but I don’t have that luxury right now. In the end, I had to cut myself free from the damn thing. Not the Steelton, but my ankle caught in its grip.

—When the spread of my abilities finally reached out, I swiftly hid in the ceiling. The darkness of the ceiling enveloped me, and I moved as swiftly and quietly as possible.

‘I won’t last long.’

Hiding in the shadows doesn’t make me invulnerable. Attacks that twist the terrain, or magic-power-based attacks would deal damage. However, this maze’s walls were made of the same metal as those monsters. It’d be one thing to break the floor, but smashing through the ceiling isn’t exactly easy.

And only one creature in this maze can do that.

‘The boss of the maze.’

Not the real boss, but considered one nonetheless. After running for a bit in the maze, it finally showed itself.

A particularly large Steelton. The Steel Giant, blocking my path through the center of the maze. The giant metal behemoth made the spacious maze look cramped. The instant it swung its gigantic club, I burst out of the shadows.

‘Strength 634…!’

Its agility and health weren’t that remarkable, but that sheer brute strength set it apart from the other Steeltons. Even though they’re made of the same metal, the club swung with that might would definitely collapse the ceiling.

“…!”

No choice left. I dashed out from the shadows and lunged at it. My ankle wasn’t fully healed yet, but it was gradually mending.

‘No time…!’

I had no idea how the raid party was doing, but the system claimed it would be annihilated. I had no luxury of time to fight this thing. I needed to find them as soon as possible.

—Even if I summoned a gust of wind, I wouldn’t be able to push back the Steel Giant, let alone a single Steelton. But when I explosively released the compressed wind, the situation changed. With the propulsion from the burst of compressed air, I sprinted ahead. Like a rocket being shot into the air. Dodging dozens of arrows and the giant’s blows as I moved forward. Further forward.

As I propelled myself through the explosive gust, I transformed my tentacle to temporarily create an ankle. The moment I jumped once more from the foothold, a thunderous noise erupted as the ceiling crashed down. This choice was indeed the right one.

“―――!”

But that didn’t mean it would give up.

A chilling presence. The metal giant crashing down the ceiling stomped over the Steeltons and charged at me. The crushed Steeltons pushed the metal giant forward like it was all good. Their united resolve was terrifying.

Sticking right on my tail, even though I created a tentacle for an ankle, it wasn’t my real foot. The speed of my sprinting was nowhere close to full power. If things were normal, I could have flung them off my trail, but without my ankle fully healed, it’s tough.

Not to mention, there was the annoying penalty of dodging Steeltons throwing each other and the rain of arrows!

Eventually, the distance closed in. I assumed the creature had jumped into the air with the intention to tackle me, and just before its colossal hand enveloped me—

“Fairy!”

“Kyuwoooot!”

Thanks to Fairy’s blink, I just managed to escape. The one that leaped at me tumbled onto the maze floor, and finally, the enormous door signaling the end of the maze appeared.

“―――!”

The fallen metal giant. The collapsed Steeltons entangled beneath it crumbled apart. Yet the Steel Giant still wouldn’t give up. Without a moment’s hesitation, it grasped a Steelton tightly and tossed it with full force—!

‘…I was waiting for this!’

I was actually wishing for it to throw. The throw was blurring fast, but compared to the Sonic Eagle I saw in the inverted skyscraper, it was almost a yawn in slow-mo. Reflexes and intuition kicked in. I read the direction of the Steelton it tossed and promptly moved out of its path. Amidst the shower of dozens of arrows, I summoned yet another gust, exploding it from my toes.

“Kyuwoooot…!”

The moment I caught Fairy, who nearly flew off due to the strong wind, the Steelton thrown by the metal giant met the massive door of the maze with a thunderous crash.

‘That’s it!’

634. The impact from colliding with the absurdly tough Steelton sent the door flying open. Normally, there’s no way to open the maze door without possessing strength equivalent to an A-class or defeating the Steel Giant. Either way, that method was impossible for me. That’s why I’ve been hoping to rely on its throw.

‘Success.’

As I dashed forward with the gale’s propulsion, my ankle finally healed. I discarded the cumbersome tentacle, created a foothold in mid-air, and leaped with full power. Dozens of arrows were simultaneously released, and amidst the terrifying shower headed my way, I barely squeezed through the closing gap of the door.

“…….”

As I gasped for breath, just a beat later, dozens of arrows thudded against the maze door. I took a deep breath and calmed myself down. Somehow, I managed to flee, but I was utterly drained and exhausted. I could think of the Steel Giant having opened the door for me—I might consider that luck, but escaping the maze was no mere stroke of fortune.

‘…The truth is.’

It’s true that you can’t open it without brute force equivalent to A-class or defeating the Steel Giant. Yet, with Fairy’s blink, I could have gotten through regardless. I was always prepared for contingencies. I must have done simulations for Neverland countless times. Just like how to conquer this dungeon. How I could clear it. Yet even if I tried wringing my brain for ideas, without the capabilities to support it, there’s no way through. Neverland is not that forgiving.

‘…The maze is a headache, but.’

The way to escape is simple. Given the situation, I can use it—but whatever path I take, I just need to reach Area 2.

‘I just need to follow the path I’ve already passed.’

I have a good sense of smell. If I follow the scent of the paths the raid party has already taken, I should be able to avoid getting lost.

“Kyuwoooot!”

Wrapping Fairy, who was still dazed from the speed, in the shadows and tentacles, for this time, I couldn’t help but think about bringing her into Neverland.

‘But I definitely need her blink.’

Fairy’s assistance in this dungeon is absolutely essential. In reality, if I hadn’t had Fairy, I might have collapsed without escaping the maze. Bringing her along was the best decision ever.

“Kyuwoooot…?”

I gently patted the confused Fairy and quickened my pace. I’d only just left the first section. There’s still a long way to go.

—Thus, the wolf and the young dragon, having breached the first section of the maze in Area 1, began to navigate through the second section, the labyrinth.

 

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