Until finally, through the Great Road, El arrived at the entrance gate of the Great Labyrinth of Orcus. All around him, people were passing by, creating an atmosphere of bustle and activity.
Some of them stepped inside with determined expressions, ready to face the challenges within the maze.
Meanwhile, others came out with exhausted faces, some even carrying wounds as proof of their struggle.
When most people hear the word maze, they probably imagine a dark and creepy entrance, filled with an aura of mystery and danger.
However, in reality, the entrance to the Great Labyrinth of Orcus looks more like a museum entrance.
Even so, these are all deceptive appearances. Behind the neat and controlled facade, the labyrinth held deadly dangers ready to swallow anyone who entered unprepared.
El stared at the entrance of the Orcus Labyrinth with a calm expression, but his mind was filled with considerations.
He recalled that an important turning point that would change the fate of the main character, Hajime Nagumo, in this world, an event that would hone him into a stronger person, happened here.
In addition, El also knew that a vampire queen, Yue whose real name was Aletia Galdea Vesperitio Avatarl was trapped inside this labyrinth, the True Labyrinth Floor.
"Should I help Yue?" thought El for a moment before finally discarding the idea. "You shouldn't. I've had enough of Seitenshi and my two daughters sucking my blood."
El sighed softly. "Besides, why add to the problem? Adding girls just adds to the problem." he muttered to himself in a serious tone.
However, before entering the maze, El decided to find out more information about the Hero Party.
El just wanted to confirm the truth of the rumors, so El stepped up to one of the people who had just come out of the Labyrinth with a somewhat tired expression.
With a friendly expression and polite demeanor, similar to Tanjiro's when starting a conversation with a new person, El stepped up to one of the two Adventurers who had just come out of the Maze with a somewhat tired expression.
Without hesitation, El displayed a genuine smile and a gaze full of sincerity before asking his question. "Excuse me, I'm sorry if I'm interrupting, but I wanted to ask you something."
The man stopped walking and frowned, a little surprised by the way of speaking of the slender man with long black hair who wore unusual clothes but showed a politeness that was rarely encountered.
Nevertheless, El's androgynous face with a slight feminine tendency made the guard confused about his gender.
If in the Battle Through of Heaven and Reincarnation Room El's appearance was normal due to diversity, then it seemed to be a different story in this Tortus World.
However, instead of making an issue of it, the man was more focused on the friendly attitude El showed.
"Why is this young man asking that..." muttered the man, while glancing at the companion on the other side. "You want to ask about the Hero Party?"
El gave a small nod before continuing, his voice still friendly. "Yes, I heard there's a Hero Party in this place. Have they entered the Orcus Labyrinth yet?"
His companion, a man with a slimmer stature, sighed and scratched the side of his helmet with a thoughtful expression. "Hmm... if I'm not mistaken, they did enter some time ago."
He glanced at the large guard before continuing. "They came in quite prominently, accompanied by several elite soldiers and a veteran."
The big man nodded in agreement. "But we don't know if they're still inside or have gone out."
El nodded attentively, displaying a worried expression that seemed so natural, as if he really cared.
However, underneath it all, his expression was just part of his impeccable acting.
The abnormal coach Yuri had given him paid off handsomely, despite going through some hell that tore at his pride as a normal man.
"I see... This maze is very dangerous, isn't it? Do you know what condition they're in?" asked El in a concerned tone.
The big man chuckled, folding his arms across his chest. "You sound like an older brother who's worried about his younger siblings. Do you know them?"
El smiled awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck in a typical gesture, just like Tanjiro when confused. "Ahaha, not a direct acquaintance, really..."
"But they are great people who are trusted by the kingdom." El said pretending to dispel the awkwardness.
El's gaze softened slightly, his voice filled with sincerity. "If they're in danger, shouldn't there be someone to help them?"
The slender man looked at El with a slightly serious expression. "You look like an innocent child, but don't underestimate the Labyrinth of Orcus."
In a tone full of warning, the man continued, "If you really care, it's better to be careful. Even seasoned adventurers can lose their lives inside."
El raised both hands, clenching his fists vigorously, his eyes shining with determination.
"Thank you for the warning! I'll be careful. I just want to make sure they're okay."
The large guard chuckled, while keeping his arms crossed in front of his chest. "Haha, you're really strange. If all adventurers had hearts like this, the world would be more peaceful."
El chuckled, then bowed respectfully to the guards. "Thank you for your time!" said El before stepping into the Orcus Labyrinth, carrying an even stronger determination.
In the next second, the Rinnegan reactivated. As soon as El stepped into the labyrinth, his figure vanished, like the ripples of the moon disappearing on the surface of clear, calm water.
"Oh, yes," the slender man looked back. "If you want to explore the Labyrinth, I suggest only going up to the 10th floor- Huh? Where's that he?"
The big man also turned his head, looking for the whereabouts of El who had suddenly disappeared. "Yes... Where is he?"
***
Meanwhile, in the deepest chamber of the Orcus Labyrinth, a golden throne stood firmly in the center of a vast hall, spanning crystal pillars yet eerily silent.
On it, a man sat with his eyes closed, presenting a figure that was both graceful and intimidating.
His silvery white hair was quite long and slightly messy, giving off an impression that was both wild, elegant and fierce.
The man's body was clad in shimmering gold and black battle robes, showing his status as an outstanding warrior.
On his back, a fiery red robe fluttered, resembling the flames of a blazing sun, further amplifying his majestic and unwavering aura.
That man was Karna, the Son of the Sun God, the guardian who seemed to have been waiting for more than a century.
Around him, streams of magical energy rippled softly, vibrating the air with a majestic presence.
A giant Hydra lay near the throne, its body coiled neatly, while its heads slept peacefully.
Its heavy breathing sounded regular, creating a rhythm that dominated the silence in the room.
This monstrous creature was the boss of the Labyrinth of Orcus, a ruler who once struck terror into anyone who dared enter his territory.
However, all that had changed, now, it was nothing more than a loyal pet, long tamed by Karna.
Inside the vast boss area, the silence was thick, as if time had stopped flowing. The air was filled with an aura of deep pressure, making the atmosphere even more heavy and suffocating.
Then, in an instant, the silence that seemed to last for a century was suddenly broken.
Pulse.
Karna's red iris eyes opened slowly.
At first glance, nothing seemed to have changed. The room remained silent, and the Hydra beside him was still asleep. Yet, Karna could feel something, a presence slowly approaching.
Something he had been waiting for for a long time. Something that became his ultimate goal in this Tortus World.
Pulse.
Karna's chest trembled lightly.
A faint bluish-purple light began to glow behind his body, emitting a calm yet powerful aura. The glow was soft, but had a depth that seemed to penetrate the surrounding reality.
The energy resonated within his soul, as if resonating with something greater. The spiritual vibrations it generated felt tangible, like a call coming from a destiny that had long been waiting to be fulfilled.
Pulse.
His eyelids narrowed, his lips curled slightly upwards. He raised one hand and felt the throbbing more deeply.
"So... you finally came," Karna murmured softly, his calm voice echoing in the vast hall.
The hydra at his side slowly opened its eyes, its thick lids lifting, revealing red pupils that glistened in the darkness. One of its heads was raised high, its hard scales rustling as it moved.
Its glowing reddish eyes stared at Karna in confusion. As a creature that had been at her side for so long, the Hydra could sense a change in the atmosphere, something different had happened.
Karna stood up from his throne, his aura slowly rising, making the entire labyrinth tremble. The long-awaited destiny was finally about to move.
"My guard is about to end... and my last duty as an examiner is about to begin."
Karna slowly raised his head, his sharp eyes staring up at the ceiling of the maze boss room. His expression remained calm, but there was a determination in his eyes, as if sensing something approaching.
No matter how far away the figure was now, he knew with certainty, that person would come. And with every second that passed, the distance between them grew thinner.