The Primal Hunter

Minaga had been pretty honest from the get-go when he talked about the floors after his city floor. They had indeed just been the same setup over and over again, with ever-increasing difficulty. The difficulty actually reached a level where Jake and the others had to get serious, especially in the final room of each floor, where at least one of the hardest options was hard-coded to always include a boss. At least Jake assumed it hard hard-coded as it was like that every time, and Minaga never denied that was the case.

One minor change was that all the labyrinths seemed shorter, or all had shortcuts in the form of traps you could activate to progress faster as well as more standard shortcuts. This included a few instances of walls that could be opened as well as illusory walls – these were Jake’s favorite as he didn’t notice the first one he saw in his sphere was even meant to be illusory before he laid eyes on it.

This was the only reason why Jake and company could keep their clear times of floor thirty-eight and thirty-nine below a full day on each, though it did get damn close on floor thirty-nine. Having to do nine rooms total was a bit taxing; no two ways about it.

Jake did also have to admit that they had gotten fortunate, though. Not lucky enough for him to think that Minaga was actively helping them, but lucky enough for him to feel lucky. More than half of the rooms had been combat rooms, and with a few bosses and collection rooms mixed in, they had just enough time. Helped a bit further along by liberally consuming potions between rooms so they never had to slow down. They also limited all chatter with Minaga to the labyrinths, where their speed was limited by the floor rules.

Anyway… with their success also came more experience than Jake had expected.

*’DING!’ Class: [Arcane Hunter of Horizon’s Edge] has reached level 220 - Stat points allocated, +50 Free Points*

*’DING!’ Race: [Human (C)] has reached level 223 - Stat points allocated, +45 Free Points*

*’DING!’ Class: [Arcane Hunter of Horizon’s Edge] has reached level 221 - Stat points allocated, +50 Free Points*

Jake would undoubtedly say that two levels in two days were damn good. It was definitely faster than alchemy could ever be unless he got epiphanies related to upgrading skills. The others had also all gained plenty.

Anyway, after the floors, they found themselves standing inside the in-between floor before it was time for the fortieth floor. They were not in a hurry, as they definitely needed to all be back in peak condition. Jake felt that the final floor would not be easy, and seeing them all relax, Minaga also swooped in to echo that sentiment.

“Remember to rest up well before the final floor of my labyrinth, alright? It’s gonna be quite an experience and will truly test you. The Demon Lord boss will look like a cakewalk in comparison; I can promise you that! Okay, maybe not a cakewalk, but definitely a far easier kind of walk than the walk you are about to walk into.”

“You know, I have quite a good idea of what we will face,” Jake smiled.

“Well, don’t spoil it for the others even if you do!” Minaga argued.

“Pretty sure they figured it out too.”

“In that case, let’s all act like none of you know, so please act surprised when you see the final challenge, alright?”

Jake threw a glance at his party members, and after getting a few shrugs, he agreed. “Sure, pal, you can have that.”

“Thanks, and see you soon! Who knows… maybe sooner than you think!”

Yeah, Minaga himself is definitely the final boss, Jake thought, smiling to himself. He would lie if he said he didn’t look forward to it. The Minaga that had appeared in all of the welcome rooms had been a level 275 Unique Lifeform, and if he was as powerful as the Fallen King would be at level 275… Jake was definitely not confident in winning alone.

Even with his party, it would be incredibly rough. Also, despite them all knowing they would face Minaga, they did have the problem of not knowing what he could actually do. Sure, he had teleported around a bunch with help from the dungeon, but he had shown none of his actual powers. The only clue was that he was some kind of mage with the name of the different difficulties and his whole demeanor and clothes. Also, being a dungeon master and mage just tended to go together, with Casper being an outlier.

As part of Jake’s final preparations, he also finally distributed the last 2400 stats he hadn’t placed anywhere yet from his Altmar Signet. Looking at his stat caps, he could get roughly 800 more Strength and 1100 Agility from the ring. That left him with 500 stats left to place, and after a bit of consideration, he put them into Endurance. Having more Endurance would allow him to endure his boosting skill better and even keep it active for longer. Besides, if he changed his mind later, he could just redistribute the stats.

Checking out the ring, he nodded.

Malefic Viper. This ring is made of an unknown but extremely energy-dense metal, with an unknown gem of immense power embedded in it. This ring was originally based on the Trial Signet design but has been further refined and improved to make a fitting gift for a Chosen. The first time the wielder equips the ring, they will become able to distribute the signet’s energy into whatever stats they desire. Distributing any of the stats will make the ring Soulbound. A brief recharge period is required

Requirements: Soulbound

and besides some potential improvements in equipment, they had no more optimization to do. They

to the Fortieth floor of Nevermore: The Grand

objective: Defeat the

Bonus objectives: N/A

progress: Final

Note: It’s the finale!

Current Nevermore Points: 42973

with everyone else. However, they did not have much time as an aura appeared in the middle of the large cathedral-like building they found themselves inside. The temperature of the place increased

–

kidding me,” Jake whispered under his breath as the Demon Lord fully manifested, and a spear

for you! Behold, I, the long-lost twin of Demon Lord Gubrothas, shall be your deaths! My name is Demon Lord Gobruthas, and today I will

the room exploded as a massive white pillar crashed through the roof, crushing the Demon Lord into paste. Everything shook as the pillar

was naturally Minaga

[Minaga – lvl 275]

of openings appeared on the pillar and walls of the room, all shooting out colorful

spotlight appeared, illuminating Minaga atop

TO THE

system message appeared

Event unlocked: True Ending

the true final boss of Minaga’s Labyrinth: its creator. Take heed, for this challenge surpasses all those you have

takes lethal damage will be teleported out of the boss room instead of dying. Should

Do not allow a single party member to be defeated

the message and frowned as he yelled at the Unique Lifeform before he could continue his introduction show.

get all that out of the way,” Minaga answered before continuing, the spotlight still on

the C-grade portion of Nevermore. Not a minor concession either. In order for balance to be reached, the system overlaid the condition on this challenge that you can’t die, only be defeated. In order words, if you are to take fatal damage from me, you won’t actually die but be teleported to jail! And if you all get jailed, you will have failed and be sent back to the in-between room, and things will look quite a bit different when you

as the system message said,” Jake nodded at Minaga repeating

Minaga smiled. “Now, can I continue without you ruining my

my guest,” Jake bowed as he gave the Unique

Now where was I… oh right!” Minaga cleared his throat as he

Minaga’s Labyrinth! What else could it be but

cannot believe the final

surprise,” the Sword Saint echoed in a dry

big reveal,” Dina nodded

act surprised too. Only the Fallen King wasn’t a good sport about the

ultimate challenge of my labyrinth, and should you come out victorious, you will be generously rewarded! Should you fail, you will have to do another challenge that will still give pretty decent rewards,

was far more powerful than any opponent he had ever faced before, bar-none. To make matters worse… the Unique Lifeform knew them. He

down for even a second,” Jake warned