Chapter 49: Shortcut It was surprisingly easy.
Since the control terminals were directly linked to the core buried deep within the pit, all they had to do was destroy the terminals or, more precisely, destroy the core through the terminals.
Ordinarily, this was something Nightingale couldn’t accomplish on his own, even with [Flatten]. His ability required him to "see" the target for it to take effect, and the core was hidden far below, well out of sight.
Even if he attempted something along those lines, there was no guarantee it would work. The most likely outcome was that the entire labyrinth would collapse, just like the Second Floor, and both of them would end up trapped as a result of their recklessness, or worse.
Was escape even possible in the first place?
He had spoken confidently earlier, throwing around logical explanations and reasoning to keep himself steady... but how much of it had truly been correct?
Perhaps it was all a delusion, a way to convince himself he was in control of the situation when, in reality, he was grasping at straws.
He was about to make a choice that could lead him straight to ruin, and worse yet, drag his partner down with him. Climbers were responsible for their own survival, but condemning another... that was just unforgivable.
Could he really bear the weight of that burden?
Countless dark thoughts churned within Nightingale’s mind, feeding his growing unease. However, he soon forced them down, burying them deep within the abyss of his psyche, and masked it all behind a calm, unreadable face.
He turned to his masked companion and gave a nod, silently signalling for her to proceed.
Flaming Rose returned the gesture with quiet resolve. Stepping forward, she advanced toward the center, stopping just before the edge of the bottomless pit. For a moment, she stood completely still, the faint hum of the labyrinth echoing around them. Then she drew a deep breath and centered her focus.
Hidden beneath the pristine white mask, her beautiful eyes fluttered shut. When they opened again, a brilliant light blazed to life within the eye sockets reflecting radiant, blue-white flames that danced with ethereal intensity.
Wielding the Azure Fire, she extended both of her hands toward the array of terminals, targeting all five at once.
The entire chamber trembled.
The luminous veins running through the ground pulsed violently as if the labyrinth were convulsing in pain. One after another, the crimson masses began to distort, warping under the pressure of the Azure Fire.
Such flames operated beyond the confines of the ordinary.
They were living and utterly ravenous, consuming not just matter but the very essence of what it touched.
A loud noise filled the air, growing louder and sharper until it pierced straight through their ears. The runes carved into the walls blazed to life, forming a vast, interconnected circuit that linked the entire floor and the ceiling above.
Crack! Just then, the first terminal shattered, and a chain reaction followed in an instant.
The remaining four erupted in a blinding cascade of light, releasing a violent surge of heat that shook the very foundation of the labyrinth.
Nightingale stumbled back several steps, raising his arm to shield his face from the scorching blast.
’Damn. It’s destabilizing faster than expected.’
Through the swirling light and debris, he caught a glimpse of Rose staggering as well, her balance faltering beneath the backlash. Her mask tilted slightly, revealing a fleeting glimpse of pale skin beneath the pristine white surface.
He clenched his jaw.
’...Did I miscalculate?’
Before the thought could settle, a low, guttural rumble reverberated from deep within the pit. The Azure Fire, carried along the currents of power, had slithered down into the abyss and struck whatever lay buried below.
The black void began to stir.
An immense pressure surged upward, compressing the air until it felt like the entire chamber was closing in on itself, making it difficult to breathe. The once-still darkness churned violently, twisting and boiling as if in agony.
Following that, an unearthly wail erupted from the depths. A piercing cry of agony that sounded almost human, yet unmistakably was not. It clawed its way up from the pit, shredding the silence with its unbearable torment.
Just what the heck is that? He questioned in desperation as his heart skipped a beat.
Nightingale wasn’t the only one who sensed it, Rose understood as well. That was why both of them immediately dropped into defensive stances, bracing themselves for the inevitable bloodshed that would follow once whatever lurked below decided to rise from the pit in fury.
They waited, once, twice, and then longer still. Minutes dragged on, yet nothing emerged.
"...Huh?"
Contrary to their expectations, no abomination rose from the pit, no unseen horror reached out to drag them into the darkness. Only the heavy, unsettling silence remained.
Unsure of what to do, the two Espers hesitated for a moment before cautiously approaching the edge of the pit and peering into its depths.
There was nothing in the bottomless depths except an expanse of impenetrable darkness that swallowed all light. Upon closer inspection, however, something faint flickered within, wavering as though on the verge of fading away forever.
Flickering, dancing and defying the inevitable with stubborn persistence.
But before long, even that final glimmer of resistance was quietly consumed by the darkness.
Rumble! Rumble! In the next moment, the ground quaked violently as the Labyrinth’s structure began to shift and contort. Walls trembled, corridors twisted, and the entire cavern seemed to rewrite itself, as though the very force holding it together had vanished, giving rise to a Logical Error. And as a result of that, the Tower moved to correct that "Error."
It was quite strange and scary but intriguing nonetheless.
...At least, to Nightingale, it was.
A few minutes later, the chamber had completely transformed. The once-twisting corridors were gone, replaced by a single, straight passage that stretched far into the distance. The labyrinth’s chaotic design had realigned itself into one clear path, most likely leading to the exit of the Third Floor.
Nightingale blinked, genuinely uncertain how to react to the sight before him.
Even more bewildered, however, was Flaming Rose. Standing at his side, her astonishment was evident, even through the pristine white mask. Whatever she had just witnessed was so absurd that it momentarily defied comprehension.
"W-What... what just happened?" She finally managed to squeeze out with a voice that lacked conviction.
Looking ahead, Nightingale let out a quiet sigh before replying in a wry tone,
"Guess we just cheated our way through the Third Floor."