Re: Turning
The First Battle's

In the west of the capital Victoria, near the border between Victoria and Eltron is a labyrinth.

An underground structure. Divided on various floors and filled by various kinds of monsters. Compared to Dungeons, the labyrinth was quite small. However, don't get me wrong. The smallest labyrinth can have 20 floors. Each one was filled with traps and dangers.

That said, Dungeons and labyrinths were created because of the dark Mana, a third type of Mana that was rarely known; the Arcana. Arcana is created because of the darkness of the heart of the person who uses magic. Over time, Arcana gathered. Once their numbers are sufficient, a labyrinth or Dungeon can form.

And in one of those labyrinths; the Moon Stone Labyrinth, the Heroes were training.

"Dead!"

"UUGGRRAH!"

With a slash of a sword, an Orc - the giant monster headed*** - let out a loud noise before falling to the ground. Samejima jerked his hand, clearing the blood that stained his sword blade. Unaware of a Goblin speeding towards him. Swinging a rusty sword.

"Jinba-san! Beside you!"

Quickly, Yonaka released an arrow.

"Krue-!?"

"!?"

With a whistling sound, the projectile shot past Samejima's face. Stuck right in the goblin's eyes. The monster was immediately sprawled at the young man's feet.

"Ah, I survived. Thank you, Yonaka." Realizing that the monster is still alive, Samejima slashes it. Don't forget to thank Yonaka.

Nodding in return, Yonaka refocused on the battlefield. It launched dozens of arrows while occasionally casting lightning magic.

"Erina, I need help! Soryah!"

With a loud voice, Izumi launched a punch into the face of the Kobold - a wolf-faced humanoid monster. Unable to take Izumi's blow, the heads of the six kobolds were crushed. Leave a disgusting sight. The white cloth that protected Izumi's fist started to turn blood red.

"understand! O holy Goddess, bless your servant! [Holy Magic: Lesser Strength Boost]!"

Chanting incantations and twirling the magic wand, Erina prepared to cast maid magic. Lesser Strength Boost was a low-level holy magic. As the name suggests, this magic adds a little bit of target power.

Enveloped in a red light, Izumi felt excited. Not a problem at all! Izumi smashed both of her hands.

Izumi drove forward. Passing Samejima, he raised his fist. Waving a punch towards another Orc.

"[Iron Punch]!" Shortly before punching the monster's stomach, Izumi called out the name of a skill. The skill that made one punch was similar to an iron blow.

"HUGE HUSH!"

The orc was squealing in pain. Noticing the person who hit him, the Monster roared while swinging his axe. Izumi shrewdly stepped to the side. Not taking any excess movement, it hit his stomach again.

Twice. Three times. Four times. Many times he hit it, the sound of cracks and blows coming out of the monster body*** it. It made him roar in pain before finally giving up and becoming dropped to the ground.

However, he had not completely given up. Before losing his life, he dropped his body over Izumi. At least he'll take his killer to hell!

Izumi. With a small smile, he pushed his legs back. Flying off the dust, Izumi took the right-footed horses behind, "[Hardening]!" He exclaimed.

The skill that raised the defense as well as the attack of its user was starting to feel. Izumi felt her body harden. Certainly not to survive. Izumi is not that type.

"HUH!"

Izumi let out a hard kick. Striking the Orc's stomach, one could see the monster's body being crushed under Izumi's kick.

The Orc's body bent as Izumi added energy to his right leg. With just one foot, the giant monster was thrown away towards the other monsters. Not expecting the giant projectile, the entire monster was exterminated.

"Open...." Izumi let out a breath that was restrained earlier.

Prok! Prok! Prok!

Applause resounded in the labyrinthine passageway. Big enough to fit twelve people while stretching out their hands. The voice came from behind the four heroes. A man in silver armor, Gregory.

"That's amazing!" A wide smile could be seen on the old man's face. Like a proud parent seeing their child. "Your coordination, your individual strength, everything is truly extraordinary!"

"Thank you, Gregory-dono." Yonaka answered first. Smiling delightfully. Their first battle without getting any help was completed smoothly.

"Faul... Well... It's a little fun." Izumi smiled smugly a little panting. It was clear that he was a battle maniac.

"It's all thanks to everyone's hard work" Erina said. Now, he looks more cheerful than when he first came to Zelfria. "Especially Gregory-dono's help."

"Right, this is thanks to your practice, Gregory-dono." Samejima re-sheathed his sword. The sharp iron sound greeted everyone's ears.

"Haha, you're overreacting. I just gave orders. It's all thanks to you." Gregory seemed reluctant to accept their praise. "After all, your weapons have a more important role than mine."

Hearing Gregory's words, the heroes stared at their weapons.

Samejima patted the sword sheathed on his waist. Dragon ornaments appear in the holster. Ancient runes adorned his blades. Provides a magical feel. And it was not wrong, that sword was a magic sword. Riveria, the legendary sword of fire.

A sword made of iron outside the world and formed by the fire of the Dragon King. Only the strongest magical swordsmen could use it.

Erina nodded in agreement. In her hand was her magic wand. The wand was a head taller than Erina. Elegant, and mystical are two words that are enough to explain it.

The wood grain gave off a rough yet natural impression, the place where Erina was holding the stick was coated in cloth to keep the handle's hand from wood chips. The wand is curved, resembling the sign "?" with a ball crystal hovering at its tip, it emitted a faint blue radiance.

The stick was made from the wood trunk of the Arboria sacred tree. Having the same name as the sacred tree, the staff possessed immeasurable magic power.

Yonaka also followed. Look at his bow with pleasure. A bow with a golden pattern. The bow's shape at first glance looks like an eagle. With wings that look beautiful.

Paragrine is the name of the bow. The strings were taken from an Empress Arachnid - a legendary level spider monster - and its body was formed from the bones of a Griffon - a legendary monster with the body of a half eagle and half a lion. Despite having the ability to strengthen the arrows he shot, Yonaka's ability was enough. That ability was only an addition to Yonaka.

On the other hand, Izumi was still setting her hunting breath. Unlike the others, Izumi did not have any special weapons or anything like that. He fought with empty hands. As a Pugilist, he had no weapons. A pair of gauntlets or iron gloves might be a good fit, but the kingdom did not have such a weapon.

"Ah, forgive my insensitivity, Izumi-dono." Realizing that Izumi had no weapon, Gregory apologized immediately.

Instead, Izumi shrugged her shoulders. Undisturbedly. "What's wrong, I'd rather fight empty-handed anyway."

Izumi banged the air. A gust of wind could be felt from each of his blows. Looking at it, anyone would definitely not want to take the blow.

"But, still! What did the other kingdoms say when they saw heroes fighting without equipment? We'll be laughed at." Gregory looked worried. Still feel bad about that fact. "I will ask Your Majesty to find the equipment for you."

"O-oh, then, please yeah." Izumi could not resist that. He also has common sense. "A-ah, what if we take a break? Against Orcs it was really exhausting."

"really. We need to save our energy." Samejima nodded in agreement with Izumi's proposal.

"Good idea." Gregory nodded. "We'll rest for half an hour."

Hearing that, the heroes let out long breaths. They've been down this labyrinth for over two hours. A little rest is really needed.

Gregory put the bag he was carrying, leaning it against the wall of the labyrinth. He reached into the contents before removing a few bags of skin water. He gave it to the heroes.

Getting a word of thanks from them made Gregory happy. He went back to his bag. Intend to prepare lunch. Restoring energy is important.

Izumi drank her water. Moisturizing his dry throat. Sitting next to Yonaka and Erina. They also started drinking water.

"Did your level rise again, Eri-chan?"

"only two. I'm level 25 now. My magic also rose by one level. What about you, Yon-chan?"

"I went up three levels. So now I'm level 27. My lightning magic also rose one level."

Hearing the conversation of the two girls, Izumi could not bear to think that they were becoming close. If he was still in his original world, he would definitely not believe it.

Women's relationships are confusing. While thinking that, Izumi gulped down the water again. Look up.

The ceiling of the labyrinth is decorated by shining rocks. Gives light in these dark alleys. Magic stones are their names. Besides being abundant, they are also useful and have various types. Most magic stones are used as lighting devices. And not a few are used as weapons.

Izumi was not interested in that. Izumi herself has magic. But he rarely uses it. If his enemy had magic, then he would just need to dodge it and punch him in the face. This thought seemed to be troublesome for the professors in charge of teaching magic to the heroes.

With regards to magic, he remembered Shinnichi. His friend was happy to listen to their story while adventuring outside the kingdom. In addition, he also often visited the castle library at night and read various books. Although he knew that Shinnichi was the type to stay up late, he was a little worried about her.

Lately, Shinnichi is also often seen wearing a waiter uniform and carrying a tray full of food. That made Izumi worried.

Izumi sighed. Take the attention of Yonaka and Erina.

"Izumi-kun, what's wrong?" ask Yonaka. "Are you hungry? The food is ready soon."

"Ah, no. I'm hungry, but that's not it." Izumi waved her hand. "I'm just worried about Shinnichi."

"Oh, Shinnichi yes." Yonaka looked sad. He was also worried about his friend's condition.

"Didn't Kurobane look okay?" Erina joined their conversation. "Today I saw him chopping fruit in the garden. He looks happy."

"You don't know him very well, Himekaze." Izumi smiled. Look up at the ceiling. "That guy is really good at hiding his feelings. He put others before himself."

"really. When I first met, I forgot to bring my umbrella. He lent it and ran in the rain." Yonaka hugged his knee. Hiding his little smile. "After that, he had a severe fever to the point of getting into the hospital."

"When I was a kid, he took me to the hospital when I fell out of a tree and broke my leg. It is far away." Izumi could not help but smile as she recalled that time.

They both seemed happy to talk about their friend. How not? They've been together for years. Although Shinnichi has his flaws, his advantages are more than enough to cover them.

"He~h, must be fun. Have friends like that." Now, replace Erina who spoke. A little envious of Shinnichi who has friends as good as them.

"Ah, Eri-chan doesn't have to worry! I'm here anyway!" Replying in a joking tone, Yonaka calmed Erina down.

The blonde girl did not answer. He knew Yonaka was different from the others; he was sincere. A trait that seems rarely found.

Erina leaned her head against Yonaka. Letting the black haired girl embrace him.

"You're really getting close."

A pair of smiles became the answer for Izumi. Meanwhile, Samejima simply listened to their conversation silently. Look at the darkness ahead.

❂❂❂❂❂❂

"We're on the last floor."

Gregory's voice echoed in the labyrinthine passageway. Makes the heroes nod their heads.

Currently, they are on the 23rd floor. The lowest floor in the Moon Stone labyrinth. There were a few things that made Gregory convinced that this was the last floor in the labyrinth.

The first and foremost is its appearance. If the other floors were formed like a large cave, the last floor was formed like a large altar. The area reaches 100 meters.

The giant crystal on the ceiling glowed a calm blue. Give the impression that they are outside, under the moonlight. If someone ignores that they are in the labyrinth, this place can become famous for its beauty.

The second is the occupants of this floor. In the center of the altar, there was a large crystal ball. The dark blue color makes the crystal look like the sea at night. Slowly, the crystal ball turned.

Still standing on the steps, the heroes stared at the beautiful scene. Occasionally let out a voice of admiration.

"Gregory-dono, what is it...." Samejima asked.

"really. That's the core of this place. A [Core]." Gregory confirmed Samejima's allegations.

Every labyrinth or Dungeon must have a core. If it is destroyed, then the place that houses it can be destroyed. However, Dungeons and labyrinths were favorable places. Monster parts could be sold, as a source of adventurer training, even a place filled with treasures. Because of this, everyone was forbidden from destroying the Core unless it had certain permission from the King.

Heroes have that license. By destroying the Core, their levels could increase drastically. The kingdom is looking for this.

"Then let's fight." Izumi smiled happily. Ringing his knuckles.

Getting a nod from his party members, they immediately went down the stairs. Approaching the crystal ball.

Twenty meters before they arrived, a happened. A bright light. The crystal ball is glowing.

The heroes stopped and covered their eyes from that light. Trying not to be blinded by it. A moment later, the ground shook. Like something heavy falling.

The heroes stared at the creature that appeared before them. 3 Meters tall, stocky body, jet black hairy, bull-headed with sharp horns. In his hand, there was a Greatsword tied to a chain. A Minotaur

"GROO!"

The minotaur roared loudly. Enough to shake the chest cavity of everyone at the altar.

"Izumi, Yonaka's. You guys take his side. Attack when an opportunity comes. Erina, support us from behind!" Samejima gave the order. As the main attacker, he was naturally the leader of the party. "I'll go forward."

"""understand!"""

Their answer became the beginning. Samejima advanced forward, Izumi and Yonaka ran to the side of the Minotaur while Erina started chanting her spell.

"O holy Goddess! Bless them all! [Holy Magic: Lesser Area Stat Boost]!"

Finished chanting, the bodies of his three party comrades glowed green. Feel the power flowing in their bodies. Their stat increased temporarily. Samejima was the first to act. Drawing out Riveria, he darted towards the bull monster.

"GROOOAA!"

Taking a step, the Minotaur swung its sword towards Samejima. The giant blade headed right over the young man's head.

Samejima raised his sword. Catching the blade, sparks were thrown out. With a quick movement, he pointed the Minotaur's sword to the side. With a loud sound, the sword thrust into the ground.

The minotaur rounded his eyes. Didn't expect the little Man to be able to direct his attack in the other direction.

The opportunity!

Samejima approached the monster's body. His sword was bright red, like hot iron.

"Geez!"

"GROOAAAHHRR!"

Samejima's sword slashed through Minotaur's waist, piercing through it like a hot knife cutting through butter. Pain and heat assaulted his side. Roaring loudly, the Minotaur unleashed its sword. The chain in his hand made a sound.

"Now!"

Hearing Samejima's gesture, Izumi began to approach. The young man ran towards the Minotaur. He jumped near her. Bursting forward, he threw a hard punch at the bull's face.

"HUH!"

"Gruoo-!?"

The minotaur took a few steps back. Izumi's punch was enough to make him waver.

Taking the opportunity, Yonaka cast his spell. Pulling the bow strings.

"O great thunderbolt! Snatch my enemy with your strength! [Lighting Magic: Flash Arrow]!"

Following Yonaka's hand, a lightning arrow was formed. Yonaka.

A flash of light flew forward. With a speed that the human eye cannot follow. He stuck it in the left eye of the Minotaur.

"GROOAAAA!?"

The minotaur roared loudly. Blood came out of his eye sockets. Smoke drifted upwards. His blood evaporated when he was hit by Yonaka's arrow.

Now, the Minotaur knows. The enemy he faced could not be underestimated. The minotaur showed off its teeth. Sharp fangs that don't fit a bull.

He opened his mouth. While roaring, a deep blue smoke came out from his mouth. Izumi's natural instincts were screaming wildly. Tell him to back off. His ideas are rarely wrong.

"Retreat! I felt something bad from that smoke!" Izumi shouted, almost shouting.

Following his direction, Yonaka and Samejima retreated backwards. They were gathered near Erina. Take their breaths while strategizing.

"Izumi, you know what that is?" Samejima. Riveria Sailing.

"less to know. But, I think it's poison smoke," Izumi replied. Look at that smoke group. Occasionally, a speck of red could be seen. The minotaur was observing them.

"Is poison? Erina, can you handle it?" Samejima turned his attention to Erina.

The blonde girl nodded. "I have magic that holds poison."

Samejima. "Use that. Izumi and I will attack." Samejima looked at the faces of his comrades. "Yonaka and you will protect from behind."

"Good!" Izumi smiled widely. "Let's attack******** that!"

Izumi and Samejima stood facing the blue smoke puff. Although it had already been a few minutes, the smoke had not faded. The Minotaur's presence was still clear.

"O great light! Protect them from evil! [Holy Magic: Resist]!"

Directing her wand at Izumi and Samejima, Erina finished casting her spell. Blue light enveloped them, protecting from the poison.

"Good!" Izumi smiled back. He glanced at Yonaka. It looks a bit embarrassed, but still has a big smile. "Yonaka, cover me yeah."

Yonaka, as shy as Izumi, nodded. Give her a gentle smile. "B-well!"

Samejima drew his sword. "Let's go!"

"Ou!"

In high spirits, the two young men advanced. Main objective; Defeating the Minotaur.