Jake considered what Challenge Dungeon he would do for all of five minutes until he decided to just go with the one he felt the most confident about. It was also the one he thought would be the most fun and familiar.
Ultimately, he had to do all of them, and as he still felt a bit groggy after having his character tested, he wanted to do one he believed would be interesting. Maybe it would not be super challenging, but he firmly believed there would be so level of challenge, especially the further he moved in.
During the first part, most of the entertainnt definitely would have to co from Minaga. Jake genuinely hoped the Unique Lifeform would be comntating again and complaining about Jake. If not, it probably would get a bit dull during the early parts of his labyrinth.
Having only arrived outside of the Challenge Dungeon entrances for five minutes, Jake walked straight to the entrance of Minagas Endless Labyrinth and placed his hand on the massive gateway. Without further ado, he accepted the prompt to enter as his vision went dark, Jake ready to conquer and utterly demolish Minagas grand creation.
In a certain eting room filled with gods, Minaga let out a massive groan as he saw Jake enter his dungeon.
Bloody hell, he just had to go for mine right now, didnt he? Minaga grumbled. This is on purpose, right? He is trying to bully after showing off here, isnt he? Yep, everything he has done was definitely a personal attack on to throw off my ntal ga.
I am impressed you think Jake would ever plan that far ahead, the Viper comnted.
The Wyrmgod had already isolated the area with the Primordials, Minaga, Natures Attendant, and Artemis, making them the only ones capable of hearing the conversation, likely in preparation for what was to co next.
Well, if he can attack like that, I should definitely strike back in kind! Minaga huffed while ignoring the Vipers comnt as he waved his hand. A screen appeared before all of them, not just the Viper and the Wyrmgod, as the Unique Lifeform grinned and threw Artemis a look.
Lets have this entire Challenge Dungeon be a live performance so you can all see how unfair he is! he said, hiding a smile as he saw the cute god from the Pantheon of Life lean a bit forward while trying to remain dignified and hide her interest.
You just want to have an audience to vent to during this, dont you? the Wyrmgod questioned in a deadpan tone.
Well, duh? Minaga said. If I have to suffer, it should at least be entertaining to the rest of you and give more people to complain to. Now sit back and see injustice and unfairness personified.
Jake opened his eyes in a very familiar hall. It was a perfect replica of the one he and his party had entered the first ti they arrived at Minagas Labyrinth in the regular part of Nevermore. And just like that ti, a familiar figure also teleported into the room, appearing on a central platform.
Light filled the room as music began playing, but Minaga quickly clapped his hands once, making it all stop. The room darkened as Minaga just sighed. Oh boy, here we go again
Right as he said that, a system ssage was triggered and popped up in front of Jake.
Nevermore Challenge Dungeon Entered!
You have entered Minagas Endless Labyrinth. An endless maze that extends forever until you can no longer keep going lies before you, ready for you to explore, the entire labyrinth split into Labyrinth Sections to conquer one by one.
These Labyrinth Sections will each serve as separate challenges, and passing each will trigger a checkpoint. So checkpoints will allow you to rest and recover for a while before continuing on your journey.
Each Labyrinth Section has a ti limit that will begin upon entering a section. Your goal is to navigate your way through each section as quickly and safely as possible while overcoming foes, traps, and other challenges along the way. The further you progress in the Endless Labyrinth, the more challenging it shall beco.
During the Endless Labyrinth, the magnanimous Minaga has taken pity and granted you five attempts in case you should fail any Labyrinth Sections, allowing you to retry them should you run out of ti or et an unfortunate - yet expected - early end. The Labyrinth Sections layout will not change even after an attempt has been expended, but all traps, creatures, and other such challenges will be reset.
Minaga wishes you luck. For if you wish to challenge his Endless Labyrinth, you will sorely need it.
Objective: Complete as many Labyrinth Sections as possible.
Current objective: Complete Labyrinth Section 1.
Attempts remaining: 5
Jake read the lengthy description as he quickly got the gist of it. It was pretty much exactly as he had expected it to be. It was just an endless string of floors that Jake had to complete as quickly as possible, hopefully doing as many as humanly possible.
No, better than humanly possible. Jakely possible!
You done reading it all? Minaga asked before Jake even had ti to consider the whole ssage.
I get it. Not like this is that complicated or different from the prior floors, Jake shrugged as he threw the Unique Lifeform a teasing smile. Also, I must thank thee, oh-so magnanimous Minaga. To bless the lowly with five attempts, your kindness is truly unrivaled.
Minaga looked at him for a bit before crossing his arms. I am going to broadcast this to everyone live, so you better not be a bully, or everyone will co to learn how rude you are.
Eh, theres not that many watching, Jake said, shaking his head. I guess youre only showing it to a select few and not all the representatives present.
Maybe Im recording it and will show them later, Minaga pointed out.
I guess you could do that, Jake nodded as he smiled. I must admit, I hadnt taken you to be that kind of guy. You sure are full of surprises.
Im not going to take that bait, so you may as we-
Who would have thought Minaga had a humiliation fetish? Truly an astonishing discovery.
I am beginning to question my decision to broadcast this live, Minaga muttered to himself as he got a bit more serious. Anyway, lets just get this started, alright? While I am not going to disagree that you have a huge advantage in my Challenge Dungeon, you shouldnt think it will be a complete cakewalk. The difficulty scales infinitely, and you will reach your limit at so point.
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I shall keep that in mind, Jake nodded, pretty much getting told what he already assud. I am looking forward to seeing what interesting things you cooked up in your Challenge Dungeon.
Then lets get started. I am obligated to say this, so good luck! And more importantly, try and have fun!
With those words, Minaga teleported away as the massive door behind him began opening. Out ca the special fog Jake had seen so many tis before. The one that limited Perception and how fast you could move within it while also fucking up divination magic and many other schools and affinities. Of course, what it didnt fuck up was Jakes sphere.
Right as the system ssage telling him the Challenge Dungeon had truly begun appeared, Jake closed his eyes and released a Pulse of Perception.
You have entered Labyrinth Section 1 of Minagas Endless Labyrinth.
Ti Remaining: 9 days, 23:59:59
Jake opened his eyes again with a ntal map before him. The first Labyrinth Section was pretty large, extending nearly one hundred kiloters into the distance, with a classic maze-like design. A super classic design, in fact, as one could technically beat it by just continuously following the left or right wall until one reached the end.
Heck, based on what Jake saw, the first section could easily be beaten by doing just that and walking at a brisk pace. Of course, Jake wasnt going to do that as he bent his knees and smiled a bit to himself as he shot forward into the first Labyrinth Section.
There werent even any enemies or traps in this first section. It was just a pure maze and, quite frankly, kind of boring. Luckily, there was one thing present to not make it entirely mind-numbing.
Oh great, he just charges right in as if he already knows where to go oh wait, he probably does yay
Jake smiled to himself as he navigated through the shortest path toward the end, not slowing down for a single second or even taking his ti to respond to Minagas very exciting comntary throughout. Though, to be fair, rather than comntary, it was more just Minaga venting in a passive-aggressive tone.
How exciting, will he go down the wrong path!? No, of course, hes not, how silly of . Is it left or right at the next right, it was right, yeah yeah, good job. Halfway already, huh? Nearly there and congratulations for finishing the first section!
Reaching a giant double-sided door, Jake quickly touched it as a notification popped up in front of him, and the door began to open. Through his sphere, he also saw that the next part of the Endless Labyrinth simply manifested behind the door, popping into existence all at once.
Labyrinth Section 1 clear ti: 1:17:42
Damn, it still took over an hour, huh? Jake said. Longer than expected for sure then again, the maze was just long, not hard.
screw you and keep moving. The tir for section two already started.
Grinning, Jake shrugged as he saw that was indeed the case. He had just been too focused on the clear ti to really notice it.
You have entered Labyrinth Section 2 of Minagas Endless Labyrinth.
Ti Remaining: 9 days, 8:59:52
Ti allocated is going down fast, Jake comnted, and he released another Pulse of Perception. But the size of the section is about the sa. Say, can you give a scoop on the average number of sections cleared?
Four million, four-hundred-twenty thousand and sixty-nine, so if you dont at least do that many, you suck, Minaga said, clearly being entirely truthful and not at all salty over Jake casually using Pulse to cheese his Challenge Dungeon.
Damn, thats sure a lot. Better get going, then, Jake smiled in response as he released another pulse and headed into the second section. This one had a few traps added into the mix, but it was still pretty straightforward. So, the result also didnt co as a surprise.
Labyrinth Section 2 clear ti: 1:12:30
Better than last ti, Jake said as he touched the second door.
It will get harder, okay? I promise. Just it may take a bit, alright? Minaga said with exasperation. So keep keeping on and stuff
Jake didnt need to be told twice as he proceeded to have so more fun in a Challenge Dungeon that felt the exact opposite of the Test of Character one. In the Test of Character, Jake had no idea what to do or where to go at any point. It was just an exercise in confusion and frustration as you figured out what the hell the damn dungeon wanted you to do.
anwhile, Minagas Labyrinth was as straightforward as it could be. Disregarding the fact it was infinitely more straightforward for Jake as he knew the straight path to the end, even for those without a cheat-like Bloodline, Minagas Labyrinth was still simple. You just had to make your way through a Labyrinth within a set tir and then keep doing that over and over again until you couldnt reach the end in ti anymore.
Soon, Jake completed sections three, four, five, six ten twenty Jake just kept going as Minaga kept comntating. Most of it was just him talking and Jake returning the banter, but there were so things of substance said, too.
Did you notice the wall there? You have seen those before, right? Minaga asked at one point. I am giving you an actual hint here.
Jake had noticed the odd markings covering many of the walls, and he even felt the magical energy infused into them. It was so complicated magic, and while Jake couldnt imdiately figure out what they were about, he had an idea.
These are hints for solving the labyrinth in ti, right? Jake asked as he rushed through section twenty-seven, jumping over and sliding under traps on the way.
Exactly! See, I know you could figure it out! How about trying, just once, to do one of the sections without relying on your cheats but doing it properly? Just for the experience, Minaga semi-pleaded.
Hm, I could, Jake muttered.
Really? Minaga exclaid with surprise.
Yeah, I definitely could. I wont, but I could.
... bullying behavior is not going to get you far in life, you know that, right?
Didn't you tell a bunch of stories about you bullying and annoying larger factions or stronger gods into submissions, making use of the fact that you are a cheat-like existence? Jake countered.
Well, stories are always exaggerated, and I wouldnt say I bullied them. I just made very appealing argunts with adequate levels of insistence until I got my will, Minaga said in a holier-than-thou tone.
Right, right, and I am carefully evaluating your proposition for to handicap myself for no damn reason and finding your argunts for doing so wholly inadequate.
It was just a suggestion Minaga muttered. And I put so much effort into those hints, too
On the topic of the hints to solve the Labyrinth, Jake got the feeling they were borderline mandatory if one wanted to do the latter sections. Stumbling in the dark or keeping a hand on one wall as you sprinted through could only take you so far, and already by section twenty, that tactic no longer appeared viable as the difficulty began to step up. Not just with the labyrinth getting longer and having more dead-ends but also with the addition of stuff like traps.
Anyway, Minagas Labyrinth also included so level of puzzle or maybe even riddle-solving, which was kind of fun. Jake wasnt entirely sure how it worked as he never bothered to study the hints given at the start of every section fully, nor did he take his ti with the markings covering the walls at other places. But it was probably fun for others, right?
In the labyrinth in section twenty-seven, he took a sharp turn, avoiding the ch-like beast that barred the way down one of the hallways that wasnt the fastest path. Jake threw the beast a look as he rembered a prior talk with Minaga about these creatures inhabiting and barring his progress in the labyrinth.
Jake had sadly confird one didnt earn any experience inside of the Challenge Dungeon, even if you did kill so of the monsters barring the way. Jake naturally had to question the Unique Lifeform about this, and he actually got a straight answer when he did.
Eh, they arent real monsters but just summons tied to the energy barrier. Killing them just cuts off power to the barrier and allows you through, nothing more, nothing less. As for why it isnt designed so you get experience? Well, there is a good reason. I wont tell you the reason, but there totally is one, trust on that. Definitely not just so random decision the Wyrmgod and I made when designing these Challenge Dungeons. Definitely not.
Alright, Jake called it a straight answer, but at least it was an answer. Only the first part really mattered, explaining they were just summons that powered the barriers.
But, it probably did make so sense? If the creatures gave experience, it would be an incentive to take the paths where they were and not the fastest route. Of course, Jake wouldnt bother to hunt the monsters in these earlier labyrinths as they were far too weak and often died in a single arrow, but maybe he would have later if they gave him experience.
After Jake passed section twenty-nine, he entered number thirty, and finally, sothing changed. With a Pulse of Perception, Jake saw that this labyrinth had introduced a new elent: teleportation circles. Were they shortcuts? Ways to set your progress back? A mix of the two?
Jake didnt know if each teleportation circle was good or bad, and while he could try and decipher the hints on the walls around the teleportation circles he could also just do none of that and leave the decision entirely to his intuition.
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