The Second Son of The Marquis Runs Away from Home ~ Lacking Talent, He Abandons Everything and Becomes an Adventurer ~ - 178

Chapter 178: The Absent Monsters

From then on, both Shurin and I conducted echo detection while proceeding cautiously. What we discovered was that the guard machines could detect magic power up to a certain distance, not just visually.

As an experiment, I released the magic power from a magic stone and threw it in the opposite direction. It headed there, and although we were discovered and had to fight twice during the process, we managed to ascend halfway through this level.

“It would be nice if we could rest somewhere…”

Perhaps because we were all moving cautiously to avoid being detected, signs of fatigue were starting to show, especially on Shurin. He was tasked with reconnaissance and scouting, which must have been quite burdensome.

“…Strange.”

Shurin, who had been leading the way, murmured and stopped.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t sense any monster presence in this area. Moreover, not just here, but there seem to be fewer monsters on this entire level.”

“…I had a vague suspicion, but you feel the same way, Shurin?”

We had ascended nearly to the fifth level, yet we all felt the same thing. Indeed, while this level was meant for stealthy progression, the number of monsters felt significantly lower compared to the lower levels.

While pondering if we had overlooked something, the lanterns flashed red again, and that voice echoed once more.

“The guard machines have been destroyed. Based on the security system, the labyrinth’s structure will be altered.”

“Huh!?”

“Uh…?”

“…What?”

While we were expressing our surprise, the structure of the labyrinth began to change. Despite trying not to get caught up in it, we couldn’t help but think about what was happening.

“What does this mean!? We haven’t even fought on this level!”

“Could there be new traps…?”

“…Doesn’t seem like it.”

The structure changed, but we were in a corridor, not a room. In other words, someone else was fighting the guard machines.

The problem was figuring out who that someone was…

“Everyone, cover your ears. Shurin, keep your eyes closed.”

Confirming that the three of them covered their ears, I took out a magic stone. The magic stones we obtained in this tower were of such high quality that they were worth as much as gold coins when exchanged. I infused the magic power into the ground by striking it with the stone.

The sealed magic power stirred up a whirlwind, and I closed my eyes to sense the dispersing magic power.

…The walls on this level didn’t allow magic power to pass through. But conversely, areas where magic power could pass through were connected corridors. By visualizing the shape of the sensed magic power in my mind, I could determine that the empty spaces without magic power were likely rooms.

“It’s this way.”

I opened my eyes and ran. Following the mental image, I found a long wall and looked around.

There was a door and a lever on the wall. I pulled down the lever, and the color of the lanterns returned to normal as the door opened.

As the door opened, sounds of battle echoed from inside. We cautiously peeked inside, and a strange sight met our eyes.

In the room, multiple guard machines, similar to the ones we fought, were battling monstrous creatures with metal bodies twice their size…