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Due to the unexpected twist that the caterpillar got attached to us, we managed to secure the thread supply, but that alone wasn’t enough to fix my gauntlets. Something could be done about the mechanism inside, but the armoring on the smashed left gauntlet still needed fixing.

Thus, we teleported back to the World Tree labyrinth.

“Anyway, we are heading a little above, to the 600th floor next. We have to defeat an enemy called Juggernaut there.”

Juggernaut was also the name of a hero that appears in myths. However he faced an unnatural death, his armor got filled with grudge and started attacking humans.

It was actually the so-called Living Armor that was the higher-ranked undead monster, but they were called Juggernauts for simplicity.

As Aste asked, we got on the teleportation circle. In an instant, the scene changed completely… Or maybe not. Thinking about it, it was the same tree regardless of where we went, so it would be weirder for it to look that different.

After we arrived, Aste started explaining about the materials.

“It’s a fairly strong foe, but its armor is flexible and tough. It’s an armor, to begin with, so it’s perfect to use as the gauntlet material.”
“I mean, that’s true but… Isn’t it still something like a skin of an undead?”
“Are you really going to complain about that this late in the game?”
“No, like… If it’s gonna be like that, wouldn’t something like the skin of Colchis work better?”

I simply spoke what was on my mind. But in fact, I still had all the materials from when we defeated the Evil Dragon Colchis. Skin and scales were included among them.

They were things even Lyell’s holy sword had trouble cutting. So it simply crossed my mind – maybe we could use them?

However, Aste looked at me in surprise and started pondering for a while.

“There was that option, huh?”
“You didn’t realize that!?”
“I only focused on the things I had at hand. But thinking about it, I should’ve considered that too given your achievements.”
“Good grief… So we came here on a fool’s errand?”

I complained at Aste who said something unexpectedly silly. However, after some thought, Aste shook his head.

“No, we already came here, so let’s hunt one at least. Would be a waste.”
“Now listen here. It’s not some small fry you can just “take down while you’re at it”, you know!?”

A magician that wants to hunt one vs an Undead that has been hunting humans for fun. It made me wanna escape reality, but it was not a joking matter.

That monster bore the name of the hero for a reason. It was strong enough to need an entire army to subjugate. There was clearly something wrong with this guy to want to hunt one while we were at it.

“That is true. We are on the famous upper floors of the World Tree. It would be a waste to pass up an opportunity to face a monster of that level.”
“Looks like there was more than one weirdo here!”

I couldn’t believe that Maxwell was also on board with Aste’s suggestion. As he said, there were almost no opportunities to visit this place. So from the perspective of our party of old, who always recklessly charged into dangers, I could understand where he was coming from.

However, we were here to get materials tonight, so I didn’t want any such detours.

“We have no time for that, right?”
“No, I can’t do repairs by today, so today’s quota is to just gather the materials.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, as long as you bring the Evil Dragon’s skin, our job today is done.”

Since I originated from Maleva in my previous life, I hid the aforementioned Evil Dragon materials nearby it. Or to be more specific, there was only one place nearby where people didn’t visit… Mount Maleva.

In other words, I secretly hid them nearby where Aste lived. It wouldn’t even take me 10 minutes to retrieve them.

“That being the case, let’s go at once.”
“W-Wait…”
“On second thought, we don’t have to. It came for us instead.”
“Huh?”

Along with his words, a rough metallic sound reverberated through the corridor.

A huge metallic armor appeared across the corridor. It however had four arms. It already deviated from a humanoid shape from that part alone.

The remains of the myths. The shadow of a former hero. The monster tied to such anecdotes was staring at us with hollow eyes.

“….!!!”

A Juggernaut possessed no vocal cords so it couldn’t make any sound. That said, it was clear that what it just did was akin to a war cry.

It spread its arms that held shields and swords and puffed out its chest, while bending backwards and looking up. It looked like it was screaming at the heavens.

“What do we do? If you want to fight it, I can let you have it.”
“Hmm…”

Aste’s objective was to gather materials. While Maxwell just wanted to fight it. Both of their wishes coincided.

If they wanted to end it fast, either of them could just shoot it with magic from the distance. Well, Maxwell could only shoot it from a distance.

“Reid, this is a rare opportunity, you know? Or has even your heart become docile?”
“You just want to stir me up and get me involved in this, don’t you?”
“Heh, so you noticed it?”

It was a clear provocation, but maybe it wasn’t bad to fall for his provocation. It was true that this kind of a chase wouldn’t come often. This was the World Tree labyrinth, the most difficult labyrinth in this world, and facing us now was a mythical monster from its upper floors.

As Maxwell said, there would hardly come a chance to test our skills against an enemy of this level.

I wordlessly stepped forward and prepared my piano threads. It would be quite pathetic if I backed out after all that. Thus, I had no choice but to join him on this test of ability.

“Fine then. I’ll show you how I really fight.”
“That is more like it!”

Maxwell moved to stand behind me. This was the formation we usually took in battles. Seeing the change, the Juggernaut set up its two swords and shields. Since it held one pair on each side, his defense looked hard to break.

“Breaking through it is one of the pleasures of battle.”
“You were acting so grumpy earlier, but it looks like you are actually enjoying it. You are quite a muscle-brain yourself, I must say.”
“Well, you know my goal.”
“You mean returning to being a guy?”
“No! I mean, that too, but not that!”

My goal was to become a heroic figure that surpassed even Lyell. Returning to being a man was just one part of that.

Standing before me was a monster that bore the name of a hero that had once reached the domain that I aimed for. I couldn’t ask for a better touchstone for my goal.

“Let’s go, Maxwell!”
“I am ready when you are!”
“…!”

The Juggernaut responded to our yells. It was also fully intent on fighting us. There were people that would run from it, so it was probably glad to face foes that were taking the initiative.

It swung one of the swords, lowered its stance and prepared to meet our attack. I took a big step forward and swung my thread with all I had.

We won. It was tiring.