Vol 2 Chapter 18 – Labyrinth Shortcut【Vol 2: The Blazing Labyrinth and the Lonely Witch】 

Right in front of me, a girl with wild crimson hair was on her knees, looking like she’d just lost a bet with fate.

Uncontrolled mana raged from her body like a magical tantrum, making the air around us buzz like a faulty microwave.

Her gaze was locked on the massive fire dragon salamander ahead.

And I’d just sliced its scorching breath clean in two with the longsword handed down from Master—like it was no big deal.

“—Here to help.”

At my words, she—Elmina—squeezed out a tiny voice, her face a hilarious mix of despair and “what the heck?”

“…Who the heck are you…?”

No time to chat about my life story.

Her mana meltdown was teetering on the edge of boom town.

The salamander had clocked the new party crasher too, redirecting its grumpy glare my way.

(…Man, talk about cutting it close. I show up like the hero in a bad rom-com)

How’d I end up crashing this party at the absolute last second?

Blame it all on this Blazing Labyrinth being a total pain in the butt structurally—way more than expected.

◇◆◇

I’d stepped into the Blazing Labyrinth’s entrance about half a day ago.

Inside the cave-style dungeon? Felt like wandering into a sauna from hell, name checks out.

Magic stones embedded in the walls dimly lit the paths like cheap mood lighting.

(If it’s like the game, this place has three layers. Traps and gimmicks galore, but with the route memorized, it should be a cakewalk)

I charged deeper without a hitch, relying on the game map burned into my brain.

“Grr…”

A few mini fire lizards popped up ahead.

The kind that hang out in this dungeon’s basement levels.

(Level around 15. Not even worth my time now)

After dumping ten years into sword training, these small fries weren’t even speed bumps.

But no time to play exterminator.

I slipped in close with smooth moves, smacking their vitals with the flat of my blade.

Compared to sparring Lilia at warp speed, these guys were basically statues.

No slicing. No killing.

Just precise knockouts.

Seconds later, all the fire lizards were napping on the floor.

(Smooth sailing. At this rate, deepest part’s just a jog away)

Right path: pitfall city.

Left: poison gas party.

Correct: hidden door in the center wall.

I dodged every trap like a pro gamer, using my game knowledge to burrow deeper.

Those ten years of training had cranked my sword skills and agility to master levels.

So yeah, maybe I got a tad cocky without realizing.

Like, “Pfft, whatever comes, my bod and blade got this.”

ROOOAAARRR!!!

“—Whoa!?”

Turn the corner, and bam—scorching flames erupt from the end of the hall.

I leaped back on reflex, dodging the roast.

A magic circle trap in the wall, auto-firing flames at intruders like a paranoid security system.

(Damn it, this trap…!)

Knew about it from the game, duh.

But the fix? That’s where it got dicey.

(In the game, you block with an Ice Wall spell and push through. But me? Not a mage in sight…!)

My stats? Zero attack spells, not even basic shields.

Ten years with Lilia and Master turned me into a pure “sword guy” extraordinaire.

And now? Total backfire.

(What now…? Wait for the flames to chill? Nah, these traps are eternal flame mode. Charge through? Suicide—I’d be extra crispy in a flash)

Total deadlock.

Elmina’s self-destruct timer was ticking loud.

Panic started nibbling at my cool.

I leaned against the wall, brainstorming like mad for a breakout.

Then, ding—lightbulb moment.

(Hold up…)

For ten years, I’d obsessed over sword and body stuff.

All about crushing everything with raw physical power.

So I’d totally spaced on it.

The one-of-a-kind power I got in this world.

My real ace up the sleeve wasn’t just brawn.

(Unique Skill, 【Edit】…!)

Bingo. I could rewrite the world’s rules like a cheeky hacker.

Up till now, I’d used it for side gigs—like tweaking herb ingredients or nerfing orc resistances.

But deep down, this skill’s essence? “Hacking the world’s system.”

This trap? Just another mana-fueled gimmick in the code.

(…This could work)

I psyched up and zeroed in on the flame-spewing magic circle.

Its spell formula poured into my head like source code on steroids.

(Ah, gotcha… Basic flame thrower formula. Simple structure. Piece of cake…!)

In my mind, I hammered invisible keys.

Target: the core attribute definition.

【Attribute Definition: Heat】

Cursor on, rewrite time.

【Attribute Definition: Cold】

Click.

Mental enter key smash.

And bam.

ROOOAAARRR!!!

The hallway-roasting flames flipped scripts in a heartbeat.

Now spewing cool, refreshing breeze that felt like a spa treatment.

Hell sauna? Instant chill zone.

“…Whoa, refreshing. Natural AC unit, nice.”

My sweat evaporated like magic.

It was so comfy, I zoned out cooling off for a bit.

Man, what a ridiculous skill I got.

In fights? Could null enemy spells—or flip ’em to buff allies?

(…Nah, no time for fanboying. Gotta hustle)

I dashed through the cool shower to the other side.

Rediscovering 【Edit】 as my OP weapon cleared my head like never before.

(Not just sword and flips. Combo this skill, and I can flip any script…!)

After that, I bulldozed the labyrinth.

Hit more mage-only gimmicks, but 【Edit】 curb-stomped ’em all.

Finally, reached the massive door to the deepest depths—salamander central.

But nope, locked tight.

Ancient runes carved on the surface, spelling out some cryptic message.

(Game says open it with a big Flare spell out front. But…)

Mage-required BS again.

(Whoever designed this was a total magic snob…)

Grumbling, I decoded the rune’s “definition” calmly.

【Door Open Condition: Detect “Blazing Flames” to unlock】

(Ah, senses “blazing flames” to pop open. So, tweak that “blazing flames” def to something dumb easy)

World code hack, round two.

【Door Open Condition】: “Blazing Flames” → “Spark”

Edit done in a snap.

I drew my longsword, scraped the tip on the wall beside the door.

Chink!

Metal on stone, tiny sparks flew.

And that pathetic little spark triggered—.

RUMBLE RUMBLE…

The huge stone door groaned open with earth-shaking drama.

“…Score. Path cleared.”

◇◆◇

That’s how I bent every rule for the shortcut express.

Still barely made it… but hey, timed it perfect.

Back to the scene, focus up.

Elmina writhing in mana overload.

Salamander eyeing me like fresh meat.

(Alright, show’s starting for real)

I reset my sword grip, exhaled slow.

No more slacking.

Sword skills, agility, and 【Edit】.

All the goodies from ten years—unleashing now.

(I’ll rewrite that tragic game script with my own hands…!)

Resolve locked, I kicked off the ground.

The real fight to save the lone genius witch kicks off now.