Isn’t the wannabe Villain too cute?

Amidst dark and heavy clouds which could break and drench the surface any moment now, flew a woman who by every angle seemed otherworldly.

Silver hair tied in a bun with oceanic blue eyes fixated on her front, yet not really caring about where she advanced. Her pale face and the minimal skin she exposed out of her dress, made her look like someone descending from the heavens.

The Saintess of Humanity. The Light of Hope and various others, heard and unheard names, have been regarded as this woman.

But Austin's favorite, The Dominatrix.

That kind of living legend flying over a vast forest couldn't be called a leisure hobby, nor could it be labeled as fighting loneliness.

Well, Luna indeed was lonely in the absence of her beloved, but it didn't mean she was killing her time by gazing at such a never-ending forest for no definite reason.

It's been almost ten hours since Austin left her side and went for the Labyrinth. She tried to engage herself in teaching stuff and other of her research, but nothing proved to be working.

She couldn't stop thinking about him at all!

Thanks to the tip she got about the creature who had been building the blessing suppressor artifact, Luna got something to spend her time on.

Almost a month ago, Luna spread a kind of spell where small mana balls wander freely anywhere. These aren't just any mana balls but special ones, which Luna creates using her Divine Energy and through her knowledge of Space Magic.

The significance of those small pearl-like spheres lies in their vulnerability. Since they aren't visible to anything or anyone, there was a slim chance of those mana balls getting interrupted in between.

What could only erase those mana balls is the same effect that the blessing-suppressing artifact produces.

As soon as the connection with one of her Mana orbs disconnected, Luna darted to investigate which bastard had been plotting from the shadows for who knows how long.

'Was it here…right? '

Being a little uncertain, Luna decided to land on the ground first as she enhanced her senses meanwhile

With a slow thud, she dropped her feet into the middle of no definite part of the forest which was filled with strange creatures and monsters.

'[Camouflage]'

Using her spell, Luna blended in the greenery as she surveyed her surroundings.

She was receiving different mana presence, but none of them were worthy of paying attention. What got her interested was the peculiar sensation she felt upon widening her mana search reach.

After a specific range, the channel became fainter before dropping to zero. That place wasn't so far, so she decided to walk rather than levitate.

She didn't even walk ten steps when she suddenly felt someone watching her. It was vague, but Luna wasn't an amateur not to notice such unwanted attention.

Turning herself to the left, Luna chanted an ice lance on her either hand before she spoke in a profoundly cold tone.

"Show yourself, or the next thing you will be peeking at would be hell…."

Her voice resonated enough for the person who was hiding on one of the branches of a humongous tree, to hear properly.

Luna had her aim fixed, and she would have killed the person within blinks; if not, she would have seen a familiar face appearing from the shadows.

"You… "

______________….

Back in the labyrinth, there was total silence befell on the fifth stage of the abyss as several figures stood with varying expressions on their faces.

Kyouki had pulled Cordelia behind his back since she wasn't much in shape to engage in battle. Even though he was shielding his friend, Kyouki himself was feeling extremely horrified at the moment to defend anyone.

Ever since this person who called himself The Wizard of Abyss appeared, strange chills spread across the hero with a sensation of being inferior raging high.

Of course, he wouldn't cower away, but for some reason, Kyouki knew how strong this strange appearance was.

It was the same for Saya, albeit a little less influential. She indeed felt the threat from the robbed man, but she wasn't fretting. Maybe she would have measured the man more rationally, if not for the distance he had from her Onii-sama.

She couldn't let herself even blink in cautiousness.

Back on the duo, where every other gaze was focused, Austin stood upright without any sign of wavering emotion on his face.

With a thin smile never leaving the older man's face, the Wizard asked in an assertive tone.

[And what is it you are so eager to know?]

Austin narrowed his gaze since he never said he came in search of answers. But since he indeed wanted to know a thing or two, he didn't beat around the bush.

"The reason why there's no mana can enter this labyrinth."

This question has been bugging Austin for a while. For some reason, he had a hunch that the mystery behind this unique phenomenon of this Abyss would reveal various of the things Austin desires to unravel.

Hearing Austin's words, the wizard also narrowed his gaze before his smile widened. It seemed he sensed something from Austin, which resulted in such an exaggerated reaction.

[Hahah… Wonderful! Wonderful indeed!]

Kyouki glanced at Saya as he saw her clutching her katana and ready for combat any second, as the wizard suddenly started to move.

While shaking his head, the wizard facepalmed himself before he leaned slightly forward and whispered something to Austin.

[You are a System User, aren't you?]

______________….

A/N: - I told yah, I have started the preparation for the end. Things would unravel. Various mysteries would be discovered.

Let's see where this goes.

Stay safe and drop a comment on your way back.

Peace out ✌️.