The Great Witches and the Rune Labyrinth

Long ago, before the hidden, bustling subterranean halls came into being, nothing existed in that distant region across the ocean but bare stone and a quiet sea.

That all changed the day a massive meteorite fell from the sky, crashing near the shores and bittering a third of the surrounding waters.

As a result, as the scorched sea evaporated under the celestial heat, it gave rise to a thick, acrid fog that eventually condensed and fell as toxic rain.

Because of this, the venomous downpour swept across the land, corroding everything in its path and giving shape to a barren, abandoned wasteland—an uninhabitable territory that the witches later claimed for their own benefit and protection.

Thanks to that, after claiming the toxic wasteland, the various elemental schools of witchcraft put aside their traditional feuds and divided the task of erecting a vast subterranean marketplace. Each coven contributed its specialty to build a functional civilization beneath the surface: the witches of the Atmospheric School ionized pure oxygen trapped deep within the subterranean rocks; the witches of the Flame School endowed the cold caverns with perpetual light and warmth; and the witches of the Flowing Water School became an inexhaustible spring for the sanctuary.

In the end, even the witches, who were by nature born solitary and isolated, suddenly learned the meaning of unity and, as outcasts, set out on a collective journey to perpetuate civilization underground, engraving defensive magical formations and runes into the structure of every building.

Until, over time, once the grand subterranean refuge was complete, it began to attract all those who had been rejected by societal norms or by what was considered ethically acceptable on the surface.

Outlaws, rogue scholars, and shady merchants flocked in droves to the underground haven to trade and sell products that would otherwise be discarded or forbidden, gradually turning that hidden refuge into what was, ironically, the safest place in the world amidst the bitter global invasion war waged by the Demon King.

However, as soon as the situation stabilized and underground life began to thrive, the most powerful witches soon ceased to be so generous.

"Mortals! We are witches—not the sun, nor the atmosphere, nor the rivers."

Under the iron leadership of Speaker Scarlet Astrea, the Grand Witches formed a supreme council to rule the market as they pleased.

"We have no obligation to maintain or sustain your lives."

Consequently, with the passing of the years, that government devolved into a tyranny where the council plundered the population's magic crystals with growing cruelty.

"If you wish to reside in our market, please offer us magic crystals."

Until finally, the abuse reached such a point that even drinking water and every breath of ionized air carried a price, leaving those who could not afford the tributes without even the right to receive the warmth of the artificial sun's rays.

Yet, despite such oppression, if someone truly ran out of magic crystals to pay, the "merciful" Grand Witches did not simply expel those they considered valuable free labor. Instead, they granted them the grand opportunity to serve as slaves, dedicating every last material possession and every ounce of their spiritual strength to the service of the beautiful Grand Witches for the rest of their limited lives.

"...And well, dear customer... that is the history of this place."

Having said all that, the merchant concluded his exhaustive history lesson by staring intently at the hooded figure of "Silvia," expecting to see some reaction of astonishment or fear in the face of the Grand Witches' relentless tyranny.

"Do you understand where you are standing now, esteemed customer?"

Before his eyes, however, the only thing he received in return was a blank gaze beneath the hooded figure's cloak...

"...."

Behind her back, the heavy urn containing the once-legendary A-Rank adventurer, the ogre Rasha, was already securely fastened.

"...I understand."

In contrast, "Silvia" nodded in silence after having listened with saintly patience to the tale of the market's founding, the magical formations, and the iron rule of the council of witches.

"But I have a question..."

And immediately following those words, tilting her head slightly to the side in clear confusion, Silvia asked the most obvious question to her.

"How do I get out of here?"

Yet that simple doubt concealed an absurd ordeal.

"Silvia" had reached this subterranean abyss after moving at a breakneck speed in a straight line. Unfortunately, having inherited her mother Mireya's terrible sense of direction, she had strayed off course long before realizing it.

"...Oh, you see, dear customer... this is very difficult for me to say... But~"

Since her non-human nature freed her from the need to breathe, she literally crossed the ocean floor underwater without batting an eye, reaching the other side of the world and stepping into that enchanted realm.

"What is it?"

Once inside, however, the magical formations caused her to walk in circles for five exhausting, uninterrupted hours, until she stumbled upon a merchant who recognized the elven map she was attempting to read in vain.

"Ah... I am afraid that is extremely delicate information, my esteemed traveler."

Upon hearing her naive question, the vendor let out a low chuckle and clasped his hands over the counter with practiced courtesy.

"...Giving out such vital information about a place like this... is something extremely dangerous that warrants some form of... guarantee~!"

Without another word, the man rubbed his fingers together in an unmistakable gesture indicating an additional monetary cost.

"..."

In response, "Silvia," keeping her gaze completely blank and expressionless beneath her hood, did not hesitate for a single second. Reaching into her bag, she handed him an even larger sum of gold coins than before.

"Oh, praised be your matchless generosity!"

The merchant exclaimed with a dramatic bow, making the bounty vanish with the agility of a prestidigitator.

"You see, the reason why you find it impossible to find the exit is quite simple: every structure in this market has defensive runes engraved upon its walls. These runes constantly rearrange the surroundings, turning the entire complex into a dynamic labyrinth. It is a measure devised by the witches to ensure that no one who enters can escape without paying the proper fees first."

Thus, upon hearing the explanation about the runic labyrinth, Silvia tilted her head once more.

(Should I destroy everything...?)

For a brief second, the most logical option that crossed her mind was to eradicate the entire market: unleash a catastrophic fire that would incinerate every building, forcibly undo the magical formations, and blast a direct path back to the surface.

"...That is wrong."

Fortunately for the inhabitants of the market, she rejected the idea almost immediately.

"Hey..."

Following that, after a few minutes of intense deliberation in search of a more peaceful exit, Silvia simply surrendered to the mental effort and chose the easy way out: asking for help.

"Do you know who can let me leave?"

Upon hearing those words, the merchant raised an eyebrow and brought back his predatory smile.

"You see, giving out such specific information can cost you."

Before the man could initiate another round of haggling, however, Silvia reached under her cloak and slammed down one of the many bags filled with gold coins that the grateful elves of Ironholm had given her before her departure.

(Thud!!)

She let it fall onto the counter with a dry, heavy thud, fixing the vendor with a cold, firm gaze from the shadow of her hood that demanded he speak without further beating around the bush.

"Is this enough?"

In response, the merchant stared at the gleam of the precious metal and swallowed hard.

"In that case, my most esteemed lady, the answer is quite simple!"

With eyes gleaming with greed, he scooped up the bag and began to explain with overflowing excitement.

"If you wish to leave this place legally and without getting trapped in the loop of the labyrinth, you will have to speak directly with Speaker Scarlet Astrea herself, the Grand Witch who rules over this entire place!"

Having finally obtained a clear answer, Silvia wasted no more time.

"She alone possesses the authority to deactivate the runes or grant you an exit permit!"

She adjusted Rasha's heavy urn onto her back and, determined to resolve the issue without causing collateral damage, began marching through the subterranean corridors in search of the Grand Witch's palace.