The Honorable Wanderer: Mushoku Tensei

Standing before the entrance to the Teleport Labyrinth, Billy and Levi stared at the massive structure that exuded an air of mystery. Its rough black stone walls were etched with ancient carvings, glowing faintly in a pulsating rhythm of purplish-blue light. The glow seemed almost alive, like the labyrinth itself was breathing, waiting patiently for its next prey.

Despite the tense atmosphere, Billy and Levi carried themselves with their characteristic contrasting attitudes.

Billy adjusted his cowboy hat with a grin, brimming with excitement. "Ah, look at that, Levi. We've finally reached the heart-pounding part of the journey. A teleport labyrinth! It's like a challenge from the universe we can't ignore."

Levi, his sword Leviathana resting at his hip, studied the labyrinth with a serious expression. "This isn't a place to fool around, Billy. Labyrinths like this have a terrible reputation. Not many make it out alive."

Billy turned to him with his trademark confident smile. "And that's where we're different, my friend. We're not 'most people.' Besides, I've prepared for everything."

Levi raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you mean that sub-space ring of yours? I'm sure our supplies will help, but not every problem can be solved with magical trinkets."

Chuckling, Billy pulled his twin pistols, Pollux and Castor, from their holsters. He gave them a quick check before spinning them and sliding them back into place. "You're right, which is why I've got these beauties. And you've got that sword of yours—which, I'll admit, looks pretty awesome."

Levi sighed. "I just hope your enthusiasm doesn't get us killed."

Billy patted his shoulder, his grin unshaken. "That's why you're here, Levi—to make sure I don't do anything stupid."

Levi paused before stepping forward, his gaze flickering with a hint of thoughtfulness. "You know, those five people we freed earlier… their situation made me think."

Billy shrugged, his usual grin softening. "Yeah, I know. Three of them were enslaved, the other two forced laborers. This world is cruel, Levi. But at least we did something to change that."

Levi nodded slowly. "True. But it's a reminder that what we're facing here is far bigger than just finding victims of the teleportation incident. This world's cruelty… we can only do so much against it."

Billy looked at Levi, more serious than usual. "A little is better than nothing. And if entering this labyrinth means saving more lives, then it's a risk worth taking."

A faint smile crossed Levi's lips, followed by a long exhale. "I hope you're right, Billy."

With a deep rumble, the massive doors of the labyrinth began to creak open, revealing a dark passageway faintly illuminated by the glowing carvings on its walls. Billy stepped forward first, drawing Pollux from its holster. Levi followed closely behind, his hand resting on Leviathana, ready for anything.

"You know," Billy said, breaking the silence, "I heard that this labyrinth scrambles people's locations once they're inside. So, if we suddenly get separated, try not to panic, alright?"

Levi shot him a flat look. "I don't panic. I look for an exit… and maybe rescue you along the way."

Billy chuckled. "That's what makes us a great pair. I bring the optimism, you bring the realism. Perfect balance."

Levi shook his head but couldn't hide the faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

The first corridor was eerily silent, but they both knew it was just the beginning of what promised to be a perilous journey. Their footsteps echoed, the sound stretching down the endless hall like a ghostly reminder of their isolation.

"Funny, isn't it?" Billy mused, trying to ease the tension. "A labyrinth that can teleport people anywhere. Makes you wonder—why was something like this even built in the first place?"

Levi glanced at him briefly. "Probably created by someone with too much time and magical power."

Billy let out a small laugh. "Safe guess. But seriously, I can't wait to see what we'll find in here."

Suddenly, the faint sound of footsteps echoed from deeper within the corridor—quick and deliberate, growing louder with each passing moment. Levi raised a hand, signaling Billy to stop.

"Listen," he whispered.

Billy nodded, gripping Pollux and Castor tightly. Both of them fixed their eyes on the dark hallway ahead, bracing for whatever was coming.

From the shadows emerged a massive creature with a translucent, glowing body. It resembled a giant jellyfish, its form pulsating faintly as it floated through the air. Long, shimmering tentacles trailed behind it, crackling with an eerie energy.

"Well," Billy said, his eyes lighting up with a mix of curiosity and excitement. "This looks like fun."

Levi unsheathed Leviathana, his gaze steady on the monster. "Your definition of 'fun' and mine couldn't be more different."

Billy laughed, raising his pistols. "Come on, Levi. This isn't the time for jokes. We've got a monster to beat!"

Together, they advanced, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them in the depths of the mysterious labyrinth.

---

The Teleport Labyrinth, forged by calamity and steeped in history, now became the stage for a fierce battle between Levi, Billy, and an unrelenting horde of giant ants. The narrow, dark corridors trembled under the countless tiny feet of the swarm, the air filled with the hiss of chittering mandibles and the rumble of their stampede.

Billy took position at the rear, wielding his twin pistols, Pollux and Castor, with precision. He fired rounds imbued with magical energy, each shot bursting into small explosions that tore through the fragile bodies of several ants at a time. But no matter how many fell, more took their place, their sheer numbers threatening to overwhelm the pair.

At the front, Levi stood resolutely with his blade, Leviathana, cutting down anything that approached. With a powerful leap, he swung his sword in an arc, a blue glow following its edge as it sliced through multiple ants in a single motion.

"I told you not to say anything that raises death flags!" Billy shouted over the cacophony, still firing nonstop.

Without looking back, Levi replied, his voice steady amid the chaos. "If you've got the energy to yell, use it to think!"

"I am thinking!" Billy snapped, ejecting spent cartridges and loading fresh ones. "And I'm thinking we need an escape plan!"

Levi dodged a snapping pair of mandibles, pivoting gracefully to decapitate the ant before him. "We can't escape until we figure out where the next teleportation circle leads!"

Billy scanned the area, his sharp eyes darting through the dimly lit corridor. "Fine! I'll look for the circle—you keep these guys off me while I think!"

"Think fast," Levi replied, leaping into the fray once more. His blade moved with practiced elegance, carving through the swarm in smooth, devastating arcs.

Dodging an incoming ant, Billy aimed and fired between its eyes, dispatching it with a well-placed shot. "You know, Levi," he said, breathless but still grinning, "I think this might be some kind of bravery test. If we die here, at least it's in a legendary labyrinth."

Levi shot him a brief, disapproving glance before spinning his sword in a circular motion, clearing a small radius around himself. "I'd prefer living in a legendary labyrinth to dying in one."

Billy let out a short laugh despite the dire situation. "Fair point."

After minutes of relentless fighting, Billy's eyes caught a faint glow at the far end of the corridor. It was a teleportation circle, its intricate carvings emitting a soft bluish-green light, radiating a mysterious and magical energy.

"Levi!" Billy shouted, pointing toward the circle. "I found it! The teleportation circle!"

Levi nodded, swiftly retreating toward Billy while delivering a final, devastating swing that scattered the nearest ants.

"Good," Levi said firmly. "But we need to make sure it's safe before jumping in."

Billy crouched by the circle, his hands brushing over the glowing carvings etched into the stone floor. "Well, I'm no teleportation expert, but this seems like our only option. And hey, if it's a trap, at least we won't die surrounded by ants."

Levi exhaled, his grip tightening on Leviathana. "You're terrible at making me feel optimistic."

"Optimism is overrated," Billy replied with a grin, standing up. "Let's go!"

The two stepped into the circle, ants closing in from all directions. As the glowing inscriptions brightened, the ground beneath them began to tremble.

"One, two, three… go!" Billy yelled.

In an instant, a brilliant light enveloped their bodies, and they vanished from the dark, insect-infested corridor, leaving the swarm behind in confusion.

When they reappeared, Billy and Levi found themselves in a vastly different chamber. The walls, made of deep purple stone, glowed faintly, casting an eerie but oddly majestic light across the room. At its center stood an ornate altar, atop which rested a grand statue of a Behemoth, its form carved with meticulous detail that made it appear almost alive.

Billy exhaled deeply, his gaze sweeping across the room. "Well, that was thrilling. At least we're still in one piece."

Levi glanced around, his sword still at the ready. "Don't relax too quickly. This labyrinth doesn't give breaks."

Billy offered a tired smile, raising Pollux and Castor. "Ready for round two?"

Levi nodded, his stance firm. "Always."