Extra's Revenge: Reincarnated As A Slave-Chapter 162: Directive

"I need three Category S Guards to accompany me," Valdris stated flatly.

"Volunteers preferred, but I possess authority to conscript if necessary. The operation begins in three days—sufficient time for you to prepare equipment and settle personal affairs."

The lounge descended into tense silence.

Amara felt her heart pounding, but not from fear. This was it—the opportunity she’d been desperately seeking since learning Rey had entered the Labyrinth. A legitimate mission, backed by Devil authority, that would take her into the exact territory where he’d last been seen.

She stepped forward before conscious thought could override instinct.

"I volunteer, Lord Valdris."

Every head turned toward her. Kira’s expression showed shock mixed with concern. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Theron looked at her like she’d announced a suicide pact. Even Captain Draven’s professional composure cracked slightly.

Valdris’s attention fixed on Amara with intensity that felt physically oppressive.

Those red irises floating in black voids studied her with analysis that suggested he was seeing far more than mere physical appearance.

"You are young," he observed. "Newly assigned to this outpost. Youngest Category S Guard in recent history, according to the mystical signature marking your official classification."

His wings shifted slightly, a gesture that might have been equivalent to raised eyebrows.

"Most concerning—you show enthusiasm rather than appropriate terror. Either you possess suicidal inclinations, or you have personal motivations that override survival instinct."

Amara met his gaze despite every instinct screaming to look away. "I have reasons for wanting to investigate the Labyrinth, Lord Valdris. Personal reasons that align with your investigation’s objectives."

"Elaborate."

"Someone I knew entered the Labyrinth three years ago," Amara stated, choosing words carefully. "A Cursed One with significant combat capability who was fleeing Nether authorities. Reports suggested he descended into the depths rather than face capture. I’ve been trying to determine his fate since receiving that information."

Valdris’s expression showed interest rather than dismissal. "You believe this individual might be connected to the arrangement’s activation?"

"I can’t be certain," Amara admitted. "But the timing is suggestive. Three years provides sufficient opportunity for someone to adapt to the Labyrinth’s hostile environment, especially someone with exceptional capability and desperate motivation."

"And you wish to find this person. Why? Revenge? Justice? Or something else?"

Amara hesitated, recognizing the Devil could probably detect deception through mystical analysis. Better to offer partial truth than risk exposure through lies.

"Closure," she said finally. "He was present when my family was destroyed. I need to understand what happened, why it happened, and who was truly responsible."

Valdris studied her for a long moment, his black sclera making his thoughts completely inscrutable.

"The Labyrinth of Darkness will kill you," he stated flatly. "Even with my protection, even with preparation and superior equipment, the probability of your survival is minimal. The uncharted regions contain horrors that make surface Chaos Dwellers seem benign by comparison. Reality itself becomes unreliable, mystical techniques fail unpredictably, and the Prince of Darkness rules territories where even powerful people must exercise caution."

He leaned forward slightly, his presence intensifying.

"I am not responsible for your survival. If you die during this investigation, your body will likely be consumed by the Labyrinth’s ecosystem, your soul dispersed into Chaos Energy, your existence erased so completely that even mystical resurrection becomes impossible. Do you understand these consequences?"

"Yes, Lord Valdris."

"And you volunteer regardless?"

"Yes."

Valdris straightened, something approaching approval crossing his features.

"Acceptable. You possess either admirable courage or pathological obsession. Either serves my purposes adequately."

He turned his attention to the remaining Category S Guards.

"I need two more volunteers. Choose among yourselves. Those not selected will maintain outpost operations and prepare support resources for our return—assuming we return."

Kira and Theron exchanged glances.

Marcus looked at the floor, his scarred features showing internal conflict.

The silence stretched uncomfortably.

Finally, Theron stepped forward. "I’ll volunteer, Lord Valdris. My Spirit Art specialization includes mobility and reconnaissance techniques that might prove valuable in hostile territory."

Valdris nodded acknowledgment. "Acceptable."

Another pause.

Kira finally spoke, her voice tight. "I’ll take the third position. My Null Art capabilities could provide defensive support, and someone needs to keep these two from dying immediately."

She gestured at Amara and Theron, the comment carrying affection despite its grim humor.

"Three volunteers secured," Valdris confirmed. "Excellent. Prepare yourselves thoroughly. Acquire the highest-grade equipment available through your supply networks, settle any personal obligations, and ensure your mystical capabilities are optimized. I will return in three days at dawn. We depart immediately upon my arrival."

Then, without further ceremony, he simply vanished.

Not teleportation—Amara’s enhanced perception would have detected the spatial displacement.

Not mystical concealment—the ambient pressure would have remained. He simply ceased being present, as though reality had decided his existence in that location was no longer necessary.

The lounge erupted into chaos the moment he departed.

"Are you insane?!" Kira demanded, rounding on Amara. "Do you have a death wish? The Labyrinth of Darkness is a graveyard for everyone who enters it!"

"She’s right," Theron added, his usual relaxed demeanor completely absent. "I volunteered because someone needed to, and my capabilities make me slightly less likely to die immediately. But you—you practically jumped at the opportunity!"

Captain Draven dismissed Marcus with a gesture, then addressed Amara with controlled intensity.

"Explain your reasoning. Now. Because from where I’m standing, you just volunteered for a suicide mission with enthusiasm that suggests either insanity or information you haven’t shared."

Amara took a breath, organizing her thoughts.

"I told Lord Valdris the truth. Someone I knew entered the Labyrinth three years ago. I’ve been trying to find information about his fate since learning he descended into the depths."

"Who?" Kira demanded. "Who could possibly be worth risking your life in that nightmare?"

"A slave from my family’s household," Amara replied, the words tasting bitter. "He was present when my family was destroyed and is suspected of involvement in their deaths. He was last seen entering the Labyrinth while fleeing Category S Guards who were investigating him for multiple crimes."

She met their skeptical gazes directly.

"I need to know what happened. You wouldn’t understand..."

"So you’re going to risk your life on the slim chance he’s still alive down there?" Theron asked incredulously. "After three years in that environment, the probability he survived approaches zero."

"I know the odds," Amara replied. "But I also know he was extraordinarily capable. If anyone could survive the Labyrinth’s depths, it would be him."

Kira shook her head in disbelief.

"You’re either the most dedicated investigator I’ve ever met, or you’re obsessed beyond rational judgment."

A smile crossed Amara’s face—beautiful and dangerous, carrying excitement she could no longer suppress.

"Perhaps both," she admitted. "But I’m going regardless. This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for since learning he entered the Labyrinth. With Devil support, my chances of success increase dramatically."

She turned toward the lounge’s windows, looking out toward the distant darkness that marked the Labyrinth’s location.

"Three days," Amara murmured. "Three days to prepare, and then I’ll finally have the opportunity to descend into those depths and find the truth."

But even as excitement surged through her, questions nagged at her mind.

What arrangement had been triggered in the Labyrinth? Devils didn’t investigate personally unless the situation carried significant importance. Ancient mystical constructs designed to alert authorities suggested something far more complex than simple Chaos Dweller activity.

Could it be connected to Rey?

Had he done something in the uncharted depths that triggered these ancient alarms?

Did he discover something, activate something, or perhaps fight something powerful enough to register on mystical detection systems that spanned millennia?

’If you’re still alive down there,’ Amara thought, her smile widening with anticipation,

’I’m coming for you. And when I find you, we’ll finally have that conversation we should have had three years ago.’