Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 129 - Thefern Labyrinth (2)

[Thefern Labyrinth]

 

[Recommended level: Lv.500~?]

 

[Collapse progress: 0%]

 

[Thefern Labyrinth] rupture was created through the regular update.

 

Lee Hoyeol, the dark spirit, Infinitely Deep Darkness, and Thefern Labyrinth.

 

The interest that had lasted for nearly a week had finally reached its peak.

 

AAU was watching the situation carefully.

 

The head of the Korean branch, Park Minjae, opened his eyes.

 

“Does this traffic make sense, Sookyum?”

 

The traffic volume literally soared through the roof.

 

It was the number of searches for the keyword ‘Arcana labyrinth’.

 

Click clack–

 

Tapping the keyboard keys.

 

Yoon Sookyum, who was contributing to the amount of searches, responded.

 

“Our Hoyeol-ssi, is the only one who received the quest, but it seems everyone is paying close attention. This is not an opportunity that comes easily.”

 

Sung Hyunjoon, who was watching between the two bosses.

 

He cut in on the conversation.

 

“Because it’s the Top 10 Wonders of the Arcana continent.”

 

The days when Arcana was just a game.

 

Those on the development team couldn’t have been unaware of the Ten Wonders.

 

If you were the developer of Arcana, the content was so huge that it would be strange not to know.

 

“It’s not an exaggeration, it’s a truly world-class quest.”

 

Indeed.

 

Each one of the 10 Wonders had an impact on the world beyond the Arcana Continent.

 

So he didn’t think that it was content that would be released at this point in time…

 

Park Minjae’s keen eyes flashed.

 

“I guess Lee Hoyeol’s level has reached that point.”

 

“That’s right. His level is estimated to be at least 900.”

 

“Wait, so other players shouldn’t interfere?”

 

Wasn’t it scary?

 

Their lives were at stake.

 

Sung Hyunjoon shook his head.

 

“Right. How can they compete with Hoyeol-nim?”

 

“…What? Hoyeol-nim?”

 

“You told me not to say Homen.”

 

Pretending not to hear.

 

Sung Hyunjoon added.

 

“Still, it’s a labyrinth, so I guess they’re putting their hopes up.”

 

“That’s right. The labyrinth is not like an ordinary hunting ground.”

 

“Well, it seems they think they can beat it if they know how to attack it, right?”

 

There were many ways to attack the labyrinths in Arcana.

 

For example, the polar opposites.

 

They could destroy all the installed traps and escape the labyrinth without a single scratch.

 

There was also a way to escape by touching all the traps and hitting all the monsters that came pouring out.

 

“If  they think they can’t do it, they can just sit still.”

 

They could even just stop in place and wait.

 

Even when Arcana was just a game, experience points were valuable.

 

It was said that there was also a way to give up on the strategy, wait until other players conquered the labyrinth, and then salvage the main battle.

 

“Hmm, there were such complicated calculations?”

 

Anyway, with the way the players were thinking.

 

He felt like he had been worried for nothing.

 

Park Minjae was unable to speak for a moment.

 

Yoon Sookyum helped by adding.

 

“Besides, the recommended level is 500. Although it is higher than the average level of players… The ruptures we’ve seen so far have been so brutal.”

 

“Above all, there is a high probability that no demons will bother them!”

 

“…Is that so?”

 

Sookyum and Sung Hyunjoon seemed to think nothing of it.

 

However.

 

‘What is there to remember about Thefern, which didn’t even begin to get developed?’

 

Was it because he had grown older and become more irritable?

 

There was information that Park Minjae found particularly disturbing.

 

It was the recommended level.

 

“Hey, Sookyum.”

 

“Yes? Please speak, Branch Manager.”

 

“That… The recommended level of the labyrinth has always been like that, right?”

 

“The question mark? It’s been like that from the beginning.”

 

As he said, there were various strategies for conquering the labyrinth.

 

Depending on the choices you made, the difficulty level varied widely.

 

In the past, it was a system where the recommended level was marked with a question mark.

 

Yes, it was just a system-based notation…

 

‘It’s not just a labyrinth, it’s one of the Top 10 Wonders.’

 

Even the developers themselves.

 

They were unable to remember the detailed settings.

 

Content in the distant future.

 

Park Minjae couldn’t help but feel concerned.

 

[Recommended level: Lv.500~?]

 

What was the maximum value of that question mark?

 

Although he didn’t doubt Hoyeol’s ability.

 

‘Can I just quietly sit back and watch?’

 

Park Minjae, in the midst of his own agony.

 

Sung Hyunjoon’s excited voice pierced his eardrums.

 

“…Huh? wait a minute. It looks like the conversation between Lee Hoyeol and the League of the Explorers ended well? The League of Explorers is starting to move! But, it wasn’t just any explorer of the league, it’s Fabian himself?!”

 

…What, Fabian?!

 

That Fabian was moving?

 

Was he talking about the Fabian Delon he knew?

 

Park Minjae asked back in amazement.

 

“The legendary explorer and the president of the League of Explorers, Fabian Delon?”

 

“Yes! That Fabian!”

 

“…That’s crazy.”

 

Fabian Delon!

 

A.k.a the legendary explorer.

 

Including the Top 10 Wonders.

 

He was a man who was closer to the hidden treasure in the Arcana continent than anyone else.

 

So, just like the Mage Tower.

 

For systemic reasons.

 

Fabian was bound to be tied to the position of the president of the League of Explorers.

 

He couldn’t believe that Fabian started moving!

 

That too, to conquer the Thefern Labyrinth with Lee Hoyeol.

 

Park Minjae let out a laugh.

 

“That’s why I am really old-fashioned, right?”

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

Three explorers of the League, including the president, Fabian.

 

To truly find out their true colors.

 

As expected, there were only explorer players belonging to the same league.

 

──────

 

Title: A whirling persistent broadcast! Thefern Labyrinth is up!

 

──────

 

Yusra Kingdom.

 

In front of the League of Explorers headquarters.

 

“Can you see it properly?”

 

Park Hwigang’s camera captured Fabian and other explorers.

 

Before the viewers could react, Park Hwigang’s excited voice continued.

 

“I can’t believe President Fabian is making a move! This is my first time seeing this since I joined the League of Explorers. As if the president of the league is not enough, Aaron-ssi and Rombus-ssi are joining as well!”

 

Aaron and Rombus.

 

Excluding Fabian, who had been inactive.

 

They were the two explorers who recorded the highest performance in the League of Explorers.

 

– What?? Are they great people???

 

– Can’t you tell? Of course, they’re great

 

– First of all, their equipment isn’t that unusualㅋㅋ

 

– Is it explorer equipment? My heart feels grand

 

They hadn’t even entered a tattered labyrinth yet.

 

The chat window was already buzzing with excitement.

 

Park Hwigang finished the summary in one line.

 

“In short, they’re the best of the best!”

 

The League of Explorers’ best forces had set out to attack the [Thefern Labyrinth] rupture!

 

It was a big shock even to the players who had expected the situation to some extent.

 

“It’s driving me crazy. Was Fabian a character who could move?”

 

“A man who doesn’t even meet us comes out in with that attitude?”

 

“No. Even so, putting aside Fabian… Those two!”

 

Even to the rankers, Fabian was unknown.

 

Naturally, their arrows headed toward Aaron and Rombus.

 

“Both are notorious for ransom, aren’t they?”

 

The two men were executives of the Explorers’ League. People who had their achievements could be counted on one hand.

 

Yeah, it was not that they weren’t aware of those two men’s expensive ransom.

 

“Regardless of the ransom, those two. Their rudeness is not ordinary.”

 

The person who was surprised was the Guild Master of Bohemian, ranked 5th in the guild rankings.

 

Gyver.

 

In the aftermath of the incident in the Holy Land, Muon, the guild’s ranking had fallen one notch.

 

The ranking was reversed from Inazuma to Bohemian.

 

Gyver valued this experience.

 

What was more important than ranking was knowing his place.

 

Thanks to that lesson, he was able to look at the situation calmly.

 

“You all remember, right? It was during a dungeon-clearing competition with Second Sun. Both us and Second Son. We recruited those two people despite the cost.”

 

“You still remember that? It was before the Cataclysm.”

 

“How can I forget?”

 

The disgrace of that day!

 

Aaron and Rombus were as proud as they were capable.

 

Just as Bohemians and Second Sun were competing.

 

There was also a competition between those two.

 

Thanks to this, the two guilds were caught between the two explorers.

 

“I realized that day. If I reach out to the League of Explorers again, then I am not a human being, I am just a bastard. I’m glad it was before the Cataclysm. If it happened after…”

 

How many guild members on both sides had gotten killed or forced to log out due to the battle of pride between the two explorers? Because he knew that.

 

He couldn’t help but feel concerned and shook his head.

 

“Voluntarily. It’s good that they went so far as to declare no pay.”

 

…Lee Hoyeol, would he really be okay?

 

As he said.

 

In the face of exploration, the madness of the explorers was beyond imagination.

 

In addition, explorers were quick-witted.

 

Like in the dungeon or labyrinth.

 

In a position of power, they wielded authority as they pleased.

 

‘Can he control such three tiring people?’

 

He didn’t know what Hoyeol was thinking.

 

Shake.

 

Gyver shook his head.

 

“I will refuse no matter who offers it.”

 

It was obvious that he wouldn’t be able to get his money’s worth because the explorers would push him around.

 

“…Are you serious, Gyver?”

 

“Huh? I mean it. Of course.”

 

“Honestly, I understand if you’re jealous. Master.”

 

“What? No, it’s not like that…”

 

“It’s his arm that got hurt. But he’s acting as if he hurt his head, it doesn’t make sense.”

 

“No, wait a minute. Your words are too much.”

 

However, Gyver’s lackluster explanation didn’t last long.

 

“!”

 

Soon, Hoyeol and the three explorers met in front of the [Thefern Labyrinth] rupture.

 

Their first meeting was broadcasted to the world through the airwaves of Nettubers.

 

Towards Hoyeol.

 

Aaron and Rombus bowed their heads politely.

 

So did the President of the League, Fabian.

 

“…Is this for real?”

 

That scene was an opportunity for Gyver to learn his place again.

 

At the same time, it gave courage to players who were hesitant to enter the [Thefern Labyrinth] rupture.

 

“Yeah. If it’s tough, let’s just stay still.”

 

“Right? Even if we can’t break it, Lee Hoyeol will clear it.”

 

“Oh, why did you call him Lee Hoyeol? Your speaking habit. It’s Hoyeol-nim.”

 

Bustle–

 

[Thefern Labyrinth] was right in front of them.

 

A lot of attention was pouring out from a lot of people.

 

Was it because it had been a while since he had explored?

 

Or was it because the interest was too much?

 

Fabien eased up his heavy shoulders.

 

‘I realize once again that you live in a tiring world. Adventurers.’

 

A world without freedom, he hated it.

 

Then he shifted his gaze.

 

To Hoyeol.

 

Numerous titles and achievements followed in his footsteps.

 

What kind of guy was he?

 

Apart from the surprise, Fabian had been waiting for this day.

 

Indeed, the wait was not a waste at all.

 

It was as if Hoyeol was living alone in a different world.

 

First of all, wasn’t it obvious just by looking at that outfit?

 

It was neither Arcana’s nor the adventurers’ attire.

 

It was hard to believe that he was about to enter the labyrinth. An outfit full of formality and dignity.

 

What was more surprising was his attitude.

 

“I’ve already shared my greeting through letters, so I’ll skip that.”

 

Being casual with the President of the League of Explorers?

 

Fabian could fully understand it.

 

After all, Hoyeol had a position comparable to that of Hakuna, the king, in the Yusra kingdom.

 

Since the League was established in Yusra, such an attitude was understandable.

 

‘No, considering the care the League of the Exploere is receiving in the Yusra Kingdom… Even if he acts worse than this, we should accept it generously.’

 

So it wasn’t the trivial way of speaking that surprised Fabien.

 

‘…That’s amazing.’

 

That gaze and posture, Hoyeol didn’t seem pressured at all.

 

Fabian looked at the airflow around him again.

 

The moment Hoyeol appeared.

 

The attention and gaze of the crowd focused on him.

 

It was a little embarrassing to say it himself, but…

 

It was several times more burdensome than the attention he had received as Arcana’s best explorer.

 

‘It’s called a camera.’

 

Also, it was said that the small machine, the camera, relayed the situation here live to everyone in the world.

 

It literally meant that the world was watching Hoyeol.

 

‘It’s so amazing that even the word amazing doesn’t even begin to cover it.’

 

Despite the enormous attention, Hoyeol didn’t waver even an inch.

 

Maybe that’s why it felt as though he was living alone in another world.

 

Fabien let out a laugh.

 

‘It put my thorough preparation to shame.’

 

He was the expert in the labyrinth.

 

And yet, he felt like he was the lucky one to be with Hoyeol.

 

It couldn’t be like this.

 

The moment Fabian came to his senses.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

“…!”

 

Soon, as if responding to the evaluation, he heard Hoyeol’s voice.

 

Nod–

 

Exchanging glances with each other.

 

Fabien and other explorers of the league took their steps.

 

Fabien opened his mouth grimly.

 

“So that you don’t regret your decision. I’ll do my best.”

 

*

 

What a relief.

 

It seemed we weren’t the only ones entering the labyrinth.

 

As expected, this was the modern society where people lived and helped each other.

 

‘It’s not like we’re going to catch a demon, so just the four of us is a bit too much.’

 

The demon and the labyrinth.

 

The Demon King’s Castle rupture was 300 levels above this rupture.

 

But for me, the [Thefern Labyrinth] was much more burdensome… Because [Natural Enemy Relationship] being activated or not was more important.

 

‘Still, I feel relieved.’

 

In that sense, the League of the Explorers was reassuring.

 

I needed to be fully prepared.

 

Did this mean they didn’t just skim through my aggrieved letter?

 

First of all, the equipment they were wearing was no joke. Grandfel’s sense of aesthetics didn’t find any flaws.

 

The equipment was at least [luxury] level.

 

Of course, even if I was concerned.

 

I wouldn’t be able to express it.

 

Still, thanks to that, I was able to speak more confidently.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

[Thefern Labyrinth]

 

[Recommended level: Lv.500~?]

 

[Collapse progress: 0.1%]

 

At the same time as we stepped in.

 

The scenery changed in an instant.

 

One fortunate thing was, that [Thefern rupture] was created in the middle of nowhere.

 

The rupture was a space of [『oddity』] where reality and half of the Arcana continent were mixed.

 

‘For example, if it was created at a subway transfer station.’

 

The landscape of the hellish transfer station would get mixed into the already complicated labyrinth.

 

Just imagining it made me feel terrible, seriously.

 

By the way….

 

It seemed it was a little too early to be relieved?

 

In my gradually brightening vision.

 

The scenery of Thefern Labyrinth was revealed.

 

At the same time, a message and a chilling voice appeared.

 

[You foolish one who have entered the Thefern Labyrinth.]

 

[Wealth and fame do not exist here.]

 

[Leave this place immediately.]

 

“…A voice!”

 

“Fabian-ssi, did you hear that?”

 

“I did. It’s not easy from the start, is it?”

 

Looking at the reaction, it seemed that it was not a common production in labyrinths.

 

Fabian, Aaron, and Rombus were shocked for a moment.

 

The last message was heard.

 

[If you don’t want to die.]

 

…Gulp!

 

I could even hear the sound of Fabian and his group swallowing their saliva.

 

We got a warning from the beginning.

 

The aggrievance I had been trying so hard to suppress rose again.

 

But I didn’t express it.

 

Apart from my personality, I still had a ‘belief’.

 

I spoke in the same voice as always.

 

“Haiel.”

 

Haiel appeared from thin air.

 

A dark figure, the dark spirit, swayed next to Haiel.

 

He looked at me and whispered.

 

“Infinitely Deep Darkness. I was waiting for your call.”

 

…Waiting and everything else was fine.

 

“Infinitely Deep Darkness…!!”

 

There were people listening.

 

How could you use that title even in the labyrinth?

 

I couldn’t help but cry in my heart.

 

Soon my vision flashed.

 

[Top 10 Wonders Quest: Thefern Labyrinth]

 

A new quest goal appeared.