Chapter 128 – Labyrinth of Tepheran (1)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Marcelo stood at the center of the Crystal Hall.

The gazes of numerous mages looking at him.

It wasn’t even his first time in such a position.

For what reason was it.

‘My emotions are somewhat extraordinary.’

Falling into the world of adventurers, many things changed.

But more than anything, the biggest catalyst for change was Ho-yeol, wasn’t it.

Marcelo recalled his first meeting with Ho-yeol.

-“I believe unnecessary elements exist in your investigation process. What do you think, Chief Mage Marcelo?”

Pfft

To the point where a small chuckle leaked out even when thinking about it now.

It was undeniably a shocking first appearance.

He knew even less that he would end up handling the position of Chief alongside him.

However.

‘It would have been impossible if not for you, Sir.’

He didn’t have the slightest regret about leading him to the Mage Tower.

Because if it weren’t for Ho-yeol.

He wouldn’t have even figured out the deception of the demon worshippers, including Karimzhebar.

Nor would he have been able to rectify the original sin of the Mage Tower.

Of course, even if it weren’t necessarily such grandiose incidents.

‘I also know that you have shared the burden of my load.’

From preliminary verifications, regular conferences, down to improving relationships among the Seniors.

Thanks to that, the things he needed to pay attention to decreased in various ways.

It had truly been a long time since he had time to rest.

Why, isn’t there a saying that character stems from leisure?

His personality had become much milder than before.

It seemed the venom had drained from his eyes.

The rumors directed towards him would be the proof.

‘Although I don’t know what you think of it, Sir.’

Even until a while ago.

Marcelo couldn’t guess Ho-yeol’s thoughts.

How could he, Sir.

As a survivor of Akshan, step forward for the sake of the Mage Tower?

Likewise, generously embrace the Goddess Religion, which could be considered the enemy of the holy war?

Because he couldn’t understand it even when thinking about it from his perspective.

‘But it doesn’t matter.’

However, the question did not lead to concern.

Because Marcelo had witnessed it.

Ho-yeol’s figure mourning Senios’s death.

-“Elder Mage Senios…….”

To think you would have sought Elder Senios before me.

It was an action that made unnecessary questions disappear.

Therefore, Marcelo had no worries.

‘I can rest assured.’

The fact that if it was him, Sir, he would definitely be able to rebuild the Mage Tower. Furthermore, the belief that he would also successfully conclude his own research.

However, if there was just one thing, a lingering attachment…….

‘It leaves a bit of lingering attachment that I won’t be able to see the Tower Master again.’

However, Marcelo knew.

That there wasn’t much time left for himself.

Therefore.

‘To open the path for you to advance, Sir.’

Not much time.

He had to accomplish the things he needed to do.

It was the weight of the Chief that Marcelo himself had to shoulder.

Marcelo recalled Ho-yeol’s words.

-“I believe hiding things goes against pride.”

Yes, exactly as you said, Sir.

In order not to repeat the mistakes.

Soon after, Marcelo opened his mouth.

“I will begin the Round Table Conference with a discussion regarding the disposition process of the great sinners of the Mage Tower, the three Elder Mages including Karimzhebar. But prior to that, I will substitute the opening ceremony with a silent tribute for Elder Mage Senios.”

.

.

.

Healing Magicology Senior Mage, Belier Yusia.

She noticed the sense of grim resolve lingering over the Mage Tower.

“……In the end, everyone found out.”

All the facts were revealed at the Round Table Conference.

Though Belier already knew all the facts beforehand.

Just by recalling it again.

It was to the extent that the aftermath of the shock she received could be felt again.

“Everyone.”

In that sense, the shock the Adept and Apprentice Mages must have received was unimaginable.

However, Belier knew. The fact that all the mages of the Mage Tower weren’t ordinary individuals.

Apprentice Mages.

They were only treated as fledglings inside the Mage Tower.

Their abilities could be seen just by looking at the evaluations they had heard extensively prior to entering the Mage Tower.

Pride of a magical family, reincarnation of a great mage, unpolished gemstone of pure talent…….

How about the Adept Mages?

They possess a level right now that wouldn’t fall short even when compared to the top mages on the Arcana continent.

Depending on their major, it meant they possessed abilities capable of either destroying a city or rebuilding one.

‘It feels a bit awkward saying it with my own mouth but…….’

It would be correct to classify Senior Mages as superhumans rather than humans.

Belier herself was also aware.

That the magic of the Seniors, including herself, was on a level beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

Such a place was the Mage Tower.

Individuals with immense potential.

Or individuals striving to bloom that potential.

Or a group gathered of individuals who had already bloomed that potential.

“It might be confusing right now but…….”

From Apprentice to Adept to Senior.

Because Belier had gone through all the processes.

She could gauge their feelings.

That in the end, they would come to share the same feelings as her.

Yes, the demons that deceived the Mage Tower.

Furthermore, they would think they couldn’t just sit and watch those who turned the Arcana continent into a wasteland.

The grim resolve lingering in the Mage Tower at this moment must also be precisely because of that.

Therefore, from one perspective, it couldn’t be helped but be worrisome.

The gathered power of the Mage Tower.

Because immense responsibility would follow that mighty power.

If she thought about the time when such power of the Mage Tower was used incorrectly…….

Just imagining it made her shudder, making Belier furrow her brows.

However, she didn’t worry too much right now.

‘Chief Marcelo, and Chief Lee Ho-yeol.’

Because there were currently two co-Chiefs present in the Mage Tower.

Bite

Belier bit her lip.

“For now, that is…….”

Belier knew.

That Marcelo didn’t have much time left.

And the fact that he elected Ho-yeol.

An individual who could replace him, as Chief.

‘……I can tell that much even without him saying it.’

Marcelo, how many years have we watched each other.

It was Ho-yeol chosen by the great Marcelo himself.

Even if it wasn’t the case at first, she had no doubts anymore at this point.

Because referring to the abilities Chief Lee Ho-yeol had demonstrated would just make her mouth sore.

And lastly.

“Even his inner self diffrent from the outside.”

His stiff neck that never bowed even once.

Bowing such a head.

Chief Lee Ho-yeol mourning Senios alone.

Belier couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

“Chief Marcelo. Indeed, an eye befitting a Chief.”

It must be the right judgment.

It must have been the best judgment Marcelo could make.

However, it wasn’t the case for Belier.

“……I am also just making the best judgment I can make.”

Belier soon retracted her smile.

She picked up a quill pen.

Scribble

She painstakingly wrote down something.

Still, there was one fortunate thing.

“Klee, thanks to you, I’ve relieved myself of one worry.”

The advice of the Adept Mage, Klee, that came to mind upon grasping the quill pen.

-“Above all, that objective! He seemed to find the objective important!”

Application to exit the tower.

Belier, who was writing down the objective for exiting the tower, spoke in a low voice.

“Chief Lee Ho-yeol. I don’t know what you might think of this. But to me, there is no objective more important than this.”

──────

Chief Mage, Marcelo Simuard.

The terminal curse passed down in the Simuard Magical Family.

Research concerning its dispelling.

──────

*

Damn it, it drains my energy.

Actually, the only thing I did at the Round Table Conference was.

Nothing more than sit still in the Crystal Hall.

……Meaning the mental shock was huge.

To think I would hear gossip about myself so explicitly!

Who could have guessed?

Someone might ask.

Even on the community, TV, and even in family group chats.

It’s bustling with talk about something called Endlessly Deep Darkness.

So why am I making such a fuss.

‘That and this are strictly different.’

To draw a comparison, if I must…….

This feels like my private life being scattered in a workplace where I strictly separated public and private matters.

On top of that, that private life is a terrible dark history I don’t even want to recall……!

However, contrary to my agonizing feelings, there was no outward sign.

Stir stir

I stirred my teaspoon and chattered smoothly.

“The evaluations of others are not important.”

One sentence would have sufficed, yet I went out of my way to add words.

“The only important thing is the pride within one’s heart.”

……Truly not an ounce of shame.

I respect my past self.

Sincerely.

However, thanks to this blasted composure.

My present self is able to stay intact like this.

Look, just right now, as if nothing happened.

Aren’t I shameless leafing through a book?

“Reading is food for the mind.”

While spitting out plausible-sounding nonsense like usual.

Yes, it is deeply embarrassing, but…….

It’s not just once or twice I’ve been like this.

And it’s obvious I will continue to be like this in the future too.

‘……Endlessly deep darkness. Let’s try to get used to it.’

Yes, as for lamenting my circumstances.

I’m too busy just thinking about the things facing me right now.

I tilted my teacup and shifted my gaze to the quest.

[10 Great Mysteries Quest: Labyrinth of Tepheran]

The Arcana continent’s 10 Great Mysteries, Tepheran.

Solve the labyrinth of Tepheran.

And reveal the truth of Tepheran to the world.

Mysteries uncovered to date: 0 / 10

─Witness the labyrinth of Tepheran. (In Progress)

In the past, I would have felt helpless.

Wondering if I shouldn’t just be tilting my teacup carefreely until the [Labyrinth of Tepheran] rift surfaces in the regular update. However, to me, there was experience.

[Demon King’s Castle] rift.

The experience of having predicted that regular update.

Thanks to that, I gained a slight certainty.

‘Regular updates aren’t random.’

Meaning there’s regularity.

Speaking in Granfel’s language.

“A procedure exists for everything.”

Yes, it means a procedure of its own exists even for regular updates.

Perhaps among the events occurring on the Arcana continent.

Wouldn’t the biggest event have the highest probability of surfacing in the regular update?

Just like how the [Demon King’s Castle] rift did.

Therefore, I could guess.

“Labyrinth. The day I face you is not far.”

[Labyrinth of Tepheran].

If it’s early, it will surface right away in this week’s regular update.

The basis of my inference is infinitely sufficient.

Demon King Annihilation.

Thanks to that, the activities of the demons on the Arcana continent have temporarily died down. The probability of an incident big enough to be called a major event happening would be low.

‘Thorough preparation is essential.’

[Tepheran Fence].

I evaluated my immediate combat power there.

Level 450, it was endurable even surrounded by Tepheran Scarecrows.

A class with missing screws.

Even for a demon hunter, I’ve become somewhat strong in my own right too, it sinks in.

‘Well, more than half of it is thanks to my stats.’

From class quests to even the precious elixir.

I even had the thought that the efficiency dropped compared to how much I struggled to obtain it, but……. Let’s know our place, Ho-yeol. My class is always going to be Demon Hunter.

“Everything has its pros and cons.”

Let’s not talk as if talking about someone else’s matter either.

Ultimately, it’s spitting on my own face.

Because it was my story.

Of course, it’s not a wrong statement.

‘Demon Hunter.’

Because I always never forgot knowing my place.

It means I’ve already been digging survival holes, wells, for a long time.

[Labyrinth of Tepheran].

As mentioned, the probability of [Natural Enemy] activating would be low. It wasn’t just words, but it really required full preparation.

In that sense, there is an item that makes me feel reassurance just by looking at it.

[Vampire Count’s Orb]

[Rank: Unique]

[Restriction: Lv.400]

[Effect: When attacking, applies additional damage with a high probability.]

[Description: An orb filled with a vampire’s blood. Every time it comes into contact with magic power, its blood bursts out and inflicts damage to the target.]

The spoil I acquired from Ascura.

A whopping Level 400.

I recall the past when I was appalled looking at that level restriction.

Thinking whether I could even survive until I could use something like this…….

Such a day has finally come.

‘The additional damage amount is not high.’

However, everything depends on how one utilizes it.

If that effect applies with a high probability per attack.

It’s a simple matter of just increasing the number of attacks.

‘Because it’s a different story if even small amounts of damage accumulate.’

Although such [Skills] might not be common.

I have 『Magic』.

In a word, I am confident I can pull out the item’s performance several times more through a shortcut. Actually, if I could, it would be reassuring if I could even use the Demon King’s spoils. Epic-rank demon items……!

[Corner Conductor’s Baton Tainted by Evil]

[Map of Oblivion Drawn with Blood]

[Eye Burning with Malice]

Since I don’t have [Natural Enemy] activated, I guess it can’t be helped.

‘Still, it’s fortunate I’m not alone.’

Above all, there was the Explorer’s Union connected through a thorough intersection of interests.

I feel relieved hearing that there are no better experts than them when it comes to [Labyrinths].

In that sense, I grasped my quill pen.

“Opportunities do not come easily.”

Scribble

Scribbling with the quill pen, I shamelessly continued speaking.

“Ensure you also prepare thoroughly not to miss the opportunity you have grasped.”

*

Explorer’s Union President, Fabian Delon.

“Oho!”

The returned letter once again.

Was it thanks to not only clearly stating their objective but also not being greedy? The letter contained Ho-yeol’s signature consenting to a joint expedition of the Labyrinth of Tepheran.

Yes, everything was good up to there…….

Fabian, who was reading the subsequent contents, murmured.

“……Thorough preparation?”

Not just preparation but thorough preparation.

Just what does he mean?

In an instant, a look of bewilderment colored Fabian’s face.

“!”

The first qualification demanded of an explorer, quick wits.

Fabian tactfully tried to guess the meaning.

Gently closing his eyes.

He first considered things from the other person’s perspective.

“I am an endlessly deep darkness…….”

An adventurer who has accomplished tremendous achievements…….

From such Ho-yeol’s perspective, what could thorough preparation possibly be?

Fabian nodded his head as if having made a resolution.

“Since he spoke to this extent, there’s no other way.”

He had no choice but to take out the union’s Treasures.

The numerous magic tools preserved at the union level.

Showing off magic tools in front of Ho-yeol, the Chief Mage of the Mage Tower?

Even though it would be nothing more than preaching to the choir.

The Explorer’s Union’s magic tools were special.

‘Because they possess exceptional effects strictly when it comes to exploration.’

Existences as precious as their abilities.

Therefore, they were magic tools preserved as treasures and passed down from generation to generation. Yet nevertheless, Fabian made a resolute decision.

Because the message Ho-yeol left behind was unusual.

──────

Ensure you also prepare thoroughly not to miss the opportunity you have grasped.

──────

Fabian carefully opened his mouth.

“I guess I can think of it as a consideration that isn’t quite consideration.”

Since he gave us a chance, it likely meant we should repay it in kind.

He felt a sense of tension after a long time.

Fabian shrugged his shoulders.

“I shouldn’t disappoint him. I’ll have to elevate my physical condition to the maximum.”

In the midst of that, the postscript that caught his eye last.

──────

P.S. Time is like the tea enjoyed in the afternoon.

──────

……What?

Is this perhaps a riddle?

Fabian narrowed his eyes and pondered its meaning.

“……Is he perhaps speaking about the importance of time?”

It seemed to hold that meaning.

Fabian was half in doubt.

Because emphasizing the importance of time in a postscript meant.

That not much time was given.

“How would he know when that Labyrinth of Tepheran will appear……?”

Although he had doubts, Fabian shook his head.

Because doubts wouldn’t be included in thorough preparation.

Soon after, Fabian began rummaging through the union’s treasures.

Then he ended up flinching.

“……Could he have perhaps even known about the existence of the treasures?”

No, no matter what, that probably wasn’t it.

The existence of the treasures was top-secret information known only to the Explorer’s Union President and a few union executives. No matter how amazing Lee Ho-yeol was, he wouldn’t have been able to know up to that point.

However, such thoughts of Fabian didn’t last past a few days.

Thursday.

Yusra Kingdom.

The Golden Calf Tavern.

Because moving pictures adorning the walls.

The news of the regular update was delivered through the TV.

“Union President Fabian-nim. It’s said the Labyrinth of Tepheran rift has surfaced!”

“?!”

After Ho-yeol emphasized the importance of time.

The Labyrinth of Tepheran surfacing a mere few days later.

Could he have perhaps anticipated all these developments?

“Just how?”

Is it because he’s endlessly deep?

Truly, he couldn’t guess the limits of his abilities.

Cold sweat trickled down Fabian’s forehead once again.