Chapter 129 – Labyrinth of Tepheran (2)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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[Labyrinth of Tepheran]

[Recommended Level: Lv.500~?]

[Collapse Rate: 0%]

The [Labyrinth of Tepheran] rift created by the regular update.

From Lee Ho-yeol, the darkness spirit, Endlessly Deep Darkness, to the Labyrinth of Tepheran.

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

The AAU closely monitoring the situation.

The South Korea Branch Manager, Park Min-jae’s eyes widened.

“Does this search volume make any sense to you, Su-gyeom?”

Literally a traffic volume that skyrocketed piercing through the roof.

It was the search frequency of the keyword ‘Arcana Labyrinth’.

Clack clack

Keyboard typing sounds.

Yoon Su-gyeom, who was contributing to the search volume, retorted.

“Although the only one who received the quest is our Mr. Ho-yeol, the atmosphere is as if everyone has their eyes on it. It’s an opportunity that doesn’t come easily, after all, this too.”

Sung Hyun-jun, who was reading the room between his two superiors.

He moderately interjected into the conversation.

“Because it’s the Arcana continent’s 10 Great Mysteries, you see.”

The times when Arcana was merely a game.

They, who had been the development team, couldn’t possibly not know about the 10 Great Mysteries.

A bait so massive that it would be strange for an Arcana developer not to know.

“Because it’s a genuine World-class quest and not just making a fuss.”

That was the case.

The 10 Great Mysteries, each one was capable of affecting not just the Arcana continent but the World.

Therefore, he had thought it wouldn’t be content revealed at this point in time…….

Park Min-jae forced his sharply opened eyes to flash.

“It means Lee Ho-yeol’s level has reached around that point.”

“That’s correct. His estimated level is at least Level 900, after all.”

“Wait, then shouldn’t other players refrain from meddling?”

Are they not afraid either?

When it’s a matter where their lives are on the line.

Sung Hyun-jun nodded his head.

“Right. How could they compete with Ho-yeol-nim.”

“……What? Ho-yeol-nim?”

“I thought you told me not to go Homen Homen before?”

Feigning ignorance.

Sung Hyun-jun added his words.

“But still, because it’s a labyrinth, they seem to be holding onto hope.”

“That’s correct. Because labyrinths aren’t like ordinary hunting grounds.”

“Well, I guess they think they can clear it as long as they know the walkthrough method?”

There were various methods to clear a labyrinth in Arcana.

For example, two extremes.

One could bypass all installed traps, clear it, and escape the labyrinth without a single scratch.

And there was also the method of triggering every trap, beating every pouring monster to death, and then escaping.

“Because if one feels it’s absolutely impossible, they can just sit still.”

There was even a method of stopping in place and waiting.

Even during the days when Arcana was merely a game, experience points were precious.

It meant there was also a method of giving up on the clear, waiting until another player cleared the labyrinth, and then seizing whatever baseline rewards there were.

“Hmm, so there were such complex calculations?”

Anyway, the mindset of players.

This feeling like he had worried for nothing.

Park Min-jae clicking his tongue was just for a moment.

Yoon Su-gyeom chimed in with a word.

“Moreover, because the recommended level is Level 500. Even if it’s high compared to the players’ average level……. It’s because the rifts we’ve seen so far were so exceptionally vicious, you see.”

“Above all, the probability of the bothersome demons being absent is high!”

“……Is that so?”

Employees Su-gyeom and Sung Hyun-jun seemed to consider it trivial.

However.

‘Why out of all things did Tepheran appear, something we haven’t even commenced development for.’

Is it because getting older only increased his needless worries?

There was information that particularly bothered Park Min-jae’s eyes.

Which was the recommended level of the [Labyrinth of Tepheran].

“Hey, Su-gyeom.”

“Yes? Speak, Branch Manager-nim.”

“That……. The labyrinth’s recommended level originally was like that, right?”

“The question mark? It’s originally like that.”

As mentioned, various walkthrough methods existed for labyrinths.

Because the clear difficulty fluctuated drastically depending on one’s choices.

The system was such that its recommended level was denoted with a question mark even in the past.

Yes, it was merely a simple systemic denotation but…….

‘It’s not just a labyrinth, it’s the 10 Great Mysteries.’

Even they themselves, who were the development team.

Could not recall its detailed settings.

Content intended for an impossibly distant future.

Park Min-jae couldn’t help but be worried.

[Recommended Level: Lv.500~?]

Roughly how high would the maximum value of that question mark be?

Lee Ho-yeol, he wasn’t doubting his abilities, but.

‘Should I just quietly watch over it?’

Park Min-jae, while he fell into his own contemplations.

Sung Hyun-jun’s excited voice pierced his eardrums.

“……Huh? Wait a minute. It seems Ho-yeol-nim and the Explorer’s Union finished their talks well? It says the Explorer’s Union started moving! But they say it’s not just union explorers, but Fabian stepped forward himself?!”

……What did you say, Fabian?!

That Fabian is moving?

Is he really talking about the Fabian Delon I know?

Park Min-jae flinched and asked back.

“The legendary explorer and Explorer’s Union President, Fabian Delon?”

“Yes! That Fabian is correct!”

“……This is crazy.”

Fabian Delon!

Alias, the legendary explorer.

Including the 10 Great Mysteries.

The man closest to the secrets hidden in the Arcana continent.

Thus, similar to the Mage Tower.

Due to systemic reasons.

He was someone restricted to the position of the Explorer’s Union President.

To think such Fabian started moving!

Even to clear the Labyrinth of Tepheran alongside Lee Ho-yeol.

Park Min-jae let out a hollow laugh.

“At this rate my needless worries really are needless, right?”

.

.

.

Union President, Fabian, including a total of 3 union explorers.

Properly recognizing their true value was.

As expected, possible only for fellow explorer players belonging to the same union.

──────

Title: A tenacious broadcast like a cockroach! The Labyrinth of Tepheran has surfaced!

──────

Yusra Kingdom.

In front of the Explorer’s Union main base.

“Can you see well?”

Park Hwi-gang’s camera captured the figures of the explorers, including Fabian.

Before the viewers could react, Park Hwi-gang’s excited voice continued.

“To think Union President Fabian-nim is moving! It’s a sight I’ve never seen since setting foot in the Explorer’s Union either. Not only the Union President but even Sir Aaron and Lombus!”

Aaron and Lombus.

Excluding Fabian, who hadn’t been active all this while.

The two explorers who recorded the highest achievements in the Explorer’s Union.

-What’s this?? Are they amazing people???

-Can’t you tell just by looking? Of course they are amazing gentlemen.

-First of all, just the look of their equipment is unusual hahaha

-Fr what’s that, is that really explorer equipment? My heart is swelling.

Even though they hadn’t even entered the Labyrinth of Tepheran yet.

The chat window was already bustling.

Park Hwi-gang swiftly summarized it in one line.

“In short, the elites among elites!”

The elite forces of the Explorer’s Union stepped forward to clear the [Labyrinth of Tepheran] rift!

That was a huge shock even to the players who were somewhat anticipating the situation.

“This is driving me crazy. Was Fabian a character that could move?”

“An esteemed gentleman who doesn’t even show his face to us is coming out with such an attitude?”

“No. Even if we set Fabian aside……. Those two!”

Because Fabian was an unknown existence even to the rankers.

Naturally, the arrows of attention headed towards the two people.

Towards the direction of Aaron and Lombus.

“Aren’t they both notorious for their ransoms?”

Executives of the Explorer’s Union and two men who boasted achievements ranking within the top one or two.

Yes, it wasn’t like they didn’t know about their expensive ransoms.

“Setting ransoms aside, those two. They’re exceptionally rude.”

The one clicking his tongue was the Guild Master of Bohemian, ranked 5th in guild rankings.

Guyver.

Their guild ranking plummeted by one rank in the aftermath of the holy land, Muon incident.

Though Bohemian’s position had swapped with Inazuma’s.

Guyver cherished that experience.

What’s more important than rankings is knowing one’s place.

Thanks to the lesson, he could calmly observe the situation.

“Everyone remembers, right? Back when there was intense competition with Second Sun over dungeon clearing. Us, and Second Sun too. We both recruited those two risking deficits.”

“You still remember that? That’s a story from before the cataclysm.”

“How could I forget it. Me.”

The humiliation of that day!

Aaron and Lombus possessed pride as great as their abilities.

Just as Bohemian and Second Sun fiercely competed.

The story goes that there was competition between the two men as well.

Because of this, the two guilds found themselves swayed by the two explorers’ pride battles.

“I realized that day. If I ever reach out to the Explorer’s Union again, I won’t be human but a son of a bitch. It’s a good thing it happened before the cataclysm. If it had been after…….”

How many guild members from both sides died or were forcibly logged out due to the two explorers’ pride battles? Because Guyver knew that fact.

He couldn’t help but be worried while shivering.

“Voluntarily. It’s great that they stepped forward even declaring unpaid service but.”

……Lee Ho-yeol, will he really be alright?

As mentioned.

The madness of explorers regarding exploration is on a level that transcends imagination.

Furthermore, explorers have fast-spinning brains.

Such as in dungeons or labyrinths.

Meaning they wielded authority as they pleased in situations where they held the upper hand.

‘Can he control three of such exhausting individuals?’

Whatever Ho-yeol might think.

Shake shake.

Guyver shook his head.

“I’d decline even if someone attached them to me for free.”

It was obvious he wouldn’t even be able to secure the baseline, being pushed around by the explorers.

“……Guyver, are you serious?”

“Huh? Of course I’m serious.”

“I understand if you’re honestly jealous. Master.”

“What? No, it’s not like that…….”

“You injured your arm. Why are you speaking words you don’t even mean as if you injured your head too.”

“No, wait. That’s harsh. You?”

However, Guyver’s unnutritious explanation did not last long.

“!”

Soon after, Ho-yeol and the three explorers encountered each other in front of the [Labyrinth of Tepheran] rift.

Because their first meeting was broadcasted to the world riding the airwaves of NetTubers.

Towards Ho-yeol.

Aaron and Lombus bowing politely.

And even Union President Fabian.

“……Is this real?”

For Guyver, that sight served as an opportunity to rethink his place again.

Simultaneously, it became courage for the players who were hesitating to enter in front of the [Labyrinth of Tepheran] rift.

“Right. If it’s too tough, let’s just sit still. Just.”

“Right? Even if we can’t clear it, Lee Ho-yeol will clear it for us.”

“Ahem. What do you mean Lee Ho-yeol. Watch your mouth. It’s Ho-yeol-nim.”

Murmur murmur

Right in front of the [Labyrinth of Tepheran] rift.

The massive crowd, the attention pouring out from them.

Is it because it’s been a while since an exploration?

Or is it because of the excessive attention.

Fabian lightly loosened his stiff shoulders.

‘It hits me afresh, but what a tiring world adventurers live in.’

A world without freedom, he loathed it.

Then he shifted his gaze.

Towards Ho-yeol.

The numerous aliases and achievements trailing behind him.

Just what kind of man could he be?

Fabian had been waiting for this day separate from his astonishment.

Indeed, that wait was not wasted at all.

It was a figure as if he alone was living in a different world.

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

It wasn’t something of the Arcana continent, nor was it the attire of adventurers.

An attire overflowing with formality and class, to a level it was unbelievable for someone about to enter a labyrinth.

What was more astonishing was his attitude.

“Since we sufficiently exchanged greetings through the letters, let’s omit them.”

Treating himself, the Explorer’s Union President, with ease?

He could understand that sufficiently.

If you thought about it, he was someone possessing a position on par with King Hakuna, at least in the Yusra Kingdom.

Since the Explorer’s Union had settled in Yusra, such an attitude was understandable.

‘No, considering the consideration the Explorer’s Union is receiving in the Yusra Kingdom……. Even worse treatment than this should be generously accepted.’

So, what surprised Fabian wasn’t his minor tone.

‘……Incredible.’

A gaze and posture where not a hint of pressure could be felt.

Fabian checked the surrounding air currents once again.

The moment Ho-yeol appeared.

The attention and gazes of the crowds concentrated on him.

It was a bit embarrassing to say with his own mouth but…….

The level of pressure was several times more burdensome than the attention he received himself, the greatest explorer of Arcana.

‘A camera, they said.’

Moreover, they said those small machines, cameras, transmit the situation here in real-time to everyone in the world.

It literally meant the world was watching Ho-yeol.

‘It’s incredible to the point saying incredible isn’t enough.’

Even amidst massive attention, he didn’t waver in the slightest.

That must be the reason why he felt like he was living in a different world by himself.

Fabian let out a hollow laugh.

‘This makes my thorough preparation look meaningless.’

Even when he himself was the expert of labyrinths.

To end up feeling relieved they were together with Ho-yeol instead.

It shouldn’t be like this.

The moment Fabian collected his thoughts.

“We shall enter.”

“……!”

Soon, as if responding to his evaluation, Ho-yeol’s voice was heard.

Nod

Exchanging glances with each other.

The union explorers, including Fabian, moved their steps.

Fabian opened his mouth with grim resolve.

“So that you may not regret your decision. I will do my utmost.”

*

How fortunate.

It seems we aren’t the only ones entering the labyrinth.

As expected, it’s a modern society where we help each other out.

‘It’s not like we’re hunting the Demon King, doing it with just the four of us is a bit…….’

Demon King’s Castle and Labyrinth.

The recommended level was 300 levels higher for the Demon King’s Castle rift side.

But to me, the [Labyrinth of Tepheran] side is a much more burdensome rift……. Karena whether [Natural Enemy] activates or not was more important than that.

‘Still, I feel relieved.’

In that sense, they are reassuring, the Explorer’s Union.

To need thorough preparation.

Does it mean they didn’t read my letter containing my needless worries carelessly?

First of all, the equipment they wore was no joke. It meant there was not a single flaw even with Granfel’s aesthetic sense.

The level of those equipments must be at least [Masterpiece] grade.

Of course, even if I was worried.

I couldn’t show it like I am now, but.

Still, thanks to that, I could open my mouth even more confidently.

“We shall enter.”

[Labyrinth of Tepheran]

[Recommended Level: Lv.500~?]

[Collapse Rate: 0.1%]

Simultaneously with stepping foot inside.

The landscape instantly changed.

One fortunate thing is that the location where the [Tepheran Rift] was created was a desolate plain.

A rift is a space of [『Anomaly』] mixed half reality and half Arcana continent.

‘Imagine if it was created at a transfer station, for example.’

The landscape of a hellish subway transfer station mixed into an overly complex labyrinth?

I’d be horrified just imagining it, sincerely.

But…….

It seems it was way too early to be relieved?

A gradually brightening vision.

The revealing landscape of the Tepheran Labyrinth.

Simultaneously with that, an emerging message and an eerie voice.

[Foolish ones who entered the Labyrinth of Tepheran.]

[Wealth and glory do not exist here.]

[Leave this place at once.]

“……A voice!”

“Sir Fabian, did you hear it?”

“I heard it. Not easy from the start, this.”

Looking at the reaction, it seems it’s not a common directing even in labyrinths.

While Fabian, Aaron, and Lombus flinched for a moment.

The last message was heard.

[If you do not wish to die.]

……Gulp!

I can even hear the sound of Fabian’s group swallowing dry saliva.

A warning right from the start.

The needles worries I struggled to suppress are springing up again, this.

However, there are no outward signs.

Setting my personality aside, I still had a ‘reliable corner’ for myself.

I spoke with my usual voice.

“Hiel.”

Hiel revealing his appearance in the empty air.

The black figure flickering by such Hiel’s side, the darkness spirit.

The guy whispered while looking at me.

“Endlessly deep darkness. I have been waiting for your call.”

……Waiting and all is great, but.

“Endlessly deep darkness……!!”

There are people listening too.

But even inside the labyrinth, couldn’t we do something about that designation?

As my pleading echoed in my heart for a moment.

Soon, my vision flashed.

[10 Great Mysteries Quest: Labyrinth of Tepheran]

A new quest objective surfaced.