Chapter 65
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Labyrinth Cleared – Divine Branch Reward
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The message floating before his eyes.
[Sudden Quest: Entry Restriction Complete!]
[Maze Progress: 99.9%]
[Achieved an astonishing contribution of 85%!]
[1st place in contribution achieved. Rewards granted!]
[Special reward granted! Please confirm!]
Kang Hyuk's eyes widened as he checked the contents.
At the same moment, a small twig dropped right in front of him.
"Huh?!"
With Kang Hyuk's exclamation bursting out, the twig began to emit a brilliant glow.
[Branch of Divinity]
Known as a fragment of the tree bestowed by the gods, this branch cannot match the power of the Divine Tree itself, but it can manifest a brief miracle in a single moment.
Special Ability:Sanctuary Creation in One Area
Kang Hyuk swallowed hard.
'The Divine Tree... There are only three in existence: at the Papal Court, North Africa, and South America. And a branch from that tree... as a reward?'
One might dismiss it as just a twig, but its name demanded respect.
'Divinity... A tree that literally exudes divine power.'
Ever since the Great Hunter era began.
Among the countless talents born in that age, the most celebrated wasn't the ability to slay thousands of monsters, but the light-emitting 'healing' abilities.
'True miracles that can heal wounds modern medicine deems impossible.'
Players with healing abilities were invaluable beyond measure.
Healing could cure any injury—even humanity's unconquered foe, cancer.
Yet, for all their power, hunters with healing skills were exceedingly rare—less than 1% by percentage.
'That's why items and accessories with healing powers skyrocketed in price... Take this Ring of the Nameless God I have—it's Rare grade, but worth 3 billion won.'
In that context, the Branch of Divinity was priceless, even if not the full tree.
'Among healing powers, divine power is considered the pinnacle. The Divine Tree produces it endlessly. This is just a branch, not the tree itself... but it should suffice for temporary divine power.'
Proof lay in the special ability: Sanctuary Creation in One Area.
Kang Hyuk stared at the twig in his hand, unable to believe it.
'...No matter that it's a labyrinthized D-rank gate, is this kind of reward even possible?'
Labyrinthization was dangerous, but objectively, it was still D-rank.
Gate rewards typically scaled with rank.
'The Divine Tree is a ultra-rare reward from A-rank 'themed dungeons.' For a mere accessory from it to drop in a D-rank gate...'
Kang Hyuk tilted his head, murmuring to himself.
Then he noticed the message floating before him again.
[Sudden Quest: Entry Restriction Complete!]
[Maze Progress: 99.9%]
[Achieved an astonishing contribution of 85%!]
[1st place in contribution achieved. Rewards granted!]
[Special reward granted! Please confirm!]
Kang Hyuk's eyes widened at his contribution to the Seoul Station labyrinth gate.
'The hunter and gate system is fair in its own way. Absurd achievements earn commensurate rewards.'
He'd claimed 85% contribution in what was technically a D-rank gate.
Of course, securing 85% in a special labyrinth gate was extraordinarily difficult.
'Normal gates are one thing, but variant gates have restrictions. For one person to claim over 85%... that's no small feat.'
Thus, the system's judgment deemed the Branch of Divinity appropriate.
'...In that light, there's nothing strange about the branch. I'm likely the only one who's hit over 85% in a labyrinth so far.'
Shaking off his surprise, Kang Hyuk thought.
'Skill and luck... They aligned perfectly this time.'
He lifted his gaze, eyes gleaming.
'That decides what I do next.'
Recalling those dying from Yang Chen's attack, he smirked.
"A miracle gained by chance... I'll make it count."
The labyrinth gate at Seoul Station.
Breaking news about it blared nonstop.
D-rank labyrinth gate erupts at Seoul Station!
Estimated trapped citizens: over 10,000!
Unofficial tallies push it past 20,000...
Negative gazes and criticisms poured in alongside the reports.
Labyrinthization—a mutant gate nearing B-rank danger?
System ruling: entry impossible! Unprecedented gate!
Reviving the nightmare of the Anyang labyrinth 12 years ago...
South Korean internet boards exploded.
Whoa, no way—if it's a labyrinth gate, doesn't everyone inside just die?
If there's a hunter inside, they survive, right?
Nope, having a hunter isn't enough. Needs one who can clear the quest.
A hunter who can clear??? What happens if they can't?
Everyone dies, like the top comment says.
Insane... Which guild handles Seoul Station??? Didn't they station anyone?
Gates popped up across Korea constantly, but Seoul Station was iconic to every citizen.
A non-entry variant labyrinth gate there drew massive attention.
My dad went to Seoul Station and I can't reach him... Is this bad? ㅠㅠ
OMG... My bro's doing public service there. This is screwed, right?
Inquiries flooded in.
"Yes, yes... We're assessing the situation. It won't be a big deal."
"Tusinjeon always stations reserves in our zones. Even if labyrinthized, our guild members are inside."
Tusinjeon's customer service sweated through the barrage.
Then—
Breaking! Tusinjeon members at Seoul Station: only 13!
Just 3 D-rank and 10 E-rank hunters...
Gate Response Team strategist says that force can't clear a D-rank labyrinth...
Bae Su-ji's disclosed info sparked speculative articles nationwide.
WTF, Korea's #1 guild only stations D-ranks at Seoul Station???
Insane. How many people are trapped in there?
We're f***ed. This is crazy.
Criticism surged.
Tusinjeon's customer service buckled.
Tusinjeon stock plummets mid-day!
Already down 10%!
Reporters swarmed Seoul Station, scenting blood.
"One word, please!"
"What about the trapped citizens?!"
"Are we just watching helplessly?!"
Tusinjeon members floundered under the sharp questions.
"What did I say? Tusinjeon isn't fit for Korea's #1 guild spot."
"Truthfully, Arena and Yoon Han suit #1 better!"
"Tusinjeon climbed via aggressive recruiting, but roots don't change."
Nutubers on-site spewed provocative bait.
"......"
Bae Su-ji endured it all, arms crossed, thinking.
'Not wrong. Whatever my intent, this is Tusinjeon's failure.'
She'd bear the shift from criticism to vitriol.
Her regret: the info release was misinterpreted.
'Should've investigated the hunters inside first for solid facts...'
Expecting understanding now was luxury.
She stayed silent; guild members sighed at her back.
'Master... feels pitiful for the first time.'
'Who could've predicted this gate?'
'We did station people... Can't keep D-rank+ on permanent duty.'
The unheeded internals.
The criticism overstepped.
But with the master silent, they couldn't intervene.
"......"
21 hours after the Seoul Station labyrinth—amid gossip about Tusinjeon—Bae Su-ji's eyes snapped wide.
"What?"
The barrier over Seoul Station weakened noticeably.
A few noticed the unmistakable change.
[Seoul Station Barrier Dismantled!]
[Time until maze dissolution: 1 minute]
Bae Su-ji's lips trembled.
"...You bastard! You did it!"
She yelled urgently.
"Prep emergency medics! Contact the Association and nearby guilds—call every hunter with healing!"
Tusinjeon members snapped into action.
"What?"
"Gate... cleared?"
"For real?"
Reporters and nutubers who'd trashed Tusinjeon blinked.
They hammered keyboards.
Breaking! Seoul Station labyrinth cleared!
Unbelievable miracle!
Unconfirmed, but presumed Tusinjeon success!
As Tusinjeon sentiment flipped—
Boom!
Bae Su-ji bolted toward the crumbling barrier.
'Clear message or not, can't let guard down!'
Post-clear processing was crucial for all gates.
With info blackout, response speed mattered.
Whoosh!
She dashed into the fallen barrier first.
"...?"
An unexpected sight unfolded.
She muttered blankly.
"...What the hell is this?"
Lee Ye-sol dreamed.
A dream after awakening her Nightmare ability, long overdue.
'......'
In it, she smiled brightly.
Age 15.
Pre-awakening, attending school normally, laughing with friends.
Staring at that her, Lee Ye-sol thought.
'...Feels awkward.'
That smile, that expression—seemed alien now.
Though normal, her emotion-devoured self found it strange.
A whisper slithered in.
'Yes, exactly.'
A voice pounding her heart since long ago.
'That doesn't suit you. Solitude, loneliness, gazing at the world alone—that fits.'
Lee Ye-sol retorted.
'Why? Why must I be lonely?'
'You're chosen.'
'...Chosen?'
'Yes. The chosen must be lonely. You know that.'
New scenery unfolded.
Awakened Nightmare her, isolated at her school desk.
'Deep down, that's what you wanted. No one crossing your line.'
Something sticky descended.
'Don't reject me. This is what you desired...'
Her shoulders shook.
The stickiness clung tighter.
'Be honest with your desires. Then you'll get what you want.'
She murmured blankly.
'What I want?'
As she began to envision—
'...!'
Blinding light erupted.
The sticky thing on her vanished.
Lee Ye-sol snapped awake, mouth agape.
"Lee Ye-sol-ssi?"
A familiar yet distant voice.
"Lee Ye-sol-ssi, are you okay?"
She looked up.
Leaving her solitary desk self behind, she stepped forward.
"...Lee Ye-sol-ssi?"
She saw the face of the most important person to her now.
"Are you okay?"
Instead of answering his cautious question, she stared longer.
Then smiled.
"...?"
Kang Hyuk blinked in confusion.
He never dreamed she'd smile so radiantly.
She asked.
"...Team Leader okay too?"
Her eyes crinkled.
"That monster... was strong. You okay, Team Leader?"
He fell silent.
"......"
As he moved to reply—
"What a disgraceful display."
An unexpected voice cut between them.