Conquering the Labyrinth
Illusion was shaken once again.
Every program focused intensely on it.
The forums were in an uproar.
It even dominated the top spot on portal site search rankings.
The true nature of the dungeon had been revealed.
"So many users are curious about dungeons right now. Did you know about them, Yura?"
"I only learned recently myself."
"Ooh, still faster than me."
"You could say that."
"Then I can ask about dungeons? What exactly are they?"
"Monsters are usually out in the fields, right?"
"Yeah, the fields."
"In contrast, think of dungeons as restricted areas for special rewards. That might make it easier to understand."
"Ah, restricted areas..."
"In old PC games, they called them instanced dungeons. Places where you enter a limited map and clear it to the end. It's similar."
"Got it. Do you know about the rewards?"
"Not for sure. But I've heard they're incredible."
"For example?"
"It varies by dungeon, but they often give very useful items. And some dungeons offer even more special rewards."
"Useful items! Users are drooling already."
"Word is, top guilds are already scrambling to seize them."
"The true start of growth!"
"Exactly. I'm really looking forward to it too."
They wore genuinely excited expressions.
The official homepage was the same.
User reactions were mostly positive.
But while they buzzed with excitement, the major guilds had already acted.
Especially the infamous High Guild, which had luckily discovered a dungeon and blockaded the hunting ground to monopolize it.
They'd deployed 2,000 guild members to occupy the entire area.
"No further access."
"What the fuck!"
"We planned to hunt here today!"
"Enter if you wanna top the High Guild hit list."
"What kind of crazy..."
They cursed but didn't dare enter.
High Guild hit list.
That was the reason for their infamy.
Not just that they added people for the same reasons, but their ruthless persistence—they never gave up until the target quit Illusion entirely.
Nearby users whispered.
"Why the sudden lockdown?"
"Maybe..."
"What?"
"They found a dungeon?"
"Fuck, then share it. Why hog it?"
"Idiot, think. If you were guild master, would you share with randos?"
"..."
"Sigh, game's dirty. C'mon, let's go elsewhere."
"Damn it."
Countless users turned away.
A few lingered to watch the situation unfold.
At the same time.
Mu-hyuk was already wandering the dungeon's depths.
What monsters would appear here?
A mix of worry and anticipation.
With strange excitement staining his thoughts, he traversed the endless paths inside.
How far had he gone?
A fork appeared—two paths.
After a moment's thought, Mu-hyuk chose the left.
After walking some distance, his brow furrowed. Another fork, this time three ways.
Hmm...
Feeling an odd vibe, he picked the center. Soon, he spotted a lifeform.
A person...?
The shape resembled a human.
Just in case, he summoned skeletons.
Kirrik, kiririk!
Only when close enough did he recognize it.
A rotting corpse—a zombie.
Facing as an enemy what he'd once summoned before his Gangster Necromancer promotion felt strangely off.
"Bone Archer, attack."
Bone arrows streaked through the air.
They struck, toppling the zombie backward.
-127 HP
Grr...
But it slowly rose.
And approached.
Mu-hyuk stepped forward, brow furrowed, swinging his Skull Staff to smash the zombie's body.
-125 HP
Too slow.
Grr...
It only growled eerily. Barely any combat ability.
"What is this?"
He dispatched it in seconds.
Only emptiness remained.
Something's off...
Tilting his head, he pressed on.
Mu-hyuk resumed walking.
Another fork soon appeared.
This time, four paths.
He took the far right, encountering another zombie.
After dealing with it, he eyed the drops.
"..."
Ignoring them, he took the right path again.
After several forks, the zombie drops he'd deliberately skipped came into view.
"Ah..."
A maze dungeon.
*
He backtracked to the central path he'd taken earlier.
Next, the left.
After navigating several forks, the dungeon entrance appeared.
"Phew, lucky."
Fortune favored him—he'd looped back first try.
One way to escape a maze dungeon.
Once recognized as a maze, always take the leftmost path.
At each fork, choose farthest left; if dead end, backtrack to previous and try next.
It'd take time, but certain—no choice.
Still, not bad.
High-level special or unique dungeons meant 3 weeks minimum, even easy ones.
Really tough? 1-2 months.
Yeah, that 18-floor one.
Clear every monster per floor to unlock the next door.
All 18 cleared to exit—time and exhaustion unimaginable.
Compared to that...
This was easy.
Of course, differences existed.
Party vs solo.
By then, he'd have at least one companion, right?
Kirrik, kiririk.
Skeleton sounds suddenly.
He turned—a lone Bone Sword there.
He'd summoned one to combat solo loneliness.
No MP burden.
Yeah, you're companions too.
His heart lightened.
Casually taking left paths for an hour.
Hmm, dead end.
Backtracking, a monster prowled.
None on the way in?
Head tilted, he closed in.
Another zombie?
Movement differed slightly.
Thud.
Even as he advanced, when its form clarified, Mu-hyuk urgently summoned all skeletons.
Enhanced Zombie...!
Level 31 monster.
Taller, bulkier than normal zombies, movements eerily natural.
Almost human.
Tension rose instinctively.
Level lower than level 32 Steel Ants—why tense?
He knew Steel Ant weaknesses; this had none.
No flinching from pain, ignored wounds, relentless attacks.
High HP, top defense. Attack not negligible. Tension natural.
"Bone Archers, all attack."
Bone arrows pelted it.
Thud, thud.
But it advanced unfazed.
Attack again.
Distance sufficient.
So he judged—
Flash.
The enhanced zombie surged speed.
Faster than expected.
One more arrow volley, then no choice—sent Bone Swords forward.
Switched to defense mode, Mu-hyuk closed in.
Leapt into the fray, swinging Skull Staff.
Thwack.
-97 HP
The message floated up.
Merely 97...
Mu-hyuk's current damage averaged 150.
Thanks to high Strength, Skull Staff, item options.
Yet only mid-90s penetrated.
Defense over 50.
Insane.
Skeletons' damage would barely scratch.
How's its attack?
Mu-hyuk deliberately tanked one.
-111 HP
Mu-hyuk's defense over 30.
Yet 111 HP gone.
Enhanced zombie attack minimum 140+.
Bone Swords' HP under 700.
Defense around 20.
120 damage per hit meant six hits to despawn one.
Body slam.
Bite.
Claw.
Punch.
Kick.
All similar damage.
Skeletons' attacks? Minimal.
Worry mounted.
But...
Kiririk! Kirik!
The situation flowed easier than expected.
Shields mitigated damage sharply; meanwhile, Mu-hyuk landed hits, whittling HP smoothly.
Bone Swords hit four+ times retreated; tough ones forwarded to shield.
Occasional arrows disrupted; Mu-hyuk added arrow damage.
Grrruk!
Its body now silvered.
Bathed in blood.
Movements slowed.
HP under 10%.
Mu-hyuk pressed the assault.
Gruk, grruk...
Finally, it collapsed.
"Phew..."
A laugh escaped unwittingly.
Is this really an enhanced zombie? The thought crossed his mind.
His summons caught his eye.
Kirrik, kiririk!
Seemed joyful.
Yeah, proof of their growth.
Among early 30s monsters, enhanced zombies boasted top defense.
Comparable to late 30s. Handling it easily.
Summons barely damaged, but accumulated; Bone Swords tanked for him.
Enough distractions.
"Corpse Dissection."
Dissected the enhanced zombie, stowed materials.
Pressed on.
Handled sporadic monsters; dead ends meant backtrack.
Always an enhanced zombie on return trips.
Anyway, steadily closing in on the exit.
*
Regular dungeon—not too tough.
About 3 days.
Just 3 to the exit.
Gains: gloves and massive EXP.
Now level 31.
50% EXP banked besides.
Check the gloves?
Item examine.
Hologram appeared.
◈ Attack Power +10
◈ Strength +2
◈ Durability 70/70
◈ Requirement: Strength 25
Gloves with +2 Strength.
Attack power too?
Sell for 100+ gold easy.
Jackpot.
Equipped immediately.
Gripped Skull Staff.
No rejection.
Snug fit.
Good.
Smiling satisfied, he passed through the exit.
Spawned in the pavilion's center.
What he saw: users in matching uniforms encircling the area.