Legendary Maze Conquest
A labyrinthine passage made of dark, damp bricks.
Kr-kaboom—!
A single crow raced through it with exhilarating speed.
Overwhelming destructive power that pierced through swarming monsters and traps in an instant.
Something only the apostle Lucifer could achieve.
"Master, is this speed alright?"
Lucifer glanced back and asked his master, Joo Kanghyeok. Joo Kanghyeok checked behind them briefly before nodding.
"No problem on my end. Slow it down a bit so those people can keep up."
Joo Kanghyeok's current level was 28.
He'd gained 8 levels in a single day.
3 in the E-rank maze, 5 in the D-rank one. A growth rate possible only because he'd monopolized all the magic beasts.
'My stats have definitely gone up with the level-ups.'
Lucifer's speed had been hard to match at first, but now Joo Kanghyeok could keep pace with ease.
'I can really feel my stamina improving.'
They'd been sprinting at full tilt for quite a while, yet he wasn't even winded.
'Level 28 puts me mid E-rank... If I'm already this strong, how monstrous are the higher-rank hunters?'
Joo Kanghyeok turned to look at the hunters trailing behind.
Five hunters were desperately chasing after him—or rather, after Lucifer.
They looked exhausted, but they were managing to keep up.
To enter a D-rank maze, their levels had to be much higher than his own.
'Looks like the one who got attacked has recovered too.'
Joo Kanghyeok let out a sigh of relief.
He'd been worried when the magic beast struck.
The potions he'd stocked up on before entering—just in case—had come in handy.
He didn't know the details, but they'd probably gotten into some bind inside the maze.
'Glad I could help.'
Good call coming here after hearing from Lucifer.
If he could help, he should. It wasn't a big deal anyway. With his appearance hidden, there was no risk of his identity leaking.
Rescuing them had been the right call a hundred times over.
'Helping people out isn't half bad.'
Joo Kanghyeok felt an odd sense of pride as he pressed on through the maze.
"Master, just past this corner is the boss room."
Lucifer could sense the auras inside the maze. Not just humans, but all the magic beasts too, apparently.
Finding the boss room—the maze's exit—was a breeze.
Just head toward the strongest aura.
"Here it is. Breaching now!"
Bam—!
The crow Lucifer smashed through the wooden door leading to the boss room with his body.
You have entered the boss room.
Grrr...
In the spacious room, a massive wolf lay curled up, sleeping.
A large scar over its eye made for a striking impression.
【 Lv. 35 】
Flicker.
The beast lifted its head at the intruders' presence. Just that sent chills racing up Joo Kanghyeok's arm.
The boss wolf exuded tremendous pressure with its gaze alone.
"Huff, huff...!"
"B-Boss room!"
"We really made it!"
The Asung Guild members, who'd been chasing hard, gathered at the boss room entrance.
"Whoa, it's huge."
"Such a massive wolf beast..."
"Ugh, Crow-nim, we beg you."
The guild members stepped back, bowing their heads. With their stamina depleted, it was the best they could do.
"I'm counting on you."
I whispered softly to Lucifer.
Caw.
The crow cried low once, then opened its beak.
Vmmm.
Black magic power gathered inside, and the air around them began to hum faintly.
The wolf boss noticed the change and rose on its hulking frame, but it was too late.
A black magic laser shot from Lucifer's maw, slicing through the air.
Kaboom—!
A flash of light. A deafening roar that rattled their eardrums. The shockwave shook their bodies, and thick dust filled the boss room.
"What the..."
"Insane power..."
The Asung Guild members gaped at the scene. Their guild master, Lee Junghoon, who had been unconscious, went pale as a ghost.
The maze they'd risked their lives to conquer had been cleared with ridiculous ease.
The D-rank maze dungeon has been conquered.
Conquest Level: Legend
Messages popped up for the nearby hunters the moment the boss fell.
It was the instant Mumyeong's name overtook the previous #1, Sa Choiheon.
"Mumyeong?"
"He beat Sa Choiheon Hunter."
"So the crow was a hunter...?"
"No, he mentioned a master earlier."
The Asung Guild members buzzed as they checked the rankings.
Asung Guild had never heard of Mumyeong.
Mumyeong's name had only spread a few days ago.
Trapped in the maze, they couldn't access hunter communities or make calls.
But the shock remained unchanged.
Mumyeong had overwhelmingly surpassed #1 Sa Choiheon's score.
"M-Mumyeong Hunter-nim?"
Lee Junghoon swallowed hard and addressed the crow. Joo Kanghyeok's form was hidden by his items.
Lucifer replied in a low, gravelly voice.
"Consider yourself lucky, humans. Cherish that name in your hearts forever. Just receiving grace from Him is a lifetime's... ahem."
Lucifer cleared his throat, sensing Joo Kanghyeok's sharp glare. A silent pressure: Don't overdo the dramatics.
"Anyway, keep what you saw here to yourselves. You saw nothing. That's what my master wishes."
This time, it was sincere.
His voice carried faint magic power, making the crow seem even more dignified.
The Asung Guild members could only nod quietly.
They had no intention of blabbing anyway.
Mumyeong was their lifesaver.
He'd saved them from near-death in the maze, slain the elite beast, and kindly taken down the boss.
And now he asked for silence.
Who would betray such grace?
"We absolutely, positively won't say a word."
Guild master Lee Junghoon and the members nodded as one.
Mumyeong's fervent followers(?) had just increased.
I checked my messages as we exited the maze.
You have reached the daily maximum level achievable.
Killing the boss bumped me up two more levels.
That made me level 30.
Ten more levels here, and I'd escape E-rank to become D-rank. Unprecedented speed.
"Good work, Lucifer."
"No trouble at all. This was barely a warm-up. I'll burn my body to the bone to help you grow fast, Master!"
The guy circled me in crow form, looping gleefully.
Issuing rewards corresponding to 'Legend' conquest level.
◈ Experience Potion (Unique)
◈ Legendary Insignia x1
The new rewards were straightforward.
The Experience Potion granted a massive chunk of EXP on consumption.
Grants a large amount of experience.
Ignores experience restrictions.
It even ignored EXP caps. Best to calculate optimal use later.
'I'll check it out and drink when needed.'
Anyway, conquering two mazes had maxed my daily levels. Goal for the day: achieved.
10 levels in a day.
Unheard of, even scouring the internet and hunter forums.
"At this rate, I'll hit S-rank in under a month, right?"
Lucifer bobbed his crow head up and down at my words.
"Absolutely possible. Though luck will play a part. Higher ranks take longer to clear naturally. I'd estimate a month and a half."
At S-rank, no need to hide my identity. I'd be strong enough to protect myself.
A month? Piece of cake. My Instant Death cooldown wouldn't even be up yet.
That was when it happened.
Grrrowl.
"?"
Not my stomach.
"Guess using some power worked up an appetite."
Lucifer sounded sheepish.
"Wasn't this just a warm-up?"
"Even warm-ups make you hungry if you do 'em all day."
I grinned at his cheeky response.
Not like I was being subtle.
I was starving too. Famished beyond belief.
Couldn't ignore it. My spine felt glued to my stomach.
'...The one downside to my power, huh.'
Calling it a downside felt ridiculous.
But damn, I was hungry.
"Can't hold out. Let's hit a restaurant and grease the wheels."
"You mean...?"
"My treat. Samgyeopsal again like yesterday, but eating out hits different."
"Anything from you, Master. But can crows enter restaurants?"
Obviously switch to human form.
Who takes a crow to a BBQ joint?
"Order whatever in human form."
No money worries for now.
Plenty of magistones from the maze.
Selling in bulk would net a fortune, but as a newbie hunter, it'd raise flags.
So, pork it was.
Beef next time.
Sizzle—!
Pork belly grilled perfectly on the hot plate. Lucifer wielded the tongs with flashy skill, searing it in seconds.
Sliced to perfect bites, golden-brown strips lined up on the grill.
"Ready to eat."
Lucifer smiled, satisfied.
One piece on lettuce, topped with green onion salad, garlic, and a dab of ssamjang... perfection.
Juicy pork meshed flawlessly with fresh veggies—an orchestra in my mouth.
"Excellent."
"Heh, worth the hellfire training."
Lucifer proudly raised the tongs.
How's he so good at this? And not just grilling—housework too, perfectly.
Were apostles always this versatile?
"You eat too. You worked hardest."
"Then I won't hold back."
Lucifer grabbed chopsticks eagerly.
We devoured, clearing the grill in no time. More orders? No problem.
No pinching pennies ahead.
Modest living? Expenses covered easy.
Eating meat carefree like this.
Just days ago, job hunt anxiety consumed me.
'Life really is unpredictable.'
Time to tell Mom and sis soon. Wonder how they'll react to me awakening as a hunter.
Lost in thoughts, chowing down—
'Hm?'
The TV on the restaurant wall flashed Mumyeong news.
This morning, top guild Bulmyeol had signaled recruitment interest in Mumyeong.
'...This piques my interest.'
And tomorrow, the Association's statement.
Growth first—no change there—but curious what they'd say.
'No mention of the maze clear.'
Should've been a storm if Mumyeong conquered it.
Asung Guild kept their word.
'Plus...'
To check maze rankings, you had to reach the exit. Rumors and proof would take time.
By tomorrow, other hunters would spread it.
'Nothing for it. Clear as fast as possible.'
Shoving meat in my mouth—
Scrape.
Lucifer stood, face slightly annoyed.
"Done already?"
"No, not at all. Bathroom break. Feels like something dirty stuck to me."
He grabbed the key and left the restaurant.
"...We have wet wipes here."
Gone in a flash. I set the wipes down and nodded.
'Yeah, total neat freak.'
Explained the spotless floor this morning. Dishes shone like mirrors.
'Better grill more meat.'
Sizzle.
I laid fresh pork and refocused on the news.
Click.
Lucifer stepped out of the restaurant.
Leap.
He scanned around, then vaulted to the rooftop.
'Suspicious bastards.'
As an apostle, he had a duty to protect his master.
If anything happened to Joo Kanghyeok, summon Lucifer would return to his original world.
'That must never happen.'
Tired of constellation life, above all, he wanted to serve his master to the end.
'Definitely here.'
Lucifer peered down at the alley below.
He'd monitored nearby magic power even while eating. Always on.
Ready for enemies anytime.
And he'd detected two rare, potent auras nearby.
"Just wait here, right?"
"No doubt. This is the spot."
Two rough-looking men conversed at the alley's edge.
They eyed the street outside, waiting for something.
Lucifer frowned at them.
'...Vicious auras. Like murderers or irredeemable criminals.'
What were they waiting for here? Up to no good, clearly.
Lucifer suppressed his presence and listened.
One man clicked his tongue, complaining.
"But will it really show here?"
"No mistake. His words never fail."
What was "it"?
The answer came easy.
"I know, but a bigshot like Mumyeong showing up at some random BBQ joint...?"
"Have faith, don't doubt. It's His order."
"Yes, of course."
Mumyeong.
That name hit the air, and light gleamed in Lucifer's eyes.
Exposed?
No.
Both Joo Kanghyeok and he had been meticulous about hiding.
First thought: Asung Guild.
Impossible. They'd gone straight home. He'd have noticed a tail.
Not that simple.
'Something more's going on.'
Plus, their auras reeked of malice.
Couldn't ignore it.
Their chat ended.
Shh.
A black shadow fell over them from behind. They didn't notice a thing.
"Mumyeong-level guy won't look ordinary."
"Eyes peeled. Could come anytime. Special order from Him. Must complete."
Lucifer laid hands on their shoulders as they scanned intently.
"Guh?"
"?!"
Instant.
Black magic from his hands bound the two hunters.
"What the fuck?"
"W-What are you?!"
They squirmed futilely in the black magic.
Lucifer spoke slowly.
"I'd like more details on that chat."
End