Labyrinth Domination and the Horned Wolf

The labyrinth dungeon clear was over.

It had been simple with Lucifer taking the lead.

Labyrinths were places where guilds entered and spent days exploring.

Yet this one had been conquered in under a few hours.

Now came reward time.

In the labyrinth's final room.

Light rising from thin air took on tangible forms.

"The Proof of Legend is for trading with constellations, right?"

"Yes, that's correct. With it, you can exchange for items without Watch Constellation Registration."

"Oh?"

Lucifer added an explanation.

"Plus, you can trade for far better things than mere sponsorships. Even skills. When the time comes, leave the negotiations to me. I'll haggle them down as cheap as possible."

The crow Lucifer nodded confidently, brimming with self-assurance.

Apparently, not just items—skills and such could be exchanged too.

Looking forward to it.

Two from the world boss.

One from clearing this labyrinth.

Already three.

These could be saved and traded wisely.

I stored the Proof of Legend in my inventory and picked up the remaining reward: the ring.

I was hoping for another Skill Reset Scroll.

I already had one, so it was fine.

More would come from future clears.

The item isn't bad either.

Hold on.

This wasn't just "not bad."

Checking the info window, I couldn't close my mouth.

"……It has a Mana skill."

What's the most expensive type of item?

Ones anyone can use effectively.

Especially Mana—no Awakened goes without it.

Skilled hunters use Mana to reinforce their bodies.

Mana was an essential skill, and this ring had it at Lv.3.

Lv.3 was the max for item-attached skills, per public info.

"Wow, congratulations. It even reduces skill cooldowns. It's like the item was made for you, Master. You've got luck on your side too."

"……"

It was starting to feel unreal.

A house wouldn't even cover this ring's price.

Well, Mana isn't something I need right now.

Normal hunters consumed Mana for skills, but none of mine required it.

But the ring offered more than Mana.

Cooldown Reduction 10%.

That other option was exactly what I needed.

Let's try it on…

Gulp.

I swallowed once and slipped the ring onto my finger.

A beautiful wave pattern engraved on the silver band. As faint light sparkled, a message appeared.

The 39-day cooldown dropped to 35.1 days.

Nice.

A plan clicked into place in my mind.

"……Collecting cooldown reduction items like this should do it."

Using runes and items to gradually cut cooldowns—eventually, I could spam skills without waiting.

Decision made.

Gather as many cooldown reduction items as possible.

In game terms, full cooldown reduction build.

As I thought that, Lucifer on my shoulder spoke first.

"If you wish, I can fetch all the cooldown reduction items in the mortal world."

"Huh? How?"

That would be great, but.

"Just borrow them for a bit. Plenty of mortals out there carrying cooldown reduction items."

"And if they say no…?"

"Give 'em a good beating."

"That's a bit…"

I almost went for it.

Fine with digging them out of dungeons, but outright taking? Straight-up villain territory.

Not worth a wanted poster over some items.

"Time to head out."

"Yep."

With the legendary clear reward secured, nothing left here.

Better move fast before it gets annoying.

Setting a new labyrinth record meant articles on Mumyeong soon.

Plenty already hunting for "Mumyeong."

Clear most labyrinths before the fuss.

"On to the next labyrinth."

Stepping toward the light cluster in the boss room corner, the outside scenery unfolded.

The labyrinth entrance bustled with crowds.

Not one of the crowds paid me any mind. No eyes even glanced my way.

The stealth items from constellations worked perfectly.

Let's go.

I slipped leisurely through them, pulling out my smartphone.

The screen showed labyrinth locations.

Next: D-rank labyrinth.

F-rank ones were farther; save for later.

Clear nearby ones quickly first.

What do hunters find the trickiest to clear?

Slaying massive, ferocious world bosses?

Exterminating set numbers from gates?

Withstanding endless monster waves of death?

All tough in their way, but labyrinths topped the list.

Beating monsters wasn't the end.

Labyrinths demanded breaking through traps and tangled maze passages.

No relaxing even for a second.

One slip could drag hunters to ruin.

"Hyung, we're out of food."

"W-We have to head out now."

"Sorry, oppa. Because I got hurt…"

C-rank guild Asung.

They teetered on that very brink.

"Let's rest first. Everyone's exhausted."

Asung's leader, Lee Junghoon, soothed his guildmates.

He leaned against the narrow passage walls with them.

Composed on the outside, but anxiety gnawed inside.

Damn, underestimated this labyrinth.

Current: D-rank labyrinth.

Asung was C-rank—suitable for it.

But bad luck piled up.

Why the hell is there an elite monster in a D-rank labyrinth?

Elite monsters: overwhelming stats and intelligence over normals.

Rare special variants.

Everything went wrong the moment they met it.

We panicked and fled, but…

Two of four guildmates gravely wounded by blade traps.

Potions for first aid, but combat power plummeted in fights after.

Labyrinth monsters were cunning, striking at weaknesses.

Just surviving was our win.

A week of grueling battles.

Most food lost fighting monsters; scraps devoured long ago.

It's over.

Lee Junghoon let out a bitter laugh.

No rescue coming yet—too soon. Only hope: someone passes by.

Doubtful they'd last.

Acting unfazed as leader, but his insides burned.

Then.

Grrr…

Grrrrr…

Beast growls echoed beyond the walls. Feral eyes gleamed in the dark.

"L-Leader…"

"Ngh."

Guildmates trembled in fear. Condition: worst. Unfit for battle.

"…We'll fight to the end."

Even so, Lee Junghoon forced a smile and stood.

Had to keep calm for them.

"Never give up. Hold out to the end… and we'll survive."

It worked.

At his lead, members staggered up, eyes burning with resolve.

"Leader's right. Gotta thrash around."

"Let's do it. Come on."

"…Prepping last spell."

Seeing them, Lee Junghoon steeled himself.

Yeah, too early to quit. Let's try.

Fight like hell, win, chew monster meat to survive.

Slash! Boom! Spurt!

Asung united. They squeezed every ounce to fell the wolf monsters ahead.

Seemed possible.

Might overcome this hurdle too.

As faint hope rose—

"W-Wait, Leader. That monster…"

One pointed ahead, hand shaking wildly.

A gray wolf pierced the dark.

Grrrrrr.

White horn sprouted from its head.

"H-Horn Wolf…"

Lee Junghoon's eyes shook madly. Not just him—all guildmates.

Elite monster Horn Wolf.

The fiend that doomed Asung. Lee Junghoon muttered blankly.

"…We can't beat that."

"R-Run…"

Before words finished—

Boom—!

Horn Wolf leaped from shadows.

Its forepaw smashed Lee Junghoon's leather armor.

Crack! Thud!

Bones snapped; he flew back.

"Kyaaak—!"

"Leader!"

Guildmates screamed in panic.

None reacted ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to Horn Wolf's speed.

Gap too vast. No escape allowed.

Grrrrr…

Horn Wolf growled contentedly at its prey.

"It's over."

"Ah…"

Asung ended here.

Truly the last.

As one guildmate squeezed eyes shut—

Rumble—!

The entire labyrinth shook. Floor quaked violently; standing impossible.

"Earthquake?!"

"W-What's happening?!"

Sudden tremors halted Horn Wolf and wolves.

"Now! Don't just stand—run!"

Golden chance for Asung.

Earthquake bought escape time.

But Horn Wolf stopped for another reason.

Grrr…?

Overwhelming aura.

Suffocating pressure approached.

Fur bristling, spine icing.

Horn Wolf's instincts screamed nonstop.

First time the labyrinth apex predator felt this.

Rumble!

Roaring close now; beast eyes pierced dark.

Horn Wolf couldn't believe its eyes.

A single crow flying in.

No ordinary crow.

It formed massive mana currents, destroying all in sight, charging.

Rumble—!

Shredding placed wolf monsters.

Demolishing hidden traps.

Mad momentum.

"Awoo!"

Horn Wolf howled, body swelling. Red mana gathered at horn; fur spiked.

Full power.

Elite mana erupted like storm—that instant.

Whoosh—!

Crow and Horn Wolf mana clashed. No explosion.

Horn Wolf and minions shredded entirely.

Like any normal monster or trap. The labyrinth lord vanished without trace.

"Kyaaak—!"

"C-Crazy—!"

Asung stared in shock. Some shut eyes; others raised hands.

Elite Horn Wolf evaporated.

Supernatural?

Monster beyond elite?

Didn't matter.

That crow passing meant they'd vanish too.

Rumble—!

Crow smashed through labyrinth ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠relentlessly.

"Uwaaak!"

"Please!"

"Heejeong-ah, I loved you!"

All sensed death—that moment.

Stop.

Mana storm halted.

Crow flying fast miraculously stopped.

Hovered, silently glaring at guildmates.

"Huff."

"It… stopped? Not moving?"

"Oppa, what'd you say earlier…?"

"W-Wait, Leader! You okay?!"

One dashed to leader reflexively.

Horn Wolf victim gasped raggedly. No external wounds, but internals grave maybe.

"Damn, any potions left?"

"…None. Zero."

As they fretted—a potion bottle dropped from air.

"Huh?"

Guildmate caught it blankly, blinked. Eyes fixed on floating crow.

"Did the crow give this?"

"C'mon, that makes no sense."

As they hesitated at the bizarre—

"Lost your way in the labyrinth, have you?"

The crow spoke.

"It… talked."

"The crow spoke."

Ignoring stunned guildmates, crow Lucifer continued.

"Follow if you want to live. My master has bestowed grace upon you."

"…Pardon?"

No time to ask; crow passed them.

"Leader conscious?"

"Urgh…"

"Oppa, didn't you say something earlier?"

"Chase it first!"

Asung followed the crow.

Clinging to slim escape hope.

And at their forefront.

Right behind the crow.

Joo Kanghyeok, masked in stealth.

Lucifer's really hamming it up.

Anyone'd think it a spirit, not a crow.

From their view, not wrong.

Joo Kanghyeok glanced back at trailing guild.

…Must've been rough.

Lucifer had tipped him off to people ahead.

Came this way just in case.

Glad it helped.

Joo Kanghyeok held the magic stone dropped from Lucifer-shredded Horn Wolf.

Lustrous yellow unlike normal stones.

Special magic stone from elites only.

Heard of 'em, first time seeing one.

Price: about 20 million won.

"…Shredded an elite in one go?"

"Pardon? Ah, that was an elite. Thought it was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠just a wolf—too weak."

Lucifer flapped nonchalantly ahead.

…Just how strong is this guy?