First Steps into the Labyrinth
As soon as they surfaced, the sky had already darkened, revealing a forest of glittering skyscrapers in stark contrast against it.
People who looked like explorers hurried about with heavy bags or bundles on their backs, and Allen joined their ranks, heading inside.
The first floor was a vast hall. Automatic doors were labeled by department on either side, making it easy even for newcomers to navigate without confusion.
Those who appeared to be labyrinth explorers headed through the door marked 'Settlement Office,' while Allen followed the arrow pointing to 'New Registration.'
It was 9 p.m., so aside from the on-duty staff, everyone had gone home. A golem receptionist modeled after a human's upper body greeted Allen.
What brings you here?
"I'm here to register as an explorer."
You haven't undergone neural expansion surgery. Please wait a moment.
The golem lowered its hand and rummaged around for a bit before placing a round, transparent crystal orb in front of Allen.
Please place your hand on the crystal orb. This procedure checks for any recent criminal history and registers your personal information in the database as a prospective explorer.
The spot where Allen placed his hand on the crystal orb turned blue. It was recording his fingerprint and mana pattern.
Identity unverifiable. If you have a specialty, creating a new identity is straightforward. For an additional fee, processing can be extremely—unbelievably—expedited.
"Ha... ."
Allen rubbed his forehead and pulled out the last of his bills. Fortunately, it met the requirements, and the golem took the bundle without a word.
Thank you for your cooperation.
"... ."
Do you have any specialties? If combat suits you, head downstairs to test against the ranking golem. Otherwise, state it now.
"What about magitech engineer?"
As soon as Allen finished speaking, the golem pulled a snake-shaped mechanical doll from under the desk. It was an automaton that appeared as an enemy in the labyrinth.
Repair tools are available downstairs as well. Repair it as best you can and bring it back to me.
While the golem explained, Allen examined the snake with his eyes. Peering through as if with X-ray vision, he spotted three broken circuits inside.
There was no need to bother moving it. He pulled out his rune pen, slightly pried open a scale on the snake, and reconnected the faulty circuits.
Chirrrk!
The aggression-removed snake coiled up obediently, the sound of its scales brushing echoing softly. The golem merely watched for a moment.
"It's done."
Then, the next procedure is...
After several questions back and forth, the golem spat out a simple ID card from its '-' shaped mouth, bearing Allen's name and photo.
Name:Allen
Layer:0th Layer
Main Specialty:Magitech Engineering
Sub Specialty:None
Allen stared at the overly simplistic ID, and the golem continued.
Would you like to register your profile for party recruitment? For novice explorers, I recommend joining a party. Alternatively, practical training from Breaker-affiliated explorers is available now for a mere five million...
"No, I'm good."
Allen flatly rejected the golem's sudden sales-pitch tone.
The system was more organized than he'd expected. Other organizations might have ground up an illegal immigrant like him for parts, but Breaker clearly put effort into training labyrinth explorers.
Though the settlement fees were steep, and they could be a hassle for other reasons.
Since the labyrinth entrance was safe enough to solo, Allen planned to head in alone tomorrow to gauge the atmosphere firsthand.
"Is there a decent inn nearby?"
Here is a list of establishments affiliated with Breaker.
This time, the golem spat out a map from its mouth. It showed locations categorized by high-end, mid-range, and budget options.
Allen's wallet was thinned out from bribing the checkpoint guard and greasing the golem, so he chose a budget inn and crossed the street as indicated.
The unmanned hotel was packed with roughly dressed explorers. Some had eyes full of hope, others faces tinged with gloom.
Capsule beds reminiscent of a beehive crammed the first floor. Those needing sleep crawled in one by one like larvae.
Allen watched the scene for a moment. People entering those hives fell into just two categories: larva food, or larva destined to metamorphose into hornets.
Labyrinth (1)
The announcement echoed in the rattling subway car, and everyone turned toward the right side.
The chattering human, the dozing orc, the dwarf polishing gear, even the goblin licking its dagger until it drew blood—none were exceptions.
The sight of everyone moving as one was both fascinating and chilling. It meant every passenger was a labyrinth explorer.
Allen clicked his tongue at the massive flow of people.
'With this many, just entering will take forever, won't it?'
Feeling a sense of urgency, Allen squeezed through the open doors like the others.
It was a true crowd surge. Fortunately, the human wave flowed in one direction without chaos.
Following the person ahead led him to stairs marked 'Labyrinth ↗,' which he ascended quickly.
Upon reaching the surface, his nose, numbed by the musty, life-worn underground stench, cleared right up. The city air wasn't great for the lungs, but it smelled far better than below.
Development was banned underground around the labyrinth, so even though the station was named Labyrinth, it was still a long walk.
Still, observing the variety of firearms and blades, accessories, armor, and diverse EBI forms kept it from being boring.
Experiencing his lifelong dream firsthand set his heart racing. In a few days, Allen would grow accustomed and start shuddering from boredom, but for now.
Please enter slowly while maintaining order!
The city defense forces urged the explorers to keep in line via megaphone.
You there, yellow-haired elf! The wandering girl, yes you! No sneaking ahead—follow instructions!
Beyond the elf ducking her head to avoid stares loomed the fortress encircling the labyrinth entrance.
One might question a fortress in the city center, but no other word fit.
Atop the high walls lined gatling cannons enchanted with space magic targeting enemy vitals, and missiles powered by mana stones instead of gunpowder.
Even at the base, a titan unit stood ready, pilots perched in open chest cockpits overlooking the explorers.
And that was just what Allen could see. There were surely secret weapons not found even in Saramansang.
'No monsters have escaped since the labyrinth was discovered.'
Still, defenses were thorough, and the city forces' discipline fierce. With their seriousness, the explorers naturally kept order.
After showing his ID and entering the fortress, Allen couldn't help a small gasp at the sight of the labyrinth gate that stole his gaze.
"Whoa..."
A 50-meter-high, 100-meter-wide black gate loomed before him. Darker than any black he'd seen, staring too long gave the illusion of one's mind being sucked in.
Originally a mountain, they'd discovered the gate in a cave and carved it all away to make flat ground. A monument to human greatness and tenacity.
"Ha... When do you think we'll get to enter leisurely?"
"Gotta go lower for that. Wanna head down today?"
"Nah, the kid's starting college soon. Can't risk adventure now."
Allen turned his eyes forward, listening to the wrinkly-faced orc's conversation.
The line split into four: layers 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, and 61+.
Naturally, Allen joined the first, swarming with people. The second line thinned out sharply, and from the third, it was empty.
Entry from the south, exit to the north. Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, the flow never stopped.
Even so, with the gate's vast width, lines dwindled steadily—until a murmur rose from behind.
"Expedition day today, huh?"
"Lucky us. Those folks stay inside for months, so you rarely see 'em."
The arriving group headed to the third line. The hexagram on their gear and flags marked them as Hextech's expedition team.
The corporation he'd overheard on the ride yesterday, but already world-famous even before.
Clunk!
The heavy rumble of wheels drew Allen's eyes.
A bull so bulging with muscle—fed protein supplements instead of fodder?—pulled a visibly hefty cart.
'Mixed with minotaur or cannibal ox genes? Fur gleaming like metal suggests starfish too.'
Horses seemingly undergone similar procedures followed the bull.
There was a reason for carts despite space magic.
Space pouches—more precisely, space expansion pouches—couldn't be used inside the labyrinth. Bringing one to the entrance made it pop.
Mages proposed theories:
The space form is similar but different.
It's the labyrinth designer's law.
Different dimensions.
Of course, no one had a clear answer.
Finding oparts like space pouches inside freed one from the restriction, but if common, giants like Hextech wouldn't haul carts.
Allen entered almost simultaneously with the expedition. Darkness engulfed him instantly.
In the labyrinth's low layers like this maze, light sources were mandatory. Even mana-enhanced eyes failed—a labyrinth mystery.
Allen flicked on his headlamp and watched the expedition head to one of the maze's many exits.
"... ."
"Eek! Go ahead."
Explorers lacking the guts to block their path yielded with just a stare from the expedition members.
Of course, Allen was confident he could yield too. For now.
Allen headed to another entrance, taking in the sights. The first floor maze had stone blocking floor and ceiling too.
Manhole-like holes occasionally appeared, from which hostile automatons toward explorers popped out.
As Allen approached a ceiling manhole after walking awhile, someone crouched in the shadows stood up.
"Spot taken."
"...Got it."
Near the elf who'd claimed it sat companions. He'd read on Saramansang that the first floor's crowds led to such dynamics.
Scary to go lower, but wanting money, they camped manholes all day. They even rotated shifts or sold spots for pay.
Some called them scrap collectors, not explorers, for endlessly farming junk without ambition.
'It's for survival. Death renders it pointless.'
Allen understood. Death was the greatest terror; few resisted primal fear.
At first, Allen yielded with a nod.
But then.
"Spot?"
"Got a spot."
"Our spot—scram!"
"Aigoo, beat ya here."
His mind calm, but his brows furrowed unconsciously, reflecting his subconscious. A maze full of explorers, no automatons in sight.
"Hoo..."
Allen sighed, retracing his path. The light-forcing labyrinth was so crowded his lamp stayed off safely.
Ahead, light leaked from a corner. Hearing murmurs, Allen clicked his tongue to hurry past, but—
Psssh!
A deflating sound rang out with raucous voices.
"It's out! Battle stations!"
"Finally, time to earn our keep!"
Allen, who'd quickened his pace, peeked around the corner amid the combat chaos to sneak a look.
A scorpion-like automaton the size of a scooter—