Chapter 129. The Tepperun Labyrinth (2)
Lee Hoyeol, the spirit of darkness, the infinitely deep darkness, and now the Tepperun Labyrinth.
The attention that had been building for nearly a week finally reached its peak.
The AAU, which had been closely monitoring the situation, watched with wide eyes. Korea branch chief Park Minjae blinked in disbelief.
"Is this search volume even possible, Sugyeom?"
It was literally off the charts. The traffic spike for the keyword "Arcana Labyrinth."
Tap-tap-tap—the sound of keyboard keys. Yoon Sugyeom, who had been contributing to the search volume himself, replied.
"Only our Hoyeol seems to have received the quest, but everyone else is eyeing it too. It's not an opportunity that comes easily."
Seong Hyunjun, gauging the mood between his two superiors, chimed in carefully.
"It's one of Arcana Continent's Ten Great Mysteries, after all."
Back when Arcana was just a game, the developers couldn't have been unaware of them. It was such massive bait that it would be weirder if Arcana's creators didn't know.
"It's not hype—it's a genuine world-class quest."
Indeed. Each of the Ten Great Mysteries had influence beyond Arcana Continent, rippling across the world. So at this point, he thought it wasn't content meant to be revealed yet...
Park Minjae narrowed his sharp eyes.
"So Lee Hoyeol's reached that level."
"Exactly. Estimated level at least 900."
"Wait, then other players shouldn't interfere, right?"
Didn't they fear for their lives? It was their necks on the line.
Seong Hyunjun nodded vigorously.
"Right? No way they can compete with Hoyeol."
"...What? Hoyeol?"
"He told me not to 'homen-homen' with him."
Pretend he didn't hear that. Seong Hyunjun added,
"Still, since it's a labyrinth, they're pinning their hopes on it."
"Yeah. Labyrinths aren't like regular hunting grounds."
"They think they can clear it if they figure out the strategy?"
There were various ways to conquer labyrinths in Arcana. Take the extremes: dismantle every trap perfectly and exit unscathed, or trigger them all, slaughter the monster hordes, and push through.
"Or if it gets too tough, just sit tight."
Even staying put was an option. Experience was precious even when Arcana was a game. You could abandon conquest, wait for another player to clear it, and at least break even.
"Hmm, all those complicated calculations, huh?"
Players' mindsets were something else. This nagging worry felt unnecessary now.
Park Minjae clicked his tongue briefly, but Yoon Sugyeom added,
"Plus, recommended level is 500. High compared to average players, but... after those brutal rifts we've seen."
"And low chance of demon interference!"
"...Is that so?"
Sugyeom and Hyunjun seemed unconcerned. But.
Of all things, why did the uncleared Tepperun pop up?
Was it his age making him overly cautious? One detail grated on Park Minjae: the recommended level for [Tepperun Labyrinth].
"Hey, Sugyeom."
"Yes, Branch Chief?"
"That... labyrinths always had question marks, right?"
"The question mark? Yeah, from the start."
As mentioned, labyrinths had multiple strategies, difficulty varying wildly. The system always marked them with question marks.
Right, just a system notation... but.
It's not just any labyrinth—it's one of the Ten Great Mysteries.
Even the developers didn't remember the full details. A distant future content.
Park Minjae couldn't help worrying.
Recommended Level: Lv.500~?
How high was that question mark's ceiling? He didn't doubt Lee Hoyeol's ability, but.
Can I just sit back and watch?
As Park Minjae pondered, Seong Hyunjun's excited voice pierced his ears.
"...Huh? Hold on. Looks like Hoyeol and the Explorers' Federation talked it out? The Federation's mobilizing! And not just any explorers—Fabian himself!"
...What? Fabian?!
That Fabian? The one I know?
Park Minjae flinched and asked back.
"Legendary explorer and Explorers' Federation leader Fabian Dlong?"
"Yes! That's the one!"
"...This is insane."
Fabian Dlong! The legendary explorer. Closer to Arcana's hidden baits, including the Ten Great Mysteries, than anyone. Like the Mage Tower, system constraints bound him as Federation leader.
For that Fabian to move! And with Lee Hoyeol to conquer Tepperun Labyrinth.
Park Minjae let out a hollow laugh.
"Guess my worry was just old-man paranoia after all."
......
The true nature of Federation leader Fabian and the three explorers was best appreciated by fellow Federation explorer players.
Yusra Kingdom. In front of the Explorers' Federation headquarters.
"Can you see them clearly?"
Park Hwigang's camera captured Fabian and the explorers. Before viewers could react, his excited voice continued.
"Federation leader Fabian himself! Even after joining the Federation, this is my first time seeing this. And not just him—Aaron and Lombus too!"
Aaron and Lombus. Excluding the inactive Fabian, the top two in Federation achievements.
They hadn't even entered Tepperun Labyrinth yet, but the chat was already exploding.
Park Hwigang summed it up neatly.
"In one word: elite of the elites!"
The Explorers' Federation's top forces were tackling the [Tepperun Labyrinth] rift! Even players who anticipated it were shocked.
"Crazy. Fabian could actually move?"
"The guy who won't even meet our faces shows up like this?"
"Fabian aside... those two!"
To rankers, Fabian was an enigma. Naturally, eyes turned to Aaron and Lombus.
"They're infamous for their prices, right?"
Federation executives and top achievers. Yes, everyone knew their high fees.
"Beyond price, those two have zero manners."
Tsking was Guild Ranking 5th, Bohemian. Its master, Gaiber.
Muon incident dropped their rank, swapping with Inazuma. But Gaiber valued the lesson.
Rankings mattered less than knowing your place. Thanks to that, he stayed calm.
"Remember when Second Sun and we competed on dungeon clears? Both guilds hired those two at a loss."
"You still remember that? Pre-cataclysm."
"How could I forget?"
The humiliation that day! Aaron and Lombus matched their skill with pride. Like the guilds' rivalry, the explorers competed too.
The guilds got caught in the crossfire.
"I learned then: if I beg the Federation again, call me a dog bastard. Lucky it was pre-cataclysm. Post...?"
How many guildmates died, forced logout from their ego clash? Knowing that, Gaiber seethed and worried.
"Volunteering unpaid is good, but..."
......Lee Hoyeol, is he really okay?
Explorers' madness in adventures defied imagination. And they were quick thinkers. In dungeons or labyrinths, where they held power, they wielded it freely.
Can he control three of those pains?
Whatever Hoyeol thought, Gaiber shook his head.
"I'd refuse even if offered."
They'd drag you down without reward.
"...Gaiber, for real?"
"Yeah, obviously."
"I get the envy, Master."
"What? No, that's not—"
"Arm hurt, but acting like your head's injured too."
"Wait, harsh much?"
But Gaiber's empty excuse didn't last.
"!"
Soon, at the [Tepperun Labyrinth] rift, Hoyeol met the three explorers. Their first encounter broadcast live via netubers.
Aaron and Lombus bowed politely to Hoyeol. Even leader Fabian.
"...For real?"
The sight refocused Gaiber. It also emboldened players hesitating at the rift.
"Yeah. If it's too tough, we just chill."
"Right? Even if we fail, Lee Hoyeol will clear it."
"Hey. It's Lee Hoyeol-nim."
Buzz buzz—the crowd near the [Tepperun Labyrinth] rift poured out interest.
Long time since an exploration? Or too much attention? Fabian rolled his heavy shoulders.
Adventurers live in a tiring world.
A world without freedom? He hated it.
His gaze shifted to Hoyeol.
Tail of titles and feats. What kind of man?
Despite waiting for this day, amazement aside, the wait wasn't wasted. He seemed from another world.
His attire alone: neither Arcana native nor adventurer garb. Unbelievable for labyrinth entry—elegant and dignified.
More surprising: his demeanor.
"We've exchanged enough greetings by letter. Skip them."
Treating the Federation leader casually? Understandable. In Yusra, he rivaled King Hakuna.
The Federation based there, so the attitude fit.
Considering their treatment in Yusra... even rudeness would be gracious.
No, Fabian's shock wasn't the speech.
...Impressive.
No pressure in his gaze or stance. Fabian scanned the mood.
Hoyeol's entrance drew overwhelming focus. Embarrassing to admit, but more than even he, Arcana's top explorer, ever got.
Camera, right.
That tiny device broadcasts live worldwide? The world watched Hoyeol.
Impressive doesn't cover it.
Unshaken amid massive attention. That's why he seemed otherworldly.
Fabian chuckled dryly.
My preparations feel pointless.
He was the labyrinth expert, yet glad to be with Hoyeol.
Snap out of it. As Fabian refocused,
"Enter."
"...!"
Hoyeol's voice answered his evaluation. They exchanged nods. Fabian and the explorers stepped forward.
Fabian spoke gravely.
"We shall give our all, no regrets."
*
Good. Not just us entering the labyrinth.
Modern society helps each other.
Not demon king hunting—just four feels off.
Demon King's Castle vs. labyrinth. The castle's level was 300 higher.
But to me, [Tepperun Labyrinth] was far more daunting...
[Natural Enemy] activation mattered more.
Still, reassuring.
In that sense, the Explorers' Federation was solid. They didn't skim my paranoid letter demanding full prep.
Their gear was no joke. Even Grandfell's aesthetics found no flaws—minimum [Luxury] grade.
Of course, no showing worry. But it let me speak boldly.
"Enter."
The moment his foot crossed the threshold, the scenery flipped instantly.
One relief: the [Tepperun Rift] spawned in an empty field. Rifts blended reality and Arcana half-half in [Strange] spaces.
Imagine it at a transfer station.
Labyrinth mixed with hellish subway crowds? Horrifying just thinking.
But...
Seemed relief was premature. Vision brightened slowly. Tepperun Labyrinth revealed.
With it, rising messages and chilling voice.
"...A voice!"
"Fabian, did you hear that?"
"I did. Not easy from the start."
From their reactions, not common even in labyrinths. Fabian, Aaron, Lombus flinched briefly.
Last message.
......Gulp!
Fabian's group swallowed hard enough for me to hear. Warning from the start. My suppressed paranoia bubbled up.
But no sign shown. Personality aside, I had my 'backup.'
I spoke in my usual voice.
"High El."
High El materialized from thin air. Beside, rippling black form—the spirit of darkness.
It whispered, gazing at me.
"Infinitely deep darkness. I have awaited your call."
......Whatever, fine.
"Infinitely deep darkness...!!"
People are listening. Can't we drop that title in the labyrinth?
My inner plea echoed briefly. Vision flickered.
Ten Great Mysteries Quest: Tepperun's Labyrinth
📍 New objectives updated.
New quest objectives appeared.